was early morning, and Ning sat cross-legged near the Fushan River. A wooden fishing rod balanced between two stones, to catch any fish that appeared.
Since it was the most yang period, cultivating was ill-advised, so he naturally turned to the next best thing. After all, it was not wise to just waste precious hours that could lead to improvement.
He took out one of the prepared leaves, pressed it to his forehead, and closed his eyes. The leaf trembled, slid half an inch, then stuck in place as he guided a faint thread of qi upward.
Stable. He didn't let himself relax. Instead, he locked his focus tighter, refusing to let even a flicker slip.
He'd been at this for days.
And what exactly was this?
Control drills.
A basic exercise to sharpen his grasp of spiritual energy.
From everything he'd read and watched back on Earth, Ning knew raw strength was useful, but refined control was terrifying. A master didn't waste power; they cut mountains with a drop, shattered stone with a breath. Precision made strength matter. So, yeah, he was brushing up on his control.
At first, Ning assumed the sect would teach drills like these on day one. Surely, they wouldn't let disciples stumble blind. But when he asked Old Zhou, the old man had only chuckled and said control would "come naturally" with time and martial practice.
That answer didn't satisfy him.
"Impossible. A sect this big, with qi at the core of everything, and not a single structured control method? Either I'm too low to see it, or they keep it locked away."
The latter made more sense. Knowledge here was guarded like treasure. Even the Scripture Pavilion stayed shut until the outer disciple status.
To Ning, it felt absurdly familiar, like stumbling into an RPG where whole regions of the map were greyed out until you reached a sufficient level. If basic skills like this weren't openly shared, then for ordinary folk, stumbling forward in the dark was the norm.
"Fortunately," Ning muttered, "All those late-night anime binges are going to be useful."
Hence, the leaf-sticking exercise. In a certain gutsy ninja anime, it was one of the superior methods for controlling chakra. Right beside, the method of tree and water walking.
The principle was simple. Balance a leaf with energy, don't let it fall. Hold it for hours, and control became second nature. Simple, brutal, effective.
He snatched another leaf and pressed it alongside the first. Both quivered, threatening to slide free with every breath. Sweat beaded at his temple, but he didn't blink.
And leaves weren't his only tools. Ning had experimented with other methods.
Pebbles balanced on his fingertips, each supported by a thin stream of qi. The challenge was to keep them steady without tremor.
A cup of water held in both palms until the surface stayed glassy still. At first, ripples ruined it within seconds. Now he could hold calm for minutes.
Walking with a bowl of water balanced on his head, qi cushioning every step. Another classic for every Chinese martial arts movie.
Martial artists used it for posture; here, it trained his energy with balance. So far, his record was five steps before disaster.
Each exercise was dull, messy, and not remotely glorious. But Ning could feel the change. His qi, once clumsy and scattered, was sharpening, threads finer, smoother, more responsive.
And the best thing about these methods?
They were cheap, requiring minimal resources.
As Ning continued training, he heard movement. It was the fishing rod.
There was a bite.
With swift movements, he reeled in. With his current physique, it was not hard to do so.
After reeling, Ning quickly identified it as a carp. He tried to probe for the spiritual qi within the fish, but there were only a few traces of spiritual energy, not enough to qualify it as a spiritual fish. At best, it could be called a half-step spiritual fish.
"Eh, it's better than nothing." Ning quickly swept away the disappointment.
With the help of the formation, most fish in the river were imbued with spiritual energy, but true spiritual fish are rare. In a gacha, they would be super rare pulls.
"You have already caught one, Xiao Ning?" An old man appeared with his own set of fishing equipment; who else could it be besides old Zhou?
It was his daily ritual to start the day by fishing. The sect didn't provide any meat for peripheral disciples. It was said that after reaching outer sect disciple status, one can obtain a pound of spiritual beast meat every week.
For Ning, who was used to being a foodie, this lack of protein naturally saddened him greatly. Fortunately, emulating the old man, he could catch some fish, getting atleast some form of protein.
Ning nodded as a greeting and spoke with a hint of disappointment, "Yes, an ordinary yellow carp."
Old Zhou glanced over, already seated on his usual rock with his fishing rod propped against his knee. He chuckled knowingly. "Not a spiritual fish, eh? You've been spoiled ever since that one time."
Ning just smiled.
He remembered it clearly: the faint glow along its scales, the density of qi radiating from its flesh. Rare and valuable enough that he hadn't dared keep it.
Instead, he'd traded it to Old Zhou in exchange for a pouch of powdered pesticide, something that could be the difference between life and death if crops failed or wild pests grew rampant. It had seemed the wiser choice. Practical.
Of course, the pouch still sat unused.
Old Zhou shifted, the rod in his hand dipping slightly as the line twitched in the water. He steadied it, then grinned. "You'll catch another one someday. But until then… stop looking so mournful. At least, your cooking skills are good enough to make a good dish."
Ning gave a soft snort of amusement.
"You should've been a spiritual cook," Old Zhou continued with mock gravity. "Your heirloom recipes are quite unique; it would be a shame not to follow that path."
Ning just snorted. Just two months ago, he was the 'holy farming body'; now the old man wants him to be a spiritual cook.
Still thinking of something, he spoke, "I'll bring some of the dishes over later then, if you're willing to part with that spiritual wine of yours."
At this, Old Zhou's eyes gleamed, and he laughed loudly, beard shaking. "Ah, so you admit it! You've been eyeing my wine all along. Always pretending not to care, hm? Do you know how many times I've caught you sneaking glances at my gourd during dinner?"
Ning just kept smiling, shaking his head slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
At first, he hadn't touched the spiritual wine during their first dinner together. But who could've guessed that Old Zhou was such a skilled brewer? His wine wasn't just delicious; it even aided cultivation. No wonder Brother Fang had been so greedy.
A few peaceful minutes passed. The river gurgled softly; the sky brightened.
As Ning was packing up, Old Zhou spoke again, his tone suddenly… peculiar. "By the way, Xiao Ning, you should take care of yourself."
Ning blinked. "Uh… what?" His body tensed instinctively. Was something wrong? Some hidden danger?
"I've noticed your lights burning late into the night," Old Zhou continued, stroking his beard with a knowing grin. "And sometimes I hear… movement. You're still young. Don't overstrain yourself."
Ning frowned, utterly lost. "I was just practicing."
"Right, right 'practicing,'" Old Zhou said, nodding with exaggerated solemnity. "Just don't overdo your… training sessions."
Realization dawned. Ning's eyes widened.
"Y-You dirty old man!"
Old Zhou erupted in laughter, nearly toppling off his rock as his booming cackle echoed down the riverside.
...
Returning to his farm, Ning calmly put down the equipment, his earlier temper nowhere to be seen. He had already figured out the old man's temper.
