As his view grew increasingly open.
Xu Changqing finally saw the Grade-Two Spirit Field that belonged to him alone.
At first glance, it seemed little different from the Grade-One Spirit Fields on the outskirts.
Whether in size or the height of the ridges, there was no real difference.
But upon closer inspection, he found that the soil was black.
This was clearly Black Soil with richer nutrients.
Not only could it grow spirit plants of exceptional quality.
Even the yield would increase.
Not far away, around ten meters off, stood an abandoned wooden house.
When Xu Changqing approached and looked inside, he discovered there was not even a speck of dust.
There were no snakes, insects, rats, or ants either.
It was exceptionally clean.
Inside, there was one bedroom, one living room, one bathroom, and one kitchen.
However, the house had few decorations, only everyday items such as a bed and cooking utensils.
"Not bad." Xu Changqing was quite satisfied.
Anything missing could be added gradually later.
At the very least, it kept out the wind and rain.
The first thing Xu Changqing did next was change clothes.
He had always disliked the gray clothes worn by outer disciples.
Soon, he changed into the white robes worn only by Formal Disciples.
A green rice sprout was embroidered over the chest.
His entire bearing changed as well.
He appeared steadier and more composed.
No one would take one look at him and think he was a Spirit Farmer.
"Next comes the Spirit Rice Grain porridge I've been longing for." Xu Changqing grinned.
As long as one became a Formal Disciple of the Dongting Immortal Sect.
There was no longer any need to drink ordinary rice porridge.
These hundred jin of Spirit Rice Grain would be enough to last him until next spring.
Xu Changqing immediately went to the kitchen, set up a pot, and began boiling water.
Half an hour later, a pot of fragrant Spirit Rice Grain porridge was ready.
The concentration of Wood Qi in the kitchen had noticeably increased.
Xu Changqing ladled out a small bowl and carefully examined it before his eyes.
This Spirit Rice Grain was plumper than ordinary rice.
Even after being cooked, it did not feel loose or mushy.
It was even somewhat springy, like jelly after it solidified.
Xu Changqing took a small taste, and his eyes immediately lit up.
The texture of the Spirit Rice Grain was incredible.
With one bite, spiritual energy and fragrance burst together.
The aroma left his whole mind in a daze.
"Huh?"
Xu Changqing said in surprise, "My spiritual power is growing."
Although it was rather slow.
This stuff had no limits and could be eaten over the long term.
Why were Zhang Er, Han Su, Zhao Xin, and the others all thinking about Spirit Rice Grain?
This was the reason!
And the Spirit Rice Grain produced by a Grade-One Spirit Field already had such an effect.
If it came from a Grade-Two field or above... one could imagine how astonishing it would be.
After eating and drinking his fill, Xu Changqing did not rest.
Nor did he plant spirit seedlings.
Instead, he took out his jade tablet and continued studying the Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art.
As long as Zhang Er was still alive, Xu Changqing would feel threatened for another day.
Therefore, he had to possess the strength to protect himself.
However, the Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art was, after all, a High Grade spell.
It was impossible to learn it all at once.
Fortunately, the current Xu Changqing was no longer the same.
Before this, it would probably have taken him over two months just to gain an initial grasp of it.
But now, Xu Changqing felt it would take no more than a month.
And once he learned it, he could forcibly raise its level with his "golden finger."
Time passed to the third day after he became a Formal Disciple.
Xu Changqing carried a hoe on his shoulder and began loosening the soil in this mu of Grade-Two Spirit Field.
It was now winter. The temperature kept dropping, and the weather grew ever colder.
As a result, the Black Soil was harder than he had imagined.
If he had not reached Middle Qi Refining and had five strands of spiritual power supporting him.
He truly would not have been able to finish it all in a short time.
Xu Changqing silently thought, I wonder what the yield will be?
"Oh my—there's actually someone here." At that moment, a cry of surprise came from not far away.
Xu Changqing hurriedly looked over and froze at once.
He saw a fat man leading a spirit beast that looked very much like a camel as it slowly approached.
A palm-sized bell hung around the spirit beast's neck.
Whenever it moved, a tinkling ring immediately sounded.
The spirit beast's back was piled high with bundles.
As the other party drew closer, a foul stench spread through the air.
