Chapter Nine, Junior Brother, look at how fragrant and sweet this soft rice is

You need not worry about this; if you intend to choose a partner, it is likely that no one in the sect would refuse. Moreover, the forces behind them would generously provide a large amount of resources, including various powerful magical artifacts, making it so that you can have whatever you desire. What do you think? Although you are still quite young, you could make a decision for now.

As the clusters of azure and purple clouds completely merged into Qin Mu Ling's body, it did not take long for the essence of all the spiritual herbs and plants in the entire medicinal garden to be absorbed by him through an unknown means

Xue Bingxuan let out a sigh of relief, placing both hands on Qin Muling's shoulders, and said earnestly: "Junior Brother, you may not yet fully understand the true value of this innate ability. If utilized properly, it can significantly elevate the strategic strength of our sect, though this will require some time."

Xue Bingxuan looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile and said: "Or perhaps, it would be better for you to marry her yourself; that way, no one would have any designs on her."

As for the mysterious seed's feedback to those spiritual herbs, according to Qin Mu Ling's own speculation and analysis, it should be something akin to a certain source of creation. Although it is extremely thin, it can still bring significant benefits to those spiritual herbs

Xue Bingxuan's expression was serious: "Is it true that the longer the growth period of a spiritual herb, the greater the assistance it provides to your cultivation? If I were to provide you with a sufficient quantity of sacred herbs right now, even..."

The worse the situation, the more likely it is to occur

Qin Muling nodded slightly, then shook his head: "Sister, your judgment is not wrong, but my current cultivation level is limited. This ability can only be used once a day, and its effective range is confined to this medicinal garden. If you give me too many excellent things at once, I fear I won't be able to digest them all at once, and I must take it slowly."

Of course, this is merely the current estimated result, and it is unclear whether the efficacy of these spiritual herbs will undergo a qualitative transformation with increased cultivation frequency; furthermore, will the effects of this miraculous ability also enhance once Qin Muling breaks through to a new realm in the future

Qin Muling nodded, acknowledging that it was only right to make Xue Bingxuan an informed party, as this was also the intention of Master Mu Yinghua. From now on, the resources needed for her cultivation would naturally be the sole responsibility of this senior sister.

Qin Muling: "... ..."

As the sky outside gradually brightened, it signified the upcoming rest period for Qin Muling

Although the Yunmeng Heavenly Palace does not accept male cultivators, it does not prohibit its disciples from forming partnerships with cultivators from other sects. However, according to tradition, once a female disciple gets married, she is generally no longer regarded as a member of the sect and cannot reside within the sect anymore, at most returning occasionally for family visits

This purely female sect has maintained its doctrinal lineage to this day, with thousands of female disciples marrying outside the sect. The number of prominent families and super sects that have formed marital alliances with this sect is countless. It is said that some of the sect leaders' wives from certain lineages originate from this sect, creating many special networks of relationships through these connections

Alright, let's go back

When thinking a little deeper about books, Xue Bingxuan couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. These carefully cultivated spiritual herbs and medicines are the raw materials for refining elixirs, and the significance of elixirs to the cultivation class is no less than that of food to all living beings, their importance is almost irreplaceable

Xue Bingxuan spoke, still wrapping Qin Muling tightly in a cloak, as the two of them flew back to their cave dwelling on their swords

After a brief calculation, this senior master sister concluded that within at most three days, this spiritual herb would fully regain its vitality, and even grow better than before, indicating that its medicinal properties would be even more remarkable, roughly equivalent to an increase of about three years in potency

The snow-white Bingxuan in front of me bent down her delicate figure, her jade-like hands tidying her ink-black hair by her ears, beginning to stammer as she spoke, yet when the words reached her lips, she did not know where to start asking.

Xue Bingxuan's smile carried a hint of mockery, yet also an underlying expectation. Her bright, beautiful eyes gazed at him without blinking, as if saying: "Junior brother, look at how delicious and sweet this soft rice is, why not consider it?"

Among the new generation of disciples, the only one qualified to evade the obligation of a marital alliance is the senior sister Xue Bingxuan. After all, she is the first saintess of the sect, being groomed as the future leader, and it is inconceivable that she would be married off. Even the other competitors have a degree of uncertainty regarding their fates.