Old Zhou was getting old, but due to the vigor brought by cultivation, his desires were not exactly diminished, to say. With cultivation yielding no result, his desires naturally turned towards a more 'mortal' side. With such worldly desires, naturally, thoughts turned accordingly.
"Alas! Old Zhou really looked like a wisened elder back then." Ning couldn't help but wonder if he had fallen into the old man being pervy cliche.
For the past two months, he had maintained a strict routine, every hour, every breath accounted for. His sleep schedule was cut down to the bare minimum, just enough to keep him from collapsing.
At his current level, he couldn't cultivate continuously; doing so would only waste energy and risk qi deviation. So, he had to carefully plan every session, when to cultivate, when to rest, when to recover his mind, and even when to eat. It was tedious, but Ning just liked watching numbers go brr.
Speaking of numbers, Ning mumbled, "Panel."
[Name: Ji Ning
Spiritual Root: Mid-grade Spiritual Root
Attributes: Five Elemental Attributes
Talent: Extreme Space-Time Sensitivity
Realm: 1st Stage of Qi Condensation(42/100)
Cultivation Method: Pure Qi Sutra (1st floor: 21/100)
Martial Arts: Bone Forging Fist (Small Accomplishment: 12/200), Shadow Steps (Small accomplishment: 3/200),
Spells: Small Cloud Rain Technique (Starting: 99/100)]
His numbers had been upped a lot. Especially, his cultivation and magic had been the one he had focused on the most. As for martial arts, both have reached minor success.
Over time, Ning had also begun to understand the true difference between martial arts and spells.
Martial arts, bluntly put, were early-game stuff. They didn't need chants or rituals, just muscle memory, stamina, and reflexes. Quick, efficient, and reliable in a fight.
Spells, on the other hand, were the late-game monsters. In the beginning, they were sluggish and impractical, too long to cast, too easy to interrupt. In a real battle, a martial artist could easily knock your teeth out before you even finished the first incantation.
Take his technique, for example. It required a lengthy chant, precise gestures, and ridiculous concentration. At first, it was slow, awkward, and the cloud formed didn't exceed more than three meters.
But now, that had changed. His Spiritual Rain was on the verge of reaching minor success.
Old Zhou had taken years to master this spell to a great accomplishment level.
And yet, Ning had nearly caught up in just two months.
He could think of several reasons why.
First was his affinity for water element. With it, he achieved twice the results with half the effort, unlike Old Zhou, whose affinity leaned toward earth.
Second was his comprehension. While he wasn't some heaven-defying genius, his understanding of principles and patterns was sharp enough to grasp concepts quickly.
Third, his control over spiritual qi had grown remarkably refined. His energy no longer leaked or scattered; every drop was used efficiently, like a well-tuned machine.
Finally, he had min-maxed like crazy; just one glance at his panel made that obvious. His martial arts had only grown a little, but thanks to his constant spamming of the rain spell, its progress had skyrocketed naturally.
So, as his daily routine, Ning spammed the small cloud rain technique. He would not leave until that final 1 percent gets filled today. Seeing the progress bar stuck at 99 was really uncomfortable.
It took hours for every inch to be nurtured with the rain, so he was very patient with it. And, as luck would have it, when he was halfway through, Ning felt he had grasped something more, his gesture becoming smoother, his concentration higher.
[Small Cloud Rain: Starting -> Small Success(1/200)]
With some adjustment, Ning swiftly launched his technique. A cloud over 30 meters formed slowly but surely.
Seeing this, Ning smiled. He could finally move to the next step of his plan.
...
Thanks for reading~Last edited: Oct 9, 2025 Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Eyemore, darkli4n and 461 othersPlumBlossomOct 8, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.12 Investment New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 10, 2025Add bookmark#91"Old Zhou! I brought some food for you."
Ning pushed open the door to Old Zhou's house. Compared to his own barebones hut, the old man's place was practically luxurious. Neatly arranged furniture, a proper stove, even a sturdy table that didn't wobble with every touch.
"Food?" Old Zhou looked up from his seat by the low table, squinting in suspicion. "I'm surprised, you don't usually bring food two days in a row."
Normally, Ning would bring food only once in a while, and since he had already delivered some just yesterday, the old man clearly hadn't expected another visit so soon.
Old Zhou's suspicion only heightened when the boy smiled, saying nothing. He set down the bamboo basket he was carrying and began laying out the dishes one by one.
Crispy fish and chips that sizzled with a faint golden crust, vibrant vegetable fried rice, a perfectly shaped onion bloom glistening with spice, stir-fried string beans tossed with minced spirit peppers, steamed river fish glazed in spicy bean sauce, glossy spirit greens, a plate of crispy lotus chips, and finally, a small bowl of golden egg custard.
"Did the sun come out of the west? Usually, I ask you to make me more food, but you usually ignore me. So, what's going on?"
Old Zhou's jaw went slack, his nose filled with the delicious aroma.
Ning shrugged, "I was in a good mood."
"Hmph," the old man grumbled, though his hands were already moving toward the chopsticks. "Good mood or not, I'm not complaining."
They ate heartily, the clatter of chopsticks filling the small room. Between bites and small talk, Old Zhou ended up finishing nearly half the dishes himself, washing them down with his beloved spiritual wine.
Just like that, the dishes were gone, deleted from existence faster than browser history before a parent walks in.
Old Zhou leaned back, patting his stomach. "Ahh… haven't eaten this well in months. Now tell me, what do you want?"
Ning blinked innocently. "What makes you think I want something?"
"Because good food from you always comes with a price tag," the old man said dryly. "Out with it."
Ning chuckled and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You've heard about the incentive the sect gives to new disciples who reach the third to fourth stage of Qi Condensation within a year, right?"
Old Zhou's brow furrowed. "Of course I know. Why?"
"Well," Ning said, smiling like a shady merchant, "I'm planning to try to reach that level. But I'll need… a little investment."
"Investment?" Old Zhou squinted suspiciously. "Ah, I see where this is going. You want my money, don't you? Hah! I knew you were up to something the moment you started smiling so sweetly. That innocent face of yours is utterly wasted on such a conniving mind."
"Conniving? I protest!" Ning smiled, undeterred by Old Zhou's refusal. "At least, hear me out."
Old Zhou sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He'd lived long enough to recognize when someone had a rehearsed pitch coming. "Fine, fine. Go on."
"Better yet," Ning said, standing up, "come outside. I'll show you something first."
Old Zhou grumbled, but still moved, curiosity winning out. He knew that while Ning was young, he was calm, and as he had reasons to believe that he had a convincing argument.
Outside, in Old Zhou's farm, Ning quickly performed a bunch of incantations.
Old Zhou swiftly realized that it was the Small Cloud Rain technique.
