Cultivating Immortality Starts with Planting Techniques

Old Luo released a sound transmission talisman into the mist. 

Not long after, the fog began to part, revealing a path that led straight into the mountain. 

Old Luo took the lead, with Li Ye following closely behind, his eyes filled with curiosity as he glanced at the surrounding mist. 

Truth be told, if the Li family had the resources, the path he truly wanted to pursue was that of formations. 

Not only could it protect an area and bring a strong sense of security, 

but more importantly if one had enough talent in formations, they could set up high-grade arrays to wield power far beyond their cultivation level. 

With enough mastery, settling down and farming in peace would be a breeze. 

"Shame it's just wishful thinking for now…" 

Muttering to himself, Li Ye followed Old Luo up the mountain, soon arriving at the summit where a palace came into view. 

"The Elder is still in seclusion. You two are to wait in the side hall." 

A solemn-faced young attendant stepped forward to greet them, giving the old man and the youth a serious once-over before speaking in a clear tone. 

"Then we'll trouble you to lead the way." 

Old Luo smiled and cupped his hands respectfully showing no lack of courtesy, even toward a mere attendant. 

Interestingly enough, the child seemed to quite enjoy being treated with such formality. 

"Come with me!" 

He rolled his eyes with feigned sternness, lips twitching as if trying to suppress a grin, then turned and led the way. 

Old Luo glanced at Li Ye and gave him a wink, signaling him to follow. 

The two of them trailed behind the boy into the palace, and after walking a short distance, they neared the side hall. 

Before they could step inside, Li Ye could already hear voices chatting casually from within.

A lively, somewhat mischievous-sounding young voice rang out: 

"Senior Brother Yao's skills are amazing he even helped an Elder plant Ruo Ning Grass back when he was in the Spirit Herb Garden…" 

"That's a Tier-2 spiritual plant! How can we possibly compete with that?" 

The words were full of admiration for this so-called Senior Brother Yao. 

Just then, a deeper, steadier voice chimed in with a rebuttal: 

"Hey now, Junior Brother Gu, I've heard your spirit field's yield is among the best in the entire Herb Garden. The rate of withered or dying herbs is practically nonexistent…" 

"If Elder Ji is looking for stable production, I might be the one in trouble!" 

"Why are you praising me all of a sudden?" 

The lively voice replied in mock protest, before changing the subject again: 

"Senior Sister Xiong has remarkable talent in caring for spiritual flowers. From what I know, Elder Ji cultivates a Yang-based body-refining technique and has a high demand for Sunfire Flowers…"

"In that regard, her skills far outshine the two of us!" 

"Hmph! Two grown men gossiping like old housewives…" 

A hoarse, impatient voice suddenly cut them off. 

"Your planting skills better be as sharp as your tongues!" 

"Xiong Yinxiu, don't push your luck!" 

"Senior Sister Xiong, you…" 

"Let's talk, not fight. Keep the peace, everyone…" 

The rising tension in their voices suddenly paused. 

Inside the side hall 

A young man in short sleeves, a burly fellow, a dressed woman, and three stewards who had been trying to mediate the quarrel all turned toward the door. 

"No loud chatter on Qingshow Peak!" 

"If it happens again, you'll be kicked off the mountain!" 

The boy stepped through the threshold, puffing out his chest and putting on a stern air as he swept his gaze over the group and announced the warning. 

"We wouldn't dare! Please don't be angry, good sir!" 

The three stewards reacted immediately, bowing and apologizing profusely. 

The three spirit-farming disciples also quickly lowered their heads and apologized, not daring to show the slightest defiance. 

Li Ye observed all this quietly, feeling a bit puzzled. 

Could this boy be Elder Ji Qing's illegitimate child or something? 

None of them had even met the Elder yet, but the boy could, with a single sentence, decide to throw them out of Qingshow Peak… 

That kind of authority wasn't something an ordinary attendant should have. 

"You two may go in." 

Seeing how respectfully the others behaved, the boy nodded with satisfaction, gave a short instruction to Li Ye and Old Luo, then turned and left. 

