Cultivation begins with planting techniques

A cave dwelling somewhere in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Junior Brother Cheng, it seems we really overestimated Li Ye and paid him too much attention!"

"Although he broke through to the Innate Realm at a young age, in the past few years, he has hardly even stepped out of that spirit herb garden more than a few times..."

"After that breakthrough, there has been no further activity!"

In front of Cheng Linjue, a well-mannered man was making disdainful remarks.

"Even now that my Heavenly Sword Sect and the Netherworld Sect are sworn enemies, I haven't seen him go to the front lines to draw his sword and eliminate demons, or serve the sect..."

"Such a person, who has no ambition whatsoever, only knows how to enjoy comfort and pleasure and is afraid of death, has actually entered my Heavenly Sword Sect. He is truly a disgrace to our generation!"

He spoke quite earnestly, briefly recounting the information he had gathered, his words implying a denigration of Li Ye and a praise of Cheng Linjue.

Cheng Linjue, who was holding the teacup, listened intently.

Although he felt that Senior Brother Lu's flattery was too obsequious, he was somewhat impatient.

But deep down, he was indeed somewhat disappointed in Li Ye, whom he had only heard of but had never met.

When I first learned that Li Ye had broken through to the Innate Realm at the age of twenty-two, which was a few years less than my own age, I thought he was some kind of genius who had devoted himself to cultivation.

They couldn't help but pay attention to him, regarding him as one of the few people in the Heavenly Sword Sect who could compete with him.

But little did anyone know that he had already undergone several trials, and in addition to improving his cultivation, he had also killed quite a few demonic cultivators, and his swordsmanship had begun to show its sharpness.

Li Ye, whom he has been paying attention to until now, can be said to have accomplished nothing. He just guards the spirit herb garden, lives a secluded life, and rarely goes out.

Aside from that, all I've heard is that he's been directing his disciples to start planting trees on a large scale in the herb garden, and it's already taking shape. I wonder what his plans are.

That's completely neglecting their duties!

It's a shame he had such high hopes for him; now it seems that paying attention to this person was just a waste of time!

But Senior Brother Lu wanted to say a few more words.

Cheng Linjue broke through to the Innate Realm in just a few years, and his cultivation and swordsmanship have improved so rapidly that they are among the best in the history of the Heavenly Sword Sect. He has a very high chance of refining the Yuan Dan.

Now that we've established a solid relationship with him, even if my cultivation level can't keep up with his in the future, I should still be able to follow behind him and gain considerable benefits.

It's just a bit of flattery, there's no real loss, so it doesn't hurt to put in a little extra effort.

"Alright, Senior Brother Lu, there's no need to say any more!"

Cheng Linjue interrupted Senior Brother Lu, "From now on, there's no need to waste any more energy paying attention to Li Ye..."

Senior Brother Lu's expression changed slightly. Judging from his appearance, he felt that he had flattered the wrong person and was about to say something to make amends.

at this time.

clang!clang!clang!
clang!clang!clang!
Six heavy bell tolls rang out in succession, their sound resounding throughout the entire Heavenly Sword Sect's mountain gate, and also reaching Cheng Linjue's cave dwelling, which was not sealed off.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions changing.

"The bell tolls six times. Does this mean another deacon has been promoted to a Yuan Dan Elder?"

Senior Brother Lu muttered something unconsciously, and a hint of longing naturally appeared in his eyes.

The bell tolls six times, a ritual performed only when a true disciple is established or when someone advances to the Yuan Dan stage.

Now is not the time for true disciples to establish their ranks through sword fighting, so naturally people can only speculate that someone has advanced to the Yuan Dan stage.

Cheng Linjue nodded.

"I wonder who it is..." Immediately following the tolling of the bell, the voice of Jade Sword True Monarch rang out.
"Disciple Li Ye has made a great contribution to the sect by cultivating unique spiritual plants. From this day forward, he is hereby specially appointed as a true disciple!"

"From now on, a separate position for true disciples will be established. Anyone who has made pioneering contributions to the sect will be eligible to compete for the position without having to participate in the true disciple sword duel or be affected by the challenge!"

"This is to inform the entire sect, hoping that future disciples will strive to catch up!"

However, these few words were like a bomb exploding in water, instantly causing a huge uproar throughout the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.

Cheng Linjue and Senior Brother Lu, who had just been talking about Li Ye, looked confused at first, and then belatedly realized what was going on and showed surprise.

Especially Senior Brother Lu, who turned to look outside, as if he wanted to see if the sun had risen in the west and if he had just been dreaming.

Li Ye? A true disciple?
How could these two things suddenly be connected out of the blue?
What exactly did he do to warrant Jade Sword True Lord personally coming down to report, and even using this opportunity to establish a new position for his true disciple?!

So it turns out that this person stayed in the Spirit Herb Garden after breaking through to the Innate Realm not because he wanted to enjoy a life of ease and pleasure, but because he had other plans!
Senior Brother Lu was in a state of utter confusion, feeling that Li Ye was simply incomprehensible.

Breaking through to the Innate Realm at the age of twenty-two is a common occurrence in the cultivation world.

However, to obtain the position of a true disciple with the cultivation of spiritual plants at the early stage of the Innate Realm is truly unprecedented!

Once this identity is established, even if the Yuan Dan has not yet been condensed, the status is almost the same as that of a Yuan Dan elder.

The thought that he had just belittled it to the point of being worthless made Senior Brother Lu's expression even more unpleasant than if he were crying.

He looked at Cheng Linjue.

"Junior Brother Cheng..."

"Senior brother, there's no need to worry... We've never discussed the matter of Li Zhenchuan."

Cheng Linjue said in a slightly complicated tone.

"Thank you! Thank you, junior brother!"

Senior Brother Lu nodded repeatedly, forcing a smile, "I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer, Junior Brother. I'll take my leave now!"

With that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Cheng Linjue, then hurriedly left without looking back.

Judging from his back and his slightly unsteady steps, he seemed to be in a panic, as if he were fleeing for his life.

Cheng Linjue stared intently at Senior Brother Lu's departing figure until he disappeared outside the door. His expression gradually became complicated before he finally let out a soft sigh.

Without making a sound, Li Ye became the true disciple he had always dreamed of.

It's laughable that he just ignored the sect's war and hid in that herb garden. He's utterly unworthy of being a sword cultivator, which is very disappointing!
Looking back now, it was fortunate that he didn't seek out this person to duel him because the latter had broken through to the Innate Realm at a younger age and gained some fame.

Otherwise, if we had made enemies, we might have gotten ourselves into trouble.

Cheng Linjue's brows furrowed and then relaxed, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"What kind of spiritual plant has Li Ye cultivated that has earned such a generous reward from the sect?"

At the same time, similar thoughts also arose in the minds of many disciples within the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Given the cultivation atmosphere of the Heavenly Sword Sect, which emphasizes swordsmanship, it is truly unbelievable that they would offer such a generous reward for a spiritual plant. Immediately, many speculations arose.

Accompanied by the sect leader He Shuyuan, Li Ye went straight to the upper floor of the library.

"Junior Nephew Li, these are the direct-lineage sword manuals and techniques of our sect, excluding the Nine Heavens Sword Manual. All of them can be cultivated to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. As a true disciple, you can borrow one for free. The other manuals can be obtained by exchanging 50% of your contribution points..."

"Have you decided which one you'll choose?" (End of Chapter)