One incense stick later.
Accompanied by Guu Qingzhao, Qin Ming came to the Steward Hall of Qingyang Market.
"Pavilion Master Guu, Fellow Daoist Qin, please wait a moment! Several elders are discussing matters inside."
The steward on duty saw that even Guu Qingzhao had personally come along and hurriedly went inside to report.
The interior of the Steward Hall.
Four Inner Sect Elders of the Spirit Feather Sect were discussing.
"Unexpectedly, this young man already has such a high attainment in the way of spirit plants; his talent is exceptional."
"Indeed, he has even successfully cultivated Top-Grade Beast Fang Rice, which is much better than the incompetent disciples we have."
"It’s a pity... this young man is not a disciple of the Spirit Feather Sect but has been enlisted from a cultivation clan for corvée labor."
"Hmm... I intend to take him as my closed-door disciple and exempt him from his labor."
"For such fine material, I am tempted too. But I’m afraid he won’t agree; as you know, Lao Zhuang, these spirit farmers have quite a resistance to sects."
"What if he just wants to get a recommendation quota and does not intend to join us?"
"You mean this young man wants to advance to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master and then leave our sect’s control?"
"Exactly, given his talent, it’s possible he could reach this step."
"What do the elders think?"
"First, let’s probe his intentions. If he is unwilling to join us, then increase the difficulty of the assessment."
"Being a Middle-Grade Spirit Plant Master for a lifetime and cultivating spirit rice for us is not bad either."
"..."
Shortly after.
An old man in a gray Daoist robe came out of the inner hall, with white hair and youthful features, exuding mana fluctuations of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
It was none other than Elder Zhuang Xiran of the Inner Sect!
"Pavilion Master Guu, what brings you here today? Please come inside quickly!"
Guu Qingzhao’s voice was as clear as a spring, "I came this time to witness Fellow Daoist Qin’s promotion to High-Grade Spirit Plant Master."
"Haha, that’s not easy. The assessment for High-Grade Spirit Plant Master is quite challenging." Elder Zhuang Xiran smiled while stroking his beard.
Then he turned to Qin Ming and said:
"Young Master Qin, a year has passed, and unexpectedly, I am the examiner this time; truly fate is whimsical."
Qin Ming didn’t expect Elder Zhuang to be the chief examiner, and he quickly bowed in respect, "Elder Zhuang."
"No need for formalities, just follow me."
After saying this, Elder Zhuang led Qin Ming to a courtyard at the very back of the Steward Hall.
Suddenly Elder Zhuang stopped and then asked Qin Ming kindly, "Qin Ming, I intend to take you as my closed-door disciple, would you be willing?"
Being asked this.
Qin Ming paused, contemplating for a long while.
He earnestly replied, "Thank you, Elder Zhuang, for your kindness, but I must decline your offer this time."
In the past, if Elder Zhuang had asked him this question, he would have eagerly knelt down to become his disciple.
But now, with a golden finger at hand, advancing to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master is just a matter of time, and even Tier Three is a possibility.
Qin Ming had already planned, once he left Spirit Feather Sect, to find a mountain rich in spiritual qi and farm peacefully by himself, avoiding the sect’s disputes.
What he needed was just a recommendation for the Plant Illusion Realm’s trial, not to become a disciple.
"Hmm... since you are resolute, I certainly won’t force you," Elder Zhuang Xiran replied indifferently, his face showing no emotion.
The two walked inside the courtyard.
Elder Zhuang led Qin Ming to a small patch of Spirit Medicine Field.
In this field, various spirit plants were cultivated.
Elder Zhuang led him to a small spirit tree.
Qin Ming looked up and saw that the spirit tree was already dying, its leaves were all yellow and wilted, with the trunk starting to dry at several places.
The vitality was clearly ebbing away.
"This is the content of the assessment: within half a month, regardless of the method, you revive this dying High-Grade Spirit Plant Golden Sun Tree."
"And during these half a month, you are confined to this courtyard."
"If you need items or materials, you may ask the Steward Hall to purchase them."
"If the spirit tree is revived after the stipulated time, or if it cannot be revived, the assessment is considered a failure."
