"The four who share the courtyard with Xu Hu are all children of Immortal Cultivation families. So, I suspect they were jealous and deliberately provoked Xu Hu. As the son of a hunter, he doesn't know the taboos of cultivation, and it's common to lose focus after being provoked a few times."
"Really?" Shi Xiaowu was skeptical.
Lv Ying argued, "Why not? My family has been servants of the Lu Family for generations. I've seen many sinister and terrifying things! It's not uncommon for someone to lose their life over a single Elixir, let alone someone as bright as Xu Hu suppressing others."
Jiang Yuebai was in a daze, her mind filled with Lv Ying's voice. She staggered back to her small courtyard and collapsed on the ground once she crossed the gate.
She sat on the ground, unable to stop trembling with fear.
Jiang Yuebai was grateful that she had listened to her grandfather's words that day and hadn't acted impulsively.
She didn't know how long she sat there before Tao Fengnian returned from outside, sighed when he saw her.
"Get up and rinse the rice."
Tao Fengnian placed the hoe in the corner, removed his conical hat, and fanned himself.
"Grandfather, did you... know?" Jiang Yuebai asked with trembling voice.
Tao Fengnian hung up the conical hat, "This is not common, but it's not surprising either. I heard about it."
"Grandfather, are people in the Cultivation Realm just like mortals, unable to see others do well?"
Tao Fengnian pulled Jiang Yuebai up from the ground and used the Dust Cleaning Technique to sweep away the dust on her.
"Remember, cultivators come from the mortal realm, and all have human weaknesses. In this world, others can see you in distress and pity you from a high place, but they can't stand you having something they don't, even a little bit can incite jealousy. Children from Immortal Cultivation families grow up scheming and fighting for resources, and those who fall behind lose family support and face cold indifference. They especially can't bear others being stronger, especially those from humble backgrounds."
"Doesn't the sect care? Can people just harm others freely?" Jiang Yuebai asked.
"Naturally, the sect doesn't allow wanton killing, but Xu Hu made a mistake in his own cultivation, what does it have to do with others? Who has evidence that he was harmed by someone? Without connections, who will delve into this matter for him? Anyway, the sect has already punished the children in his courtyard by making them face the wall in public and sternly ordered others to consult with disciples at the Dharma Hall before cultivation, which is like mending the fence after losing the sheep."
"You need not worry. The world is full of different people, and there are genuinely good ones. As you experience more, you'll learn to discern. For now, just remember, a tall tree catches the wind, so it's good to be cautious."
Jiang Yuebai tensed up, "When will I be able to fight back?"
Tao Fengnian patted Jiang Yuebai's head gently, "To fight back, you first need to survive. I urge you to be patient and hide because you can't protect yourself yet. I'm not asking you to stop cultivating. As long as you're willing to learn, once you have enough strength, you won't have to hide anymore."
Jiang Yuebai clenched her fist in contemplation, the light in her eyes growing.
"I want to learn, to cultivate, so no one dares to bully or harm me."
Tao Fengnian nodded satisfactorily, "Didn't you ask me last time what a Spiritual Cultivation Master is? Eat first, once you're full, Grandpa will teach you."
"Okay!"
At sunset, the elder and the young sat in the courtyard. Tao Fengnian was puffing on his smoke rod, pushing a Jade Talisman towards Jiang Yuebai.
Without hesitation, Jiang Yuebai used a small knife to cut her finger and dripped blood onto the Jade Talisman.
With the contract fulfilled, Tao Fengnian put the Jade Talisman away.
According to the Heavenly Interence Sect's rules, sect cultivation techniques cannot be imparted privately, but spiritual cultivators who manage the food and spiritual medicine for tens of thousands of disciples can take apprentices, teach cultivation techniques and planting spells, while earning considerable rewards.
The apprenticeship lasts three years, with no monthly salary or contribution points, no need to complete sect tasks, but also no income, simply needing to follow orders to help with farming work.
After three years, one can lease their own Spiritual Field, retaining thirty percent of the harvest annually, the rest being handed over.
Being a spiritual cultivator is one of the most sought-after roles within the sect due to its freedom and tangible rewards, even if one has to become an apprentice, they need connections.
The difference between a Spiritual Cultivation Master and a spiritual cultivator is substantial despite their similar names.
Anyone who can farm is called a spiritual cultivator, but a Spiritual Cultivation Master must master three planting spells and reach the fourth layer, ensuring the maximum output of the Spiritual Field.
Once passing the assessment, they can obtain a special Token, ranking equivalent to an outer sect disciple.
Not only are they exempt from the rent for Spiritual Fields, but they also receive a monthly salary and are granted three opportunities to exchange for cultivation techniques and Daoist Techniques in the Library.
