C12 Highgrade Spiritual Herbs as Food

"This item isn't very valuable. You can produce hundreds of pills from just a handful of grass, and there's as much as you could possibly want."

The sun was blazing down as Liu Qingshan, who had spent a long time searching the Starfall Peaks, collapsed exhausted on a side peak.

The swordman, unfamiliar with the concept of asking for directions, was at a loss.

Suddenly, a big block dog appeared before him. He recognized at once that it was a Rank 4 spirit animal.

Recalling the rumors about an otherworldly master accompanied by a Rank Four Coal, he was ecstatic and attempted to latch onto the dog's leg.

The big block dog lifted its paw and firmly stamped on his face before trotting leisurely up to the mountain's summit.

Gazing at the daunting thousand steps, Liu Qingshan's legs began to shake.

The steps of Starfall Peaks were enchanted with a spell to challenge the disciples' resolve; one could only ascend by climbing, not flying—unless you were a member of the Inner Sect.

At the peak, wisps of smoke rose gently into the air, accompanied by the crowing of chickens.

Liu Qingshan was amazed as he took in the quaint vegetable garden and thatch hut before him, wondering if this was the typical way of life for reclusive experts.

Then, a dark pill rolled to his feet. He squatted down, picked it up, and sniffed it—surprisingly, it was a top-tier Marrow-Cleansing Pill!

Could this reclusive master also be a skilled alchemist?

He felt a twinge of hesitation.

Yet, as a swordman, he knew he must press on with courage.

His attention was captured once more by a patch bathed in a soft emerald glow. Standing before the nursery, his body quivered, especially at the sight of the lush and robust spirit grasses. He was nearly moved to tears.

"Emerald cabbage, white jade radish, and jade quintessence cabbage!"

He uttered the names of the spirit grasses with reverence, his admiration for the secluded master growing.

His gaze filled with devotion, and upon turning to see the energetic chickens, he found it hard to take another step.

"What are you up to?" Wu Pingfan emerged to find the would-be scammer eyeing his flock of chickens with avarice. Was he plotting to steal them?

Liu Qingshan turned abruptly, surprise etched on his face. "Little Junior Brother?"

"Could it be that you're the one..."

Wu Pingfan gave a confirming nod.

"The Senior's apprentice in medicine?"

A wry smile crossed Wu Pingfan's face as he yanked a bunch of greens from the nursery, along with a carrot for good measure.

"Stay for a meal."

It wasn't Wu Pingfan's first time playing host. He expertly chopped what Liu Qingshan regarded as treasures and tossed them into the pot to fry.

Liu Qingshan winced at the sight, yet he couldn't help but salivate.

By the time Wu Pingfan served the meal, Liu Qingshan devoured it eagerly, bowl after bowl.

Wu Pingfan eyed him curiously. Had the man not eaten in weeks?

Liu Qingshan produced his treasured wine, sipping half a bowl before letting out a satisfied belch. "Little Junior Brother, with such an illustrious master, how come you lack any cultivation?"

Wu Pingfan, unaccustomed to alcohol, downed two large bowls without a change in expression.

"Master believes I'm not cut out for the path of cultivation."

"That's truly unfortunate," Liu Qingshan said as he staggered to his feet.

"Your master must not hold you dear. Without the ability to cultivate, your life span may be quite limited."

He gestured with his thumb to illustrate his point.

"When you're an old man at death's door, your master will still be thriving."

"A life, whether it spans five years, ten, or even a hundred, is still a life," Wu Pingfan replied calmly.

"My pursuit isn't in cultivation."

Liu Qingshan looked at him, eyes widening in realization.

"You truly are the pupil of a great master. I had intended to teach you the art of guiding qi into the body, but now I see my presumptuousness."

With that, he bowed, then sprawled out on the ground, slipping into a deep slumber.

Wu Pingfan got to his feet, dragging Liu Qingshan to the room's sole bed. Then, sitting outside, he cradled Coal in his arms, gazing at the stars all through the night.

His master had once said that the matter of one's lifespan was determined by fate. He was fated not to pursue the path of cultivation and was destined to follow the way of the warrior instead.

Both warriors and cultivators were similar, yet their lifespans differed significantly.

His master had allowed him to leave the mountain, not wishing for him to spend the next five hundred years in seclusion.

Perhaps there was a method to extend his life.

Wu Pingfan looked down at the red thread in his hand.

It bore five lines; the first was fading, indicating he had just five more years until he reached the age of one hundred.

"Coal, can you stay by my side for another four hundred years?" Wu Pingfan asked. Coal, nestled in his arms, suddenly became still, cocking its head with bubbles of wine foaming from its mouth, now a drunken dog.

The following day, Liu Qingshan sat up on the bed and called out, "Esteemed one!"

He glanced around, clutching his racing heart. He had somehow ended up living in the sage's house and even slept in the sage's bed!

Excited, he rushed outside to meet the sage, only to find Wu Pingfan stooped over, watering the lush and enticing spirit herbs.

Liu Qingshan couldn't help but salivate once more.

"Did the sage grow all these?"

"I planted them," Wu Pingfan replied after finishing his watering and tending to the soil.

"When will the sage return?"

"Do you mean my master?" Wu Pingfan asked, puzzled. The man had inquired a lot about his master after getting drunk the previous day. Could he be an admirer of his master?

He had seen how the villagers deeply trusted and revered his master.

Liu Qingshan nodded, noticing the other man's troubled expression.

"My master has gone traveling. You might not get to meet him. He should return to find me in three hundred years."

Three... three hundred years?

Liu Qingshan's eyes widened. Could it be that he had just missed the reclusive sage's departure by mere chance?

He felt somewhat disconcerted.

It was such a shame not to have met the reclusive sage.

"Is that the Wide Scarf Sword on your back?"

Wu Pingfan's gaze was fixed on the sword. He had actually noticed it the day before and was curious about the appearance of the Ten Great Swords that his master often spoke of.

The Wide Scarf Sword was one of the ten legendary swords from ancient times.

"You're calling this piece of junk?" Liu Qingshan removed the hefty sword, weighing over a pound, from his back and unwrapped the cloth binding it to reveal the rust-covered blade.

The rust was so severe that the sword was nearly inoperable.

"This sword has been with me for three years. It's the treasured heirloom of my Carefree Villa, and I am the 66,666th successor of the Sword Sect, Liu Qingshan."

Liu Qingshan spoke with a hint of pride. "I bet you've never witnessed the Cloudsoaring Sword Technique. How would you like a demonstration of the world's second-greatest sword technique?"

With those words, he brandished the broadsword, which weighed over a hundred pounds. In his hands, the cumbersome sword moved with the grace and fluidity of clouds drifting across the sky. Each movement was a masterful blend of finesse and power, reminiscent of a dragon lurking in the depths. His swordplay channeled the surrounding spiritual energy with each motion.