21: Farming in a medicinal herb garden! The Pregnancy Elixir... it smells a bit good!

Medicine Garden Manager. This position, neither high nor low within the Pill Room hierarchy yet in charge of core resources, was like a delicate pivot. It pulled Jiang Linfeng out of the quagmire of being a Utility Disciple and pushed him into a position where he could legitimately access the Sect's core resources.

The Medicine Garden was located in a valley behind the Pill Room with relatively rich Spiritual Qi, covering a vast area.

At a glance, the paths crisscrossed, divided into countless neat ridges.

Spirit Medicines of different attributes were planted in separate zones. Some ridges were red as fire, planted with fire-attribute blazing sun grass.

Some areas were ice-blue, filled with cold-natured ice heart lotus seedlings; there were also large patches of lush green wood-attribute spirit plants, exuding vibrant vitality.

The air was filled with a mixed herbal fragrance, refreshing and pleasant.

Jiang Linfeng stood on the high ground at the entrance of the Medicine Garden, followed by a few Utility Disciples with cautious expressions and complex eyes.

His gaze swept calmly over this vibrant land. His Source Spirit Body operated spontaneously, like the most precise radar, clearly perceiving the concentration of Spiritual Qi in every inch of soil, the attribute bias, and the subtle fluctuations of those spirit plant roots absorbing nutrients.

【Ding! Quality Medicine Garden environment detected!】

【Spiritual Qi concentration: Medium (local areas can be improved)!】

【Soil activity: Good (can be optimized)!】

【Spirit plant status: Ordinary (slow growth, medicinal potential not fully stimulated)!】

"Potential not fully stimulated?" Jiang Linfeng's heart stirred. The Source Spirit Body's perception and affinity for life energy seemed... able to let him see the deeper state of these Spirit Medicines?

He tried injecting a wisp of pure, gentle Origin Spirit Power, like a trickling stream, slowly into the field of ice heart lotus seedlings at his feet.

Hum!

A miraculous thing happened!

Those ice heart lotus seedlings, which had previously been slowly absorbing cold energy, instantly felt like they had encountered sweet dew after a long drought. Their leaves unfolded slightly, and their roots became more crystal clear at a speed visible to the naked eye!

A purer aura of icy cold radiated from them! Although the change was extremely subtle, Jiang Linfeng clearly perceived it!

【Ding! Origin Spirit Power nourishment successful! Target "ice heart lotus seedling" growth rate increased by 10%! Icy cold medicinal potential increased by 5%!】

【Tip: The Source Spirit Body can directionally optimize the growth environment and medicinal potential of spirit plants! The effect depends on the intensity of Origin Spirit Power invested by the host and the quality of the spirit plant!】

It worked! A flash of bright light appeared in Jiang Linfeng's eyes! The Source Spirit Body could indeed catalyze spirit plants! This was simply a cheat-like farming god-skill!

"Jiang... Manager Jiang..." A slightly aged voice sounded from behind. It was the most senior Utility Disciple in the Medicine Garden, surnamed Li, whom everyone called Old Man Li. Seeing Jiang Linfeng "dazed," he asked cautiously, "What do you think... about this Medicine Garden... what shall we do next..."

Jiang Linfeng withdrew his focus, a "gentle" smile on his face. He turned around and said, "Brother Li, brothers, from now on, I will have to rely on everyone for matters in the Medicine Garden. As for me, I am new here and there is much I don't understand, so I hope everyone will be patient."

His attitude was humble, without any of the airs of a newly appointed official, which made the originally nervous group relax slightly.

"Manager Jiang is too polite!" Old Man Li hurriedly bowed, "If you have any orders, just say them!"

"Hmm." Jiang Linfeng nodded, pointing at the ice heart lotus field at his feet. "I see this patch of ice heart lotus is growing well, but the cold energy seems... a bit lacking?"

