0021 - Hidden Priorities of Old and Young.

The doubts and complaints Tu Peng had about Lu Sheng suddenly vanished, and his eyes lit up as if he had found a treasure. He looked at Lu Sheng with reverence, as if a deity had descended solely to assist him.

However, Tu Rong was not done. She pulled out a book and showed it to Lu Sheng, waving at him.

"Oh! Do you want to ask too? Sure! Ask away!" Lu Sheng was also enjoying this adoration from his juniors.

She pulled a random page but when it came to asking her question she stopped. Lu Sheng smiled in return, seeing her difficulty. "That's page number 67, it describes the herb named the Silver Whisk Fern. A rather unusual plant."

Tu Rong glanced back at the page and was awed at the correct answer. Her face lit up with excitement, her mouth wide open with shock as she looked at the illustration, nodding for him to continue. Lu Sheng not only identified the herb but also the page number—it was wild for Tu Rong to imagine this possibility.

"Its long flowing whiskers like fronds are distinctively silvery-white, hence the name," Lu Sheng explained expertly. "The fern grows sparsely in secluded forests and valleys guarded by spirit beasts. It's not easy to harvest safely."

He continued, meticulously reciting details from the page. "Once refined, the silver whisk roots transform into an ointment used to treat wounds and stimulate regeneration. Additionally, the spores can be processed into a medicinal tea effective for curing poisoning and sickness after battles. It's considered one of the rarer healing herbs, and its potency is exceedingly high.

Tu Rong's eyes sparkled with awe as Lu Sheng effortlessly described almost every aspect of the Silver Whisk Fern – its appearance, habitat, and uses – noting its value for both healing Martial warriors and Cultivators. She bounced with excitement, eagerly to ask her next question.

Lu Sheng, thoroughly enjoying the chance to boast, was ready for the next inquiry. Tu Peng, the only one sensible enough to steer them back to the task before dinner, struggled to temper the enthusiasm of the two children before him.

Tu Rong kept on shooting more questions, presenting the book, and swiftly flipping to specific pages without revealing the content. Lu Sheng effortlessly answered each query with page numbers. Tu Rong then offered her own selected books, prompting Lu Sheng to flaunt his reading speed too by flipping through pages in one rapid motion and then ready to summarize the entire book instantly without needing a moment to collect his thoughts.

While they were playing unaware, a set of glaring eyes were observing them from afar like a ghost. Intrigued was visible in the old dry eyes as he stared at Lu Sheng without blinking and his antics of memory prowess. 

"Another Cinnabar Parrot, regurgitating words without substance." The old man murmured. He was not impressed but he failed to not be intrigued by Lu Sheng's speed at memorizing. 

"Does he practice some mind-cultivating method to have this sharp memory? What method can it be?" The old man searched his own memories for an answer when his old eyes rested on the dangling golden token on Lu Sheng's waist.

"Patriarch Hong's disciple? This fool? How?" The old man felt offended as if someone had stolen his privilege, his glory, his dream. "I will be the judge of you, little pup." 

The old man raised his old decrepit hand and with a slight gesture a leather-bound dark book was in his hand. "How can I be of service?" the book whispered in a dry hoarse voice.

"I have found your next meal. Go, consume his mind. Leave nothing in return." The old man commanded.

"A boy? Are you insulting me? What do you think I will get to eat in his mind? I need more." The book protested.

"You will, this is just a snack, an appetizer. Finish quickly and return." The old man calmly commanded, his eyes still fixated on Lu Sheng and the two younger disciples engrossed in their discussion.

The dark book flew silently in the darkness and without alerting the three of them added himself to the pile of the books they had collected.

Lu Sheng, who was enjoying his time, suddenly felt a little tremor in the Cane of Obedience.

"What is it?" He asked 'The Automated System'.

[There is a presence near you.]

"Okay, that's enough fun. Let me read all the remaining books and then let's go for dinner." His sudden mature voice brought the two younger ones back to reality. They picked up the books and went to put them back from where they picked them up while Lu Sheng quickly flipped the pages of the remaining books.

