Two Pieces Aren't Enough

Ji An inspected the spot Liu Yu had pointed out and, sure enough, found black specks on the leaves and stems of many plants.

He cupped his hands in thanks.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother."

It was a common species of aphid. As long as it was dealt with promptly, it would not affect the harvest.

But if it was discovered too late and the aphids were allowed to multiply in large numbers, reduced yields would be inevitable.

"You're too polite, Junior Brother. Once you've made an entry into the Sharp Metal Art, this problem can be solved."

Liu Yu waved a hand, said his farewell, and left.

After the other man had gone far away, Ji An took out a neatly folded piece of gray cloth from his robes, spread it open in his palm, and picked up the straw-yellow paper goose.

He poured in spiritual power, and the paper goose slowly expanded.

He straddled it, and the Talisman Bird wobbled into the air. He had to correct its direction from time to time to keep it flying steadily.

The Talisman Bird had talisman paper for skin and spirit bamboo for bones. Perhaps because it was nearing the end of its service life, every movement he made caused it to emit overloaded creaks and groans. The riding experience was far from pleasant.

Even so, Ji An smiled broadly. This was the first flying Talisman Artifact he had ever owned.

On his second ride aboard the Talisman Bird, he was far calmer than he had been the first time. Looking down at the mountains and forests sprawled beneath his feet, he felt the exhilaration of raising a cup before the wind.

After roughly three hours, he reached his destination—Green Bamboo Peak.

This was one of the many peaks under the jurisdiction of the Beast Taming Hall. Zhao Mengyao cultivated here.

The Talisman Bird was not fast to begin with, and Ji An did not dare drive this old bird, whose life was nearing its end, too hard. If it fell apart in midair, he would become a box upon landing.

There were quite a few disciples coming and going above Green Bamboo Peak. He even saw several people riding spirit beasts, which made him envious for quite a while.

He lowered his head and looked at his own swaying Talisman Bird. His happiness vanished with a snap.

Filthy rich bastards!

Ji An cursed under his breath and landed halfway up the mountain.

He dispersed the remaining spiritual power within the Talisman Bird, and it shrank back to the size of a palm.

He wrapped the Talisman Artifact in the gray cloth and carefully tucked it into his robes. Feeling the heaven and earth spiritual energy here, so much denser than that in the Spirit Fields by Azure Water Lake, he was overcome by envy again.

Most of the Spirit Fields near Azure Water Lake relied on the spiritual energy leaking from the Spirit Vein, while Green Bamboo Peak had been established atop a branch of the Spirit Vein.

Remembering that he was here on business, Ji An began asking around for Zhao Mengyao's whereabouts.

Half an hour later, Ji An met the person he was looking for.

"Senior Sister Zhao, your cultivation has advanced. Congratulations."

"Junior Brother, you've improved as well. Congratulations to you too."

Zhao Mengyao was suspicious, unable to guess why this Junior Brother had come looking for her.

Ji An did not beat around the bush and said directly, "I came this time to borrow some Spirit Stones from Senior Sister for an urgent need."

Does he take this place for a charity hall? He opens his mouth and asks to borrow Spirit Stones!

Having once been sweet-talked out of three Spirit Stones, Zhao Mengyao could no longer maintain her composure. Her brows furrowed, and she fixed Ji An with a sharp gaze.

Before she could speak, Ji An immediately laid out his bargaining chip.

"This Junior Brother was assigned to Azure Water Lake to farm Spiritual Grain and discovered that I have considerable aptitude for Farming Spells.

"After a month of diligent study and hard practice, I was fortunate enough to bring both the Minor Cloud and Rain Art and the Wither and Flourish Art to the minor accomplishment level.

"I wonder if Senior Sister knows that Spiritual Farmer Disciples do not need to pay field rent to the sect in their first year, nor do they need to hand over Contribution Points.

"If I can seize this opportunity, I will be able to save up a sum of money. After a year, I'll be able to repay Senior Sister part of the Spirit Stones."

His words carried two meanings. First, he was showing off his image as a spellcasting genius. Second, he was promising that he could repay some Spirit Stones later.

Borrowing Spirit Stones now was a solid favor. If he wanted to build a relationship with her later, a few Spirit Stones would no longer be enough.

