Chen Ping'an (Foundation Establishment Stage, Fourth Layer): 19 / 286 / 920
The System quickly provided information about this Inner Sect Disciple.
Chu Feng merely glanced at it and was immediately shocked.
Foundation Establishment Stage, Fourth Layer at 19 years old!
Genius!
This was the first thought that popped into Chu Feng's mind.
Although there were many in the Foundation Establishment Stage among Outer Sect Disciple, most of those in the first or second layer of Foundation Establishment Stage were already in their twenties or thirties.
Judging from this, this person named Chen Ping'an likely had very high Spiritual Root Aptitude.
After all, when the Sect divided Inner and Outer Sect Disciple, they primarily looked at Spiritual Root; only Disciple with poor Spiritual Root would enter the Outer Sect or Inner Sect by improving their cultivation.
As Chu Feng pondered, Ren Huanhuan muttered softly:
"He looks about our age, can he do it?"
As soon as she spoke, Chen Ping'an, who was sitting cross-legged not far away, suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping towards Ren Huanhuan, causing Ren Huanhuan to panic and quickly shrink back.
Jiang Mei, however, waved her sleeve and said:
"Alright, everyone, go about your business."
After speaking, Jiang Mei walked towards Chen Ping'an's location, her expression incredibly warm, while Li Ning stood awkwardly beside her; from the looks of it, Jiang Mei seemed to be introducing Li Ning to Chen Ping'an.
"Hmph! What's there to be so Divine Qi about?"
Tian Cai grumbled discontentedly, then looked at Chu Feng, noticing his tightly furrowed brows, and asked:
"Chu Feng, what are you thinking about?"
Chu Feng looked up at Tian Cai, thought for a moment, and said:
"Earlier, when I passed by Master's house, I accidentally overheard Master and Senior Brother chatting, saying that quite a few Outer Sect Disciple in the Foundation Establishment Stage had fallen to that Mountain Demon."
"Can this Senior Brother in the Foundation Establishment Stage handle it?"
As Chu Feng spoke, he deliberately lowered his voice and did not forget to look back at Chen Ping'an's location; seeing that the other party hadn't heard, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Having been in the Liu family for so many years, Chu Feng knew very well how much these important figures valued Face, so it was better to speak softly.
"Really?!"
Ren Huanhuan exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Chu Feng's words, her voice rising by an octave.
"Oh my, girl, keep your voice down!"
Chu Feng quickly covered Ren Huanhuan's mouth; he was truly speechless about her at the moment.
Fortunately, Chen Ping'an and the others hadn't noticed them, so Chu Feng also breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, Zhou Yang suddenly spoke:
"It's already quite good that they can send a Disciple in the Foundation Establishment Stage; for herb gardens like ours, the Sect has over sixty of them, and the Spirit Medicine cultivated aren't of very high grade, so the Sect won't pay too much attention to them."
"If you really want to talk about important places, the herb garden in the Inner Sect is said to be extraordinary, classified as a Forbidden Land, specifically used for cultivating high-grade Spirit Medicine."
"There's a rumor that any single plant taken from there could allow an ordinary person to achieve Heaven-Defying change of fate and embark on the path of immortality; the guards there are probably much stronger."
Upon hearing Zhou Yang's words, Chu Feng's eyes immediately lit up; if this were true, it would be perfect for him.
"Zhou Yang, do you know how to get to that Spirit Medicine field?"
Under Chu Feng's expectant gaze, Zhou Yang shook his head and said:
"I've only heard about it; as for the specific situation, even an Inner Sect Disciple might not know the details."
At this point, Zhou Yang's lips suddenly curved slightly upwards as he looked at Chen Ping'an's location and said with a smile:
"That person might know how to get there; why don't you go ask him?"
Tian Cai also replied with a smile:
"Chu Feng, it's still uncertain whether you can even become an Outer Sect Disciple, why are you thinking about all this?"
Facing Zhou Yang and Tian Cai's teasing, Chu Feng's mouth twitched, and he repeatedly waved his hand, saying:
"Forget it then; if I go ask him, he might not even bother to acknowledge me."
After chatting for a while longer, the few of them dispersed.
Chu Feng, accompanied by Dragon Finch, watered the Spirit Medicine, then returned to his room.
