Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 88 Differential Treatment, Meeting an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land

During their conversation, Zhao Cheng'an learned that the water tribe maid was named Yunshui Chan.

The two walked along a corridor paved with jade slabs on the deck toward the living area inside the ship.

"The living area of ​​the 'Quest' ship is divided into three areas: A, B, and C."

Yunshui Chan led the way while gently introducing the place to him.

"According to the guest's status and the amount of spirit stones paid, the accommodation treatment varies. Fellow Daoist, as a disciple of Tongming Mountain, you will naturally be arranged in the best area, Zone A."

After passing through an archway suspended in a pale golden light, Zhao Cheng'an's vision suddenly opened up.

The interior space of Section A was much larger than he had imagined.

The ceiling wasn't a closed cabin roof, but rather a translucent dome created by some unknown means, allowing bright sunlight to stream down without obstruction, illuminating the entire area brightly and warmly.

One side of the corridor is a 24-hour unlimited self-service dining area, where all kinds of spiritual fruits and snacks are displayed in a dazzling array.

On the other side was a sizable library, with rows of bookshelves neatly stacked with jade slips and classic texts.

What Zhao Chengan couldn't take his eyes off was the large area of ​​sunrooms at the far end of the area.

Inside, lush trees provided shade, and a spiritual spring cascaded down the artificial rockery, converging at the bottom to form a clear spiritual pool. Several brightly colored birds preened their wings on the branches, and several rare spiritual plants that he had only seen in books grew by the pool, their leaves shimmering with a precious light.

Zhao Cheng'an only stood at the door and glanced at it, but he felt a refreshing and invigorating energy wash over him, making him feel relaxed and happy.

The fatigue accumulated from studying those voluminous classics over the past few days seemed to be washed away in that instant.

"Fellow Daoist, we have arrived at your room."

Yunshui Chan stopped in front of a carved wooden door and pushed it open.

"It's a single room, fully equipped with washing facilities, meditation facilities, and even a small spirit-gathering device. You can call for help anytime if you need anything."

Zhao Cheng'an walked into the room and looked around, nodding to himself in approval.

The environment is truly impeccable.

He casually closed the door and was about to take out the luggage from the storage bag and put it away.

His hand had just touched the Qiankun bag at his waist when he suddenly stopped.

Only then did he belatedly realize—

Chen Heng had stuffed all his luggage into his storage bag outside the capital city to save trouble.

And neither of them has had breakfast yet.

""

Zhao Cheng'an rubbed his temples, turned around, and walked out of the room again.

Upon arriving at the dazzling array of food in the dining area outside, Zhao Cheng'an found Yunshui Chan waiting nearby and asked him a question.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, may I bring a friend to dine with us?"

Yun Shui Chan's gentle smile faltered slightly, then she revealed a perfectly appropriate expression of apology.

"I'm truly sorry, fellow Daoist. This dining area is only open to distinguished guests in Cabin A."

"There's nothing we can do about it. There were a few—well, how should I put it—who were the kind of uncouth cultivators who only knew how to swing their swords and kill people, were single-minded, didn't even recognize a single rune, but thought they were so cool and suave, who managed to sneak in before."

She paused, a hint of barely perceptible disdain in her voice: "Their rude behavior and loud noise have seriously disturbed our distinguished guests who are here to quietly contemplate the Dao. This is completely contrary to the service principle of our Daoist temple, 'Tranquility Leads to Far-Reaching Vision.'"

As Zhao Cheng'an listened to her long, roundabout description, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Why don't you just state your name as a sword cultivator?

Why be so subtle?

—It's a good thing you didn't live in the 21st century of your previous life, otherwise the name "Jiahao" would have summed it up perfectly.

Zhao Cheng'an silently complained to himself, but he was still a little unwilling to give up, so he asked from a different angle.

"Then—could I take some of the food out of here?"

"That's certainly not a problem."

Yunshui Chan immediately nodded, reverting to his enthusiastic demeanor. "You are free to take away everything you enjoyed in Zone A. I will fetch a food box for you right away."

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Yun."

Zhao Cheng'an cupped his hands in thanks.

He picked up a clean white plate and walked towards the display of various exquisite tea snacks, intending to pack some extra for Chen Heng so she wouldn't go hungry in the corner of Zone C.

Just as he bent down to pick up a piece of osmanthus cake.

He suddenly felt a light touch on his shoulder, as if someone had patted him on the back.

Zhao Chengan turned around.

There was no one behind him.

He blinked, a thoughtful look on his face.

Then, as if he had thought of something, he turned his head to look in the other direction.

Not far away, a girl dressed in white stood by a tea table. A faint crescent-shaped mark was imprinted between her eyebrows, and wisps of moonlight swirled around her.

At that moment, she was stuffing a piece of pastry into her mouth, her cheeks bulging, and a faint smile on her face.

Seeing Zhao Cheng'an looking over, she calmly swallowed the pastry in her mouth, raised her hand, waved at him, and greeted him.

"Gulp."

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, it's been a long time."

It was Luo Qingyi.

"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet Fellow Daoist Luo on this ship," Zhao Cheng'an said with a smile.

