'Who am I ? why am I here ? What am I doing?' Chu Xingchen thought
In just little more than three hours or so the girls had reached the foundation establishment stage
In those three hours he had gained more than enough resources to start a small sect and also a small amount of cultivation base as feedback
He was happy yes but that was not the main point
'How did these randomly bought girls all turn out to be heaven defying geniuses ?! Could it be that those who were rejected or enslaved are bound to be the children of fortune? ' He thought before taking a deep breath
'Calm down, calm down, don't get excited, stay steady!' Chu Xingchen told himself 'I am the master, I can't panic and lose face in front of my disciples'
A thought transmission reached Chu Xingchen, a voice echoing directly in his spiritual sea.
'Elder Chu, could you send the disciples over to the fields? ' was Xiù Feng's voice,
'Of course sect leader' he replied back
"Alright, disciples," he announced, his voice regaining its earlier calm tone. "Cease your cultivation for the moment. Sect Leader Xiù Feng requires your presence. Gather yourselves and proceed to the field in the south outside of the sect "
The girls looked at each other for a moment, then back at him,
"Yes, Master Chu!" they chorused. They slowly rose, gathering their robes. Chu Xingchen watched them head towards the main hall ruins.
Well now he should take a small flight and then return back with his rewards he happened to find on the way
He's not so selfish as to keep everything for himself; after all, treasures like the spirit ship are best put to use by the sect.
XXXX-XXXX
Good, you've arrived," Xiù Feng said, her gaze sweeping over the group.
To be honest she felt a bit intimidating teaching a bunch of girls who were around her age group and few who were older but it didn't matter what her actually age was she is the mysterious ancient loli sect leader so she should do it
"I hope you have you eaten breakfast?"Xiu Feng asked it was a usual question her homeroom teacher used to ask her class
The disciples exchanged hesitant glances, then Xiaomaō, speaking for the group, replied, "No, Master. We... we forgot."
They had just gotten up from meditation before hurrying here under the excitement of getting to start training. They completely forgot about breakfast. Meditation is better on an empty stomach so it was fine for the early morning training. Strangely, the girls are not feeling hungry now either
"Huh ? You didn't breakfast is important you know....ahem! We will begin after breakfast, just go to the dining hall and meet me here when you are finished."
"Yes master!" the disciples responded in unison.
Following Xiù Feng's instructions, the disciples turned and made their way towards the dining area.
After finishing their unexpected breakfast, the disciples gathered in front of a pavilion near the main hall, where Xiù Feng was waiting.
"Alright, settle down," Xiù Feng said. "Today we learn spiritual cul- I mean spiritual agriculture techniques."
She walked towards a plot of earth near the field with small firefly grass growing in it
Xiù Feng demonstrated the first technique on the plot of earth. Her hands moved as she formed a handsign
A small cloud gathered above the plot and raindrops fell onto the soil.
"This is Spiritual Rain Technique," she explained. "Uses Water Qi to nourish plants."
Next, she moved to another spot and placed her hands near the ground. The soil shifted and compacted.
"This is Earth Sculpting Technique," she said. "Uses Earth Qi to manipulate soil, prepare land."
Finally, she placed a hand on a small plant already in the plot. Energy flowed. The plant perked up. "And this is Wood Growth Technique," Xiù Feng concluded. "Uses Wood Qi to accelerate growth, heal plants."
She looked at the disciples. "You've seen these techniques use water, earth, and wood Qi to help plants. Can anyone tell me why those elements, those types of Qi, are particularly necessary for spiritual herbs to grow well?"
The disciples exchanged uncertain glances. Most looked hesitant to speak up.
. "Master," Xiaomaō "Spiritual herbs are like bridges for spiritual energy between the world and a cultivator. Earth provides the stable foundation for the plant's roots, grounding it to absorb energy from the soil and dragon veins (spirit leylines in the earth). It also gives structure to the plant itself. Water Qi provides the nourishment and facilitates the circulation of energy and nutrients throughout the plant's system, like blood in a cultivator. It also helps purify energy. Wood Qi is the very life force of plants, promoting growth, vitality, and resilience. It helps the plant absorb and refine spiritual energy efficiently. Without the right balance of Earth, Water, and Wood Qi, a spiritual herb cannot properly absorb, contain, or transform ambient spiritual energy, making it weak or even mundane."
"A very good explanation, Xiaomaō. You understand the fundamentals well." She turned back to the group. "As Xiaomaō explained, these elements are key. You will use the techniques I demonstrated earlier to provide the right environment and boost for your plants."
"These three are fundamental to spiritual agriculture. Now let us understand why spiritual herbs are important in a broader sense." Xiu Feng looked at the girls.
"Spiritual herbs are the foundation of so much. They absorb and concentrate spiritual energy, transforming it into usable forms. Consumed directly to accelerate cultivation, replenish Qi, heal injuries. Like high-grade pills that can heal injuries."
"More commonly, ingredients for pills and elixirs. Pill Masters need them. Breakthrough pills, detoxification, strengthening. You need specific herbs. They are currency, resources, power." She picked a leaf from a nearby plant, crushed it releasing its essence. "Cultivating herbs means cultivating resources for the sect, for yourselves."
She stopped near a newly prepared plot. "Your first task. Take a seed. Cultivate it." She produced a bag and a dozen stacked and tied manuals "These are White Moon Radish seeds. Basic spiritual plant, useful for beginners. Grows quickly. Practice channelling energy for growth. Also in these manuals are the three basic techniques I demonstrated now learn well and do your best to grow this radish by this week "
As she gave out seeds, she noticed Xiaomaō's eyes were wide, focused on the seed with intense enthusiasm that Xiù Feng could almost visualise cat ears and tail on her
Xiù Feng gave a mental shrug. Someone needs to be interested in herbs and alchemy.
"Alright. Get to it. Cultivate your radish."she dismissed them with a wave
Foosh
In an instant she was back in her sunny spot where she immediately plopped on the rantan chair and started basking like a salted fish
"I hope that the instant knowledge function will be available then try can help out in the field but it will be a pain to keep buying the books again " Xiù Feng mused
'!'
Xiù Feng stepped back in surprise as a strong ball of light suddenly arrived near her
As the glow faded, a serene old man with clear green eyes,a long beard wearing white robes and carrying a a horsewhip materialized.
"You finally came." Xiù Feng blinked, mildly surprised.