Within the Heavenly Interence Sect, there are nearly ten thousand spiritual cultivators, but only thirty-six Spiritual Cultivation Masters. Each is a planting expert, overseeing at least one valley, producing superior quantity and quality of Spirit Grain and Spiritual Medicine, gaining the favor of the sect and various Alchemy Elders.
Tao Fengnian is the only Spiritual Cultivation Master in Huaxi Valley. In the past, he cultivated Spiritual Medicine and led over a hundred spiritual cultivators in Huaxi Valley. In recent years, due to lack of energy, he only cultivates about a hundred acres of Spirit Grain, and has been lenient with other spiritual cultivators.
In a cloud of smoke, Tao Fengnian slowly explained all kinds of knowledge to Jiang Yuebai.
"Hong Tao sent you here hoping you'd become a Spiritual Cultivation Master, not an ordinary spiritual cultivator. To become a Spiritual Cultivation Master, you need to possess more than three Spirit Roots. Each Spirit Root holds a different attribute of spiritual energy, requiring corresponding cultivation techniques to manipulate. The more Spirit Roots, the more techniques you need."
Jiang Yuebai was surprised hearing this, "Does that mean I need five cultivation techniques for my Five Spirit Roots?"
Tao Fengnian nodded, and Jiang Yuebai was dumbfounded.
"So... are cultivation techniques expensive?"
"In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, everything from cultivation techniques, Elixirs, to artifacts are graded from ninth to first grade. A servant disciple entering the Qi Cultivation first layer has one chance to exchange for a ninth-grade cultivation technique, after which they need contribution points to exchange. The lowest ninth-grade cultivation technique costs one hundred contribution points, equating to one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, or a thousand jin of Spirit Rice. An Internal Affairs Hall D-Level sect task only provides a maximum of ten points."
Jiang Yuebai's eyes widened, finally having a vague idea of the prices in the Cultivation Realm.
One Low-Grade Spirit Stone can only buy ten jin of Spirit Rice, and she eats about four liang a day these past few days, ten jin of Spirit Rice isn't enough for a month.
A thousand jin to exchange for one cultivation technique, she needs five thousand jin of Spirit Rice for her five Spirit Roots, how many years would it take to save that?
Currently, her entire wealth amounted to only ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones and five Energy Introduction Elixirs.
Jiang Yuebai shamefully lowered her head, "Sorry, Grandpa, I didn't know Spirit Rice was so expensive. I'll eat less and work more."
Tao Fengnian chuckled while holding his smoke rod, "If an old spiritual cultivator like me can't even support a little girl like you, wouldn't that be a joke? Don't worry about the cultivation technique. As my apprentice, I'll naturally teach you."
After speaking, Tao Fengnian handed a palm-sized, octagonal jade stone to Jiang Yuebai.
"This is the Eighth-Grade Cultivation Technique 'Metal Element Skill.' Once you pass the entry-level stage, you can use this to enhance your cultivation, and begin learning one of the Five Dao Spiritual Cultivation Magical Techniques, the 'Sharpness Technique,' mainly used for pest control in Spirit Plants. Besides, the Jade Scroll also contains basic spells like Dust Cleaning Technique, Wind Roll Technique, Object Control Method, etc. Take a look, and practice by yourself."
"In the early stage of Multi-Spirit Root Cultivator cultivation, one usually specializes in one Spirit Root to enhance cultivation and learn corresponding spells. Once in the late-stage of Qi Cultivation, they can make up for other spirit root cultivation and then establish their Foundation. Start by learning this Gold Element Cultivation Technique. If within a month, you can reach the first layer in 'Metal Element Skill' and Sharpness Technique, I'll teach you the Water Attribute Cultivation Technique 'Water Element Skill' and the Cloud Rain Technique you wanted to learn."
After speaking, Tao Fengnian couldn't help but mock himself, as it took him three months to break through the first layer of a cultivation technique and spell, and now he was expecting this little girl to do it in a month.
But for some unknown reason, he felt she could do it, maybe even sooner.
Fearless of the unknown, Jiang Yuebai nodded eagerly, curiously flipping through the Jade Scroll.
"Press the Jade Scroll onto your forehead and use the method of sensing spiritual energy to activate it. From now on, you'll practice the 'Metal Element Skill' in the morning and evening, study the Daoist Scripture and learn to read for an hour after breakfast, and study acupuncture and meridians for an hour at dusk. I'll also teach you the Low-Grade Martial Skill 'Chasing Star Step' and 'Wood Cutting Blade Method.' Use these for self-defense until you become proficient in spells. While I'm out working the fields, you can arrange your own cultivation schedule. Now, I'll guide you on the cultivation route and Qi Circulation Method..."