Chapter 279: The Position of Mystical Secrets

The spiritual herbs that Yin Luo brought out varied in quality and type—ranging from top-grade to supreme-grade herbs, including both root-based and fruit-based varieties. The fact that he had so many herbs on hand clearly indicated he possessed a portable cultivation space, akin to Su Che’s precious magic box—a high-level artifact.

Su Che had once worked as a herbal doctor in the Lingcao Herb Garden on Xuanji Peak for a period, giving him considerable experience in this field. With a quick glance, he determined that all these herbs could be healed by supplying them with sufficient vital energy, allowing them to recover on their own. Of course, this required time; they wouldn’t instantly regain their vitality.

Without wasting words, Su Che stepped forward, crouched down, and immediately began treating the first herb. Yin Luo sat down, stroking his beard, and watched Su Che’s actions with interest.

Su Che didn’t use any complex techniques or tools—he simply held the herb’s stem gently with one hand, as if comforting and showing pity for it.

“Is this some form of mental communication before treatment?”

As a top master in herb cultivation, Yin Luo also knew methods of communicating with plants mentally. Yet he failed to notice that Su Che was slowly transferring incredible vital energy to the herb.

After a while, Yin Luo let out a soft exclamation, his face showing surprise. He sensed that the herb’s condition had clearly improved, though the change was subtle enough to escape most people’s notice—but not his keen senses.

“Using one’s own internal energy to heal herbs?” Yin Luo suddenly realized and exclaimed in admiration, “Truly a natural herbal doctor—a gifted prodigy!”

In total, it took half an hour for Su Che to treat all the herbs one by one. He then looked up at Yin Luo and said, “Elder, healing takes time. These herbs have been ill for years; they can’t be completely cured in a day. This is as much as I can do today.”

“That’s enough! It’s truly sufficient!”

Yin Luo nodded with a smile, his joy evident. “You’ve proven your talent. I must also thank you for giving them new life.”

As he spoke, he took out a blank jade slip and copied a mental image along with extensive textual information onto it.

Su Che and Zi Xiao exchanged a glance, both secretly pleased.

Soon, the jade slip was filled. Yin Luo asked softly, “In the future, if I have other herbs that are difficult to treat, may I bring them to you for your help?”

“I will surely do my best!” Su Che promised sincerely.
“Good, good.”
Yin Luo nodded in satisfaction and handed the jade slip to Su Che: “The methods for cultivating immortal lotuses, as well as the formula for producing spiritual liquid, are all within it. For the first attempt, it’s best to use just one lotus seed to gain experience and insights, so as to avoid unnecessary waste.”
“Yes, thank you, senior.” Su Che nodded earnestly.
“Not bad, really not bad,” Yin Luo stood up and said with a smile, “This trip was worthwhile; we’ve gained a lot. Well then, I must take my leave.”
He bowed and turned to leave.
“Senior, these spiritual herbs…” Su Che pointed at the dozen or so herbs on the ground and asked hurriedly.
“Leave them with you,” Yin Luo replied without turning, waving his hand. “I only hope they can grow healthily and live long enough to fulfill their purpose in life.”
By then, he had already stepped outside the house.
“Truly…”
Su Che stood there in thought, deeply moved: Without a doubt, this was a true master of spiritual herbs, whose care for them was almost selfless.
“I told you—he’s highly skilled; he must have already attained enlightenment,” Zi Xiao said softly.
Although Yin Luo had merely copied some knowledge he knew and given it to Su Che, resulting in no loss for himself, his spiritual realm still deeply moved Su Che, earning him even the respect of an Origin Soul ancestor.
After that, Su Che used his mind to penetrate the jade slip, memorizing its contents, then handed it to Zi Xiao.
Zi Xiao took it without even looking before putting it away.
Preparing spiritual liquid not only required a huge amount of effort but also numerous materials. This task naturally had to be handled by the sect’s strength. Even if Su Che hadn’t mentioned it, the elders wouldn’t allow him to delay his cultivation for such trivial matters.
Now, Su Che’s personal needs were also important duties of the Tianxuan Sect, so there was no need to say more.
Inside the mountain gate, after parting ways with Zi Xiao, Su Che flew back to his Xuanyu Peak. Before even landing, he saw a streak of light leaving the peak’s summit.
“It seems to be Venerable Xuan Ce…”
Watching that figure, Su Che thought, “What could she be doing here?”
Lao He guessed, “Probably here for Venerable Xuanji as well.”
“Possible,” Su Che mused.