[That! That black leather book.]

"What should I do? Should I touch it? What if it's a cursed item?" Lu Sheng quickly finished all the books and was at the last book.

[if it's resentment then we should not be afraid of it because the Cane of Obedience will absorb all the resentment and we can cultivate it.]

"What if it's not?"

[if not then Cane of Obedience should not have sensed it.]

"Fair." He finished the last book and then cautiously touched the dark book. Nothing happened so he mustered up more courage and picked it up.

[Let's not open it here.]

"Yes, right." "He hid the book within his upper robe."

"Finished? Let's head to dinner," Tu Rong exclaimed with excitement at Lu Sheng's words, she was ready for another meal already, but Tu Peng, still full, was inclined to decline. However, not wanting to offend Lu Sheng, he helplessly followed along.

As they exited the underground storeroom, the pair of old eyes gleamed at Lu Sheng's departing figure. "Interesting," the old man murmured.

"Let's skip the kitchen," Tu Peng suddenly suggested.

"Huh?" Lu Sheng was unsure of Tu Peng's intentions.

Seeing his confusion, Tu Peng cleared his throat. "I mean, I'll gather ingredients, and let's eat in your courtyard, Senior Brother."

Lu Sheng, always appreciative of the idea of doing less work, agreed immediately.

"Go with Senior Brother and set up everything; I'll return with our belongings and ingredients for dinner," Tu Peng instructed Tu Rong, she nodded in agreement.

Tu Peng left them midway and quickly strode towards the dorm rooms. Unlike Lu Sheng, most of the disciples of Physician Hall did not have separate rooms or courtyards, as Lu Clan was not their territory. They were guests in the Lu Clan and couldn't simply claim new lands or build extensively for their use.

Tu Peng decided to retrieve his belongings immediately, wanting to avoid any confrontations with those who held ill views of Senior Brother Lu Sheng. 

Assuming most disciples would be in the kitchen for dinner, he hurriedly entered the dorm. However, to his surprise, everyone was present, with none left for dinner. All eyes shifted towards him as he walked in.

The room fell silent, as Tu Peng noticed Zu Xin and Bi Kai at the center of the crowd.

"Tu Peng? Finally, you're here. Come, help us in our discussion," Zu Xin called out.

Nervous but maintaining a tight expression, Tu Peng nodded and stepped forward.

"We were discussing Lu Sheng, our new Senior Brother. You were with him, right?" Zu Xin asked.

Tu Peng nodded, aware that everyone's attention was now focused on him. Earlier, a few of the Elder Disciples had been gossiping and mocking Lu Sheng, and it seemed these senior brothers were heading in the same direction.

Uncertain whether to participate in the conversation, Tu Peng hesitated. However, he couldn't refuse or ignore the topic for now, at least until he was completely confident in Lu Sheng's capabilities. He decided to be tactful and go with the flow.

"Tell us about this new Senior Brother," Zu Xin's voice carried a hint of mockery when he pronounced the term "senior brother."

"Umm…nothing much to say in a few hours." Tu Peng tried to discredit his own value, not wanting to reveal Lu Sheng's true potential and provoke further disdain.

"You might not be aware, but as I've already informed others, everyone below Foundation Realm has to participate in the Lu Clan's sudden madness of invading the Ten-Thousand Year Yin Marsh. After further discussion, we've collectively decided to divide into two groups—one with Senior Sister Ming Mei and the other with Senior Brother Lu Sheng," Zu Xin explained, and collective nods rippled through the crowd.

"This invasion is going to be perilous, full of life-threatening trials. Senior Sister Ming Mei has directed that all experienced disciple employees will follow her, and the rest, the inexperienced ones like us, will follow Senior Brother Lu Sheng." A collective disdain was evident on everyone's faces.

"The strategy is simple, the experienced one will take the frontlines and inexperienced ones will assist as backup. Honestly, the strategy is sound but we have no hope towards this Senior Brother we've been given to pamper, but now we are divided into a few key points, and you would have to help us," Zu Xin said, looking at Tu Peng with a hint of condescension.