I forge eternal life with the Dao seed

The servant assessment finally ended, and everything seemed back to normal.

Although over a dozen servants from the mining area had perished during the assessment, the overall number of casualties was actually lower than three years ago. Naturally, no one paid much attention to this.

The only surprising outcome was Zhao Heng, the so-called "lucky scavenger," who unexpectedly ranked third in the assessment, leaving many astonished and sighing with disbelief.

Following the announcement of the rankings, it was time to distribute rewards.

As the unexpected dark horse in the top three, Zhao Heng received a reward of 100 spirit crystals, a Body Tempering Pill, and permission to select one ordinary-grade manual from the library at no cost.

However, instead of feeling joy, Zhao Heng felt as though he was sitting on pins and needles. He was deeply uneasy, sensing that the gazes directed at him were filled with malice, greedily eyeing his rewards.

Thankfully, he had passed the assessment, and soon, he could pick better servant tasks, leave the Servants' Peak, and avoid any further plots against him.

Shortly after, the head steward, Zhou Cang, issued an order.

"The sect's newly announced servant tasks have been allocated to each area. All deacons, distribute new assignments to those who passed the assessment."

As per the usual custom, disciples who passed the assessment were assigned tasks at the sect's Nine Peaks, meaning they no longer had to stay on the Servants' Peak permanently.

The tasks at the Nine Peaks not only offered better rewards but also provided better cultivation opportunities due to the abundant spiritual energy. On top of that, there was a chance to build connections with influential figures within the sect. It was an enviable opportunity cherished by all.

When the deacons from various areas handed out tasks, the newly assigned disciples couldn't help but cheer with excitement.

Zhao Heng, too, eagerly anticipated his upcoming assignment.

However, as he waited, uneasiness grew in his heart. Liu Hong, the deacon for the mining area, had already assigned tasks to others who had passed the assessment, but Zhao Heng still hadn't received his appointment. A sinking feeling overcame him.

And sure enough...

After a long wait, Liu Hong finished assigning tasks to everyone but left Zhao Heng hanging. Unable to endure it any longer, Zhao Heng stepped forward to ask.

"Deacon Liu, what about my assignment?"

Zhao Heng deliberately raised his voice so that those in the surrounding areas, as well as the head steward Zhou Cang, could hear, ensuring Liu Hong couldn't cover up any misconduct.

As expected, many nearby turned to look, and even Zhou Cang started walking toward them.

Being the surprise third-place finisher, Zhao Heng had garnered significant attention.

"Liu Hong, has this young brother not received a task yet?" Zhou Cang asked, his tone puzzled. According to protocol, those ranked higher should be given priority for assignments.

Noting how Zhao Heng had deliberately drawn attention and even caught Zhou Cang's interest, Liu Hong glared at Zhao Heng subtly but put on a surface smile.

"Head Steward Zhou, I was just about to bring something up with you," Liu Hong said courteously.

"What is it?" Zhou Cang asked.

"It's about establishing a deputy manager for the mining area," Liu Hong explained with a smile. "The mining area is continually expanding, and managing all of it alone has become increasingly difficult for me. Recently, there were even a few minor incidents. So I would like to request your approval to appoint a deputy manager to assist me in managing the mines. I believe Zhao Heng would be an excellent choice for this position. He's young, capable, and well-suited for the role!"

"Hmm...?"

Hearing this, Zhao Heng nearly stumbled. So this was what Liu Hong had been plotting!

While the title "deputy manager of the mining area" sounded impressive, it was merely a way to tie Zhao Heng to the mines, leaving him at Liu Hong's mercy. True to form, Liu Hong was as sinister as ever.

What shocked Zhao Heng more was that Zhou Cang actually nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement with Liu Hong's suggestion.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zhao Heng quickly spoke up: "Deacon Liu, Head Steward, my cultivation is shallow, and I lack the experience necessary for such a heavy responsibility. I must respectfully decline—"

Before he could finish, Liu Hong interrupted him with a smug tone: "Oh, Zhao Heng, are you worried I'll mistreat you? Even if you stay at the mines, as deputy manager, your monthly salary will be much higher than it is now! Of course, I won't force you. You can try the position for a few days, and if it doesn't suit you, I'll assign you a different task. Besides, all the other tasks have already been allocated. Any new assignments might take some time to become available."

