Cultivating Minor Spells Is Easy as Long as You Have Hands

"Our first step is to open up a cave abode, then start cultivating the spirit herbs in these medicine gardens. No need to increase their age."

"Second, accumulate sect contributions. If we hand in enough spirit herbs, we'll earn far more contributions than ordinary disciples."

"Third, once we have enough contributions, we'll exchange them for a flying sword. I saw a very secluded spot behind the waterfall. When the time comes, we'll fly over there and open up a cave abode to cultivate spirit herbs."

"Fourth, ask around the sect about Foundation Establishment Pills. The Southern Dipper Mountain Secret Realm is far too dangerous. There's no need to risk our lives."

Chen Xun spoke earnestly and methodically. Big Black Ox listened with bright eyes, its admiration for Chen Xun growing even deeper.

"Most importantly, isn't there a Sect Competition every year? We can go watch the excitement!"

"Moo!!"

A burst of laughter rang out beside the waterfall. Chen Xun stripped off his clothes, revealing his Eight-pack abs, then plunged headfirst into the water. So comfortable!

The sky stretched clear for thousands of miles today, and a gentle breeze brushed past. Beneath the heavens, Chen Xun and Big Black Ox began bustling about without pause.

Constant rumbles echoed through Medicine Valley. Chen Xun wielded the Mountain-Splitting Axe and hacked wildly at the cliff face, sending shattered stones flying and dust rolling in waves.

Big Black Ox took a bucket from the Thatched Cottage and repeatedly fetched water from the waterfall. It also needed to cultivate a spell called the "Water Spirit Art."

This art specialized in infusing water with spiritual energy. It was quite a useless spell, meant for irrigating spirit fields, yet it actually had three levels. Big Black Ox was overjoyed inside; it could learn something new again.

On the long Longevity Path, nothing thrilled it more than learning something new. Both it and Chen Xun believed so, their hearts filled with enthusiasm for the future.

"Old Ox, slow down when you fetch water. Don't drown yourself—I'm not saving you. Haha."

Chen Xun's face was full of lime dust, even his hair covered in it. He turned toward Big Black Ox, remembering the days when they had chiseled ice.

"Moo!!"

Big Black Ox grew angry. It would never accidentally fall into the water; last time had only been an accident.

What they did not know was that the Water Spirit Art was quite difficult to cultivate. Most disciples managing medicine gardens had only reached the first level.

After the conclusions of many generations, this minor spell truly had to be worn down with time. There were no shortcuts to be found.

No one knew which great immortal had created it, but every sect used the Water Spirit Art because they could not find anything better.

In this Cultivation World where strength reigned supreme, one would have to be full and idle to waste time cultivating this spell art. That was also one major reason why medicine farmers were so few.

Yet the Ten Great Immortal Sects truly did have such extraordinary people, though they were all treasured dearly and never shown before the public.

"Splitting Mount Hua with One Strike!"

Chen Xun bared his teeth and grimaced as he delivered another fierce chop at the mountain wall. "Wocao..."

"Moo?!" Big Black Ox did not even care about the bucket, letting it topple to the ground as it hurried over to Chen Xun.

"It's this hard?!"

Chen Xun's eyes opened wide, his brows smeared with plenty of lime dust. "Old Ox, the Mountain-Splitting Axe has chipped."

"Moo?" Big Black Ox could hardly believe it. The stone wall in the Ningyun Mountain Range had been split open with a single strike from Chen Xun's Mountain-Splitting Axe.

He had hacked here for so long that he had actually broken the Mountain-Splitting Axe.

"Sigh, it's fine. I'll sharpen it again. Ours is just ordinary iron."

Chen Xun sighed, looking at his Mountain-Splitting Axe with heartache. This had been his proud work from the Blacksmith Shop. "Maybe the stones in this mountain range are just harder."

"Moo~"

"Go on, Old Ox. Don't mind me." Chen Xun sat on the ground, found a stone, and began sharpening the axe.

Big Black Ox nodded and ran off to fetch water again.

Two days later, Chen Xun finally finished opening up the cave abode. He moved all the pots, bowls, ladles, and basins inside, then began cutting wood to make all sorts of implements.

Chen Xun was remarkably skilled with his hands. Wooden tables and wooden chairs were finished in no time.

"Old Ox, arrange the things first. This will be our home from now on."

Chen Xun smiled sentimentally as he took out a group of items, including wooden carvings, and placed them all around.

"Moo~" Big Black Ox also dragged things about everywhere.

"Dust Removal Spell!"

Chen Xun cast a spell. A gentle breeze rose, and his entire body became brand new, gleaming with a glossy shine. "Haha..."

"Moo?" Big Black Ox was startled. This was even cleaner than bathing.

"Old Ox, don't underestimate these minor spells."

Chen Xun clicked his tongue in amazement. He discovered that every minor spell saved them time, including things like Bigu Pills.

"Moo~~" Big Black Ox grinned and sat cross-legged to begin cultivating the Water Spirit Art.

That night, the moonlit darkness flowed like water, while stars dotted the vast sky. Chen Xun quietly walked out of the cave abode and looked up at the starry heavens alone.

"What kind of world is this Cultivation World, really?"

A faint smile appeared on Chen Xun's face, his eyes hazy. Back on the flying boat, he had heard Ji Kun bragging. Ji Kun had said that ancient records spoke of true cultivation civilizations in unimaginably distant places, while this place was merely a backward land.

Like primitive people... Chen Xun scoffed inwardly, not believing a single word. Was this not the most orthodox cultivation there was?

"Cultivation civilization..."

Chen Xun murmured softly. He leaned against the outside of the cave abode and gradually fell asleep. "Big Black Ox and I will definitely go there..."

The next day, dawn broke and the blazing sun rose. Chen Xun cast aside every stray thought and began bustling about with Big Black Ox.

"Old Ox, let's go hunt."

"Moo!"

Chen Xun slung an axe over his shoulder and headed into the mountains with Big Black Ox. There were plenty of wild beasts in the mountain range, and the sect would not bother managing them.

As time flowed on, a trickle of clear spring water emerged. In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.

Spirit herbs grew in thick clusters throughout Medicine Valley, their medicinal fragrance permeating every corner. Their growth was exceedingly pleasing, while Chen Xun and Big Black Ox sat cross-legged among them.

Ripples of water spread around them, then transformed into vivid water spheres, each filled with spiritual energy and magical power.

Pop! Pop!

One water sphere after another burst in the air. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox slowly opened their eyes. "The second level of the Water Spirit Art, complete!"

"It doesn't seem difficult at all."

Chen Xun frowned slightly, but inwardly began to humblebrag. "Even Old Ox has cultivated it to the second level."

"Moo? Moo!" Big Black Ox glared. What did that mean? Aside from its cultivation improving slowly, it cultivated spell arts very quickly.

"Still, this Qi Condensation Stage cultivation of ours really can be worn down."

Chen Xun pondered for a moment, then continued, "Once the dantian liquefies, if we keep grinding away for another hundred years or so, maybe we'll grind our way up."

"Moo!" Big Black Ox's pupils shrank as it nudged Chen Xun. We're such suckers.

"Haha, I'm just teasing you."

Chen Xun laughed heartily and stroked Big Black Ox. "Everything is proceeding according to plan. Action!"

"Moo~" Big Black Ox cried out happily and hurried after Chen Xun.

In Medicine Valley, Chen Xun had woven himself a straw hat and also woven a large straw hat for Big Black Ox. It was so delighted that it even wore it while sleeping.

Under the sunlight, one man and one ox wore straw hats as they busied themselves in the medicine fields. Their eyes brimmed with joy, and no one ever came to disturb them.