Sure enough, Zhao Mengyao's expression instantly changed from cloudy to sunny.

"Junior Brother's aptitude for spells is so impressive that it makes others envious.

"I've also learned the Minor Cloud and Rain Art, but after a month I'm still at the proficient level. My Senior Sisters told me that it takes ordinary people at least half a year to reach the minor accomplishment level."

"Senior Sister has learned the Minor Cloud and Rain Art too?"

Wasn't the Beast Taming Hall in the business of training spirit beasts? Ji An was puzzled.

Seemingly noticing his confusion, Zhao Mengyao explained, "Some spirit beasts need fresh spirit grass for food, so pastures and medicinal fields have been opened on Green Bamboo Peak.

"The Minor Cloud and Rain Art is also a required spell, though it isn't our main discipline."

She paused, her smile blooming like a flower.

"Junior Brother, I need to tend to an acre of Purple Leaf Grass, and today is time to water it again.

"Why not have Junior Brother cast the rain for me first?"

"No problem. Senior Sister, please lead the way."

It's settled!

Ji An knew that once he passed this small test, he would be able to borrow Spirit Stones.

As for exactly how many he could borrow, that would depend on how well-off this Junior Sister-in-law, who was younger than him, was.

Zhao Mengyao led the way, and the two arrived at a Spirit Field.

Purple Leaf Grass resembled clover, except its leaves were purple.

Ji An did not hesitate. He cast the Minor Cloud and Rain Art twice, enveloping the entire Spirit Field.

This kid really had an epiphany! His comprehension of the Flowing Water Meridian Opening Art wasn't just a flash in the pan. If his character is good, he'll be worth associating with in the future.

As she watched the Spirit Rain pour down in sheets, the scrutiny in Zhao Mengyao's eyes turned into approval.

"With Junior Brother's aptitude, you will surely earn a place in the sect one day.

"How many Spirit Stones do you wish to borrow?"

The ball had been kicked back to him, and Ji An began to consider.

If he asked for too much, leaving aside whether he could borrow it at all, he would certainly leave her with the impression that he was greedy and insatiable.

He held up two fingers.

"Senior Sister, two Spirit Stones will be enough.

"I want to exchange for the third-level jade slips of the Minor Cloud and Rain Art and the Wither and Flourish Art from the sect. That requires twenty Contribution Points, which will cost one Spirit Stone.

"Also, I want to buy some pills so that I can improve my cultivation quickly.

"With higher cultivation, I can farm more Spirit Fields and gain greater harvests."

"How could two pieces be enough? I'll lend Junior Brother three Spirit Stones."

Zhao Mengyao took out three Spirit Stones and handed them to Ji An, then added, "In the future, Junior Brother Ji can also consider breeding Spirit Seeking Rats to sell. An elder of my family once said that the Spirit Seeking Rats Uncle Ji bred were the most intelligent he had ever seen, even more intelligent than those bred by some great Foundation Establishment cultivators."

If I had a beast-taming method, I'd have copied it a hundred times and sold it already. Why would I still need to borrow money everywhere?

Father insists on waiting until I reach the Qi Condensation Stage before teaching it to me. What a major strategic blunder.

Ji An smiled bitterly and said, "To breed high-quality Spirit Seeking Rats, the materials required are quite costly. I'll have to wait until I have enough crystal stones to bear the risk before trying it."

Zhao Mengyao nodded slightly. Raising sufficiently outstanding spirit beasts truly was expensive. This man had a clear head.

In her heart, she regarded Ji An even more highly.

After thanking her, Ji An accepted the Spirit Stones. The two spoke of their experiences since entering the sect.

Since Zhao Mengyao still had matters to attend to that afternoon, the two went their separate ways.

After leaving Green Bamboo Peak, Ji An flew to Red Copper Mountain and found Zhang Yuanshan and Chu He.

With his glib tongue, he borrowed two Spirit Stones from each of them.

After leaving Red Copper Mountain, he flew without stopping to the General Affairs Hall, where he exchanged for the third-level spell formulas of the Minor Cloud and Rain Art and other spells, as well as the spell formulas for the Sharp Metal Art and the Blazing Fire Spell.

At this point, he had learned all five Farming Spells!