Su Ling'er thought of the medicinal herb garden at Qingxu Temple.
Although the temple wouldn't give Spirit Plants to outer sect disciples, it would provide some ordinary mountain herbs. An executive elder would plan and distribute them seasonally, based on the cultivation and contributions of all the outer sect disciples.
Although they didn't have such fertile spirit fields, everyone still got their share, and things were orderly.
Direct Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples would receive Spirit Plants; Direct Disciples could even get them without doing any missions.
But no one would ever fight amongst themselves over it. Violent conflict within the sect was strictly forbidden. Sparring was allowed, but killing someone was prohibited for any reason.
There were no overt conflicts there, at most just a few verbal taunts. And since trouble often starts with a slip of the tongue, the disciples' words and actions were also regulated.
But here... what kind of "fairness" was this?
The best resources, the most tempting benefits, were deliberately dangled right in front of everyone's eyes, with no rules whatsoever.
This was clearly instigation!
It was encouraging the low-level disciples to fight amongst themselves, to kill each other, all for this pittance, for this twenty-percent profit!
By making them exhaust all their energy fighting each other, how could they have any strength left to question or challenge the rule of the higher-ups?
This was cut from the same cloth as the strict hierarchy in the Dining Pavilion, as the huge gap between the thatched huts and the immortal residences!
It was all about using the most direct benefits and the cruelest laws to tame these disciples, who dreamed of being heroes, into a pack of... creatures that only knew how to snatch food, fight amongst themselves, and feel grateful to their masters.
Mad dogs!
'What a malicious scheme!'
A hundred thoughts raced through Su Ling'er's mind, but she didn't dare let a single one show on her face. She could only lower her head and reply, "Eldest Brother is right. Ling'er has learned her lesson."
The two continued forward, bypassing a noisy patch of medicinal fields.
Ahead, in a remote corner, was a rather strange sight. The other disciples all gave it a wide berth, their faces showing a hint of fear.
Su Ling'er focused her gaze and saw a plant, about half as tall as a person, growing in the corner. Below it was a small sign with two words written on it: "Shen Nong."
The entire plant was pitch-black with twisted vines. At its top was a dark purple bud that pulsed, constantly opening and closing. An ominous aura was faintly emanating from it.
Lin Qingfeng began to explain to his junior sister:
"Junior Sister, look at this. This is the masterpiece of our sect's Junior Brother Shen Nong. He originally wanted to try and fuse the devouring Dao of the Soul-Devouring Vine with the illusory Dao of the Enchanting Immortal Flower. Though he didn't succeed, he found a different path and created this strange specimen."
"This flower does not harm one's physical body, but it can reflect a person's heart. For anyone who draws near, it will project the thing you fear most from the depths of your soul."
"Junior Sister, do you know what this means for cultivators like us?"
"I do not know. Please enlighten me, Eldest Brother." Su Ling'er looked at him with confusion, trying to probe for the plant's secrets.
"On the path of cultivation, the greatest trial is the Heart Demon Tribulation. This tribulation is formless and intangible, striking directly at one's true heart. Countless geniuses have fallen at this hurdle."
"But this flower allows us to glimpse the shadow of our Heart Demon in advance, to face our deepest inner fears. If one can constantly observe it and remain vigilant, then when the day of the tribulation comes, one will have a greater chance of facing it calmly and a higher probability of success."
Su Ling'er listened, speechless.
'Heart Demon Tribulation?'
'I haven't even reached the threshold of Foundation Establishment, and you're talking to me about the Heart Demon Tribulation? That's something Nascent Soul ancestors have to worry about!'
'Talk about planning ahead!'
'Isn't that just like telling a toddler who's just learned to walk, "Be careful not to fall, or you'll have bad legs when you're old"?'
'In a den of demons like this, it's not even certain I'll live to see tomorrow morning!'
But her expression immediately changed to one of profound enlightenment as she praised him:
"I see! I understand now! The Heart Demon that disciples of ordinary sects avoid at all costs has become... a trial that can be observed and challenged at any time here in the Guixi Sect?"
Lin Qingfeng's tone shifted as he brought the conversation back around.
"Do you feel this tribulation is still far off, Junior Sister? It is precisely because it is so distant that it highlights the... length and powerlessness of the ordinary path of cultivation."
"Forgive my bluntness, but with your aptitude, if you follow the conventional path, you may truly never reach that step in this lifetime."
"But you still have the Sword Refining Skill!"
"A heaven-defying path created for ordinary people! It is painful, but it is not constrained by aptitude!"
"Even if you have a Pseudo Spirit Root and terrible bone structure, you can rely on it to break through your limits and ascend to Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop!"
"If you feel that's not safe enough, you can also take more Foundation Establishment Elixirs during your breakthrough. Our sect's Foundation Establishment Elixirs are definitely cheaper than those outside, and the quality is guaranteed."
"Besides, you've seen our sect's Spirit Plant reserves; they can ensure you won't die on the spot. And if you cultivate the Sword Refining Skill, the senior brothers who also practice it might even fight to get you a larger share of cultivation resources!"
"Junior Sister! Aren't you tempted?"
