Chapter 11: Chapter 9: The Capital for a Livelihood Seeing that the Small Cloud Rain Technique has reached the Master Level, Ji An suddenly felt the moonlight tenderly like water, and the night exceptionally shy. He suddenly slapped his forehead and whispered: "Tsk... I was too excited just now and forgot to light a perfect incense before refining the Spiritual Mechanism!" He wanted to calculate how much time refining the Spiritual Mechanism would take, and whether it relates to the quantity of the Spiritual Mechanism being refined. In the future, he will definitely need to learn Attack Techniques, and at that time he won’t refine all the Spiritual Mechanisms like now, instead he’ll reserve some for when needed. If refining the Spiritual Mechanism consumes very little time, he might as well wait to refine them until it’s necessary to advance his Magic Level. He sighed again, annoyedly patting his cheeks. The First-Layer Qi Refining Magical Power is scarce, he should run to his Spirit Field to practice the Thick Earth Technique. Ji An lit a torch and ran outside. Although the remaining Magical Power can only cast the Thick Earth Technique once, any bit counts, and can’t be wasted. The fire flickered, casting long shadows on the winding path. Arriving at the Spirit Field, Ji An casts the Thick Earth Technique once more, then checks the spell’s effect. The soft soil is only four fingers deep, somewhat shallow and not meeting the requirements. He doesn’t know the Flame Fire Spell, before planting he needs to sprinkle insect-repelling medicinal powder in the Spirit Field. Old Huang said that the soil should at least be as deep as a shovel blade, otherwise pests in the deeper layers cannot be killed and will damage the roots of Spirit Grain. Therefore, the Planting Technique must reach the Master Level to have practical significance. However, this is not difficult for him, waiting a few days before sowing the Spirit Grain will be fine. His Divine Sense again activates the Stone Turtle. [Magic Technique: Thick Earth Technique (Entry 83% → 85%)] ... Five days later. Under the scorching noon sun, Ji An, used both hands and feet, trudged hard on the mountain path. As he saw a corner of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, a slight, dry smile appeared on his sweat-covered face. High Cultivators in the sect are teaching new disciples tomorrow, upon receiving the notice three days ago, he immediately set off. Jade Water Lake is quite far from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, and without a Talisman Bird for transportation, he had to rely on his own two feet. After walking through mountain paths for two days and nights, he finally arrived. In front of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, sparse groups of disciples from other halls were gathered. Ji An found an empty spot with no one around and sat down heavily. He took out a worn blanket from his pack and laid it on the ground, then lay on his back. He was just too exhausted. [Master: Ji An] [Dao Rhyme: 0] [Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 0.2, Kun Spirit 0.1, Xun Spirit 1.6] [Magic Techniques: Small Cloud Rain Technique (Master 72%) Thick Earth Technique (Master 48%)] Although he was on the road, he did not neglect his cultivation; the Stone Turtle’s absorption of Spiritual Mechanism was not too affected, though less Kan Spirit was obtained than usual after leaving Jade Water Lake. By the time he returns to Jade Water Lake’s Spirit Field, the Small Cloud Rain Technique will surely advance to Minor Achievement Level, which will be his livelihood. For example, when the Small Cloud Rain Technique is at the second layer, it does not have any extra effect, the spiritual power in the rain can only support the growth of the Spirit Grain, and cannot increase yield by multiple rain spells within a day. Old Huang said, if the Spirit Grain during the Elongation Stage is always irrigated with Minor Achievement Level Small Cloud Rain Technique, the yield can increase by about ten percent. Using Great Success Level magic technique for irrigation, the yield can increase by thirty to forty percent. Thick Earth Technique is similar, nurturing the soil with Minor Achievement Level Thick Earth Technique every two days can increase harvest by about ten percent. Thinking about gaining extra harvest right when he became a Spirit Farmer, Ji An felt as refreshing as having a cold drink in summer! Feeling his eyelids becoming heavier, he unknowingly fell asleep, emitting soft snores. .... Hunger crept in, Ji An drowsily opened his eyes and sat up to see the sky filled with red clouds, mountains vast as the sea, and sunset like blood. Taking out his dry rations and water kettle, he ate a few bites haphazardly then headed into the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. Seizing this opportunity, he wanted to inquire about the cost of learning Third-Layer Techniques. Upon advancing the Small Cloud Rain Technique to Master Level, he conducted an experiment for comparison. Upon refining the same amount of Spiritual Mechanism, he discovered a significant improvement in comprehending magic techniques after learning the key to Second-Layer Techniques. It makes sense, as countless generations have improved upon basic techniques, the explanations of cultivation techniques would be considerably more efficient than one’s independent comprehension. Ji An politely clasped his hands together and said gently: "Excuse me, senior brother, I am a new disciple in the sect this year assigned to Jade Water Lake’s Spirit Field. Please inform me, how many Contribution Points are required to learn the Third-Layer Spell of the Small Cloud Rain Technique." The daydreaming cultivator gave him a glance, suspiciously replied: "You, a First-Layer Qi Refining disciple, want to learn Third-Layer Techniques?" Typically, at least Second-Layer Qi Refining Spirit Farmers would meet the requirement for learning Third-Layer Techniques. The Magical Power within a First-Layer Qi Refining body is too limited, barely able to practice techniques a few times a day. "Oh... I understand. In order to allow disciples a smoother cultivation journey, the sect requires very few Contribution Points for all production-related techniques. Any planting technique’s Third-Layer Spell only needs 10 Contribution Points to learn." Understand what? Ji An was puzzled. He was not surprised by the cultivator’s accurate identification of his realm. Different realm cultivators release varying degrees of Spiritual Pressure, and high-tier cultivators perceiving low-tier cultivators’ cultivation is quite normal. For the sect to reduce the Contribution Points needed to learn production-related techniques is a farsighted decision, and he appreciated the sect a bit more. Material abundance facilitates better development; even in the cultivation world, this should be the case. He began recalling ways to acquire Contribution Points, completing sect tasks can earn points, offering Spiritual Objects, or un-recorded sect cultivation techniques can also earn points. For example, besides paying rent for the Spirit Field, contributing Spirit Grain earns points. Additionally, using Crystal Stones to purchase Contribution Points is possible, one Spirit Stone exchanges for twenty Contribution Points. Simultaneously, the sect allows disciples to exchange their Contribution Points for Spirit Stones, twenty-five Contribution Points for one Spirit Stone. Importantly, there is a strict rule that Contribution Points are for personal use and cannot be transferred. Ji An had no Spiritual Objects or rare cultivation techniques, just five Spirit Crystals; all he possessed could only buy one Contribution Point. His father’s Beast Taming Technique might qualify, but unfortunately, his father promised to pass it on after he opens his Immortal Vein, and his father’s final departure left him without the technique. He even harbored resentment towards his father for deciding to gather herbs without transcribing the technique for him. "I am a new disciple and temporarily have no Contribution Points, but in two months after my Spirit Grain harvest, I’ll come back. Hmm... What about learning the Life and Death Technique?" The cultivator extended one finger: "The Life and Death Technique, Flame Fire Spell, Sharp Gold Technique, the First and Second-Layer Techniques for these spells all require only one Contribution Point." Ji An handed over five Spirit Crystals: "I’d like a Jade Slip of the Life and Death Technique."