"Brother An, why are you here?"
Wang Dazhu was quite pleased.
Li An said, "I came over to buy something."
"Spring Herbs? Li An, you can't be thinking of using that to treat your Spirit Root, right?"
Zhao Xian's Story glanced at the two large bundles of Spring Herbs on Li An's shoulder and couldn't help but smile.
Some time ago, Wang Dazhu had gone to Spirit Plant Mountain and returned to tell them that Li An had successfully achieved Qi Cultivation.
He was surprised at first, but later found out that forcibly cultivating with a damaged Spirit Root posed great risks.
Basically, he could only remain at Qi Refining First Layer for the rest of his life.
"Yes, I heard that this herb has some effect on the Spirit Root."
Li An was neither humble nor overbearing.
"Li An, even though this herb is effective, its effect is negligible."
Mu Qingwan couldn't help but remind him.
When entering the sect, she had said she would help treat Li An if she succeeded in her cultivation, but now she too knew that Li An's injury was almost incurable.
Li An just sighed.
The few of them chatted for a while by the side of the trading market.
Within four months of entering the sect, Mu Qingwan had made the most progress, achieving perfection at Qi Refining Second Layer, and was about to break through to the third layer.
Her Yellow Rank Middle Grade Spirit Root allowed her to cultivate at a speed far surpassing others.
Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xian's Story had both also reached Qi Refining Second Layer.
They joined the sect together at the beginning, but now, the gap between Li An and them was growing larger.
Even their clothing reminded one of their status; Li An's servant clothes were somewhat dirty and worn from long work.
Mu Qingwan and the others' robes were bright and shiny.
Li An learned that they had also come to the trading market to buy Spirit Rice.
"There was a small beast tide recently in the sect's Spirit Beast Mountain Range, said to be caused by the birth of a Spirit Beast with powerful bloodline..."
"The sect issued a mission to capture the spilling Spirit Beasts, which can be exchanged for contribution points."
Li An felt a slight tension.
Spirit Beasts, like humans, have bloodlines divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow Ranks.
To cause a beast tide, the Spirit Beast's bloodline is likely around the Profound Rank.
A Spirit Beast with a Profound Rank bloodline, even if it grows naturally, could eventually become a Tier Two Spirit Beast, comparable to a human Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and even has a good chance to grow to Rank Three!
A Rank Three Spirit Beast is equivalent to a human in the Core Formation Stage.
Such Spirit Beasts are extremely rare, as the Sect Leader of the Profound Yang Sect, Profound Yang Master, is also just a True Core Cultivator.
"By the way, Li An, aren't you a Spirit Plant farmer? Do you have any extra Spirit Rice? We're all friends here, we can help out your business..."
Zhao Xian's Story asked, with a hint of superiority in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, but just now, Sister Xu Qiuhui passed by, and I sold all my Spirit Rice."
Li An spread his hands.
"Xu Qiuhui's chances of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple are almost certain, buying so much Spirit Rice might be to lure that young beast with the Profound Rank bloodline, in preparation for exchanging for a Foundation Establishment Pill..."
Mu Qingwan whispered.
"Brother An, we're going to attend a small gathering, and it's said some Inner Sect Disciples will appear, do you want to come?"
Wang Dazhu warmly invited.
Li An felt a bit bitter, "No, I managed to get a day off, if I don't go back soon, I won't finish my work."
He took his leave.
Watching his back as he carried the Spring Herbs away, Mu Qingwan's eyes showed some complexity, and she sighed slightly.
...
After leaving the trading market, Li An didn't go directly back to Spirit Plant Mountain.
He took another trip to the sect's exchange center and spent a Spirit Stone to exchange for two books.
"Basic Medicine Skill," "Talisman Overview."
Basic Medicine Skill mainly explains the medicinal properties, uses, and identification of common herbs and some Spirit Herbs.
Talisman Overview provides basic principles for beginners in talisman making.
These two books are common items in the sect, so they're quite cheap.
In his past life, Li An reached Core Formation, and was involved in Alchemy, talisman making, and medicine, mastering these skills long ago.
Especially in the art of talismans, he excelled in his previous life.
The reason he purchased them now is for future development.
So that displaying certain talents or abilities all of a sudden wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
...
After returning to Spirit Plant Mountain, Li An paused stealing Spirit Rice.
Because pest problems were becoming more severe, almost to the point of being uncontrollable, and stealing could easily cause issues.
After completing the rain-making task each day, Li An would study Basic Medicine Skill and Talisman Overview, and every night he would drink water boiled with Spring Herbs.
Occasionally, he would also gather some wild herbs from the nearby hills to boil.
Fan Jie, who would frequently stay overnight at Sister Zhang Susu's place, also knew of Li An's situation and merely responded with a scornful laugh, thinking Li An was wasting his time.
...
One day, Li An was hunting in the mountains not far from the Spirit Field.
His Cloud Movement and Rain Skill was becoming more seamless, so he completed the rain-making task in the morning.
"This forested area is the only place where the Stinky Skunk grows."
Li An lay in ambush behind a large rock, circulating the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill, the breath of the Life Seed enveloping him, making him blend in with the surrounding flora.
A yellow shadow darted swiftly before him.