Hearing this, Zhao Heng immediately understood Liu Hong's malicious intent.

He and Liu Hong were already at odds; staying in the mining area—Liu Hong's territory—would undoubtedly lead to disaster.

But as a mere servant disciple, even with his third-place ranking, Zhao Heng's influence was limited.

"Very well, this seems like a good arrangement," Zhou Cang said, nodding. "Zhao Heng, since Deacon Liu values you so highly, you should try the role of deputy manager for a few days and see how it goes."

Zhao Heng's heart sank. He thought to himself, "A few days? I probably won't even survive that long!"

What should he do?

Zhao Heng was not the type to sit and wait for death. Two plans quickly formed in his mind.

Plan One: Expose Liu Hong's misconduct—his extortions, abuses, and killings of servant disciples—right in front of Zhou Cang. However, there was no guarantee that Zhou Cang wasn't complicit, and revealing his involvement in killing Liu Hong's subordinate could put him in even greater danger.

Plan Two: Pretend to agree for now, lower Liu Hong's guard, and strike tonight to settle the matter once and for all in a life-or-death confrontation.

Both options carried significant risks and a low probability of success. But it seemed Zhao Heng had no choice.

As Zhao Heng's face darkened with deliberation, Liu Hong smirked slyly, casting him a mocking glance.

Just as everything seemed set in stone—

"Hey, you, the servant! I happen to need someone to watch over the medicine garden. Why don't you give it a try?"

A melodious and ethereal voice suddenly echoed from afar, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

In the distance, the crowd automatically parted to clear a path.

A tall, graceful figure dressed in pure white robes walked toward them.

It was a young woman, her snowy white attire as pristine as fresh snow. Her delicate, jade-like face, with features so perfect they seemed divinely painted, exuded an otherworldly beauty that was impossible to describe.

For a moment, it felt as though a celestial maiden had descended into the mortal realm, rendering all else pale and insignificant.

The air fell silent. Countless people stared in a daze, entranced by her ethereal presence.

Yet the woman paid no mind to any of this. She gazed past the crowd and locked eyes with a surprised young man in gray robes. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile graced her lips.

"Yun Qingsnow?" Zhao Heng muttered, his disbelief audible. When he heard her voice, he doubted his ears. But seeing her clearly, he was stunned.

She was none other than Yun Qingsnow—the prodigy of Qingxia Peak's Outer Sect—whom he had encountered that fateful night at the foot of Ox Horn Mountain!

Why was she here?

The crowd quickly snapped out of their trance.

"Wait, isn't that Yun Qingsnow from Qingxia Peak?"

"Yun Qingsnow! The number one beauty of Qingxia Peak? The genius ranked in the top ten of the Outer Sect's Radiance Rankings?"

"Indeed! I heard Yun Qingsnow has reached the pinnacle of the Visceral Refining Realm, making her one of the sect's most promising candidates for breaking through to the Innate Realm. She's a true Outer Sect prodigy. Why would someone like her come here?"

The entire assessment area erupted in excitement due to Yun Qingsnow's unexpected arrival.

Outer disciples and servant disciples might seem to differ by a single rank, but their statuses were worlds apart.

What's more, the person standing before them was not just any outer disciple, but one of the most beautiful and talented figures among them, someone who evoked admiration and yet made others feel inferior by comparison.

At this moment, Yun Qingsnow stood in front of Zhao Heng and said in a cold tone, "I'm talking to you. Would you be willing to help me look after the medicine garden?"

Startled for a moment, Zhao Heng saw Yun Qingsnow subtly wink at him, and he quickly nodded.

"I'm willing! Of course I'm willing! It would be an honor for me to assist Senior Sister Yun in tending the medicine garden!"

Hearing this, Liu Hong finally reacted.

