One Mu of Grade B Spirit Field (Please Bookmark, Please Follow)

After watching Ling Rufan leave, Ling Pengyun walked to the six mu of Spirit Fields. His divine sense swept through the Spirit Soil within them, minutely probing the spiritual qi contained inside. He discovered that the Spirit Soil in the mu planted with Yellow Jade Spirit Rice contained slightly denser spiritual qi than the other five mu, having reached Grade B Spirit Soil quality.

This improvement in the quality of the Spirit Soil had been noticed earlier by both Ling Rufan and Ling Pengyun when they harvested the Yellow Jade Spirit Rice.

Ling Pengyun's current inspection with divine sense was merely to verify it.

Ling Pengyun's expression shifted slightly as he muttered to himself.

"At the beginning of July this year, those three Earth-Turning Earthworms had only just raised the quality of these six mu of Spirit Fields to Grade C. Given their cultivation, it should have taken them at least until January next year to raise this mu of Grade C Spirit Soil to Grade B again."

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"I never expected them to accomplish this in barely over a month and a half."

This abnormality stirred Ling Pengyun's thoughts.

"One of those Innate Realm Earth-Turning Earthworms must be on the verge of breaking through into the Qi Refinement Realm, or perhaps it already has one foot across the threshold. Otherwise, with the speed at which those three Earth-Turning Earthworms improve Spirit Soil quality, they could never have done it so quickly."

Using the connection formed by the Recognition of Ownership Restriction between himself and the three Earth-Turning Earthworms, Ling Pengyun summoned them from the soil of the Spirit Field planted with Yellow Jade Spirit Rice.

The moment the three Earth-Turning Earthworms appeared within Ling Pengyun's sight, he immediately noticed that one of them was a full size larger than the other two, and its aura was also somewhat stronger.

When his divine sense carefully swept over its body, he discovered that the intensity of its aura far surpassed that of the other two Earth-Turning Earthworms beside it.

"Judging from the aura of this slightly larger Earth-Turning Earthworm, it will likely enter the Qi Refinement Realm within three months."

"No wonder the three of them have been improving the Spirit Soil's quality so much faster."

Ling Pengyun said joyfully.

It was difficult for a master to immediately notice minor increases in a spirit beast's strength. Only when it advanced through a major realm, bringing a considerable increase in power, would there be any sensation.

"Once this Earth-Turning Earthworm with one foot in the Qi Refinement Realm formally advances, I will have several more advantages than ordinary Spirit Plant Farmers in the path of spirit plants."

"And their speed in improving the quality of the Spirit Soil in these six mu of Spirit Fields on Azure Stone Mountain will also increase somewhat."

"Over the remaining three years that I am stationed at Azure Stone Mountain, they will certainly be able to raise the quality of the remaining five mu of Spirit Soil to Grade B, and may even raise one or two mu to Grade A."

"If the Spirit Soil in these six mu of Spirit Fields reaches such a level, then the three Earth-Turning Earthworms bestowed upon me by the clan will not have been given in vain."

"And during this time, relying on the quality of the Spirit Soil in these two mu planted with Yellow Jade Spirit Rice, the annual harvest of Yellow Jade Spirit Rice should remain at one thousand jin and gradually increase. Then I can receive several more jin of spirit rice as well."

Ling Pengyun smiled as he calculated.

Spirit Soil quality was divided into four grades: Grade A, B, C, and D. Grade A was the finest, while Grade D was the poorest.

As early as half a year ago, the three Earth-Turning Earthworms had raised all the Grade D Spirit Soil in these six mu of First Rank Low Grade Spirit Fields to Grade C. It had taken them a year and a half in total, with one mu of Spirit Soil improved every three months.

Grade C Spirit Soil could increase the growth rate of spirit plants by ten percent, and it could also increase the harvest of spirit plants such as Spirit Rice, whose yields fluctuated.

After the Spirit Soil in the six mu of First Rank Low Grade Spirit Fields atop Azure Stone Mountain had been raised to Grade C, the time required for the three Earth-Turning Earthworms to continue swallowing Spirit Soil into their bellies and use their special method to raise its quality to Grade D more than doubled.

It took the three Earth-Turning Earthworms half a year to raise one mu of Grade C Spirit Soil to Grade B.

Grade B Spirit Soil could increase the growth rate of spirit plants of the same rank by twenty percent.

