The days slipped quietly by, spent tending the medicine fields, making snacks, and maintaining a relationship with Bai Zhi that was neither too close nor too distant.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Ping continued, every few days, to bring freshly made snacks to the medicine fields. Steamed cakes, red bean paste buns, sesame pastries… they took turns making an appearance. The sweet, fragrant aroma became a fixed feature of the area he was responsible for.

The regular laborers under him grew increasingly respectful and worked even harder.

Bai Zhi’s visits became noticeably more frequent, and her stays grew a bit longer.

She was still not one for many words, but the look in her eyes when she regarded Chen Ping held less of the initial scrutiny and distance, replaced by a touch of familiarity. Occasionally, she would even take the initiative to share some trivial bits of interesting news.

Like which Registered Disciple had messed up their Cultivation and made a fool of themselves, or what rare novelty had recently arrived in the town at the foot of the mountain.

Most of the time, Chen Ping simply listened quietly, a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.

He was deeply aware of his lowly origins and limited experience. Being a qualified listener was far more comfortable for others than being a boastful companion.

Chen Ping’s perfectly measured silence and focus actually made Bai Zhi feel relaxed.

Bai Zhi even felt herself… somewhat savoring this feeling.

It had been so long since she had properly chatted with someone.

Ever since her parents passed away…

The nights belonged to the Jade Pendant space.

Chen Ping’s consciousness sank into that expanse of Black Earth.

After a month of meticulous cultivation, the third round of Division Propagation had long been completed.

Now, in the Dew Condensing Grass area at the center of the space, two hundred plants grew thick-leaved and lushly green, crowded together, almost occupying all the reserved open ground.

The Cold Star Grass near the periphery, close to the chaotic border region, had also reached a scale of two hundred plants. Their tiny white elongated leaves dotted amidst dark green foliage, emanating a coolness.

However, this was not Chen Ping’s original plan.

After successfully completing the third round of Division Propagation and obtaining a large number of robust seedlings, his heart was filled with anticipation.

He planted all the reserved open ground in the center of the space with newly divided Dew Condensing Grass seedlings—a total of one thousand and ninety plants!

The gaps near the periphery close to the chaos were also densely packed with newly sprouted Cold Star Grass buds—a full six hundred and forty!

He looked forward to seeing an unprecedented sea of spirit herbs flourishing within the space.

Yet reality dealt him a sobering blow.

Half a month passed. The situation was not optimistic.

Chen Ping had considered such a thing might happen; he just hadn’t expected the limitation to be so severe.

Of the newly planted Dew Condensing Grass seedlings, only those two hundred plants with appropriate spacing between them grew well—their leaves unfurled, vibrant with life force.

The remaining eight hundred and ninety planted later seemed suppressed by an invisible force. They grew extremely slowly; their leaves were wilted and yellowed, their stems thin and weak. Some had even begun to wither.

The Black Earth seemed to no longer provide them with nourishment.

The situation with the Cold Star Grass was similar. Only those two hundred plants with proper spacing thrived, their new buds sprouting.

Of the remaining four hundred and forty buds, most showed no activity at all. A few barely managed to show a hint of green but appeared frail and feeble, utterly lacking in vitality for growth—as if they might die at any moment.

Chen Ping observed carefully for several days and confirmed the result.

Whether it was Dew Condensing Grass or Cold Star Grass, the limit for simultaneous growth on this Black Earth was two hundred plants each.

Exceeding this number meant any additionally planted spirit herbs either could not grow at all or grew so slowly they would wither and die before long.

Against this, Chen Ping was powerless. This was due to the rules governing the Jade Pendant space.

He estimated that only after feeding more Spirit Stones to nourish the Jade Pendant in the future—expanding its space and increasing the area of Black Earth—would he be able to cultivate more spirit herbs.

Having understood the space’s rules, Chen Ping did not hesitate excessively.

He rolled up his sleeves and began clearing out.

His movements were crisp and efficient as he pulled out those Dew Condensing Grass seedlings that could not grow normally—the wilted, yellowed ones—and those lifeless Cold Star Grass buds. He removed them plant by plant, clump by clump.

Their roots brought up clumps of black soil which he piled in a corner of the space.

Soon, only those two hundred vibrant Dew Condensing Grass plants remained in the center of the space; only those two hundred thriving Cold Star Grass plants remained on the periphery.

Though it seemed somewhat emptier now, each plant radiated vigorous vitality.

Looking at the cleared-out space, Chen Ping felt a slight pang of regret in his heart but more than that—understanding.

No matter how miraculous it was, even this Jade Pendant space had its carrying limit.

Two hundred Dew Condensing Grass plants; two hundred Cold Star Grass plants. This was currently the maximum number that could be stably and efficiently cultivated on this Black Earth.

And it was enough.

Four hundred spirit herbs would become his cornerstone for accumulating wealth and exchanging for resources in times to come.

The fourth month since arriving at the Hundred Herb Garden.

Chen Ping rose very early.

He had stayed long enough.

Four months should suffice to avoid arousing suspicion from anyone paying attention.

Chen Ping changed into clean cloth clothes that had been washed until they were pale white.

Gingerly, he retrieved five Low-grade Spirit Stones from their hiding place. He wrapped them carefully in a clean cloth towel and concealed them securely inside his inner garment pocket.

The hard edges of the Spirit Stones pressed against his skin through the thin fabric—a sensation bringing solid reassurance.

He walked out from the stone house and took a deep breath filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs within the Hundred Herb Garden air.

His gaze turned toward Bai Zhi’s stone house, then lifted toward the highest point of the Servant Peak.

There, amidst swirling clouds and mist, lay the place haunting his dreams.

Four months of lying low within the Hundred Herb Garden.

Cultivating within the Jade Pendant space.

And that transaction amidst the snow…

The past experiences. Fatty Wang’s ugly face. The oppression suffered as a Laborer disciple. The life-and-death pressures from hunger and cold. Nearly losing his life within the mine tunnel.

It seemed all the forbearance endured until now led toward this moment.

Everything.

The journey thus far held too many hardships. Yet he, Chen Ping, still like an unkillable cockroach, endured and survived!

He recalled the words Bai Zhi once told him…

Those experiences that couldn’t defeat me, couldn’t kill me, will ultimately make me stronger!

Chen Ping’s gaze burned fiercely resolute.

He had determined and decided to go confirm the direction his fate would take.

If he possessed a Spirit Root—even the worst possible one—it meant he possessed the qualification to knock upon the Immortal Gate. The qualification to climb upward and walk upon the Immortal Path.

He would use every possible means, utilizing the Jade Pendant space, to walk upon this path and strive to walk as far as possible.

If he possessed no Spirit Root…

Chen Ping’s eyes grew calm, deep as a still pond.

Then all his plans would shift toward another direction.

Within the Hundred Herb Garden, he would accumulate sufficient strength and resources to deal with Fatty Wang and the others who bullied and humiliated him.

Afterward, he would rescue his parents, then take them far away to find a peaceful place within the mortal world to settle down, raise a family, and live a tranquil life.

The Jade Pendant space would become his reliance for securing a livelihood and protecting his family.

Two completely different paths, both pointing toward the people and future he wished to protect.

Today, these five Spirit Stones would point the way forward.

Chen Ping took step after step, walking steadily in the direction of the Servant Peak summit.

The mountain path wound upward, and the morning mist swirled. Gradually, his figure vanished amidst the clouds.

Within his chest, a heart long dormant seemed with each climbing step to beat with a trace of barely perceptible urgency and trepidation.

When the summit Manager hall appeared within Chen Ping’s sight, his anxious heart vanished, leaving behind only blazing heat.