"From today on, replace the irrigation water for this field with ice spring water from three zhang deep in the Cold Pool behind the mountain. Water it once every morning and evening at the hour of Chen and You. Reduce the water volume by half each time, but ensure it penetrates evenly to the roots of every plant."

Old Man Li was stunned. Ice spring water from three zhang deep in the Cold Pool? That place was bone-chillingly cold, and fetching water was extremely difficult! And reduce the water volume by half? What... what kind of logic was this? But he didn't dare to ask more and hurriedly replied, "Yes! This small one has noted it!"

Jiang Linfeng walked to another ridge planted with qi condensing grass.

qi condensing grass was the main ingredient for refining basic Qi nourishing pills, and the demand was high, but these qi condensing grass in the Medicine Garden had yellowing leaves and thin Spiritual Qi.

"This patch of qi condensing grass..." Jiang Linfeng squatted down and pinched a bit of soil. Under the perception of the Source Spirit Body, the earth-attribute Spiritual Qi in the soil was too sluggish and lacked activity.

"Brother Li, go find some decomposed Green Sandalwood sawdust, mix it with thirty percent riverbed silt, and spread it evenly on the surface of the ridges, one inch thick. After three days, water it again with diluted plant ash water (1:100)."

"Green Sandalwood sawdust? Riverbed silt? Plant ash water?" Old Man Li was confused but still respectfully noted it down.

Jiang Linfeng walked and "instructed" along the way. He seemingly casually pointed out the "shortcomings" of each medicine field and proposed some "improvement plans" that seemed bizarre or even contrary to common sense to others.

For example, burying a small amount of Cold Jade Powder at the roots of the fire-attribute blazing sun grass (to neutralize fire poison), or spraying diluted Yao Beast blood on the wood-attribute gathering origin flower (to stimulate activity)... These plans were simply nonsense in the eyes of traditional spirit planters! But Jiang Linfeng's tone was firm and unquestionable.

The few Utility Disciples looked at each other, suffering in their hearts. This new manager... surely he wasn't a layman, right? Could these methods work? Don't kill all the Spirit Medicines!

But they didn't dare to disobey! This was the "favorite" personally promoted by Chief Zhong! Even Elder Situ's purple bronze pill furnace was given to him to boil medicine dregs! Who dared to offend him?

"Alright, that's all for now." Jiang Linfeng clapped his hands, as if he had just done a trivial thing, "Everyone go get busy. Remember, work hard. If the Medicine Garden has a good harvest, there will naturally be benefits for everyone."

"Yes! Manager Jiang!" The few replied helplessly and went to carry out their orders.

Watching their departing backs, a faint arc appeared at the corner of Jiang Linfeng's mouth.

He certainly knew what these "old employees" were thinking.

But he didn't care! This was the effect he wanted!

Using these seemingly absurd instructions to cover up his real method of secretly nourishing spirit plants with the Source Spirit Body!

At the same time, it could also filter out those who were truly usable.

In the following days, the Medicine Garden operated in a strange atmosphere.

Although Old Man Li and the others were full of doubts, they still gritted their teeth and executed Jiang Linfeng's strange instructions.

They were surprised to find that those Spirit Medicines that were "blindly directed" not only did not wither but instead regained vitality at an astonishing speed!

The ice heart lotus leaves became more crystal clear, and the cold energy was restrained!

The qi condensing grass leaves turned from yellow to green, full of Spiritual Qi! The blazing sun grass's fire energy became purer, with less violence!

The gathering origin flower blossoms became fuller and vibrant! The Spiritual Qi concentration of the entire Medicine Garden seemed to have increased by a notch!

"Miraculous! Truly miraculous!"

"Manager Jiang... he... could he be a hidden master of spirit planting?!"

"Those methods... looked strange... but the effect is actually this good?!"

The Utility Disciples went from initial resistance and suspicion to shock and awe!

The look in their eyes toward Jiang Linfeng was full of disbelief and a trace of... fanaticism! This new manager... really had Heaven-Defying "luck"! He could even make flowers bloom while farming!

