Old Lu, clad in a green robe, laughed and said, "It's nothing important, really. It's just that the five Spirit Fields beneath Qiongbi Peak have a tradition of gathering every so often at the large stone slab by the intersection. If you're free, little friend, why don't you come and join in on the fun?"
"Oh?"
Ning Daoran had been feeling that he lacked an opportunity to connect with the Spirit Farmers under this mountain peak. After all, *gaining more experience and insight was one of the essential factors for survival in the Cultivation World.*
"Alright!"
He immediately nodded and smiled, "Old Lu and I just finished eating, so we'll head over and chat with everyone."
"Excellent, excellent!"
Old Lu beamed with delight, "Then let's go; this old fellow will lead the way!"
...
The large stone slab wasn't far, only about half a mile away.
Qiongbi Peak, where Ning Daoran's Spirit Field No. 77 was located, was one of the most ordinary mountains managed by the Spirit Field Department of the Chaotic Sect's Outer Mountain.
When Ning Daoran initially inherited Spirit Field No. 77, he couldn't help but feel perplexed about the name "Qiongbi Peak."
*What an unlucky name—living here might mean never getting a chance at sudden wealth. But after thorough inquiry, he finally uncovered the truth.*
Reportedly, when the founding ancestor of the Chaotic Sect—Chaos Daoist—first came to this location while partitioning the peaks, he marveled at its towering cliffs and said, "A solitary peak standing tall, sheer and imposing!"
His disciple swirled his brush and coined the name: Qiongbi Peak!
Beneath Qiongbi Peak lay a Spirit Vein that extended from the Main Peak of the Chaotic Sect. The concentration of Spiritual Energy here was roughly at the First-Tier Middle-grade level, far inferior to the Third-Tier Middle-grade Spirit Energy at the richest parts of the Main Peak.
However, *it was more than sufficient for Spirit farmers to grow crops and cultivators at the Qi Refinement Realm to practice.*
This was precisely why many Spirit Farmers were willing to pay hefty rents of Spirit Rice to lease land here from the sect every year.
Becoming a Spirit Farmer within the territory of the Chaotic Sect offered numerous advantages: the dense Spiritual Energy, and protection from the sect itself, safeguarding against harassment by Loose Cultivators or Robbery Cultivators. These perks caused the land-leasing business of the Chaotic Sect's Outer Mountain Spirit Fields to thrive!
Beneath Qiongbi Peak, there were five Spirit Fields in total, among which Spirit Field No. 77 cultivated by Ning Daoran and Old Lu was the largest. This might explain why Ning Daoran, an Outer Disciple, had been assigned to this field.
The other fields were numbered 78, 79, 80, and 81, each with their own respective owners.
...
The large stone slab sat beneath an ancient banyan tree, providing a shady, relaxed gathering spot.
By the time Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer arrived, a few others were already present, their bodies radiating unmistakable Spiritual Power that couldn't be concealed.
"Fellow Daoist Ning is here!"
Old Lu smiled faintly and said, "Everyone, let's go around and introduce ourselves, shall we?"
"Excellent."
An elderly woman carrying a little girl on her back chuckled and said, "I'm responsible for tending Spirit Field No. 79. Since I'm up there in age, everyone calls me Granny Yun Cui. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ning..."
Ning Daoran immediately bowed solemnly, "I greet Granny Yun Cui!"
Granny Yun Cui returned the bow with a smile.
Separately, a man and woman cultivator nestled closely together, appearing to be a Daoist couple.
"My name is Xin Yan; I'm at the Third Level of Qi Refinement. This is my wife, Zhong Yan, at the Second Level of Qi Refinement! Fellow Daoist Ning, a pleasure to meet you!"
"Pleasure to meet the two of you, Fellow Daoists!"
Old Lu chuckled and said, "Everyone calls me Old Lu, and I am also at the Third Level of Qi Refinement, like Fellow Daoist Xin. Let's all sit. Tonight's gathering is just for casual chatter and getting acquainted."
Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer seated themselves in a discreet corner of the stone slab.
"Hmm?"
Xin Yan casually lifted his head, grinning, "I heard recently that Spirit Field No. 77 was granted to an Outer Disciple at the First Level of Qi Refinement. You've been here less than three months, and yet, Fellow Daoist Ning, you've already broken through to the Second Level of Qi Refinement?"
"Just luck, just luck..."
Ning Daoran felt a little shy, "It was years of accumulated effort that led to the breakthrough!"
"Fellow Daoist Ning is too modest."
Old Lu stroked his beard and laughed, "Word is that Daoist Ning is only twenty years old and has already reached the Second Level of Qi Refinement. Such talent and comprehension leave us far behind—you'll be out of sight before we know it!"
Ning Daoran humbly replied again, attributing it all to luck.
*He could sense that while these Spirit Farmers appeared friendly on the surface, deep down, they harbored a trace of envy.*
*After all, not everyone could enter the Chaotic Sect.*
On Qiongbi Peak, Ning Daoran—previously scorned as an Outer Disciple in the main hall—now commanded the highest standing in this gathering.
Outer Disciples ranked higher than Servant Disciples, and Servant Disciples ranked higher than Spirit Farmers. Such stratification was an ironclad rule in the Cultivation World.
*Who wouldn't prefer being a sect disciple to tilling the fields as a Spirit Plant Man?*
Spirit Farmers like Xin Yan and Old Lu struggled immensely to advance even the smallest realms. The Spirit Stones and Magical Artifacts required for cultivation were squeezed from the barest of resources.
*Skill in Spirit Plant techniques was critical.*
The rent for the Spirit Fields was no small expense; vast amounts of Spirit Rice had to be handed over to the sect yearly. Bountiful harvests could offset the cost, but a poor yield could render an entire year's effort meaningless.
Ning Daoran, adept in interpersonal matters, naturally understood the underlying implications, keeping his demeanor modest to the point of appearing subservient.
But, *the rules of the Cultivation World dictated that the accomplished should lead. Among those of the same cultivation realm, mutual respect and addressing each other as Fellow Daoists were expected.*
Conversation carried on for quite some time, with everyone exchanging woes.
Ning Daoran mostly stayed silent, embracing the awareness of a newcomer's role: to listen more and speak less. When he encountered something he didn't understand, he humbly asked questions, which the Spirit Farmers eagerly answered one by one.
Among the group, the only person Ning Daoran couldn't quite see through was Granny Yun Cui. Although her cultivation aura matched the Third Level of Qi Refinement, however...
*With his mastery in the Concealing Breath Technique, Ning Daoran picked up a faintly familiar trace—Granny Yun Cui likely possessed some method to hide her true cultivation.*
*But that was her business, and Ning Daoran had no interest in meddling.*
*Meddling too much could lead to a swift demise—a principle Ning Daoran had always held close.*
After holding back for a while, Ning Daoran couldn't resist asking why the manager of Spirit Field No. 78 wasn't present.
Xin Yan burst into laughter, "Fellow Daoist Ning, you might not know this, but the owner of Spirit Field No. 78 arrived around the same time you did and is also an Outer Disciple, accompanied by a servant—one master, one servant. However, the young lady is quite shy and rarely shows herself. Don't worry; you'll meet her someday."
After some more chatter, night fell, and everyone dispersed.
...
Days passed one by one, and Ning Daoran began spending his time managing Spirit Field No. 77 while occasionally bringing Big Stupid Deer to the Contribution Hall.
The Contribution Hall showcased various treasures available for exchange, stunning both man and beast.
There were dazzling Flying Swords, massive Wolf-Toothed Hammers, and fiery Cloth Banners crafted from unknown materials, exuding staggering auras.
"Holy crap… badass…"
Ning Daoran resembled a country bumpkin visiting the city, marveling repeatedly, his vocabulary now limited to simple exclamations.
