Cultivation begins with harvest.

Zhang Zhaoyu eventually agreed.

Chen Guang handed over almost a third of the detailed formula for the Crimson Fusion Pill to Zhang Zhaoyu. Zhang Zhaoyu also took out a spiritual contract, which stipulated that it could not be "completely provided to others free of charge" and could not be disclosed to others for "purely financial gain". It could be shared with those stronger than oneself for the purpose of discussion, and the transactors should abide by this agreement as much as possible.

Under certain circumstances, Zhang Zhaoyu can use the Crimson Melting Elixir formula to complete other transactions.

Chen Guang didn't mind the pill formula being leaked, but after thinking it over, he realized that it would make him seem indifferent to the value of the formula, which would help the other party lower the price. Zhang Zhaoyu wasn't confused; such a pill formula should definitely be shared with others for discussion. If he studied it alone, it wouldn't be worth two hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, even if it was just a Fire Grass.

As for the small amount of essence consumed by a spirit contract, neither side took it seriously.

Therefore, signing such a spiritual pact can be considered a win-win situation for everyone.

After completing the transaction, Zhang Zhaoyu sat in the main seat. Chen Guang would give him the specific pill formula within three days. Zhang Zhaoyu couldn't wait to get there three days from now.

The disciples below the level of steward in the Flame Hall still live a life of hardship. Chen Guang looked at the other cultivators at the small gathering and found that without exception, they were all steward disciples. He figured that only cultivators at this level could have enough strength and time to earn more money when completing Flame Hall tasks.

However, no more treasures could tempt Chen Guang. After completing the transaction with Zhang Zhaoyu, the small meeting came to an end. The cultivators who had completed the transaction began to chat and exchanged alchemy techniques.

Once all the transactions were completed, everyone left Hongxiang Restaurant together.

Back in his own courtyard, Chen Guang continued his cultivation plan.

The cultivation plan for the entire winter proceeded smoothly. The two hundred-year-old fire plants were simply placed in the storage artifact as a backup. It was necessary to have some reserves of such high-level currency to feel at ease. Otherwise, Chen Guang would not have the confidence to acquire any good things in the future.

The progress in refining Star Leaf Powder and Bone Cleansing Pill is quite good, with 45 and 59 pills refined respectively, both meeting the requirements for the second stage of accumulated rewards.

Star Leaf Powder is a pill that restores mana. Its second-stage reward is [Pill Transformation Technique], a spell that increases the absorption efficiency of pills. Although it does not meet the requirements of special skills in the various arts of immortal cultivation, it is undoubtedly a special spell in the art of alchemy. If it continues to develop, it may very well become a special skill.

The Bone Cleansing Pill is a healing elixir, and its second-stage reward is a second-tier elixir called the Bone Regeneration Pill, which can regenerate severed limbs and restore life in an instant. Its powerful medicinal effects are beyond doubt.

The pills only require thirty accumulated harvests to obtain the second-stage reward, making them the most cost-effective reward among all the reward clusters. Chen Guang was even considering whether to refine all the mainstream pills on the market and get a bunch of second-stage rewards. The second-stage rewards for pills are at least second-tier treasures.

The uses of various spells and incantations are also quite extensive.

Many mainstream pill formulas are not difficult to obtain in the Scripture Pavilion. The only problem is that one's own alchemy skills may be lacking. There is no need to elaborate on things like Star Leaf Powder, Bone Cleansing Pill, and Crimson Fusion Pill. Chen Guang himself is quite confident that he can refine them in batches.

However, it's hard to say about other elixirs, especially those from the non-long-term water-dwelling school. The effort required may not be as great as the rewards of frantically refining elixirs.

After much deliberation, Chen Guang decided to temporarily postpone his desire for alchemy and wait until next winter. The premise of this plan was that his alchemy skills would make significant progress next winter.

The other two gains this winter were the falling butterflies and the skill level in the magic contest.

After repeated practice in the training ground, the effects finally became apparent. Looking back at his past battles of wits and courage against the Red Locusts, he couldn't help but feel ashamed, realizing how simplistic and naive his methods had been. The progress he felt in comparison invigorated Chen Guang.

As for the Fallen Butterfly Technique, the cultivation of this secret art always requires resources and time. Chen Guang has sufficient resources now, so there is no problem in completing the cultivation. However, it will take until the end of next spring to fully complete the cultivation.

Next winter, Chen Guang will be able to begin cultivating the Clear Vision Technique. There's never too much of a secret technique, as long as you can cultivate it.

Winter ended quickly, and this time Chen Guang's cultivation had stabilized at the third level of Qi Refining, so he had two more acres of spiritual fields to tend to.

According to Jiang Zuoyun, Chen Guang had taken good care of the spiritual plants in the previous two years, and their quality was not low. Moreover, his progress each year was visible. In addition, his own cultivation level was improving rapidly, so special arrangements were made.

Breaking through one level in a year is a remarkable achievement, which naturally attracts the attention of higher-ups. Therefore, the tasks assigned to them are different; rather than tasks, they are more like a more arduous test.

One mu (unit of land area) is designated for planting [Void Flower Tree] according to the sect's mission. The Void Flower Tree possesses some simple traces of the Dao of the Universe and is also a top-grade spiritual plant of the first rank. Only fifteen trees can be planted in one mu of spiritual land. Its flowers are hidden and do not appear. It takes three years to grow, but it will attract some demonic beasts that also have traces of the Dao of the Universe to come and eat.

The benefit of planting spiritual plants at the foot of Purple Spirit Peak has always been that demonic beasts will not attack. Demonic beasts with traces of the universe are all powerful and difficult to deal with. Although from another perspective, it is also an opportunity, it is definitely not for a cultivator like Chen Guang.

Monsters cannot overcome the obstacles to reach this place; only some strange and ferocious insects will appear. They are small in size and even more difficult to detect and defend against, making it an even more dangerous spot.

These ferocious insects may not necessarily be the kind that possess traces of the universe, but they must have some unique characteristics to be able to so keenly perceive the potential benefits of the illusory flower wood to them. After all, the illusory flower wood does not emit any strange scents, so to perceive this special quality, they must rely entirely on their own keen senses.

Fortunately for Chen Guang, it takes at least three years from planting the illusory flower tree to reaching maturity and flowering age. During this period, as long as one of the thousand-needle wrens successfully grows up, it will greatly reduce the pressure on Chen Guang to take care of the illusory flower tree.

Considering that there are still some Heart-Piercing Grasses to be planted this year, Chen Guang hopes that he can have at least two.

The resources required for the Void Flower Tree are all of a very high standard, either [Radiant Qi] or other spiritual objects with traces of the universe. Among the top-grade first-tier items, it is extremely difficult to cultivate a high-quality one. Chen Guang's only requirement is that a fixed number of Void Flower Tree flowers be submitted each year after three years.

Similarly, there are now more options for planting spirit rice in those two acres of spirit fields.

You can choose from [Jade Rice], [Fire Rice], and [Three-Smoke Rice], or you can continue to plant the most basic Spirit Rice. Perhaps others don't need to consider this, but for Chen Guang, it's a bit different. What if higher-grade Spirit Rice doesn't reward you with Pure Spirit Qi?

Therefore, Chen Guang cautiously chose to plant three types of tobacco on one mu of land.