Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Courtesy Calls for Reciprocity


    “Not spending a single spirit stone and living for free for a whole year, that’s a score!”


    Zhou Yiforted himself as much as he could to prevent any inner demons from arising.


    ording to the thoughts of an ordinary cultivator, the next step would naturally be to nt more fields. If nothing came of three acres, then nt ten or thirty acres, and the spirit stones would naturallye.


    In reality, it was not so. A Qi Refinement thirdyer cultivator casting the Spiritual Rain Technique three times would need to meditate and recover their mana.


    Watering three acres ofnd took half a day toplete, and the spirit fields needed to be irrigated morning and evening to ensure the yield of the spirit rice.


    “So, the price of the cave abode was already well calcted by Xiao Dan Mountain. Those cultivators who do not strive hard can only manage to avoid starving to death.”


    “Cultivators can meditate in lieu of sleep, achieving a 00365 schedule, and in theory, they could cultivate an additional three acres.”


    Zhou Yi’s neighbor did just that, working day and night in the dark to cast spells and farm. As a Qi Refinement thirdyer cultivator, they could earn thirty to fifty spirit stones a year.


    “With the dangling carrot of a cave abode, cultivators arepelled to improve their cultivation level and proficiency in the Spiritual Rain Technique, then nt more spirit fields for Xiao Dan Mountain. Coupled with the sect rules, cultivators have little time left to live carefree among themon folk, restrained by both economy and sect regtions!”


    “The Dan Ding Sect has some truly astute individuals!”


    In simple terms, if you don’t nt more, how can the disciples of the Dan Ding Sect cultivate into immortals?”


    Zhou Yi had figured out the finances involved and only two pathsy before him.


    The first was to nt three acres and use the extra time to improve his cultivation. The efficiency of his farming would correspondingly increase, which was a n for the long haul.


    The second was to nt more and produce more, saving up spirit stones to buy cultivation techniques, magic artifacts, elixirs, etc., quickly enhancing one’s overall strength in a short time.


    “Struggling goes against my initial intentions, so I’ll put aside the second option for now.”


    Zhou Yi thought of the art of talisman crafting: “Actually, the easiest way to earn spirit stones is to master the four arts of formation, pill, tool, and talisman, which belong to industries with high barriers to entry and core technologies.”


    That year, Zhou Yi often visited the trading area to inquire about the four arts of cultivation.


    They say alchemy impoverishes three generations, and formations ruin a lifetime; only the art of talisman crafting is suitable for loose cultivators.


    The materials for making talismans are cheap; what’scking is the heritage!


    “Unfortunately, talismans like the Shadow Talisman and Godspeed Talisman can hardly be sold; most cultivators know how to draw them. Theplete talisman heritage from the King of Yellow Heaven was more valuable than I had imagined. If I had known, I would have sought to find it.”


    Zhou Yi felt a slight regret but no remorse.


    Looking back, it seemed quite likely that the Jiangnan noble families had supported the King of Yellow Heaven, perhaps aiming for his talisman heritage.


    The world of cultivation and the mundane world seem separate, but in many great trends, they are subtly connected.


    “As long as I’m poor enough, no one wille to calcte against me!”


    “For now, I’ll just lie low for a few years, be a familiar face in the marketce, and if I still can’t earn spirit stones, then I’ll cultivate a few more acres of spirit fields.”


    …


    The second year.


    It went by in a sh.


    Zhou Yi harvested an extra three dou, with the yield per acre only one dou short of the average.


    By meticulously studying the spell insights from Brother Liu, his proficiency with the Spiritual Rain Technique improved rapidly, enabling such an increase in yield so quickly.


    “One must know gratitude when receiving help from others!”


    Zhou Yi sold the remaining spirit rice and spent thirteen spirit stones to reserve a feast at Phoenix Cry Pavilion.


    A variety of spiritual dishes, with appetizing aromas wafting through the air.


    On Xingxian Street, there were cultivators skilled in culinary arts. Over countless years, this had gradually evolved into the art of spiritual cooking, a branch of alchemy simr to brewing and scent mixing.


    Spiritual chefs primarily used monster beast flesh as the main ingredient,bining it with spiritual medicines ording to secret recipes, and cooking it with spiritual fire to create spiritual dishes.


    The taste was exquisitely delicious, and it also increased mana.


    Brother Liu arrived as invited and looked at the table full of dishes: “You really are generous.”


    “I also have to thank Brother for the guidance, otherwise, I would have been in debt instead of having a surplus. So, in fact, it is Brother who is treating his junior to a feast.”


