Hastening the growth of spirit plants was truly a thankless task.

Although the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map was a high-grade spirit treasure, it required a continuous and unending infusion of spiritual power to operate. It simply couldn’t mature plants on its own.

“This isn’t cultivating immortality; this is being an ox!” Shen Xian grumbled through gritted teeth.

He was inherently lazy by nature, yet now he had to sit here day after day, like a disciple being punished with wall-facing meditation.

After persisting for another half-day, Shen Xian finally couldn’t take it anymore. He abruptly withdrew his spiritual power.

Smack!

He slapped the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map onto the stone table.

“I quit!” he declared angrily. “This young master crossed over to become a carefree immortal, not to toil like a beast of burden!”

Shen Xian stared at the Purple Cloud Ganoderma for a long moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

He turned his gaze to the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise, which was playing dead in the spirit spring. He flicked his finger, sending a precise strand of spiritual power striking its shell.

“Old turtle, quit pretending to sleep.” He nudged the bluestone at the edge of the spring with his foot. “This Purple Immortal Ganoderma is for your use. Why should I be the one doing the hard labor?”

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise slowly floated to the surface. Its beady black eyes were full of ingratiation as it diligently blew out a string of sparkling bubbles.

“None of that!”

Shen Xian grabbed the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map and slapped it directly onto the turtle’s shell.

“Starting today, you’re responsible for hastening its growth yourself. You’re a fourth-tier spirit beast; you have spiritual power to spare anyway.”

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise immediately grew anxious, shaking its head and shell frantically. The spirit patterns on its carapace lit up as if in protest.

“Protest denied!” Shen Xian sprawled grandly into his rocking chair, crossing his legs. “You have two choices: either work obediently, or…”

He meaningfully drew out the pause. “…I’ll stew you for soup to nourish myself.”

Upon hearing this, the tortoise shuddered, its beady eyes filled with terror.

It looked at Shen Xian pitifully. Seeing its master completely unmoved, it realized the threat was real. In the end, it could only let out a long, silent sigh of resignation.

The large creature slowly crawled over to the Purple Cloud Ganoderma. The spirit patterns on its shell brightened as a stream of pure water-attribute spiritual power slowly infused into the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map.

Shen Xian nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it.”

He casually took out a pot of spirit tea from his storage ring and began sipping leisurely. “Remember, at least six hours a day. If you dare slack off…”

He deliberately trailed off again.

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise trembled all over and hurriedly increased its spiritual output speed, terrified that this ancestor might truly turn it into turtle soup.

In the following days, Shen Xian spent his time lounging in the rocking chair, supervising the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise’s work.

Occasionally, when in a good mood, he’d toss it a few spirit fruits as a reward.

Though filled with grievance, the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise didn’t dare disobey its master’s will. It could only resign itself to being a spiritual power beast of burden.

“Tsk tsk, a fourth-tier spirit beast really is different.” Shen Xian watched as the Purple Cloud Ganoderma transformed at a visible rate, smacking his lips in satisfaction. “The efficiency is much higher than mine.”

He estimated that at most, one year would be enough for the Purple Cloud Ganoderma to mature.

Hearing this, the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise shot him a resentful glance before resigning itself once more to continuing its spiritual output.

Days flowed by like quiet water, and Shen Xian’s life gradually settled into leisure.

Wei Zhaoli entered seclusion again to stabilize her realm in preparation for the upcoming Godfiend Battlefield.

As for Shen Xian himself, aside from daily supervision of that lazy Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise, he would occasionally stroll over to the spirit fields for diversion.

One morning, Shen Xian was lying on his rocking chair by the spirit spring, drinking and sunbathing, when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard.

“Young Master!”

Wang Yu approached with hands rubbed together and a beaming smile plastered on his face. His eyes were fixed intently on the half-cup of fine wine in Shen Xian’s hand.

“That… Drunken Immortal Wine…”

Ever since putting him in charge of managing the spirit fields, Shen Xian had been giving him one jar of Drunken Immortal Wine every half month.

Shen Xian narrowed his eyes. “You finished another jar already? It’s not time yet.”

This guy really was addicted to wine like his life depended on it; he had finished a jar in less than ten days.

