Returning to his room.
Qin Ming set up the Soundproof Array, and from now on, no matter how much noise came from the next room, it wouldn't affect him.
"Ah, this is comfortable. The whole world is peaceful now."
In the time that followed, all of Qin Ming's thoughts were focused on the five acres of Spirit Field.
This directly concerned his future fate.
Ten days later.
The Spirit Rice in the Spirit Field had begun to grow, presenting a lush green scene. Qin Ming immediately ran to the field to check.
What he cared about most was what kind of entry would emerge from the five acres of Spirit Field.
With a glance, Qin Ming saw four entries flashing in the green rice field.
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Weak Dharma Power (Maturity 10%)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Weak Dharma Power (Maturity 15%)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Beast Exorcism Technique x5 (Maturity 12%)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Parent Seed · Beast Fang Rice (Maturity 10%)
"New entries have appeared again."
Qin Ming was pleased, aside from 'Weak Dharma Power,' there were two new entries.
"Unfortunately, it didn't have a Ripening entry," he regretted.
The Beast Exorcism Technique, which he was familiar with, is also a type of Spirit Plant Technique.
When performing the spell with a specially designed bell-shaped Magical Artifact, it can swiftly deter various Demon Beasts to protect Spirit Plants.
However, this technique is very difficult to cultivate, more challenging than the Spirit Rain Technique, and few people can master it.
He assumed that the number behind the entry indicates it can be cast five times.
Next, Qin Ming focused his attention on the last entry.
"Huh? Beast Fang Rice... sounds familiar, I've seen this somewhere..."
Qin Ming frowned slightly, trying to recall.
Suddenly, a Spiritual Light flashed in his mind, and he remembered!
He patted his storage pouch, and a book appeared in his hand.
It turned out to be a Spirit Plant Book given to Spirit Farmers like them by the Spirit Feather Sect.
Qin Ming quickly turned to the last few pages.
Beast Fang Rice, a Tier One Low-Grade Spirit Plant, with grains white as snow, resembling beast fangs. Consuming it can slightly enhance Qi and blood, strengthen the body, and harmonize the organs. Its Spiritual Qi content is five times that of Golden Spirit Rice!
Golden Spirit Rice is merely ordinary Spirit Rice, not ranked.
In contrast, Beast Fang Rice falls under the category of Low-Grade Spirit Plants, which are relatively rare.
It is particularly favored by Body Cultivators, and whenever it appears in the market, it's often sold out immediately.
However, the cultivation conditions for Beast Fang Rice are rather demanding, requiring the use of the 'Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique' to mobilize Spirit Vein Qi for sustained irrigation.
Moreover, its maturation period is long, with the poorest quality Beast Fang Rice taking two years to mature, and its yield is low.
Its price is ten times that of Golden Spirit Rice, and even its seeds are exceptionally expensive.
The Spirit Feather Sect's booklet even highlighted: [Spirit Farmers who successfully cultivate and produce Beast Fang Rice will have their Spirit Rice taxes halved.]
Being able to cultivate and produce Tier One Low-Grade Spirit Plants qualifies one for advancement to become a Tier One Spirit Plant Master.
This status is far superior to that of an ordinary Low-Tier Spirit Farmer.
"It's the seed of Beast Fang Rice! I'm going to strike it rich!" Qin Ming was overjoyed.
Now, he must pay even closer attention to these five acres of Spirit Field.
In a little over three months, it will be time to submit the Spirit Rice taxes, which will be the real test for him.
It directly relates to his personal fortune and survival.
During this period, Qin Ming was on high alert, as nothing could go wrong in the Spirit Field.
Qin Ming then meticulously weeded the fields and used up his last 'Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique.'
...
Days went by.
Qin Ming worked diligently from dawn till dusk.
He hoped for the Spirit Rice to mature quickly.
Besides tending the Spirit Field, he devoted his time to diligently practicing the 'Longevity Technique' and the 'Spirit Rain Technique.'
After fully experiencing the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique five times, his mastery in magic had significantly improved, helped by his repeated practice and exploration.
Finally, he found that feeling.
One month later.
Looking at the spirit cloud covering the five acres of Spirit Field above him, Qin Ming's face lit up with joy: "The Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique, I've mastered it!"