Grade A Spirit Soil could increase the growth rate of spirit plants of the same rank by thirty percent.

Returning to his senses, Ling Pengyun summoned the three Earth-Turning Earthworms back into the Spirit Soil, allowing them to continue diligently swallowing the Spirit Soil of the fields into their bellies and using their special ability to improve its quality.

Afterward, as he had done in previous years, Ling Pengyun hurriedly used the Spirit Hoe to till the fields, dig pits to plant spirit plant seeds, and cast Spirit Rain to moisten the seeds and spur them to germinate sooner.

This would allow the spirit plants planted in the six mu of Spirit Fields to mature quickly, increasing their medicinal efficacy or yield.

By the time he finished these farm chores, night had already fallen. Ling Pengyun sat atop the mountain and absorbed Moonlight Power for a while before returning to the cave halfway up the mountain.

Sitting cross-legged on the Meditation Mat, Ling Pengyun took out the Storage Bag Ling Rufan had given him earlier. His divine sense entered it and scoured away the divine sense restriction inside.

The restriction was not strong. With a light rush of divine sense, Ling Pengyun destroyed it.

With the restriction gone, Ling Pengyun injected spiritual power into it and summoned all the spiritual objects within.

A small pile of Spirit Stones, one hundred four-foot lengths of Azure Spirit Bamboo, one hundred one-jin blocks of Azure Profound Iron, and a sheet of white paper appeared on the ground.

"These hundred sets of materials for refining Azure Bamboo Swords are normal. Third Grandfather told me about them in advance. But what is this pile of four hundred Spirit Stones for?"

Seeing the large number of Spirit Stones summoned from the Storage Bag in his hand, Ling Pengyun was startled. He promptly swept his divine sense over the pile and determined their exact number.

Glancing over, he noticed that a sheet of white paper had also been summoned from the Storage Bag along with the Spirit Stones. It was densely covered in writing. Puzzled, he waved his hand and used the Object Manipulation Technique to bring the paper into his hand, then carefully read it.

The moment he did, the confusion in Ling Pengyun's heart vanished.

The letter had been written by Grand Elder Ling Ruda. It clearly stated that the four hundred Spirit Stones were his yearly share of the dividends from the Mystic Water Iron Mine beneath Azure Stone Lake.

As for why the dividends were so plentiful, it was because the mine was being excavated with the aid of the mining puppets borrowed from the Hundred Spirits Sect.

The letter explained all of this clearly and plainly, without concealing the slightest thing from Ling Pengyun.

"If what Eleventh Great Grandfather wrote in this letter is true, then the ten Mining Puppets that the Hundred Spirits Sect lent to the clan are enough to match the mining speed of thirty cultivators of the same rank. Isn't that effect far too powerful?"

"If Mining Puppets are already so effective, then just how strong must the legendary Battle Puppets be?"

"I must find time to visit the mine and see what these Mining Puppets look like. It will broaden my horizons."

Ling Pengyun muttered curiously.

Ever since he had brought Ling Rufan to the mine to stand guard, Ling Pengyun had remained occupied with weapon refinement, cultivation, and other trivial matters. Thus, he had never gone to inspect the mine.

Of course, the main reason was that Ling Pengyun had not wanted to go. What was there to see about mining, after all?

His curiosity toward puppets stemmed from his own entry into the path of weapon refinement.

Puppets were also a branch of magical artifacts, and were all crafted by Weapon Refiners.

They were also among the rare objects in the Cultivation World that could be completely controlled by their Master. They would never betray their Master. So long as their Master's divine sense withdrew from their bodies, the puppets would lose their souls and become scrap iron.

This caused many cultivators to eagerly seek such loyal assistants that could also bolster their strength.

Ling Pengyun was naturally no exception.

"Unfortunately, the methods for refining puppets are all controlled by great powers. Otherwise, if I had mastered the art of puppet refinement, my strength could rise considerably as well."

Ling Pengyun let out a helpless sigh.

Then, with another thought, he cast aside those distractions. His face filled with smiles as he looked at the four hundred Spirit Stones.

"The letter says that within ten years, the clan will give me the roughly four thousand Spirit Stones from my share of the Mystic Water Iron Mine dividends. This is indeed a good thing for me."

