The discovery in the emerald bamboo house made everyone feel both solemn and that they had gained greatly. That peacefully seated skeleton was clearly an ancient medicine dao predecessor. Xiao Qi bowed three times to the skeleton before carefully picking up that "Tai Chu Qing Hua Record" and the emerald token.
The book was heavy in hand. Probing it with spiritual sense revealed not specific pill formulas but records of countless spiritual plants' characteristics, growth habits, and principles of mutual generation and restraint, as well as a special spiritual power application method called "Qing Hua Vital Qi" leaning toward nourishing and promoting spiritual plant growth—broad and profound, worthy of being a medicine dao general outline. And that "Medicine" character token, the moment it touched his hand, resonated with the light film covering the medicine garden, emitting soft green light.
Xiao Qi tried pointing the token at the medicine garden's light film. That originally solid light film immediately rippled like water, revealing a stable portal.
"Great! With this token, we can enter the medicine garden!" a disciple said joyfully.
However, Mu Qingfeng looked at that vast medicine garden, then at the map jade slip in his hand (pieced together from previous scattered information), and at the core mountain peak shrouded in clouds in the distance, falling into contemplation.
After a moment, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone, saying gravely: "Fellow disciples, we have entered the core hall. This place is vast beyond measure, with opportunity and danger coexisting. But our time is limited. Outside, other forces may find methods to enter at any time. If we continue acting as a group, though safe, our exploration efficiency will be too low, likely missing other important opportunities."
He paused, continuing: "I propose we explore separately to increase efficiency and strive to gain maximum harvest before others enter."
Separate exploration? Everyone's expressions became grave upon hearing this. This meant risk would greatly increase.
"Eldest Senior Brother, danger lurks everywhere here. Isn't separate action too risky?" a disciple worried.
Mu Qingfeng had clearly already considered this question. He calmly analyzed: "Precisely because this place is dangerous, we need to race against time. According to our experience all this way, the traps and tests here, though dangerous, are mostly not killing situations, more like screening for inheritors. As long as we're sufficiently cautious and don't advance greedily, with our current strength, we can handle it with care and should be able to protect ourselves."
He took out that rough map jade slip, using spiritual power to outline several areas: "According to existing information, besides this 'Hundred Herbs Garden' area we're in, over there," he pointed to the end of a branch path on the left where a cluster of buildings stood, "seems to be a 'Scripture Pavilion' area, possibly containing technique inheritances. On the right, that valley with faint lightning flashes, the map marks as 'Thunder Tempering Gorge,' possibly related to body refining or artifact refining. The most core is naturally the 'Ten Thousand Laws Palace' on that main peak in the distance."
He looked at everyone, assigning tasks: "Like this—we'll divide into three groups. Junior Sister Liu, you lead Junior Disciple Wang and Junior Disciple Zhao to explore the 'Scripture Pavilion' area. Your sword dao cultivation is highest and adaptability strong, suitable for this place. Junior Disciple Li, you form a group with Junior Disciple Sun and Junior Disciple Zhou. You three cooperate well and have some knowledge of artifact refining and lightning techniques. Go investigate the 'Thunder Tempering Gorge.' Be extremely careful—if something can't be done, immediately retreat."
Finally, he looked at Xiao Qi: "Xiao Qi, you, I, and the rabbit spirit will form a group. We hold the medicine garden token and are responsible for exploring this Hundred Herbs Garden, using this place as a temporary base. Afterward, we'll decide whether to head to the core Ten Thousand Laws Palace based on circumstances."
This grouping was clearly the result of careful consideration. Liu Yun was powerful, able to stand alone; Junior Disciple Li's group of three had balanced strength with various specialties; Xiao Qi and Mu Qingfeng's group had both Eldest Senior Brother's steady command and Xiao Qi's purification power that could have miraculous effects at critical moments, plus a medicine garden they could freely enter and exit as a retreat path—most secure.
"Fellow disciples, remember!" Mu Qingfeng's tone was serious. "Whether there are gains or not, after three hours, must return here to regroup! If encountering danger you cannot resist, immediately launch the sect's distress signal. Nearby groups must quickly support! Preserving yourselves is the first priority in all things!"
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison, their eyes all filled with determination. They knew this was currently the optimal choice.
Liu Yun nodded to Mu Qingfeng and Xiao Qi: "Eldest Senior Brother, Xiao Qi, be careful." Immediately, she led the two disciples, transforming into three sword lights, swiftly and alertly speeding along the left branch path toward that building-clustered area.
Junior Disciple Li also cupped his fist to Mu Qingfeng and Xiao Qi: "Eldest Senior Brother, Senior Brother Xiao Qi, take care!" Immediately, with two other companions, spiritual power surging around them, carefully heading toward that valley direction from which thunder faintly rumbled.
In the blink of an eye, only Mu Qingfeng, Xiao Qi, and the rabbit spirit poking its head from his clothes and curiously looking around remained on the white jade path.
Mu Qingfeng looked at Xiao Qi, his expression softening somewhat: "Xiao Qi, let's act too. First explore this Hundred Herbs Garden. With the token in hand, safety is relatively highest. Perhaps we can find some spiritual medicine that helps enhance purification power or repair injuries for you."
Xiao Qi nodded firmly, gripping the emerald token tightly. He knew Eldest Senior Brother assigning the relatively safe task to his group was also a form of protection for him.
The two and the rabbit turned again toward that vast medicine garden. With the token, they passed through the light film without hindrance.
Inside the medicine garden was another world. Dense vitality almost became substantial. Various exotic flowers and rare herbs competed in beauty. Many were varieties long extinct in the outside world, their ages at least a thousand years, even ten-thousand-year spiritual medicines not rare! The medicinal fragrance mixed with earth's scent was refreshing.
Mu Qingfeng had broad knowledge, pointing out the names and characteristics of some rare spiritual medicines as they proceeded. Xiao Qi circulated the rough method recorded in the "Tai Chu Qing Hua Record" he had just obtained, trying to sense these spiritual plants'"emotions" and needs. Indeed, he felt his affinity with this world had increased considerably.
They didn't rashly pick but first carefully explored the entire medicine garden's structure along the paths between medicine fields, recording the positions of spiritual medicines with the highest value or possibly helpful to Xiao Qi.
Deep in the medicine garden, they discovered a small tree entirely emerald green with leaves like carved jade and a dragon-eye-sized fruit shrouded in seven-colored radiance at its top. After identifying it, Mu Qingfeng's voice carried excitement: "This is... 'Seven-Color Spirit-Nourishing Fruit'! It's a holy medicine for nourishing the soul and enhancing spiritual perception! It should have miraculous effects for you to comprehend sword intent and nurture that purification origin!"
Xiao Qi's heart warmed upon hearing this. However, just as they prepared to approach, the ground around that small tree suddenly began to writhe. Several thick, thorn-covered dark green vines shot out like poisonous snakes, carrying sharp sounds of breaking air, winding toward the two! These vines' auras had clearly reached late Golden Core level!
"Guardian spiritual plant!" Mu Qingfeng shouted, his long sword already drawn.
Xiao Qi also instantly deployed his wok, his eyes sharp. This medicine garden indeed wasn't entirely without danger.
And just as the Qingxu Temple disciples divided into three groups and began deep exploration of this small world within the hall, no one noticed that deep in that core Ten Thousand Laws Palace in the distance, a pair of eyes that seemed to have slumbered for ten thousand years, indifferent and emotionless, seemed to slowly open a crack due to the intruders' arrival... An invisible, even more vast and ancient will began quietly awakening, watching these tiny beings who had invaded its domain.