From now on, even without relying on entries, he could perform the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique by himself.
However, the mana at Qi Cultivation Second Layer was truly worrying.
Despite this.
To increase the yield, Qin Ming spared no effort!
Every time he cast the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique, he would exhaust every bit of his mana!
To ensure rain two to three times a week.
Each time he returned home from the Spirit Fields, he looked pale and drained, barely able to support himself against the wall as he walked.
"Oh my, Fellow Daoist Qin, you can be quite surprising, can't you?"
"Tell the truth, have you been quietly tending to Li Yanli's business next door lately?"
"Young man, you need to know your limits!"
"Even if your waist is made of iron and your kidneys are made of steel, you can't keep up that pace every day."
The neighbors even began to assume he was indulging in wild expenditures.
'Ah, my cultivation is just too low. Every time I cast the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique, I struggle to maintain enough Spiritual Power.'
Qin Ming sighed inwardly, responding to these speculations with an awkward smile, offering no further explanation.
Staying focused on farming was his true path.
Watching the Spirit Rice in the field grow stronger day by day.
Qin Ming felt a comforting smile spread across his face.
"At least it wasn't all in vain."
A little over two months later.
The Spirit Rice matured.
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Weak Dharma Power (Maturity 100%, Ready to Harvest)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Weak Dharma Power (Maturity 100%, Ready to Harvest)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Beast Exorcism Technique x5 (Maturity 100%, Ready to Harvest)
[Name]: Golden Spirit Rice [Entry]: Parent Seed · Beast Fang Rice (Maturity 100%, Ready to Harvest)
Qin Ming collected these four stocks of Spirit Rice, and four white leaves instantly appeared in his Sea of Consciousness.
Shortly after.
A group of Spirit Farmers began harvesting Spirit Rice under the supervision of Du Haifu.
When it was Qin Ming's turn, Du Haifu looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
With a glance, he saw Qin Ming's Spirit Field filled with plump and large gold-hued Spirit Rice Ears, which bent their stalks from the weight.
"Did you master the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique?"
Du Haifu turned and observed Qin Ming, and after a brief pause, he surprisingly displayed a touch of appreciation.
"Somehow managed to learn it a while back."
"Alright, very good. Go ahead and harvest the Spirit Rice."
Qin Ming started working swiftly, harvesting the spirit rice.
After a whole day of labor, he harvested a total of eight large bags of spirit rice.
Du Haifu began the acceptance check and weighing.
"Harvested eight stones and twenty pounds of spirit rice..."
"Tax due is seventy percent, totaling five hundred and seventy-four pounds."
Just as he finished speaking.
A massive Dharma ship cut across the sky with escape light, stopping steadily in mid-air above the hillside.
An old man in a blue robe stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, his expression stern, standing behind him were seven or eight Outer Sect disciples of the Spirit Feather Sect, all standing respectfully.
Upon seeing this person, Du Haifu hurriedly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Steward Gue. As per your instructions, this season's spirit rice taxes have been fully collected, please have a look."
Having said that, he carefully presented a jade scroll.
Qin Ming also quickly bowed his head in salute.
At this moment, in front of Steward Gue, Du Haifu was entirely humble, a stark contrast to his usual assertive demeanor towards the spirit farmers.
Although the opponent was just an Outer Sect steward of the Spirit Feather Sect, he was still his superior, so he dared not overstep his bounds.
After Steward Gue reviewed the jade scroll, he instructed the disciples beside him to gather all the spirit farmers.
There were over three hundred people in total.
Cai the Ninth squeezed through the crowd to Qin Ming's side, giving him a look, and said, "Younger Brother Qin, how is it? How was today's harvest?"
Qin Ming chuckled nonchalantly, "Not bad, but you, Lao Jiu, weren't very honest. You had a bountiful harvest last season and didn't tell me, keeping it quiet to amass wealth?"
"Hehehe, well, it was all submitted as tribute." Cai the Ninth said evasively.
At this moment, Steward Gue on the Dharma ship surveyed everyone and announced emotionlessly, "The spirit rice tax for the three seasons this year has been fully collected."
