Translator: AnubisTL
"What? Become a spirit farmer and cultivate a spirit field? But I don't know anything about Spirit Planting Techniques!"
"Sigh, it seems the Heavenly River Sect's spirit stone mine won't be reopening anytime soon."
"Well, at least it's a way to make a living. But we're completely clueless! We'll have to start from scratch all over again!"
"To cultivate a spirit field, we'd need to learn at least one basic spell, like the Cloud-Gathering and Rain-Spreading Technique. But weeding and pest control will require meticulous manual labor."
"No way! I'm not becoming a spirit farmer! I'd rather leave the Liu Clan altogether!"
"..."
About ten days passed, and the worst fears of the spirit miners who relied on the Liu Clan materialized.
The Liu Clan tolerated no idlers. To continue enjoying the abundant spiritual energy of the Spirit Vein Land, the temporarily unemployed miners had to find new ways to support themselves.
Some considered farming, while others explored different opportunities.
One thing was certain: the Heavenly River Sect's spirit stone mine would remain closed for the foreseeable future. Mining operations wouldn't resume until the Grand Formation was repaired and the mastermind behind the mine's attack was apprehended.
Within the Liu Clan's territory, many spirit fields lay idle.
Naturally, the Liu Clan hoped that the unemployed spirit miners would reclaim these abandoned fields and cultivate spirit rice.
In truth, cultivating spirit fields could be quite profitable. With sufficient experience, managing multiple fields could yield significantly more spirit stones annually than mining.
However, most of these miners had spent the better part of their lives digging for spirit stones. Suddenly transitioning to managing a spirit field proved a steep learning curve, requiring a rapid shift in skills and mindset.
What the Liu Clan truly valued was reclaiming these abandoned spirit fields. As for how much profit they could squeeze from these former miners, they reasoned that even the smallest scraps were worth taking.
"Anyone who fails to claim and begin cultivating an abandoned spirit field within one month will face expulsion."
"They're truly heartless!"
In the crowd, Li Qing gazed up at the notice recently posted by the Liu Clan in the Loose Cultivator District and sighed inwardly.
Cultivating spirit fields was a time-consuming and laborious task. Due to the abundant spiritual energy, weeds like Tendon-Binding Grass frequently sprouted, competing with the spirit seedlings for vital resources. Moreover, various pests that fed on the seedlings thrived in the fields.
These were no ordinary weeds or insects from the mundane world; having grown bathed in concentrated spiritual energy, they were exceptionally difficult to eradicate.
Li Qing, who had already made up his mind, remained unfazed. He ultimately intended to support himself through his Artifact Refinement Technique. If he could no longer work as a spirit miner, he would simply leave without hesitation, refusing to waste his time on farming.
After reading the notice, Li Qing turned and walked away, his expression unchanged.
Time passed swiftly; for cultivators, a month was but a blink of an eye.
In the end, most spirit miners resigned themselves to their fate.
A Spirit Vein Land, brimming with spiritual energy, was too precious for any cultivator to abandon. Unless one was willing to forsake their path to the Dao, who would willingly cultivate in spiritually barren lands?
At least for these rogue cultivators, living under the protection of the Liu Clan was better than nothing.
Nevertheless, a few individuals still chose to leave.
Li Qing, for instance, had already packed all his belongings and was preparing to depart.
But just before he left, Li Qing sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough.
"Hmm? It seems like I'm about to break through!"
Li Qing's eyes lit up. He immediately sat down cross-legged, retrieved a Qi Transformation Pill, and hastily swallowed it.
Boom!
In an instant, his aura surged rapidly, escalating in waves.
The dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged upon his body, while the potent medicinal power of the Qi Transformation Pill swiftly diffused throughout his system. The medicinal power flowed along his meridians into his dantian, where it transformed into pure mana.
Finally, Li Qing's aura stabilized. After fully refining the medicinal power, he had advanced to the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm!
Li Qing's lips curled into a smug smile, even with his eyes still tightly shut.
What an unexpected delight! He had initially believed that even with the pill's assistance, reaching this realm would take months of effort. Yet today, the breakthrough had come effortlessly, like water flowing into its channel.
Fifth Layer of Qi Refining! Among the rogue cultivators in the Liu Clan, this was considered quite impressive.