Jiang Linfeng turned a deaf ear to this. Every day, besides "inspecting" the Medicine Garden, he spent most of his time beside that huge purple bronze pill furnace—the relic of Elder Situ, which had now become his "exclusive furnace for boiling medicine dregs."

He placed the Pill Furnace in a quiet corner deep in the Medicine Garden and set up a simple isolation Formation around it.

He claimed to the outside world that he was studying how to efficiently boil medicine dregs for fertilizer, but in reality, he was using this black rank high-grade Pill Furnace and the earth fire flame heart fragment to perform deeper-level Alchemy!

Elder Situ's Alchemy insights (incomplete) had been digested and absorbed by him, and combined with his master-level Alchemy, his understanding of the Dao of pills had advanced by leaps and bounds!

The Source Spirit Body's absolute control over medicinal properties made him even more powerful!

His goal was very clear: to refine the "spirit nurturing pill"!

This was a special Medicinal Pill he had found in the "Basic Alchemy (Introductory Chapter)" rewarded by the System. Its Rank was not high (Yellow Rank High Grade), but its effect was extremely rare—it could significantly nourish the mother's Origin, stabilize the fetus's Foundation, and improve the affinity of the Innate Spiritual Root!

It was especially suitable for Cultivators in early pregnancy! It had great benefits for Luo Yan and the child in her womb!

Materials? They were in the Medicine Garden! ice heart lotus essence (refined by himself), qi condensing grass king (the few that grew best in the Medicine Garden), gathering origin flower pistils (top-grade catalyzed by Origin Spirit Power), plus a few auxiliary gentle Spirit Medicines ("pilfered" from the medicine storehouse).

【Ding! spirit nurturing pill refinement plan generated!】

【Main Materials: ice heart lotus essence (black rank low-grade)! qi condensing grass king (Yellow Rank High Grade)! gathering origin flower pistils (Yellow Rank High Grade)!】

【Auxiliary Materials: Spirit Calming Flower, Fetal Stabilizing Vine, Jade Marrow Dew...】

【Estimated Rank: black rank low-grade (influenced by the quality of the main Materials and the host's control)!】

【Success Rate: 92%!】

"92%! That's enough!" Jiang Linfeng's eyes were firm. For the sake of Yaner and the child, he had to succeed!

Late at night.

Deep in the Medicine Garden, the purple bronze pill furnace cast a cold, eerie glow under the moonlight.

Jiang Linfeng sat cross-legged in front of the furnace, his expression solemn.

The earth fire flame heart fragment, with a 99% repair rate, hovered in his palm, emitting a steady crimson glow.

Carefully selected Spirit Medicines were neatly arranged to the side.

"Begin!"

Jiang Linfeng gave a low shout! His Source Spirit Body operated at full capacity! Pure Origin Spirit Power was injected into the earth fire flame heart!

Hum—!

A condensed, stable, and temperature-controllable crimson flame surged out from the fragment!

It precisely enveloped the bottom of the purple bronze pill furnace!

The Pill Furnace emitted a low hum, runes flowed across the furnace wall, and heat was distributed evenly!

"ice heart lotus essence! Enter!"

A drop of ice-blue, crystal-clear Origin essence was cast into the furnace! It was instantly enveloped by the flames!

The extreme cold Qi collided fiercely with the earth fire flame power! But under the delicate harmonization of the Origin Spirit Power, it quickly reached a balance!

"qi condensing grass king! gathering origin flower stamen! Enter!"

The emerald-green, jade-like grass leaves and the pale golden stamen followed closely behind! In the strange environment where ice and fire merged, they quickly melted and decomposed! Pure herbal Spiritual Qi permeated the air!

Jiang Linfeng formed hand Seals, and his Origin Spirit Power transformed into intangible Alchemy Seals, like the most dexterous weaver, guiding the medicinal properties inside the furnace to merge perfectly!

His focus was highly concentrated, his Source Spirit Eye opened, and every subtle change in the medicinal liquid inside the furnace was clearly presented!

