https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-14-Choosing-the-Ink-Spirit-Bamboo-Mastering-the-Complete-Cultivation-Technique/12549090/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-16-The-Middle-Stage-of-Qi-Refinement/12549092/
Chapter 15: The Art of Seal Making
Chapter 15: The Art of Seal Making
He Changyou asked Zhuang Yunde to record the various allocations made earlier on a jade slip.
He clarified the allocated spirit field locations for each person and distributed the seeds from his storage bag.
However, when it was Chu Ning's turn, he didn't receive any seeds. Instead, He Changyou said, "I didn't expect anyone to choose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo, so I didn't bring the seeds with me. Come with me to get them."
As he spoke, He Changyou turned and left, with Chu Ning hurrying to catch up.
Watching the two figures depart, the others began to discuss animatedly.
"I can't believe Chu Ning chose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo!"
"Yeah, Ink Spirit Bamboo is not easy to cultivate. Brother Yuan, it's much more challenging than the Purple Potato Fruit you chose."
...
Hearing these words, Yuan Guang, with his proud demeanor and serious expression, couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"It's presumptuous of someone at the second layer of Qi Refining to choose to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo!" he remarked.
Hearing Yuan Guang's comment, the others asked what had happened.
Just as Yuan Guang was about to explain, he noticed Zhuang Yunde still standing nearby. His proud expression softened, and he respectfully said, "Brother Zhuang, if I remember correctly, to cultivate Ink Spirit Bamboo to meet the requirements for seal paper, one must continuously use the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique to enhance its quality, am I right?"
Zhuang Yunde, with his rotund figure, nodded and smiled, "You're correct, Brother Yuan. Ink Spirit Bamboo and Red Spirit Rice are quite different. Even with the use of the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique, there's a limit to how much the quality of Red Spirit Rice can be improved.
Ink Spirit Bamboo, on the other hand, is a different story. There's a significant difference between the bamboo cultivated with the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique and those without.
However, it's not absolutely necessary to use the Green Wood Spring Flower Technique to enhance the quality for seal making. A skilled craftsman can still make seal paper, but the quantity produced will be much lower.
So, if the quality of the Ink Spirit Bamboo is not up to par, one would have to contribute more to the sect, leaving little for oneself. As for Brother Chu's decision to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo at the second layer of Qi Refining..."
Zhuang Yunde trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
However, Yuan Guang didn't ponder further. He turned to the others, his expression clearly saying, "Did you all hear that?"
The group began to flatter Yuan Guang.
"Brother Yuan, your choice is indeed more prudent."
"Tsk, tsk. I wonder if Brother Chu overlooked that point."
...
There was a hint of schadenfreude in their expressions, except for Qiu Shuny and Zhuang Yunde.
Qiu Shuny's face wore a worried look, while Zhuang Yunde appeared deep in thought, though this expression quickly faded.
Then, Zhuang Yunde spoke up, "Let me take you to recognize your respective spirit fields and residences first."
On the other hand, Chu Ning was well aware of this fact.
The reason he chose Ink Spirit Bamboo was, of course, related to his refreshed innate talent of the Seal Source Spirit Body.
He would naturally have to choose the path of seal making, and thus, he needed to start somewhere related to this art.
As for the requirement of using the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique to cultivate the bamboo, Chu Ning had already prepared an explanation.
He would attribute it to the same reason as before—his compatibility with the Evergreen Eternal Art and his ability to already practice the Evergreen Blossom Technique.
However, what surprised him was that He Changyou didn't bring up this matter at all and didn't question why Chu Ning had chosen to plant Ink Spirit Bamboo.
He simply took him to the location, gave him the bamboo seeds, and sent him on his way.
On his way back, Chu Ning pondered this turn of events. The more he thought about it, the more he felt he had been overly worried.
New disciples joined the Qingxi Sect from time to time, and naturally, there would be all sorts of people.
As the steward of the Hundred Arts Hall, He Changyou had undoubtedly encountered countless disciples.
He, a mere "second layer of Qi Condensation" menial disciple, wasn't that significant even if He Changyou guessed that he could practice the Green Wood Spring Blossom Technique.
After all, among so many disciples, there would be a few who stood out.
While Ink Spirit Bamboo was slightly more challenging to cultivate, it wasn't a particularly rare item.
