Spirit Power Split in Two, First Encounter with Minor Cloud-Rain

[Consume 2,600 days of lifespan to raise the second level of the Evergreen Formula to the third level?]

"Yes." Xu Changqing did not hesitate.

At once, a flood of experience and techniques regarding the [Evergreen Formula] surged into his mind.

Before long, the upgrade was complete.

[Successfully consumed 2,600 days of lifespan to raise the Evergreen Formula to the third level]

[Remaining lifespan: 1,814 days]

[Evergreen Formula (Third Level)]

(Effect One: Cultivation speed +30%)

(Effect Two: Yield increase +20%)

(Effect Three: Can predict and diagnose growth problems in spirit plants)

"Hiss." Xu Changqing sucked in a breath of cold air.

It had only been a few short days.

He had transformed from a worthless failure who had repeatedly failed his assessments.

Whether it was his cultivation realm or spell proficiency, he now rivaled official disciples in every regard.

It all felt like a dream—simply unbelievable.

"Strange, why has the wood spiritual qi decreased?"

"Wasn't there a lot of it just now?"

"If there were just a little more wood spiritual qi, I could break through my realm!"

At that moment, discussion broke out all around him.

Some of them wore extremely unpleasant expressions.

Everyone had wanted to use this seedling stage to improve their strength, but things had gone against their wishes.

Only Xu Changqing had gained the greatest benefit.

Yet not only did he refrain from showing off or boasting.

He instead did his utmost to lower his profile.

After all, although the [Shennong System] defied the heavens, it was not invincible.

Thus, before he had truly grown strong, keeping a low profile could never be wrong.

Over the following days, Xu Changqing was no different from those around him.

He did whatever everyone else did, without standing out in the slightest.

Each day, he worked at sunrise and rested at sunset.

This day, after finishing breakfast, he once more arrived before the Spirit Fields.

Looking at the Spirit Rice, which was more robust than last season's, he could not help smiling with satisfaction.

During the previous two assessments.

The first time, he had comprehended things too slowly and missed the assessment.

The second time, he lacked experience, and there had also been problems with the Spirit Fields.

But the third time was completely different.

Han Su had replenished the Earth Qi, restoring the nutrients.

With the strength of Middle Qi Refining, his perception had also improved.

Combined with the powerful effects of the third level of the [Evergreen Formula].

So long as nothing unexpected happened, the yield would definitely reach one thousand jin.

It might even exceed it.

But Xu Changqing wanted to keep it only slightly above one thousand jin.

As long as he met the assessment requirements and became an official disciple, that was enough.

There was no need to be overly conspicuous, or others might grow suspicious.

Then, he sat cross-legged on the ridge between the fields and began his daily cultivation.

He circulated the third level of the [Evergreen Formula].

The wood spiritual qi released by the Spirit Rice before him was immediately drawn into his body.

Suddenly, the spiritual power within his body split from one wisp into two.

The two wisps of spiritual power flowed back and forth through his body.

As time passed, a small amount of impurities seeped from his pores.

"I've gotten stronger again." Xu Changqing was delighted inwardly.

"Why has Lin An brought someone over again?"

"This time, it isn't an Earth Spirit Root disciple!"

"Judging by her clothes, she's a Water Spirit Root disciple from the [Water-Control Pavilion]!"

At that moment, a commotion arose nearby.

Xu Changqing could not help stopping his cultivation and turning his gaze in that direction.

That fellow Lin An had brought another unfamiliar face.

But this time, it was not a man, but a woman.

Her features were ordinary.

She was rather thin.

She swept her eyes over the people around her.

Seeing them all filthy and disheveled, a flicker of disdain passed through her eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao—please, I'm counting on you!" Lin An was exceedingly polite.

"Mm." Zhao Xin responded vaguely.

She waved her delicate hand.

At once, the water spiritual qi in the surrounding air rapidly gathered.

Before long, a thickening cloud of water mist floated above the rice fields.

Soon, a series of crackling sounds rang out.

It was raining.

This was no ordinary rainwater, but spirit rain containing water spiritual qi.

After absorbing it, the Spirit Rice below became glistening and hydrated.

Even the grains grew plumper.

