"This guy's nerves are way too thick!"
Chu Ning sighed, not dodging, quickly forming a spell and releasing a Blade Skill!
"Clang!"
The blades formed by magical power clashed like metal hitting metal, and in the next moment, the blade sent by Qiu Shunyi vanished.
Meanwhile, the blade Chu Ning sent out continued forward, slicing through a few stalks of Red Spirit Rice before disappearing.
Seeing this, Qiu Shunyi let out a small sigh of relief and quickly apologized:
"Chu Ning, I'm sorry, I... don't know what got into my head just now."
But seeing Chu Ning's spell earlier, how could Qiu Shunyi not realize that what Shang Zhaoxiang said was true? He immediately became envious:
"Chu Ning, you've really reached the Second Layer of Qi Refining? We clearly completed the 'Introducing Qi into the Body' together, and I haven't even touched the threshold of the second layer."
"Just lucky, maybe my cultivation with the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique is a good fit." Chu Ning casually came up with an excuse.
Of course, he couldn't tell the other party that he had already touched the threshold of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
Moreover, what he said wasn't entirely false. The Yin Technique Spirit Body is quite suitable for cultivating wood element techniques and spells, so he was indeed a good fit for the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique.
Chu Ning's explanation made the other three present believe him somewhat. Such compatibility with a cultivation technique does exist after all.
It's just that you usually only find out after actually practicing it.
They could only marvel at Chu Ning's good fortune.
After Chu Ning and Cao Dongxin left, Shang Zhaoxiang remarked once more:
"Reaching the Second Layer of Qi Refining in three months is quite impressive among the servant disciples, even if it doesn't compare to those with extraordinary talent.
After the assessment in a few days, Chu Ning should be assigned a good spirit field, so he might not need to plant our Red Spirit Rice anymore."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shunyi's expression turned even more envious.
They all knew that the better the spirit field and spirit plant, the higher the potential income.
But as for him, there was nothing he could do now since the assessment was only four days away.
Meanwhile, Chu Ning was also considering inwardly that he seemed to need to practice more spells.
Especially offensive and defensive spells.
The reckless Blade Skill by Qiu Shunyi was luckily countered quickly by Chu Ning's own Blade Skill.
However, Blade Skill wasn't really his strength.
He should focus on practicing wood element spells to master them faster.
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Everyone gathered again, and He Changyou, who brought Chu Ning and the others three months ago, appeared with Zhuang Yunde.
"Steward He!"
Amidst the greetings, He Changyou nodded, then looked over the nearly thirty people present.
His gaze then landed directly on Chu Ning and another person named Yuan Guang.
"You two have reached the Second Layer of Qi Refining? Not bad!" He Changyou's face showed a slight smile.
Upon hearing this, the remaining twenty-eight people, including Qiu Shunyi, looked at Chu Ning and Yuan Guang with envy.
Chu Ning had already noticed that another new disciple had reached the Second Layer of Qi Refining, from the same batch 'Introducing Qi into the Body,' and was somewhat relieved.
This way, he wouldn't stand out too much.
Showcasing the Second Layer of Qi Refining was necessary because only then could he obtain the complete Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique.
But Chu Ning was always slightly worried that revealing his cultivation level too fast might make him too conspicuous.
Now it seemed, it's not too bad.
Being one of the two was different from being the only one.
He Changyou spoke again at this moment.
"Alright, let's begin the test to see how well you have mastered your spells. Start with the Accelerating Technique!"
Saying this, He Changyou handed each person a seed.
"This is the most basic Red Spirit Rice seed. You all have planted it before. We just finished harvesting the early rice, and it's time to plant the late rice, try to accelerate it."
After He Changyou finished speaking, everyone began using the Accelerating Technique with the Red Spirit Rice seeds in their hands.
The Red Spirit Rice seeds were relatively easy to accelerate. Chu Ning was already proficient with the Accelerating Technique, so he held back his magical power, but displayed his spell proficiency as needed.
Before coming here, he had already decided to showcase certain skills with the Accelerating Technique, Clearing Technique, and even the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
But the Ganlin Technique and Blade Skill were naturally weaker.
Establishing an image that was indeed compatible with the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique and wood spells, so long as it wasn't too exceptional, the Sect wouldn't be overly suspicious. It would, in fact, help with his future plans.
Thus, Chu Ning's Red Spirit Rice seed was the first among everyone to sprout, break the shell, and continue growing.
"Stop!"
With He Changyou's command, everyone wore different expressions on their faces.
Besides a few, most had completed the acceleration, though most only managed to sprout seedlings.
The best performance in acceleration was still by Chu Ning and Yuan Guang. The seedlings in Chu Ning's hand nearly an inch long, while Yuan Guang's was about half that.
After noting this, He Changyou began testing other spells.
Chu Ning again demonstrated the best performance with the Clearing Technique, though he was slightly inferior to Yuan Guang with the Ganlin and Blade Skills.
In spell performance, they roughly tied.
He Changyou began announcing the final results.
"Out of thirty tested, twenty-two qualified: Chu Ning, Yuan Guang, Chen Youdao, Zhang Hui, Qiu Shunyi..."
With the announcement of the 22 names, the remaining 8 visibly deflated, but He Changyou ignored them, waving them away:
"You may go back now, follow your respective senior brothers for more training, and test again in one year."
"Except for Chu Ning and Yuan Guang, the remaining 20 people will be assigned 5 acres of spirit fields by the Sect: 3 acres in Zone D lower level, and 2 acres in middle level, for planting Red Spirit Rice."
"Chu Ning and Yuan Guang will be allocated 10 acres each, 5 acres each in Zone D high and middle level spirit fields."
He Changyou's words naturally sparked great envy among the other 20.
Not only were Chu Ning and Yuan Guang assigned twice the area of spirit fields than the others, but their starting fields were all in the Zone D middle-level, providing a completely different treatment.
After speaking, He Changyou looked at Chu Ning and Yuan Guang.
"By now, you should have some understanding of spirit plants. What do you plan to cultivate?"
Having clearly prepared, Yuan Guang immediately answered with a delighted expression, "Steward He, I plan to grow Purple Sweet Potato Fruit and Spirit Rice."
He Changyou nodded, as these are common choices for high and middle-level spirit fields in Zone D.
He then turned to Chu Ning, "And you, Chu Ning?"
Chu Ning mulled over it before responding, "Steward He, I will plant Spirit Rice in the middle-level field and Ink Spirit Bamboo in the high-level field."
Hearing this, He Changyou was slightly surprised, as Ink Spirit Bamboo is a raw material for ordinary talisman paper with a higher difficulty level than Purple Sweet Potato Fruit. It's usually chosen by those with years of experience in Zone D.
He furrowed his brows slightly, "Are you sure you want to grow Ink Spirit Bamboo?"
Once Chu Ning nodded, He Changyou had no more objections. After all, the choice of spirit plant involved mandatory task standards from the Sect.
He then took two booklets from his storage bag and handed them to Chu Ning and Yuan Guang.
"According to regulations, upon reaching the Second Layer of Qi Refining, you can obtain the complete Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique..."
Hearing this, Chu Ning quickly accepted it.
The booklet looked identical to the one he received upon joining the Sect, titled , but it was noticeably thicker.
"This is the complete Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique; it includes the Fourth Layer cultivation technique!"