Most cultivators who reached the Sixth Layer, nearing the bottleneck of the Late Qi Refining Realm, were elderly rogue cultivators who had spent the majority of their lives with the Liu Clan.
Just as Li Qing was preparing to use his Vital Energy to purge the pill toxins, an impatient knocking suddenly sounded at his door.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Li Qing, the final deadline is approaching! If you don't claim a spirit field to cultivate now, you'll have to return your Identity Token and leave the Liu Clan!"
The visitor was a member of the Liu Clan, sent to urge the remaining undecided rogue cultivators to claim their spirit fields.
Hearing the voice, Li Qing stood up, gathered his two storage pouches and spirit beast pouch, and stepped outside.
"There's no need," he said, handing his Identity Token to the young Liu Clan disciple waiting at the gate. "I'll be leaving today. Thank you for the Liu Clan's hospitality during my stay."
The young Liu Clan disciple froze, then stared in utter astonishment.
"Li Qing, are you sure you want to leave? You won't find another cultivation clan as generous as the Liu Clan out there. You should reconsider."
Having already made up his mind, Li Qing simply handed over his Identity Token.
"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist, but I plan to travel extensively and witness the grand splendor of the cultivation world. If the opportunity arises in the future, perhaps I'll return."
Li Qing's words were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
In the end, the Liu Clan disciple didn't press further. He took the token and hurried off to urge the other rogue cultivators to leave.
After all, the Liu Clan was a cultivation clan led by a Foundation Establishment Realm expert. The departure of a few rogue cultivators was hardly worth their concern.
Before leaving, Li Qing cast one last glance at the small courtyard he had called home for over a year, a hint of sentimentality in his eyes.
When he had first arrived, he was only at the second layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Now, he had reached the fifth layer.
Such rapid progress was unimaginable, especially considering his Spiritual Root was merely a Mixed Spirit Root!
Fortunately, Li Qing had kept a low profile, drawing little attention. Few even knew how long he had been with the Liu Clan or what his cultivation level had been when he first arrived.
Apart from a few regular acquaintances like Jin Chuan and Chen Xin, virtually no one at the Liu Clan paid Li Qing any attention.
Even Jin Chuan and Chen Xin were unaware that Li Qing had already broken through to the fifth layer of the Qi Refining Realm.
Now was the perfect time to leave!
Li Qing effortlessly approached the formation guarding Longevity Valley and greeted the Liu Clan disciple on duty: "I am Li Qing, a spirit mine worker preparing to depart from the Liu Clan. I request that you activate the formation."
Soon, a portly man with eyes squeezed into narrow slits by the rolls of fat on his face emerged.
This was Liu Tianbao. Coincidentally, he had also been on duty at the formation when Li Qing first arrived at the Liu Clan.
However, Liu Sheng had handled Li Qing's initial reception, as Liu Tianbao had been too busy cultivating to attend to the newcomer.
As a result, Li Qing only knew Liu Sheng and had no memory of this stout man.
"Hmm, a spirit beast pouch! Are you a beast tamer, Fellow Daoist? What rank is the demon beast you're raising?" Liu Tianbao asked in surprise.
Li Qing paused briefly before replying truthfully, "You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. I'm no beast tamer. I simply had the good fortune to encounter a young tiger beast with mixed bloodlines. Its rank isn't high—only early first-tier."
Hearing that it was a tiger-type demonic beast, Liu Tianbao's interest surged. He eagerly asked, "May I see it, please?"
Li Qing felt a hint of wariness at this request. While demonic beasts were rare these days, such intense interest seemed excessive.
"Fellow Daoist," Li Qing replied, "the tiger I keep is quite timid."
Liu Tianbao sighed dramatically at Li Qing's refusal. "Ah, to be honest, my parents have high hopes for me. They wanted me to reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining before turning twenty and secure a recommendation from our clan to participate in the Heavenly River Sect's three-stage trial."
"Alas, I'm already twenty-one and only recently reached the sixth layer. I've missed my chance for the clan's recommendation."
"To avoid disappointing my parents, I plan to participate in next year's Ascension Conference, which only happens once every five years!"
Li Qing remained unmoved, his gaze impassive. He couldn't understand what this portly man's personal troubles had to do with him.
"So?" Li Qing asked tentatively.
"So, Fellow Daoist, would you consider selling me that demonic beast? I'll offer you a generous price!"
