In fact, the Huaxia Empire had already begun experimenting with crossbreeding spiritual herbs from this world with materials from the game to see if new varieties could be created. However, it was a very challenging process. Spiritual herbs contained spiritual energy, and even within the same species, there could be significant variation.
When refining medicines, high temperatures could stabilize the medicinal properties, but as long as the herbs remained alive, their medicinal properties would subtly shift.
Although the Huaxia Empire had the ability to control these minute changes, the cost was extremely high, requiring vast amounts of Soul Crystals to maintain the operation of arrays and Soul Tools.
But the Wood Spirit Clan didn't need that. Their natural talent allowed them to precisely monitor the state of spiritual herbs, detecting even the slightest changes. With the Wood Spirit Clan's help, it was entirely possible to improve existing varieties and create new ones.
Additionally, with the Mall, Lin Qian could directly purchase and construct an Agriculture Valley.
The Agriculture Valley was identical to the Myriad Medicine and Thousand Wood Valley, containing various environments suitable for the growth of different spiritual herbs. Furthermore, the growth rate of these herbs would be significantly accelerated.
However, the downside of this acceleration was a drastically reduced survival rate. Thus, while the herbs in the Myriad Medicine and Thousand Wood Valley might be high in age, their quantities were often limited.
But with the Wood Spirit Clan's assistance, the situation would change dramatically. The Agriculture Valley would not only be able to rapidly produce high-aged spiritual herbs, but with the Wood Spirit Clan's ability to ensure their survival, the quantity of herbs would be significantly increased.
Looking at Mu Houde in front of him, Lin Qian shook his head in amazement. The Wood Spirit Clan's talent in the realm of spiritual herbs was simply extraordinary.
Such a powerful gift, and yet the Wood Spirit Clan had been made to feel inferior. In the Western Continent, other races had even mocked them for having a "useless talent."
Fools! Ignorant fools!
Lin Qian now fully understood what it meant to squander a precious resource. Such an exceptional talent had been wasted for so long.
"Drink it," Lin Qian said with a wave of his hand, gesturing for Mu Houde to drink the liquid in front of him.
Hearing Lin Qian's command, Mu Houde hesitated, looking down at the jade cup with its green liquid, filled with curiosity and confusion.
Although he could identify most of the ingredients—Ganling Leaves, Mist Cloud Grass, and Yuanyang Fruit—there were two other unfamiliar herbs whose properties he couldn't discern.
But given that he had sworn a Heart Demon Oath to serve the Huaxia Empire and Lin Qian, he couldn't refuse the emperor's order. Without further thought, Mu Houde raised the jade cup and drank the green liquid in one gulp, feeling it slide down his throat into his stomach.
Boom!
As soon as the medicinal power entered his body, Mu Houde felt a vast surge of energy explode within him. The power wasn't overwhelming or scorching; instead, it was gentle and continuous, nourishing his withered body.
Back when he had protected his clan while crossing the violent Star Sea, he had used a secret technique that severely depleted his life essence. Though his cultivation hadn't dropped, his body had become like a dried-up well.
But now, the green liquid was like a refreshing rain, rejuvenating his damaged body and restoring his depleted life essence at an astonishing rate.
Mu Houde quickly closed his eyes, focusing on circulating his cultivation technique to absorb the medicinal power.
He soon discovered that this energy was incredibly easy to refine; even without entering a meditative state, it naturally nourished his body. Once he did begin circulating his technique, the absorption became even faster.
In just half an hour, Mu Houde's body had absorbed all the medicinal power. While his life essence was only about thirty percent restored, it was a miraculous improvement compared to his previous state.
Before, Mu Houde had resigned himself to spending the rest of his life with a crippled body, unable to cultivate any further. Now, that future no longer seemed so bleak.
"Your Majesty, this…" Mu Houde began, his voice trembling with gratitude.
"The chief physician of the Imperial Medical Department, Hua Sheng, specially formulated this potion for you," Lin Qian said calmly. "It will restore your depleted life essence to full strength. Drink one cup a day, and you'll be fully healed in three days."
"I need you to recover quickly, because I have tasks for you to accomplish."
"Not only are you a Peak Transcendent Soul Warrior, but your clan's talent is invaluable to the future of the Huaxia Empire. You must lead your people in fulfilling their potential."
Lin Qian paused, looking Mu Houde directly in the eyes. "I've granted your people citizenship in the Huaxia Empire, not servitude. But that doesn't mean you can live idly. Every citizen of the empire contributes to its greatness. If your people want to earn respect, it will depend on your own efforts."
Mu Houde understood Lin Qian's meaning very clearly. The current situation for the Wood Spirit Clan was beyond what he had ever expected.
Laziness was not in the nature of the Wood Spirit Clan. But now, Mu Houde was intensely curious about what tasks this young emperor would assign to his people.
"Could it be that he truly wants us to create new varieties of spiritual herbs?" Mu Houde thought, suddenly recalling what Lin Qian had mentioned earlier. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
But at the same time, an inexplicable surge of excitement welled up inside him. His blood raced with the possibilities.
"Tomorrow at this time, bring the leaders of your clan here," Lin Qian said, standing up. "I will assign you your duties, and we will continue healing your body. I expect the Wood Spirit Clan to become exceptional botanists."
"Bo…botanists?" Mu Houde repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Seeing the confusion on Mu Houde's face, Lin Qian chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Think of it like a specialized profession, similar to alchemists or blacksmiths. Botanists—those who master plants."
With that, Lin Qian left the courtyard and flew toward New Qin City.
For now, the Wood Spirit Clan was settled in Lin Hai Prefecture.
Back in New Qin City, Lin Qian quietly entered a small house in an alleyway. Opening the door, he found a familiar group of faces: Lei Qian, Gao Benli, and Zhang Zide were all there.
"Tonight, no titles. Let's drink," Lin Qian said with a grin, setting a large jar of liquor on the table with a thud. "This is called Erguotou!"
Later that night, Lin Qian, his head spinning from the alcohol, stumbled back to the Imperial Palace, crashing into his quarters.
"Ugh… you smell like liquor," Ye Xin said, covering her nose and frowning as she saw Lin Qian.
"Xin'er…" Lin Qian grinned mischievously. "Earlier today, didn't I say I was going to teach you a lesson?"
With that, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her deeper into the chamber, the grand doors closing heavily behind them.