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Chapter 4: The Spirit Planting Sector
Chapter 4: The Spirit Planting Sector
As He Changyou spoke, he picked up the jade slip that Elder Chen had given him earlier.
"Bai Xiaotian, Fire Stove Room!"
"Qiu Yu, Spirit Beast Room."
"Chen Dao, Spirit Plant Room."
...
He Changyou recited the names one by one, glancing at the jade slip before each name, leading Chu Ning to guess that he was checking their spirit root information.
Then, based on their different attributes, he assigned them to different rooms, as the cultivation techniques and spells varied.
"Chu Ning, Spirit Plant Room."
Just then, Chu Ning heard his name being called out.
Hearing that he was indeed assigned to the Spirit Plant Room as expected, Chu Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After He Changyou had finished assigning everyone, Chu Ning roughly calculated that the group heading to the Spirit Plant Room was the largest, with nearly thirty people, followed by those going to the Spirit Beast Room.
It seemed that planting and breeding were the main industries of the Qingxi Sect.
At this moment, a few more people emerged from the room, and they were divided into batches and led to different destinations.
The one leading Chu Ning and the others was none other than He Changyou himself.
"Those assigned to the Spirit Plant Room, follow me." With that, He Changyou strode towards the foot of the mountain.
Seeing this, many of the disciples who had been full of expectations couldn't help but feel disappointed. After all, the sect was located in the mountains, and going downhill meant moving away from the core of the sect.
However, Chu Ning wasn't surprised. As for planting, he expected that the fields would be at the foot of the mountain, but he wondered what the differences were between planting in the world of cultivation and his previous farming experiences on Earth.
Having grown up in a rural area, he had done his fair share of transplanting rice seedlings and harvesting rice in his childhood, but after becoming a corporate slave, he hadn't returned to his hometown to engage in such activities.
After walking for a while, the group could already see vast stretches of fields in the distance. Near the spot where the fields and mountains met, several small courtyards were scattered about.
"Our Qingxi Sect's spirit fields are divided into four grades: Grade A, B, C, and D. The higher your cultivation level, the higher the grade of spirit field you can plant, and the better the spirit plants you can cultivate.
Grades A and B spirit fields are managed by outer and inner sect disciples, as well as executives and elders. Our Hundred Arts Hall mainly handles Grades C and D, and as newcomers, you'll start by assisting in the D sector." He Changyou explained as he led the group further away, reaching the outermost area of the spirit fields.
Quite a number of people had already gathered there, and among them, younger individuals were scarce. Many were middle-aged, and upon seeing He Changyou's arrival, they greeted him respectfully.
"Executor He."
He Changyou merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Chu Ning couldn't help but muse to himself.
"It seems that the cultivation world is indeed a place of clear hierarchies. He Changyou was so deferential to Elder Chen, but he holds a position of authority over the menial disciples.
At the same time, he reminded himself to lay low and focus on self-improvement until he became strong enough.
"These are this year's newcomers," He Changyou announced.
"As per usual, each of you will take one of them under your wing."
He Changyou continued, turning to Chu Ning and the others, "Later, I'll arrange for someone to deliver your cultivation techniques and living supplies.
These are your senior brothers. They will teach you the art of planting in the D sector and some simple spells that you'll need.
Every half month, you'll gather at the Transmission Hall to listen to lectures, and there will be disciples in charge of transmitting skills to answer any questions you may have about your cultivation.
For the next three months, you'll focus on cultivation and learning the art of planting. After that, those who pass the assessment will be allowed to plant their own spirit fields."
Once he finished explaining, He Changyou began assigning the newcomers to their respective senior brothers. Soon, it was Chu Ning's turn.
"Chu Ning, follow Cao Dongxin."
As He Changyou's voice trailed off, a middle-aged man with dark skin, of medium build, and a slightly stooped posture stepped forward from the crowd.
Judging by his appearance, Cao Dongxin looked to be in his late forties or early fifties. Even among this group of older menial disciples, he was one of the more senior ones.
Assuming that his senior brother was simply taciturn, Chu Ning didn't press further.
After He Changyou finished assigning everyone, he left without lingering. The older menial disciples also dispersed with their respective groups in tow.
Cao Dongxin remained silent, not even giving Chu Ning any indication of what to do next. He simply turned and walked away.
"Could this senior brother be mute?" Chu Ning wondered to himself as he followed behind.
However, his attention was soon drawn to the conversations of those around him.
"There are several hundred of us in the Dingzi Sector. It's just that we don't get many newcomers, so only some of us were asked to come out and meet you," one of the senior brothers explained.
"Most of us in the Dingzi Sector are at the early or middle stages of Qi Refining, with the highest being the fifth layer. Those with the talent to reach the sixth layer and potentially enter the late Qi Refining stage have moved on to cultivate in higher-grade spirit fields," another added.
"To be blunt, we're the ones with the least talent. We're here to toil until we're old and gray," a third senior brother chimed in, his tone tinged with self-deprecating humor.
...
The senior brother next door had a cheerful, optimistic demeanor despite the hint of self-mockery in his words. He provided Chu Ning and the other newcomers with a wealth of information.
Now Chu Ning understood why these senior brothers lacked the fiery ambition he might have expected.
Watching batch after batch of younger, more talented disciples cultivate to higher levels and advance to better spirit fields could dampen anyone's enthusiasm over time.
After walking for a while, Cao Dongxin led them into a small courtyard. Chu Ning followed him inside.
At the same time, he noticed that the chatty senior brother, whose name he recalled was Shang Zhaoxiang, had entered the neighboring courtyard.
Chu Ning made a mental note to seek out Brother Shang again when he had the chance, as the man seemed to be a font of information about the Qingxi Sect.
Once inside the courtyard, Cao Dongxin headed straight for the central room. Chu Ning, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, finally asked, "Brother Cao, which room will I be staying in?"
Without turning, Cao Dongxin casually pointed to a room on the east side.
Chu Ning persisted, "Are there any other instructions, Senior Brother?"
Cao Dongxin's steps faltered momentarily, but he still didn't turn around. "Be ready to head to the fields with me early tomorrow morning," he said at last.
With that, he stepped into the room and closed the door.
Chu Ning's heart sank slightly as he interpreted Cao Dongxin's behavior. "So he's not mute, just incredibly reclusive," he thought to himself.
Despite his inner reservations about Cao Dongxin's personality, Chu Ning maintained a calm expression and walked toward the room on the east side without showing any signs of displeasure.
He didn't want to risk offending his senior brother with an unintended display of emotion.
Chu Ning's caution was warranted, but he didn't notice that as Cao Dongxin closed the door, he glanced back to observe Chu Ning's reaction.
Seeing that Chu Ning's expression remained neutral as he headed toward his designated room, Cao Dongxin turned away, his own expression unreadable, and continued into his room.
Chu Ning entered the eastern room and found it to be simple yet tidy. He unpacked his belongings and gave the room a quick once-over to ensure it was clean.
After a short while, a voice called out from the courtyard entrance.
"Chu Ning, come and collect your things!"
Recognizing the voice as belonging to the person who was supposed to deliver the cultivation techniques and living supplies, as mentioned by He Changyou earlier, Chu Ning immediately exited his room.
The cultivation techniques provided here were surely authentic immortal cultivation methods, and this was the very reason why countless people vied for a chance to join the Qingxi Sect.
(End of Chapter)
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