Spiritual Rice Harvest

Two months later.

Chen Changming's spirit rice had matured, yet his cultivation remained stalled at the first level of Qi Refining; he still hadn't touched the threshold of the second level.

He no longer practiced the Cloud Rain Art deliberately, as it was sufficient for his current needs, but he continued to toil away at the Evergreen Art. He had practiced it over three thousand times now, still a long way from the ten-thousand-time milestone.

Although he hadn't been training in the Spirit Armor Art, Chen Changming was pleasantly surprised to discover during an accidental test that, supported by his robust spiritual energy, that layer of pale golden spirit armor had doubled in thickness!

This meant his defensive capabilities had increased.

Chen Changming continued to practice the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade diligently every day.

Even after joining the Lingxiao Sect, he remained as lonely as a duckweed plant; he had no backing here, merely an inconspicuous chore disciple.

This sense of crisis kept him in a constant state of unease.

Therefore, the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade, his only offensive martial art, became his hope.

He had originally assumed he would need to practice it one hundred thousand times for the blade technique to break through, but to his surprise, it broke through at thirty thousand!

Swish, swish, swish...

A layer of silver blade light covered the blade. Chen Changming's movements were as swift as thunder and impossibly fast; every strike was imbued with immense power, capable of easily shattering even a thick slab of refined steel.

What was even more astonishing was that when he unleashed the technique, the massive, flickering phantoms of five colorful tigers appeared, emitting soul-stirring roars that made the blade technique even more domineering!

"Not bad. This blade technique should now be able to contend with spells to some extent."

The youth sheathed his blade and smiled with satisfaction.

The Spirit Armor Art focused on defense, while the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade focused on offense. In a duel against a cultivator, once he closed the distance, it would be the opponent's nightmare.

"Thirty thousand times, not fifty thousand..."

Chen Changming returned to his room and sat down slowly. As he recalled the catalyst for the breakthrough of the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade, a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

It seemed he still couldn't grasp the rules behind these anomalies.

He had expected the Five Tigers Soul-Severing Blade to require one hundred thousand repetitions to break through, yet it had happened at thirty thousand.

The youth closed his eyes and began to practice the Evergreen Art.

His progress was not considered slow among the newly joined chore disciples; he had visited others during this time, and most were still stuck at the first level of Qi Refining just like him.

Chen Changming attributed his breakthrough to the constant strengthening provided by the Evergreen Art.

Otherwise, with his aptitude as a five-element mixed spiritual root, he would likely still be lingering at the first level of Qi Refining.

Half a month later.

The five acres of spirit rice had completely matured. After harvesting it, Chen Changming went to find Tian Shouyi.

"What? Your spirit rice has matured?"

In a valley where the outer sect disciples resided, Tian Shouyi looked at Chen Changming in disbelief. His mouth twitched, and he laughed, "Good lad, your aptitude may be mediocre, but your luck is truly heaven-sent! To think the spiritual vein beneath the earth actually flowed into your five acres of fields!"

Chen Changming smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Following this, Tian Shouyi came over to collect four thousand catties of spirit rice.

Watching as that massive pile of rice vanished into a tiny cloth bag, Chen Changming's eyes widened: "Senior Brother, what kind of treasure is this bag? How can it hold so much rice?"

"This is a Storage Bag."

Tian Shouyi's gaze shifted to the large pile of rice still remaining in the courtyard, and he said in disbelief, "Good lad, the yield of your five acres is quite high; it has doubled, hasn't it?"

Chen Changming nodded.

"Heaven truly favors you."

Tian Shouyi was even more envious. He tossed over a jade token and turned to leave, saying, "This is a Contribution Token; it already has 100 points inside. If you want to trade the surplus spirit rice to the sect, come with me."

Taking the token, Chen Changming hurriedly followed.

For his first harvest, he was prepared to trade directly with the sect. After all, he wasn't familiar with the outside markets, and for the sake of caution, he preferred to earn a little less.

Tian Shouyi took out another Storage Bag, packed away the remaining thousands of catties, and led Chen Changming out of the valley.