"Woo woo…"
Big Stupid Deer was no better—a yokel mesmerized by the appearance of Magic Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts. It kept nudging Ning Daoran's arm, as if to say, Look at that sword! No, wait, that hammer on the left—that thing is even more badass! One blow from it could probably turn an iron skull into a watermelon!
"Junior Brother Ning?"
Suddenly, someone called out to Ning Daoran.
It was Zhao Lichen.
The current Zhao Lichen had changed his attire, swapping his former deep-blue sect robes for white disciple robes. Could it be… he had advanced from an Outer Disciple to an Inner Disciple?
"Senior Brother Zhao, you…" Ning Daoran was stunned.
"Haha…"
Zhao Lichen looked a little embarrassed as he smiled and said, "Because I've traveled extensively with the junior uncles over the years, I've gained more experience than others, and the sect has promoted me to Inner Disciple. From now on, I'll be responsible for issuing tasks here at the Contribution Hall and explaining various inquiries to junior disciples."
He smiled and asked, "Junior Brother Ning, what brings you here?"
"Just looking around."
Ning Daoran grinned, "Senior Brother, I have a question—does the sect have a Book Collection Pavilion?"
"Of course!"
Zhao Lichen chuckled, "Wouldn't it be surprising if a sect like ours didn't have one? Follow the path from the Contribution Hall up the mountain; the pavilion is about half a mile away."
He rambled on, "So, Junior Brother, are you planning to browse through some of the records in the pavilion?"
"Ahem…"
Ning Daoran naturally couldn't admit that his real goal was to "freeload" and collect cultivation techniques without officially borrowing them. His advantage lay in his ability to scan and record any book instantly upon glance without ever needing to take it home.
His philosophy on future cultivation revolved around the idea of "The more techniques, the better." He didn't discriminate; he wanted them all!
"Senior Brother, I want to study arrays."
He mentioned another purpose, "To be honest, my talent is average, but I have a strong interest in the Array Path. Do you know if there are any books about arrays in the pavilion?"
"There are, but they're located on the upper floors."
Zhao Lichen explained, "As an Outer Disciple, you're only allowed to browse the first floor of the pavilion, and you can stay for a maximum of two hours each visit."
"I see…"
Ning Daoran quickly bid farewell to Zhao Lichen and made his way to the pavilion to investigate further.
...
Midway up the sect's mountain stood a magnificent building towering amidst the clouds. This pavilion encompassed three levels; each one was extraordinarily high, with wisps of cloud lingering around it—the atmosphere of Cultivation was palpable.
Ning Daoran handed over his Identity Jade Token.
"Oh?"
An Outer Elder glanced at it, smiled, and said, "Ning Daoran… Outer Disciple—a new face! I presume you're aware of the rules? You're only allowed to browse the first floor for two hours, and you may enter the pavilion just once every ten days."
"Thank you, Master Uncle; I understand."
"Go ahead; spiritual beasts are not allowed inside, so leave yours outside."
"Understood!"
Big Stupid Deer let out a soft grunt, nudging Ning Daoran's arm as if expressing its desire to enter and broaden its horizons.
"Alright, alright."
Ning Daoran patted the deer's head and muttered, "You can't read anyway, so what's the point of going in?"
The early-stage Foundation Establishment elder sipping tea nearby almost burst into laughter upon overhearing this exchange.
...
Inside the Book Collection Pavilion's first floor.
Ning Daoran flipped through various books at lightning speed, but he struggled to find anything useful.
The first floor mostly housed general texts: titles like "Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World Chronicles," "Chaotic Sect Sect History," "Cultivation Introduction," "Spiritual Beast Postnatal Care," and "Introduction to Joyful Union Sect Dual Cultivation." These were low-value works, commonly found on street stalls.
Still, after nearly an hour of searching, his efforts paid off as he discovered two techniques that could be added to his Grass and Wood Holy Spirit System:
[Invisibility Technique, Lower Grade Yellow (Uninitialized)]
[Sound Absorption Technique, Lower Grade Yellow (Uninitialized)]