Fusion! Purification! Pill Condensation!

Every step was precise and flawless! It was smooth and fluid!

【Fusion Rate: 85%... 90%... 95%...】

【Medicinal Purity: Excellent!】

【Pill Condensation beginning! Pill light condensing...】

Inside the furnace, a mass of emerald-green medicinal liquid, exuding a rich aura of life, slowly rotated and compressed!

At the center, a soft and vibrant pill light slowly ignited! It grew brighter and brighter!

It's done! The spirit nurturing pill! It was about to take form!

Jiang Linfeng was slightly joyful, but he dared not slack off in the slightest!

Pill Condensation was the final step, and also the most crucial one!

He took a deep breath, pushing his Origin Spirit Power to the extreme! He prepared to perform the final pill condensation technique!

However, at this critical moment—

Boom—!!!

A dull, thunderous sound, as if coming from the depths of the earth, exploded without warning throughout the entire Medicine Garden valley!

Immediately after!

The entire valley shook violently! The ground undulated like waves! Countless Spirit Medicines were shaken, toppling over!

The few simple huts on the edge of the Medicine Garden groaned under the burden, their walls cracking!

"The earth dragon is turning over?!"

"No! It's the back mountain! Something happened at the Seal again?!"

"..."

Terrified screams from Utility Disciples came from afar!

Jiang Linfeng's expression changed drastically! The Pill Furnace was shaking violently! The medicinal liquid about to take form inside the furnace was impacted, instantly becoming unstable!

That point of condensed pill light flickered violently, ready to dissipate at any moment!

Damn it! The back mountain Seal again?! And at this time of all times?!

"Steady!" Jiang Linfeng roared internally! His Source Spirit Body operated crazily! Vast amounts of Origin Spirit Power were poured into the Pill Furnace as if it were free! He forcibly suppressed the violent medicinal power inside the furnace! At the same time, his hand Seals changed even faster! He attempted to forcibly complete the pill condensation!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The earthquake became even more violent! It was as if a giant beast was rolling beneath the earth!

Terrifying fluctuations of Devilish Qi spread out from the direction of the back mountain like a tide!

Although weakened by layers of Seals, it still left the entire Medicine Garden shrouded in oppression and panic!

The Pill Furnace shook violently! The furnace lid made "clanging" impact sounds! The medicinal liquid inside was like boiling waves, frantically crashing against the furnace walls!

Under the impact of the violent energy, the pill light flickered unsteadily, and cracks began to appear!

【Warning! External energy impact is too strong! Pill Condensation process is obstructed!】

【Medicinal conflict level increased! Furnace explosion probability: 40%!】

【Pill Condensation failure rate: 55%!】

No! It cannot fail! This is the Medicinal Pill for Yaner and the child!

A trace of madness flashed in Jiang Linfeng's eyes! He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue! A mouthful of essence blood was sprayed onto the Pill Furnace!

"With my essence blood! Draw spirit, solidify pill! Condense—!!!"

Hum—!!!

The essence blood merged into the furnace wall! The Origin Spirit Power mixed with the power of the essence blood, turning into a blood-colored rune, instantly branding itself onto the core of the Pill Furnace! A powerful, stabilizing force erupted!

It forcibly stabilized the violently shaking Pill Furnace!

The violent medicinal liquid inside the furnace was as if forcibly pinned down by an invisible giant hand! The pill light, on the verge of dissipating, shuddered violently! The cracks quickly healed! The light shone brilliantly!

Boom—!

The Pill Furnace shook violently once! An indescribable medicinal fragrance, full of vitality and pure Spiritual Qi, erupted into the sky like a volcanic eruption!

It instantly dissipated the oppressive Devilish Qi permeating the valley! The emerald-green light illuminated the entire corner!

