The Path to Immortality: Starting with the Growth of Bubble Fruits from the Ground

Elder Qin put down the earthenware pot and asked, "Young man, what's your name?"

Zhou Mu quickly replied, each word clear: "Reporting to the Elder, this disciple's name is Zhou Mu."

"Hmm, Zhou Mu," Elder Qin nodded slightly, "Last time I threw out five seeds, and only yours not only recovered its vitality but also grew quite well. It seems you do have a talent for spiritual plants."

Zhou Mu rubbed his hands together, looking flattered: "Elder, ever since I got the seed, I've inexplicably felt a sense of closeness to it. Who knew it would sprout so unexpectedly?"

Elder Qin's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, "This feeling you have is a talent for spiritual plants. You are naturally close to spiritual plants, which is why it chose you."

Zhou Mu knew his own situation well; otherwise, after Elder Qin's words, he would have really thought he was a born master of cultivating spiritual plants.

However, in order not to give himself away, Zhou Mu still put on a happy expression.

Elder Qin asked unhurriedly, "Tell me, how did you cultivate it? I'm quite curious too."

Zhou Mu recounted his cultivation process in an orderly manner, stating everything truthfully except for the effects of the fruit.

After listening, Elder Qin simply nodded slightly. He didn't press Zhou Mu further, but instead looked at the black jade ginseng in silence.

Zhou Mu and Steward Liu dared only sit below, patiently waiting.

"Zhou Mu, since you've cultivated the Black Jade Ginseng, you can become my disciple under a pseudonym," Elder Qin said slowly, looking at Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu was overjoyed. Elder Qin's tiger skin was the purpose of his trip, and he didn't expect to get it so easily.

Just as Zhou Mu was about to pay his respects to his master, Elder Qin interrupted him.

"However, your black jade ginseng is indeed well-cultivated. I can give you another option."

Zhou Mu was momentarily taken aback; this was unexpected. However, he was also curious: "May I ask, Elder, what is the other option?"

"I can arrange for you to go to my senior sister's place to look after the herb garden and cultivate spiritual herbs."

"Senior Sister? The sect's top Foundation Establishment cultivator? Preparing to reach the Golden Core stage?"

Zhou Mu was a little confused; he hadn't expected that Elder Qin's other option would be this.

Manager Liu, who was standing to the side, was in the same boat. He knew far more than Zhou Mu. He looked at Zhou Mu in disbelief, his heart filled with anxiety. He wanted to speak up and remind him, but he didn't dare to because Elder Qin was watching from above.

Zhou Mu quickly came to his senses, and in an instant, he made a decision.

"Elder, I wish to cultivate medicinal herbs."

Zhou Mu understood perfectly. Elder Qin was already the head of the Internal Affairs Hall, so his senior sister's status must be even higher, which would give Zhou Mu even more leverage.

As for the title of disciple, Zhou Mu didn't care, since he wasn't a direct disciple.

Seeing Zhou Mu's decisiveness, Elder Qin feigned anger and asked, "You'd rather guard the herb garden than become my disciple?"

"Elder, you misunderstand. I just enjoy growing spiritual plants, and besides..."

What Zhou Mu said was true. What he lacked right now was spiritual fields, and planting spiritual herbs would greatly help him in terms of both his knowledge and his future alchemy skills.

In addition, new bubble fruits will definitely appear, which also makes Zhou Mu very excited.

Zhou Mu also briefly explained his conflict with the family alliance and the purpose of his trip.

Zhou Mu never intended to hide anything. This little thing couldn't be kept from Elder Qin, much less from his senior sister, so he might as well tell the truth.

As expected, after listening, Elder Qin smiled and said, "You little rascal, you're quite honest and simple-minded; you'd be well-suited for farming."

Zhou Mu could tell that Elder Qin was saying he wasn't good at dealing with people, that he was being sold out and still helping the seller count the money.