"This is..." Old Zhou mumbled, shocked.
The small cloud rain Technique was a one-time spiritual use technique; once the spiritual energy was channeled, there was no need to maintain it deliberately.
Old Zhou could infer from the speed of the gesture and the convergence of the spiritual energy that Ning had advanced his technique.
Just as he suspected, the cloud formed over 30 meters, the sign of minor accomplishment.
"So, what do you think?" Ning smiled, seeing Old Zhou's shocked face.
Oh! It felt good to show off after all that training and hard work.
"You little brat… you're talented," Old Zhou muttered, finally recovering. He couldn't help comparing it to his own progress. It had taken him over a year to barely reach this level. No wonder he felt a sting of envy.
"It's mostly hard work," Ning said modestly.
"Hehe.." Old Zhou's lips twitched, seeing his bashful expression. If hard work were enough to reach this level of magic, then who wouldn't work hard?
"It's said there are people born with knowledge, those who learn one thing, apply ten, and inspire a hundred," Old Zhou said slowly. "Your talent may fall short of that, but your comprehension is clearly quite good.
To reach minor success, one doesn't rely on practice alone. You must also understand the inner workings of the technique, grasp its mechanism, apply it correctly, and be able to visualize it clearly."
"There's no need for the first part…" Ning muttered, suspecting Old Zhou was still a little salty. "But born with knowledge, huh? Must be nice."
Ning knew that a cultivator's talent can be approximately divided into two parts. Spiritual Root and Comprehension.
Spiritual roots were determined by heaven, representing one's affinity with the energy of heaven and earth.
Comprehension, on the other hand, was a different matter altogether. Unlike spiritual roots, it couldn't be judged at a glance. It referred to a cultivator's level of understanding, their capacity to grasp, internalize, and apply the essence of a technique.
Even if two cultivators practiced the same art for the same duration, their results could differ vastly. That difference came down to comprehension, the insight, mental flexibility, and intuitive grasp of spiritual principles that varied from person to person.
As a transmigrator, Ning admittedly knew very little about this world, but twelve years of Earth schooling had honed his mind well. Logic, analysis, and pattern recognition came naturally to him. So, his comprehension was up to par.
Of course, the people Old Zhou spoke of, the true prodigies who could learn one thing, apply ten, and inspire a hundred, were in a completely different league altogether.
"So, what about it?" Ning unleashed his puppy dog eyes technique.
Old Zhou thought for a moment, grumbled, then finally spoke, "Alright! Alright! You convinced me. Wait here."
Old Zhou went inside the house.
Puppy dog eyes were super effective.
Ning mentally fist-bummed.
"First investment done."
After two months of practice, Ning knew that without external support, he wouldn't be able to seize the sect's reward.
Two months of nonstop cultivation had barely brought him halfway through the first stage of Qi Condensation. Even if he continued for another two months, he might reach the second stage, but the third stage was cutting it too close. The time it took for each stage would only be longer than the previous one.
If he could reach the third stage within the time limit, he'd be allowed to select a new cultivation technique. And honestly, that was quite appealing.
A cultivation technique was the trunk, while spells and martial arts were the branches. The technique formed the very foundation that supported everything else.
Ning wasn't coveting more Qi cultivation methods, but rather a body cultivation technique. After two months of training, he'd realized that if he could strengthen his meridians, he could extend the time he was able to cultivate before fatigue set in.
He discovered this after practicing the Bone Forging Fist. Though not a cultivation technique, it was still a martial art that tempered the body, and it prolonged his cultivation time by a few minutes.
Don't underestimate a few minutes. As the saying goes, "Watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves." Accumulation was everything.
Of course, cultivation techniques were the foundation of a cultivator's path, and naturally, they cost thousands of spirit stones, far more than ordinary martial arts or spells. That was why reaching the third stage within the time limit was essential.
So, that's why Ning had already made a plan to secure investment. That was the reason for his almost religious practice of the small cloud rain technique.
He wanted to establish a persona, a reputation as someone talented in spellcraft.
After all, when you stepped out into the world, your identity was something you built for yourself. So was it really wrong to call himself a "genius in magic"?
With his natural comprehension and a little help from his panel, which corrected his gestures when he slipped up, he wasn't entirely lying.
Of course, just looking like a genius wasn't enough; he also needed to prove he could repay anyone who supported him.
With his Small Cloud Rain Technique reaching small success, at the very least, he could guarantee steady harvests, a reliable sign that he could make good on his word.
So, the next step was clear: approach his acquaintances and pitch his plan. With his current achievements, surely a few of them would be willing to invest, right?
"Alas," he muttered, "is it really wrong to crowdfund my way to immortality?
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Eyemore, darkli4n and 430 othersPlumBlossomOct 10, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.13 Market New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 11, 2025Add bookmark#96As Ning strolled through the lively market, the air buzzed with the cries of disciples hawking their wares, each trying to outshout the next.
With spiritual stones finally jingling in his pouch, Ning felt a rare sense of stability. Not long ago, he'd been so broke that if a thief tried to rob him, they'd only be getting practice.
After all, as the saying goes, "With a weapon in hand, murderous intent naturally rises."
He wasn't a murderhobo, of course. But after being broke for so long, having a bit of wealth naturally made his hands itch to spend it.
"Behold! Feathers of the majestic Flamingo! A rare and coveted ingredient for fire practitioners. Get them now, only 50 spirit stones!" one disciple called out, showcasing a bundle of vibrant, fiery feathers.
"This brother, look at Cloud Pine Sword. Don't be fooled by its normal appearance, I am telling you this sword is virtually famous in the Eastern Region. I can see that your forehead is shining brightly; this sword must be destined for you."
"Sister, your beautiful appearance can only be matched by this dress made from the dragon silkworm. This is a high-grade material, it is very smooth... This handsome senior brother, do you want this dress for your lover? This dress is perfect as a gift -eh, you are single? Poor you~"
The senior brother, "...."
"Hair Growing Pill! Hair Growing Pill! This is the newest pill made by a renowned alchemist. This brother, I can see that you are bald, your exquisite temperament would be further pronounced with long, smooth hair. Once you take this pill, a dragon among men will be born~"
"...I am sorry. This bald head is just a wig."
"?!?"
It was the first time Ning had come to the market, so he was quite shocked to see its state. Unlike the fabled immortal scenes described in books, it resembled more of a vegetable market.
Soon, Ning found his destination.
A tabletop-sized brown animal hide was spread across the bluestone slabs, displaying a dazzling array of items, each bearing small labels with their names and prices.
Compared to other locations, this place was more "high-end," to say the least.
Talisman paper, talisman ink, elixirs, talisman implements, various herbs, minerals, and other raw materials, though numerous, were all neatly organized, without a trace of clutter.
