https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-Nurturing-the-Seven-Star-Spirit-Fruit/12549104/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-30-Who-Says-He-s-Incompetent-To-Be-Continued-/12549106/
Chapter 29: Now This is What Cultivators Eat
Chapter 29: Now This is What Cultivators Eat
After entering the sect, Chu Ning realized that everyone was busy cultivating and tending to their fields.
With limited information and resources among the lower-ranked disciples, there wasn't much they could discuss with each other.
While they weren't exactly loners, it was rare to see people traveling in large groups.
So when a crowd suddenly appeared in the spirit herb fields, as was the case now, Chu Ning was genuinely surprised.
Moreover, he recognized everyone in the group.
They were the disciples from the Spirit Herb Hall who had passed the assessment with him a few months ago.
Leading the pack was Yuan Guang, who had been assigned a top-grade spirit field just like him.
Behind him were Chen Youdao, Zhang Hui, and others, including Qiu Shuny and Lyu Xingyuan, with whom he had visited the market town before.
As Chu Ning laid eyes on them, they also noticed him approaching, and many of their faces lit up.
"Oh, it's Senior Brother Chu," Chen Youdao, who was closest to Yuan Guang, spoke first.
"We were just about to go see Senior Brother Yuan's purple sweet potato fruit. We were wondering if your Ink Spirit Bamboo is ready for harvest and if we could take a look together."
As soon as Chen Youdao finished speaking, the others chimed in eagerly.
"Yes, Senior Brother Chu, we haven't seen a mature Ink Spirit Bamboo yet."
"I heard that the Ink Spirit Bamboo can be used to make talisman paper. I'm curious what it looks like."
...
The group seemed more interested in creating a spectacle than anything else.
Among them, Yuan Guang wore a smug expression upon hearing their words.
Qiu Shuny's face, on the other hand, betrayed a hint of unease, and as he opened his mouth to speak, Chu Ning waved his hand dismissively.
"My Ink Spirit Bamboo is nothing special. It's not ready for harvest yet."
The group's expressions became even more animated at Chu Ning's words, and Chen Youdao quickly added, "What a shame, Senior Brother Chu. Senior Brother Yuan's purple sweet potato fruit is doing exceptionally well.
A few days ago, Zhuang Yunde, the senior brother, said it exceeded the sect's standards.
Since you and Senior Brother Yuan have the same cultivation level, you might be able to grow it just as well if you planted this purple sweet potato."
Chu Ning shook his head inwardly at the other's sycophantic behavior but remained silent.
Yuan Guang felt a surge of satisfaction seeing Chu Ning's reaction.
During the assessment, Chu Ning had chosen to cultivate the higher-grade Ink Spirit Bamboo instead of his purple sweet potato fruit. Now, Yuan Guang felt a sense of vindication.
Thinking of this, Yuan Guang spoke up, "Junior Brother Chu, why don't you come and take a look? You can give us some pointers."
Yuan Guang pretended to be inviting him out of goodwill, but his use of the term "junior brother" instead of "senior brother" clearly conveyed his intent to show off. Chu Ning easily saw through his pretense.
However, at that moment, Chu Ning truly didn't consider Yuan Guang and his ilk worth his attention. They were not on the same level, nor did they pursue the same things anymore.
Chu Ning smiled faintly and shook his head. "Never mind, I have other things to do, so I won't be joining you."
As he spoke, Chu Ning took a step forward, continuing on his way.
The group had not genuinely intended to invite him in the first place.
Moreover, they believed that Chu Ning was avoiding them out of embarrassment for having chosen to cultivate the Ink Spirit Bamboo, which was beyond his capabilities.
Seeing that Chu Ning was about to leave, none of them tried to stop him, and they continued on their way to the top-grade spirit field area.
Qiu Shuny, however, lingered for a moment before falling into step beside Chu Ning. With a slightly embarrassed expression, he said, "Chu Ning, Xingyuan invited me to go with them. I guessed you might not want to go, so I didn't ask you."
Chu Ning smiled and patted Qiu Shuny's shoulder.
"It's fine. Go ahead and take a look. It'll be a good experience for you. You've reached the second layer of Qi Refinement, so who knows, you might get a chance to plant those purple sweet potatoes soon."
With that, Chu Ning departed.
A flicker of confusion crossed Qiu Shuny's mind as he watched Chu Ning leave.
Why does it seem like Chu Ning isn't embarrassed about his Ink Spirit Bamboo not doing well, but rather that he looks down on those purple sweet potatoes?
Chu Ning, however, had no time to dwell on such thoughts. He was eager to get to his moderate-grade spirit field, where he had cultivated spirit rice.
The spirit rice was now fully mature, and this was the first time he had successfully cultivated and harvested something since arriving in the cultivation world.
