The Master of Beasts-Chapter 610 - 162
The main base of the Five Elements Sect, Five-Colored Peak, is actually not very large; in fact, none of the major sects' bases are very large. They accommodate many disciples and some necessary constructions primarily through Secret Realms.
The Spirit Plant Area, like the Spiritual Beast Garden, exists within a Secret Realm, only the Spirit Plant Area is slightly different.
The Secret Realm of the Spirit Plant Area has already been partly integrated into Five-Colored Peak by the sect's Great Powers, so the scenery inside can be seen from outside, although the space inside has slightly changed.
Walking downward to a point slightly below the mountainside, Zone Three of the Spirit Plant Garden finally arrives.
The narrow path resembles a gourd's neck, lined with various exquisite flowers on both sides, and a large number of Spiritual Bees buzz between the blossoms, appearing very busy.
A small Qingfeng Bird stands on a flower bud, curiously tilting its head to observe Chen Jiuge, a stranger.
"Chirp chirp"
Chen Jiuge smiles knowingly, tossing a small Spirit Fruit towards the bird. The Qingfeng Bird happily catches it and flies over amiably, nuzzling Chen Jiuge's face.
"Are you the new Great Steward?" a disciple dressed as a farmer asked as he emerged from the valley.
"I am Chen Jiuge, and if there are no surprises, I should be the one!"
"Steward Sir, I am Zhong Ning, the steward of Zone Three!" Zhong Ning's appearance is very honest, and his smile makes him seem especially sincere.
"Zhong Ning, can you introduce me to the situation in the Spirit Plant Garden?" Chen Jiuge asked without arrogance.
"Certainly, it's my duty."
The Spirit Plant Garden is somewhat different from the Spiritual Beast Garden. The numbers of the Spirit Plant Garden are merely for distinguishing each zone, and the value of the Spirit Plants cultivated inside is actually not inferior!
Zone Three primarily cultivates a type of Spirit Plant called Yellow Tooth Immortal Rice. Although its quality is only True Immortal Level, its effectiveness is quite good. It's passed down through generations of reform by the sect's many Spiritual Plant Masters.
It mainly supplies the Earth Vein Disciples for consumption. This Immortal Rice can slightly enhance a cultivator's affinity with Earth Element Spiritual Energy and provide some assistance in training Earth Element Divine Power.
Although the single-unit price cannot compare to Spirit Fruits, wanting to consume them long-term is a significant expense, and the cultivation process is troublesome. A Spiritual Plant Master who can independently cultivate Yellow Tooth Immortal Rice would be considered a Spirit Plant Master in the outside world!
"Zone Three is extensive. Though mostly Immortal Rice is cultivated, there are many areas unsuitable for cultivation, where various other Spirit Plants are also grown. Their value varies greatly."
"Among them, the most precious is the Purple Sun Immortal Tree; its millennial fruit, the Purple Sun Immortal Fruit, is exceedingly valuable, especially for those cultivators refining their physical bodies—it can be considered a treasured artifact."
"Besides that, there are many other Spirit Plants around. However, most are used by ourselves, and their value is not considered high by the sect. It's also the only source of profit in the Spirit Plant Area!"
Zhong Ning explained everything honestly.
Chen Jiuge looked at Zhong Ning somewhat strangely; he had indeed never encountered such an honest cultivator before.
"Zhong Ning, how long have you been here?"
Zhong Ning proudly raised his chest: "I've been here for over a hundred thousand years. I entered under an Elder's tutelage as soon as I joined, and because of my talent for Spirit Plants, I came to Zone Three."
"No wonder!" Chen Jiuge nodded slightly.
A long-standing employee of over a hundred thousand years, with cultivation at Heavenly Immortal level, it seems the sect thinks Zhong Ning has lacked the experience needed to be promoted to Great Steward of Zone Three!
The two talked and walked, soon arriving at the valley.
From the outside, the valley appears small, but once stepping inside the valley's range, it becomes extremely expansive, and even at Chen Jiuge's current Divine Soul level, he cannot fully cover it and can only encompass a small region.
"Steward Sir, this is your cave mansion, the thousand acres of top-quality Immortal Field behind it is your benefit. Its yield is also yours, however, it requires your own effort." Zhong Ning pointed to a wooden cabin on one side.
"Okay, by the way, why haven't I seen other Spiritual Plant Masters?" Chen Jiuge asked curiously.
"Sir, the number of Spirit Insects inside the valley is quite large; each Spiritual Plant Master's field is not small and is usually under constant care, so typically, one wouldn't see others."
"However, Sir, if you have any issues, feel free to contact me!" Zhong Ning said, leaving his contact information.
"I remember the sect comes periodically to collect Spirit Plants; what should we do then?" Chen Jiuge asked.
"Well..." Zhong Ning hesitated slightly.
"How about this: as long as you can complete the sect tasks, I won't interfere. Just don't bother me, and I also won't trouble you. How it was before will remain how it is in the future; how does that sound?" Chen Jiuge generously said.
Zhong Ning was delighted, thanking profusely: "Thank you, Great Steward!"
After chatting some more with Zhong Ning, he began to feel restless, frequently glancing toward a small mountain afar where his spirit field was located, worried since he had been out for too long and that Spirit Insects might cause damage.
Once Chen Jiuge understood this, he had to let Zhong Ning leave.
"What kind of Spirit Insects can cause such significant harm?" Chen Jiuge asked curiously.
He had cultivated many Spiritual Beasts himself, but hadn't given much thought to Spirit Insects, mainly because most Spirit Insects individually don't have high combat power, and post True Immortal level, the poison from Spirit Insects considerably loses effectiveness.
