Cultivation begins with harvest.

"This is a template of the terms. Take a look and see if any clause is unsuitable. You can revise it if needed. Once it's finalized, print it on the contract. When Senior Brother Zhong arrives, the three of us will sign and seal it, and the contract will then be effective," Wei Donglai said, waving the contract in his hand.

Chen Guang took the regulations and looked them over; they were largely in line with what Wei Donglai had said.

The two parties began their initial cooperation in a two-year cycle. The content was roughly the same as what was originally agreed upon, stipulating the responsibilities and obligations of both parties. The original annual supply of 1,000 catties of spirit rice was replaced with Qi-Nourishing Pills, and the remaining amount was converted into a bottle.

"There's no major problem, but is this clause, 'Those who suffer losses due to force majeure may have their losses disregarded or request a revised compensation plan,' applicable to me?" Chen Guang asked.

If that's the case, then if one fails to properly care for the spiritual plants, can this clause also be used to claim compensation?

The regulations clearly state that there are three Ice Pine Trees and nine Concentration Flowers, all of which are top-grade first-tier spiritual plants. The compensation would certainly not be a small amount.

Wei Donglai thought about it carefully for a moment and suddenly realized, but he didn't care too much and said: "I can add the content of your concerns as a supplement to this item. I will not use it as a threat, but please keep it concise. If there are too many words, it will be troublesome if a contract is not enough."

"Actually, this point is mainly for extreme weather or situations where our formation is flawed. As you know, this is a formation that has been simplified three times and has also been modified by Senior Brother Zhong. Although it is certain to be stable enough, unexpected situations may still occur. It's not specifically targeting you."

Chen Guang nodded, indicating that he understood.

The most basic formation is the "Mysterious Yellow Formation," which can produce all sorts of magical uses; the next level is the "Heaven and Earth Formation," which can draw upon the power of heaven and earth. At this level, one can take advantage of the right time and place, and even without spirit stones, one can set up a formation by relying on the natural world. However, the power is affected by the environment and varies.

Above this is an even higher level of "Cave Heaven Formation," which forms its own little world and is incredibly skillful.

The classification of array formations is based on multiple factors. Xuanhuang, Qiankun, and Dongtian represent the understanding of "array" and the application of "momentum" in the array formation. Even a Xuanhuang array formation can be used to threaten Nascent Soul cultivators; a Qiankun array formation, if composed of a very ordinary environment, can only affect Qi Refining cultivators.

Therefore, formations are further divided into first-tier (Qi Refining) and second-tier (Foundation Building) levels based on their actual power. Each level can be further categorized into ordinary, superior, and top-grade as references for its specific value.

If both are first-order formations, then the Xuanhuang Formation is no match for the Qiankun Formation. The Qiankun Formation can rely on the environment and be built in the mountains, thus connecting with the roots of the mountains and the veins of the earth. The difficulty of forcibly crushing and breaking it is frighteningly high, and it can operate on its own for a long time without spirit stones. If it is a cave formation, not only can it operate on its own, but given enough time, it can also nurture a rich spiritual land inside.

In layman's terms, cultivators before the Golden Core stage have not yet reached the realm of comprehending the universe and beginning to utilize it for their own benefit. Therefore, any first-order Qiankun Formation must be the work of a master in the cultivation world, and it is extremely difficult. It is equivalent to making a weapon comparable to a red-tasseled spear with straw, a masterpiece of a master.

Different levels of formations each have their own unique advantages.

"Is the level of Yun Bing's Sixteen Constellation Jade Pillar Formation really that high? You couldn't even set it up completely after simplifying it three times?" Chen Guang asked.

"The Xuanhuang Formation is also divided into different grades. Yun Bing's Sixteen Constellation Jade Pillar Formation has already reached the point of 'drawing Qi for use and forming a self-circulating cycle,' which can be considered to have touched the edge of the Qiankun Formation," Wei Donglai sighed. "It has been simplified three times and is still a high-grade first-order Xuanhuang Formation. Naturally, it still needs further modifications before it can be used. Otherwise, using the original formation of the secret technique can directly condense complete true Qi, and it is even more special. At that difficulty, it is beyond the reach of Qi Refining cultivators."