"Following the sect's directive, I'm here to announce an order: the ten cultivators ranked at the bottom of this year's spirit rice production statistics will be forcibly deployed to the front line battle camp to supplement manpower, with no exceptions."
Steward Gue's indisputable voice sounded like a thunderclap, exploding in the hearts of all the spirit farmers, unable to calm down for a long time.
"What? The front line battle camp?"
"No... it can't be, right?"
"I... I shouldn't be ranked at the bottom, right?"
"Why wasn't such a matter stated in advance?"
...
All the spirit farmers were immediately filled with anxiety and panic.
"Hmph!" Steward Gue let out a cold snort, and a pressure from a Qi Cultivation Perfection cultivator spread out.
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"The spirit rice production for all three quarters and the rankings are all here, you can check for yourselves."
After Steward Gue spoke, a disciple of the Spirit Feather Sect stepped forward, casting a spell at the jade scroll ahead.
In an instant.
A giant light screen appeared above the heads of the spirit farmers, densely packed text clearly visible.
It displayed the rankings from high to low, with the specific production of each season attached at the back.
Qin Ming glanced up, quickly finding his name, ranked one hundred and fifty-sixth!
"Phew~"
He let out a long breath.
Middle-ranking.
He finally felt relieved.
"How could it be? Eight stones and twenty pounds?"
Beside him, Cai the Ninth exclaimed in surprise.
A dramatic scene unfolded.
The ranking on the light screen: One hundred and fifty-seventh, Cai Jiuwu...
Cai the Ninth's rank was right after Qin Ming's.
To know.
In the previous two seasons, his spirit rice production had far exceeded Qin Ming's.
But Qin Ming's spirit rice production in the third quarter was simply too unbelievable, exceeding his own by a wide margin!
If judged by third-quarter production alone, he would have been in the top fifty.
The ones ranked highest were seasoned spirit farmers at mid-stage Qi cultivation.
"I trust you've all seen clearly?"
"The last ten, board the ship and follow me."
"Tian Youcai, Zhao Mountain, Lin Chengdong..."
Those ten spirit farmers whose names were called instantly turned pale, their hearts like ashes.
What awaited them was the cruel frontline pioneering.
But faced with Steward Gue's orders, they dared not disobey.
These people were taken aboard the Dharma ship by the Spirit Feather Sect disciples.
"I hope you will redouble your efforts in the coming year, continue to diligently farm, and contribute to the sect. Next year, the sect will issue new targets. The next batch to be deployed to the battle camp will be the thirty spirit farmer cultivators ranked at the bottom."
Steward Gue's adamant voice lingered long in the ears of everyone.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming pondered.
This time, it was the Spirit Feather Sect's failure to notify everyone in advance.
Resulting in most spirit farmers not knowing there would be deployment to the battle camp.
If Du Haifu hadn't reminded him earlier, he definitely would have been in the dark too.
Following this incident.
Next year, there will inevitably be more internal competition among these spirit farmers.
After all.
No one wants to be a scapegoat on the frontline.
...
Qin Ming looked at the four entry leaves in his sea of consciousness.
An inexplicable feeling of melancholy welled up inside him.
Previously.
The idea of mastering the Intermediate Spirit Rain Technique in such a short time was beyond imagination.
But now.
It took less than half a year.
His experience in cultivating spirit rice also improved significantly, and after paying the spirit rice tax this time, he still had over two hundred and fifty pounds of golden spirit rice left.
Such an amount of spirit rice was more than he could consume alone, and selling it would allow him to accumulate another small amount of spirit stones.
With spirit stones, surviving in this environment provided more confidence.
"But at this rate of development, my cultivation level will soon fall behind."
"Continuously extracting mana at this high intensity will eventually damage the meridians over time, which would be irreversible."
Moreover, now that he had the Beast Fang Rice Spirit Seed.
So, the cultivation of Beast Fang Rice needed to be prioritized.
And maintaining the mana operation of the Middle-Grade Spirit Rain Technique for a prolonged period.
Qi Cultivation Third Layer was the minimum requirement.
"I wonder if those two 'Weak Dharma Power' entries can allow me to break through to Qi Cultivation Third Layer."
"No, I must work harder on farming, definitely producing that 'Ripening' entry!"