Although he had made a little splash today, as long as he kept a low profile and refrained from boasting, he should be fine.
By the time Chu Ning returned to the original gathering spot, everyone had already dispersed, and he had no idea how to locate the spirit field assigned to him.
After some thought, he made his way towards Cao Dongxin's residence, intending to tidy up his belongings first.
Much to his surprise, Qiu Shuny was waiting for him outside the courtyard.
As soon as he spotted Chu Ning, Qiu Shuny rushed over and anxiously asked, "Chu Ning, are you really going to plant the Ink Spirit Bamboo? I heard it's not easy to cultivate..."
He then proceeded to recount the discussions that had taken place earlier, to which Chu Ning merely replied with a calm expression, "Thank you for your concern, Shuny. I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll just accept a smaller harvest for this season."
"Oh, you... never mind. You've already received the seeds anyway," Qiu Shuny sighed, choosing not to press the matter further. After a brief pause, he added, "Oh, right, Brother Zhuang asked you to wait for him here. He'll come to get you after he's done showing the others around."
Hearing this, Chu Ning, who had been worrying about whom to approach, quickly returned to his room to pack his belongings.
When he emerged with his belongings, he was surprised to see Shang Zhaoxiang and Cao Dongxin returning from the fields as well.
Shang Zhaoxiang, noticing Chu Ning, took the lead and said with a smile, "Chu Ning, I heard about it from Shuny. Congratulations! In terms of upper-quality spirit fields in the Ding District, you have two more acres than us."
Shang Zhaoxiang's words caused Cao Dongxin's expression to grow even more complicated.
The two of them had also been assigned ten acres of spirit fields in the Ding District, but they only had three acres of upper-quality fields, five acres of medium-quality fields, and the remaining two acres were lower-quality fields.
On the other hand, Chu Ning was starting off with more upper-quality fields than them.
This was in line with the sect's longstanding tradition of providing additional resources to disciples who demonstrated potential or exceptional talent.
In response, Chu Ning bowed to the two of them. "I've been relying on your support during this time, brothers."
While Shang Zhaoxiang exchanged pleasantries, Cao Dongxin struggled to find the right words to ease the tension from his previous harsh treatment of Chu Ning. Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Chu Ning, for his part, didn't bother giving him any attention.
Although Cao Dongxin had been strict with him over the past three months, sending him to work in the fields had inadvertently led to the discovery of the benefits of using the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique to aid his cultivation.
It was an unexpected silver lining.
Just then, Zhuang Yunde arrived, and Chu Ning bid farewell to the three of them.
After walking with Chu Ning for a while, Zhuang Yunde's round face broke into a smile, and he gently asked, "Chu Ning, by choosing to plant the Ink Spirit Bamboo, I assume you've already made progress with the Green Wood Spring Flourishing Technique?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning didn't attempt to hide the truth and directly admitted, "I've just begun to grasp it, and I still need to practice more."
Zhuang Yunde nodded. "I noticed that you also displayed proficiency in the stimulation and cleansing techniques earlier, which suggests a strong affinity with wood-attribute techniques.
By the way, I assume you chose to plant the Ink Spirit Bamboo because you're interested in seal making?"
Chu Ning's alertness heightened at this question, and he countered, "Why do you ask, brother?"
Zhuang Yunde smiled. "The Ink Spirit Bamboo is notoriously difficult to cultivate, so most people avoid it. Given that you've only recently joined the sect, I figured you must have an interest in seal making to consider such a challenging option."
However, Chu Ning chose to deny it this time, shaking his head. "I've only heard that Ink Spirit Bamboo can be used to make seal paper and that it yields a good harvest. So, I thought I'd give it a try. I have no knowledge of seal making whatsoever."
Zhuang Yunde smiled again at Chu Ning's response. "There's no rush. Let's see how your Ink Spirit Bamboo turns out first."
Chu Ning's curiosity was piqued by Zhuang Yunde's suggestive tone, wondering if there was a hidden meaning behind his words. However, Zhuang Yunde dropped the topic after that and spent the rest of the journey imparting advice on tending to individual spirit fields.
He then led Chu Ning to his assigned spirit field and residence before departing.
As Chu Ning watched Zhuang Yunde leave, he looked up at his own private courtyard and couldn't help but smile.
"Finally, I have my own little domain. Oh, no, not so little—it's ten acres!"
(End of Chapter)
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