"Or, if that's not possible, perhaps you'd lease it to me for a while? Just until after next year's Ascension Conference. If I manage to gain entry to the Heavenly River Sect, I'll reward you handsomely!"
As Liu Tianbao spoke, he rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with anticipation.
Li Qing scoffed inwardly, finding the fat man's wishful thinking rather delusional.
"Fellow Daoist," Li Qing said earnestly, "this demonic beast has been my lifelong companion. We've been inseparable since it was young, and we've endured countless trials together. I've even bound it with a Blood Pact Seal, making it exceedingly difficult for it to accept another master."
"Besides, I doubt that a mere first-tier, early-stage demonic beast could decisively influence the Ascension Conference. You'd be better off abandoning this idea."
Li Qing's sincere advice masked his inner complaint: Even Fan Tong's life matters!
He had heard tales of the Ascension Conference, a legendary gathering where countless cultivators clashed for glory. Yet in every iteration, only those in the Late Qi Refining Realm ultimately secured Immortal Seed status. He would never let Fan Tong risk his life for a stranger, especially against seasoned combatants.
Liu Tianbao's expression dimmed slightly at these words. In the end, he said nothing more, seemingly accepting Li Qing's counsel.
"Ah, well, if you're not interested in a trade, Fellow Daoist, I won't force the issue," Liu Tianbao sighed, turning to leave. He gestured towards the corner of the formation he had opened for Li Qing, granting him passage.
Now it was Li Qing's turn to hesitate. Could this fatso be plotting to trap me in the formation and kill me later? he wondered.
He glanced at the other Liu Clan member guarding the formation, which slightly reassured him.
After all, the Liu Clan prided itself on being a righteous cultivation clan. Such dishonorable conduct would undoubtedly tarnish their reputation if exposed.
Moreover, Li Qing had already warned Liu Tianbao that he had sealed Fan Tong with a Blood Pact Seal, making its removal extremely troublesome.
Liu Tianbao also had to consider that the Blood Pact Seal granted Li Qing life-and-death control over Fan Tong. If he truly attempted to trap Li Qing in the formation and kill him, Li Qing could simply destroy the seal with a thought, rendering Liu Tianbao's efforts futile and denying him Fan Tong.
In short, Li Qing didn't believe this somewhat naive fat man would dare attempt such a betrayal in broad daylight.
With this in mind, Li Qing ultimately decided to play it safe and avoid the risk. He focused his thoughts:
"Oh, right! Before I leave, I must pay my respects to the Daoist brother who first brought me into the Liu Clan!"
With that, Li Qing turned back, preparing to visit Liu Sheng. He had only just remembered this. He owed Liu Sheng a debt of gratitude for introducing him to the Liu Clan, which had allowed him to truly integrate into the cultivation world.
Thus, nearly half a day later, outside the formation protecting Longevity Valley:
"Ah, Brother Li, your decision truly surprises me! I never imagined that forcibly cultivating that body refinement secret technique would lead to such dire consequences."
"Still, traveling the world at the Qi Refining Realm carries considerable risks. You must tread carefully out there."
Li Qing nodded gratefully. "Brother Liu Sheng, I hope our paths cross again someday."
"They surely will, Brother Li! Safe travels, and may you swiftly find a way to replenish your Vital Energy!"
"Thank you for your kind words. This is far enough, Brother Liu Sheng. All farewells must come!"
With those words, Li Qing clasped his hands in a fist salute towards Liu Sheng. To any uninformed observer, they might have truly believed these two were the closest of friends, perhaps even sworn brothers.
In the end, Li Qing departed Longevity Valley under Liu Sheng's watchful gaze.
As Li Qing's figure receded into the distance, Liu Sheng's mind filled with confusion.
"Why did that guy suddenly show up asking me to see him off? I don't remember being that close to him."
"Well, he's just another unlucky fool. Of all the secret techniques he could have chosen, he had to pick the Precious Wood Body Refinement Manual for body refinement. Did he really think body refinement techniques were so easy to master?"
"If that were true, there wouldn't be so few body cultivators around."
Liu Sheng muttered to himself, then left in a daze, utterly bewildered.
Meanwhile, within Longevity Valley, Liu Tianbao, responsible for guarding the formation, had been closely observing the entire scene.
His gaze remained fixed on the direction Li Qing had disappeared into, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He appeared deeply conflicted, though his true thoughts remained unreadable.
(End of the Chapter)
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