A Thousand Pounds Bind One's Fate; Alone, One Treads Through Thorns to Live

Flower Elder reminded them, "There are houses near the Spirit Fields, so you needn't worry about resting. If you're dissatisfied or have ideas of your own, you may ask disciples with Earth Spirit Roots to help renovate them."

"Yes." The group nodded.

Flower Elder added, "Also, considering that the fourth quarter is winter and that you've only just joined, you may forgo this year's required yield. You will officially begin next spring."

"Wonderful!" Lin An and Zhao Ziyao's eyes lit up at once.

"So that means we can plant crops?" Xu Changqing blinked.

Flower Elder immediately said, "If you choose to plant, you must submit at least one thousand catties of Second-Grade Spirit Rice by year's end."

"I want to give it a try." Xu Changqing did not want to give up the chance to harvest lifespan.

Flower Elder reminded him, "Junior, you'd best think this through. Winter yields will decline."

Lin An could not help persuading him, "That's right, Fellow Daoist Xu. Is there really any need to work yourself so hard?"

"If you do this, it'll look like we're all fond of slacking off." Zhao Ziyao looked somewhat displeased.

"Anyway, idling is still idling. I have to do something, don't I?" Xu Changqing shrugged.

"As you wish." Flower Elder wrote down Xu Changqing's name.

The people beside him all reacted differently.

After struggling for a while, Lin An ultimately chose to give up. He did not dare plant during winter.

There were mainly two reasons.

First, winter yields would decrease, and he might very well fail to complete the task.

Second, once he planted, he would have to give half the harvest to Han Su and Zhao Xin.

That meant that if the yield was insufficient, he might not be able to submit the task at all.

It would be better to wait until next spring to officially begin.

Not only would he have several months to prepare.

He could also learn how the entire Spirit Field Core Region operated.

When Zhao Ziyao saw that even Xu Changqing, who had failed twice in a row, dared accept the task,

he felt deeply unconvinced.

Thus, he too accepted the task from Flower Elder, intending to give it a try.

As for Zhao Ying, he had no right to choose at all.

With merely a glance from Zhang Er, he had no choice but to step forward and submit his name.

Flower Elder added, "Oh, right. Official disciples may claim one high-tier spell."

"High-tier?" Xu Changqing and the others all had their eyes light up.

"There are three in total: [Wood-Spirit Cultivation Art], [Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art], and [Wood-Spirit Life-Nourishing Art]." Flower Elder introduced them.

"And what are their specific effects?" Xu Changqing pressed.

"[Wood-Spirit Cultivation Art] is an advanced version of the [Evergreen Formula].

"As for [Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art], it is the only offensive spell.

"And [Wood-Spirit Life-Nourishing Art], as its name suggests, extends your lifespans." Flower Elder explained.

Xu Changqing thought to himself, The first and third aren't suitable for me.

First, his [Evergreen Formula] had already reached the fifth level, which was entirely sufficient.

Second, he did not need to worry about lifespan at all, so he could disregard it.

Considering how Zhang Er beside him had kept giving him a "I'll eat you alive" look,

it was obvious that guy was definitely going to stir up trouble.

Without some means of protection, he feared he would be done in.

"Once you've decided, come claim it." Flower Elder yawned after speaking.

Lin An pondered, "Is there even a need to choose? It has to be [Wood-Spirit Cultivation Art]!"

"Exactly." Zhao Ziyao deeply agreed.

"I... what should I choose?" Zhao Ying looked at someone beside him.

Zhang Er said expressionlessly, "Cultivation Nurturing Art."

"Alright." Zhao Ying nodded.

Before long, those ahead had all finished claiming theirs.

When Flower Elder's gaze fell upon him, Xu Changqing asked, "Can these high-tier spells be exchanged for later?"

"As long as you have enough points." Flower Elder gave an affirmative answer.

Xu Changqing no longer hesitated.

He decisively stepped forward and claimed [Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art].

