Chapter 2: Companion Spells |
Extremely faint spiritual energy surged from within his body as the hand seal was formed.
Thin water vapor gathered from all directions, converging five meters above him.
Sparse raindrops quickly fell.
The surrounding snakes, insects, rats, and ants followed closely at all times.
They opened their mouths wide and shook their fur, wanting to catch more rainwater.
Although it was a light drizzle, it contained thin spiritual energy that they could not come into contact with on ordinary days.
Even beasts without much intelligence could sense the benefits within, which was why they gathered here at specific times.
Chu Xun's fingers changed again, forming a second hand seal.
[Living Soil Spell +1]
Wriggling like a living creature, everything was crushed in the friction, yet it would not harm the roots of the crops.
In this way, the soil became loose again, and the crushed things would also become fertilizer.
The snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the field had long been accustomed to this commotion and did not panic. They only twisted their bodies from time to time, "pulling" themselves out of the soft mud.
Although the two acres of land were small, he still had to constantly walk around and cast spells at all times.
[Minor Cloud Rain Spell +1]
[Living Soil Spell +1]
[Minor Cloud Rain Spell +1]
[Living Soil Spell +1]
...
After repeating this dozens of times, he finally managed to cover it completely.
It was also fortunate that there were only two acres of land. If it were any larger, the spiritual energy would not be enough.
Facing the fine raindrops, feeling the slight coolness, and with the field soil under his feet moist and soft, Chu Xun nodded in satisfaction.
"Casting the Minor Cloud Rain Spell and Living Soil Spell once every five days won't make them grow too vigorously. When the autumn harvest comes, it will be enough to handle the grain tax and daily needs, and I can even sell some to save up a few more taels of silver."
Over the years, he had been hardworking and frugal, able to save a few taels of silver every year.
Coupled with the food brought by these snakes, insects, rats, and ants that came to freeload on the rain, he could occasionally have a meat dish.
Although it couldn't compare to the wealthy households in town, it was considered very good in Pinecone Village.
Before long, the water vapor drawn from the surroundings was exhausted, and the rain gradually stopped.
The Minor Cloud Rain Spell was not some profound magic; it merely gathered water vapor.
Without water vapor, it had no place to be used.
For Chu Xun, this effect was just right.
No matter how bumper the harvest was, the villagers would only think it was because he was hardworking enough and had good luck, possessing a piece of farmland that wasn't much affected by the dry season.
This was the reason why, despite possessing the Living Soil Spell, he still frequently came to weed in person.
Rustling sounds came from the field. Having finished enjoying the spiritual rain, the snakes, insects, rats, and ants either raised their heads and cried out twice at Chu Xun, or lay on the ground as if bowing in thanks, and then dispersed.
The few crows did not leave. Flapping their wings, they flew to the dead tree, pecked at their feathers a few times, and then continued to tilt their heads and caw.
Chu Xun smiled, reached out to pick up the old bamboo basket containing farm tools and food, and walked towards the direction of the village.
At this time in the village, the dark and low chimneys of the farmhouses were no longer emitting cooking smoke.
Those who needed to eat had finished eating, and even the most boisterous children were hiding indoors, refusing to come out.
Seeing Chu Xun pass by, a sturdy-looking child squatted inside a doorway and shouted, "Brother Xun, when are you going to tell us about the White Bone Demon again!"
A broad-faced man next to him reached out and smacked his head. "That's your Uncle Xun, show some respect! Ah Xun, why are you only coming back at this hour? Come inside and have a sip of water."
"I figured if I finished up in the morning, I could rest in the afternoon." Chu Xun looked at the sturdy-looking child and smiled. "I'll tell it when it cools down a bit. It's too hot right now."
He was very popular with the children in the village. Whether he told the story of the Handsome Monkey King causing havoc in Gao Village, or the White Bone Demon capturing the Dragon King single-handedly, the children listened with rapt attention.
Coupled with his generous nature, he would often prepare some roasted rice as snacks when telling stories to the children.
So although their seniority was different, the children always affectionately called him Brother Xun.
It might sound disrespectful, but in a child's world, calling you uncle purely meant treating you as an elder.
Calling you brother meant they truly considered you one of their own. If they were competing to see who could pee higher, they would specifically pull you over to compete together.
Watching Chu Xun leave with the bamboo basket on his back, the broad-faced man said to the woman weaving straw sandals beside him, "You say Ah Xun grew up without a father or mother, how did he grow up to be so sensible and steady?"
The woman looked up and said, "It's a pity our eldest daughter married early, otherwise it would be great to have Ah Xun as our son-in-law."
The broad-faced man smacked his lips. "Is it too late to have another one?"
Passing by the window of a farmhouse, the creaking sound of a rocking bed reached his ears.
A woman's low cries, a man's low roars.
Engaging in lustful acts during the day, the energy exhausted in the fields seemed to have recovered here.
This was Li Ermao's house. In earlier years, they were quite extraordinary.
The old father and his several sons had all fought in wars, the highest reaching the rank of corporal.
