Li Lingbi headed to the Central Region's [Black Rust Dynasty] to hunt thousand-year-old demons.
That would take at least a year.
It was uncertain when he would return.
Xu Changqing did not care about that.
Time meant nothing to him.
A few rounds of farming, and it would pass.
The only thing that puzzled Xu Changqing, even surprised him somewhat, was this.
Since Li Lingbi was not lacking in people around him.
Why had Li Sancai brought him along?
Why had he even become one of their so-called "own people"?
After all, if Li Lingbi lacked Spirit Rice Grain or any other spirit plant, he only needed to find Lu Yuanyuan to settle it.
And if that did not work, Li Sancai could spend the time planting them himself.
Xu Changqing, on the other hand, had joined the Spirit Field Core for barely a year.
He had only completed a single transaction involving eight hundred jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice.
Yet he had somehow become a member of Li Lingbi's team. It was simply absurd.
To put it bluntly.
There were so many official disciples in the Spirit Fields.
There were even countless spirit farmers in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
So why had it fallen to Xu Changqing, whose apparent cultivation was only Middle Qi Refining?
Thus, he began to harbor suspicions toward Li Sancai and even Li Lingbi.
But asking directly was definitely not an option.
He could only take one step at a time and see where it led.
"Come on, I'll take you back first," Li Sancai called out.
Xu Changqing had originally planned to find Bai Ling'er and arrange a time for rain with her.
But it was too late. She had probably already gone to rest.
He could only abandon the idea and leap onto the Flying Paper Crane with Li Sancai.
The two remained silent the entire way, neither saying a word.
Xu Changqing did not dare let down his guard, vigilance filling his heart.
Li Sancai, meanwhile, seemed to have something on his mind and kept his head lowered in thought.
Under the night sky, countless stars flickered without end.
Every so often, they could even see a shooting star that vanished in an instant.
[Foundry Peak] was still the same as ever.
Whether day or night, fireballs constantly fell from it.
[Beast Spirit Valley] was much quieter.
Only an occasional beastly roar rang out.
At last, the two returned to the Spirit Field Core.
Li Sancai was quite responsible, delivering Xu Changqing to his home first.
Then he controlled the Flying Paper Crane and flew toward his own Spirit Fields.
Watching his figure gradually vanish into the night, Xu Changqing's gaze turned deep.
"Why me?"
"Why did he choose me?"
"What exactly is Senior Brother Li trying to do?"
He was not a foolish man.
After seeing just how outstanding Li Lingbi was, and how many followers surrounded him.
Xu Changqing finally realized that his own inclusion in that man's team.
Was truly absurd!
Of course, it certainly had much to do with Li Sancai.
But rather than exciting Xu Changqing, this stroke of luck made him even more wary.
Just as meat pies did not fall from the sky for no reason.
No one would show such goodwill to an outsider for no reason either.
What he feared was that spirit stones were not so easy to take.
What he feared was that being one of their own was not so easy either.
Several days flashed by, and nothing happened.
The weather was visibly growing hotter.
Summer was almost here.
Thus, Xu Changqing used a Communication Talisman to notify Han Su.
He told him to find some time to come loosen the soil.
Having learned from the springtime setback, Xu Changqing decided to start with the yield.
Of course, since there was a small patch beneath Stone Mountain that could be cultivated.
He would definitely need to nurture some additional spirit plants there.
But on the surface, he would still be planting Spirit Rice.
"Senior Brother Xu!" Han Su arrived around noon.
Xu Changqing went out to greet him. "You came quickly."
Han Su grinned. "As long as Senior Brother summons me, this junior brother will never delay."
Compared to unreliable people like Lin An.
The man before him was far more appealing.
Although fifty jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice was not much, at least the source was stable enough.
There would be no awkward situation where there was some this time but none the next.
Xu Changqing did not stand on ceremony and pointed at the Spirit Fields. "Then let's begin."
However, Han Su waved his hand. "Before we start, let me show Senior Brother something good."