The reason he chose an offensive spell was that he feared Zhang Er would retaliate later. When that time came, it would be better to strike first and gain the upper hand.

As for planting, his max-level Evergreen Formula was enough.

At worst, he could exchange points for [Wood-Spirit Cultivation Art] later.

"Huh?" Flower Elder seemed rather surprised when he saw that Xu Changqing had chosen the only offensive spell among the three.

However, he said nothing more.

Everyone had the right to choose.

Even as the steward, he could not interfere.

"What did you choose?" Lin An leaned over and asked curiously.

"The same as you." Xu Changqing shrugged.

Lin An and Zhao Ziyao immediately revealed expressions of just as expected.

For spirit farmers, yield decided everything.

There was no need to go out and fight, so there was no need to choose [Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art].

As for lifespan?

Wood Spirit Root cultivators were naturally destined to live longer than others!

At that moment, Xu Changqing held the jade tablet in his hand and covered it with spiritual energy.

Immediately, the contents of [Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art] appeared in his mind.

It truly deserved to be called a high-tier spell. It was far more profound than the low-tier [Evergreen Formula].

As it was an offensive spell, it came with certain requirements.

One had to be at least in Middle Qi Refining to qualify to cultivate it.

Early Qi Refining was rather insufficient.

After successfully cultivating it, a [Spirit Mark] would appear within one's body.

Thereafter, one could control the surrounding plants simply by expending spiritual energy.

Flower Elder's gaze swept back and forth as he asked, "Next, will you choose the Spirit Rice you're familiar with, or other spirit plants?"

Xu Changqing put the jade tablet into his small storage pouch, then asked curiously, "There are others?"

"Of course there are, and plenty of them," Flower Elder said with complete confidence.

"But there probably aren't many suitable for us, right?" Zhao Ziyao was no fool.

"If you are in Early Qi Refining and your [Evergreen Formula] is below the second level, you can only choose Spirit Rice. Once you reach Middle Qi Refining, there are as many as ten kinds of spirit plants available." Flower Elder gave a brief explanation.

"I choose Spirit Rice." This time, Xu Changqing did not even ask any questions.

Although his cultivation realm had already reached Middle Qi Refining,

and his Evergreen Formula had even risen to the fifth level,

he met the requirements.

Logically speaking, he could choose other spirit plants.

But for the time being, none of this could be revealed.

Thus, [Spirit Rice] was his only choice.

Otherwise, it would easily draw the attention of others, especially Zhang Er.

"I'll choose Spirit Rice too." Seeing Xu Changqing being so decisive, Zhao Ziyao naturally did not dare be careless.

Before long, Zhao Ying chose Spirit Rice as well.

Back in the outer area, they had planted it for two or three quarters.

They were extremely familiar with it and had relatively abundant experience.

If they switched to other spirit plants, even if they did not fail, their yields would not be high.

"Keep your things safe. You may leave now." After Flower Elder finished distributing the spirit seedlings, his reception duty came to an end as well.

"Let's go." Xu Changqing was the first to head outside.

Not long after, everyone arrived outside the palace.

Then they looked at one another.

In the end, they all looked toward Zhao Ying beside Zhang Er.

Only the four of them had become official disciples this time, and their feelings were somewhat complicated at parting.

From now on, each of them would have to guard their own little patch of land. They likely would not have many chances to meet again.

"May everyone have good fortune." Xu Changqing cupped his hands toward them, then departed.

Lin An smiled at Zhao Ziyao. "The two of us are close by. We can visit each other more often."

"Alright." Zhao Ziyao naturally would not refuse.

The two had originally intended to speak with Zhao Ying.

But the moment they saw Zhang Er beside him, they ultimately shook their heads.

Before long, only Zhang Er and Zhao Ying remained on the vast mountaintop platform.

Watching Xu Changqing, Lin An, and Zhao Ziyao leave,

Zhao Ying felt incomparably envious.

At that moment, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

It seemed weightless, yet it brought an incomparably heavy pressure.

Zhao Ying's back hunched at once, and he could never straighten it again!