【Ding! Congratulations to the host! Successfully refined "spirit nurturing pill (black rank low-grade · Perfect)" × 3!】

【Medicinal Pill effect: Significantly nourishes the mother's Origin, stabilizes the fetus's Foundation, increases Innate Spiritual Root affinity by 15%! Includes a weak Source Spirit nourishing effect (increases offspring potential)!】

【Pill Refining Art proficiency + 800! Pill Refining Art Rank: Great Master (2300 / 5000)!】

It's done! Perfect quality spirit nurturing pill!

Jiang Linfeng let out a long breath, his face slightly pale, but his eyes were filled with wild joy!

He didn't care about the shaking of the valley or the chaos in the distance, carefully putting the three dragon-eye-sized, emerald-green, life-aura-exuding, and pure-light-radiating Medicinal Pills into a jade bottle!

The Medicinal Pill felt warm and smooth in his hand, the medicinal fragrance refreshing, as if it contained endless vitality!

"Yaner... child..." Jiang Linfeng gripped the jade bottle, his eyes gentle.

With this spirit nurturing pill, the Foundation of Yaner and the child would be even more stable! Their potential would be enhanced once again!

He put away the Pill Furnace and the earth fire flame heart fragment, just about to leave this chaotic place to find Luo Yan at Cold Plum Courtyard—

"Manager Jiang! Manager Jiang! It's bad!" Old Man Li scrambled over, his face pale, "The... the back mountain Seal... again... it's spewing Devilish Qi again!"

"It's even more violent than last time! Chief Zhong... Chief Zhong... he... he went there alone! He told us... told us to quickly evacuate the people in the Medicine Garden!"

Old Man Zhong went there alone?!

Jiang Linfeng's heart tightened! He had personally experienced the danger of the back mountain Seal! Last time, just the escaping Devilish Qi almost cost Luo Zheng his life! This time, the commotion was so big...

He scanned the chaotic Medicine Garden, then looked at the jade bottle in his hand containing the spirit nurturing pill. Yaner was still waiting for him at Cold Plum Courtyard...

"Manager Jiang! Let's go! It's not safe here!" Old Man Li urged anxiously.

Jiang Linfeng's eyes flickered. Old Man Zhong had shown him kindness; although mysterious, the back mountain was dangerous... Moreover, the Medicine Garden was the Foundation he had worked so hard to build; it must not be destroyed!

"You evacuate first!" Jiang Linfeng said in a deep voice, "I'll go check the medicine storehouse! There are a few 'Earthly Spiritual Root' that are almost mature and cannot be lost! Chief Zhong specifically asked for them!"

"Ah? This..." Old Man Li was stunned. The medicine storehouse was deep in the Medicine Garden, near the back mountain; wasn't going there now seeking death?

But looking at Jiang Linfeng's "firm" gaze, and thinking of this manager's miraculous "luck," he finally gritted his teeth: "Then... then you be careful! We'll wait for you at the valley entrance!"

After saying this, he turned and signaled the other Menial Workers, retreating towards the valley entrance.

Watching everyone disappear into the night, Jiang Linfeng's eyes instantly became sharp!

His figure flickered, turning into an afterimage, speeding towards the direction of the back mountain Seal! He wasn't going to the medicine storehouse! He was going to the core of the Seal!

His Source Spirit Eye opened! Piercing through layers of Devilish Qi! He saw that deep in the back mountain rift valley, the Seal light screen was flickering violently, and several hideous devil claws were frantically crashing against the light screen!

Devilish Qi was towering! And in front of the light screen, a hunched figure (Old Man Zhong) was all alone, holding his purple clay teapot, slowly... seemingly... reinforcing the Seal?!

"Old Man Zhong!" Jiang Linfeng's heart tightened! This old man... is he really not afraid of death?!

He just wanted to rush over to help—

【Ding! Detected pure Devilish Qi (secondary defilement)! Detected spatial rift fluctuations!】

【Warning: Seal core area is extremely dangerous! Host is advised to stay away!】

However, at the moment he hesitated—

Crack—!!!

A teeth-gritting cracking sound rang out!

On the Seal light screen, a tiny crack... quietly appeared!