Reunion

Break through to Late Qi Condensation? I wish!

Ji An lowered his head, concealing the helplessness in his eyes.

Even while cultivating at any cost, he had encountered the bottleneck of Qi Condensation Layer 6 a year ago.

He rose early and retired late, never slacking off, and only in recent days had he felt the bottleneck begin to loosen.

To break through to Late Qi Condensation, he would need at least several more months of cultivation.

Thinking of how Liu Yu had completed his breakthrough within a few months, he once again sighed inwardly at the impact aptitude had on improving one's cultivation.

Poor aptitude meant a slow rate of refining spiritual power. Before the medicinal power of pills and the spiritual qi within the Spirit Absorption Array could be fully refined, some of it would already dissipate.

Small realm advancements were manageable—at worst, he would waste some pills and Spirit Stones. But when it came to bottlenecks, it was truly agonizing.

Fortunately, his difficulty stemmed from not using pills meant to break through bottlenecks.

Still, it was not as though he had gained nothing. Over the past year, his immortal veins had received even greater nourishment and broadened considerably. Several more branch veins had been opened, while the original branches had lengthened somewhat as well.

At this moment, Zhang Fan was in an exceptionally good mood. With two disciples rated Grade A, he would receive rewards as well.

He became much more cordial toward Ji An, chatted with him for a few moments, and encouraged him to cultivate diligently.

A Qi Condensation Layer 6 disciple capable of planting ten mu of Spirit Fields could harvest enough to meet his own cultivation needs.

It would not be difficult for him to vie for a Foundation Establishment Pill in the future. He would most likely be able to achieve Foundation Establishment, making him worth befriending with humility. Perhaps he could even leave another connection behind for his descendants.

As for Liu Yu, someone like him would attain even greater achievements in the future. He might look down on a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator like Zhang Fan, making him harder to befriend.

Zhang Fan decided that he would occasionally visit this Spirit Field in the future and offer Ji An some guidance in cultivation. It would be a casual favor and would not waste much of his time.

Seeing that Zhang Fan seemed ready to leave, Old Huang stepped forward and said:

"Martial Uncle, this disciple will turn sixty next year and will no longer meet the requirements to remain in the sect.

"The position of caretaker disciple for the Guiwei Spirit Field must be given to someone else."

Caretaker disciples were responsible for mentoring new Spirit Farmers. If the new disciples performed well, the caretaker disciple would also receive some Contribution Points as a reward.

His luck had been excellent. Both new disciples had received Grade A evaluations, so rewards of over a hundred Contribution Points were assured.

By yielding his position early, he could also let his successor enjoy a round of benefits.

According to sect rules, after he left, the caretaker disciple would be chosen first from the original area. Liu Yu was bound to leave the Spirit Field, so there was only one candidate for caretaker disciple.

"Time truly flies."

Zhang Fan sighed softly, then turned and said:

"Since Little Huang is willing to step down early and yield his position to the worthy, Ji An shall serve as the caretaker disciple of the Guiwei Spirit Field.

"Ji An, you have considerable knowledge of Farming Spells. When new disciples enter the sect, remember to support the younger generation. The sect will reward you."

"Thank you, Martial Uncle."

"Mm. I am going to assess disciples at the next location."

Zhang Fan cupped his hands toward Liu Yu and said with a smile:

"Martial Nephew Liu, remain here for a few more days and await good news."

"Farewell, Martial Uncle."

The three Qi Condensation Stage disciples spoke in unison. Zhang Fan swept his wide sleeve, then soared into the air without relying on any Dharma artifact.

After Zhang Fan had gone far away, Old Huang said with a beaming smile:

"I will be leaving the sect for a few days to head to Yellow Sprout Dao Academy. Senior Brother, Junior Brother, farewell for now."

Azure Water Market, Hundred Flavors Tower, private room Number Four of the Heavenly tier.

Zhao Mengyao lifted her wine cup in both hands and smiled sweetly.

"Congratulations to Senior Brother Zhang on breaking through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation. Perhaps in just a few years, we will have to call you Martial Uncle Zhang."

"Haha, it is still too early to speak of Foundation Establishment. I only broke through a few months ago, and who knows how long it will take to cultivate to Qi Condensation Perfection.