"Oh my! This is a rare guest," Fang Zhu said with a smile, clearly polished from years of customer interaction.
"Greetings, Brother Fang." Ning cupped his hands and greeted the smiling merchant.
"So, are you here to buy something? If you have any questions, feel free to ask," Fang Zhu said, spreading his hands to showcase the numerous items.
"Senior Zhou recommended me here. I'm here to buy some pills to increase my cultivation."
"Pills?" Fang Zhu mumbled, then took out two bottles. "For the early stage of Qi Condensation, the Red Bud Pill is the most suitable. It has fewer impurities and can be absorbed within three days, though it costs a bit more. The Blue Dew Pill is cheaper, but it has slightly more impurities and takes about five days to be completely absorbed."
Red pill or blue pill? This is giving major Matrix vibes…
Of course, without showing his thoughts, he asked, "What's the price, Brother?"
"Red Bud Pill is fifteen spirit stones, and Blue Dew Pill is eleven."
Ning thought for a moment.
Old Zhou had given him fifty spirit stones, so he needed to ration them carefully.
"Two Red Bud Pills and one Blue Dew Pill."
"Alright," Fang Zhu said cheerfully, expertly wrapping the pills in white paper. "Junior Brother, you're quite the wealthy man! Would you like something else?"
Few new disciples assigned to spiritual farming could afford spirit stones; they were potential long-term customers!
"How can I be wealthy, Senior Brother? I borrowed these from Senior Brother Zhou."
Fang Zhu appeared shocked. "Old Zhou is notoriously stingy. I'm surprised you managed to borrow from him."
Ning's lips couldn't help but twitch. Old Zhou called Fang Zhu greedy, while Fang Zhu called Zhou stingy. Truly, a brotherhood for the ages.
"It seems you could become a merchant yourself, Junior Brother," Fang Zhu said seriously. He had known Old Zhou for years, and even then, he'd only managed to borrow spirit stones a few times. This junior brother clearly had a silver tongue if he could convince Zhou.
Ning's eyes brightened.
You've activated my trap card. I was just waiting for you to ask. How else could I show off?
"I don't have the talent for that," Ning said modestly. "Fortunately, I was able to reach Minor Success in the Small Cloud Rain Technique, so I managed to borrow them."
Fang Zhu's eyes flashed with surprise. Ning had only been cultivating for two months but had already reached Minor Success. That showed this junior brother was quite extraordinary.
Fang Zhu's thoughts turned quickly. He immediately identified Ning as a long-term customer. With high talent in spell cultivation, his harvest from spiritual farming would naturally not be low.
Smiling, Fang Zhu said, "Alas, Junior Brother is quite talented. Since you've achieved some success, how could I, as your Senior Brother, not show some appreciation?"
With those words, Fang Zhu picked out some black incense from among the goods and handed it to Ning. "These are Spirit Incense, which can help improve the quality of meditation. This is for you, Junior Brother."
Ning looked surprised and waved his hands. "How could I, Senior Brother? These must be quite expensive."
Anything that could facilitate cultivation was never cheap.
Fang Zhu simply chuckled and waved dismissively. "This Spirit Incense only costs five spirit stones. Consider them a gift from me."
Glancing at Fang Zhu's "I was just waiting for you to refuse so I could boast about the value of the goods" expression, Ning almost couldn't help but mutter,
You dare use my own spell against me, Potter?
Of course, Ning's hands weren't slow. He pocketed the Spirit Incense and spoke with conviction, "Alas! It would be disrespectful to refuse. For future purchases, I'll be sure to buy from Senior Brother."
Fang Zhu smiled at this. Though young, this junior brother's way of handling relationships was quite mature.
Then he paused, as if remembering something. "Since you've reached Small Success in the Small Cloud Rain Technique, you can apply to learn another farming spell. So, what do you want to learn, Junior Brother?"
Ning paused at that.
Thanks to Old Zhou's teachings, he already knew the available spells.
Oh, how he wanted to choose Scorching Purge, to burn away those pesky weeds without breaking his back.
But unfortunately, he was still rational enough.
With almost teary eyes, Ning spoke firmly, "Brother, please apply for the Soil Refining Technique."
...
Returning home, Ning glanced at the weeds that had grown tall once again and almost couldn't resist the urge to march back and ask for the Scorching Purge spell.
But he quickly calmed himself. Now that he had the pills, his priority was cultivation. He wouldn't have enough time to devote to a new spell the way he had with the Small Cloud Rain Technique.
Choosing Scorching Purge just to deal with weeds would be shortsighted; Soil Refining would help far more in the long run by improving the land's fertility.
Sigh
"What's done is done. Let's focus on trying the effect of the pill instead." Ning quickly redirected his focus. It was not his style to constantly brood over past things, but to focus on moving forward.
Ning took out the Red Bud pill.
From the outside, it looked harmless enough, just a smooth, glossy red sphere, faintly translucent under the light, with a soft herbal fragrance rising from it. Almost like one of those fancy vitamin capsules back on Earth.
Ning knew how to consume it. Just gulp it down.
Apparently, the pill's spiritual essence was sealed in a thin shell that dissolved best under spiritual circulation. If chewed, it could stick to the teeth or gums, causing some of the medicinal qi to leak or scatter before it could be properly absorbed.
Even a fraction of waste was disrespectful for those spiritual stones.
After psyching himself up for a moment, Ning popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed it whole, forcing it down with a gulp.
The moment it entered his stomach, a surge of warmth spread through his body like he had just downed a mouthful of molten honey. His meridians tingled, and a faint buzzing sensation began to pulse behind his navel.
Boom!
A burst of spiritual energy flowed through his body. Ning quickly used 'Pure Qi Sutra' to digest the influx of energy. His body seemed to slightly swell, but with proper control, he swiftly got under control.
After exactly one hour and eleven minutes.
Ning opened his eyes and let out a turbid breath.
'Panel'
[1st Stage of Qi Condensation(42-> 43/100)]
Ning's eyes hone glancing on the rapid improvement. The efficiency was almost doubled. This was so going to make his numbers go brr...
"Alas! One pill in and I am already addicted."
...
A/N: Don't do drugs, unless you get superpowers. Like every superhero movie ever...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Eyemore, Siaofac and 426 othersPlumBlossomOct 11, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.14 Potential Man New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 19, 2025Add bookmark#103"The opportunity to reach the fourth stage within a year has been disclosed; it's a Cleansing Pill," Wei Zhusang said slowly, his gaze sweeping across the people in the room.
They were gathered in their usual teahouse; this was the monthly place of the Mutual Aid Association. The group had twelve members in total, each from different backgrounds and divisions within the sect.
"What's a Cleansing Pill, Brother Wei?" Qiao Mei asked sweetly, her eyes shining as she looked at him.