Unfortunately, they couldn't hold out until the end, leaving only Li Ermao as the sole heir.
When the land was divided, the government office allocated a few extra acres to their family to comfort the souls of the family in heaven.
In those years, Li Ermao was very arrogant.
However, after being married for several years, they still didn't have a child.
The couple listened to the villagers' jokes all day long and were anxious to death.
Who knows where they found someone to get a folk prescription, saying something like taking medicine during the day and doing it during the day, a big fat son will come wonderfully!
So, every day after finishing farm work, Li Ermao didn't even have time to rest when he came back.
It had been two or three consecutive months. Apart from losing a few catties, nothing else could be seen. He truly had a good body!
Chu Xun lowered his head and walked past quickly.
Although not a saint, he still followed the principle of see no evil, hear no evil.
Soon, he arrived in front of a small courtyard.
A crude fence woven from a mixture of branches and bamboo strips enclosed a yellow mud thatched cottage in the middle.
The high-hanging scorching sun cast the shadow of the thatched cottage on the ground, short and small.
Lifting the "fence gate" nailed together from a few broken wooden boards, Chu Xun stepped inside.
Arriving in front of two crooked old door panels, he didn't enter the house but squatted down, looking at the small grass growing in the corner of the wall.
It was a palm high, with over a dozen leaves. The bright green leaves showed vigorous vitality.
Chu Xun formed a hand seal again and cast the Minor Cloud Rain Spell.
He also restricted the range to the area around the small grass, and the pattering spiritual rain quickly poured down.
[Living Soil Spell +1]
The mud near the grass roots churned, becoming increasingly loose, allowing more air to enter.
Coupled with the irrigation of the spiritual rain, it provided a better growing environment.
When the rain stopped, the water droplets on the leaves were quickly absorbed, and the leaves became even more shiny.
Because of this, a few more smiles appeared on Chu Xun's face.
He extended his index finger, gently touched the tip of a grass leaf, and smiled. "It's already the twelfth year. Just forty-eight more years, and it will be considered complete."
With a thought, a translucent panel unfolded in front of him.
[Name: Chu Xun]
[Lifespan: 16/75]
[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage (Can be hidden)]
[Final Quest Reward: Eternal Immortality]
[Current Stage 1: Cultivate the Spirit Pearl Grass until the fruit matures (twenty years to grow leaves, twenty years to bloom, twenty years to bear fruit). Reward: Cultivation raised to Foundation Establishment Stage, rejuvenation, lifespan increased by 150 years]
[Spells:
Minor Cloud Rain Spell 29784/30000: Drive water vapor to gather within a small range
Living Soil Spell 28302/30000: Loosen soil within a small range]
There were no earth-shattering, horrifying superpowers.
Only a seemingly simple task: spend sixty years cultivating a spirit grass.
In order to proceed better, he was also given two companion spells specifically for cultivation.
The reason Chu Xun's crops grew well was precisely because of the effects of these two spells.
The reward upon completion was Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, rejuvenation, and an additional one hundred and fifty years of lifespan.
Chu Xun had tried to find a way to cultivate on his own, only to find it completely useless.
His cultivation was fixed; it would only increase upon completing the task.
However, once it increased, it would be a major realm breakthrough, equivalent to skipping the process of bitter cultivation in between, which wasn't a bad thing.
And the spells had proficiency levels. After so many years of hard work, the upgrade progress bar was almost full.
Once upgraded, whether in effect or coverage range, it would definitely be greatly improved.
Over the years, Chu Xun had always wanted to get a few more plots of land.
He was considered half an immortal cultivator anyway. What was the deal with not even having a decent house until now, let alone the imagined rural wealthy landlord?
He didn't have much ambition; he just wanted to smoothly cultivate the Spirit Pearl Grass to maturity and obtain the many rewards.
Until one day, he could achieve eternal immortality.
In this process, if he could eat meat every meal, build three to five sturdy, draft-proof tile-roofed houses, and marry two beautiful wives, that would be the best.
But based on the current situation, the spells could only barely cover his own two acres of land; any more was impossible.
Upgrade! Upgrade!
Only when the spells upgraded, he would grit his teeth and buy a few acres of fertile land from others. Proceeding step by step, sooner or later, there would be a day when he could make his fortune!
The final rejuvenation and lifespan increase made Chu Xun's heart flutter endlessly, and it was even more his confidence to make a fortune.
So what if he had to endure for a few more decades? Once the Spirit Pearl Grass matured, his lifespan would surge, and he would be able to live for at least over two hundred years in total.
As long as he wasn't foolish enough to risk his life fighting others, he wouldn't die.
Living a lifetime, a person's greatest dream, besides eating, was immortality.
Although this was currently only the first stage task, the final reward was enough to show that future tasks would probably proceed in the same way.
One task per stage. Upon completion, obtain a cultivation realm breakthrough and more lifespan, until eternal immortality.
Immortality...
"When this Spirit Pearl Grass grows up, I wonder how many acquaintances will still be left."
After sighing with emotion, Chu Xun stood up and pushed open the unlocked door.
(End of Chapter)
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