Half a month passed in a flash — Ink Plum Courtyard.
During this time, Chen Jinshu had been staying in the Spirit Plant Space, consistently playing "The Cry of Cranes Among the Pines". By now, she had fully refined the Lüqi Zither.
Her once-rusty zither skills gradually regained their flow through daily practice.
Each time after finishing an alchemy session, she would play the zither to restore her cultivation. As a result, her cultivation had steadily improved again. Of course, she would still need about half a year to break through to Qi Refining Stage Level Six.
Hopefully, she could manage that before the Outer Sect Grand Tournament.
"This Ice Spirit Flower has grown about sixty to seventy percent. That should meet Gu Zhēnrén assessment requirements."
In her hands was a pot containing an Ice Spirit Flower, now standing about six inches tall. Its leaves were a vibrant green, clearly having received plenty of nourishment.
Previously, Gu Zhēnrén had instructed her to cultivate this flower from seed, and to nurture it to at least the late-stage of seventy to eighty percent growth. Anyone familiar with the Ice Spirit Flower's difficulty would know just how tough that was.
Chen Jinshu herself knew very well — this was an additional test from Gu Zhēnrén.
Even though she had used growth-accelerating potions, played "The Cry of Cranes Among the Pines", and performed growth-enhancing techniques, combining multiple methods, she had only managed to raise the plant to about sixty to seventy percent maturity.
It would likely take another three or four months to bloom.
Still, she had met the same standards imposed on the other disciples. Even if her flower hadn't reached Gu Zhēnrén secret benchmark, he shouldn't be too hard on her.
After all, she hadn't cheated.
A moment later, her figure appeared at the Frost Pool Herb Garden.
The place had been busy ever since the last incident of demonic energy contamination — the spirit herb caretakers were constantly occupied. She had to wait in line briefly before being let in. Half an hour later, Chen Jinshu had just finished watering the three acres of spirit herbs and applied restorative salves to damaged spirit vines.
Then, from the mountain-top Medicine King Hall, a voice echoed again:
"Gu Zhēnrén is about to begin his lecture. Disciples, please make your way over."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinshu quickly left the fields — only to bump into Lin Yi, who looked like he had something to say.
"Is it mandatory to attend this lecture?"
"Has Senior Brother never been?"
"Where would I find the time? I've heard from several outer disciples that Gu Zhēnrén is extremely strict. Plus, most of the lecture content is already available in the library. Wouldn't it be better to just gain practical experience in the fields?" Lin Yi shook his head.
"Who said such misleading nonsense?" Chen Jinshu couldn't help but frown.
Indeed, Gu Zhēnrén was harsh — he often administered impromptu tests — but each lecture contained valuable knowledge of spirit plants not found in the library.
"Who told you this? Gu Zhēnrén teachings attract many disciples for a reason."
"It was the steward I worked under when I was a menial laborer. He said people like us, with poor talent, are better off focusing on hands-on work than listening to lofty theories from bigshots," Lin Yi replied. Seeing Chen Jinshu's expression, he suddenly felt like he had missed out on something.
"I still suggest you attend, Senior Brother. Gu Zhēnrén lectures are worthwhile. Besides, relying on one-sided opinions isn't wise," Chen Jinshu said, noting Lin Yi's simpleminded look. Likely, he'd been surrounded by too many idle folks during his time as a servant, making it hard to shift his thinking all at once.
She left it at that.
Soon after, Chen Jinshu arrived at the Medicine King Hall and sat in her previous spot. That first seat had been taken by someone else, and she felt it was unlucky now — better to change. She also took out the Iceheart Lotus she had been cultivating and placed it before her.
As it emerged from her storage pouch, it emitted a faint chill. Chen Jinshu had long since grown accustomed to it, but a few people nearby gave curious glances.
"Junior Sister, is that the rare spirit plant Gu Zhēnrén gave you last time? Remarkable — it even releases cold air!"
"It's hardly a reward. More like the second test Gu Zhēnrén assigned," Chen Jinshu replied with a smile.
One of the other disciples who had also received a rare seed from Gu Zhēnrén was now eyeing her Ice Spirit Flower with interest. She glanced at the spirit plant in front of him — it was already budding.
"Only a month, and his plant is already entering the flowering stage? Truly a spirit plant genius," Chen Jinshu thought, inwardly amazed. Compared to him, her talent seemed utterly lacking.
"Is everyone here?"
Soon, Gu Zhēnrén voice rang out, prompting everyone to sit upright.
"Let's begin the assessment from last time."
He walked to the first disciple and examined their plant. The spirit seed was barely passable before, but now it was half-blooming, the petals a soft blue-green.
"There's progress, but the color is still lacking — not enough nutrition. Mid-high score," Gu Zhēnrén commented. The disciple's face fell — he had hoped for a reward, but came up short again. At the third disciple, Gu Zhēnrén finally gave praise.
The plant was fully matured. Any less than an "excellent" would've been unfair. Yet Gu Zhēnrén didn't give a reward just yet. This round, his inspections were much faster. Within minutes, he reached the disciple who had received the first spirit seed last time.
"Excellent! The Illusion Ice Flower is extremely difficult to cultivate. You've brought it to eighty or ninety percent — very well done. All aspects seem handled properly."
Gu Zhēnrén eyes betrayed his admiration — and even some surprise. His gaze flicked briefly toward Chen Jinshu's Ice Spirit Flower, but he didn't seem impressed. Then, as though having made up his mind, Gu Zhēnrén turned to the young man with the Illusion Ice Flower.
"Do you already have a master?"
His expression was solemn, his eyes expectant.
"This disciple has no master. But my family once had a Tier-3 Spirit Plant Master, so I may have inherited some talent," the disciple answered sincerely, falling to his knees.
"I see. Once you reach late-stage Qi Refining, come and formally become my disciple."
Joy instantly washed over the man's face. He kowtowed three times.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"
Around them, envy bloomed in the eyes of the other disciples — especially the one who had been praised as "excellent" earlier.
Chen Jinshu wasn't surprised. Back when Gu Zhēnrén had given each of them a new rare seed, she had guessed he might be scouting for a potential disciple. Now that this man had shown greater promise, she had naturally been passed over.
Still, she felt no disappointment.
From the beginning, she had only regarded Gu Zhēnrén as a knowledgeable elder — someone from whom she could learn more about spirit plants.
Besides, the Illusion Ice Flower was just as difficult to cultivate as her Ice Spirit Flower — and he had gotten it to budding stage within a month. Clearly, his skill was extraordinary.
Gu Zhēnrén accepting him as a disciple was only natural.