Among the many Utility Disciple, the Utility Disciple of their herb garden were probably the most relaxed.
"Chirp! Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
As soon as he entered the room and sat down, Dragon Finch chirped, its small beak constantly pecking at the rope on its claw.
Seeing this, Chu Feng smiled and said:
"What? You want me to let you go? It's not impossible, but you'll have to follow me from now on. As long as I have food, you won't go hungry. If you agree, just nod."
Although Dragon Finch was weak, it was a Spirit Beast after all, and possessed some intelligence, so it could roughly understand Chu Feng's words.
It tilted its small head, looking around, seemingly hesitant.
Seeing this, Chu Feng stood up to get a fire starter.
"Sizzle!"
As the flame lit up, Dragon Finch immediately cowered and quickly nodded.
"That's more like it."
Chu Feng smiled and extinguished the fire starter, then untied the restraint on Dragon Finch's claw. Since they were inside the room, Dragon Finch couldn't run even if it wanted to.
"I won't restrict you in any way; you just need to remember to tell me if you find any treasures or anything like that in the future. Normally, you can just move around freely."
As Chu Feng spoke, he took out a jar from the cabinet beside the bed, containing the Spirit Medicine leaves he had collected.
These leaves had been damaged by pests or other reasons and had to be removed prematurely.
The Sect naturally wouldn't want these leaves, which conveniently benefited Chu Feng and the others.
Although their medicinal properties were not as good as the main core of the Spirit Medicine, they were still much stronger than ordinary herbs.
"Eat up. Although it's not as good as what's in the field, at least you can eat it without worry, and you don't have to worry about being caught and roasted."
Chu Feng pulled out a leaf and gave it to Dragon Finch.
Dragon Finch hesitated for a moment, then began to peck at it.
Over the next few days, Dragon Finch gradually accepted Chu Feng. Although it often went out, it would occasionally bring back small items when it returned.
For example, unwanted incomplete Spirit Medicine, Spiritual Qi-containing jade, and jewelry.
As a result, Chu Feng, despite doing nothing, became increasingly wealthy. However, this was a cultivation Sect, and worldly money had little use, which made Chu Feng feel a bit regretful.
Of course, when receiving these items, Chu Feng had not failed to think that it would be great if Dragon Finch brought him back a ring with an old man inside.
At that time, he, Chu, would have a System plus an old man, a double Golden Finger.
Every time Chu Feng thought of this possibility, his heart was filled with anticipation.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
The herb garden was peaceful, with no sense of crisis from an impending Mountain Demon attack.
After a busy day, it was evening again.
Chu Feng had plundered several decades of lifespan in the past few days, but it was still a drop in the bucket if he wanted to improve his Aptitude.
"Mountain Demon, human Face, monkey body, immense strength, extremely fast, afraid of flames, irritable temper, fond of eating Spirit Medicine."
Inside the room, Chu Feng sat at his desk, reading the book Zhou Yang had given him.
This was a book of strange tales and observations, recording some bizarre occurrences, including Spirit Monster like Mountain Demon.
As for whether it was true or false, Chu Feng had no idea.
Dragon Finch hopped on the table, pecking at the small insects on it, which Chu Feng had caught from the Spirit Medicine field.
"Master, will this Mountain Demon come or not? It's not a solution to keep dragging it out like this, always living in fear every day."
Just then, Li Ning's voice suddenly reached Chu Feng's ears.
Chu Feng closed his book, walked to the window, intending to listen closely to what Jiang Mei and the others were saying.
"I can't say for sure either."
Jiang Mei's tone held a hint of helplessness.
Li Ning, however, asked again:
"Master, can that Chen Ping'an handle it? Although he has good talent, he is still in the Foundation Establishment Stage after all, and might not be a match for that Mountain Demon."
Jiang Mei seemed somewhat displeased upon hearing Li Ning's words and said:
"You child, be careful with your words. That person is not just a simple Inner Sect Disciple; if he hears you, he might hold a grudge."
"Master's lesson is correct."
Li Ning replied honestly.
Chu Feng found it a bit boring and was about to go back to reading when he suddenly heard Chen Ping'an's angry roar:
"You wicked beast, how dare you! Take this sword!"