Master Xuan Zhong has been promoted to the Supreme Elder, leaving the position of Venerable Xuan Ji vacant for over two months. During this time, many Golden Core Elders from the sect have come to Xuan Yu Peak to offer gifts to Su Che. Undoubtedly, countless people are eyeing this prestigious position, and it is well known that the fortune of the main peak has turned to Xuan Yu Peak in recent centuries. Whoever becomes Venerable Xuan Ji is likely to succeed in reaching the Infant Stage soon and become another Yuan Ying Patriarch. As long as it involves reaching the Infant Stage, even the slightest chance will prompt people to strive tirelessly for it. Everyone knows that Su Che is not only the favorite of all the patriarchs but also the certain future sect leader. Therefore, those who can gain his recommendation and support stand a good chance of becoming the new Venerable Xuan Ji. Indeed, there are only three people in the sect who can play a decisive role in this position: the sect leader, Supreme Elder Xuan Zhong, and Su Che. Since both Xuan Zhong and Su Che hail from Xuan Yu Peak, the sect leader must show respect for their opinions. Supreme Elder Xuan Zhong has just reached the Yuan Ying Stage and is still in seclusion to stabilize his cultivation; his Xuan Zhong Peak is completely closed to visitors. Thus, the only person who can influence things is Su Che. Of course, Su Che accepts all the gifts brought to him, but whether he will do favors for them is another matter. Su Che has deep affection for Xuan Yu Peak, and he would never hand over the position of Venerable Xuan Ji to someone he does not know or trust. The sect leader and Xuan Zhong are aware of Su Che’s feelings and have already hinted that the final decision rests with him. This shows just how much favor the elders have for Su Che. Upon arriving at the peak’s summit, Su Che saw Shui Yue standing at the edge of the cliff, gazing into the distance. Shui Yue had been at Xuan Yu Peak for nearly a year, still wearing a veil, and no one had seen her true face. “Did your master just visit?” Su Che asked from behind her. “Yes,” she replied. Shui Yue nodded gently. “She came to see me, asked about my well-being and my cultivation, and gave me some guidance.” Now, Su Che had secured for Shui Yue the status of a Golden Core Elder at Xuan Yu Peak, so even Venerable Xuan Ce could no longer oversee her. “You seem preoccupied,” Su Che asked softly. “It’s nothing,” Shui Yue replied lightly. “Women are prone to being sentimental from time to time. In fact, it’s also a kind of enjoyment in life, isn’t it?”

“No,” Su Che said with a smile, shaking his head. “At least, I don’t think so.”
“That’s because you’re a man,” Shui Yue turned back and gave him a gentle glare.
Su Che smiled silently, stepped forward, and stood beside her. After a moment, he asked, “Did Venerable Xuan Ce ask anything about me?”
“Yes.”
Shui Yue hesitated slightly before saying, “She asked if you were kind to me, how often we interacted, and things like that…”
“Mm,” Su Che nodded. “Those matters aren’t a big deal. As for my whereabouts, it’s best if no one knows about them.”
“I understand,” Shui Yue nodded gently.
Long ago, several elders had instructed Su Che to keep his whereabouts strictly confidential. He couldn’t reveal them to anyone except the elders within the sect.
This was because the elders, who were hundreds of years old, had realized that sects like Taiyi Gate and Wan Gui Sect would surely want to get rid of Su Che. If they couldn’t infiltrate the sect to assassinate him, they would try every means to find out his whereabouts and set up ambushes outside…
During the internal competition, the sect leader had said that there were likely eight hundred or more informants planted by various sects within Tianxuan Sect. This was a semi-public secret in the cultivation world, known only among them.
“I feel…”
Shui Yue continued, “My master isn’t here to investigate your whereabouts. She’s more interested in the position of Venerable Xuan Ji. She wants to use me to get some information from you. But she didn’t say it outright.”
Su Che nodded silently, signaling her to continue. He also understood that Venerable Xuan Ce wasn’t there for her sake, as she could never become Venerable Xuan Ji. There was no possibility of the elders from the ten main peaks exchanging positions—this was stipulated by the sect rules.
“As far as I know, the third elder of the Internal Affairs Hall has a good relationship with my master. This elder, ‘Ling Yuan,’ is also at the late Golden Core stage and should be able to reach the Great Perfection stage in about twenty years. I guess my master hopes that ‘Ling Yuan’ will become the new Venerable Xuan Ji.”
After saying this, Shui Yue explained, “This is just my speculation. I won’t express any opinions. I’m telling you this only so you’re aware. In this world, the only person I trust the most is you, my senior brother.”
“I understand,” Su Che nodded.

The explanation regarding Shui Yue was quite straightforward. Although Master Xuan Ce was her teacher, her heart belonged to Su Che, and she would not speak up for anyone else. As for Elder Ling Yuan, whom she mentioned just now, Su Che had also heard of him; he was one of the top ten candidates within the sect qualified to compete for the title of “Venerable Mysterious Insight.”