He Changyou asked Zhuang Yunde to record the allocations just made using a jade scroll.
He specified the location of the spirit fields allocated to each person and took seeds from his storage bag to distribute to everyone.
However, when it was Chu Ning's turn, he wasn't given any, and He Changyou said:
"I didn't expect anyone to choose to plant the Ink Spirit Bamboo, so I didn't bring the seeds. You'll have to come back with me to get them."
As he spoke, He Changyou turned and left, with Chu Ning hurrying to follow.
As they watched their backs, the others began to discuss among themselves.
"I didn't expect Chu Ning to choose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo!"
"Indeed, it's not easy to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo. Senior Brother Yuan, it's harder than the Purple Sweet Potato Fruit you've chosen."
...
Their words reached Yuan Guang, who was usually haughty and unyielding, making him quite displeased.
"Choosing Ink Spirit Bamboo with only a second layer of Qi Refining cultivation, truly overestimating oneself!"
Upon hearing Yuan Guang's remark, others asked what he meant.
Yuan Guang was about to speak but noticed Zhuang Yunde standing nearby, so he curbed his arrogance and said respectfully:
"Senior Brother Zhuang, I remember that to meet the requirements for making talisman paper with Ink Spirit Bamboo, one must continuously improve its quality with the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
Am I wrong?"
The plump Zhuang Yunde nodded and replied with a smile:
"Junior Brother, you are not mistaken. Ink Spirit Bamboo is quite different from Red Spirit Rice.
Even with the application of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, the potential quality of Red Spirit Rice remains limited.
However, for Ink Spirit Bamboo, the difference between improved quality and unimproved quality is significant.
That said, claiming that the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill is needed to make talismans is too absolute.
If the talisman maker is skilled, they can still make talisman paper, just in much smaller quantities.
So if the quality of the Ink Spirit Bamboo is not good, the sect will require more of it, leaving very little for oneself.
This Junior Brother Chu, at the second layer of Qi Refining, choosing to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo…"
Zhuang Yunde stopped at this point instead of continuing.
However, Yuan Guang did not ponder over it further. He turned to the others, displaying an expression of "you all heard it, right".
The crowd immediately showered him with compliments.
"Senior Brother Yuan, your choice is more stable."
"Tsk tsk, perhaps Junior Brother Chu forgot this detail?"
...
Most people showed a hint of schadenfreude, except for Qiu Shunyi and Zhuang Yunde.
Qiu Shunyi looked worried, while a contemplative expression flashed across Zhuang Yunde's face.
Soon after, Zhuang Yunde spoke up: "Let me first show you your allocated spirit fields and residences."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chu Ning certainly knew about this.
He chose Ink Spirit Bamboo because it related to the awakening of his Talismanic Spirit Body talent.
He certainly planned to pursue Talisman Making, so he had to start aligning himself with it.
Regarding the need for Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill to nurture Ink Spirit Bamboo, Chu Ning had already thought of an explanation.
The reason being his compatibility with the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique, which allowed him to wield the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
To his surprise, He Changyou mentioned nothing about it and didn't ask why Chu Ning chose Ink Spirit Bamboo.
After retrieving the bamboo rice for Ink Spirit Bamboo, he dismissed Chu Ning.
On his way back, Chu Ning reflected on all this, feeling relieved for worrying needlessly.
The Cyan Creek Sect admitted new disciples regularly, naturally comprising various people.
As a steward of the Hundred Arts Hall, He Changyou saw countless people.
He is, after all, just a "second layer of Qi Refining" servant disciple, and even if he could use the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, it's not a big deal.
Among so many disciples, some always stand out more than others.
While Ink Spirit Bamboo is somewhat challenging to grow, it's not too rare.
Though he attracted some attention today, a bit of modesty in the future should prevent any issues.
Figuring out how to engage with Talisman Making after planting Ink Spirit Bamboo is a matter for further consideration.
For now, he must focus on the tasks at hand.
Upon returning to the original place, Chu Ning found the others already dispersed, unsure of where his allocated spirit field was.
Thinking it over, he decided to visit Cao Dongxin's residence to settle his belongings first.
To his surprise, he found Qiu Shunyi waiting for him outside the courtyard.
Seeing Chu Ning return, Qiu Shunyi rushed to him, anxiously asking:
"Chu Ning, are you really going to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo? I heard it's difficult to grow..."
He rapidly recounted everything discussed earlier, but Chu Ning calmly replied:
"Thank you for your concern, Shunyi. I'll give it a try, and if it doesn't work out, the harvest will just be a bit less this season."
"Ah, well, you've already taken the seeds."
Qiu Shunyi sighed, said no more, but then remembered something and added:
"Oh, Senior Brother Zhuang asked you to wait here. He'll come to get you after taking care of the others."
Chu Ning, who was worried about whom to find, quickly went to pack his things upon hearing this.
Once done, he found that Shang Zhaoxiang and Cao Dongxin had returned from the fields as well.
Seeing Chu Ning come out, Shang Zhaoxiang was the first to speak with a smile:
"Junior Brother Chu, I've heard from Shunyi. Congratulations, your high-level spirit field in Zone D is larger by 2 acres than ours."
Shang Zhaoxiang's remark made Cao Dongxin's expression grow more complex.
The two also cultivated in Zone D with 10 acres, but they only had 3 acres of high-level spirit field, 5 acres of middle-level, and 2 acres of low-level.
Now, Chu Ning outperformed them right from the start.
The sect's usual policy favors disciples with strength or potential by providing more resources.
Chu Ning, acknowledging them, said:
"I owe my thanks to both of you for your support during this time."
While Shang Zhaoxiang exchanged polite words, Cao Dongxin felt compelled to soften his previous harshness but couldn't bring himself to do so.
Chu Ning was uninterested in engaging.
Though Cao Dongxin was strict during these three months, sending him to the fields allowed Chu Ning to discover the benefits of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill in cultivation.
In a way, it was a pleasant surprise.
Just then, Zhuang Yunde arrived, and Chu Ning bid farewell to the three and left.
After walking a while, a smile appeared on Zhuang Yunde's plump face, and he softly asked:
"Junior Brother Chu chose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo, so you must have already learned the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill?"
Chu Ning, hearing this, did not hide it and admitted, "I've just begun but still need to practice more."
Zhuang Yunde nodded.
"I observed your skill in using the Accelerating Technique and Clearing Technique; it seems you're well aligned with a Wood Attribute Cultivation Technique.
By the way, choosing to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo, are you perhaps interested in Talisman Making?"
Chu Ning immediately grew cautious, responding:
"Why does Senior Brother ask such a question?"
Zhuang Yunde chuckled, "Ink Spirit Bamboo is hard to plant, and few choose it.
Since you're new, one wouldn't consider it unless interested in Talisman Making."
Chu Ning didn't confirm this time, instead shaking his head and saying:
"I merely heard that Ink Spirit Bamboo yields good talisman paper, so I wanted to try. I don't know anything about Talisman Making."
Zhuang Yunde chuckled again, "No rush; you can see how the Ink Spirit Bamboo turns out."
This remark hinted at something more, Chu Ning mused.
However, after saying this, Zhuang Yunde dropped the topic and instead talked about things to consider when cultivating spirit fields alone.
LThen, after familiarizing Chu Ning with his spirit field and residence, he left.
As Zhuang Yunde departed, Chu Ning gazed at his private courtyard with a smile.
"Finally, I own a piece of land, oh wait, it's ten acres!"