In front of Li An, a Water Arrow instantly formed, and with a whoosh, it shot out.
With a screech, the Stinky Skunk ten meters away was hit on the spot, fell to the ground, and after flailing a couple of times, lay motionless!
Li An walked out, satisfied.
His Water Arrow Skill had become second nature to him, with a damage range extending up to fifteen meters.
Thanks to the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill, his Spiritual Qi was abundant and long-lasting, with extremely fast recovery, allowing him to shoot about twelve arrows in succession.
This strength could even crush a Qi Refining Second Layer cultivator!
"The first leaf of the Life Seed has fully unfolded, and the second leaf already has a small green dot, about to sprout..."
Li An was confident he could reach Qi Refining Second Layer within a year!
Everything was full of hope.
Picking up the carcass of the smelly weasel, he returned to his residence, used a knife to cut open the weasel's rear, and extracted the sticky, smelly gland.
A stench hit him, making Li An feel nauseous. He quickly operated the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill, held his breath, and threw the gland into the pot.
"The Evil Pigeon Herbs are enough to kill the moths, and with the cover of camphor root and the weasel's stench, no one will be able to guess."
He had promised Xu Qiuhui to send another hundred pounds of Spirit Rice next month. Without resolving the pest issue, let alone extra rewards, he might even incur losses!
It was hard enough to establish a relationship with Xu Qiuhui; it would be ruined.
Having been born into a cultivation clan in his past life, where there were also Spirit Fields, he knew a couple of secret remedies for dealing with pests.
The remedy was actually simple: boiling Evil Pigeon Herbs in water was extremely effective for killing insects.
To cover up this remedy, he intentionally added camphor root and the stinky weasel to the boil to mislead others and prevent the remedy from being discovered.
From the black broth in the pot, a thick stench exploded and spread far away.
"Li An, are you boiling shit?!"
Fan Jie was having a meal at Zhang Susu's place and was almost vomited from the stench. He rushed out, kicked open Li An's door, and scolded him while pinching his nose.
Li An hurriedly explained, "Reporting to the Immortal Elder, I was researching a soup medicine from the herb book that can kill insects..."
"Research my ass, you think you can research soup medicine? Turn off the fire now!"
The stench was unbearable for Fan Jie.
Li An quickly turned off the fire.
...
The next day, Li An infused the brewed soup medicine into the rainwater while practicing Cloud Movement and Rain Skill.
About an hour after the rain, a large number of moths in Li An's field were dead.
Moreover, the Spirit Rice was not affected at all!
"It actually worked this well?!"
Fan Jie was a bit surprised when he saw this. Li An actually managed to research something new from those basic herb books?
He couldn't help but feel joyful; he had been stressed out over the pest problem!
He immediately found Li An, asking him to prepare a pot for him that night as he had a use for it.
This surprised Li An.
He thought of the large array in the Spirit Field that was stealing spiritual energy.
Could it be that Fan Jie planted something on Spirit Plant Mountain that suffered from pest infestation?
But he didn't say anything and agreed readily.
"Li An, can you make a pot of that soup medicine for me as well?"
Zhang Susu also came asking. Ever since Fan Jie had stayed for dinner, her life had improved rapidly.
Now she looked radiant, with a rosy complexion, no longer wearing a servant's uniform, but wearing dresses from before, adding a mature charm.
Li An said, "Sister Susu, it might take some time. I need a lot of time to gather all the herbs..."
"Don't worry, I won't use it for free. Once my Spirit Rice matures this month, I'll give you half of the extra rewards. How about that?"
She said with a smile.
The main concern was that the pest problem was getting worse, even Fan Jie couldn't solve it. If it continued, her patch of Spirit Field would have no extra harvest.
Li An agreed readily.
Even Wang Zilin came limping by, looking at Li An with a pleading expression, "Brother An, I..."
"Nine and a half, you give me nine and a half of your extra reward, and I'll make a pot for you."
Li An looked at him.
Upon hearing this, Wang Zilin was almost distraught, damn it, a pot of soup medicine, and he wanted nine and a half of the extra income?!
This damned Li flayer!
But without solving the pest problem, forget about extra income, his monthly supply would be cut.
He gritted his teeth and agreed.
...
In the following days, Spirit Plant Mountain became quite aromatic.
Fan Jie didn't dare to stay over at Zhang Susu's place these days because the stench of Li An's soup was unbearable.
...
Soon, the third batch of Spirit Rice was harvested.
This time, without the pest impact, all Spirit Fields had a bumper harvest.
Li An became the big winner, with extra rewards from his own Spirit Field, plus shares from Zhang Susu's, his extra income reached 138 pounds.
Li An couldn't help but feel delightful; sitting back and enjoying the success was indeed the best.
On the last day of the month, he went to the trading market again, fulfilling his commitment to Xu Qiuhui.
He found out that the small beast tide in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range continued, so Spirit Rice would be in high demand for a long time.
Then he bought back twenty pounds of Spring Herbs.
...
Time flew by.
Eight months passed in a blink of an eye.
"Almost there."
Li An's state was getting better; Qi Refining First Layer was finally cultivated to Perfection!
He could charge for Qi Refining Second Layer.
...