"Greetings, junior brother!" 

Noticing the unfamiliar face, the burly man wiped his face and stepped forward to greet him. 

"I'm Gu Daojin. May I ask where you've been working? I don't recall seeing you around the Spirit Herb Garden…" 

Polite words, sure but really, he was just fishing for information on the new competition.

Li Ye casually found a seat and replied without much interest, 

"I'm Li Ye. I was working the Grade A fields within the sect before this." 

Gu Daojin was briefly stunned. 

"So you haven't even been to the Spirit Herb Garden yet…" 

"You're that Li Ye?!" 

Before he could finish, the young man in short sleeves suddenly blurted out in surprise. 

"Weren't you injured and hiding in the spirit fields? How did you…" 

Mid-sentence, he abruptly cut himself off and forced a sheepish smile. 

"Pardon me, that was out of line, Junior Brother Li. I'm Yao Shaohui. I've long admired Senior Brother Cai. Please… go easy on me later." 

Since he remembered the rumors of Li Ye "hiding" in the fields, he naturally also recalled the stories about his fiery defiance and the gossip that suggested Li Ye had some kind of rapport with Cai Shiwei.

Knowing that how could he afford to carelessly offend someone who might be backed by such a person?

The other two had only found the name Li Ye vaguely familiar. But once Yao Shaohui brought it up, they too remembered those nearly-forgotten rumors.

In that instant, their attitude shifted. 

He was just a rookie who'd spent half a year farming spirit fields. 

Even if he was talented, it was impressive enough if he managed to exceed the required hundred-jin yield by just a few dozen jins of spirit rice. 

To think he dared to show up here and compete with them on planting skills? 

It was laughable unless this Li Ye had used his connection to Cai Shiwei to earn a recommendation and try to sway Elder Ji Qing…

Otherwise, he had no chance! 

But if that was the case, then weren't the rest of them just here to be spectators? 

All three had spent years honing their cultivation and planting techniques and took pride in what they'd achieved. 

If they lost in a fair competition, so be it. 

But to lose to a nobody riding on someone else's coattails? That was unacceptable. 

Quietly, resentment began to fester in their hearts. The tension between them, once aimed at each other, suddenly turned into a shared sense of hostility. 

And when they looked at Li Ye again, their gazes were filled with barely restrained animosity. 

Talk all you want but why bring up Cai Shiwei… 

Watching their reactions after hearing his name the confusion, the hostility Li Ye immediately understood.

He couldn't help but silently mock them. 

Aren't you all jumping to conclusions a bit too fast? I haven't even spoken to that guy Cai in days. How did you leap to that connection so quickly? 

Or is Cai Shiwei that influential now, to the point where you think he can sway a powerful Foundation Establishment Elder's judgment? 

As if reacting to Li Ye's glance, the hot-tempered woman, Xiong Yinxiu, suddenly snapped: 

"Hmph! Don't think that just because Senior Brother Cai is looking out for you, you can use connections to snatch away our opportunity here!" 

"With Elder Ji's temperament, someone like you cowardly and currying favor won't get a single advantage!" 

"You foul-mouthed hag! Mind your words!" 

Before Li Ye could even frown or respond, Old Luo abruptly stood up and snapped, 

"Junior Brother Li was personally chosen by me. Who are you to smear his name like that?!" 

He couldn't let this false accusation slide. 

Being entrusted by Elder Ji to pick a suitable disciple was an honor. 

If the Elder were to think he was abusing that trust for personal favors, he'd be in serious trouble. 

"You!" 

Xiong Yinxiu's face changed, and she was about to yell back when one of the stewards beside her quickly pulled her arm. 

"Elder Ji is here!" 

At the boy's announcement, a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into view muscular, with a thick beard and long hair, dressed in a heavy fur robe. 

His presence was intense, filled with a fiery energy. The moment he arrived, the air in the room seemed to grow hotter, making everyone's breath catch slightly.

All the arguing stopped at once. 

Everyone rose to their feet and respectfully bowed. 

"Greetings, Elder!"