"With this, I no longer need to worry about the Spirit Stones needed to purchase an inferior Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object together with the clan. These mine dividends are enough to ensure I can buy one without concern."

"And now, the only problem before me is my cultivation."

"I currently have two cultivation arts to support myself. Although spirit fruits have helped me and kept my cultivation progress from slowing compared to before, whether I can break through to Qi Training Completion before the age of sixty is still somewhat risky."

Abandoning the path of spirit plants was naturally impossible. Ling Pengyun was still counting on the nourishment returned by his Natal Spirit Plant, and he himself rather enjoyed the path of spirit plants. Moreover, he was not only one of the clan's promising Weapon Refiners, but also a key prospect in spirit plant cultivation.

Since neither of the two cultivation arts could be abandoned, Ling Pengyun could only turn his attention toward cultivation resources.

"Now that I no longer need to save Spirit Stones and fret over buying an inferior Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, all the Spirit Stones I earn through spirit plants and weapon refinement can be used to purchase cultivation resources. Since First Rank Low Grade and Mid Grade spirit fruits can already help me greatly, First Rank High Grade spirit fruits, with even purer spiritual power in their flesh, will certainly be even more helpful. I may even save enough Spirit Stones to buy the costly Second Rank Low Grade Marrow Cleansing Pill, which can slightly improve a cultivator's aptitude."

"During the last three years of my stationing at Azure Stone Mountain, it will be difficult for me to leave for long periods and travel to the distant market. As for purchasing First Rank High Grade spirit fruits, perhaps I can find an opportunity to ask Ninth Great-Grandfather, who delivers offerings every half year, to buy them for me at the General Affairs Hall in the clan."

There were many good things in the General Affairs Hall on Lingxiao Mountain. Whenever members of the Ling Clan wished to purchase spiritual objects, they would prioritize going to the General Affairs Hall.

After making plans for the future, Ling Pengyun waved his hand and stored all four hundred Spirit Stones from the ground into the Storage Bag at his waist. His gaze returned to the hundred sets of Weapon Refinement Materials on the ground.

"With the help of these hundred sets of Weapon Refinement Materials, I will certainly be able to raise my success rate in refining Azure Bamboo Swords to thirty percent, or perhaps even higher."

Ling Pengyun declared with a determined, confident expression.

Over the past several months, with the hundred sets of Azure Bamboo Sword Weapon Refinement Materials given to him by Ling Yunhong, Ling Pengyun had raised his success rate in refining Azure Bamboo Swords from one in thirty-two to ten percent.

In other words, for every ten attempts at refining Azure Bamboo Swords, he would certainly produce one sword. The quality of the Azure Bamboo Swords he refined had also improved greatly, reaching medium quality. They were on par with the Azure Bamboo Swords sold on the market and could fetch at least thirty Spirit Stones each.

This rapid increase in his refinement success rate filled Ling Pengyun with anticipation for the path of weapon refinement.

Of course, he had not forgotten the clan's investment in him.

If the clan had not been so generous before and given him one hundred sets of Weapon Refinement Materials worth a thousand Spirit Stones, it would have been difficult for him to raise his Azure Bamboo Sword refinement success rate from nothing to ten percent.

Having long yearned to improve his Azure Bamboo Sword refinement success rate, Ling Pengyun put away ninety-nine sets of Weapon Refinement Materials, leaving only one set before him. After closing his eyes and calming his mind for a moment, he immediately took out the Black Flame Refining Furnace and Blazing Firewood, then began refining an Azure Bamboo Sword.

Perhaps fortune was on his side. Though he had not refined anything for several days, this attempt still succeeded.

"Thirty Spirit Stones in hand." Ling Pengyun smiled as he looked at the Azure Bamboo Sword in his hand, freshly taken from the Refining Furnace. It still carried residual warmth and glimmered with spiritual light.

The magical artifacts refined from the Weapon Refinement Materials currently provided by the clan belonged solely to Ling Pengyun. This was also a small sweetener given by the clan.

Considering that the night was already dark and continuing to refine would cut into his cultivation time, Ling Pengyun had no choice but to stop. He stored the Azure Bamboo Sword he had just refined, the Refining Furnace, and several half-burned pieces of Blazing Firewood into his Storage Bag.

He consumed a Spirit Tangerine, closed his eyes, circulated his cultivation technique, and refined the pure spiritual power contained in its flesh to advance his cultivation.