Beware Of Chicken

Book 6: Chapter 3: The Forest and the Trees (2)

From there theyntinued their tour of the grounds, much to Shou’s delight.

The bathhouse teemed with Spiritual Herbs, like walking into a hidden grotto of surprising quality—similar to the one he had ventured into in Pristine Lotus Vale, where he had first acquired these seeds, near four hundred years ago. Steam filled the air, and mortal plants.

“Ofurse, we’ll have a bath prepared for you tonight. The herbs do make for a nice experience.”

It had been a long time since Shou had had an actual bath, rather than simply using his Qi to cleanse his body—yet he was looking forward to it.

The fireplace of the main house was resplendent with Volcano Ginseng, the Spiritual Herbs poking up from around the chaal and filling the room with a pleasant smell. Heat and flame made them grow.

“We actually started these in the glass furnace—they need toxic fumes from volcanic vents for their initial growth period, and we were able to replicate those with the glass we were making, thanks to Miantiao,” Jinntinued, nodding to, of all things, a snake. The Spirit Beast bowed politely at the acknowledgement, and then returned to his work with a silver-haired woman, stoking the flames.

Theld storagentained a tangled curtain of Snow-Phoenix Vine, the soft, pale leaves swaying in the underground breeze as Young Jin fanned them rather vigorously.

“Now these ones are annoying. I have to fan them at least once a day—and hard enough that they look like they’re going to rip off the walls! Polar storms are no joke!”

Shou gazed upon each solution, so mortal in its implementation, yet holding treasures of cultivation. Each and every one was ingenious—especially the method he used to infuse Qi into them. This was truly the height of artistry. Shou, at the apex of the Sky Realm and halfway into the Imperial Realm,uld only bow his head before the work of a fellow master.

It truly was too bad Shen Yu had found him rather than Shou. The urge to add this talent to his family was nearly overwhelming, and adoption would have been the most expedienturse.

There was also marriage. His union with Yukong had ofurse produced fruit, as the Founders had decreed all true unions should. And though the Great Enemy had claimed their children, their line stillntinued in two great-great grandchildren still at the Sect. Core Disciples who had known nothing of the rot, thankfully.

Though that held less appeal. Firstly, because that meant he would be kin with Shen Yu. The snd reason?

Shou saw the way Jin and his wife looked at each other. It was the same way he looked upon his wife, and Shou desired no woman but Yukong. Adding another woman to that would be difficult at best.

His mind thusnsumed, Shou had to admit that he let some of the tour pass by him. He did not think he missed anything too important, but he would speak with Yukong tonight.

They rnvened in the greenhouse—an accurate name indeed—and as the formalities of the introduction to his house werempleted and refreshments started being set out by a pink-haired servant. Meanwhile, Jin pressed a scroll into Shou’s hands.

“These are all of my notes on how every Spiritual Herb is grown, including the ones I can’t. They are the ones that need altitude and atmosphericnditions I can’t provide,” Jin said.

Shou took the scroll with the respect it deserved. Shou hadn’t really expected anything from Rou Jin; the seeds had been a gift at the end of the day, and an apology from the Sect. The seeds themselves were relatively useful for cultivators, so if the young man had decided to refine them that was perfectly acceptable, too.

That he had grown them was one thing. That he was willing to share the secrets of their growth, rather than just keeping them to himself, was quite another.

Shou made the gesture of respect.

“It may mean little to you, but Rou Jin, you walk in the path of the Founders. Truly, your craft is the equal to my own,” Shou said over his clasped fists. The young man blushed. “The fact that you have figured out one of these is a feat worthy of alades. But so many of them? And so well? Your methodology in figuring out these secrets is most worthy of respect.”

“Methodology…? Thatʼs giving me too much praise. I cheat,” the young man said bluntly. “I just ask them how they’re grown and they tell me, if they’re in the mood.”

Shou’s eyes widened. I just ask them and they tell me.