"This… This won't do!" he blurted out.

Yun Qingsnow turned her gaze toward Liu Hong.

Though it appeared to be just a casual glance, it carried an overwhelming sense of pressure, causing Liu Hong to momentarily stop breathing. He involuntarily retreated several steps, his heart trembling with fear.

"Are you talking to me?" Yun Qingsnow's voice was calm and gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of dominance.

"Uh…" Liu Hong broke into a sweat, suddenly unable to speak.

It was Zhou Cang who stepped forward with a smile, breaking the tension. "Oh, it's Nephew Yun Qingsnow. What wind has brought you here? Forgive me for not welcoming you earlier."

Yun Qingsnow glanced at Zhou Cang and clasped her hands in respect before speaking. "You're too kind, Steward Zhou. I recently started cultivating a new medicine field and need a servant disciple to look after it. I heard today is the sect's triennial servant assessment, so I came to find a suitable candidate."

"So that's the case! Nephew Yun, there's no need for you to trouble yourself by coming personally. If you'd just sent word, I would have selected a capable and experienced servant from the Spirit Medicine Garden and sent them to you myself."

Though Zhou Cang spoke as if he were her elder, it was clear from his tone that he held Yun Qingsnow in high regard—there was even a hint of flattery in his words.

However, Yun Qingsnow merely shook her head slightly and looked toward Zhao Heng.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Steward Zhou. I've heard this person ranked third in the servant assessment, so he should have some abilities. Let's have him tend to the medicine garden for me."

Her tone was casual, as if she didn't know Zhao Heng at all.

Hearing this, Liu Hong, standing off to the side, turned pale. Zhao Heng already posed a significant threat to him. If Zhao Heng were to become Yun Qingsnow's servant, his future prospects would undoubtedly rise. Should Zhao Heng find success, it would only spell disaster for Liu Hong.

"No, I absolutely cannot let this boy rise to power," Liu Hong thought to himself. Steeling his nerves, he said, "Senior Sister Yun, although Zhao Heng ranked third in the assessment, much of that was due to sheer luck. Furthermore, he's been working in the mines since entering the sect and knows nothing about tending medicinal herbs. I fear he might ruin your important work."

Zhou Cang nodded in agreement. "Deacon Liu has a point, Nephew Yun. Why don't I take you to the Spirit Medicine Garden to choose a few experienced servants instead?"

Yun Qingsnow furrowed her brow slightly and glanced at Zhao Heng, about to say something.

Before she could speak, Zhao Heng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped forward and said, "Steward Zhou, Deacon Liu, rest assured. I have the skills to tend to Senior Sister Yun's medicine garden."

Hearing this, Liu Hong sneered.

"Zhao Heng, you're just a miner. What could you possibly know about tending to medicinal herbs? Don't brag just because you want to cozy up to Senior Sister Yun."

Zhou Cang frowned slightly, displeased with Zhao Heng's bold claim.

But Zhao Heng couldn't afford to care about anyone's opinion at this moment. He knew Yun Qingsnow had come today to repay the favor she owed him.

While no one would dare stop her from forcefully recruiting him as her servant, it would undoubtedly lead to suspicion and speculation about their relationship—something that could cause significant trouble.

As the saying goes, "One must have their own strength to forge iron." This was a moment where Zhao Heng had no choice but to put himself forward.

Facing Liu Hong's scorn, Zhao Heng clasped his hands behind his back, recalling something in his mind. Suddenly, he spoke aloud with confidence:

"The highest-grade medicinal herbs, 120 kinds, are the rulers. They nourish life and align with the heavens. They are non-toxic and harmless even with prolonged use. Those who wish to attain lightness of body, vitality, and longevity should refer to the Upper Canon.

The middle-grade medicinal herbs, another 120 kinds, are the ministers. They nurture the spirit and benefit humanity…"

As Zhao Heng's voice rang out, one of the servants from the Spirit Medicine Garden exclaimed in surprise.

"This is… the Compendium of Spirit Herbs!"

[--------------------------------------------]

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