The Number One Productivity in the Cultivation World

Hearing that he could earn Spirit Stones, Li Xiuchang's interest was immediately piqued. "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Zhang Wanzhi and Mo Tu exchanged a look. "Let's go, we'll take you to Old Mo's courtyard to see."

Mo Tu didn't say anything, but he led the way, and Li Xiuchang quickly followed.

The three walked directly to number twenty-five in the Eastern Geng District.

Mo Tu waved his hand, activating the courtyard's defensive Formation Arts, and pushed open the gate to enter.

Li Xiuchang followed closely into the courtyard. As soon as he entered, goosebumps rose all over his body. He felt an icy chill in the courtyard, as if it were a frozen cellar.

He rubbed his arms before taking in Senior Brother Mo Tu's small courtyard.

A small path ran through the center of the courtyard, leading to the entrance. On either side of the path, plants of a dark blue hue were planted in abundance.

Each of these dark blue plants stood about half a person's height, with leaves that were crystal clear, as if carved from ice, looking quite unreal.

A few flower buds, on the verge of blooming, dotted the branches. The buds were completely transparent, allowing one to see the faint dark blue glow at their core.

The chill Li Xiuchang felt emanated from these dark blue plants. It wasn't true cold, but rather a kind of Yin energy.

"This is a second-tier Spirit Plant, Netherfrost Grass. Although its tier isn't high, it's extremely rare. The Netherfrost Flowers it produces are second-tier Spirit Medicine, suitable for refining most second-tier Yin-element elixirs. Their medicinal value is extremely high," Zhang Wanzhi explained.

Second-tier medicinal ingredient, Netherfrost Flower... Li Xiuchang recalled the descriptions of various medicinal ingredients he had read in the "Introduction to Alchemy." The name Netherfrost Flower sounded somewhat familiar.

Zhang Wanzhi chuckled, "Old Mo makes quite a lot of Spirit Stones every year just by selling Netherfrost Flowers."

Mo Tu stated concisely, "Three thousand."

Li Xiuchang understood and couldn't help but gasp. This small courtyard alone could help Senior Brother Mo Tu earn three thousand Spirit Stones annually?

Most Outer Sect disciples couldn't earn that much even after working tirelessly for a whole year, and this was just one of Senior Brother Mo Tu's income streams.

Li Xiuchang couldn't help but feel a stir of desire.

No matter how much money he had recently made from smoking Spirit Meat, once the market for smoked Spirit Meat became saturated, his income would inevitably decline sharply.

It was time to consider other ways to make a living.

"Do you two Senior Brothers mean I should plant Spirit Grass and Spirit Medicine in my courtyard?"

Zhang Wanzhi nodded. "That's right. The soil in each of our courtyards is good quality Spirit Soil, perfect for planting some Spirit Plants."

Li Xiuchang understood that Zhang Wanzhi and Mo Tu had brought him here specifically for a reason, not just for a casual visit. He shamelessly asked, "What kind of Spirit Plants should I plant? Do you Senior Brothers have any good suggestions?"

"Ordinary first and second-tier Spirit Plants don't fetch much money. This Netherfrost Grass is a good choice; Junior Brother might consider it."

Li Xiuchang seized the opportunity. "Is Senior Brother Mo Tu willing to sell me the Netherfrost Grass seeds and the cultivation method?"

The seeds of rare Spirit Medicine like Netherfrost Grass were almost impossible to buy outside. Since Senior Brother Zhang Wanzhi had said this, the implication was clear.

Mo Tu glanced at Li Xiuchang. "Do not spread it, do not give seeds to others."

Li Xiuchang felt a bit confused. This Senior Brother Mo was truly stingy with his words.

Zhang Wanzhi acted as a translator. "Old Mo means that you can have the Netherfrost Grass cultivation method and seeds, but you are not allowed to spread them. In the future, after cultivating Netherfrost Grass, you cannot give the seeds to others.

"The most valuable part of Netherfrost Grass is its flower. If you pick the flower, it won't bear fruit. Even if you don't pick the flower and let it wither and bear fruit, most of the collected seeds will be of poor quality and difficult to germinate.

