Cao Dongxin's complexion wasn't looking good as he turned away.
Chu Ning was wondering what was wrong with the statement that caused Cao Dongxin's unpleasant look.
Qiu Shunyi, seemingly not realizing anything amiss, quietly asked:
"Senior Brother, did we come late? Senior Brother Cao arrived so early."
Shang Zhaoxiang chuckled upon hearing this, didn't look at Qiu Shunyi, but rather gazed at Chu Ning with interest and said:
"You might not know, but our Senior Brother Cao tends to arrive early for two to three months when there are new recruits like you. This is to train you all."
Chu Ning immediately understood what it meant, speechless at Cao Dongxin's dark intentions.
However, his facial expression remained unchanged, instead, showing a hint of confusion, as if he was perplexed.
After glancing at Chu Ning, Cao Dongxin turned his unfriendly gaze towards Qiu Shunyi.
Just then, Qiu Shunyi realized the situation, retracting his gaze nervously, quickly changing the subject, and asked Chu Ning:
"Chu Ning, did you practice the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique yesterday? How difficult did you find it?"
Chu Ning: "I practiced it once initially, couldn't tell if it's difficult."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shunyi's face instantly turned sour.
"I found it quite difficult. I practiced it once last night and once this morning, but couldn't even sense the Spiritual Qi."
"Earlier I ran into several people and asked around, everyone seems the same, and you've only practiced once..."
Qiu Shunyi implied that since you've only practiced it once, it doesn't seem promising.
But thinking about how early Cao Dongxin brought out Chu Ning, he immediately stopped the rest of his words.
"I'll take it slow." Chu Ning responded briefly and didn't say anything further.
He couldn't possibly tell them that he has already refined Qi into his body, entering the First Layer.
Shang Zhaoxiang and Qiu Shunyi chatted idly for a few more sentences and didn't stay long before heading into another field.
At this moment, Cao Dongxin finally no longer sat, got up, and walked toward the field.
Chu Ning had no idea what the other person intended to do, so he followed along.
As soon as he took a step, he heard Cao Dongxin say, "Don't follow me, you'll disrupt my spell casting."
"Oh, alright." Chu Ning replied, wondering why someone would cast spells in a field.
"Could it be the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill?"
Chu Ning recalled the spell attached at the end of the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique manual which listed the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill as a mandatory spell for Spirit Plant Room disciples.
However, having practiced for the first time last night, he hadn't had the chance to delve into this spell yet.
Observing from a distance, Chu Ning saw Cao Dongxin casting spells toward the field, and swiftly took out the small booklet from his chest, flipping to the part about the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
Sure enough, the spell gestures matched those of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
Nevertheless, Chu Ning felt that Cao Dongxin's spell casting seemed inefficient.
Perhaps there was excessive consumption?
There wasn't much basis for the judgment, yet Chu Ning felt uneasy, strangely so.
Cao Dongxin was oblivious to Chu Ning's thoughts. Despite considerable depletion of his Magical Power, he still managed to complete casting the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill across today's designated fields.
After finishing everything, he nodded in satisfaction.
Having rested in the field for a short while, Cao Dongxin walked back to Chu Ning's side.
"These fields are mine; stay here and drive away any birds that come."
While speaking, Cao Dongxin pointed out the range of a few fields.
Then, looking Chu Ning in the eye, he cautioned, "You better not slack off, make sure those Red Spirit Rice don't get eaten by birds."
"Okay, Senior Brother." Chu Ning didn't question further, and agreed directly.
Seeing Chu Ning being so obedient, Cao Dongxin's face visibly softened, without saying much more, he headed back along the path toward his dwelling.
Watching Cao Dongxin walk away, Chu Ning thought for a moment and headed into the field.
Locating the corner where Cao Dongxin had cast the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill earlier, he took out the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique booklet and studied the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill carefully.
After a while, he returned the booklet to his chest, reviewed the key points mentally and, once assured he remembered them, Chu Ning began casting spells toward the Red Spirit Rice as called.
Though it was his first practice and not entirely adept, Chu Ning managed to perform the spell completely.
At the next moment, Chu Ning sensed a faint Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi starting to gather around the three stalks of Red Spirit Rice within his spell's coverage, its presence almost undetectable.
If it weren't for his recent casting of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, he might not have even noticed it.
"This Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill can help Spirit Plants absorb Spiritual Qi, no wonder it can promote growth and enhance quality."
Chu Ning murmured to himself, then quickly sank his thoughts into his mind.
[Nine Tigers Body Refining Art (100/100)]
[Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique (Yellow Tier Lower Grade), First Layer (1/300)]
"Huh, why isn't the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill included?"
Chu Ning was slightly surprised; the prompt in his mind was identical to this morning.
He had clearly successfully practiced the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill once, yet received no proficiency alert.
"Could it be necessary to practice it several times more?"
Chu Ning pondered momentarily but found it unlikely, as he recalled proficiency alerts appearing at the start of practicing both the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art and the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique.
He wanted to try casting the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill once more but soon realized he had to abandon the idea.
Because he was out of Magical Power.
The Magical Power he cultivated last night was only sufficient for casting the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill once before his Dantian emptied.
"Perhaps cultivating the technique here?"
Chu Ning considered the idea and found it feasible; he was presently in a corner of the field, unlikely to attract attention.
Moreover, when practicing the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique, he could sense the surrounding area, halting cultivation if anyone approached.
After all, this was Sect territory, generally safe under normal circumstances.
With these thoughts, Chu Ning sat cross-legged and began cultivating the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique.
Drawing from the experience gained last night, he swiftly entered the state, sensing the surrounding Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi and efficiently channeling it into his body.
Then he realized that today the Spiritual Qi was not only abundant but also quite pure, his absorption rate visibly increased.
Thinking his adeptness was the cause, Chu Ning didn't dwell on it, continuing to cultivate.
However, something escaped Chu Ning's notice.
At this moment, the three stalks of Red Spirit Rice, his recent casting site of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, and the previous batch cast by Cao Dongxin, were emitting strands of Spiritual Qi.
Then, as if guided by invisible threads, the Qi was drawn to Chu Ning's vicinity, merging with his breathing, gathering denser Qi into his body.
As this Qi flowed into his body and reached the Dantian, it not only quickly replenished the Magical Power consumed during the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill casting.
Simultaneously, it coalesced into new Magical Power faster, settling within Chu Ning's Dantian.
After cultivating for a period, Chu Ning vaguely heard conversations from the road, prompting him to halt his cultivation.
"Today's cultivation state was remarkably good, seems like more Magical Power accumulated than last night."
Chu Ning promptly checked his cultivation progress.
[Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique (Yellow Tier Lower Grade), First Layer (3/300)]
It had increased by 2 points in proficiency, double the effect of last night's practice.
Moreover, Chu Ning confidently noted, the duration of his cultivation was surely less than last night's.