Chapter 349: Qi Condensation Mastery, Harvesting Spirit Valley Rice

Chapter 349: Qi Condensation Mastery, Harvesting Spirit Valley Rice

September 22, 2024

Deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, inside the Jade Transformation Cave.

Lu Qing sat cross-legged in the cave where he usually practiced his cultivation.

The surrounding Spirit Qi gathered around him, and he swiftly absorbed it into his body.

Fortunately, he was in the Jade Transformation Cave, where an ancient array gathered Spirit Qi.

If he were in Nine Li Village, the simple formation he had set up might not be able to provide enough Spirit Qi for his current cultivation needs.

Lu Qing continuously absorbed a large amount of Spirit Qi into his body, transforming it into Five Elements Spirit Energy.

Then, through the Five Elements Gourd in his Dantian, the energy was further refined and purified.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Qing's Dantian's absorption power increased significantly, and he emptied the Spirit Qi within the Jade Transformation Cave.

This caused the ancient array to struggle to keep up with the supply.

Suddenly, Lu Qing's body trembled, and a radiant aura appeared on his body.

An incredibly powerful aura emerged from him.

A phantom suddenly appeared from a small cauldron hanging around Lu Qing's neck, floating in mid-air.

Flame gazed at the dense white radiant aura on Lu Qing's body, his eyes filled with complexity.

"Another breakthrough, in just a few months, from the Qi Condensation Novice stage to the Qi Condensation Intermediate stage, and now to the Qi Condensation Mastery stage.

This person's cultivation talent is truly terrifying."

Flame's heart was both shaken and amazed.

Over the past few months, he had been observing Lu Qing's cultivation.

To be honest, Lu Qing's cultivation wasn't particularly rigorous in Flame's opinion.

Every day, he had various chores to attend to.

He was either tending to the Spirit Fields, supervising Xiao Yan and Xiao Li's studies, cooking meals for everyone, or accompanying the Great Doctor to treat and prescribe medicine for villagers who came seeking medical help.

Sometimes, he even went outside the village to fish for Xiao Li, often spending half a day at it.

The time he spent on cultivation each day was truly minimal.

Not only was it not rigorous, but it could even be described as lazy.

If this were the Flamefire Sect, a disciple as casual as Lu Qing would undoubtedly face punishment.

And in more severe cases, they might even be expelled from the sect.

However, despite Lu Qing's extremely casual and scattered approach to cultivation,

Flame witnessed his progress firsthand, as he advanced from the Qi Condensation Novice stage to the Qi Condensation Intermediate stage in just over a month.

Now, after nearly two more months, he has continued his progress, breaking through to the Qi Condensation Mastery stage.

Most importantly, he was cultivating the ancient cultivation era's Five Elements Body Transformation Art, renowned for its notoriously slow progress!

It's worth noting that if it were someone else, they might not even have grasped the fundamentals of this cultivation method in such a short time.

During these two to three months, Flame had never once seen Lu Qing struggle with his cultivation.

Not only that, but his cultivation had never stagnated.

Although his daily cultivation time was limited, Flame could clearly sense that Lu Qing was constantly growing stronger.

The longer Flame stayed with Lu Qing, the more he felt the immense and bottomless potential hidden deep within Lu Qing's body.

Unconsciously, Flame began to think that if he continued to follow Lu Qing,

perhaps he would truly have a chance to break free from his constraints.

After a while, the radiant aura on Lu Qing's body dimmed, and his aura gradually subsided as he opened his eyes.

His eyes were as clear and serene as jade, like a deep and calm ocean.

"Congratulations, Young Master, on successfully breaking through to the Qi Condensation Mastery stage," Flame congratulated him.

"It's just a minor breakthrough, nothing to boast about," Lu Qing said calmly.

He had the Five Elements Gourd, a natural treasure, constantly refining and purifying Spirit Energy for him.

While it seemed like he didn't spend much time on cultivation,

in reality, his cultivation had been steadily growing day and night.

Moreover, the foundation laid by the Thunder Tribulation and the nine strands of Primordial Essence had given him a solid and robust base.

In his eyes, breaking through two minor cultivation stages in a few months was entirely normal.

"Although it's just a minor breakthrough, Young Master, your physical body has exceptional innate talent, and your foundation is robust.

Even at the Qi Condensation Mastery stage, you've reached the level of emitting a radiant aura, which is beyond the capabilities of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Flame's words were not mere flattery.

Although Lu Qing was currently at the Qi Condensation stage, the dense white radiant aura emanating from his body was extraordinary.

