Old Friends Meet Again, Thanks to Senior Brother Xu (3/3)

After failing to get a meal twice, Xu Changqing was stunned.

Looking at the Communication Talisman in his hand, he was speechless for a moment.

On the other side, seeing that there was no further movement, Zhang Su proactively disconnected the communication.

Suddenly, a questioning voice came from behind. "Are you... Xu Changqing?"

Xu Changqing turned around and saw that the newcomer was not tall, had a somewhat mature appearance, but looked quite familiar. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly realized, "Zhao Ying!"

I, Zhao Ying, Zhao Ziyao, and Lin An became formal disciple together at that time.

However, Zhao Ying's aptitude was low, and her talent in cultivating Spirit Plant was relatively poor. Therefore, she was one hundred jin short in the third assessment and originally failed the assessment, so she could not become formal disciple. Later, she followed Zhang Er and became a tenant farmer, which was how she became a formal disciple.

However, compared to a normal Spirit Farmer, it falls short in many aspects.

Zhao Ying's carefully cultivated Spirit Rice yielded all of its output to Zhang Er, but the cultivation resources she received each month were disproportionately small, even very little.

His cultivation level barely improved, and his Cultivation Method was only one level higher than when he was in the outer sect.

However, this person has changed quite a bit.

Her previous appearance was completely different from her current appearance.

He used to look very tired, old, and haggard, and even hunched over.

Now even the wrinkles are gone, and she looks exceptionally relaxed.

Zhao Ying was quite surprised. "You still remember me?"

Xu Changqing nodded. "We were in the same cohort of outer disciples who were promoted to full disciples."

Zhao Ying glanced around, then asked curiously, "Isn't Lin An with you?"

Xu Changqing retorted, "You don't know?"

Zhao Ying shook her head and said, "Zhao Ziyao, a few other tenant farmers, and I just left Zhang Er not long ago, so we don't know much about the situation outside."

Xu Changqing suddenly realized, and then explained, "When Lin An was on the outskirts, didn't he find two people to help increase production? Later, when they couldn't produce Spirit Rice Grain, they were taken away by the Punishment Department."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ying's expression turned incredulous. "You and Lin An are considered the most talented among the four of us, yet he actually owes Spirit Rice Grain?"

Xu Changqing shrugged and simply recounted the situation at the time.

Zhao Ying found it unbelievable after hearing this, and couldn't even comprehend it.

Of the four people at the time, Xu Changqing and Lin An were the most promising.

Zhao Ziyao was half a candidate, but he was unlucky in the end and had no choice but to seek refuge with Zhang Er.

Unexpectedly, in the end, only Xu Changqing remained as a stable person.

Zhao Ying sighed, then asked, "Are you here to see Senior Brother Zhang?"

Xu Changqing gave an affirmative answer, "Yes."

Zhao Ying glanced at the tightly closed door, then extended an invitation. "Since Senior Brother Zhang isn't here, why don't you come over to my place and we can catch up?"

"Sure," Xu Changqing said indifferently.

Then, the two walked along the ridge to the right.

Along the way, they talked about what happened back then.

Looking back now, the Outer Spirit Fields was actually quite nice.

Upon reaching the Spirit Field Core, although they obtained Grade-Two Spirit Field, the pressure was immense.

Before long, Xu Changqing finally arrived near the Spirit Fields that Zhao Ying had planted.

I must say, the environment is quite nice.

There's a small river across the river, making it very convenient to fetch water.

Xu Changqing couldn't help but ask, "Is this the Spirit Fields you obtained later?"

As Zhao Ying led the way, she said without turning her head, "Zhang Er disappeared. People from the Punishment Department and the Spirit Field Core came to investigate. After discovering our situation, they allowed us to change the location of the Spirit Fields."

Xu Changqing looked at the Grade-Two Spirit Field next to him, where a large quantity of Spirit Rice was planted.

The color is slightly yellowish, but it's not ripe yet.

He scanned the area with his Spiritual Sense, and all sorts of information emerged.

[Premium Spirit Rice]

[Adequate Spiritual Qi]

[Infested with insects]

There was indeed a problem, and a big one at that.

It seems that although Zhao Ying has awakened the Wood Spirit Root, she is indeed lacking in the ability to cultivate Spirit Plant, and she didn't even discover the pests.

"Come, sit down." Zhao Ying brought out a chair from the house. Although it wasn't dusty, she still wiped it with a cloth.

As soon as Xu Changqing sat down, the man brought him a bowl of cold tea, showing great enthusiasm.

After the meal was served, Zhao Ying brought out a wooden chair, and the two sat facing each other.

"Zhang Er has disappeared, you know that, right?"

"I know, people from the Punishment Department came to inquire!"

"I was prepared to run away, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better!"

"You're planning to run away?"

"I'm working myself to the bone every day, and Zhang Er keeps cutting back on my cultivation resources. It's unbearable!"

"So, it's good that Zhang Er is dead... gone!"

As the two were talking, another person walked over from the other side.

Who?

Zhao Ziyao!

Zhao Ying stood up to greet him, "Ziyao, you've arrived."

Zhao Ziyao nodded, then looked at the other guest, his eyes widening in surprise. "Senior Brother Xu Chang...?"

"Senior brother? What senior brother?" Zhao Ying looked completely bewildered.

Zhao Ziyao opened his mouth, about to offer an explanation.

Xu Changqing laughed and said, "Three of the four are here; now only Lin An is missing."

Zhao Ziyao was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming complicated.

Actually, he had just found out about it himself.

The person before me has broken through from the Early Qi Refining to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage in less than four years.

He's no longer just a fellow Daoist; he must be addressed as "Senior Brother"!

The three of them then chatted for a while longer.

The atmosphere became a bit awkward compared to when Xu Changqing and Zhao Ying were together.

Zhao Ziyao was very nervous and dared not say anything out of turn, which affected the other two.

Xu Changqing rested there for a while, then stood up and said, "I should go back."

Zhao Ying smiled and stood up to see him off, "Let's chat again next time."

Xu Changqing walked step by step to the edge of the field, glanced at the Spirit Rice in the Spirit Fields, and then reminded him, "You'd better check it."

"Huh?" Zhao Ying was taken aback.

However, Xu Changqing summoned his mode of transportation, [Big-Leaf Grass], and soared into the air, disappearing into the distance in the blink of an eye.

Only then did Zhao Ziyao dare to step forward. "Xu Changqing and we are no longer on the same level as Spirit Farmer."

Zhao Ying asked, seemingly understanding but not quite, "Not on the same level?"

Zhao Ziyao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with envy. "I just received news that Xu Changqing is already Foundation Establishment Realm Spirit Farmer, and he owns two acres of Grade-Two Spirit Field!"

"Hiss!" Zhao Ying gasped upon hearing this.

Zhao Ziyao quickly said, "Since Senior Brother Xu reminded you that there's a problem with the Spirit Plant, then check it out immediately."

"Yes, yes, yes." Zhao Ying finally realized what was happening and, without even taking off her shoes, immediately jumped into the Spirit Fields.

Seeing this, Zhao Ziyao followed closely behind.

After checking, the two were immediately shocked.

Unexpectedly, the roots of the Spirit Rice were crawling with small, brown insects that looked like cicadas.

Zhao Ziyao breathed a sigh of relief, "Luckily, we discovered it in time, otherwise it would have been disastrous."

Zhao Ying excitedly ran up the ridge of the field, cupped her hands in a gesture of respect in the direction Xu Changqing had left, and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Xu!!!"