Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

Although Murong Fan was injured during the competition that day, he still managed to become Hong Fu's disciple with the first place. Under Hong Fu's protection, no one in Huangfeng Valley called him "the flower grower" or "the idiot" anymore.

On the contrary, everyone paid special attention to him, and Hong Fu even set him up as a role model for cultivation. Whether they were outer disciples or inner disciples, no matter what kind of mission they took on, as long as they were willing to work hard and persevere, their cultivation would improve rapidly even if they had slightly less resources. However, Hong Fu only knew that he had a Heavenly Spiritual Root and was exceptionally talented, but she did not know that he also had the help of the altar!

Although Hong Fu was proud and aloof, she was extremely dedicated to teaching her disciples. She saw that Murong Fan had a solid foundation but his cultivation methods were mixed, so she taught him the first three levels of the "Hong Fu Heart Sutra" and gave him three bottles of "Condensing Essence Pills" to help him stabilize his realm.

Every morning, Murong Fan would meditate and practice breathing exercises with his master, and in the afternoon he would return to the Qingluo District to take care of the spiritual herbs. Hong Fu did not forbid him from continuing this "job," but instead occasionally took the Qingluo flowers he cultivated and sent people to refine pills.

"The way of plants and trees is connected with cultivation. Since you have the opportunity to understand it, there is no need to abandon the essential and pursue the trivial," Hong Fu said.

Murong Fan respectfully agreed, but he had other plans in mind. He continued to offer sacrifices of withered green vine flowers every month, but he was more cautious—he changed the time of the sacrifice to the dead of night, and he also used the divine sense isolation array plate given to him by Hong Fu to shroud the cave.

That day, he had just returned from listening to the teachings of his master when he passed by the "Ningbi Pool" in the valley and suddenly heard the sound of water gurgling. Looking up, he saw a female novice in green robes squatting by the pool washing clothes. Her profile was like jade, and her eyebrows and eyes carried a scholarly air.

Murong Fan intended to take a detour, but the female cultivator seemed to sense the movement and turned around. Their eyes met, and the female cultivator was slightly taken aback before rising and bowing, "Greetings, Senior Brother Murong."

Not long ago, outer disciples called him "idiot" without a second thought, while inner disciples wouldn't even bother to look at him. But now, even Chen Qiaoqian, a core inner disciple, has to respectfully address him as "Senior Brother Murong"—even though he's a year or two younger than her. "This is the damn world!"

Chen Qiaoqian's voice was gentle and melodious, like a spring breeze caressing the willows.

Murong Fan stopped in his tracks. Although he had only been a disciple of Hong Fu for a little over a month, he was already used to being called "senior brother." However, this female cultivator's eyes were clear, without a trace of flattery or probing, which made him feel somewhat favorably towards her.

"Junior sister, do you recognize me?"

The female cultivator smiled faintly: "In the minor competition, Senior Brother defeated powerful enemies one after another with his plant techniques, becoming famous overnight. Who in the valley doesn't know him? Junior Sister Chen Qiaoqian has been a disciple for two years and now lives in 'Shuyuxuan' on the west side of Ningbi Pool."

Chen Qiaoqian.

Murong Fan's heart stirred slightly. He vaguely remembered the name—it seemed to be a member of the clan of a Foundation Establishment elder, with decent aptitude but a gentle and mild temperament, and he never liked to compete with others.

"Junior Sister Chen is washing clothes here. Are you short of a servant disciple?" he asked casually. Inner disciples are usually provided with servants, while outer disciples are required to take care of their own daily needs.

Chen Qiaoqian shook her head: "There are handymen. It's just that this pool of water is taken from the upper reaches of the spiritual spring. Washing the robes with it can retain three parts of the spiritual energy, so I'm used to doing it myself."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on Murong Fan's left arm—where bandages were still wrapped, a result of Lu Mingyuan's sword energy during the minor competition. Hong Fu had given him healing pills, and the wound had mostly healed, but the damage to his meridians would require time to recuperate.

"Senior Brother's injury..." Chen Qiaoqian hesitated, "Our clan has a recipe for 'Azure Jade Ointment,' which is remarkably effective against sword energy erosion. If Senior Brother doesn't mind, I can make a batch and send it to you."

Murong Fan initially intended to politely decline, but changed his mind before he could finish speaking. He could tell that the female cultivator had no intention of currying favor; her kindness was purely out of goodwill—such a heart was rare in the treacherous world of cultivation.

"Then thank you very much, Junior Sister Chen."

The next day, Chen Qiaoqian indeed delivered the Qingyu Ointment. After trying it, Murong Fan found that its effects were gentler than the "Pulse-Continuing Pill" given to him by Hong Fu, and it relieved the strain on his meridians when he was practicing the "Herbal Formula". He had an idea and returned the favor with three hundred-year-old Qingluo flowers - this was the portion that Steward Liu had specially allowed him to use himself.

"This is too expensive," Chen Qiaoqian declined.

"It's nothing special to me," Murong Fan said calmly. "If you feel bad about it, Junior Sister, why don't you tell me the recipe for this Jade Ointment? I'm somewhat interested in the ways of herbs and plants and would like to know its principles."

Chen Qiaoqian hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. She took out a jade slip to record the recipe, and then carefully explained the processing time for each medicinal herb. Murong Fan listened attentively, asking questions from time to time, and the two of them discussed the Dao in the cave until dusk.

"Senior brother's understanding of plants is even more profound than that of the alchemists in my clan," Chen Qiaoqian exclaimed. "I have never heard of the mutated cultivation method of this 'Soul-Entangling Vine' before."

