Plant VS Cultivation

Chapter 18: Securing the Spiritual Field

"Sigh, what a pity!"

After re-examining Gu Mo's spiritual root, it was still of inferior grade. This prompted Zhao Qiancheng to let out a long sigh. Being able to cultivate the Cleansing Technique to perfection and master the Minor Cloud and Rain Technique within three months—such talent was undoubtedly on par with the inner sect prodigies.

However, Gu Mo's spiritual root was merely inferior, which meant he had almost no chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Even advancing from the early to mid-stage of Qi Refinement would be a major hurdle.

Unless an enormous amount of resources was invested, it was possible to push someone through the Qi Refinement stage with sheer resources. But the cost-effectiveness was too low—what an inferior-grade spiritual root cultivator needed to advance by one minor realm could be enough for cultivators with mid-to-high-grade spiritual roots to ascend multiple realms.

Because of this inefficiency, no matter how remarkable Gu Mo's talent was, he would never receive sect resources. In the early stages of cultivation, spiritual root quality was far more crucial than comprehension ability. Only in the later stages did comprehension truly matter.

Yet, to forcefully cultivate someone like Gu Mo to the late stages would require an unimaginable amount of resources—enough to nurture several other cultivators of the same rank.

Nevertheless, Gu Mo still had the potential to become an outstanding spiritual farmer. With his aptitude, mastering all five spiritual farming techniques was highly achievable.

A spiritual farmer proficient in all five techniques held a higher status than most outer sect disciples. Spiritual Plant Hall currently had three veteran farmers who had mastered all five techniques, and even outer sect disciples treated them with respect. After all, when someone's spiritual field encountered urgent issues, they would inevitably need their help.

If Spiritual Plant Hall could gain another such expert, it would be a significant boon.

With this in mind, Zhao Qiancheng's attitude toward Gu Mo became much more amiable. In fact, Gu Mo's successful cultivation of the Minor Cloud and Rain Technique and his passing of the assessment were things worth publicizing.

Thus, Zhao Qiancheng took Gu Mo to the group of menial disciples who had been forcibly assigned to Spiritual Plant Hall and publicly announced that Gu Mo had earned the benefits of an outer sect disciple. Additionally, he granted Gu Mo a three-year exemption from rent and free access to first-grade spiritual seeds for three years.

The moment this news spread, the menial disciples all gazed at Gu Mo with envy, many of them filled with deep regret. If they had known earlier, they would have voluntarily joined Spiritual Plant Hall. That way, they too could have enjoyed such benefits. As for the assessment required to obtain these perks, no one seemed to pay it much mind.

Seeing the regret on their faces, Zhao Qiancheng nodded in satisfaction. These current menial disciples weren't his primary target—the next batch was. Once Gu Mo's story spread, it would surely attract more newcomers.

After encouraging the present disciples, Zhao Qiancheng left.

"As expected, displaying a little talent does have its benefits." Watching Zhao Qiancheng walk away, Gu Mo exhaled deeply.

This was part of his plan—to reveal his exceptional comprehension in spell cultivation, using it as a perfectly reasonable explanation for his abilities. This would reduce unwanted attention while also ensuring that Spiritual Plant Hall valued him more.

His reward for showing his talent was a three-year rent exemption and three years' worth of free spiritual seeds.

"Junior Brother Gu, these are the available spiritual fields that no one is currently tending. Choose one."

Inside the Spiritual Plant Hall archives, Mai Yunfa laid out a map and pointed at several scattered green squares.

The fields available for Gu Mo to rent weren't part of the vast, continuous farmland in the valley but rather small, isolated plots outside of it.

The formation of spiritual fields depended entirely on the underground spiritual veins. The large fields in the valley existed because numerous spiritual veins intertwined beneath them, while the scattered fields outside the valley resulted from minor offshoots of those veins.

These isolated fields were harder to manage compared to the clustered ones. When manpower was lacking, they were the first to be abandoned. As a result, Spiritual Plant Hall decided to rent them out to menial disciples who voluntarily joined.

As the first menial disciple to join after this policy was introduced, Gu Mo was given the privilege of choosing first.

"Senior Brother Mai, I'll take this one."

Gu Mo scanned the options before pointing at a particular plot.

According to the map's markings, the field was roughly one mu (about 667 square meters)—on the smaller side—but it was classified as first-grade mid-tier. There were a few other fields of similar quality, but Gu Mo specifically chose the largest one.

Higher-grade fields meant faster-growing spiritual plants.

"Alright, I'll register it for you!"

Mai Yunfa wasn't surprised by Gu Mo's choice. After all, given a choice between first-grade low-tier and first-grade mid-tier, anyone would pick the latter.

Unless there were significant disadvantages—such as an extremely small area or frequent pest infestations—there was no reason to choose otherwise. The field Gu Mo selected had no such drawbacks.

"Come on, let's get you some tools."

After handing Gu Mo the rental contract, Mai Yunfa led him to collect essential farming tools like hoes and sickles.

Of course, if one mastered all five spiritual farming techniques, tools would become unnecessary. The Minor Earth Dragon Technique could replace a hoe for plowing the field, and Minor Metal Sword Qi could both exterminate pests and harvest crops.

The only tool that couldn't be replaced by spells was a magical hut. Since Gu Mo's field was located outside the valley, he couldn't constantly travel back and forth.

Moreover, once he planted Sunflower Blossoms in his field, he wouldn't dare leave. So, he was bound to stay nearby. Compared to building a crude shack, renting a magical hut from Spiritual Plant Hall was clearly the better option.

Magical huts came with protective formations, making them far safer for future meditation and cultivation.

After gathering everything, Mai Yunfa summoned his flying sword and carried Gu Mo to his newly assigned field.

"Junior Brother Gu, my task here is done. If you have any questions, feel free to find me." After dropping him off, Mai Yunfa waved goodbye.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Mai." Gu Mo politely bowed.

Once Mai Yunfa left, Gu Mo examined his spiritual field. It wasn't as desolate as he had imagined. Even untended fields weren't left to completely wither—Spiritual Plant Hall maintained basic upkeep, as it was their duty.

If the number of registered spiritual fields dropped, the sect would hold them accountable.

After inspecting the area, Gu Mo placed down the magical hut. Injecting spiritual energy into it, he watched as it expanded—just like Mai Yunfa's flying sword—until it transformed into a small house suitable for one person.

Such a convenient item made Gu Mo envious, but unfortunately, it was even more expensive than a flying sword. Fortunately, as the first menial disciple to voluntarily join Spiritual Plant Hall, he received many perks.

Beyond the rent exemption and free seeds, he was also granted three years of free use of the magical hut.

"Alright, time to get started."

After setting up his residence, Gu Mo grabbed a hoe, ready to till the land. At that moment, he regretted not mastering the Minor Earth Dragon Technique first—it would have saved him from manual labor.

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