Cultivation begins with harvest.

Before the buildings were divided, it was a rare sight to see all the local spiritual farmers gathered together.

They chatted comfortably with each other, quite relaxed.

This is a triennial assessment of cultivation levels. The system is cruel and cold, but it selects outstanding and serious cultivators for the Qingheng Sect.

Those Lingnong who are still missing and haven't arrived are mostly those who haven't yet met the requirement of advancing one level of cultivation every three years. They are currently working hard at home, making their last struggle.

Every three years, as the three-year exams approach, pills like the Vein Protector Pill are very popular, and pills that prevent qi deviation also sell well.

"It's Chen Guang!" People in the crowd recognized the light-footed figure on the bluestone slab at a glance. The refreshing aura emanating from Chen Guang made his entire demeanor appear clean and refreshing—a very special feeling that could be sensed upon closer approach. "This lucky fellow… wait!"

Even though Chen Guang hadn't cultivated the Qi Observation Technique, he also hadn't cultivated the Breath Concealment Technique. Naturally, everyone could sense the change in Chen Guang's cultivation level as soon as they got close.

You've broken through to the second level of Qi Refining so quickly!

Everyone was somewhat surprised. Aptitude is not hard to find out. Chen Guang was a weakling. The three-year minor examination was somewhat cruel for such a weakling. Before this year, everyone thought that Chen Guang was bound to go to the Xingfeng Hall office. Although the concept has changed, it is still hard to accept for a while.

With the Pure Spirit Qi and Qi Nourishing Pills, the cultivation speed is barely acceptable, but why did I break through this year?

Given his weak aptitude, the cultivation test held every three years is becoming increasingly challenging and difficult. The best option is to pass this test as a first-level Qi Refining cultivator, compared to his current status as a second-level Qi Refining cultivator. This would give him at least three more years of cultivation space and a greater chance of becoming a deacon disciple.

"Could it be that some kind of spiritual energy has made him arrogant, and he's trying to engage in that kind of vigorous and intense cultivation?"

This is the only explanation people can offer: although those who are brave and capable of making great progress are unlikely to be in the Earth Hall. There are quite a few old hands in the Earth Hall who have all gone into farming and are more practical.

But the fact that he was only at the second level of Qi Refining still made the group of cultivators feel that Chen Guang was somewhat mysterious and arrogant.

The price is greater visibility.

Chen Guang understood perfectly and stood aside by himself.

On the other side, Mr. and Mrs. Lu Daxian greeted Chen Guang warmly, holding a little guy with dark eyes. Many people surrounded Mr. and Mrs. Lu Daxian.

Putting aside the trading of the demon snake, this little guy alone brought a very different atmosphere to this branch building.

Cao Fang simply nodded to Chen Guang as a greeting.

Soon, Jiang Zuoyun and Deacon Long came out of the branch building. Everyone immediately made way for them and began to check their cultivation levels according to the roster. Deacon Long took out some tools and placed them on a small table to the side, waiting for the specific examination.

The survey of the spirit fields has now concluded. Using the new spiritual tools from the Earth Hall, it was easy to find out whether the cultivators had secretly taken any purple spirit land for their own use compared to last year.

Within reasonable limits, no action will be taken.

"Liu Yige, fourth mini-exam. Last time, your cultivation level was Qi Refining Level 5. Please come forward." As Jiang Zuoyun spoke, a tall, thin man with bangs covering half his face and an expressionless expression stepped forward. Whispers arose from the crowd. Liu Yige was currently the cultivator with the highest cultivation level and the highest talent in this branch building. After a brief examination by Steward Long, Jiang Zuoyun ticked his name on the roster. "Qi Refining Level 6, passed the mini-exam."

Immediately, a disciple from the branch building helped Liu Yige activate some of the hidden spiritual functions of the Yellow Jade Token: "Senior Brother Liu, you can now go to Xingfeng Hall and receive another Golden Fruit; you can learn a spell for free at the Scripture Pavilion; and you can stay at Chunyuan Residence for six days. You can now collect all these rewards with your identity token."

Liu Yige nodded, then turned to the others and said a few polite words of blessing before leaving in a hurry.

He left behind a group of people who watched him go with envy.

At the sixth level of Qi Refining, the next step is to become a steward disciple.