Murong Fan smiled without saying a word. How could he easily show the offerings from the altar to others? But he discovered that when he discussed the Dao with Chen Qiaoqian, his understanding of the "Herbal Manual" had actually improved—although this female cultivator's cultivation was only at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, she had unique insights into the principles of medicine and could often point out things that he had not thought of.

Every few days thereafter, the two would meet by the Ningbi Pool to exchange ideas. Murong Fan would teach her some techniques for manipulating the plants returned from the altar, and Chen Qiaoqian would reciprocate with her family's secret elixir formulas. This exchange was beneficial to both of them, without involving any core secrets, making it just right.

Hongfu noticed her disciple's whereabouts and, after listening to a sermon, casually asked, "I heard you've been getting close to that girl from the Chen family?"

Murong Fan readily admitted, "Junior Sister Chen has a profound understanding of pharmacology. My exchanges with her have greatly helped my comprehension of the 'Herbal Formula'."

Hong Fu looked at him for a long time, but in the end did not object. She had also had a like-minded fellow cultivator in her youth, but later... She pulled herself out of her thoughts and only advised, "Cultivation is the priority; do not become addicted."

Murong Fan respectfully agreed.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Murong Fan was in seclusion in his cave, refining all the cultivation essence accumulated at the altar. Spiritual liquid surged within his dantian, and spiritual power flowed like a tide through his meridians. Under the impact of this immense power, the bottleneck of the twelfth level of Qi Refining shattered with a deafening roar.

Qi Refining Stage Thirteen, Great Perfection!

He opened his eyes, a fleeting pale golden light flashing within them. The altar trembled slightly within his sea of ​​consciousness, seemingly sensing the host's advancement in cultivation. Murong Fan used his divine sense to examine the altar's surface and discovered new patterns—more intricate than before, vaguely forming some kind of plant totem.

"This is..." He observed intently, and the patterns were somewhat similar to those recorded in the fragments of "The Secrets of Herbs and Trees".

Just as they were about to delve deeper into their research, Chen Qiaoqian's voice came from outside the cave: "Senior Brother Murong, are you there?"

Murong Fan put away the array plate and opened the door to greet her. Chen Qiaoqian looked solemn today, holding a communication jade slip in her hand: "Senior Brother, the list of those selected for the Crimson Trial has been released. You...you're on it."

Murong Fan took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. Twenty Qi Refining stage disciples from Huangfeng Valley were selected, and he was ranked first. At the end of the list, he saw Chen Qiaoqian's name.

"Junior sister is here too?"

Chen Qiaoqian smiled bitterly: "It's the result of the elders in my clan's efforts. I wanted to decline, but..." She paused, "I heard that this year's Blood Trial is different from previous years. Ancient relics have appeared deep within the forbidden area, and all the sects have sent their elite disciples. My cultivation is too low, I'm afraid..."

Murong Fan pondered. The Crimson Trial was exceptionally dangerous, with a casualty rate exceeding 30% in recent years. But for him, it was both a crisis and an opportunity—the altar might have a special reaction to the spiritual objects within the ancient ruins.

"If you trust me, Junior Sister, you may accompany me during the trial," he said calmly. "While I cannot guarantee absolute success, it is better than facing it alone."

Chen Qiaoqian looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude, but also with complex emotions. Having been a disciple for two years, she had seen far too many hypocrites and knew the true weight of the word "fellow cultivator" in the cultivation world.

Why did my senior brother help me?

Murong Fan looked out the window towards the Qingluo District. That was once where he hid, and now it had become his foundation. From "Two Fools" to a disciple of Hongfu, from the eleventh level of Qi Refining to the Great Perfection, he had taken every step cautiously and firmly.

"Junior sister, do you still remember when we first met, I asked you why you were washing clothes yourself?" he countered.

Chen Qiaoqian nodded.

"You said you're used to doing things yourself." Murong Fan smiled slightly. "I'm also used to doing everything myself. But on this path of cultivation, there are always moments when you need someone to walk with you. My junior sister is that person to me."

Chen Qiaoqian was stunned, her ear tips turning slightly red.

Murong Fan changed the subject, taking out three Soul-Entangling Vine Seeds: "These are improved mutated varieties, capable of sensing spiritual energy fluctuations within a five-mile radius. Junior Sister, after refining them, carry them with you. They can be used as early warnings during trials. Remember, do not easily show this skill to others."

He explained the method of refining in detail, and Chen Qiaoqian listened intently, suppressing the excitement in her heart. She knew that this young man had only the Great Dao in his heart, and romantic love was too much of a luxury for him. But to have such a friendship as companions was already rare.

After Chen Qiaoqian left, Murong Fan went into seclusion again. Reaching the Great Perfection of Qi Refining was only the beginning; before the Blood Trial, he needed to completely stabilize his realm and decipher the newly emerging patterns on the altar. Those plant totems seemed to conceal secrets even deeper than the "Grass and Tree Manual."

The moonlight outside the window was like water, and the green hibiscus flowers swayed gently in the night breeze. Murong Fan sat cross-legged on the futon, his consciousness merging with the altar, gradually entering a profound state. On a level beyond his perception, the ancient will deep within the altar subtly awakened, as if letting out a satisfied sigh.

It was as if he were whispering, "The nourishment... is finally enough." His connection with the altar had become even stronger. But his growing familiarity with Chen Qiaoqian would also bring them trouble and jealousy...

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