Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu Chapter 2 – Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Contract and First Duty

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Contract and First Duty
Editor: Henyee Translations

Cold Wave Cave.

…

“In the presence of the Spring and Autumn Cicada and the Floating Butterfly, I, Chen Qing, form this contract with you!”

“With my body, I nourish yours!”

Chen Qing raised his bleeding index finger and drew the contract runes on the jade altar, blood spreading across it, forming a faint glow covering the altar.

The glow gradually brightened, and the blood on the surface of the jade altar seeped in as if being absorbed into it.

As an hour passed, Chen Qing picked up another Spirit Stone to replenish his Spiritual Energy.

Another half an hour went by, the bloodstains finally fully merged in, and Chen Qing suddenly felt a faint consciousness exploring inside his body.

Like a curious little fairy spirit wandering within him.

Chen Qing opened the lid of the jade altar, placing a spirit shed fragment inside.

A tiny, pesized green insect crawled up slowly and began gnawing at the spirit shed fragment.

The green insect resembled a caterpillar, but it was more like a grub from rotting wood, tender and soft, like a living Jade Worm.

Chen Qing reached out, and the Grass Spirit Gu crawled up, gradually melding into his body.

It felt a bit special; he could sense an additional consciousness in the Mud Ball Palace, but this consciousness was very faint, very weak.

This consciousness was completely open to him, transparent, without any particular thoughts.

Eat, sleep, work.

Simple thoughts, nothing more.

Even clean.

After feeding it the spirit shed, Chen Qing distinctly saw a slight change on the panel.

[Mortal Grade Grass Spirit Gu]

Quality: Seventh Transformation

Life Span: 42/65

Effect: Manages Gu Spirit Grass within five acres and enhances growth speed and Quality

Growth Requirements: Earth Spirit Crystal, ochre earth yellow, spirit shed

Growth Progress: 11/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, ten drops of Earth Mother Spirit Liquid, one Soul Stealing Flower

Did the Growth Progress increase after just eating it?

Chen Qing took out another coin of ochre earth yellow and tossed it in; the Grass Spirit Gu crawled up, took a bite, but did not continue eating.

“It must be full.”

This little fellow no longer had the urge to eat or sleep, but instead, had a strong desire to go out and work.

It made sense; after being captured by the sect, it was stored in the jade altar, likely sleeping for too long.

Chen Qing reached out his finger and rubbed it, soft and tender.

“A diligent little guy.”

“From now on, we'll rely on each other.”

The next morning, Chen Qing checked the Grass Spirit Gu again; its Growth Progress had increased from 11 to 18.

It must have finished digesting; it seems a spirit shed can increase the Growth Progress by 8 points.

Having experimented with the spirit shed, Chen Qing took what remained of yesterday's ochre earth yellow and began feeding the Grass Spirit Gu.

Outside the cave, someone rang the bell; Chen Qing opened the door to find Li He, who lived at the foot of the mountain.

He brought over a small flask of wine and a package of roasted goose, congratulating him: “Mr. Chen, I heard you chose a Grass Spirit Gu?”

Chen Qing spread out his hand, the green glow shimmering, the Grass Spirit Gu lying in his palm, rolling around.

“Yes, it's this little guy.”

The Grass Spirit Gu was no secret; the sect's distribution records made it an almost open secret, not worth hiding.

In fact, Chen Qing hoped more people would know about it.

After all, it was a productive type of Gu, and he needed more people to know about it to find work.

The wine Li He brought was Spiritual Wine, helpful in stabilizing cultivation.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!”

After some wine and roast goose, Li He stated his purpose, “Mr. Chen, I still need your help with my three acres of the Spiritual Field; many Gu Spirit Grass are turning yellow.”

Chen Qing generously agreed, “Of course, I'll come by in the afternoon.”

Li He, having achieved his purpose, was all smiles, “Mr. Chen, when I heard you were at Qi Refinement Stage three, I feared you would choose some combat-type Gu.”

He whispered: “Have you heard, Senior Sister Li at the foot of the mountain has fallen.”

Chen Qing was slightly startled, “That Senior Sister Li was at Qi Refinement Stage five, a master with two Gu, both fallen?”

Li He shook his head sadly, “Who would have thought, venturing outside, there are not only wild beasts and poisons but also demon beasts.”

