Chapter 45: Chapter 43: The Impoverished Cultivator Wei Songnian was taken aback for a moment and said: "Junior Brother, as a Spirit Farmer, you should know that Spirit Fruit Trees need to be planted in an Entry Level Spirit Field to bloom and bear fruit." Old Huang straightened his back and said with a smile: "Hehe, Senior Brother Wei, Brother Xiao’an already has a Tier One Spirit Field." His tone was proud, as if Ji An having a Tier One Spirit Field was partly due to his efforts. "Oh, I see." Wei Songnian nodded calmly and said approvingly: 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 "I didn’t expect Old Huang to be generous for once. I thought you were just talking when you drank last time." Old Huang, this stingy old man, finally knew how to give a big favor. Not bad, he got wise at his age. Jade Corn has two seasons a year, giving up some Crystal Stones to befriend a promising cultivator is a very worthwhile thing to do. It’s not much sincerity to pass the Tier One Spirit Field to Ji An when Old Huang leaves the sect. Old Huang’s face immediately turned bright red. When he drank that time, he indeed had the thought of giving away the Spirit Field. After sobering up, he realized that Jade Corn could provide him with a net income of seven or eight Spirit Stones each season. Losing those Crystal Stones was akin to cutting off his meat. This was a gift, not borrowing Spirit Stones, it’s not coming back. When he leaves the sect, he won’t have such good opportunities again, and he wants to save some more for his grandson. Seeing Old Huang’s face turn into that of a monkey’s butt, Wei Songnian realized he’d said something wrong. "Senior Brother guessed wrong, I cultivated the land in the small courtyard into a Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Field, probably because the previous resident left a good foundation." Ji An smoothly took over the conversation, unconcerned that Old Huang hadn’t transferred the Spirit Field to him. The Spirit Field was cultivated with someone else’s hard work. If given, he would be grateful, and if not given, it’s also their freedom. However, if Old Huang gave him enough, he would repay even more in the future. Despite a high income, he still lacked Crystal Stones. He had a Spirit Capturing Array but could only use it for just over thirty double hours a month, which was far from enough for him. "It’s Junior Brother’s ability, it has nothing to do with the last disciple who lived here." Wei Songnian said, knowing most Spirit Farmers treated their courtyards like vegetable gardens or kept some rabbits for a treat. Old Huang’s face wasn’t so red anymore. He coughed to hide his embarrassment: "Brother Xiao’an’s Thick Earth Technique reached the Perfection Level a few months ago, so he could quickly cultivate a Tier One Spirit Field." "I knew it long ago; Junior Brother’s Spirit Farming is different from others." Wei Songnian sighed and asked: "Do you have any requirements for the type of fruit trees, Junior Brother?" "I’m not picky. Common Spiritual Peach Trees, Spiritual Apricot Trees, or Spiritual Jujube Trees will do. I’ve heard Senior Brother mention an Enlightenment Tea Tree; its saplings would be fine too. And if there are saplings of Soul Nourishing Wood, they also count." Not picky? In the Western Continent’s Three Sects, only Luofeng Valley has a Tier Two Enlightenment Tea Tree, a significant source of wealth not releasing any seeds or saplings. Soul Nourishing Wood’s environment requirements are harsh; a Tier One Spirit Field cannot sustain it. Wei Songnian grinned and said: "Junior Brother should forget about the Enlightenment Tea Tree. We might think of a way for a regular Spirit Tea Tree. Fruit tree saplings aren’t sold, but Spiritual Peach and Spiritual Apricot seeds are easy to procure, costing just ten Spirit Crystals for seeds. Spirit Fruit Trees, unlike mortal ones, take many years to bear fruit. I don’t understand the specifics; you’ll need to ask a specialist." He calculated the dates and then said: "Tonight, I’ll take Junior Brother somewhere to see if we can find anything. Having broken through to Late-stage Qi Refining, Junior Brother should connect more with fellow sect cultivators." Ji An cupped his hands: "Thank you, Senior Brother." Huang Feihu brought back some Spirit Wine, and Wei Songnian laughed and said: "Old Huang, Flying Tiger looks clever with your support. His path to immortality is bound to be smoother." "Haha, Flying Tiger will definitely be more successful than me, and I’ll ask you two to look after him." Old Huang unsealed the Spirit Wine, releasing a fragrant aroma. Liang Hill served the prepared Spirit Fish and some fresh fruit and vegetables along with regular meat dishes, and everyone began to feast. ... As the sun set in the west, two people rode a Talisman Bird, leisurely flying in the sky. Wei Songnian patted the Talisman Bird beneath him and said sternly: "Ah, I’m finding the Talisman Bird’s speed more and more unbearable. When I advance to Foundation Establishment, I’ll definitely buy a Flying Tamed Beast." Ji An just smiled. The price of a regular Flying Tamed Beast isn’t high, but the cost of nurturing a Spirit Beast isn’t cheap. If it’s not frequently needed, under tight Spirit Stone supplies, it’s best not to buy a large Spirit Beast. "The place we’re going to this time is a free trading venue provided by the sect. There are several similar trading sites, with a transaction every three months. In the future, I’ll show Junior Brother around them. These places have Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the sect to help appraise the authenticity of items, albeit for a few Spirit Stones." Ji An smiled and said: "Thanks for your trouble, Senior Brother. By the way, do you still have any Spirit Pills suitable for Late-stage Qi Refining disciples? Can I borrow some and repay you when my Spirit Grain matures?" Since clearing his debts, he hadn’t borrowed anything from the other for a year. It was time to borrow for cultivation again. "Haha, Junior Brother asked at the right time. I just returned from Cyan Cloud Immortal City a few days ago, with two bottles of Ginseng Essence Pills remaining in my possession. But I can’t give Junior Brother too much, only five pills, as I need to keep some pills to exchange for more suitable items." "Five pills is great. How much are the Ginseng Essence Pills worth?" Wei Songnian held up one finger: "Genuine Grade Ginseng Essence Pills from Luofeng Valley, two Spirit Stones each. Late-stage Qi Refining Pills require spirit medicines that are decades old as the main ingredient, always in short supply. I only managed to buy a batch of Ginseng Essence Pills from Cyan Cloud Immortal City through a family’s connections." So expensive! Jade Pills are still 30 Spirit Crystals each! Ji An jested: "I always thought I was doing alright, but who knew I’m still so poor." Wei Songnian sighed empathetically: "Yes, we’re all poor cultivators. A month, I can only take five Ginseng Essence Pills at most. I need to save Crystal Stones to exchange for Contribution Points to queue for the sect’s Foundation Establishment Pill." When the two arrived at the trading location, the sky was already dark. Wei Songnian handed twenty Spirit Crystals to the disciple guarding the door, smiling: "Senior Brother Cui, two people." The person took the Spirit Crystals and said indifferently: "Junior Brother Wei brought a newcomer, please enter." The door opened, and the noisy discussion flooded Ji An’s ears. This large hall had a soundproof magic array. They stepped inside, and Ji An glanced around, finding about fifty or sixty people inside. Most of the auras they revealed were stronger than his, probably Senior Brothers at the Eighth-Layer and Ninth Layer Qi Refining. A somewhat chubby, round-faced cultivator approached, smiling and saying: "Old Wei, this young Junior Brother beside you is so unfamiliar. Junior Brother, let’s introduce ourselves. I am Lin Antai."