Actually, after entering the Sect, Chu Ning discovered that everyone was busy with cultivation and farming.
Moreover, information and resources for low-tier disciples were limited, so there wasn't much to discuss with each other.
Although it can't be said that everyone was solitary, it was indeed rare to see people in groups.
Like now, seeing a group of people suddenly appear within the range of the Spirit Field, Chu Ning had rarely seen this.
Moreover, Chu Ning realized that he knew all these people.
They were the disciples from the Spirit Plant Room who had passed the assessment with him a few months ago.
Leading the group was Yuan Guang, who was allocated high-level Spirit Field along with him.
Following behind were Chen Youdao, Zhang Hui, and others, even Qiu Shunyi and Lv Xingyuan, who had previously gone to the market together, were present.
As Chu Ning saw them, the group also saw Chu Ning approaching, and many of their faces showed a variety of expressions.
"Oh, it's Senior Brother Chu!"
The first to speak was Chen Youdao, who was walking closest to Yuan Guang.
"We were just about to see Senior Brother Yuan's Purple Sweet Potato Fruit. We wonder if your Ink Spirit Bamboo is mature enough so we can all take a look?"
As soon as Chen Youdao spoke, the others immediately chimed in.
"Yes, Senior Brother Chu, we haven't seen mature Ink Spirit Bamboo before."
"We hear that this Ink Spirit Bamboo can be used to make talisman paper, we're really curious how it looks."
...
The crowd looked eager to watch the scene unfold.
Among the crowd, Yuan Guang heard their words, a hint of pride emerged on his face.
While Qiu Shunyi's expression changed slightly, as he was about to speak to the others, Chu Ning waved his hand and said:
"Forget about my Ink Spirit Bamboo, it's growing poorly and can't be harvested yet."
Upon hearing Chu Ning's words, the expressions on the people's faces became even more varied, and Chen Youdao responded:
"Senior Brother Chu, that's really a pity, but Senior Brother Yuan's Purple Sweet Potato Fruit is indeed growing well."
Just a few days ago, Senior Brother Zhuang Yunde said it exceeded the Sect's standards.
Your cultivation level is the same as Senior Brother Yuan's. If you also plant this Purple Sweet Potato Fruit, you might be able to do quite well."
Chu Ning looked at the sycophantic expression of the other party and shook his head internally, but did not reply.
Seeing Chu Ning's demeanor, Yuan Guang immediately felt gratified.
During the assessment before, Chu Ning chose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo, which was a higher level than his Purple Sweet Potato Fruit, but now made him able to vent his frustration.
Thinking of this, Yuan Guang also spoke up, "Junior Brother Chu, why don't you come along? Give us some pointers?"
With a seemingly friendly invitation, Yuan Guang called him Junior Brother, but how could Chu Ning not hear the hint of boastfulness?
However, at this moment, Chu Ning really didn't care about people like Yuan Guang, as they were not on the same level, and their pursuits were also no longer of the same grade.
Chu Ning chuckled lightly and shook his head, "Forget it, I have other things to do, so I won't go."
With that said, Chu Ning continued to walk forward.
These people were not really inviting him sincerely anyway.
Moreover, they believed that Chu Ning certainly felt embarrassed to stay with everyone after choosing to plant the Ink Spirit Bamboo, which turned out poorly.
Seeing Chu Ning leaving, naturally, nobody retained him, as they continued together to the high-level Spirit Field area.
However, Qiu Shunyi, seeing this situation, stepped two paces behind and approached Chu Ning, with an embarrassed expression on his face he said:
"Chu Ning, Xingyuan invited me to go have a look. I guessed you might not want to go, so I didn't mention it to you."
Chu Ning heard and smiled slightly, patting Qiu Shunyi's shoulder.
"It's fine, you go ahead, it's good to gain some insight. You're also at the Second Layer of Qi Refining now, so perhaps soon you'll have the chance to plant Purple Sweet Potato Fruit."
After saying this, Chu Ning gracefully left.
Qiu Shunyi watched Chu Ning's departure, doubt flickered in his heart.
How come it seemed like Chu Ning wasn't embarrassed about the Ink Spirit Bamboo not being good, but rather appeared to look down on this Purple Sweet Potato Fruit?
At this time, Chu Ning wasn't thinking about this at all, his mind was focused on quickly reaching his middle-level Spirit Field where he was cultivating Spirit Rice.
The Spirit Rice was fully mature now, marking his first fruitful harvest since coming to the Cultivation Realm.
Chu Ning entered the middle-level Spirit Field area, and from afar he saw a figure standing by his Spirit Field, immediately quickening his pace.
As he approached, he realized it was his neighbor, Senior Brother Qi Chongmao.
"Senior Brother Qi." Chu Ning greeted Qi Chongmao, who looked every bit like a farmer with his rolled-up pants.
