In the blink of an eye, half an hour passed. Shui Huanmeng concluded her lecture and specifically reminded them about treating the Ziyun Ginseng. The deadline was set: half a month.
If the ginseng was not treated within that time, even if it survived, the chance for recovery would be lost.
Chen Jinshu acknowledged her teacher's words and returned to the Ink Plum Courtyard.
"I didn't expect Master to have reached the Sound Domain stage back when she was only at Foundation Establishment. She truly is a genius."
The Sound Domain, as the name implies, is a realm sound cultivators attain upon deep comprehension. When playing an instrument, a unique sound force field forms around them, affecting enemies within its range depending on the domain's strength.
Earlier, with just a casual tune, Shui Huanmeng had enveloped Chen Jinshu within her Sound Domain. The pressure was immense—an invisible weight pressed on her heart, restricting her movements.
Reaching the Sound Domain was no easy feat; it required exceptional musical talent and innate comprehension.
Moreover, achieving it at a young age greatly benefits a sound cultivator. After all, a cultivator's blood and vitality decline with age due to lifespan limitations.
After finishing her performance, Master also explained the various realms within sound cultivation. Typically, for Qi Refining stage cultivators, reaching the entry-level was already considered talented. Chen Jinshu, being close to the Forming Soundwave stage, was a rare case.
Naturally, Chen Jinshu knew this was her master's way of comforting her. She later overheard from a senior sister that Shui Huanmeng had reached the Forming Soundwave stage right at the beginning of her Qi Refining. So this was nothing surprising.
After returning to the main peak on a Fire-Feathered Crane, Chen Jinshu visited the herbal garden. Since the spiritual herbs had just suffered an insect infestation, it was necessary to regularly apply a restorative secret medicine over the next few days.
Upon arriving at the Frost Pool Herb Garden, she also learned from the steward about the progress of the investigation into the insect plague on the medicinal fertilizer.
The senior brothers from the stores had conducted thorough inspections and eventually turned their suspicion toward Insect Valley—after all, what else does it have besides insects?
Insect Valley had long been a major trader of spiritual fertilizer with the sect, and these transactions helped it gradually develop over the years.
However, recently, the Xuanming Sect had begun producing its own fertilizer, reducing external purchases.
This made things harder for Insect Valley, so they had focused on improving fertilizer quality. Just this past year or two, their products had finally been recognized by Medicine King Peak—only for this incident to ruin their progress entirely.
The senior brothers had gone to investigate in Insect Valley and discovered that the true culprit was a traitor—a former disciple of Insect Valley who held a grudge against Xuanming Sect and had acted maliciously.
But that traitor had already vanished without a trace. The senior brothers who had suffered losses were furious, as this setback had practically cut their cultivation progress in half.
It was said that the head of Insect Valley had personally gone to the Medicine King Hall to apologize. Chen Jinshu did not believe Insect Valley would intentionally sabotage its ties with the sect. It was most certainly the work of a traitor.
"I don't have the strength to seek revenge yet. I must stay calm," she reminded herself, pushing down the hatred in her heart and focusing on the medicinal plant training her master had assigned.
After finishing her tasks in the garden, she returned to Ink Plum Courtyard and began studying the Medical Herb Healer's Handbook.
In truth, ever since Master mentioned the healer path, she had already started to consider it.
With a primary Wood Spirit Root, her spiritual power had a healing quality. Combined with her sound cultivation, becoming a spiritual plant healer wouldn't be a burden—it would be a great asset.
Not only would this help her break through faster in sound cultivation, but it could also earn her valuable spirit stones and materials. Just as she reached the entrance to her courtyard, an announcement echoed from the Medicine King Hall.
"The true culprit behind the fertilizer insect plague has been captured and will be punished immediately. Affected disciples may attend the sentencing at the Medicine King Hall."
"Let this be a lesson—do not harm others for selfish gain!"
Chen Jinshu was momentarily stunned—the sect had acted with such speed.
They had only just narrowed their suspicions to Insect Valley, and now the true culprit had already been apprehended.
"Might as well go see the spectacle. Better to understand the enemy's strength before taking any action."
Without delay, she headed for the Medicine King Hall.
Soon, she stood amid the gathered crowd, watching a group from Insect Valley arrive. There were four individuals: two Foundation Establishment cultivators and two at the peak of Qi Refining.
The bug cultivator she'd seen last time wasn't present.
"Xu Qiubai! The sect has treated you well. Why would you betray Insect Valley like this? Do you intend to destroy everything we've built over a hundred years?"
Bound tightly in yellow restraining cords, the male cultivator smirked but said nothing. His eyes were filled with resentment as he stared at the head of Insect Valley.
Chen Jinshu noted that this "true culprit of the insect plague" had actually reached the peak of Qi Refining.
Clearly, this man wanted revenge on Insect Valley and hoped to drag Xuanming Sect down with him—killing two birds with one stone.
Unfortunately for him, his cultivation was too low. He couldn't completely flee after making his move.
"Every year the sect distributes Foundation Establishment pills to the market. Based on Insect Valley's strength, they might get one or two at best. With so many peak Qi Refining disciples, it's no surprise resentment would build when the allocation isn't fair."
Chen Jinshu speculated that this man likely didn't receive the pill he felt he deserved, and thus turned his hatred onto Insect Valley, eventually committing this crime.
In the end, the peak lord crippled the man's cultivation in front of all the disciples, turning him into a mortal. He then declared the man would be sent to work in the mines to repay the damage he had caused to the sect's medicinal fields.
After the punishment, Chen Jinshu returned to her courtyard. There, she sat frowning at a few stalks of Ziyun Ginseng in her hands. Having reviewed the Healer's Handbook passed on by her master, she quickly identified the illness affecting the ginseng.
It was a rare disease—Wither Blight. It wasn't caused by insects or lack of nutrients, but by a spiritual plant plague that attacked the roots due to poor adaptability to the environment.
Any small disturbance could cause it to spread. It was one of the deadliest diseases for spiritual plants.
"Master really threw me into the deep end. No wonder she handed these over so readily."
Only now did Chen Jinshu realize how difficult it would be to save these plants. Since the infection was still in its early stages, there was still a chance for treatment. But once it progressed further, it would be nearly impossible.
"First, I'll prepare the specialized medicinal solution and improve the root conditions. Then proceed step by step."
The handbook mentioned that Wither Blight could only be treated with tailored medicinal solutions, adjusted for each plant's adaptability.
That night, Chen Jinshu didn't begin treatment immediately. Instead, she spent her time fully studying the handbook, determined to be ready for the challenges to come.
The next morning, just as she got up, she received a voice transmission from Shui Huanmeng.
"Come to the Pill King Hall in one hour. You'll accompany me on a medical visit to treat spiritual plants."
Chen Jinshu woke up instantly upon hearing the voice from the token.