Chapter 55

After roughly going through the rights and obligations of a disciple of alchemy, Hu Donghan finally had a general idea. However, the last part of this content, a prohibition, made Hu Donghan somewhat at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

After becoming a disciple of alchemy, all the elixirs supplied by the sect would be completely cut off. In the future, if one wanted to use elixirs to aid cultivation, they would have to rely on their own alchemy! Even more, it was clearly stated that, except for the elixirs needed for major breakthroughs, these elixirs could not even be bought. Once a disciple of alchemy was found to have purchased and consumed elixirs from others, their status as a disciple of alchemy would be directly revoked!

At the end of this prohibition, there was an additional statement from the Ancestor Duetian — as a disciple of alchemy, if one could not even refine the elixirs needed for their own cultivation, what kind of disciple of alchemy were they? It would be better to quit early!

However, although the last statement was harsh, it did not have much impact on Hu Donghan.

Hu Donghan's original plan was to cultivate the Spirit Herb Ghost to refine elixirs for consumption. What he needed to do now was to first cultivate the Lu Jie grass here, and then obtain the spirit herbs from the Earth Fire Hall to refine elixirs.

Casually tossing the jade slip aside, Hu Donghan stood up and walked out of the wooden house.

"Formulas, alchemy techniques, and so on, these things can't be rushed. For now, I still need to follow the instructions of the Earth Fire Hall and cultivate the Lu Jie grass."

Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen had been waiting outside the door all along. Seeing Hu Donghan walk out of the wooden house, they hurriedly came forward to greet him, smiling and said, "Greetings, Uncle. Have you rested enough, Uncle? May we introduce the matters of the medicinal field here to you, Uncle?"

Hu Donghan nodded and pointed at Liu Yiqing, saying, "You speak."

Liu Yiqing hurriedly nodded and said, "Uncle Hu, the medicinal field for cultivating Lu Jie grass is a total of three acres and nine tenths, just short of four acres. This place was originally one of the areas with the densest spiritual energy on Spirit Herb Mountain. In addition, there is an array master who has set up a spirit-gathering array here, making the spiritual energy here about four times that of ordinary places!"

"Generally speaking, any spirit herbs planted in places with abundant spiritual energy are constantly nourished by spiritual energy, and their growth rate is accelerated. However, although the Lu Jie grass grows well in this environment, it does not absorb enough spiritual energy on its own every day. Therefore, the growth of the Lu Jie grass here is not entirely satisfactory."

"The Lu Jie grass in this medicinal field is planted within the specified range to prevent different Lu Jie grass from competing for spiritual energy. Even so, the segments that grow each month are not all satisfactory."

"Since the Lu Jie grass was planted in this medicinal field, the best result so far has been a Lu Jie grass with four excellent segments. As for a Lu Jie grass with all excellent segments, it goes without saying."

"I see!" Hu Donghan smiled and nodded, indicating that he had a general understanding.

After observing the spirit herbs cultivated by the Spirit Herb Ghost for a month, Hu Donghan believed he had discovered some of the secrets behind the Spirit Herb Ghost's ability to accelerate the growth of spirit herbs.

Spirit herbs, spirit herbs. Since their name contains the word 'spirit,' they are naturally closely related to spiritual energy.

The growth of spirit herbs absolutely cannot do without spiritual energy. The ghost spirit grass on the head of the Spirit Herb Ghost, when it takes root and spreads, releases a strange medicinal fragrance, which can promote the absorption of spiritual energy by the spirit herbs. The faster the spirit herbs absorb spiritual energy, the faster they grow.

As for the environment here, although the spiritual energy is indeed abundant, the Lu Jie grass does not absorb spiritual energy from the surroundings, so it is natural that it does not meet the requirements.

Hu Donghan suddenly asked, "Did Grand Elder Buyun previously order you two to follow all my instructions?"

Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen exchanged glances and then nodded together, saying, "Yes."

Hu Donghan said, "That's good! Now, you two pull out all the Lu Jie grass in this area and replant new Lu Jie grass. Also, surround this area with wooden fences to separate it from the outside." Hu Donghan pointed to an area of about two acres closest to the wooden house.

"Ah?!" Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen were momentarily stunned.

"What? Don't you understand?" Hu Donghan gave Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen a cold look.

Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen wanted to tell Hu Donghan that there were a few Lu Jie grass plants in the two-acre area he pointed to that were growing very well, and it would be a pity to pull them out.

However, they thought about it again and remembered that when Buyun passed on the message to them, he told them to follow all of Hu Donghan's instructions. Even if Hu Donghan wanted to dig up the entire field, they would have to follow. If they did not, they would never be able to enter the Earth Fire Hall.

Fine! Whatever this ancestor wants to do, it's up to him! After all, there is Grand Elder Buyun's order!

Once Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen understood, they immediately began to clear the two-acre area as Hu Donghan instructed.

As for Hu Donghan, he looked at Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen and sighed inwardly.

These two are not lowly servants but alchemy apprentices! Moreover, since Grand Elder Buyun allowed them to stay by Hu Donghan's side and help him cultivate the Lu Jie grass, they would eventually enter the Earth Fire Hall.

These are two people with thoughts. Hu Donghan could foresee that some of the orders he would issue would definitely make these two have some negative thoughts.

However, although he did not want these two to follow him, Hu Donghan was helpless.

The fact that Buyun had specially stopped Hu Donghan earlier indicated that Buyun had some caution towards Hu Donghan. These two were helping Hu Donghan, but in some aspects, they were also monitoring him. Hu Donghan could not possibly get rid of their surveillance!

"I hate this feeling now." Hu Donghan sighed lightly, thinking to himself, "After all, Niu Ergen is the most honest and easy to use."

"It seems I need to find an opportunity to bring Niu Ergen here."

Liu Yiqing and Lu Jianwen did not move slowly. They quickly followed Hu Donghan's instructions, pulled out all the Lu Jie grass, set up the fence, and planted new Lu Jie grass seeds.

After completing everything, they reported to Hu Donghan, and it was already evening. Then, Hu Donghan casually instructed, "I have a servant on Xiaocui Plain of Stacked Peaks. He handles some daily trivial matters and basic work for me. You two send someone to bring him here — by the way, his name is Niu Ergen."

Hu Donghan paused and then continued, "Also, I'm tired and need to rest. From now on, you two stay far away from here. Don't come unless there's something important. I don't want anyone to see me when I'm cultivating the Lu Jie grass. When Niu Ergen arrives, have him come here to see me. In the future, have Niu Ergen inform me of any matters."