Spirit Rice Ripens

Spirit Rice Ripens

Xu Fan's face blossomed with joy as he harvested the spirit rice. Using spiritual power to control the sickle, he finished harvesting the more than ten mu of spirit rice in no time.

He spread the spirit rice across an open patch of ground, then cast four or five Sunlight Arts into the air to ensure it received enough sunlight.

Next came husking and sorting the grain. At last, Xu Fan looked at the more than 1,200 kilograms of spirit rice and smiled in satisfaction.

"It wasn't easy. It only ripens once a year, and the yield is less than a hundred kilograms per mu, but it's enough."

Xu Fan casually took a ten-kilogram bag of spirit rice into the kitchen.

"No matter how expensive it is, I have to taste it. Braised pork with rice tonight—the flavor..." Xu Fan said dreamily. He had eaten it when the last crop of spirit rice ripened, and after that meal, he had nearly been unable to bear selling any of it.

Just then, a pleasant chime rang out within the Forbidden Barrier.

"What a dog's nose." Xu Fan frowned slightly. That youngster had definitely timed his arrival.

"Brother Xu, look what I brought."

Wang Yulun walked over carrying a Qi Refining Level Two Pear Blossom Pig.

"Didn't you say last time, Brother Xu, that spirit rice tastes best steamed with spirit pork?"

"I bought this especially from the Beast Taming Hall."

Only when Xu Fan saw the Pear Blossom Pig in Wang Yulun's hands did he smile and utter those well-known words.

"You're already here—why bring anything?"

Xu Fan smiled as he took the Pear Blossom Pig from Wang Yulun. Controlling it with spiritual power, he slaughtered the pig, drained its blood, and cut up the meat.

The smooth, flowing sequence of movements left Wang Yulun staring in a daze.

Two hours later, the two finished their bowls of spirit rice topped with braised pork, both wearing satisfied expressions.

"Brother Xu, you were right. Braised pork with spirit rice really is a match made in heaven." Wang Yulun said with a blissful look.

"I knew it. You've been coveting my spirit rice all along."

"Hehe, I just wanted to enjoy a good meal with Brother Xu," Wang Yulun said with a chuckle.

"How's that Class A Hall mission of yours coming along?" Xu Fan asked casually. After undergoing special training here last time, this youngster had felt his combat strength soar and immediately accepted a Class A Hall mission from the War Hall, causing a stir throughout the Heavenly Gate Sect's Outer Sect.

"So far, I've killed three Qi Refining Level Seven Demon Beasts. Seven more, and I'll complete the mission," Wang Yulun said with a smile.

"Don't let your guard down. I've looked into it—the Class A Hall missions only get harder and harder."

"They say the final Qi Refining Level Seven Demon Beast can rival a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator." Xu Fan's expression turned slightly serious. This mission carried the danger of death.

"Why not wait until you reach the Qi Refining High Stage before challenging it? At least then you'll have a Magic Artifact to support you, and it'll be a little easier."

"I know Brother Xu means well, but the earlier I enter Class A Hall, the greater the benefits."

"Entering Class A Hall gives me one chance to enter the Thunder Origin Secret Realm—a perfect opportunity to cleanse the marrow, temper the spirit, and reshape one's aptitude. If I'm lucky, I might even obtain some kind of Spirit Body."

"The lower the realm, the greater the effect."

"Entering at Qi Refining Level Four would be the perfect opportunity."

Xu Fan looked into Wang Yulun's resolute eyes and sighed.

"Whoever's good to you, you insist on making them spell it out. With your current strength, you definitely won't clear the final few stages," Xu Fan said with a smiling scold.

"Hehe, isn't that why I came to Brother Xu for special training?" Wang Yulun said ingratiatingly.

"With your combat talent, if you want to enter at Qi Refining Level Four, it'll be hard to break through without going through a life-and-death struggle," Xu Fan said, shaking his head.

