Cultivation begins with harvest.

At the foot of Ziling Peak.

A sun slowly rose from the east, shining through Purple Spirit Peak and illuminating the vast expanse of spiritual fields with a vibrant purple hue, imbued with a magnificent spiritual aura.

Between the spiritual fields, there are narrow paths paved with bluestone slabs, each two zhang wide and one zhi thick. They are moist and clear under the purple mist. Every two or three mu of spiritual fields, there is a small courtyard that is five or six zhang long and wide. At this moment, in these courtyards, whether old or young, male or female, they are all facing the sun, diligently cultivating.

The Qingheng Sect is divided into seven peaks and three academies. They all belong to the outer disciples of the Ziling Peak and cultivate the same technique, the "Purple Qi Rising Sun Technique." At sunrise, the purple qi spiritual mist most suitable for this technique will rise within a radius of a thousand miles around the Ziling Peak. Cultivating at this time will yield twice the results with half the effort.

In a simple courtyard, a young man who looked to be only in his early twenties, dressed in a blue robe, with a handsome face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, made people feel an instant good impression.

Chen Guang was originally just one of the masses who died young due to illness. However, he woke up one day to find himself in the body of a young man. This young man longed for the path to immortality in the immortal sect and traveled thousands of miles to find traces of the sect. However, he was bitten by a poisonous snake in the mountains and forests, and after a long illness without a cure, he eventually died. This is how Chen Guang came to be.

At this moment, Chen Guang closed his eyes and concentrated, continuously drawing wisps of purple mist into his body.

What appears to be mist is actually a highly concentrated special spiritual energy, which is why cultivation at this time has extraordinary effects.

"Pop"

As if something had been opened, a purple vortex suddenly appeared in the dantian, automatically drawing wisps of spiritual energy into the dantian and quickly transforming them into purple Chen Guang's magical power, which circulated through the meridians.

"After two years of cultivation, I have finally entered the first level of Qi Refining. It took me two years of hard work to reach the first level." Chen Guang excitedly looked inward at the swirling Qi vortex in his dantian and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The Qingheng Sect is located in an ancient and desolate place with few human footprints, at least tens of thousands of miles away from the mortal city. Unlike the mortal city where spiritual energy is weak, the spiritual energy here is abundant. Chen Guang has deeply realized one of the reasons why it is so far away from the mortal world.

That is the "worldly aura". Places where a large number of mortals live will inevitably be contaminated with this aura. The stronger this aura is, the more human the population is, and the more it hinders the absorption of spiritual energy. Chen Guang spent two whole years because the worldly aura in his body was too strong, blocking his path to immortality.

For the past two years, I've spent most of my time eliminating worldly concerns.

Not only now, but this is also a necessary lesson in future cultivation. Whenever we eat, drink, and relieve ourselves, we will inevitably introduce the impurities of the five grains of the mortal world. Each time we cultivate, we must try our best to eliminate these impurities to ensure the body is clear and transparent, so that we can refine spiritual energy.

"In the Qingheng Sect, there are more than ten methods to avoid the influence of worldly affairs."

"Firstly, the most common practice is to consume spirit rice, spirit vegetables, spirit fruits, and spirit meat. The mundane elements involved are minimal, at least they will not add any burden of mundane elements to the body, ensuring that the body is clear and unobstructed."

"Secondly, if one can successfully establish a foundation, the spirit body will naturally be formed, and one will naturally avoid worldly influences. Even if one lives among mortals, one will not be affected by worldly influences at all."

"Thirdly, there is the Purification Pill, which allows the body to remain in a 'purified body' for a month, preventing the absorption of new mortal elements..."

There are many methods, but the most suitable one for Chen Guang at present is to eat spirit rice. It is the simplest and easiest way. In fact, Chen Guang has been eating spirit rice most of the time since he joined the Qingheng Sect, which is why he has achieved such results.

Otherwise, if you keep filling and filling the pool, it's uncertain when you'll see any results.

Just as Chen Guang was rejoicing, the swirling purple aura began to dissipate under the sunlight.

The "Purple Qi Rising to Brightness Technique" is most effective at this time of day, but unfortunately it only lasts for a quarter of an hour each day. Otherwise, Chen Guang is confident that he can become a Qi Refining cultivator in a shorter time.

Just then, Chen Guang saw a cultivator wearing a ceremonial hat, purple robe, and a purple-gold token at his waist leisurely walking from Purple Spirit Peak in the distance.

These are the disciples in charge of Ziling Peak.

Ziling Peak is only one of the seven peaks of Qingheng Sect, but it controls a territory of over a thousand miles around. Ziling Peak alone is divided into four types: outer disciples, steward disciples, seated disciples, and true disciples.

Outer disciples are the most common among them.

Regardless of their cultivation level, as long as they are willing to work for Ziling Peak, such as cultivating spirit fields and paying for designated types of spirit plants on time and in fixed quantities, even outer disciples can receive sufficient benefits, including the right to use three acres of spirit fields, the Qi cultivation method of "Purple Qi Facing the Brightness Technique", and the opportunity to cultivate at the foot of Ziling Peak.

Spirit fields are not only for cultivators to cultivate, but cultivators can cultivate them better and have more choices, while mortals can only grow spirit rice and a few kinds of vigorous spirit plants, and their choices are not many.

