Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 14 Grass Peak

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Lu Ming, Qin Feiyu, and Hu Zhen got up early and headed towards Baicao Peak, following the simple map provided by the academy.

Baicao Peak is located on the southeast side of the Taoist Academy's peaks, and it attracts attention with its unique spiritual beauty.

Even before you get close, a rich, fresh scent of grass and trees wafts over you, making you feel refreshed and relaxed.

Near the foot of the mountain, one can see various spiritual herbs and plants growing in the spiritual fields, emitting a shimmering glow, with dedicated disciples busy among them.

As you ascend the winding bluestone steps, ancient trees reach for the sky on both sides, vines entwine around them, and occasionally you can see a few plants with peculiar shapes and emanating different spiritual energy, which are clearly not ordinary plants.

The birdsong was melodious, making the mountain scenery even more tranquil.

"The spiritual energy of this Hundred Herbs Peak seems to carry a medicinal fragrance!" Qin Feiyu sniffed hard, looking quite intrigued.

Hu Zhen was overwhelmed by the sight. She had been fond of flowers and plants since childhood, and now, seeing so many spiritual plants that she had only seen in the jade slip "First Encounter with Herbs" in front of her, she would occasionally point to a plant and whisper its name.

Lu Ming silently sensed the atmosphere of this place.

Unlike the solemnity of Wanfa Peak and the tranquility of Chuming Garden, Baicao Peak is full of vitality, with wood-attribute spiritual energy being particularly active, making the wisp of spiritual power within him seem even more lively.

After walking for about half an hour, a bamboo forest shrouded in a light mist appeared halfway up the mountain.

The bamboo stalks are warm and white, and the bamboo leaves are slender, swaying gently in the wind and making a rustling sound.

At the entrance to the bamboo forest stands a blue stone with the four characters "清心竹林" (Qingxin Zhulin, meaning "Pure Heart Bamboo Forest") carved on it in elegant handwriting.

"This is it." Lu Ming nodded after comparing the description in the jade slip.

Just as the three were about to step into the bamboo forest, a slightly cool yet very pleasant voice came from the side:

"So you're the disciples who took on the task of tending the bamboo forest?"

Looking in the direction of the sound, a woman dressed in a light green dress emerged from behind a huge spiritual plant.

She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pretty face and a gentle temperament with a hint of aloofness.

He was holding the little snow fox in his arms, which was pure white and had golden fur on its forehead.

When the little snow fox saw Hu Zhen, it immediately let out two "woof woof" sounds and struggled to jump off the woman's arms.

"Indeed. Greetings, Senior Sister Yunzhi."

Lu Ming and the other two quickly bowed in greeting.

They recognized her as Senior Sister Yunzhi, who had issued the mission that day and was also the little snow fox's owner.

Yunzhi nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the three of them, lingering particularly on Lu Ming, as if she sensed the unique aura emanating from him.

She gently put the little snow fox down, and the little snow fox immediately darted to Hu Zhen's feet, affectionately rubbing against the hem of her skirt.

"No need for such formalities."

Yunzhi's voice softened a bit, "This patch of Qingxin Bamboo, though not a rare spiritual species..."

However, the spiritual energy it emits is quite beneficial for lower-level disciples to stabilize their minds, and it is also an auxiliary ingredient in the refining of the "Heart-Clearing Pill".

It's not complicated to care for, but it requires care and patience.

As she spoke, she led the three of them into the bamboo forest.

The light inside the forest was soft, and the jade-white bamboo stalks and slender bamboo leaves seemed to emit a faint glow, making the spiritual energy even more concentrated.

"The method of care is already briefly described in the jade slip."

Yunzhi pointed to some yellowing bamboo leaves at the base of a bamboo plant, "The main thing is to regularly nourish the bamboo roots with the 'Green Wood Formula' which contains vitality, and remove weeds and withered leaves."

In particular, one should not touch the bamboo with metal objects, so as not to damage its spiritual essence.

You only need to care for it for one hour each day; contribution points will be settled monthly.

She demonstrated how to operate the Green Wood Technique, infusing a wisp of vibrant, pale green spiritual energy into the bamboo root.

The bamboo seemed to straighten up a bit, and its yellowed leaves regained some of their luster.

"This Green Wood Technique is just the most basic spell. If you have an affinity for the wood element in your body, it will not be difficult to cultivate."

"If not, one can slowly nourish it with one's own spiritual power, but the effect will be slightly less," Yunzhi explained.

Lu Ming and the other two carefully noted it down.

Hu Zhen was quite sensitive to wood-attribute spiritual energy. After several attempts, a faint green light actually condensed at her fingertips.

Although it wasn't nearly as solid as Senior Sister Yunzhi's, it still made Yunzhi nod slightly: "You have good talent, practice hard."

Qin Feiyu tried it, but only spiritual energy surged in his palm, without any green glow. He scratched his head, but was not discouraged. He decided to use spiritual energy to nourish it slowly.

Lu Ming also tried to circulate the Green Wood Technique. His spiritual power seemed to have good tolerance for all kinds of spiritual energy, and he quickly condensed a trace of light green spiritual power.

"Alright, from now on, this bamboo grove will be in your care."

Seeing that the three were doing alright, Yunzhi instructed them, "If there is any emergency, you can come to the Hundred Herbs Hall on the peak to find me."

"Under normal circumstances, do not venture deep into the bamboo forest, as it is near the peak master's herb garden and is protected by restrictions."

She stroked the little snow fox rubbing against Hu Zhen again.

"Snowball seems to like you guys. It sometimes comes to play in the woods. You can look after it while you're at it."

After giving her instructions, Yunzhi gracefully departed, her figure quickly disappearing into the mist of the bamboo forest.

After Yunzhi left, Qin Feiyu breathed a sigh of relief: "This Senior Sister Su seems quite amiable."

"Hmm, Snowball is cute too." Hu Zhen squatted down and gently stroked the little snow fox's soft fur. Snowball comfortably squinted its eyes.

Lu Ming walked to a bamboo stalk and reached out to touch its smooth, jade-like body. Feeling its essence, he felt an extraordinary sense of peace.

The three of them did not delay any longer and began to take good care of the tranquil bamboo forest according to the method taught by Yunzhi.

He removed the dead leaves and used the Green Wood Technique to nourish the bamboo roots. Although his movements were clumsy, he was extremely attentive.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns that illuminated three busy young figures and a little snow fox playing and frolicking nearby.