"Alright, take a look. This is the revised clause I've added. What do you think?" Chen Guang asked.

Wei Donglai looked at it carefully and nodded: "Then we'll just have to wait for Senior Brother Zhong to arrive."

Wei Donglai easily put away the contract, which made Chen Guang extremely envious. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Donglai, if I want to get the storage bag now, what price would I have to pay? Is there any reliable way?"

"You want a storage bag? There's definitely no hope of getting one from the sect's shops. It's clearly stipulated that cultivators below the fourth level of Qi Refining will not be issued storage bags," Wei Donglai said without hesitation. "In fact, even a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining can't buy a second storage bag. You're underestimating the value of storage bags."

Wei Donglai continued, "Storage bags are the most basic type of storage artifact, formally called 'Universal Artifacts' or 'Spatial Artifacts.' They are artifacts that bear the 'Traces of the Dao of the Universe.' The simplest way to make them is by using materials that also bear the traces of the Dao of the Universe. They are relatively high-end products among artifacts; their grade may not be high, but their value is extremely high."

"The sect can raise Hollow Spirit Frogs. They are made from the 'stomach' of Hollow Spirit Frogs that has traces of the universe. Generally speaking, their internal space is mostly between six and eight directions. However, they cannot be distributed indiscriminately. It is said that Hollow Spirit Frogs are extremely difficult to tame. The Living Spirit Hall, which specializes in taming beasts and is responsible for raising Hollow Spirit Frogs, has the best treatment among the nine halls."

"Outside, the main items are demon beast organs with traces of the Dao of the Universe and the Qingyun family's [Ethereal Gourd]. The internal space is no more than six square meters. There are some in various markets for independent cultivators, with an average price of over four thousand catties of spirit rice. Generally, it will be several hundred catties higher than that. The space is about three square meters. For each additional square meter, the price will increase by several thousand catties of spirit rice. Most of the time, there is no market for it. Sui Yuan of the Qingheng Sect is trusted outside the sect. Just bring Sui Yuan with you. However, your cultivation level is too low, so I do not recommend that you go."

Chen Guang frowned.

It's more difficult than I imagined.

Chen Guang had also heard of the Qingyun Family. It had a long and distinguished history among the many independent cultivator families. Each generation had more than one Foundation Establishment cultivator in the family, which was why they were able to maintain their foundation. They had also produced Golden Core cultivators, which is why they were called a prestigious family.

The original Qingyun bloodline is now very diluted. After all, the Qingyun family has experienced ups and downs, and there have been cases of people marrying into other families to preserve the clan and losing land to survive. However, the main bloodline is still there, but it is mixed with the bloodlines of other families and is no longer as pure as it was at the beginning.

Today, they are one of the vassals of the Qingheng Sect, but they still value the Void Gourd, the lifeblood of their family, very much. They only sell finished products and have never sold seeds, not even the stems and leaves. In the most critical times, they would rather keep a low profile and not seek wealth from it even if they did not have the Void Gourd. They firmly adhered to this bottom line.

"So obtaining the seed of the Ethereal Gourd is just wishful thinking. The Qingyun Clan has shops in Xingfeng Market, but they definitely don't sell Ethereal Gourds. Do I really have to leave the sect?"

Leaving the sect was still too risky for Chen Guang.

Just as the two were talking, a spirit crane flew in from a distance, dropped off a tall, strong, square-faced, long-bearded cultivator, and then the Xingfeng Hall disciple on the crane rode back.

"This is Senior Brother Zhong Qi, a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining," Wei Donglai explained.

"Senior Brother Zhong," Chen Guang greeted him.

Zhong Qi nodded, somewhat surprised: "You're Chen Guang? You exude a refined and serene aura; you seem to be a blessed person."

Chung Chi looks old only because he doesn't groom his beard. His long beard is flowing, but every hair is dark and thick, showing his youthful vitality.

Before Chen Guang could say anything polite, Zhong Qi waved his hand and said somewhat awkwardly, "Donglai, there might be some changes. Everything else about the Ice Mist Array is fine, but the range of its deployment exceeds our capacity. It might cover more than half an acre of spirit field. The best solution is to cover one acre of spirit field directly."

Wei Donglai was taken aback.

Chen Guang's eyes lit up.