'The scent of hormones is strong in this one,' Ning thought dryly as he watched the lovestruck girl flutter her lashes.
At fifteen, it was only natural for such emotions to bloom, especially since Wei Zhusang was quite charismatic in his own right.
Ning, of course, had little interest in such things. As the saying goes, "Love only slows the hand that draws the sword."
He was far more focused on cultivation than fleeting emotions.
Besides, with jade beauties being as common as grass in this world, why would he willingly step into such a cliché?
"The Cleansing Pill is a top-tier first-grade pill," Wei Zhusang explained patiently. "It not only purifies the marrow and enhances the complexion but also removes impurities accumulated within the body."
Before anyone could gasp, Zhang Feng added, "It's even more important because it clears away the residual impurities left behind from excessive pill use."
"Moreover," he continued, "refining this pill requires skill far beyond that needed for other first-grade pills."
Hearing that, several members audibly gasped. Even with careful refining, most cultivators couldn't eliminate every trace of pill residue from their bodies. Over time, these remnants could clog meridians and slow cultivation progress.
Most importantly, a top-tier first-grade pill could even be used by late-stage Qi Refining disciples. Normally, low-grade first-tier pills were for early-stage refiners, mid-grade for mid-stage, and so on.
With such a pill, even if one didn't consume it themselves, selling it could yield immense profit.
"That's great. If only we could get one," Chen Mu from the Beast Taming Hall sighed. "But among us, only Senior Brother Wei, Brother Zhang, Sister Lang Rulang, and Brother Su Fan can even attempt that level."
Those four had already reached the second stage of Qi Condensation. The rest were still in the mid to late first stage.
Ning also sighed. Despite his diligence and the pills he'd taken, he was only nearing the peak of the first stage.
"You get what you spend," Lang Rulang said coolly. Unlike the genial Wei Zhusang or the carefree Zhang Feng, Lang Rulang was sharp-tongued and blunt.
'Alas, even reincarnation is a kind of skill,' Ning thought dryly, glancing at her.
Those born under good fortune always had higher starting points. Ordinary people could toil for years and still not reach the lower limits of the blessed.
After a month in the sect, Ning had already understood how the wealthy disciples cultivated.
First came the pills that accelerated progress.
Then, there were the arrays.
The spiritual energy stored in spirit stones was too violent for direct absorption, but a Spirit Gathering Array could extract and refine it into a gentle, neutral form, similar to natural spiritual energy. The loss in conversion was minimal compared to the boost in cultivation speed.
After that came medicinal baths to strengthen the body, allowing longer cultivation sessions without strain.
Finally, there were countless accessories, special incense for clearer meditation, guidance from elders, and other costly aids.
Of course, these conveniences came at a steep price. Even a simple Spirit Gathering Array required a hundred spirit stones. Add in the activation cost and the stones needed for operation, and the total became astronomical.
Listening to the murmurs, Wei Zhusang smoothly deflected, "The most fortunate are those with top-grade spiritual roots. The sect fully nurtures them with the best pills, arrays, and incense. With proper support, they can reach Foundation Building in just five or six years."
A wave of quiet envy swept the room. In a few years, most of them would still be struggling at mid-stage Qi Refining, while those elites would already be breaking into the next realm.
Ning sighed inwardly but quickly brushed it off. It wasn't the first time reality had slapped him, and probably, it wouldn't be the last either.
After those somewhat depressing thoughts, the group moved on to the second half of the meeting, sharing news, rumors, and information.
This part of the meeting was usually lighthearted. The association met every fifteen days; some thought that was too frequent, but the short interval helped build camaraderie. Naturally, as disciples advanced in cultivation, the meetings would be spaced farther apart. Those who were too busy could always skip a session, like Su Fan, who rarely showed up.
Most of the news was the same as usual, except for one bit from the Bee Husbandry division.
Wong Zhi leaned forward. "This time, Xiao Fan found a rare three-striped bee that produces tri-colored honey. The manager tried to claim it as his own, but luckily, a Foundation Building elder sided with Xiao Fan and rewarded him. He's already reached the second stage of Qi Condensation, the fastest among the low-grade spiritual root disciples!"
"So lucky!" someone muttered in awe.
Ning narrowed his eyes.
When Xiao Fan pulled off things like this, it was hard not to think of him as the chosen one.
'Alas,' Ning thought, 'I really need to speed up my cultivation.'
Since Xiao Fan was clearly the chosen one, it was only natural that trials and upheavals would follow in his wake.
Like the sudden appearance of this "great opportunity" for Foundation Building, right after Xiao Fan joined the sect.
Coincidence? He thinks not.
In the growth of a protagonist, a storm was inevitable. If he didn't want to be swept away, the only choice was to run with the current.
Soon, the meeting ended and everyone dispersed.
Outside, Ning caught up to Wei Zhusang.
"Brother Wei, your cultivation has improved greatly. Congratulations."
"Junior Brother has also made good progress," Wei replied with a smile. "Congratulations to you as well."
He was curious why Ning had stopped him. After all, like Su Fan, Ning was usually too busy to attend regularly.
Ning didn't beat around the bush. "I want to ask for a loan, Brother Wei. I've realized I have a knack for magic. After two months of hard work, I've mastered the Small Cloud Rain Technique to a minor accomplishment."
Wei Zhusang blinked in surprise.
"I'm sure you know," Ning continued, "that spiritual farming disciples aren't required to take missions during their first year. So I want to try reaching the third stage of Qi Condensation within the year. After that, I'll return the spirit stones to you."
Wei Zhusang's eyes lit up. "Can I see it, Brother?"
"Of course." Ning nodded.
They soon arrived at Ning's farming plot. Just one look at the lush fields was enough to convince Wei Zhusang that Ning wasn't lying.
"Here, Brother Wei."
Ning raised his hands and cast Small Cloud Rain. A cloud thirty meters wide formed above, releasing a steady drizzle.
Wei's eyes gleamed. "Brother, with comprehension like this, you'll surely earn a place in the sect one day. How many spirit stones do you need?"
Ning smiled modestly. "How about fifty, Brother Wei?"
Having dealt with countless people in his past life, Ning understood human nature well. Most people were willing to help someone with a promising future, especially if they expected returns.
And if someone refused, lowering the number usually increased the chance of success. Insurance salesmen in his past life hadn't honed their craft for nothing.
Moreover, Wei Zhusang was clearly building the foundation of a faction. A strong "general" like him would naturally attract support.
As expected, Wei chuckled. "Brother Ning, I'll give you a hundred spirit stones. Fifty would be too little for your cultivation."
With a casual tap, a hundred spirit stones materialized out of thin air, stored in Wei's storage device.
"I can also ask Brother Feng and Sister Rulang to lend you some, though I hope you won't mind if they decline."
