Qin Shu took about a minute to identify each herb. At this rate, sorting through the mountain of Arhat Sacred Flowers seemed impossible to accomplish in a single day.

When Ma Chengtai finished gathering herbs outside and entered the room, he saw that only a tiny fraction of the herbs had been sorted. Despite mentally preparing himself for this, his forehead couldn't help but twitch with frustration.

"Kid, you're making it a bit too obvious that you're just here to scrape by for sect points," he said bluntly.

Qin Shu gave an embarrassed smile, her white teeth showing. "How about you check first if I sorted them correctly?"

Ma Chengtai's smile vanished. He hurried over, picked up a few storage bags, and used his divine sense to inspect them.

Qin Shu watched him nervously until he withdrew his sense and tossed the storage bags back onto the table. "The sorting is accurate, but your speed is terribly slow," he commented.

Relieved, Qin Shu smiled sheepishly and lowered her head. "Uncle Ma, this disciple is just getting started. It's good enough that I didn't make mistakes. After some practice, I'll definitely get faster."

Ma Chengtai thought for a moment, then looked at her sternly. "Our sect doesn't support idlers, and the points for working in the medicine hall aren't handed out casually. Considering that you're new here, I'll give you three days to finish sorting this batch of herbs. If you can't finish in three days, you might as well go back. Don't stand here wasting my time!"

Hearing this, Qin Shu felt slightly reassured.

There was no way she could finish it all in one day, but three days seemed manageable.

She bowed gratefully to Ma Chengtai. "Thank you, Uncle Ma. I'll work hard and won't disappoint you!"

Ma Chengtai chuckled at her response. "Why would I be disappointed? If you don't finish this task in three days and earn no sect points, you'll only be disappointing yourself."

After speaking, he waved his sleeve and took away half of the Arhat Sacred Flowers. "Start with these," he instructed.

Watching his actions, Qin Shu quickly realized that this Uncle Ma was someone who had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

With her hair tied up in a bun, she gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you, Uncle Ma! I'll do my best!"

Ma Chengtai nearly broke his stern demeanor as he struggled to maintain a serious expression. Nodding coolly, he turned and left.

Once he was gone, Qin Shu resumed sorting the herbs.

This kind of task was one that could be mastered with practice. Qin Shu became more skilled as she continued, eventually reaching the point where she could grab a handful of herbs and pick out those with similar spiritual energy attributes.

This greatly improved her efficiency, and she discovered that her ability to control spiritual energy was becoming increasingly refined.

What was previously a deliberate technique now became an instinct.

She could divide her spiritual energy into more than ten strands, simultaneously identifying multiple herbs.

Sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, she manipulated her spiritual energy to sort the herbs with increasing speed.

That night, Ma Chengtai originally planned to help her sort some herbs while she rested, but to his surprise, the medicine hall was still lit.

Curious, he quietly used his divine sense to investigate and saw the petite girl sitting cross-legged on the cushion. She appeared to be meditating, yet her hands moved deftly, and her spiritual energy control was precise.

By then, only half of the Arhat Sacred Flowers remained. Judging by her progress, she would finish by morning.

Ma Chengtai stroked his beard with a satisfied smile.

Most new disciples were young and couldn't endure hardship.

This little girl, despite her delicate appearance, was clearly hardworking and resilient.

It was precisely this kind of determination that allowed one to walk further on the path of cultivation.

Qin Shu worked through the night, consuming two spirit-replenishing pills when her spiritual energy was depleted.

When she placed the last Arhat Sacred Flower into its designated storage bag, dawn had already broken.

Stretching her body and rubbing her sore back, she looked up just in time to see Ma Chengtai entering.

Quickly, Qin Shu stood up and bowed respectfully. "Uncle Ma! This disciple has completed the task!"

Ma Chengtai said nothing, his hands behind his back as he walked over to inspect the three storage bags.

Although she had worked quickly, the sorting was not sloppy.

Pleased but trying not to show it, he maintained a stern expression. "This is only the beginning. Today, your task is to distribute herbs. Disciples above Qi Refining Stage 2 can claim ingredients for ten spirit-replenishing pills each month. You'll handle the distribution."

Qin Shu's eyes lit up as she realized there might be a way to gain some benefits from this task.

"Uncle Ma, can disciples at Qi Refining Stage 2 claim these ingredients? And do the pills belong to the disciples after they're refined?"

Seeing through her intentions, Ma Chengtai scoffed lightly. "You've got quite the imagination for someone so young. Only thirty percent of the refined pills are yours to keep; the rest must be handed over to the sect."

Thirty percent? That was still pretty good! It was essentially free resources!

Qin Shu's eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked, "Uncle Ma, can I claim them too?"

Ma Chengtai was momentarily stunned. For the first time, he used his divine sense to assess her cultivation.

Judging by her age, she must have only recently joined the sect. If she had already reached Qi Refining Stage 2, she would be a prodigy. But why was such a talent still in the outer sect?

The truth struck him like a heavy blow.

She really had reached Qi Refining Stage 2!

"What are your spiritual roots?" Ma Chengtai asked.

"Fire, wood, and earth. Root values are seventy-one, fifty-six, and forty-eight," Qin Shu replied obediently.

Ma Chengtai frowned. "With that aptitude, how did you reach Qi Refining Stage 2 in just over a month?"

Naturally, Qin Shu couldn't tell the truth, so she feigned innocence and shook her head. "Uncle Ma, this disciple doesn't know. One day while meditating, I suddenly entered a mysterious state. When I awoke, I had broken through to Qi Refining Stage 2."

It must have been enlightenment, Ma Chengtai concluded.

Accepting her explanation, he said, "You're fortunate. Since you've reached Qi Refining Stage 2, you can claim the ingredients. However, you've likely never refined pills before, so go to the Transmission Hall to learn first before collecting your share."

Qin Shu nodded quickly, her face full of excitement.

Using the sect's resources to gain skills? Who wouldn't take advantage of that? Once she became an alchemy master, even with her mediocre aptitude, she could reach the Golden Core stage by popping pills every day!

"Thank you, Uncle Ma! I'll complete today's task before heading over!"

She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Ma Chengtai.

"Wait."

Stopping in her tracks, Qin Shu turned back and bowed again. "Does Uncle Ma have further instructions?"

Ma Chengtai pulled out three Arhat Sacred Flowers from his storage bag and handed them to her. "These are a reward for your task. Keep it quiet, understood?"

Qin Shu was a sharp girl. Her eyes flickered with understanding.

This was clearly a personal reward from Uncle Ma, not something given to all disciples.

Her smile grew even brighter as she received the herbs with both hands. "Thank you, Uncle Ma! This disciple understands!"