Half an hour later, the sun had risen halfway up the mountain. Its rays were gentle, not blinding, and bathed the Ink Plum plum blossoms in the courtyard with a fragrant glow.
When Chen Jinshu arrived at the Pill King Hall, her master, Shui Huanmeng, was already waiting outside the side hall.
"I sensed your presence a while ago. This time, it's Elder Yu Rong's spirit plant that needs treatment," Shui Huanmeng said with a smile, pulling a Firefeather Crane from her spirit beast pouch.
The Firefeather Crane chirped joyfully upon seeing Chen Jinshu, then swiftly enlarged its body to carry them.
Chen Jinshu had heard of Elder Yu Rong—renowned as the second most skilled female cultivator on Medicine King Peak after her own master. A peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, she only lacked a single Golden Core Pill to break through and become the second female Golden Core cultivator of the peak.
Unfortunately, the pill's key ingredient wouldn't mature for several more years, despite a fifty-year wait.
Timing was truly everything.
Even without forming her core, Yu Rong had already been granted the title and monthly stipend of an elder. Once she formed her core, she would officially assume the position.
Disciples on Medicine King Peak often addressed her respectfully as "Yu Rong."
Soon, the master and disciple arrived at a secluded courtyard within the inner region of Medicine King Peak. Pear trees bloomed all around, their yellow-white blossoms casting soft floral shadows on the ground.
"Greetings, Elder Huanmeng!" Yu Rong bowed slightly toward Shui Huanmeng.
"Greetings, Elder Yu Rong!" Chen Jinshu quickly followed suit.
"No need to be so formal. We're not far apart in age—let's treat each other as equals," Shui Huanmeng replied casually.
"This must be your new disciple. I can tell she's exceptionally gifted," Yu Rong said, nodding gently to Chen Jinshu, her expression softening.
"I intend to train her as a spirit plant healer. This outing is a chance for her to gain some experience."
"I would be honored!" Chen Jinshu bowed again, earnestly.
Yu Rong smiled and welcomed them inside.
Chen Jinshu's eyes lit up when she saw the plaque reading Pear Blossom Courtyard. Combined with the faint pear fragrance in the air, the place struck her as tastefully elegant. Indeed, the home of a beauty cultivator was extraordinary.
Moments later, the three arrived before a coral plant glowing with a reddish flame. The coral stood over ten feet tall, its branches intertwining as they reached upward like blooming fire. But sadly, streaks of blood-crystal had formed within the branches, marring its beauty.
"This Blood Jade Coral was planted a century ago. It's been with me for a long time. Lately, however, these bloody crystal-like streaks have started forming, and the water around it has turned a pink-gold hue. I was so worried I requested your help," Yu Rong explained with a deepening frown.
Chen Jinshu was stunned by the sight. A century-old Blood Jade Coral was extremely valuable; the pills refined from it could greatly extend one's lifespan by enhancing the body's weakening life essence.
Yu Rong had likely planted it in anticipation of a long wait for her Golden Core Pill—hoping the coral would boost her chances.
"This appears to be a rare case of Crystal Blood Syndrome. Normally, Blood Jade Coral emits stronger and stronger life essence over time. But now, it's crystallizing instead, which means its medicinal potency is deteriorating," Shui Huanmeng diagnosed after examining the plant for a while.
Yu Rong paled at her words.
"Please, Elder, I beg for your help! I'll offer a second-grade Frost Condensation Herb in exchange."
"That's quite valuable. Are you sure?" Shui Huanmeng raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The Frost Condensation Herb only grew under full moonlight, its frosty, translucent leaves infused with lunar essence. The pill refined from it enhanced spiritual perception—raising a Foundation Establishment cultivator's soul sense by two layers. The effect decreased at higher realms, but it was still a rare and precious item.
"I'm sure," Yu Rong replied with a gentle smile. Between the two, the coral was far more important.
"Jinshu, what's your assessment?" Shui Huanmeng turned to Chen Jinshu, who had been closely observing the crystallized coral.
"This is my first time seeing a Blood Jade Coral and hearing of Crystal Blood Syndrome. I truly don't know what to do. But I suppose figuring out the cause is the first step," she replied honestly.
"Not bad," Shui Huanmeng nodded approvingly.
"What kind of spirit materials do you use to water the coral? And what soil is it planted in?"
"Blood Jade Coral naturally grows near underwater volcanic vents. Its requirements are strict. I use Sharkfolk essence blood for watering. The seawater comes from near a millennium-old seabed volcano, and the soil is volcanic fire-sand."
"None of that should be problematic, but I'll need to inspect more closely."
Shui Huanmeng began her detailed inspection, and Chen Jinshu followed along to learn. Before long, Shui Huanmeng noticed something strange. The coral's base wasn't planted in regular fire-sand—it was red crystal sand, which looked identical but behaved very differently.
"You recently added a new layer of sand, didn't you? It's not the same as the older layer underneath."
"Different? But the two types seem almost the same. Their attributes are similar too."
"That's why people often confuse them," Shui Huanmeng explained. "Your old sand was indeed fire-sand, but the new layer is red crystal sand. That stuff causes nearby spirit materials to crystallize."
"Is there a way to fix it?"
"Remove all the current sand and replace it with fire-sand. Then water the coral with Shark's Tears. Within three days, the crystallization should disappear."
"Thank you, Elder!"
"Since I'm accepting your Frost Condensation Herb, I'll help with the work too," Shui Huanmeng said, immediately setting about removing the red crystal sand and collecting the old seawater.
"Lay down the fire-sand..." she instructed.
With Yu Rong assisting, the two finished the treatment within half an hour.
"Observe the coral closely these next few days. If anything changes, contact me."
"Many thanks, Elder," Yu Rong said, handing over the prepared Frost Condensation Herb.
"I'll accept it. If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way."
With that, Shui Huanmeng and Chen Jinshu left.
Although Chen Jinshu had only observed her master diagnose and treat the plant, she had learned a lot about the process. More importantly, she came to understand just how crucial knowledge was to a spirit plant healer.
She couldn't imagine being able to analyze material properties so effortlessly like her master. A short while later, they arrived at another courtyard in the inner region.
"The next patient is Elder Yu Yufan's spirit plant—Rainbowvine," Shui Huanmeng said.
"Are you familiar with it?"
"Yes. Its leaves shift color beautifully with the sunlight—an extraordinarily rare and beautiful spirit vine," Chen Jinshu replied.