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After his ascension to True Disciple, Shiv wasted no time in seeking new opportunities to strengthen himself. His recent rise had made waves within the sect, and he knew that eyes were now on him. But Shiv had his own agenda, one that relied heavily on his future knowledge. There were places and treasures he needed to claim before others did, and one of the most crucial was the **Lu Family's Medicine Garden**.
The Medicine Garden was a hidden gem known only to a select few, housing some of the rarest and most powerful herbs in the region. Located on the Lu Family's private land, it was guarded fiercely by experts, but it also contained the **Golden Sunflower Herb**, a treasure that could greatly boost one's cultivation when prepared correctly. Shiv remembered this herb being instrumental in his past life and intended to claim it before anyone else.
As he made his way toward the Medicine Garden, he encountered an unexpected figure—**Xia Ning Chang**, a beautiful yet shy disciple from the **Medicine King's Valley**. Dressed in simple robes, her delicate features and soft demeanor made her stand out. She was known for her unparalleled alchemy skills, and Shiv quickly realized why she was here.
She had come for the herbs too.
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### An Unexpected Alliance
Xia Ning Chang looked up from her work, her hands carefully tending to a few low-level herbs at the entrance of the garden. Her shy demeanor made it hard for her to speak at first, but Shiv's presence was hard to ignore. He stepped closer, giving her a nod of acknowledgment.
"You're here for the herbs, I assume?" Shiv asked, his tone calm but confident.
Xia Ning Chang blinked in surprise, then gave a small nod. "Yes, I was sent by my master to gather herbs for the Medicine King's Valley... but the Lu Family's guards have been difficult to deal with."
Shiv studied her for a moment. Her strength was not in combat but in her deep knowledge of herbs and alchemy. She needed someone like him to navigate the dangerous territory and protect her from the Lu Family's aggressive guards.
"I can help you with that," Shiv said, his voice casual. "In exchange, I want a portion of the herbs you gather."
Xia Ning Chang hesitated, her eyes scanning his face as if trying to gauge his intentions. She knew little of him, but there was something in his calm demeanor that gave her a sense of trust.
"Alright," she finally agreed, her voice soft. "But we'll need to be careful. The Lu Family doesn't take kindly to outsiders."
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### Inside the Medicine Garden
With their alliance formed, Shiv and Xia Ning Chang ventured deeper into the Medicine Garden. The area was vast, with rows of plants and herbs stretching out before them, each radiating different levels of spiritual energy. The scent of rare medicinal plants filled the air, and Shiv could feel the power emanating from some of the more ancient herbs.
However, it wasn't long before they encountered their first obstacle—two guards patrolling the perimeter, their senses sharp and their eyes constantly scanning for intruders.
Shiv motioned for Xia Ning Chang to stay back. Using his future knowledge, he knew the guards' patrol routes and was able to time his movements perfectly. With swift, silent precision, he incapacitated the guards without causing too much of a commotion. They were left unconscious, out of sight, as Shiv signaled for Xia Ning Chang to follow.
She marveled at how easily Shiv handled the situation. He was more than just strong; he was calculated, efficient, and unflinching.
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### The Golden Sunflower Herb
After navigating past more guards and securing a few lower-level herbs along the way, Shiv and Xia Ning Chang finally reached the heart of the garden. There, growing under the watchful eyes of spiritual arrays, was the **Golden Sunflower Herb**. Its bright, golden petals shimmered in the sunlight, exuding an aura of intense spiritual power.
"This is it," Xia Ning Chang whispered, her eyes wide with admiration. "The Golden Sunflower Herb. It's one of the most powerful herbs in the garden."
Shiv nodded, already feeling the energy it radiated. In the original timeline, this herb had been claimed by someone else, and its effects had allowed them to break through several cultivation levels. This time, however, it was his.
Just as Xia Ning Chang began to approach the herb, a sudden shift in the air caught Shiv's attention. His instincts kicked in, and he grabbed Xia Ning Chang, pulling her back just as a powerful barrier sprang to life around the herb.
"Wait," Shiv said, his voice low. "There's a defensive array protecting it."
Xia Ning Chang's eyes widened in realization. "I didn't see it..."
Shiv smirked. "That's because it's designed to react only when someone gets too close. But I've dealt with things like this before."
With his knowledge of arrays and formations, Shiv began to carefully dismantle the barrier piece by piece. Xia Ning Chang watched in awe as he worked, his hands moving with precision and confidence. Within minutes, the protective array faltered, and the barrier vanished.
Shiv stepped forward and gently plucked the **Golden Sunflower Herb**, feeling its energy pulse through his fingers. He handed it to Xia Ning Chang, who carefully stored it in her pouch.
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### A Favorable Exchange
With their mission in the Medicine Garden complete, Shiv and Xia Ning Chang made their way back toward the sect. Along the way, they avoided further patrols and obstacles, making their journey relatively smooth. Once they reached a safe location outside the garden, Xia Ning Chang turned to Shiv, gratitude evident in her eyes.
"You've helped me greatly today," she said softly, "and I won't forget it."
Shiv smiled, his usual calm confidence showing. "A deal's a deal. Just make sure I get my share of the herbs."
Xia Ning Chang nodded, pulling out several rare herbs she had gathered and handing them to him. "These should be more than enough to repay you."
As Shiv accepted the herbs, he realized that this alliance had been more beneficial than he had initially expected. Not only had he gained valuable resources, but he had also forged a connection with Xia Ning Chang, a disciple of Medicine King's Valley, whose alchemical skills would be invaluable in the future.
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### The Next Step: Divine Weapons Pavilion
With the Golden Sunflower Herb and other rare herbs now in his possession, Shiv's cultivation would soon take another leap forward. But before that, there was one more place he needed to visit—the **Divine Weapons Pavilion**.
As a newly ascended True Disciple, Shiv had been granted access to one of the sect's most guarded treasures. The Divine Weapons Pavilion housed powerful weapons, each imbued with unique abilities. It was said that only those with the potential to wield such weapons could truly claim them.
For Shiv, this was the next critical step in his journey. Armed with both knowledge and resources, he was ready to claim his destiny.
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End of Chapter 16
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In the next chapter, we'll dive into the **Divine Weapons Pavilion**, where Shiv will claim his first major weapon, setting him apart from other disciples.