Starting as a spiritual plant master, may I eventually become the master of all lands.

In the Wisteria Valley, at the Wisteria Hall, Duanmu Jingyi sat high above.

Beside her were two Core Formation elders, both men.

One was thin and bony, rarely smiling, like a withered tree. The other, however, was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

In addition to Steward Wang and Sun Da, there were also Steward Liu from the Salary Hall, Steward Hu from the Beekeeping Hall, and two other people whose identities were unknown among the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Below Deacon Liu were several Qi Refining cultivators from the Salary Hall, who appeared to be there specifically to tally up the spoils of this operation.

More than a hundred disciples who had participated in the Kongsang adventure stood in the hall. Some looked sorrowful, some were overjoyed, and some shook their heads and sighed...

After Song Chuan and the others returned to their sect, they went directly to this hall. During this time, no one had the opportunity to secretly hide the contents of their storage bags elsewhere.

Chi Ying Shu disappeared; she was probably taken away by her elders.

Everyone stepped forward, handed over their storage bags, registered, and then returned to their original positions.

The gaunt Core Formation cultivator said to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, "Yang Zhanqiu, take out the Spirit Awareness Vine."

"Yes, Elder Yan."

A Foundation Establishment cultivator whom Song Chuan had never seen before patted his storage bag, and a small piece of spiritual vine appeared in his palm.

He made a hand seal and pointed, and the vine flew to the storage bag of the disciple standing at the front in the blink of an eye. After circling the storage bag once, it moved to the storage bag of the next disciple.

Song Chuan already knew that this vine had the ability to detect spiritual plants and rare insects, but it had no effect on magical artifacts or talismans. This was to check if the disciple was hiding anything, but generally no one would be bold enough to do such a thing.

When it came to Song Chuan, the Spirit-Aware Vine wrapped around Song Chuan's own storage bag but did not land on the storage bag containing Master Ku Zhuo's spiritual plants.

As it landed on Song Chuan's insect pouch, it flashed by and went to the next disciple.

Hehe, Master Kuzhuo's insect pouch is really good. He even put the orchid insect in it, but he sternly warned the insect not to harm the cave salamander.

Although if the disciple's own strange insects caused the Spirit-Aware Vine to react, it would only require verifying the master's aura and he wouldn't be held accountable for being captured from the Kongsang Mountains, he didn't want the Orchid Insect to be exposed.

As for why the spirit vine didn't end up in the storage bag containing Master Kuzhuo's spirit plants, it's because Master Kuzhuo had given instructions.

After all the inspections were completed, Deacon Wang said:

"All cultivators who enter the sect with the Spring Sprout Token shall henceforth be formal disciples of this sect. No one shall be allowed to engage in any idle talk or bullying. If discovered by the Enforcement Hall, they shall be severely punished!"

The rewards for this adventure in Kongsang will be delivered to you directly in three days. If you have any objections, please go to the Salary Hall. Dismissed!

The cultivators exchanged glances, and then, in twos and threes, silently walked out of the Wisteria Hall.

"I heard from Elder Duanmu that this is the largest number of people from our Vine Flower Valley this time. It's truly the first time!" The Core Formation Elder, with a gentle expression, said with a smile.

Elder Yan glanced at the disciples of the Salary Hall who were still counting the spiritual items, and a smile appeared on his gaunt face:

"Elder You is right. There are quite a few good disciples who came with the Spring Sprout Token this time."

"Elder Duanmu previously mentioned that he used the Sound-Stealing Vine to hear that the Four Pillars Sect seemed to have lost a group of important disciples. What was the expression on that old bastard Chen Yuntian's face? Elder Duanmu, could you elaborate?" Elder You asked.

"Boring!" Duanmu Jingyi spat out the two words through gritted teeth.

Elder You gave an awkward smile and changed the subject:

"If it weren't for that Song Chuan who warned about the Jiazi Cicada, things would probably be no different from before! He even collected so many cicada shells. Once this item reaches a certain quantity, hehe, it's more precious than a dozen third-tier spiritual plants."