"Junior Sister-in-law, your aura is smooth and rounded. I fear it will not be long before you break through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation as well."

Zhang Yuanshan drained his spirit wine and shook his head slightly.

"I never expected that after I went to Cliff Mountain, the Dao Academy disciples would no longer be able to gather."

Having displayed considerable talent in artifact refinement, coupled with cultivating on a Grade 1 High-tier Spirit Vein, his cultivation had advanced at a breathtaking pace, far exceeding his original expectations.

He paused and looked toward Chu He.

"Junior Brother, have you truly made up your mind?

"Do not take the path of a disciple who cultivates mainly by accepting sect missions to hunt demon beasts. There have been no shortage of Foundation Establishment Realm Martial Uncles who died in the depths of the mountains, and the Qi Condensation Stage disciples who perish each year are too numerous to count."

Ever since they had met, this Junior Brother had followed by his side, and the two shared a close relationship.

Chu He smiled.

"I have no talent for artifact refinement. If I want to remain in the sect and cultivate peacefully, I can only take the path of beast taming or alchemy, or honestly become a Spirit Farmer.

"None of those choices is what I want.

"I have been preparing for this day since two years ago—practicing spells diligently, saving Spirit Stones to buy Dharma artifacts. All I need is a reliable squad to join."

He had ruled out beast taming and alchemy outright, because his family would no longer provide him with such extensive support.

As for becoming a Spirit Farmer, painstakingly accumulating Spirit Stones through planting Spirit Fields to cultivate, that was even less his wish.

Zhang Yuanshan nodded slightly.

"Cliff Mountain has now become the sect's bridgehead. Quite a few Monster Hunting Squads are active there, and the sect has specifically designated an area to build a small market for everyone to trade.

"I can now take on work repairing damaged Dharma artifacts and have gotten to know some people from Monster Hunting Squads.

"I can help ask whether any of them need more hands. Junior Brother is already at the Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation, so you should be readily accepted.

"Before then, though, Junior Brother must not venture deep into the mountains alone."

Hunting demon beasts often required venturing deep into the mountains. A newcomer going alone was no different from courting death, which was why one had to join a squad and watch one another's backs.

"Then many thanks, Senior Brother."

Chu He's face broke into a broad grin. With someone reliable helping him, things would become much simpler.

His original plan had been to find several familiar people and form a squad. Without anyone to vouch for them, newcomers could never join an established squad.

Seeing Zhang Yuanshan look at him, Ji An took five Spirit Stones from his robes and placed them before him.

"These are the Spirit Stones I am returning to Senior Brother. To thank my Senior Brothers for their help, I will pay for this meal and wine."

"Junior Brother is so well-off now? This Spirit Food meal is not cheap. How about we split the cost?"

Zhang Yuanshan was surprised. They had ordered several types of high-grade Spirit Food, and this meal would cost at least four Spirit Stones.

Together with the Spirit Stones he was repaying, Ji An had spent nine Spirit Stones at once. Even Zhang Yuanshan would find that painful.

Zhao Mengyao covered her mouth and laughed.

"Senior Brother does not know this, but although Junior Brother Ji is only at Qi Condensation Layer 6, his Minor Cloud and Rain Art has already reached perfection, and he has planted ten mu of Spirit Fields.

"In terms of wealth, he may not be inferior to Senior Brother by much."

She had carefully estimated his income. He could save roughly thirty Spirit Stones each season, an income already sufficient to support the cultivation of a Late Qi Condensation disciple.

The rewards she received from the sect plus her family's support amounted to no more than that. The key was that she was already at the Eighth Layer of Qi Condensation.

"Junior Brother has indeed cultivated the Minor Cloud and Rain Art to perfection. Excellent!"

Zhang Yuanshan raised his wine cup and said with a smile:

"With such ability, Junior Brother has hope of Foundation Establishment in the future. The few of us should interact more often from now on."

Ji An raised his cup, thinking that he had finally truly squeezed into the circle of these family disciples.

After draining the spirit wine, Ji An said:

"After planting the Spirit Grain, there will be roughly a month of free time.

"Once I break through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation, I plan to join a Monster Hunting Squad during that spare time as well.

"If Senior Brother Chu He's squad is ever temporarily short-handed, you may seek me out."