His voice grew softer, “And people's hearts are unfathomable.”

“Staying here on Wuyou Mountain offers some security; any incident, everyone knows about it.”

“So no one dares make a move in the open.”

“But outside the Wuyou Mountain's boundary, it's not that easy.”

Chen Qing sipped his wine slowly, gaining a renewed understanding of this world's perils.

If a Qi Refinement Stage five couldn't return, as a Stage three with only a Grass Spirit Gu, it might be wiser not to risk it.

Living is more important than anything.

Moreover, sticking to the sect provided more security; it was said that the lives of Loose Cultivators outside were even harsher.

The next morning, Chen Qing rose early, took his place outside the Spirit Plant Garden, asking the child to report to the Spirit Plant Elder, stating his intentions.

“Elder, I've acquired a Grass Spirit Gu and come specifically to tend to the Spiritual Field.”

The Spirit Plant Elder, appearing about seventy years old, with spirited eyes, remarked, “You're quite sensible, contributing to the sect the moment you gain the ability.”

The reason it was called a contribution was because tending to the sect's Spiritual Field earned only half the Spirit Stones, with the other half converted to Contribution Points.

Chen Qing replied with a smile, “It's what we disciples should do.”

Hearing this, the Spirit Plant Elder snorted, “Hmph, there are always those who don't know their limits; once they get a Gu, they forget their boundaries and go fighting and killing!”

The elder clearly held disdain for cultivators taking the combat path.

It's understandable; upon reaching Qi Refinement Stage three, they could be useful to the sect, only to leave and never return.

Losing their lives, and also losing the sect's Gu.

The Spirit Plant Elder seemed to grow more infuriated with each thought, instructing the child to take Chen Qing to the Spiritual Field, departing with a flurry of his sleeve.

Chen Qing retrieved a packet of candied fruit from his pocket and offered it to the child.

Initially, the child hesitated to take it but, swayed by his sweet-tooth after Chen Qing mentioned he was past the age for such treats, accepted it.

Upon receiving it, the child started chatting, “Brother Chen, let me tell you, the reason for Elder's temperament is his granddaughter's matter.”

Chen Qing asked, “What matter?”

The Spirit Plant Child replied, “The Elder's granddaughter chose the path of a Sword Cultivator and has already reached Qi Refinement Stage six.”

The child left it at that, saying no more.

Chen Qing nodded to himself, understanding the cause.

It was likely the typical clash between the child's wishes and the parent's desires.

Reaching the Spiritual Field, Chen Qing selected two acres that seemed withered, intending to test the capabilities of the Grass Spirit Gu.

The Grass Spirit Gu flew from his fingers, immersing into the Spiritual Field like diving into water.

Sensing the Grass Spirit Gu working independently, Chen Qing watched for a while, setting its boundary.

His Spiritual Energy gradually depleted as the Grass Spirit Gu absorbed it to work.

The Grass Spirit Gu scurried through the Spiritual Field, and though Chen Qing had no idea what it was doing, continued observing without gleaning anything, ultimately giving up.

The only visible trait was the Gu's enthusiasm was extremely high!

It probably had slumbered too long in the jade altar, now awake, relishing in the joy of the world once more.

With nothing better to do, Chen Qing sat down, began meditating and cultivating.

An hour later, the Grass Spirit Gu flew back beside Chen Qing, merging into his body.

Chen Qing rose, evaluated the Gu Spirit Grass in the Spiritual Field, visibly improved.

Though not immediately evident to the naked eye, spiritually, the place seemed enlivened compared to its previous dead state.

Finishing his work, Chen Qing collected a lower-grade Spirit Stone and a Contribution Point, planning to head home for a meal before visiting Li He.

Returning from Li He's was already afternoon. In this world for just a year, with few friends other than occasional meditation.

Now with a Grass Spirit Gu, Chen Qing weighed his three lower-grade Spirit Stones, “Might as well expand my business today.”

“Yes, let's head to Bright Moon Tower to enjoy some music; there will be plenty of people!”

“How can I get jobs if no one knows I have a Grass Spirit Gu?”

“I, Chen Qing, am not one to squander money in brothels listening to music idly.”

“It's all for survival.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co

Chapter end