To be a disciple in charge of a ceremony, one must be at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining to be qualified to cultivate at the foot of Purple Spirit Peak, and will also receive a sufficient amount of spiritual rice and other monthly stipends.

As the steward approached from a distance, Chen Guang quickly bowed and greeted him, "Steward Jiang."

Jiang Zuoyun, a disciple in charge of Ziling Peak, glanced at Chen Guang casually: "Oh, Little Chen... Hmm? Hahaha, it seems I should call you Junior Brother Chen."

Jiang Zuoyun had clearly discovered that Chen Guang had reached the first level of Qi Refining.

"Two years have passed, and I've finally broken through. I'm afraid I've made Steward Jiang laugh at me," Chen Guang said with a smile.

"What steward? Since you're at the first level of Qi Refining, you've already passed the first small test. There's no need for you to leave. Just call me senior brother." Jiang Zuoyun nodded. "Now that you're a Qi Refining cultivator, you should cultivate even more diligently. Otherwise, if you fail the small test even once, you won't be able to keep your status as an outer disciple."

"Yes, yes, junior brother has remembered." Chen Guang naturally echoed.

Outer disciples have a three-year mini-exam system. Although it's called an "exam," it's actually a test of cultivation level. In the first three years, no matter what level of cultivation you have, it won't affect your cultivation level in the mini-exam. Starting from the second three years, each mini-exam requires you to be one level higher than the previous one. Those who don't improve will be expelled. After a maximum of twenty-one years, they will either become a steward disciple or be expelled from the spirit field. As for whether to stay or leave, there are plenty of markets for independent cultivators thousands of miles outside of Purple Spirit Peak.

The Qingheng Sect is protected by many independent cultivator markets, which in turn can absorb fresh blood from mortal cities and kingdoms, but the requirements are not low.

Even a mortal like Chen Guang, who traveled from thousands of miles away in one breath, was accepted by the Qingheng Sect. Those with such a steadfast character were even held in higher regard.

Because most mortals, unless they die young, possess all five elements. Those with incomplete five elements are prone to early death. If someone is over twelve years old and has not suffered from any major illnesses, it is a sign that they have the spiritual roots to cultivate. When sects accept disciples, they value aptitude more, dividing it into four categories: A, B, C, and D. Chen Guang, like the vast majority of ordinary people in the world, has the aptitude of the weakest category. If it weren't for Chen Guang's self-recommendation and his firm desire to seek the Dao, the Qingheng Sect would never have looked down on such weakest categories.

The weak Ding class is one that can barely be considered Ding class, but it is a Ding class after rounding up, and it is somewhat inferior to the true Ding class.

Seeing that Chen Guang showed no signs of the smugness one would expect after a breakthrough, Jiang Zuoyun felt somewhat gratified and then said, "This year, the number of people planting spirit fields at the foot of Ziling Peak has increased by about one-seventh, so this year you only need to pay 70 catties of spirit rice per mu of spirit field. You have three mu of spirit fields, one of which must be planted entirely with [Red Peony]. Here are the seeds, which I have already brought."

"According to the sect rules, since you are a Qi Refining cultivator, you will be granted two acres of spiritual fields. One acre must be planted with Jade Heart Grass. Every year, you must hand over Jade Heart Grass without a single withered leaf and at least thirty mature plants. You can keep the extra ones yourself, but you will have to make up for the short ones. The other acre of spiritual field is yours to do with as you please, as long as you do not damage the spiritual energy of the field."

"When you get to the Xingfeng Hall, someone will tell you how to do these things. You are practicing Qi cultivation, and now you can enter places like the Sutra Repository and Chunyuan Residence. Remember to cultivate diligently. I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't say any more."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother." Chen Guang said as he saw him off.

Jiang Zuoyun handed a silk brocade bag to Chen Guang, waved his hand to indicate that Chen Guang did not need to see him off, and continued walking forward.

The duties of the stewards are also quite complicated. One of them is to explain to each household the share to be paid this year and the content of planting spiritual herbs before the beginning of spring. This is the sect's big plan. What to plant where and how much to plant are all calculated. The people who plant spiritual fields cannot be allowed to do whatever they want.

Chen Guang took the red peony, and felt a warm sensation through the brocade bag; it was a very familiar feeling.

Chen Guang couldn't resist testing the waters with his magic, and an astonishing scene unfolded.

Before Chen Guang's eyes, a slightly illusory light screen suddenly appeared, displaying numerous texts and pictures that clearly showed the characteristics and appearance of red peonies at different stages.

Spiritual Plant: Red Peony

Grade: Tier 1 Common

Attributes: Fire/Flowering herb/Annual/Herb

Description: A spiritual plant containing a trace of gentle fire-attribute spiritual power, with vigorous vitality and easy cultivation. It is one of the three main ingredients of the [Crimson Fusion Pill]. It requires a warm and slightly dry environment, but has a high water requirement. Appropriately baking it with [spiritual fire] before planting can improve the quality of the seedlings. Using [spiritual charcoal] and [red scale stone] during cultivation can advance the flowering period and improve the quality of the flowers, respectively.

Unlock the next level of cultivation content: 0/50 (number of mature red peonies)

Chen Guang's eyes widened in surprise.

Oh my god, it's hanging!