Wang Yu awkwardly scratched the back of his head and chuckled. “Young Master, could you consider it an advance?”

He couldn’t help it; the Drunken Immortal Wine was just too delicious. Moreover, he discovered that practicing sword techniques after drinking actually had remarkable effects. That was why he had mustered the courage to come asking for more.

“What about the spirit fields?” Shen Xian asked.

Although the sect tacitly permitted his speculative activities, they still had to maintain appearances.

“All taken care of!” Wang Yu thumped his chest. “I found two outer sect disciples who understand spirit plants. They’re definitely more attentive than I would be looking after them myself!”

Precisely because of this arrangement did he have the free time to come ask for wine.

“Wait here.” Shen Xian got up and walked toward the inner room.

The Drunken Immortal Wine couldn’t be stored long-term in spatial storage; it needed preservation within a specific formation array. He had to go fetch it.

“Right away.” Wang Yu stood there respectfully, waiting quietly.

At that moment, the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise by the spirit spring suddenly poked its head out. Its beady eyes rolled around as it blew a string of bubbles toward Wang Yu.

“Hmm?”

Wang Yu was taken aback. He saw the turtle point a claw at the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map, then point at him, and finally make a drinking motion.

“This…”

Before Wang Yu could fully process it, the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise had already nimbly scrambled ashore. It picked up Shen Xian’s wine pot in its mouth and stuffed it into Wang Yu’s hand before plopping back into the spirit spring with a splash.

It then manipulated the scroll to channel spiritual power into the Purple Cloud Ganoderma for a moment, before pushing the scroll right up in front of Wang Yu.

How strange! This turtle has become sentient! Wang Yu thought inwardly in bewilderment.

Wasn’t this just a first-tier Profound Water Turtle? Since when did it have such capabilities? This was far too intelligent!

And judging by that spiritual power output, it clearly wasn’t something a first-tier spirit beast should possess. But then he thought of Shen Xian’s background and found it less surprising.

Still… looking at its actions… did it want him to operate this scroll?

Hesitantly accepting the scroll from the beast, Wang Yu tentatively infused some spiritual power into it.

Immediately afterward, an emerald-green spiritual light surged from within the scroll and showered down upon the Purple Cloud Ganoderma… which then underwent a subtle change.

A treasure for hastening spirit plant growth?

Wang Yu was inwardly astounded!

Treasures of this type were truly extraordinary. Probably only a great clan like the Shen Family would possess something like this.

Just then, Shen Xian walked out from the inner room carrying a wine jar. Seeing this scene, he raised an eyebrow and looked toward the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise.

With an exasperated laugh, he said, “Well now! You certainly know how to enjoy life!”

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise silently submerged into the water, hiding.

“Young Master?” Wang Yu wore an expression of utter confusion, holding the scroll.

Shen Xian smiled faintly. “Since you already know about this thing now… from now on, you’ll be responsible for hastening this Purple Cloud Ganoderma’s growth.”

Although this guy was an outsider, Shen Xian wasn’t worried about him leaking information or stealing the treasure.

Firstly, from their interactions during this period, he could discern this person’s loyalty.

Secondly, Wang Yu placed immense importance on the clan. Even if he truly coveted the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map… ‘the monk can run away but not the temple.’ He likely wouldn’t do something so foolish anyway.

Wang Yu didn’t really mind the extra work; his heart was still fixated on the alcohol. “Young Master… what about that wine…”

“The wine is guaranteed.”

Shen Xian tossed over the wine jar. He also took out one Nine Cycles Azure Spirit Pill given by his elder brother.

“You won’t work for free either; I’ll give you another one when I return.”

Seeing such a precious item, Wang Yu was first stunned momentarily before overwhelming gratitude washed over him.

“Young Master! I will not fail your trust!”

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise poked its head above the water again, looking relieved.

Shen Xian turned his gaze toward it and suddenly had an idea.

“Since you, turtle, are now free…”

He crooked a finger at it. “Come on! Let’s go treasure hunting with me!”

Upon hearing this, the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise immediately perked up.

It whooshed ashore, scrambled over beside Shen Xian’s feet in two or three moves, and looked up at him eagerly.

Shen Xian stored it inside his pet pouch and headed straight for the Deacon Hall to apply for permission to leave the sect.