His physical body was as formidable as that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had reached the peak of body refinement.

In a real battle, even without using magical treasures or other means, his physical strength alone would likely be enough to defeat the majority of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Lu Qing shook his head and remained silent.

Foundation Establishment cultivators already had a basic understanding of the Cosmic Rules.

With his current abilities, Lu Qing had access to methods far beyond the Qi Condensation Stage.

Although his strength had increased significantly, his cultivation realm had not yet reached its peak.

If he were to encounter an enemy of that caliber, relying solely on his physical strength, it would be difficult to predict the outcome.

"Elder Flame, how long have I been in seclusion this time?"

"Not long, just three days."

"Three days?" Lu Qing nodded. "Before I entered the mountains, the Spirit Valley in the Spirit Field was almost fully mature.

This time, when I return, it's the perfect time to harvest them."

Indeed, the batch of Spirit Valley that Lu Qing had infused with spirit several months ago had, with careful tending over this period, finally reached the stage where they could be harvested.

Lu Qing had intended to harvest them three days ago, but then he suddenly sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough.

He made a temporary decision to enter the mountains for seclusion, slightly postponing the time to harvest the Spirit Valley.

At this thought, Lu Qing's heart grew eager.

He immediately left the Jade Transformation Cave and hurried out of the valley, making his way back to the village.

As he traveled, Lu Qing also sensed the situation in the mountains and forests.

He discovered that after several months, the spiritual energy in the mountains had become much denser.

The vegetation had become even more lush, and many of the already towering trees had grown even larger.

As for the venomous insects and snakes, they had become even more toxic, and their bodies had begun to mutate.

During his journey, Lu Qing frequently spotted colorful, palm-sized venomous spiders.

If not for his advanced cultivation and the aura he exuded, which deterred these venomous creatures from approaching, a weaker cultivator would likely have been besieged by various poisonous creatures.

"The Hundred Thousand Mountains have almost completely become a no-go zone for humans.

Aside from powerful cultivators who have achieved success in their cultivation, ordinary cultivators who enter here may have no chance of survival."

Lu Qing sensed the changes in the mountains and muttered to himself.

He planned to remind the villagers again once he returned to the village, warning them not to venture into the mountains lightly.

With Lu Qing's current speed, it didn't take long for him to return to Nine Li Village from the Jade Transformation Cave.

Before long, he had arrived back at the village.

He first sensed the formation and, finding nothing amiss, went directly to the Half-Mountain Cottage.

There, he saw his Master, Grandpa Zhang, and several other village elders, including Grandpa Chen, standing by the Spirit Field, looking somewhat worried as they gazed at the Spirit Valley within.

"Master, Grandpa Zhang, Grandpa Chen..." Lu Qing approached and bowed.

"Lu Qing, you've emerged from seclusion?" The great doctor's body trembled, and he turned around in surprise. "I was just worrying about whether to harvest this Spirit Valley or not, and your return is just in time!"

"Is the Spirit Valley fully ripe?" Lu Qing asked.

"It's fully ripe. I just asked Old Man Zhang, and they all agreed that the Spirit Valley is ripe and ready for harvest. If we don't harvest it soon, it might fall to the ground," the great doctor explained.

This was also the reason for his earlier worry.

The Spirit Valley had been planted by Lu Qing, and now that it was time to harvest, he had suddenly gone into seclusion.

If the harvest wasn't done in time, and the ripe grains fell into the soil, it would be a great waste.

After all, these were spirit items, and each grain of rice was quite precious.

Fortunately, Lu Qing had returned just in time, relieving him of this dilemma.

"Yes, Lu Qing, if we don't harvest this Spirit Valley, we might waste quite a lot of it," Grandpa Zhang and the others agreed.

Lu Qing walked to the edge of the Spirit Field and looked at the Spirit Valley within.

Each stalk of rice was laden with heavy panicles, every grain golden and radiant, plump and clear.

Indeed, it was the best time to harvest.

He nodded, "Grandpa Zhang and the others are right, this Spirit Valley should be harvested."

"Then we shouldn't delay," the great doctor said hurriedly. "I'll go get the sickle."

"Good idea, we're free, so we can help you too," Grandpa Zhang and the other elders rolled up their sleeves, ready to assist.

However, Lu Qing would not let these elders work in the fields, quickly stopping them, "Master, Grandpa Zhang, there's no need for such trouble. I have a better way to harvest the Spirit Valley, and we won't need sickles."

"A better way?" The great doctor was taken aback.

