Seeing Lin Feng being so "magnanimous" and willing to "offer" the spirit rice, Elder Gu He was overjoyed. His opinion of Lin Feng soared even higher. "Good! Good! Good! Nephew Lin, your magnanimity is vast, your future limitless! Rest assured, from now on in the Outer Sect, no, in the entire Profound Heaven Sect, with this old man here, who dares bully you even a fraction?!"
With a sweep of his large hand, several jade bottles shimmering with treasure light and a storage pouch flew towards Lin Feng. "These pills were personally refined by this old man. One bottle of 'Clear Essence Pills' is enough to cure your sister's illness! One bottle of 'Foundation Nurturing Pills' to consolidate her foundation! One bottle of 'Spirit Gathering Pills' to aid your cultivation! The pouch also contains one hundred low-grade spirit stones, as a deposit from this old man for the spirit rice! Henceforth, any seeds, fertilizers, or protective formations your spirit fields require, simply requisition them from the Pill Hall and put it on this old man's account!"
Lin Feng accepted the pills and spirit stones, his heart surging with excitement. Clear Essence Pills! Little sister is finally saved! He suppressed his elation and bowed deeply. "This disciple thanks Elder Gu for his immense kindness!"
"Haha, no need for such formalities!" Elder Gu He carefully received the roughly one jin (pound) of near-Peerless Grade spirit rice Lin Feng handed him (deliberately avoiding the core mutated plant), treating it like priceless treasure. "Nephew Lin, focus on your cultivation and nurturing the spirit plants with peace of mind. For the 'Hundred Herbs Garden' qualification selection six months from now, this old man will ensure you get a spot! If you can enter the Hundred Herbs Garden, or even catch the eye of a master from Hundred Herbs Peak..." He gave a meaningful smile, then vanished in a flicker, leaving only his excited voice behind: "This old man takes his leave! I shall visit again another day!"
As soon as Elder Gu left, the terrifying pressure dissipated. But Zhao Dezhu, kneeling in the mud, didn't dare raise his head. He remained prostrate, trembling like a leaf in a storm.
Only then did the surrounding spirit farmers and disciples dare to cautiously rise to their feet. Their gazes towards Lin Feng were filled with unprecedented awe, envy, and fawning. Everyone knew that from this day forward, this spirit farmer named Lin Feng had risen completely! Standing behind him was Pill Hall Elder Gu He! A Nascent Soul stage mighty cultivator!
Ignoring the stares, Lin Feng hurried back to his hut. He watched as his sister swallowed the Clear Essence Pill, fragrant and pure. The pill dissolved instantly upon entering her mouth, its potent yet gentle medicinal power rapidly flowing through Lin Xiaoya's entire body. Her pale little face visibly flushed with healthy color. The lingering aura of weakness and decay that had clung to her melted away like snow under spring sun, replaced by vibrant vitality!
"Brother... I feel... so light... so comfortable..." Lin Xiaoya opened her eyes, their clarity brighter than ever before. She tentatively took a few steps off the bed, light as a fawn.
Lin Feng hugged his sister tightly, his eyes slightly reddened. "You're cured, Xiaoya! You're finally cured!"
In the days that followed, Lin Feng's life underwent a dramatic transformation. He moved into a refined residence courtyard arranged by Elder Gu He. Five acres of premium spirit fields were meticulously prepared by Pill Hall disciples, equipped with spirit gathering and protective formations. He consumed Spirit Gathering Pills daily and feasted on near-Peerless Grade spirit rice. His cultivation soared like a rocket, soon breaking through to Qi Refining Level Five! His system energy cap also rose accordingly.
He occasionally passed by the three acres of low-grade spirit fields that once belonged to him. Zhao Dezhu still knelt there in the muddy ridge, like a dead dog, barely breathing, long stripped of any human semblance. No one dared to help him, nor bring him water or food. This was Elder Gu He's order, and Lin Feng's "suggestion."
Lin Feng merely cast a brief, indifferent glance before moving on. Qi Refining Level Five? This was merely the beginning. The Hundred Herbs Garden? Hundred Herbs Peak? Su Muqing? His gaze had already shifted towards far broader horizons. Zhao Dezhu? He was nothing but a stumbling block ground into the mud on his path to ascension.