Qin Muling found it somewhat hard to believe. For any school of thought, reaching the level of core disciple already signifies being a true elite figure, with the potential to ascend to high ranks in the future. How could such a person possibly be sent out for a marriage alliance

"Junior apprentice, you ... ... "

Xue Bingxuan pondered for a moment and then spoke: "You should not go out these days; just stay in my secluded hall. I will activate all the formations and restrictions to ensure that nothing unexpected happens, as there have been recent visitors to the sect."

After a short while, Qin Muling gradually withdrew her energy, and faint sounds of explosions could be heard from within her body. The aura emanating from her seemed to have become even purer, and her dark eyes were as clear as water

Remember, you must never let any outsiders know your secret. As for Senior Sister Yalan and the others, do not mention it for now; I will explain it to them.

Of course, in certain extremely special circumstances, for the long-term plans of the sect, even the direct disciples of the Supreme Master may be allowed to marry outsiders, such as your senior sister Yalan and her peers

Since the senior sister mentioned this matter, Qin Muling, who has lived two lives, immediately sensed that something was amiss. It cannot be ruled out that other factions within the sect are targeting the sect leader Mu Yinghua, attempting to undermine the power of the sect leader's faction in this way

Is that so? Can even the core disciples marry outside at will?

Alright, I am going to be hidden away by the senior sister again, Qin Muling silently complained in her heart and couldn't help but ask:

In the perception of Xue Bingxuan, this junior disciple has already reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining stage, with only a thin layer of paper separating him from the Insight stage, making it almost possible for him to break through at any moment

It is of little consequence to inform you, as it concerns several sects with which we have had a good relationship in the past. Their leaders have come bearing generous gifts to discuss certain cooperative matters with us. Of course, the primary purpose is to seek a marriage for their direct descendants, hoping to select a female disciple of exceptional character and appearance to be the destined partner of those young talents.

Calculating on a three-day basis, as long as Qin Muling dedicates one year to cultivating in this medicinal garden, it means that all the spiritual herbs within have increased their potency by over three hundred years

Qin Muling couldn't help but frown: "I am currently without any possessions, lacking everything. What can I use to marry her?"

To be precise, this is one of the special abilities of the mysterious seed in his sea of consciousness; it can effortlessly extract the most refined essence of the elixir's internal vital energy for its own absorption and refinement

Xue Bingxuan pondered for a moment, then bent down to pull out a Shengyang Hanling herb from the medicinal field. Holding it in her hand, she examined it closely and discovered that the essence of its vital energy had been almost completely extracted, rendering it no different from ordinary earthly herbs.

It is not that Xue Bingxuan does not trust her own junior sister, but rather that the more people who know the secret, the greater the chance of it being inadvertently leaked. Therefore, it is better to keep it confidential; at the very least, it should be postponed until Qin Muling's cultivation has improved by several realms and she possesses a stronger ability for self-preservation.

The longer the growth years of spiritual herbs and plants, the higher the quality of elixirs that can be refined from them. This is especially true for spiritual herbs that have been cultivated for over 1,000 years and holy medicines for over 10,000 years, as well as the legendary divine medicines, which have historically been regarded as strategic resources hoarded and reserved by various major sects.

What foreign guests?

Qin Muling's eyes narrowed slightly: "I do not wish to see Senior Sister San being sent out as a sacrifice."

Qin Muling smiled slightly: "This is my special talent, the ability to extract and refine the essence of all plants and trees in the world to benefit myself, and thereby enhance my cultivation. When I was still at the foot of the mountain, I relied on absorbing the vital energy of ordinary plants and trees for my training."

Under normal circumstances, this state of spiritual herbs falls into the category of medicinal waste and can no longer be used for concocting medicines or refining elixirs. However, when Xue Bingxuan fully opened her divine consciousness, she unexpectedly detected a minuscule spiritual essence still lurking at the root of the spiritual herb, which was slowly reviving and growing stronger over time

Suddenly, Xue Bingxuan's gaze became somewhat unusual. If Qin Muling's cultivation were to proceed in such a manner, distinctly different from that of ordinary cultivators, wouldn't the herbs in this medicinal garden also benefit immensely from it

Xue Bingxuan smiled and said: "Core disciples certainly hold a prestigious status, but they are still categorized into different ranks. Those core disciples whose cultivation is merely at the Condensation Stage or Transformation Stage will not receive much attention from the higher-ups. It is not unusual for them to be used for external marriages. Only those disciples who have surpassed the True Person Stage and reached even higher realms will be regarded by the elders as future successors and will not be easily sacrificed."

So... are you planning to plead with your master?