"Harvesting rice without a sickle, what other method could there be?"

Grandpa Zhang and the others were even more perplexed.

"Like this."

Lu Qing said, and with a slight smile, he took the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag from his waist and threw it forward, letting it hang in mid-air.

With a thought, the bag in mid-air began to grow, soon reaching the size of half a room.

Then, with the bag's opening facing downward, a ray of green light emerged from the bag's mouth, shining onto the Spirit Field.

Wherever the green light touched, the Spirit Valley in the Spirit Field detached from the panicles and floated upwards, being drawn into the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag.

The azure light moved continuously, and wherever it went, the Spirit Valley was drawn away.

Before long, over two acres of the Spirit Field were illuminated, and all the Spirit Valley was collected into the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag.

Once the Spirit Valley was gathered, Lu Qing made a hand gesture, and suddenly, streaks of azure wind blades flew out from the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag towards the Spirit Field.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

The wind blades flashed, and in almost an instant, the rice stalks standing tall in the field were cut down neatly, falling evenly into the field.

After completing this, Lu Qing waved his hand, and the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag quickly shrank, landing in his hand.

The entire process took only a few dozen breaths.

This scene left Zhang Grandpa and the others utterly astonished.

They never imagined that Lu Qing would use such a miraculous method to harvest the rice.

Moreover, the speed was beyond their wildest imagination.

It was common knowledge that harvesting rice was no easy task.

Aside from cutting the stalks, there was also threshing, transporting, and then drying and airing the grains.

Each step was incredibly laborious.

They never expected that Lu Qing would have such a convenient and efficient method of harvesting.

Suddenly, all the elders' eyes lit up as they gazed at the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag in Lu Qing's hand.

"Lu Qing, what kind of magical treasure is this? It's so incredible that it can even harvest rice automatically!"

Seeing the eager expressions on Zhang Grandpa and the others, Lu Qing understood what they were thinking.

He couldn't help but smile and said, "Grandpa Zhang, this treasure is called the Heaven and Earth Qi Bag. I obtained it by chance, and it contains a spatial dimension that can hold countless items."

"What a precious item!" the elders exclaimed.

"That's right, Grandpa Zhang," Lu Qing continued. "When I returned from my travels, I mentioned wanting to treat the villagers to a meal. But I haven't found a suitable opportunity until now. Since the Spirit Valley has matured, tomorrow I'll cook a meal of Spirit Rice for everyone."

Lu Qing smiled as he spoke.

"You're going to use this Spirit Rice to treat the villagers?" Zhang Grandpa's eyes widened.

Although he didn't know the specific effects of the Spirit Rice cultivated by Lu Qing, he had witnessed Lu Qing using spells to water the Spirit Field every morning for the past few months.

It was obvious that the rice grown with spells would be extremely precious.

"Indeed, the seeds for this batch of Spirit Valley were provided by the villagers," Lu Qing nodded. "Now that the Spirit Valley has matured, it's only right to let everyone taste its flavor."

"That's true," Zhang Grandpa agreed after a moment's thought. "I'll inform the villagers about this when we return."

The other elders, seeing that Zhang Grandpa had agreed, naturally had no objections.

Moreover, they were also curious about the taste of the Spirit Rice.

After all, they had witnessed the appearance of the Spirit Valley themselves.

Having farmed their fields for a lifetime, they had never seen such high-quality rice stalks.

The plump grains were incredibly enticing.

They wondered what the cooked rice would taste like.

"By the way, Lu Qing, are you planning to use these rice stalks as firewood?" an elder asked at this moment.

"No," Lu Qing smiled, "these rice stalks have a greater purpose. It would be a waste to burn them directly.

Elder Mu, have you taken a liking to them?"

Elder Mu felt a bit embarrassed. "I just think that such fine rice stalks would be a pity to burn."

"I know Elder Mu is skilled in weaving," Lu Qing said. "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

Elder Mu was taken aback. "What is it?"

"I'd like to ask Elder Mu to weave these rice stalks into straw mats or pillows," Lu Qing requested.

"That's easy! Leave it to me!" Elder Mu assured him, patting his chest confidently.

He was very proud of his weaving skills, which were unmatched within the surrounding villages.

"Then I'll trouble you, Elder Mu," Lu Qing said with a smile.

These rice stalks had absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and they naturally possessed a spirit aura, making them a kind of spiritual object.

If they were woven into straw mats or meditation cushions, the spirit aura could nurture the body and calm the mind over time.

It would be a valuable treasure, and Lu Qing didn't want to waste it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end