This did not affect Jiang Zuoyun's side. One name after another was called out. Some cultivators went up, while others did not arrive. Jiang Zuoyun simply skipped them. If a person did not appear by the end of the test, it was considered that they had failed the test.

Chen Guang was also among those who underwent the inspection, and Bai Yu's identity token gained another rice stalk mark.

Most cultivators completed the three-year preliminary examination, but one cultivator, who was at the third level of Qi Refining but failed to break through to the fourth level, remained silent with a very serious expression and was kept behind alone.

If they give up now, they will be expelled from the Qingheng Sect for their lack of skill; if they want to stay, they will have to accept the assignment to a different building and will soon be working at the Xingfeng Hall office.

Compared to previous years, there was only one this year, which is considered a small number.

"Fellow disciples, the path of cultivation lies in perseverance. Do not be lazy." Jiang Zuoyun solemnly admonished them twice before putting on a relaxed expression. "Those who want to go to the market to collect the sect's reward for breaking through cultivation should go separately. After all, my branch only has two spirit cranes. If there are too many people, there won't be enough room."

Amidst laughter and chatter, the crowd gradually dispersed.

As for the unsealing of the new spiritual fields after the breakthrough in cultivation, someone will take care of that in the next ten days or so.

"Fellow Daoist Chen." Cao Fang practically jumped over with light steps. "While I was away, I still have some spiritual plants in my spiritual field. Could you please take care of them for me? I'm willing to pay six catties of spiritual rice a day as payment. The workload is minimal, mainly just watering and loosening the soil. There are only a few fire peach trees, which will bear fruit next year. I'll give you a few then."

The Fire Peach Tree is a first-tier ordinary spiritual plant, but it takes five years to slowly begin to bear fruit. The fruit it produces has the effect of helping to cultivate fire-type spells and is quite popular. Cultivation requires a stable heat source and fire-attribute spiritual energy, which are quite demanding conditions. It is also one of the more difficult first-tier spiritual plants to cultivate, as it is very easy to die from drought or self-immolation.

"Senior sister is so confident in entrusting it to me? That's a Fire Peach Tree!" Chen Guang exclaimed in surprise.

Just as Cao Fang was planting Dingzhen tea trees, everyone in the neighborhood knew about her planting fire peach trees. They were her treasures, and Cao Fang would treat ordinary people with the same suspicion as if they were thieves if they even glanced at them.

"I used to leave it to Senior Brother Liu Yige, but now he's facing a difficult breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Refining and needs to go out during the winter to find an opportunity for a breakthrough. I don't really have many friends..." Cao Fang coughed twice. "Actually, it's not that difficult. I've done everything I can. You just need to water it according to the amount I told you to. You don't need to worry about anything else. If any problems arise, I won't blame you. If you're interested, come to my house tomorrow, and I'll show you around the Fire Peach Tree. Anyway, I'll be back in a month at most."

"Okay, I'll go take a look tomorrow. If it's not too difficult, I'll take it." Chen Guang thought for a moment and then agreed.

If he wants to cultivate the Five Visceral Flames secret technique, he still needs to collect four kinds of acquired Five Elements basic spiritual fires. Red peony corresponds to the Wood Flame, and Chen Guang still needs to try to find out what kind of spiritual plants will produce the other four fire attributes.

The specifics are unclear, but the scope is certain, which can be reflected in the rewards.

The Qi-Nourishing Pill, which increases cultivation level, rewards cultivation level with its main ingredient, Jade Heart Grass.

The reward for the Linquan Pumpkin is the Thousand Water Gourd and the Spring-Gathering Technique, both of which are closely related to the element of "water".

Then I only need to focus on the spirit plants with fire attributes and try them one by one. The fire peach tree is also one of the objects of observation. Accumulating some related technology in advance can be regarded as an early investment.

"I definitely won't be planting fire peach trees in the short term. Fire peach trees mature in five years. If I'm going to try anything, I'll start with fire-attribute spiritual plants that have shorter growth cycles."

Chen Guang thought to himself.

Even if we don't cultivate the Five Treasures Flame Secret Technique, we can try our best to understand the rewards of different spiritual plants to pave the way for when we need them in the future. Or, even if we just want to accumulate experience as a spiritual plant master, we still need to try to come into contact with more spiritual plants.

As for today, Chen Guang has already waited for the remaining Linquan pumpkins to ripen. Next, he will harvest all the mature spiritual plants. Tonight, he must spend the night in Yanmian Market.