Ning almost winced at the sheer richness radiating from Wei Zhusang, but quickly composed himself. "If I get them, it's luck. If not, it's fate. Everyone's struggling; it's natural."
Wei smiled, clearly pleased with that answer.
He couldn't help but admire Ning's boldness. Most would have been too embarrassed to ask, but Ning did it calmly, without pretension, appearing free and easy.
As someone who had been cultivated in interpersonal relationships since young, he understood it even more.
Moreover, borrowing might seem risky, but with Ning's talent, repayment was practically guaranteed. After all, a cultivator's earning potential scales with their cultivation.
What was a fortune now would seem like pocket change later.
"Brother, with that mindset, you have real potential for Foundation Building," Wei Zhusang said sincerely.
Most mid-grade spiritual root disciples without backing never even reached that stage, so it was high praise indeed.
Ning, however, didn't understand the mental gymnastics Wei Zhusang had gone through.
Hearing his words, Ning couldn't help but make an odd expression.
After all, in today's world, being called a "potential man" wasn't exactly good news… just look at JJK.
...
Thanks for reading~
A/N: Sorry, guys, I was sick for the last few days with a nasty fever. I will update more chapters starting tomorrow.Last edited: Oct 20, 2025 Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Eyemore, darkli4n and 408 othersPlumBlossomOct 19, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.15 Breakthrough New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 20, 2025Add bookmark#111Ning lit a stick of spiritual incense in the room.
During the lecture, the Foundation Building senior had said, "Meditation is the process of locking the monkey mind; doing so leads to enlightenment. Tethering the will leads to transformation into a dragon."
Ning had interpreted it in simpler terms: meditation was about restraining the restless mind to gain clarity. Once one's will was firmly anchored, true transformation could begin.
Roughly, it was all about focusing on a single thing, without any distractions.
[Qi Condensation: 1st Stage (99/100)]
After more than three months of relentless cultivation, he had finally reached this point.
With the spiritual incense burning, a faint fragrance filled the air, guiding his thoughts into calm focus. It was a product of a Spiritual Incense Master, one of those obscure professions that dealt with incense and its various properties. This particular blend was said to enhance meditation efficiency.
Fang Zhu had given him five sticks, so for a breakthrough attempt and a chance at deeper focus, Ning didn't mind using one.
Breaking through from the first level of Qi Refining to the second was, in theory, a simple task. The method had been explained in detail by the Foundation Building senior; one just needed to follow the steps carefully.
He took out a Red Bud Pill.
Sitting in a lotus position, Ning began his assault on the bottleneck.
Advancing to the next stage required reversing the flow of Qi. The spiritual energy within the meridians no longer flowed steadily as in normal cultivation; it needed to pulse in a rhythmic balance of speed and slowness.
Simply put, it involved slowly drawing a portion of Qi from the Dantian, then rapidly forcing it back in, over and over, hammering the bottleneck until the Qi Hai acupoint expanded.
The Qi Hai acupoint was located about an inch and a half below the navel, along the midline of the abdomen.
Thanks to his daily control exercises, Ning was able to manage the process with steady precision.
After roughly fifteen minutes, he felt a faint swelling sensation in his Dantian.
That was the sign; the bottleneck had begun to loosen. The breakthrough was close.
He gathered more Qi, reversing the flow again. The energy surged through his meridians like a swelling tide, compressing and expanding until, with a subtle tremor, the barrier finally gave way.
[Qi Condensation: 1st Stage → 2nd Stage (Consolidating)]
Ning didn't stop right away. He continued circulating Qi according to the Pure Qi Sutra, smoothing out the flow until it stabilized. Then he opened his eyes, exhaling softly.
"Well… that was underwhelming," he muttered.
He'd expected something more dramatic; a surge of spiritual energy, maybe a flash of light, something with a bit more oomph!
But… oh well. Being low-key suited him just fine.
Ning smiled at the breakthrough and focused on the changes after the breakthrough.
His spiritual energy had nearly doubled compared to before. His body hadn't grown visibly stronger, but it felt lighter, as if the heaviness inside had melted away. The strengthening of one's body during Qi Condensation was gradual, each cell subtly absorbing energy over time, unlike Body Cultivation.
The early and mid-stages of Qi Condensation were all about accumulation anyway. It was a straightforward process; as long as one had decent spiritual roots and some resources, reaching mid-stage was mostly a matter of persistence.
Seeing the changes, Ning couldn't help but feel satisfied with the increase in spiritual energy.
"Finally, not a one-pump chump anymore," he said dryly.
Previously, even with his fine control, he could only cast Minor Accomplished Spiritual Rain once before running out of energy. Now, with his reserves expanded, he could train longer and push his spells even further.
Glancing at the green fields outside, Ning smirked faintly.
"Now then," he murmured, "it's harvesting time."
...
With the arrival of the spiritual grain harvesting season, the spiritual farmers along the riverbanks sprang into action.
Normally, it was rare to see so many people working in the spiritual fields all day. Now, every field was being tended carefully.
These spiritual fields weren't built on spiritual veins, and relying solely on the energy from the veins would have been impossible. The few fields that were vein-rich belonged exclusively to the sect.
The farmers' role was to replenish spiritual energy deficits by applying rain, regulating the earth's energy, and extracting wood-elemental energy to nourish the spiritual grains.
In the days leading up to the harvest, Ning spent every moment crouched in the fields, never daring to leave.
Thousands of birds gathered around the nearby lake, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and peck at the grains. Even a few moments' negligence could result in significant losses.
Some wealthy spiritual farmers used protective puppets to guard their fields, like Old Zhou.
Ning had built a scarecrow out of straw, but the cunning birds quickly saw through it after only a few pecks. In the end, he had no choice but to guard the field himself.
"Finally, it's over," Ning muttered, adjusting the straw hat on his head as he worked through the last of the harvest.
"Ninety… ninety-one… ninety-three kilograms… one hundred… one hundred and sixteen. One hundred twenty. Not bad!"
He smiled, satisfied.
With careful management and high-level cultivation skills, an ideal harvest could reach three to four hundred kilograms per season in an acre of land. Ning, still a beginner, had managed about one-third of that, a very respectable yield indeed. After all, with his level of skill, he was only able to manage one acre, so the yield was in his expectations.
The sect purchased first-grade spiritual grain at one spirit stone per kilogram, with slight adjustments based on quality. Ning's batch was excellent; selling it all could net him over 120 spirit stones, a substantial sum, likely 40 to 50 more than his peers who joined at the same time. However, after taxes, his earnings would be far lower.
Just as he was thinking this, Fang Zhu appeared. "Brother Ning, how's the harvest?"
Ning, taking a brief rest on a stool, quickly stood. "Brother, please come in. The harvest is quite good!"