"My name is Hu Bugui. I am a Formal Disciple of Beast Spirit Valley. May I ask who you are, fellow Daoist?" Hu Bugui, who looked rather prosperous, grinned, making the two rolls of fat on his cheeks jiggle.
"Xu Changqing." Xu Changqing introduced himself.
Hu Bugui asked again, "Fellow Daoist Xu, are you a newly arrived Spirit Farmer?"
"Yes, I just became a Formal Disciple." Xu Changqing nodded slightly.
"I see you are loosening the soil. Could it be that you plan to plant during winter?" Hu Bugui was rather surprised.
Xu Changqing smiled. "Idle hands are idle hands."
"Well, isn't this a perfect coincidence? I have something you need." Hu Bugui's eyes lit up.
"You're a peddler?" Xu Changqing was stunned.
"You could put it that way, but more accurately, I am a merchant on the rise." Hu Bugui revealed a proud expression.
"What do you sell?" Xu Changqing was quite curious.
"I come from Beast Spirit Valley, so naturally what I brought is... Spirit Beast Manure." Hu Bugui turned around, removed a small bundle, then opened it in front of Xu Changqing.
At once, an even more pungent stench billowed out.
It choked Xu Changqing into retreating several steps.
Only after the smell dissipated somewhat did he step forward again.
Looking closer, he saw chunks upon chunks of Spirit Beast Manure inside.
They were somewhat dark, with plenty of plant fibers mixed within.
It had likely been collected over a period of time, so it was somewhat dry.
Hu Bugui smiled. "This is manure from a century-old spirit beast, just right for your Grade-Two Spirit Field."
"What price?" Xu Changqing fell into thought upon hearing this.
The Black Soil naturally had rich nutrients.
But if Spirit Beast Manure were added, it would surely be like a tiger gaining wings.
Especially now that it was winter, who would not want to increase their yield?
Hu Bugui said generously, "Originally, one hundred jin of century-old Spirit Beast Manure costs ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Since you're a new customer, I'll give it to you for eight."
Xu Changqing shook his head. "I don't have spirit stones, only Spirit Rice Grain."
Hu Bugui nodded. "Spirit Rice Grain is even better."
Xu Changqing asked in confusion, "How many spirit stones can ten jin of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain be exchanged for?"
"Er..." Hu Bugui gave an awkward laugh. "The market price for ten jin of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain is one Low-Grade Spirit Stone."
Although Spirit Rice Grain was in high demand, its output was not low either.
And the price of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain was relatively stable.
Only spirit plants of higher quality and rarer varieties sold for more.
"So ten jin of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain is worth ten jin of century-old Spirit Beast Manure?" Xu Changqing was stunned by the result.
"Well... things are precious because they are scarce." Hu Bugui defended himself awkwardly.
"That's too expensive. Give me a friendship price. This won't be a one-time deal between us, right? You can't possibly never come here again in the future." Xu Changqing did not want to give up so easily.
Hu Bugui deeply agreed.
Wasn't business supposed to work like that?
Give and take, with mutual trust.
So he thought for a moment, then raised two chubby fingers on his right hand.
"What does that mean?" Xu Changqing did not understand.
Hu Bugui said seriously, "You give me ten jin of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain, and I give you twenty jin of century-old Spirit Beast Manure. How about it?"
"Only twenty jin?" Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow.
"Twenty-five jin. No more than that." Hu Bugui gritted his teeth.
"Deal." Xu Changqing did not want to sour their relationship.
After the two finished their transaction, Hu Bugui suddenly gave a mysterious smile. "I have some other good stuff here. Would Fellow Daoist Xu like to take a look?"
"Good stuff?" Xu Changqing was deeply skeptical.
He was selling manure. What good stuff could he possibly have?
Perhaps to prove his own capabilities, Hu Bugui took out a Small Storage Bag. After opening it, he pulled out several items.
They were a flask of wine.
A paper figure.
And several seeds stuck with Spirit Beast Manure.
Xu Changqing immediately showed a disgusted expression and said, "What is all this?"
"You're all alone, so you surely need something to dispel your worries and solve your troubles.
This paper figure was personally designed by a talisman master from the Water-Control Pavilion. It can be male or female, and its lifelike effect rivals that of a True Person. The current price is only fifty jin of First-Grade Spirit Rice Grain." After saying this, Hu Bugui gave a meaningful wink.
"..." Xu Changqing's forehead was instantly covered in black lines.
Before you continue