Li Qianqian, slightly embarrassed, said, "Senior brother, donât tease me. Weâre discussing serious matters."
Yang Qinting chuckled, "Alright, letâs talk business. Weâll first go to Master Li; he should be able to help me!"
"Thatâs right, Master Li thinks highly of you!" Li Qianqianâs expression became serious again, regaining her previous lively yet dignified demeanor, though the slightly red tips of her ears betrayed her inner unrest.
Afterward, the two of them continued walking towards the Medicinal Garden side by side, but the atmosphere between them suddenly became somewhat ambiguous. Li Qianqian lowered her head, her eyes shifting, occasionally glancing at Yang Qinting beside her.
While Yang Qinting kept his head high and chest out, looking ahead, the smile at the corner of his mouth revealed his inner joy.
A moment later, the two arrived at the Medicinal Garden.
There are several Medicinal Gardens in the Outer Sect of the Xuanqing Sect, each overseen by an Outer Sect elder or steward.
Yang Qinting and Li Qianqianâs Outer Sect elder is named Li Benqing, a dry little old man.
At this moment, Li Benqing was examining his precious medicinal herbs in the garden. The old man wore a coarse cloth outfit, squatting in the Medicinal Field, looking much like a rural farmer.
This Medicinal Field was in the center of the Medicinal Garden, surrounded by a fence that separated it from other fields. Normally, Outer Sect disciples wouldnât come here, nor would they disturb Li Benqing because his temper wasnât very good.
"Disciple Yang Qinting pays respects to Master Li!" Yang Qinting and Li Qianqian said, bowing at the gate.
Li Benqing looked up at them and said gruffly, "Whatâs the matter?"
"The Hundred Crafts Hall has issued new tasks to the disciples, but I donât want to go. I wish to remain in the Medicinal Garden, and I humbly ask Master Li to help mediate!" Yang Qinting spoke straightforwardly, without beating around the bush.
Because he understood Master Liâs temperament, Master Li wouldnât listen to disciples chatting idly. If he gives you a chance to speak, youâd better immediately state your request; if you speak nonsense, Master Li will promptly make you leave.
As for whether Master Li would help, it depends on his mood.
"I know, now go check on those Purple Blue Vines. If you damage them, tomorrow Iâll throw you into the Beast Garden to shovel dung!" Li Benqing said.
Upon hearing this, Yang Qinting bowed again, "Thank you, Master Li!"
"Hurry up and get lost! Stop bothering me!" Li Benqing waved them off.
Only then did Yang Qinting respectfully leave.
Once they were far beyond the fenced area, Li Qianqian couldnât help but cover her mouth and giggle.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I told you that Master Li is especially kind to you!"
"Hmm!" Yang Qinting didnât deny it because Li Benqingâs attitude towards him indeed was different. For other disciples, Li Benqing would probably just say he knows and nothing more.
The reason for Li Benqingâs special treatment is quite simple: he possesses a high talent in herbal cultivation.
This talent came from his childhood practice of the Green Wood Longevity Skill and the Wood Transformation Nourishing Body Skill, giving him an inexplicable affinity for plants. More precisely, he can sense the emotions of plants.
Since Master Li already agreed, Yang Qinting stopped caring about the new tasks assigned to him by Lian Shengyu and focused on tending to the Purple Blue Vine in his field.
However, upon returning to his residence, he thought it over and decided to write a letter to Yang Zhenshan.
With Master Li stepping in on the matter concerning Lian Shengyu, it surely would be alright.
But this affair definitely couldnât be hidden from Yang Zhenshan.