There was actually one more scroll titled Mountain and River Requiem Song, a musical score once composed by a talented sound cultivator to battle against a group of demonic cultivators. However, the difficulty level was quite high, and it didn't quite align with her spiritual root attributes.
Her main affinity was with the Wood spiritual root, and she could barely wield the Metal and Fire elements. Scores attuned to Water or Earth would likely be incompatible for her.
Therefore, the attribute-less scroll Five Mountains Demon Sealing Sound was a more suitable choice.
Afterward, she spent some time in the Scripture Pavilion reading about the regulations and historical events of past Alchemy Competitions, exchanging her contribution points for rubbings of the documents.
The competition allowed only disciples below Foundation Establishment stage to participate, and rankings were determined by the grade and quality of the pills produced. The competition was notoriously intense.
It would be very difficult for her to rank within the top twenty. Many outer sect disciples—and even some personal and inner sect disciples—had already developed impressive alchemy skills.
"It should be about two or three months from now. If I can become proficient at refining mid-stage Qi Condensation pills by then, maybe I'll have a shot." She made a mental estimate of the timeline.
On the day of the competition, all the Golden Core elders of Medicine King Peak would be present, making it nearly impossible for disciples to cheat. Every action would be under scrutiny.
She even saw in past records how those caught cheating were punished—without exception, they were demoted to labor disciples, banned from promotion for ten years, or even expelled from the sect and had their cultivation crippled.
As for being taken as an elder's disciple—well, that was always unpredictable. One year, though the disciples performed quite well, not a single elder chose anyone. But the next year, even with poorer performances, multiple elders took on disciples.
"For now, I should focus on refining both alchemy skills and musical scores. Preparing both paths means I won't lose out, no matter which opportunity I get."
In truth, she believed she had a better chance to stand out in the outer sect competition. Medicine King Peak simply had too many alchemists, making it harder to show any unique advantage. She would just seem... average.
Especially considering that personal disciples had high-level alchemists as their teachers—how could she possibly compare as a struggling outer sect disciple?
"I should also compile a list of disciples likely to rank in the top twenty this year."
With that in mind, Chen Jinshu quickly returned to Ink Plum Courtyard and began practicing the musical pieces according to the scores.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Jinshu had practiced all four scores multiple times. The most shocking piece was undoubtedly Wailing Blood of the Lone Goose, a score leaning toward the Fire attribute, which she chose accordingly.
When she played it, the sound was like the wailing of ghostly spirits from hell, easily inducing heart demons in listeners. It felt as though ten thousand ghosts cried around her, and the illusion behind her turned into boiling magma from the underworld.
Countless hellish spirits surged from it. Listeners would be overwhelmed with sorrow, their spiritual power disrupted. The sound waves from her zither scattered many of the plum blossoms, and the tree itself seemed to weep, its sap dripping like blood tears.
However, even playing it once drained more than half her spiritual energy. This piece could only be used as a final trump card.
When playing Butterfly Dream of Zhuangzi, she felt a sense of otherworldly serenity, as if she were floating through a galaxy, surrounded by multicolored butterflies, immersed in a boundless dream.
As for the Five Mountains Demon Sealing Sound, she didn't feel much from it, other than the music being deep and solemn. The sky seemed to transform into five massive mountains, radiating an imposing aura.
Even this piece consumed half her spiritual energy.
The most surprising was Hymn of the Earth Vein's Rebirth, which, just as described, could stimulate the earth's spiritual veins, enhancing spiritual energy absorption. While not as effective as consuming a pill, its effects were remarkable.
After playing just one tune, a fifth of the energy lost from Wailing Blood of the Lone Goose was restored. Later, she tried playing the piece to a transplanted bonsai pine, and discovered it had a healing effect on damaged roots.
It worked just as well—if not better—than her Rejuvenation Spell.
Of course, her current mastery over these pieces was still at the novice level. Reaching true proficiency would require persistent practice.
In the Spiritual Plant Space—
Chen Jinshu was watering the roots of her newly transplanted pine tree with the freshly refined Root Repair Elixir. The pine's roots were severely damaged, since some had extended into the spiritual field and had to be cut off for transplantation.
When it was uprooted, the damage had been devastating.
Fortunately, she had pre-treated it with Frost Pond Water, which preserved its vital nutrients. Without that, recovery could've taken over six months. With her meticulous care, it would still take about four months, though the space environment would help speed it up.
"This Root Repair Elixir is quite good," she noted, sensing the change. The tree's fading vitality was immediately stabilized, and its dull hue turned a little greener.
"The transplantation steps before were probably fine. As long as I don't mess up post-care, I should be able to report success." That thought brought her a sense of relief.
She exited the Spiritual Plant Space, ready to resume improving her alchemy skills.
Just then, her sect token at her waist glowed faintly. She quickly performed a hand seal, and a few lines of golden text appeared in front of her. Qian Yifan had already found her three mu of spiritual farmland at Green Pine Medicine Garden, and told her to report to Ju'an Hall for registration.
"As expected of a Nascent Soul cultivator's disciple. That efficiency is unreal."
Even the steward at Green Pine said it would take at least another month or two for the farmland to recover from the demonic energy cleanup.
Yet Qian Yifan found it in just a few days.
Chen Jinshu immediately activated Rainbow Step and arrived at Ju'an Hall.
To her surprise, the normally quiet hall had a long queue. Naturally, she didn't dare cut the line and obediently waited. As she expected, the others were likely here to register for newly-cleared farmland in various medicine gardens.
Soon, she reached Qian Yifan.
"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother!"
Qian Yifan nodded and whispered to her, "Don't breathe a word of this! I practically begged on my knees to secure those three mu for you."
Chen Jinshu smiled knowingly. She wasn't the type to blabber—such favors were better kept quiet. As long as she herself was happy, that was enough.
"All registered! No need for me to explain the rest."
He handed her the array token for the Green Pine spiritual farmland.
"Much appreciated, Senior Brother!" Chen Jinshu accepted the token calmly, suppressing her joy as she left Anju Hall.
"Might as well go take a look at the farmland. I wonder what kind of plot it is."
Green Pine Medicine Garden was one of the top three high-quality gardens. The only issue was variability in the terrain—some plots were hard but rich in spiritual energy, others were soft but less potent.