"Oh?" Xu Changqing could not help looking him up and down.
Han Su moved closer, then pulled something from his small storage pouch. "Didn't Senior Brother need a spell? I got this from the Rogue Cultivator Market a few days ago."
Xu Changqing took it. It was a thin booklet.
A few blurred words were written on it.
[Ironwood Armor Art]
He immediately flipped through it and discovered that it was a High Grade spell.
But when he reached the end, he froze.
It was incomplete—a fragmentary volume.
Han Su scratched his head. "There were a few low grade spells, but I thought Senior Brother would want a High Grade one more."
"Although it's only a fragment, the seller said the first layer is still very powerful."
Xu Changqing was not angry. He merely nodded. "You've worked hard, Junior Brother."
Having one was already good enough.
Han Su had gone to the Rogue Cultivator Market at great risk.
There was no need for Xu Changqing to be picky and choosy.
Han Su visibly sighed in relief, then began rummaging through his small storage pouch again. "After buying this fragment, there are still ten jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice left..."
Xu Changqing stopped him at once. "Keep the rest as payment for your trouble."
"Huh?" Han Su was greatly surprised, even somewhat excited.
Although it was only ten jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice.
At the current market rate.
Whether he sold it or exchanged it for First-Grade Spirit Rice, it would be quite profitable.
Xu Changqing put away the [Ironwood Armor Art], then smiled. "Now begin your performance."
Han Su did not waste words and immediately took off his shoes.
With the experience from last time, he had made thorough preparations this time.
Yet strangely enough, the cold chill underground was no longer so dense.
It could still be felt, but he could endure it much longer than the first time.
Thus, Han Su loosened the soil in the Spirit Fields while Xu Changqing supervised above.
When thirsty, he drank water.
When tired, he rested.
Half an hour later, the soil loosening was finished.
Xu Changqing took out a Contract Talisman. "Same as before. Once summer ends, you'll receive fifty jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice as payment."
Han Su hurriedly said, "I trust Senior Brother, so there's no need to sign a Spirit Talisman Contract."
Xu Changqing knew that Han Su wanted to draw closer to him, but he still insisted. "This is for your protection. What if my summer harvest is poor?"
"Then..." Han Su was deeply moved by his words and could only agree. "All right!"
After signing the Spirit Talisman Contract.
He left.
But he was not heading out of the Spirit Fields.
He still had to help others loosen their soil; he had simply come to Xu Changqing first.
In the days that followed.
Xu Changqing kept cultivating the fragment of the High Grade spell [Ironwood Armor Art] that Han Su had brought back from the Rogue Cultivator Market.
Even if he could only cultivate it to the first layer, it would still be worth it.
After all, it was a defensive spell.
According to its description.
Even reaching only the first layer would cover his body in a layer of ironwood armor.
It could withstand several hundred jin of piercing force.
It even provided fire resistance, metal resistance, and other effects.
But it had to be said that progress in learning a High Grade spell was incredibly slow.
If he wanted to complete it as quickly as possible.
It would be best to pair it with Expert-Grade Spirit Rice Wine.
Thus, Xu Changqing began brewing wine.
And this time, he used not First-Grade Spirit Rice, but one hundred jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice.
The quality would rise accordingly.
Very soon, after only three days.
Spirit Rice Wine had already begun to be produced.
Though the amount was not much, this was only the beginning. It would continue producing more afterward.
Xu Changqing took a small sip and immediately widened his eyes.
[Expert Second-Grade Spirit Rice Wine↑] (Effect One: Increases spiritual qi absorption speed by 30% for one hour) (Effect Two: Spiritual power consumption -20% when using wood-element spells) (Effect Three: Increases comprehension speed of low grade spells by 25% while lightly drunk) (Effect Four: Increases comprehension speed of High Grade spells by 10% while lightly drunk) (Negative Effect One: Long-term consumption continuously lowers reaction speed) (Negative Effect Two: Long-term consumption damages the internal organs)
With the negative effects unchanged, every positive effect had strengthened!!!
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