He gestured to the cloth bag on the ground. "Weigh it yourself, you'll be surprised!"
Fang Zhu picked up the bag, feeling the weight. "About 120 kilograms… Brother Ning, that's impressive."
Ning glanced at Fang Zhou, casually picking up 120 kg, and was impressed in his own right. After all, he didn't know Fang Zhu was built like that.
Of course, without showing his thoughts, Ning just smiled. "Thanks to the guidance of senior brother Zhou. I also had some knowledge of farming before coming to the sect."
He wasn't lying. As a qualified keyboard warrior who surfed through internet, it was natural to come across such things. Especially, there were quite a few things about agriculture in his textbooks as well.
So, while not proficient, he understood the principles behind crop rotation, the two-field and three-field systems, proper spacing of crops, irrigation techniques, and even the subtle art of fertilization. Moreover, with the help of Old Zhou, he knew which nutrients favored growth in specific soils, how overwatering could weaken roots, and how timing the harvest could maximize yield.
It wasn't advanced, hands-in-the-dirt expertise, but it was enough to give him an edge over most newcomers who only followed instructions blindly.
Of course, it would be even better if he could achieve the state of perfect recall, drawing more memories from his past life to supplement his current one.
Alas! He could only wait till his cultivation reached a higher level.
"Did you?" Fang Zhu asked in surprise, recalling Ning's delicate, pale complexion when they first met. He hadn't seemed like someone who had spent time in the fields.
"Yes," Ning said, "and I'd like to sell you the remaining spiritual grain after taxes."
Currently, Fang Zhu was his most reliable channel. According to Old Zhou, Fang Zhu was versatile and well-connected, able to sell the surplus grains efficiently.
Fang Zhu nodded and began calculating. "Tax is seventy-five percent of your harvest, which is 120 kilograms. Since your grain is high quality, and one spirit stone per kilogram…"
"30 spirit stones," Ning answered quickly.
Fang Zhu looked up in surprise at his speed. "That's correct, Junior Brother."
He retrieved the spirit stones from his pouch and handed them to Ning.
Ning glanced at the spirit stones in his hand.
There were quite a few compared to the ones he acquired through loans, but this was just the beginning. Spiritual grains were only the first-tier, low-grade spiritual plants. As he becomes more proficient, he could plant higher-tier plants, achieving more profit. Moreover, he could also try to plant more with his recent breakthrough.
So, despite the low number of spirit stones, Ning was happy with the first pot of gold he earned through his own effort.
After all, as they say, "It ain't much, but it was honest work."
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Eyemore, darkli4n and 407 othersPlumBlossomOct 20, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.16 Proposition New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 23, 2025Add bookmark#132[Panel]
[Name: Ji Ning
Spiritual Root: Mid-grade Spiritual Root
Attributes: Five Elemental Attributes
Talent: Extreme Space-Time Sensitivity
Realm: 2nd Stage of Qi Condensation (21/200)
Cultivation Method: Pure Qi Sutra (1st floor: 87/100)
Martial Arts: Bone Forging Fist (Minor Accomplishment: 19/200), Shadow Steps (Minor Accomplishment: 11/100)
Spells: Small Cloud Rain Technique(Minor Accomplishment: 13/200), Soil Refining Technique(Starting: 99/100)]
Glancing at the panel, Ning nodded in satisfaction.
It had been four months since he arrived in this world. From the bare-bones stats he started with, the panel was finally beginning to look respectable.
After two months of steady practice, his Soil Refining Technique was nearing Minor Accomplishment.
Compared to the Spiritual Rain Technique, it had taken roughly the same amount of time, but the comprehension process was far slower and more delicate. He'd only managed to keep pace thanks to the increase in spiritual qi within his body, allowing him to cast the technique twice as often.
After all, a spell wasn't just about reciting an incantation. True mastery required five things: precise chanting, accurate hand seals, stable spiritual energy control, a grasp of the underlying principle, and a clear mental visualization.
The first three could be honed through repetition and effort, but the last two demanded genuine comprehension.
For Spiritual Rain, Ning had understood it through scientific reasoning from his past life: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Moisture rising from the ground, forming clouds, and falling as nourishing rain. Translating that natural process into spiritual flow had made the technique intuitive for him.
Old Zhou, however, described the same concept in an entirely different way. To him, the rain technique wasn't about water molecules or cloud formation, but about guiding the water Qi within heaven and earth, drawing it from the Yin essence of clouds and merging it with the Yang energy of the practitioner's own spirit. The balance of Yin and Yang created harmony, and harmony produced rain.
That, in fact, was the common way of understanding.
But Soil Refining was a different challenge altogether. It wasn't a cycle; it was a transformation.
According to Old Zhou, the technique was about "nourishing the earth's veins" and "awakening the latent spirit of the soil."
Ning, however, viewed it differently. He imagined the earth as a massive sponge of minerals and microbes, capable of retaining nutrients and moisture. The technique's goal, then, was to enrich this system, breaking down stale, inert Qi and replacing it with fertile energy, much like mixing in fertilizer and aerating the soil to let it breathe.
When he circulated his spiritual energy, Ning visualized it as tilling the land, loosening compacted Qi, restoring balance between Yin and Yang, and infusing fresh vitality.
Of course, once he grasped the concept, visualization came much more easily. After all, with otherworldly cultural baptism from various films, series, and animes, it was not hard to process such things.
Finally, after recovering his spiritual energy, Ning cast the Soil Refining Technique again.
[Soil Refining Technique(Starting: 99/100) -> (Minor Accomplishment(1/200)]
"Finally, that's two spells at Minor Accomplishment level." Ning beamed.
He was not only happy because of the increase in proficiency, but also because the Soil Refining Technique was special. With prolonged use, one could upgrade the sub-first-level soil they had been using into first-grade soil.
First-grade soil was essential for cultivating higher-tier produce. Once one could elevate the soil, the sect would also reward them with a small merit.
This small merit could then be exchanged for internal resources of the sect.
Ning took out the spiritual stones he had gathered.
Glancing at the pure blue stone, he almost couldn't help but let out his inner Gollum: "My precious."
After all, these things were the most precious resource for cultivating immortality.
Over the past month, Old Zhou's spiritual stones and the ones Ning had earned from farming were already used up, and even the stones lent by Wei Zhusang were dwindling.
Fortunately, with Wei Zhusang's help, he was able to borrow more from Zhang Feng and Lang Rulang. Zhang Feng had given him eighty spirit stones, and, surprisingly, the sharp Lang Rulang had given him a hundred.
He had every reason to be surprised. Given Lang Rulang's usual character, he hadn't expected much at all, yet he secured the same investment as Wei.
If it weren't for Lang Rulang's unchanging expression when she handed him the stones, he might have suspected she was greedy for his body. After all, he was very pleasing to the eye for the third person. A veritable pretty boy, one might even say.
