Chapter 140: Odious Crown Imperials

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    The depths of the Apothecary contain all sorts of treasures. Some, like the Reverse Tree, are marvels that exemplify the might of the Eternal Flame Clan. Many powerful and influential people will go their entire lives without laying eyes on one, yet in the Apothecary, it is simply another plant to be grown. The quality and quantity of the resources harvested from the Apothecary every day are such that even a City Lord will be left looking like a pauper. Truly, the Apothecary is a place full of secrets and wonder.

    Then there is the room of Odious Crown Imperials.

    While not as large as the chamber of the Reverse Tree, the room of Odious Crown Imperials contains a large field of flowers nourished by artificial orbs of light. Eight talismans surround the flowers, creating a cube around them that keeps the heat and humidity inside, greatly easing their growth.

    More importantly, the talismans keep the smell from spreading.

    No one can deny the Odious Crown Imperials are charming plants. They have long, slender stalks, and their flowers resemble the shape of a crown when they blossom. If looks alone were all that mattered, Odious Crown Imperials would pretty up any garden.

    It is, for that reason, quite unfortunate that their smell is the worst, their stalks cause sores to appear on those who touch them, and after receiving moonlight for a few hundred years, they may even start whispering how they plan to kill you.

    The ones in the room of Odious Crown Imperials have yet to reach that last threshold, but the former two qualities are all too true. A disciple who is sent into this room is truly an unlucky one.

    How long have you been doing this?

    I believe this is my twentieth hour, Senior Brother Luo.

    Senior Brother Luo whistles, impressed. He is leaning against the door, standing well outside the barrier that keeps the plants smell from spreading.

    Liu Jin is not so fortunate.

    The youth walks in between the long stalks. Green leaves and peach-colored petals are stuck to his robes. Big, bulky gloves cover his hands, though Liu Jin does not really need them. While Odious Crown Imperials are not safe to touch, that warning only holds true for people much weaker than he. The only thing the bulky gloves do for Liu Jin is make any precision task a chore.

    That is the point.

    It is not as bad as it seems, Liu Jin adds while carefully harvesting the nectar from one of the flowers. It is what he has been doing for the past several hours. I have long since shut down my senses of taste and smell.

    Liu Jin had kept them active at first, thinking it would go against the point of the punishment if he were to block his senses right away. At least, those had been his thoughts back then.

    His sense of fairness could only go so far.

    Truly, Lu Mei proved to be the most fortunate of the two this time. Thanks to the pamphlet Elder Xun gave her, Lu Mei managed to avoid the same fate as he. With Elder Xues blessing, she is currently in isolation training.

    You should be grateful for such a mild punishment then, Senior Brother Luo says. Though I cannot claim to know what you did, everyone already knows Elder Xue was quite irritated by your actions.

    Liu Jin went to Elder Xun without asking for permission. While Liu Jin will freely admit his actions were reckless, they did give him a clearer view of the conflict between the Feng siblings. Still, it is only logical that he be punished. There is no telling how his meeting with one of the strongest men in the Eternal Flame Clan could have gone.

    Had you been anyone else, you would have received a far heavier punishment, Senior Brother Luo adds. You are lucky Elder Xue shows such favor to you.

    Liu Jin shakes his head.

    It is not just because Elder Xue favors me, he says, though that will certainly not stop some disciples from being jealous of the preferential treatment Elder Xue gives him. It would be counter-productive to levy a heavier punishment on me. All disciples are needed right now.

    Instead of being locked in some dark room without being able to cultivate, Liu Jins punishment is merely to harvest the nectar of the Odious Crown Imperials for the foreseeable future.

    The nectar of the Odious Crown Imperials, it must be understood, is not some sort of miracle ingredient that can boost someones cultivation or heal grievous injuries. Its only use is of a more mundane nature.

    The nectar of the Odious Crown Imperials is the main ingredient in a highly efficient virility potion. While useful for those less fortunate, it is wholly unneeded for high-level cultivators. The Eternal Flame Clan grows them only because many people will pay handsome amounts of money for a good virility potion.

    Allowing it to be of use to cultivators in the higher realms.

    Liu Jin turns that phrase over again and again.

    You believe the boost would actually be beneficial to those in the Earth Realm?

    Senior Brother Luo stops talking. The older disciple stares at him in shock.

    It is the only higher Realm that would greatly benefit from a physical boost, Liu Jin explains when Senior Brother Luo keeps staring at him. An elixir that, when combined with the effects of the Spring, would prepare the body for the rigours of the Earth Realm. Is that it?

    How did you? Senior Brother Luo stops and takes a deep breath. A monster. I have entered negotiations with a monster.

    Rude.

    Am I right then? Do you intend to sell the elixir to older disciples?

    Senior Brother Luo shakes his head. I do not intend to sell the elixir to disciples. We cannot sell things within the Eternal Flame Compound. Trying to get around that restriction would be needlessly bothersome. Rather, I intend to present it to Elder Xue. However, before that, I need to do several tests, and before that still, I need those feathers.

    Liu Jin hums. This changes things quite a bit. If Senior Brother Luos theory is correct, then Liu Jin stands to gain something important. It could be the sort of paper-thin difference between life and death when he eventually encounters Core Disciples.

    Very well, you have my permission to take Soaring Feathers feathers. Regrettably, I am not able to go with you, but he already knows the situation.

    Senior Brother Luo meets his eyes with a decidedly flat stare.

    If it is alright with you, Id rather not approach your pet without you.

    Liu Jin takes a moment to think of Soaring Feathers long, sharp talons.

    That is sensible, He admits. It will have to wait until I am done here then. It should not be too long. I will need to take a break eventually to present myself at Lady Lings mansion.

    He will also need to take a long bath before he is fit to set foot there.

    Ah, yes, your tutoring of Young Master Feng Hao. Senior Brother Luo nods. I truly do not understand those who envy you. I would hate to have such a responsibility placed on my shoulders.

    It is not too bad. Liu Jin ignores Senior Brother Luos scoff. Lady Ling is intense, but only because she is a caring mother. Besides, teaching Feng Hao is an activity which I find quite gratifying.

    Liu Jin is looking forward to his next session with Feng Hao.

    ~~~

    Two days later, Liu Jin is training Feng Hao.

    That is when it happens.

    A shockwave of Qi rings throughout the entire mansion. It is not the wild flare of someones aura, nor is it energy molded into a deadly technique. This Qi is not being used to attack or oppress.

    It merely carries a message.

    I, Xun Huwen, challenge the great prodigy Feng Hao. Let him come out of hiding and face me by the rules that govern the Eternal Flame Clan! Or let him remain in hiding! Like a coward!

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