Elder Yan suddenly looked at Deacon Wang and asked, "What is the background of that disciple named Song Chuan? Has Deacon Wang investigated him?"

"Elder, Song Chuan comes from the Song family of Guyang Town, Baiquan County, who are in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. The clan leader is Song Chang."

This child's parents died early. After the clan received the Spring Sprout Order, they arranged for him to enter the clan with the order. At that time, he was at the fourth level of Qi Refining and traveled alone to enter the clan.

During this time, he partnered with disciples of the Changshao Sect to harvest the second-tier spiritual plant, the Corpse Flower. He learned of this by capturing a rogue cultivator with a missing arm.

He was once ambushed by another rogue cultivator who wanted to seize the Spring Sprout Token and join the sect in his place, but Deacon Sun arrived in time to save him. Later, because of his skill in cultivating soil, he was selected by Deacon Xuan to rebuild the Radiant Fragrance Garden for Master Kuzhuo.

Deacon Wang recounted Song Chuan's entire background in one breath. When he mentioned that Sun Da had saved Song Chuan, Sun Da blushed but immediately regained his composure.

"Four spiritual roots, four levels of Qi refinement, I came here alone."

I visited Xueye Lake in Guyang Town years ago. For Qi Refining cultivators, it's quite far from their sect.

So, this kid is nothing more than someone the Song family put forward to appease our sect. Heh.

Elder You's eyes flashed with coldness, and his words hit the nail on the head.

"That's good. This boy's background is clear, and he certainly doesn't have much affection for his family, but he is loyal to the sect. We can consider giving him a Foundation Establishment Pill," Elder Yan said.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators below exchanged bewildered glances, while the Qi Refining cultivator counting the spiritual items paused in his tracks.

Elder You waved his hand and placed a soundproof barrier, his brows furrowing slightly:

"Logically speaking, this child warned of the Jiazi Cicada and saved that little demon and the wind fox, each of which is a great achievement. The old demon is currently a guest in the sect and, knowing about this, will surely be very grateful to the sect, and may even offer more Crimson Blood Crystals."

As for the Wind Fox, we might need it someday when we venture deep into the Kongsang Mountains alone.

"But this child has four spiritual roots, so giving him a Foundation Establishment Pill would be a waste. I don't really agree with that. What does Elder Duanmu say?"

Before Duanmu Jingyi could speak, Elder Yan continued:

"I asked Ku Zhuo how the Foundation Establishment Pills would be distributed, and he said that one would be given to the person who went into the mountains to collect spiritual items for him, which is Song Chuan. Elder Duanmu asked this young man, and Ku Zhuo has completed his task. Ku Zhuo should not break his promise to this junior."

"This child has obtained the Emperor's Dew." Duanmu Jingyi only said this one sentence and then fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Elder You pondered for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, there's hope for him to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Let's give him one; we can't disappoint our disciple."

Then, he chuckled gloatingly, "If he can reach the Foundation Establishment stage, that little Song family will be in for a good show. They won't get away with messing up our sect's mission, hehe!"

The three of them thus decided that the Foundation Establishment Pill would belong to Song Chuan.

Sun Da stood to one side, feeling very curious. Although he didn't know what the elders said afterward, Elder Yan was actually going to give Song Chuan a Foundation Establishment Pill. What kind of contribution had this boy made in the Kongsang Mountains?

Deacon Wang also had a strange expression. After Elder Duanmu met with Song Chuan on the treasure ship, he immediately ordered her to investigate Song Chuan's family background.

This kept her very busy. Before he even returned, she had to keep sending messages by flying sword to various places to search for news of the boy.

Some of the cultivators from the Salary Hall who were in charge of counting the spiritual items had dealt with Song Chuan before. Although they didn't have a deep impression of him, they knew of him.

Song Chuan actually has a chance to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, but I haven't seen much rare stuff in the storage bag he brought up!