As Chu Ning entered the moderate-grade spirit field area, he spotted a figure standing by his field in the distance and quickened his pace.
Upon drawing closer, he recognized his neighbor, Qi Chongmao, who was still dressed like a farmer with his pants rolled up.
"Senior Brother Qi," Chu Ning greeted him with a smile.
Qi Chongmao turned and returned Chu Ning's smile.
"Junior Brother Chu, your spirit rice looks great. Seems like your spell cultivation is going well."
Chu Ning humbly replied, "Senior Brother Qi, you flatter me. I've just been diligent in tending to my field."
The reason, of course, was the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit.
The two chatted for a while before Qi Chongmao turned and returned to his own field, rolling up his pants and getting into the field to start harvesting the rice.
Although the Blade Edge Technique could be used to harvest from a distance, Qi Chongmao seemed to enjoy standing in the mud.
"This Senior Brother Qi is quite similar to the farmers from my past life on Earth. He's also sincere and helpful," Chu Ning thought to himself.
Soon, Chu Ning arrived at his own spirit field. Unlike the red spirit rice he had planted and harvested at Cao Dongxin's place, the spirit rice he had grown was not only more abundant but also fuller and of better quality.
This was partly due to the richer spiritual energy in Chu Ning's moderate-grade spirit field compared to Cao Dongxin's, as well as the higher quality of the spirit rice seeds themselves.
Additionally, Chu Ning's Green Wood Eternal Spring Art had played a significant role in enhancing the growth of the spirit rice.
Seeing the thriving spirit rice, a smile appeared on Chu Ning's face.
This spirit rice was different from the red spirit rice, which had a mediocre taste and contained less spiritual energy, so it was rarely eaten directly.
On the other hand, this spirit rice was suitable for cultivators to consume directly, and he had rarely had the opportunity to taste such a delicacy.
Judging from the amount of spirit rice, aside from submitting some to the sect, he should still be able to keep a considerable amount for himself, enough to last for at least half a year.
Standing at the edge of the field, Chu Ning performed the Blade Edge Technique, causing a patch of spirit rice to fall over. He then used the Repel Technique to gather the fallen rice into a pile before starting on the next patch.
Although the Blade Edge Technique was not as advanced as wood-attribute spells, Chu Ning did not need to conceal his strength in his own spirit field. With his cultivation base at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, his harvesting speed was not too slow.
He first cut down the rice stalks, then used the Purge Technique to collect the rice grains into a basket, ensuring that his hands remained clean throughout the process.
It took Chu Ning less than two days to harvest all five acres of spirit rice, and this was while balancing his daily cultivation practice.
He left the straw in the field to be burned with a few Fireball Techniques, allowing it to fertilize the spirit field, while he carried the rice grains back to his courtyard to dry in the sun.
The drying process didn't take long, as a few Drying Techniques were enough to evaporate most of the moisture from the grains.
Then, using the Purge Technique again, Chu Ning removed all the rice hulls. After a few days, his room was filled with a substantial amount of spirit rice.
At noon, Chu Ning grabbed a handful of spirit rice and cooked it.
Looking at the extremely white, steaming rice, with traces of spiritual energy still lingering, Chu Ning's appetite was thoroughly stimulated.
He didn't bother cooking any side dishes and simply ate the plain white rice.
As soon as the spirit rice entered his mouth, Chu Ning felt a refreshing fragrance spreading through his palate.
"Delicious! Now this is what cultivators should eat!" Chu Ning almost wolfed down the rice.
As he consumed two bowls of spirit rice, a faint stream of spiritual energy flowed from his stomach towards his limbs and bones.
Sensing the gathering of spiritual energy within his body, Chu Ning immediately began his meditation.
After completing a Grand Cycle, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes.
【Green Wood Eternal Spring Art (Lower Low-Grade Yellow), Second Layer (179/900)】
【Nine Transformations Body Refining Art, First Volume, Unbreakable Skin 103/300】
"Cultivating after eating spirit rice is indeed more effective than direct cultivation. However, it still doesn't compare to the boost provided by the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art."
Chu Ning estimated that it would take about two days' worth of meals, or six bowls of spirit rice, to barely match the effects of a single cultivation session aided by the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.
Nevertheless, Chu Ning decided that from then on, he would make spirit rice his daily staple.
Not only would it slightly enhance his cultivation speed, but the rice was also incredibly delicious! Moreover, after submitting the required amount to the sect, he should still have plenty left for his own consumption.
Just as Chu Ning was thinking about this, a voice called out from outside his courtyard.
"Chu Ning!"
Recognizing the voice as Zhuang Yunde's, Chu Ning quickly stepped out of his room.
(End of Chapter)
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