"The reason Netherfrost Flowers sell for a good price is the scarcity of seeds, and the tacit understanding among those who cultivate Netherfrost Grass is to only sell the flowers, not the seeds. This way, income can be sustained long-term."

Li Xiuchang readily agreed, as it aligned with his own interests.

Mo Tu then took out a handful of sapphire-like seeds and placed them in Li Xiuchang's palm.

Li Xiuchang counted them – ten seeds in total.

"Senior Brother Mo, what is the price for these ten seeds?" Li Xiuchang didn't put the seeds away but asked about the price.

"No Spirit Stones."

"Then I cannot accept," Li Xiuchang immediately prepared to return the seeds.

Receiving such a favor for free would be hard to repay.

Zhang Wanzhi showed an expression of "I knew it" and interjected, "You caused us quite a bit of trouble tonight. We two Senior Brothers feel very apologetic. Consider these seeds a gift of apology from Old Mo and me."

Li Xiuchang's gaze swept over Zhang Wanzhi and Mo Tu. It seemed their relationship was extremely close, to the point of sharing everything.

However, he still shook his head. "I didn't suffer any losses tonight. Besides, Senior Brother has already given me ten Spirit Stones as compensation. Why would such a heavy gift be necessary?"

Zhang Wanzhi smiled. "Don't rush to refuse. In fact, there is something we need your help with."

"Please tell me, Senior Brother." Li Xiuchang was determined not to agree to anything dangerous.

"I've observed that the Mana you've cultivated is very special; it can ignite and produce smoke, with many wondrous uses. Therefore, both Old Mo and I would like to ask you for some Mana to study it."

"Just this?" Li Xiuchang laughed. "This is a trivial matter. You two Senior Brothers only needed to say the word; there's no need for such politeness."

Zhang Wanzhi said earnestly, "This is not a trivial matter. If our research makes progress, we may need to borrow Mana from you from time to time in the future. Please don't find it bothersome, Junior Brother.

"These Netherfrost Grass seeds are merely a small token. Please don't refuse them any longer; accept them."

Finally, Li Xiuchang said no more and accepted the ten Netherfrost Grass seeds.

Next, Mo Tu imparted the cultivation method for Netherfrost Grass to Li Xiuchang.

Li Xiuchang scratched his head after listening, feeling a bit complicated!

Planting spirit plants wasn't something just anyone could do; it involved many specific requirements.

One had to consider the soil's needs, the surrounding environment, watering methods, and types of fertilizer…

Netherfrost Grass was a second-tier spirit plant, and Li Xiuchang definitely couldn't succeed in growing it on his own.

"It looks like I'll need to hire a second-tier Spirit Planter," Li Xiuchang mused, his gaze suddenly falling on Mo Tu.

He tentatively asked, "Senior Brother Mo, are you a Spirit Planter?"

Mo Tu nodded, his expressionless face replying, "I'll help you plant it."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Li Xiuchang exclaimed happily, saving himself a considerable expense.

With the planting issue resolved, the subsequent cultivation and maintenance remained a significant burden.

Netherfrost Grass needed to be watered with ice water every few days, fertilized every few days, and protected from direct sunlight for more than two hours daily.

The ice water and fertilizer used varied depending on the growth stage.

Li Xiuchang could manage these tasks himself if he learned the methods, but if he had to do everything personally, he'd likely spend most of his time on it, leaving little time for anything else.

He might even neglect his cultivation.

It seemed he would have to hire one or two registered disciples specifically for these tasks.

But… how did Senior Brother Mo handle this?

He hadn't seen Senior Brother Mo hire anyone to tend to the courtyard full of Netherfrost Grass.

Li Xiuchang didn't believe Mo Tu spent his days cooped up in the courtyard farming.

"Tending to Netherfrost Grass is quite troublesome, Senior Brother Mo. Have you hired anyone to look after it?" Li Xiuchang asked directly.

Mo Tu didn't answer, merely taking out a bell and shaking it.

Instantly, a chilling wind swept through, and the female ghosts Mo Tu had previously captured emerged from the bell.

As soon as they landed, they got busy: watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, each performing their duties in an orderly fashion.

Li Xiuchang's eyes widened, as if struck by enlightenment, and he suddenly understood.

"So, ghosts are the primary productive force in the cultivation world!"