"It's not a coincidence at all." Luo Qingyi picked up another pastry and said slowly, "Although the East China Sea is vast, there are only a few shipping routes leading to this area. I calculated the days and expected to meet you on the ship."

Zhao Chengan was slightly taken aback.

"You... you were waiting for me all this time?"

"It was just on my way." Luo Qingyi swallowed the pastry, her expression calm. "I was also admitted to Tongming Mountain."

Zhao Chengan's eyes lit up.

This is an unexpected delight. To be able to become fellow disciples with a genius like Luo Qingyi, who possesses a heavenly spiritual root, means having another person to consult and exchange ideas with within the sect in the future.

"From now on, we'll be fellow disciples. I hope Fellow Daoist Luo will take good care of me."

"I wouldn't call it taking care of you." Luo Qingyi shook her head, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "When it comes to runes, I might have to ask you for advice."

She put down her teacup and stood up.

"Oh, by the way, there's someone you know on this ship. Come with me."

Curious, Zhao Cheng'an, carrying the food box he had packed for Chen Heng, followed her through the dining area and towards the sunroom at the end.

The sunroom is shaded by green trees, with a cascading waterfall and the air filled with the fragrance of grass and trees.

Several stone tables were scattered around the spirit pool. At one of the tables sat a tall, upright young man. An ancient scroll was open in front of him, and several thick books were piled up beside him. He was frowning as he stared at the contents of the scroll, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Zhao Chengan recognized him.

Xuanjiao Jianzi, Ning Zixu.

Hearing footsteps, Ning Zixu looked up.

Upon seeing Zhao Cheng'an beside Luo Qingyi, Ning Zixu's eyes flashed with surprise. He then took the initiative to speak, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I didn't expect you to be chosen by Tongming Mountain as well. Congratulations."

His voice wasn't particularly warm, but it also lacked the aloofness he displayed during the big exams.

"Fellow Daoist Ning," Zhao Cheng'an cupped his hands in greeting and sat down at the stone table. "Are you also going to Tongming Mountain?"

Ning Zixu nodded.

The three of them sat down by the Spirit Pool, and the conversation quickly shifted from where they had gone to their progress in their studies before entering the sect.

"I just finished studying the first section on natural history," Zhao Cheng'an said truthfully. "I've only just started reading the sections on runes and magic."

He has been spending half of his time refining formulas, so his progress has not been very fast.

Upon hearing this, Ning Zixu's expression darkened even further.

"You've already read through the entire section?"

He looked down at the pile of well-worn books in front of him and sighed, "I've only read two-thirds of the natural history books so far."

"This is the result of Fellow Daoist Luo helping me organize a lot of notes."

Zhao Cheng'an was somewhat surprised and turned to look at Luo Qingyi.

"What is Fellow Daoist Luo's progress?"

"Two sections." Luo Qingyi raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "I've gone through natural history and basic runes, and I've also studied some of the remaining magical techniques."

Zhao Cheng'an was speechless.

As expected of a top genius with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, this progress is truly astonishing.

Luo Qingyi seemed to have guessed Zhao Cheng'an's thoughts and said truthfully, "You don't need to be too surprised. My family started arranging for me to be exposed to these things when I was five or six years old. I memorized the rune patterns as if they were my literacy textbook when I was young, and I was also exposed to spiritual plants and medicines from a young age."

"To put it bluntly, my progress is largely due to the resources my family has provided, not entirely on my own. Starting from the same point, I might not be any faster than you."

These words were spoken frankly, without a trace of boasting, but rather revealed a rare clarity of mind.

Ning Zixu smiled wryly to the side.

"That being said, there are still quizzes after you get started, which directly affect the subsequent allocation of resources and training strategies, so we still have to take them seriously."

His fellow disciples and teachers had all died at the hands of the demonic cultivators of the Hunyuan Cave, leaving him the only survivor in the entire academy. He was more eager than anyone else to become stronger.

Unfortunately, he had no talent for natural history, a subject that required rote memorization.

Seeing Ning Zixu's worried expression, Luo Qingyi gently tapped the stone table with her fingers.

"I do have a suggestion."

"Why don't the three of us form a study group?"

She looked at the two of them and said slowly, "On the one hand, we can supervise each other and urge each other to finish our homework. It's always more efficient than trying to learn alone. On the other hand, everyone has different strengths, so we can learn from each other's strengths and exchange our insights on cultivation."

"You have unique insights into runes and formulas, Zixu has rich practical experience, and I have a deep foundation in natural history due to my family's heritage. It's better for the three of us to work together than for each of us to fight alone."

Zhao Cheng'an's heart stirred.

Many hands make light work.

This is precisely Tongmingshan's philosophy of learning: "The Way does not reject anyone, and the truth can be verified," which coincides with his consistent thinking. The Great Way is infinite and cannot be fully comprehended by one person.

"This is a good idea." Zhao Cheng'an nodded in agreement. "I agree."

Ning Zixu also breathed a sigh of relief, and the gloom on his face dissipated considerably.

"Thank you both very much."

"However—" Zhao Cheng'an looked at the food box in his hand, stood up, "I have some things to take care of right now, we can talk in detail later."

Neither of them asked any further questions and simply nodded in agreement.

Zhao Chengan set a time, picked up the food box, and left Area A.