He could tell that Wang Yulun's combat talent had already been developed to its limit. If he wanted to break through further, he could only do so by experiencing a desperate situation.

"I know. That's why I wanted to see whether Brother Xu has any ideas. And I also want to spar with Brother Xu, to see just how far my strength falls short of yours."

Xu Fan looked at Wang Yulun as though he were an idiot. You want to spar with me? I have ten thousand ways to make sure you never get a chance to attack.

"You want to spar with me? Are you sure you'll even have a chance to make a move?" Xu Fan said calmly. Though he had never left the Sect to subdue demons, he still had a clear understanding of his own strength.

Against people like Wang Yulun, he could handle ten of them with ease.

"Uh, I mean we should spar using proper Offensive and Killing Arts."

"Fine, then. Let me show you what the ceiling of Qi Refining Level Four combat strength looks like."

As Xu Fan spoke, he formed a sword with two fingers and tapped Wang Yulun's temple.

The world shifted, and the two appeared in an Arena a thousand meters in diameter.

They stood a hundred meters apart, yet Xu Fan's voice still reached Wang Yulun's ears clearly.

"I'll only use the Sect's standard spells. Use whatever methods you have."

"Alright, then I won't hold back, Brother Xu. Let me see your strength."

As Wang Yulun spoke, he activated the Light Feather Wind Transformation Art, turning into an afterimage as he charged toward Xu Fan.

A wooden spear wreathed in raging flames shot toward Xu Fan from an exceedingly tricky angle, sealing off all the space around him.

"This angle shows that your spell prediction is fairly good."

Xu Fan smiled and took a small step back to the left, neatly evading the Fire Spear Art.

"It's not over yet!"

Wang Yulun appeared behind Xu Fan, his fist flashing with golden light as it hammered toward Xu Fan's head.

"Brother Xu, you underestimated me too much."

Just as Wang Yulun thought victory was within his grasp, Xu Fan's figure slowly faded away. A frost-covered trap appeared, directly trapping Wang Yulun inside.

A burst of extreme cold instantly froze Wang Yulun, and an ordinary Fireball Art struck him directly. The battle was over.

Back in the real world, Wang Yulun stared at Xu Fan in shock, as though a new door had opened before him.

"Brother Xu, what kind of trick was that?" Ignoring the stabbing pain in his mind, Wang Yulun hurriedly asked.

"The simplest Light Shadow Art, an Ice Trap, plus a Fireball Art."

"It's that simple."

"This kind of method is perfect for fooling people like you whose brains can't turn corners. One trap, one catch," Xu Fan said with a shrug and a smile.

"Brother Xu, can you teach me?" Wang Yulun stared fixedly at Xu Fan.

"Easy, easy. The Beginner Course costs 1,000 Spirit Stones, the Intermediate Course costs 10,000 Spirit Stones, and the Lifetime Course costs 100,000 Spirit Stones."

"As long as you have Spirit Stones, I can teach you every day without a problem." Xu Fan narrowed his eyes. Trying to freeload again would be going too far; friendship could not fill one's stomach.

"1,000 Spirit Stones!"

"Brother Xu, can't you lower it a little? I only have 600 Spirit Stones on me. My Father gave them to me to buy an Initiation Gift," Wang Yulun said with a tearful face.

Damn, this youngster actually has 600 Spirit Stones. As expected of a child from a Clan.

"You can pay in installments. Hand over 500 Spirit Stones first."

Xu Fan held out his hand. It seemed that with these 500 Spirit Stones, his early plans could be greatly accelerated.

"Brother Xu, can't you leave me some? How about I give you 300 Spirit Stones first?" Wang Yulun bargained.

A ray of Spiritual Light shot from Xu Fan's hand, and a door leading outward appeared in the Forbidden Barrier.

"See yourself out. I won't be seeing you off." Xu Fan snorted coldly. His exclusive business did not accept bargaining.