Qi Chongmao turned his head and smiled at Chu Ning.
"Junior Brother Chu, your Spirit Rice is growing quite well, it seems your spell cultivation is also impressive."
Chu Ning immediately replied humbly, "Senior Brother is too kind, I'm just a bit more diligent in tending to it."
"That's true, Junior Brother Chu is indeed very hardworking." Qi Chongmao nodded with a smile, paused, and continued.
"However, it seems you've been coming here less frequently recently, a few times I've seen pests and birds and helped you exorcise them."
Chu Ning was initially taken aback, then repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
He indeed spent less time at this Middle Level Spirit Field recently, spending more time in the courtyard.
As for the reason, naturally, it was because of the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit.
The two chatted for a while in the field, Qi Chongmao then turned to his own plot, rolled up his trousers, and started harvesting the rice directly.
This Blade Skill could easily harvest from afar, yet he seemed to enjoy standing in the field.
"This Senior Brother Qi really seems like those earnest and warm-hearted farmers from Earth in my previous life."
Chu Ning mumbled to himself, then also moved to the edge of his Spirit Field.
Unlike the Red Spirit Rice he planted and harvested at Cao Dongxin's place.
The Spirit Rice Chu Ning planted not only grew more prolifically but was also fuller, evidently of better quality.
This was partly because Chu Ning's Middle Level Spirit Field had much denser Spiritual Qi than Cao Dongxin's, and the Spirit Rice Seeds themselves were of a higher grade than Red Spirit Rice.
On the other hand, it was because Chu Ning's Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill was more effective.
Seeing the bountiful growth of the Spirit Rice, a smile appeared on Chu Ning's face.
This Spirit Rice, unlike Red Spirit Rice, which had an ordinary taste and contained little Spiritual Qi, was rarely eaten directly.
However, this Spirit Rice can directly be consumed by cultivators, and he truly hadn't had much of this good stuff before.
Judging by the quantity of this Spirit Rice, aside from what he had to submit to the sect, he should be able to keep quite a bit for himself, enough for at least half a year's consumption.
Standing by the field, Chu Ning executed a Blade Skill, and immediately a section of Spirit Rice fell.
Taking advantage, Chu Ning used Exorcism Technique to pile up the fallen rice and then moved on to the next harvest.
Although his Blade Skill had yet to reach the level of Wood Technique.
Chu Ning didn't need to conceal his strength in his own Spirit Field, and being at the fourth layer of Qi Cultivation, naturally, his harvesting speed wasn't slow.
First, he cut down the rice, then used a Clearing Technique to gather the rice grains into a basket, allowing a cultivator to harvest rice without dirtying their hands.
In less than two days, Chu Ning harvested all 5 acres of Spirit Rice, even while balancing his routine cultivation.
The straw left in the field was burned with a few Fireball Techniques, composting it into the Spirit Field, while the rice was brought back to his courtyard for drying.
Drying, though, didn't require much time. With a few Drying Techniques, most of the moisture in the rice was evaporated.
Using Clearing Technique again, he removed all the husks, and after a few days, plenty of Spirit Rice was piled inside Chu Ning's house.
At noon, Chu Ning grabbed a handful of Spirit Rice and cooked it into rice.
Looking at the pure white, steaming rice that still vaguely exuded Spiritual Qi, Chu Ning couldn't help but feel his appetite whet.
He didn't even bother cooking any stir-fried dishes, just holding the bowl of white rice and started eating.
As soon as the Spirit Rice entered his mouth, Chu Ning felt a refreshing fragrance lingering between his teeth and tongue.
"Delicious! This is truly what cultivators should eat!"
Chu Ning almost devoured it ravenously.
Accompanied by two bowls of Spirit Rice downed, a faint stream of Spiritual Qi subtly flowed from his stomach to his entire body.
Feeling the gathering of Spiritual Qi within his body, Chu Ning immediately began meditating.
After a Great Cycle, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes.
[Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique (Yellow Tier Lower Grade), Second Layer (179/900)]
[Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, Volume One, Immortal Hide 103/300]
"Cultivation after eating Spirit Rice is indeed more effective than cultivating directly.
However, it still can't match the enhancement effect of the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill."
Chu Ning roughly estimated that two days of six meals of Spirit Rice barely equaled the cultivation effect of using Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill once.
Even so, Chu Ning decided that his main food from now on would entirely be Spirit Rice.
Being able to slightly increase cultivation speed is one thing; naturally, it's also because it's delicious!
Anyway, after submitting the harvest to the sect, he should be able to keep enough, plenty for his own meals.
Just as Chu Ning was thinking this, a voice called out from outside the courtyard.
"Chu Ning!"
Upon hearing this voice, Chu Ning knew it was Zhuang Yunde, and swiftly walked out of the house.