As Lin Qingfeng spoke, Su Ling'er's mind began to race with wild fantasies.
In the vision, a world-shaking battle was breaking out.
A Guixi Sect disciple, dressed in black robes, stood upon the wind. Since Su Ling'er had spent the most time with Lin Qingfeng, the figure bore a strong resemblance to him.
He faced a ferocious demon beast, his expression indifferent. He reached out his right hand, grabbing at the empty air, and shouted:
"Sword, come!"
Immediately after, Su Ling'er felt her body fly uncontrollably toward... his hand.
Her ankle was gripped tightly by a large, warm, and powerful hand.
Then, she was hoisted upside down, head below her feet. Rushing wind filled her mouth and nose, and her long hair whipped wildly in the air.
She saw the demon beast's sharp claws swiping down at them.
And Lin Qingfeng, gripping her by the ankle, actually swung her entire body like a longsword!
"CLANG—!"
Her head collided with the demon beast's claws, ringing out with the sound of clashing metal! Sparks flew everywhere!
NO—!!!!!
Su Ling'er let out a bloodcurdling scream in her own imagination.
'What the hell is this?! Using my head to fight people and demon beasts?! Is this a cultivation method a human being could even think of?!'
'These lunatics! Instead of properly figuring out how to raise their own cultivation, all they think about are these crooked, demonic paths!'
'Other Sword Cultivators spend ten years honing a single sword; you guys spend ten years swinging a single person!'
'A heretical, demonic path! A completely and utterly heretical, demonic path!'
...
"Junior Sister? Junior Sister?" Lin Qingfeng's voice pulled her back from the horrifying fantasy.
Su Ling'er shuddered, her face deathly pale.
"I... I'm fine. It's just... the path Eldest Brother spoke of is too... too shocking and unconventional. Ling'er will need some time to slowly comprehend it. I dare not act rashly."
"Sigh. The Dao heart is indeed the foundation of cultivation. Take your time to understand."
Lin Qingfeng sighed, seemingly unsurprised.
He took two steps forward, stopping in front of the strange black flower.
"In that case, we won't speak of cultivation."
He turned around, his gaze burning as he stared at Su Ling'er:
"Junior Sister, would you like to... go and try? I'm very curious what it will turn into in your eyes."
"What is your deepest fear, or should I say... your greatest secret?"
Su Ling'er's heart skipped a beat.
She subconsciously took a sharp step back. Her heel landed on a raised stone, and she stumbled, nearly falling.
She stared at Lin Qingfeng in terror.
'Could it be... could it be... he's testing me?!'
'This evil flower can reflect a person's deepest fears and secrets!'
'If I step forward, what will it turn into?'
'The mountain gate of Qingxu Temple? The Sect Leader's worried face?'
'Or the gu pot I use to send messages?! Or perhaps the Insect Gu I use to pass information in case of an emergency?!'
'No matter what it turns into, if I'm exposed, I'm truly finished!'
'At that point... whether I'm refined into an elixir or a "human-shaped flying sword"... I'm afraid the choice won't be mine to make.'
'What do I do? What should I do?!'
'Sect Leader, where are you? Come save your disciple! QAQ!'
...
[Secrets of the Outside World]
「Ashen Heaven Realm.」
The top powers of both the righteous and demonic paths arrived at the source of the rosy light at almost the same time. They saw a central vine floating at the end of the secret realm.
It was an ancient celestial vine.
But this celestial vine was extremely weak; any powerful force could become the last straw that broke it.
The righteous and demonic paths fell into a long stalemate. Each side set up multiple restrictive formations, neither daring to act rashly nor willing to leave empty-handed.
In the meantime, more powers were drawn to the scene.
Juggernaut powers such as the All-Encompassing Celestial Secret Pavilion and the Purple Sky Divine Thunder Mansion of the Righteous Alliance, as well as the Eternal Night Hall and the Blood River Sect of the Demonic Path, all gathered one after another.
As one of the mainstays of the Righteous Alliance, the Celestial Furnace Sect naturally had to obey the orders of the upper righteous sects.
As the stalemate dragged on, the ancient celestial vine's condition worsened, and the rosy light grew dimmer by the day.
If no action was taken, the celestial vine would likely wither and die completely, and everyone would leave empty-handed.
Finally, a senior elder of the All-Encompassing Celestial Secret Pavilion proposed a secret meeting.
With the righteous path led by the Sword Master of the Celestial Palace of Swords and the demonic path led by the Ten Thousand Souls Demon Venerable, the senior elder spoke first, stating that the celestial vine's lifeblood was depleted and that two divine items were needed to save it.
One of them was located in the Jade Heart Realm, a secret realm held by neutral sects.
The pure liquid that flowed from the Spirit Eye Tree there every two hundred years was a supreme yang and utterly pure life essence, capable of replenishing the celestial vine's lifeblood.
The Jade Heart Realm was guarded by neutral sects such as the Cloud Fall Sect, the Immortal Sword Sect, and Baihua Valley. Its arrays were too tight for a frontal assault, so the only way was to activate the spies that the righteous and demonic paths had planted within the neutral sects.
In the end, the righteous and demonic paths reached an agreement to cooperate...