"Is there anything unclear to you?"
Qin Ming replied, "Everything is clear."
"Do you think this assessment is too difficult?" Elder Zhuang asked again.
Qin Ming thought to himself that while this was extremely challenging for others, for him... it was almost effortless.
As far as he knew.
This High-Grade Spirit Plant Golden Sun Tree was exceedingly delicate, with even slightly imperfect growth conditions or spiritual qi leading to its demise.
The most troublesome aspect was that once this tree showed signs of decline, it was nearly impossible to revive; it was almost irreversible.
After explaining everything, Elder Zhuang stormed out with a stern face.
Now, only Qin Ming was left alone.
To impose such a daunting challenge, it was almost certain that Elder Zhuang was unhappy with Qin Ming’s earlier response.
"Still half a month to go, no rush, I’ll start in ten days or so."
Meanwhile.
Elder Zhuang returned to the inner hall.
The other elders immediately inquired:
"Lao Zhuang, how did it go?"
"Sigh~ As expected, this young man’s talent in spirit plants is high, yet his mind is not set on the sect."
"So... what challenge did you set for him this assessment, Lao Zhuang?"
"Revive the Golden Sun Tree."
"Hmm... with this challenge, he’s unlikely to pass the assessment."
...
The welcoming guest room of the Steward Hall.
Guu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao were sipping tea while waiting, and saw Elder Zhuang coming in.
She stood up and asked, "What is the assessment topic for High-Grade Spirit Plant Master?"
Elder Zhuang smiled and said, "High-Grade Spirit Plant Masters are very rare, and the assessment topic varies each year."
"This year, the topic for young Qin is reviving the Golden Sun Tree, which is not easy."
"There’s still half a month, Pavilion Master Guu doesn’t have to guard here every day, when the result is out, I’ll send someone to inform you."
Upon hearing this, Guu Qingzhao’s eyes flashed a hint of surprise, and her eyebrows slightly furrowed, "It’s the Golden Sun Tree, is the assessment difficulty for High-Grade Spirit Plant Masters that high?"
She began to worry about whether Qin Ming could pass this challenge.
In the medicine field.
Unconcerned, Qin Ming took a Spirit Gathering Pill and began meditating and cultivating.
Three days later.
Elder Zhuang came in to check the progress, seeing the Golden Sun Tree almost dead, while Qin Ming appeared at a loss.
He couldn’t help but sigh and shook his head.
On the fifth day.
Qin Ming asked the Steward Hall to purchase a pile of miscellaneous spiritual materials and items.
Elder Zhuang was puzzled, unclear about Qin Ming’s purpose.
But surprisingly, Qin Ming started tinkering with the Golden Sun Tree, though still no sign of recovery.
On the tenth day, with half a month nearly up.
Qin Ming thought it was about time and focused his intent on the [Regenerative Spirit Seed] entry.
The instant he used the entry.
A purple spore suddenly grew at the root of the dying Golden Sun Tree, enveloping it.
Soon, the purple spore was quickly absorbed by the Golden Sun Tree and vanished.
The previously sickly Golden Sun Tree gradually began to regain vitality at this moment.
Elder Zhuang came to check as usual.
Upon seeing the dying Golden Sun Tree suddenly grow fresh green leaves.
His face was filled with disbelief:
"How... how is it alive?"
...
Half an incense stick later.
Qin Ming and Elder Zhuang walked out from the inner courtyard.
As soon as he came out, he saw that Guu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao were still there.
Guu Qingzhao thought he came out five days early due to failing the assessment since reviving the Golden Sun Tree was indeed challenging.
Qin Ming walked over to greet, "Fellow Daoist Guu, why are you still here?"
"Nothing really, just had some free time today, came to see." Guu Qingzhao’s eyes smiled; she hesitated and then asked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, what was the result of this promotion assessment?"
Shopkeeper Liao beside her showed a look of curiosity.
Before Qin Ming could answer.
Elder Zhuang Xiran spoke first.
"Friend Qin has passed the assessment and advanced to High-Grade Spirit Plant Master."