    Zhou Yiughed, “I’ve even reserved a private room for Brother upstairs in Blooming Pavilion. After eating and drinking, we can go upstairs to appreciate jade and enjoy flute music.”


    Just this table of dishes was not expensive, with a pot of Spiritual Wine, it totaled only three Spirit Stones.


    Spirit Stones are a continuously consumed resource, and in the Cultivation World, they are almost universally versatile, whether for improving cultivation or practicing the four arts; their purchasing power has always been very robust.


    Another ten Spirit Stones were spent on special services at Phoenix Cry Pavilion.


    The gist of it was like washing, trimming for thirty-eight, or washing, trimming, and blow-drying for three eighty-eight.


    “Brother Zhu, how refined!”


    Upon hearing this, Brother Liu immediately became much more enthusiastic. In the midst of toasting and swapping cups with Zhou Yi, they had already started addressing each other as brothers.


    As gifts were exchanged, thework of interpersonal rtionships was thus established.


    “Little brother, just nting fields will never earn you Spirit Stones,” Brother Liu said in a low voice. “Even if you toil day and night, with little to show for it, how many years will it take to buy a Magic Artifact, and when will there be an end?”


    “Brother has a point, unfortunately, I don’t know how to do anything else,” Zhou Yi replied.


    From the first day of farming, Zhou Yi understood that such a low-technical-threshold industry would cause the price of Spirit Rice to indefinitely approach the cost of production. One could only earn hard money by spending physical strength and time; dreaming of wealth was practically a daydream.


    “You have to learn to mix with the right circles!”


    Brother Liu said proudly, “I got the job at the office because I have a good rtionship with Brother Xiang. Not to mention the prestige, I earn much more Spirit Stones than I would farming.”


    “I appreciate the advice.”


    Zhou Yi appeared to have an epiphany. Naturally, he understood this method but would not act in such a manner.


    Mingling in circles was akin to choosing sides and factions. Taking advantage of others could potentially create enemies, which was not in ord with Zhou Yi’s cautious approach.


    Moreover, circles are ultimately superficial; Zhou Yi was more inclined to gain status through strength.


    Without breaking convention or seeking undue elevation, one naturally would not create karma!


    If he truly had no way to earn Spirit Stones, Zhou Yi would not bother withworks but would rather silently farm for a thousand years. With that, he could afford a superior cave dwelling!


    In the end, he had his principles, which allowed him to handle matters with detachment.


    Zhou Yi asked, “Brother, do you know of a bookstore around here where I can buy some historical records of the Cultivation World?”


    “Historical records?”


    Brother Liu asked in confusion, “What’s the use of reading those? Better to save up Spirit Stones and try a medicinal pill.”


    Zhou Yiughed, “Ie from a small ce, I can’tpare to Brother Liu, who’s been immersed in it since childhood. I’mpletely in the dark about the Cultivation World and intend to read some records to broaden my horizons.”


    “I can’t say much for other things, but for this matter, I indeed know something.”


    Brother Liu chuckled and said, “There’s a Jing Xu’s Abode on the southeast corner. Mention my name when you go, bring along a pot of Spiritual Wine and you’ll be able to borrow quite a few books. Of course, only the ordinary ones, you can’t borrow the unique and secret ones.”


    “Thank you for the guidance, Brother!”


    Zhou Yi thanked him sincerely; those few words of advice were well worth the ten Spirit Stones.


    …


    The third year.


    He harvested three more dou.


    Zhou Yi hosted Brother Liu at Phoenix Cry Pavilion again, and through introductions, he met a few fellow practitioners. They were on terms that merited a nod of the head and a greeting upon meeting.


    At the same time.


    By borrowing books, the vast and magnificent Cultivation World had slightly lifted its veil for Zhou Yi.


    Not only does the Dan Ding Sect govern Fengyang Country, but it also oversees about twenty nations within the territory of Cloud Continent. Little Dan Mountain, located at the far east of Cloud Continent, is quite famous for its abundant production of Purple Spirit Copper.


    To the north of Cloud Continent lies Ji Continent, rumored to be ruled by the Demonic Path.


    To the west is Qiong Continent, and to the south lie the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Due to the vast, obstructing mountain range at the border area, few low-level cultivators possess knowledge of these regions.


    “The Cultivation World is muchrger thanmoners perceive. Qi Refinement cultivators, even if they travel ceaselessly day and night without sleep, would spend their entire lives without being able to traverse Cloud Continent.”


    “Above Qi Refinement, there are Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul stages. The long road of cultivation is impeded and lengthy, and I am still but a newbie!”