"Now that I can plant one more acre, my earnings from spiritual farming should increase," Ning mumbled. After all, with Soil Refining at Minor Accomplishment, his produce would naturally be of high quality.
Overall, the future was worth looking forward to.
...
"Junior Brother Ning."
Ning turned and saw a tall youth in blue robes, his sleeves embroidered with gold lines.
It was Su Fan.
"Greetings, Brother Su Fan," Ning said, straightening up from where he had been waging his eternal war against weeds.
"Hm." Su Fan nodded slightly, his expression placid as his gaze swept over the field before him.
Silence stretched.
Ning, sensing the awkwardness, smiled faintly and gestured toward his hut. "If you've got something to say, Brother, why not talk inside?"
Su Fan inclined his head. "Very well."
Inside, Ning placed a cup of warm milk tea before him. "Here, Senior Brother."
Su Fan took the cup, his air of practiced aloofness unchanging, until he took a sip. His eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "Not bad."
Ning smiled. Talking with someone as arrogant as Su Fan required initiative; otherwise, the conversation would drag endlessly.
"So, what do you want to ask, Senior Brother?" Ning asked, seeing Su Fan enjoying the tea.
"How is your training as a spiritual farmer going?" Su Fan asked back, not answering the earlier question.
Ning didn't comment on the rude behavior; instead, he answered truthfully. "Senior Brother, I've reached minor accomplishment in the Small Cloud Rain Technique and the Soil Refining Technique."
Ever since deciding to appear talented in spells, Ning knew he needed to demonstrate his progress to solidify his reputation. It was a way of showing his value.
As for whether it was dangerous?
The chances were quite low. According to Old Zhou, he had seen few people with a similar level of comprehension as his own in his batch, mastering spells much quicker than others. While not many, among the hundreds of disciples getting initiated every five years, there will always be a select few with such talents.
In fact, Old Zhou personally knew someone similar to Ning. It was also one of the reasons for his investment. Of course, unlike Ning, he possessed only a low-grade spiritual root.
But by harnessing his talent in spells, Old Zhou's friend was able to acquire a barrier-breaking pill, yet unfortunately failed to reach the late stage of Qi Condensation.
So, while showing strong talent in spells was quite amazing, compared to those top-grade spiritual roots, his talent didn't appear too striking.
Su Fan listened, surprised. "It seems Wei Zhusang is a little behind on updates. He only told me you reached minor accomplishment in the Small Cloud Rain Technique."
Ning hurried to speak for Wei Zhusang, after all, he owed the man a favor. "I only reached that level in Soil Refining a few days ago, Senior Brother Su Fan. So most don't know about it yet."
"I see." Unlike Wei Zhusang, Su Fan didn't ask for a demonstration. Arrogance, or something else, Ning wasn't sure.
Instead, Su Fan said, "That's even better. Today, I'm here to discuss a proposition."
Ning blinked. "A proposition?"
"Yes." Su Fan looked at him intently. "I am an alchemist's apprentice. The sect provides materials, of course, but quality ingredients are always scarce. A talented spiritual farmer who can cultivate high-grade herbs will naturally be sought after."
Ning nodded. Alchemy was often called the art of burning money; even in the learning phase, the material consumption was enormous. It made sense that alchemists would want skilled spiritual farmers to partner up with.
"Senior Brother," Ning asked, "wouldn't it be better to recruit more experienced spiritual farmers?"
Spiritual farming wasn't particularly rare. The threshold was low, and most low-talent or unconnected disciples were dumped into farming.
Su Fan nodded. "I've recruited a few experienced ones. But I also need someone who can produce high-tier herbs. Junior Brother, you're young, and your potential is great. You could achieve a Spiritual Farmer Certificate in just a few years."
Then Su Fan smirked. "Moreover, I don't mind investing resources in someone who shows promise and is quite pleasing to my eyes."
'Damn! Bro is aura farming against me,' Ning thought, blinded by the aura of wealth.
Still, he considered what Su Fan said. To obtain the Spiritual Farmer Certificate, one needed to have achieved great accomplishments in at least three spiritual farming techniques, with Small Cloud Rain being compulsory.
This certificate was especially valuable. Instead of giving a percentage of goods to the sect, the holder would only owe a fixed amount of produce, a major advantage for the skilled.
Ning thought quickly, and seeing Su Fan's impatient expression, he finally nodded. "Since Senior Brother has explained so much, it would be rude to refuse."
"Okay. But there's a condition. You must reach great accomplishment in the Small Cloud Rain Technique within two years," Su Fan said. "If you do, I don't mind sharing some of the profits."
Two years?
Ning considered it. For him, his comprehension was enough to accomplish that. The major hurdle was accumulating enough spiritual qi; only those at mid-stage could unleash the technique fully.
Could he reach mid-stage in two years? Calculating his chances, it seemed plausible.
"Okay." Ning nodded.
"Here, as a gift and encouragement." Su Fan chuckled, reaching into his sleeve to pull out a small jade bottle no larger than a thumb. It shimmered faintly in the light, releasing a soft herbal fragrance as he tossed it to Ning.
"Take it."
Ning opened the lid, inhaling a wisp of the scent. It was a Red Dew Pill, twelve in total, and it smelled slightly different from the ones he had consumed before.
"Senior Brother, this pill seems different."
"Yes. These are Star-Marked Red Dew Pills. Pills come in three grades: defective, genuine, and star-marked. Star-marked pills contain almost no impurities and are nearly twice as effective as the other grades," Su Fan said proudly. "I don't need them, so I'm giving them to you."
Ning wasn't surprised by the distinction; in a cultivation world, power and quality were always tiered for most intuitive face slapping.
What did surprise him, however, was Su Fan's generosity.
Was this why, in those novels, arrogant rich guys always had a horde of brainless lackeys? The benefits were insane.
"Then, I thank you, Brother," Ning said, straightforwardly, without the pretense of refusing.
Su Fan approved of this straightforward behaviour. "Do your best," he said, leaving with flair.
Ning watched him go.
He was somewhat surprised. Su Fan carried an air of arrogance, but it wasn't the reckless, spoiled kind, unlike Xiao Hong, another arrogant disciple.
"Perhaps arrogance comes from upbringing," Ning murmured.
Unlike Earth, there was no moral education here. While precepts from Confucianism existed, the world often flattered the strong and trampled the weak. Perhaps unrelenting praise and lack of guidance produced arrogance.
Of course, Xiao Hong's mindless, arrogant behaviour could also be due to the protagonist's halo.
As Ning psychoanalyzed Su Fan, he just sighed and shrugged it off. It didn't concern him.
What did concern him, however, was right in front of him.
Pills. And loads of them.
...
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