"Minor Cloud-Rain Art?" Xu Changqing raised a brow at the sight.

Compared to Earth Spirit Root disciples like Han Su, who could only cooperate with them a few times each season.

Water Spirit Root disciples were the truly important partners for long-term cooperation.

After all, the Spirit Fields needed irrigation from time to time.

Ordinary spring water, stream water, and running water had only basic effects.

But the spirit rain produced by the [Minor Cloud-Rain Art] was different.

Not only could it increase yields somewhat.

It could also repel insects, heal, and repair damage.

It had to be said that, in order to become an official disciple, Lin An was truly going all out.

Who knew how much of his harvest he would lose this time?

One tenth?

Or even more?

After all, no one would help for nothing!

Xu Changqing was somewhat tempted, but after turning it over in his mind, he ultimately restrained himself.

So long as nothing unexpected happened, he would definitely pass the assessment.

There was no need to make an unnecessary move.

Not only would he be giving away part of his harvest for nothing.

The strained expression on that female disciple's face made it clear.

She had probably not mastered the [Minor Cloud-Rain Art] very deeply.

Perhaps she did not even possess much spiritual power within her body.

She had only just entered the path.

That was precisely why she could only seek cooperation with outer sect disciples tending Spirit Fields.

If it were a Grade-Two Spirit Field instead, it would be a thankless task.

Therefore, even if Xu Changqing wanted to find someone.

He would have to wait until he mastered Grade-Two Spirit Fields.

Then seek out an official disciple with an awakened Water Spirit Root.

Why had Lin An sought her out?

And with such urgency?

Because that fellow also had only one chance remaining.

Moreover, he was only at Early Qi Refining.

His Evergreen Formula was still at the first level.

His control over the Spirit Fields could not be as meticulous and all-encompassing as Xu Changqing's.

That was why he was trying every possible means to increase his yield.

But precisely because of that, he had to pay a price.

Even if he became an official disciple in the future.

He would still have to give Han Su and this female disciple a portion of his harvest.

This could only be called the true portrait of some outer sect disciples.

Unless one had great talent and high comprehension, succeeding in a single attempt.

Otherwise, one could only keep compromising and retreating.

Without a cheat, Xu Changqing's final outcome would be no more than one of three possibilities.

Either he would keep seeking help like Lin An and lose part of his harvest.

Or he would become the tenant farmer of official disciple Zhang Er and lose nearly all his harvest.

Or he would completely leave the [Dongting Immortal Sect] and have no harvest whatsoever.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, aren't you going to ask about it?"

"You only have one chance left. You can't fail again!"

"That's right, that's right! You have to seize this opportunity!"

Although those around him were tempted, they were still watching from the sidelines.

They could also tell that this Water Spirit Root female disciple was not very strong.

So they hoped Xu Changqing would test the waters first.

If the price was not high, then naturally they could cooperate.

But if the price was too high, they might as well forget it.

"Fine." Seeing so many people staring at him, Xu Changqing knew he could not refuse.

Although he did not need her help.

He still had to go through the motions.

That way, he would not arouse anyone's suspicions.

Zhao Xin had just finished casting the [Minor Cloud-Rain Art] and was restoring her spiritual power.

When Lin An saw Xu Changqing approach, a trace of resistance appeared in his eyes.

Both of them had only one assessment chance remaining.

Thus, people often compared them in private.

Although they had no direct conflict, neither was particularly pleased with the other.

Lin An raised his brow and asked, "Does Fellow Daoist Xu need something?"

"I wanted to ask how much this fellow Daoist charges for casting the [Minor Cloud-Rain Art] once." Xu Changqing shrugged.

Lin An hesitantly looked toward the person beside him. "This...?"

Zhao Xin glanced at Xu Changqing, then said, "Forty percent of the profits!"

The moment those words came out, Xu Changqing looked at Lin An in disbelief.

The people around them were even more dumbfounded, all immediately backing down.

Earth Spirit Root Han Su only wanted ten percent.

Yet this Water Spirit Root female disciple wanted forty percent.

Did that not mean Lin An was giving away fifty percent of his future harvest to others?

How could the word "ruthless" possibly describe it!!!