Half an hour later.

The two arrived at the sect's Logistics Hall, where they were received by a white-haired old man.

"Elder Luo, Chen Changming is a newly joined chore disciple. His spirit rice has had a bumper harvest, and he wishes to trade the surplus to the sect."

Tian Shouyi bowed, his demeanor respectful.

This Elder Luo was one of the deacon elders, possessing a Foundation Establishment cultivation base.

"Mm, good."

Elder Luo took the Storage Bag and looked inside, his expression brightening: "This yield is impressive. Did the spiritual vein seep down to the foot of the mountain?"

"It must have. Otherwise, with this lad's ability, how could he make the spirit rice mature in half a year?"

Tian Shouyi spoke dismissively, his eyes filled with faint indifference.

"Right, I remember now. This young man has a five-element mixed spiritual root."

Elder Luo laughed, and as he looked at the youth beside Tian Shouyi, his gaze held a hint of pity.

For someone possessing Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Roots, breaking through to the second level of Qi Refining in this lifetime was no simple feat.

Therefore, he didn't give a second thought to a disciple who held no value for the sect.

In fact, Tian Shouyi was exactly the same.

Even he, a mere outer sect disciple, didn't hold such a trashy handyman disciple in any regard.

Chen Changming's brows furrowed slightly, then smoothed out again; his expression remained calm, as if he knew nothing at all.

A fire was burning within his heart.

This fire was scorching, burning with such intensity that it gave him the urge to strike out.

Chen Changming had gained a profound realization of the true faces of the people in the Lingxiao Sect this time; everyone treated him as a non-entity, and the contempt in their eyes was undisguised, which made his heart ache as if cut by a knife.

"Five thousand one hundred catties, that can be exchanged for 120 Contribution Tokens."

Elder Luo said.

Chen Changming silently handed over his Contribution Token, and Elder Luo gave it a light swipe, causing the number of contribution points inside to change.

"When you have a harvest in the future, hand it over to Elder Luo, do you hear me?"

Seeing that Chen Changming's mood seemed low, Tian Shouyi glared and said unceremoniously.

"Understood."

Chen Changming said, feigning honesty.

His strength was insufficient for now, and he had no one to rely on within the Lingxiao Sect, so he had to avoid offending outer sect disciples as much as possible.

He would just keep a low profile and develop for now.

The path of cultivation was long and arduous; as long as he was given enough time, there would eventually come a day when he would stand out.

"Elder Luo, can I exchange for Spirit Gathering Pills here?"

Chen Changming suddenly asked.

"Spirit Gathering Pills are at the Pill Pavilion."

Elder Luo glanced at the youth and sneered: "Fifty contribution points each, how many do you want to exchange for?"

So expensive?

Chen Changming was shocked. These handyman disciples were truly pitiful; working themselves to the bone for a year to earn 100 contribution points, only enough to exchange for two Spirit Gathering Pills.

No wonder that guy Pi Dong had spent ten years growing spirit rice in the valley and was still only at the second level of Qi Refining.

"I'll exchange for two, then..."

Chen Changming gave an awkward smile.

In any case, the spirit rice matured twice a year. If he spent 100 contribution points, he would still have 120 left, which was more than enough to exchange for Spirit Finger Flick.

Tian Shouyi glanced at the youth, turned to leave, and waved his hand with a cold laugh: "Chen Changming, I advise you to save your contribution points. For someone with Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Roots like you, taking Spirit Gathering Pills is a complete waste!"

Chen Changming: "..."

Damn you, how I spend my points is my own business. You're an outer sect disciple, you're overstepping your bounds!

Elder Luo stood up and patted Chen Changming on the shoulder, deliberately sounding earnest: "Young man, he's right. You taking Spirit Gathering Pills is a pure waste. It would be better to save your contribution points and exchange them for some talismans to save your life in the future!"

"I understand, Elder Luo. Thank you for your advice."

Chen Changming appeared very humble, then took his leave of Elder Luo. After asking for directions along the way, he eventually arrived at the Pill Pavilion.

No matter what, he was going to taste these Spirit Gathering Pills!