"If the weeds cannot be uprooted entirely, they will continue to grow and compete with the Spirit Grain for Spiritual Qi."
"If you master the Flame Fire Spell at the Second Layer Master Level, you won't need to manually pull the weeds."
Old Huang spoke as he changed the Dharma Seal in his hand, and the orange spiritual light spread across the Spirit Field, resembling the glow of a sunset.
Ji An saw wisps of blue smoke rising as the weeds turned to ash.
He picked up a shovel and dug around, discovering that the roots of the weeds had also been burned to ash.
This is cultivation! Someday I can be this cool too!
"Senior Brother's magic is profound, my admiration!"
There should be applause here. Ji An put down his hoe and clapped vigorously, playing the role of a qualified supporter.
"I've been cultivating for over ten years, yet my Flame Fire Spell hasn't reached the Great Success Level. It's quite embarrassing."
Though speaking of embarrassment, Old Huang's face betrayed a hint of pride.
"The Flame Fire Spell not only destroys the roots of weeds but also burns insects in the Spirit Field, turning them into fertilizer, achieving multiple benefits at once.
Of course, the Flame Fire Spell has other wondrous uses, which you'll gradually come to know."
"Once the weed issue is resolved, another challenge arises."
"In the Spirit Field, the distribution of Spiritual Qi is uneven. Some areas have excess accumulation, forming clumps, while others become barren."
"Neither situation benefits the Spirit Grain and herbs in absorbing Spiritual Qi."
"For this, you need to use the Spirit-Shaking Hoe and Spirit-Combing Rake to shake the Spiritual Qi and distribute the Spiritual Power evenly."
"The Thick Earth Technique can resolve this predicament. If you can cultivate the Thick Earth Technique to the Great Success Level, it can even improve soil fertility."
"Given time, you can cultivate an Unranked Spirit Field into a Tier One Spirit Field."
"Among my ten acres of Spirit Field, one has been cultivated into a Tier One Spirit Field, for which the Sect awarded me two Small Merits."
Old Huang cast the spell again, and yellow earth-colored light flashed through the Spirit Field, as if invisible tools had plowed and raked it again.
He took grain seeds from his pouch, scattering them evenly and neatly in the soil.
Old Huang smiled proudly, saying:
"Just a trick, the Object Control Technique, perfect for large-scale sowing, but it requires you to reach the Mid-stage Qi Refining before learning it. For now, you must sow obediently."
"Scatter the seeds and cast the Thick Earth Technique again."
Old Huang clapped his hands casually, saying:
"Alright, an acre of Spirit Field has been planted."
Ji An watched as the exposed grain seeds gradually sank into the soil, astonished by the magic.
"Senior Brother is truly remarkable and a model among peers. I don't know how long it'll be before I reach half your level."
This is cultivation!
"Little An, to be honest, I'm only at Seventh-Layer Qi Refining, but among the Sect's Qi Refining Stage Spirit Farmers, only a handful reach my level."
"Unfortunately..."
Old Huang's face suddenly showed sorrow, "I'm fifty-six this year and can stay in the Sect for at most four more years before having to leave."
Qi Refining Cultivators' lifespans aren't much more than ordinary people; generally speaking, living up to a hundred is the limit.
If one can progress to Foundation Establishment Stage, lifespans can reach two hundred years. So, in the Sect's eyes, without Foundation Establishment, there's no great use.
After sixty, one's body starts declining, making progression to Foundation Establishment challenging.
Even with conditions for progress, it's likely one might perish during the process.
"With such skills, the Sect should want to retain you."
Spirit Farming is a technical field. Though Senior Brother Huang lost the possibility of advancing to Foundation Establishment, he can still plant Spirit Grain and contribute. His proficiency is superior to most Spirit Farmers.
"The Sect has considered this. There's a special rule: if a disciple is over sixty but has one exceptional skill, they can stay."
"Spirit Farmers need three Planting Techniques at the Great Success Level. I only have Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique."
Ji An sincerely replied:
"With four years left, if Senior Brother persists, there's still a glimmer of hope."
"Little An, some things, if you can't learn, you just can't learn. I discovered this truth after seven or eight years."
Old Huang's eyes showed loss, but he quickly adjusted, slightly raising his eyebrows:
"I completely gave up cultivation years ago. I know my cultivation career has ended here, but my grandson Huang Feihu will certainly surpass me."
He just turned twelve this year and entered Yellow Bud Daoist School. With me backing him, his cultivation path will be smoother."
"I don't expect him to achieve great success, just to complete Foundation Establishment, allowing the Huang Family to prosper and establish a cultivation clan."
Huang Feihu?
Ji An's lips curled into a smile:
"A good name, your grandson will surely forge ahead on the cultivation path, fulfilling Senior Brother's wish."
"Thanks for your kind words, if Flying Tiger enters the Sect, I'll ask for your support."
"You're flattering me, Senior Brother. If there's anything I can help with in the future, feel free to ask."
Ji An promised cheerfully, no matter what the future holds, speaking positively is a must now!
"Senior Brother, I see many barren Spirit Fields here, since you've given up cultivation to earn Spirit Crystals, why not plant more acres of Spirit Field?"
"With your current skills, it's easy!"
In less than a minute, he's completed sowing an acre. If he's that efficient, planting hundreds of acres would rightfully reflect his skills.
"Little An, are you saying this because I look relaxed now and you assume it's easy?"
Old Huang chuckled and explained:
"Take Spirit Grain, for example; it matures every three months. The first month indeed requires little effort to manage, but as the grains grow, the need for Spirit Rain gradually increases."
"Ten acres of Spirit Field require daily raincasting, using up half the Magical Power of someone at Seventh-Layer Qi Refining."
"For good harvests, one must cast the Life and Death Technique to capture Wood Element Spiritual Power from other plants to nourish their own fields."
"By the time Spirit Grain matures, various insects and birds come to eat, requiring daily magic to kill or repel them to protect the yield."
"After thorough consideration, ten acres of Spirit Field is my limit."
Doesn't he want to plant more?
Of course! But if planting does not yield, it results in a loss.
For a good yield, one must buy seeds cultivated by the Sect's Spirit Farmer Pavilion, which can't be skipped."
"The Sect's Spirit Fields aren't cultivated for free? Timely rent payments of Spirit Grain to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall are necessary."
"Additionally, disciples above Qi Refining Fourth Level must complete a certain number of Sect tasks yearly."
"Several constraints limit the number of acres he can plant."
Ji An nodded thoughtfully.
He understood. No matter the world, you'll encounter the principle 'The Way of Heaven removes excess to replenish deficiency; human ways remove deficiency to benefit excess.'
Cultivators produce continuously, providing enough support to higher-level cultivators, allowing them to focus solely on cultivation.