However, this is exactly what Zhou Mu wanted to see. He wanted everyone to think that he, Zhou Mu, was just an honest and simple farmer.

"Elder, can we continue cultivating the newly acquired spirit fields in the Internal Affairs Hall?"

"Haha... Sure, my senior sister's herb garden will count as your sect mission."

"Manager Liu, you can take Zhou Mu directly to my senior sister's Wanhua Mountain in ten days."

"Yes, Master."

When Zhou Mu and Steward Liu straightened up, Elder Qin was nowhere to be seen; only the earthenware pot remained in its original place.

The two looked at each other, then simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief and smiled at each other.

Zhou Mu put away the earthenware pot and walked down the mountain with Steward Liu. Only two empty cups remained in the empty hall.

---------

On the flying boat, Zhou Mu asked, "Manager, who is Elder Qin's senior sister?"

"That person is Hua Yinrong, the master of Wanhua Mountain, and one of the seven mountain lords of the sect!"

Zhou Mu was secretly surprised. He knew the weight of the Mountain Lord. Apart from the Sect Master and a few Supreme Elders, no one in the entire Wandao Sect had a higher status than the Mountain Lord. At most, they were equals.

"Don't be too happy yet. You are still a member of the Internal Affairs Hall. Elder Qin just sent you to carry out sect missions. At most, you are just a farmhand of Wanhua Mountain."

Seeing Zhou Mu's happy expression, Manager Liu poured a basin of cold water over his head.

"You should be content. So many people in the sect want to go to Wanhua Mountain to be farmhands, but they are all desperate and have nowhere else to turn."

Zhou Mu nodded. He was mentally prepared, and the current result was already quite good. All he wanted was a stable environment for cultivation.

Instead of returning to the Internal Affairs Hall, Steward Liu took Zhou Mu directly to the lower-grade spirit field area, attracting the attention of the spirit farmers.

"Come to the Imperial Household Department in ten days."

Manager Liu gave a brief instruction, then commanded the flying boat to soar into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"My legs are going to suffer from now on."

Zhou Mu's legs were already aching at the thought of having to travel between three places over the next two months.

To fly during the Qi Refining stage, one must use a magical artifact inscribed with a levitation array to ascend into the sky. Even the cheapest of these artifacts are very expensive, and Zhou Mu cannot afford them for the time being.

The only thing he can afford right now is a flying talisman.

"Wow, the manager is personally acting as your groom. Our little Zhou is a big shot now."

Zhou Mu looked over and saw Old Wang standing not far away, looking at him with a teasing expression.

"You old rascal, come on, come on, call Brother Zhang and Aunt Liu, I have good news to tell you."

----------

At night, Zhou Mu and the other three sat in a circle in Old Wang's courtyard.

After Zhou Mu briefly recounted what had happened during the day, Old Wang and Brother Zhang stared at him, mouths agape in disbelief.

Old Wang, in particular, had spent most of his life in the Wandao Sect, and because of his background, he knew as much inside information as Steward Liu.

After glancing at Brother Zhang, Lao Wang swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"Old Wang, you said last time that outer disciples have at least three sect missions a year. Does my trip to Wanhua Mountain to plant spiritual herbs count as one, or three?"

The dozen or so acres of medium-grade spiritual fields are still empty. In ten days, he will be going to Wanhua Mountain. Zhou Mu knows very little about the sect's rules, so he must understand them clearly before he can make a plan for the subsequent planting.

"This is a long-term mission, so it counts as three. And as long as you can stay in Wanhua Mountain, you won't need to worry about sect missions anymore. However, I suggest you check out the Affairs Hall; some of the missions there are quite good."

Old Wang's explanation put Zhou Mu at ease. If there were any other mandatory tasks, he would basically have no time to cultivate.

"However, Baihua Mountain is a bit complicated, so you should be careful."

Old Wang looked at Zhou Mu with a serious expression, a hint of worry in his eyes.