14: Jing Shi Dan
That night, a hundred stalks of gold spirit rice matured one after another, but some plants ended up with empty husks.
Moreover, even the full Spirit Rice stalks only yielded nine grains per stalk, whereas the gold spirit rice in the Secret Realm yielded at least 36 grains per stalk—a huge difference.
Zhang Sheng speculated that the environment was the reason. After harvesting the gold spirit rice, tests on the experimental field showed a significant drop in soil fertility.
Whether they could continue Planting Gold Spirit Rice remained unknown.
A total of one hundred stalks of gold spirit rice yielded 729 grains of gold spirit rice. That night, 100 grains were submitted to other laboratories for relevant testing.
"Skill: Planting Gold Spirit Rice (Proficient: 90/100)"
Zhang Sheng also mastered some techniques for the gold spirit rice and gained a certain understanding of its habits.
Early the next morning, Professor Liu started the group meeting.
"Yesterday, I reported the results to the Principal. He is very pleased that our group was able to achieve such great success and will commend us internally."
"Second, after detection and testing overnight, the gold spirit rice we cultivated is no different from the original species produced in the Secret Realm. Our next task is to expand the planting area and increase yield."
Immediately after, Professor Liu Quan took out a Spell Secret Manual. "Many Research Groups have gradually shared their research results!"
"The Thick Earth Art I hold belongs to the same class of Spells as the Spring Breeze Turning into Rain Technique. It can enhance the Earth Qi of the soil, thereby achieving the effect of increasing soil fertility. This has been confirmed by two other Research Groups."
"Next, you must learn the Thick Earth Art Spell. This Spell perfectly solves our problem of insufficient soil fertility."
Professor Liu Quan actually wanted to say that there were better ways to improve soil fertility, but unfortunately, the Yao Beast Meat had better uses and could not possibly be used to fertilize the fields.
"Sigh, we have to learn a new Spell." Senior Brother Cheng Hao looked helpless.
After assigning tasks to the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, only Zhang Sheng and Professor Liu remained in the office.
"Zhang Sheng, you have great Talent in Cultivation. When we held the summary meeting last night, Regiment Leader Zhao of the Extraordinary Administration Bureau saw footage of your spellcasting and even wanted to poach you for the Extraordinary Administration Bureau's Special Training Camp."
Zhang Sheng had accidentally overheard talk about the school's Extraordinary Training Camp while Eating in the cafeteria. It was filled with talented individuals who had undergone special Awakening, and his roommate Wu Xingyang seemed to be in it.
"In the end, the Principal rejected his proposal because the importance of our current mission even outweighs adding a strong combat force."
"However, in order to increase the speed of your Refining Essence into Qi and not affect your Cultivation, the school decided to give you some special rewards, hoping you will put forth all your light and heat!"
Saying this, Professor Liu took out a small booklet and a square metal box.
The booklet should be a Cultivation Technique, and the four characters on it were Primordial Chaos Qi Refining.
"After a Mortal Refines Essence into Qi, Spiritual Power is born within the body. However, to become a true Cultivator, one must also Cultivate the Qi Sea Realm Method, circulate the Minor Heavenly Cycle internally, and absorb free Spiritual Qi to truly enter the Qi Sea Realm!"
"Of course, I only heard all this from Regiment Leader Zhao. Once you read this Secret Manual, you will naturally understand the specifics of the Qi Sea Realm."
"This Primordial Chaos Qi Refining is a product of a Yellow Secret Realm. It is currently under Advanced confidentiality and must not be passed on to anyone, including your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters," Professor Liu Quan emphasized.
"Understood, Professor." Zhang Sheng nodded in response, gripping the Secret Manual in his hand.
Professor Liu took a sip of tea and opened the square metal box. Inside were small black spherical objects.
Could these be the legendary Medicinal Pills?
As if sensing Zhang Sheng's eager gaze, "This is a Medicinal Pill—an essence food pill—that Regiment Leader Zhao specially procured for you from the Extraordinary Administration Bureau. Eating one can substitute for ten catties of staple food, allowing you to save time for Cultivation!"
Substituting for ten catties of staple food! Does this mean I finally don't have to be a poop-making machine? But there are only a hundred pills; given my speed of Refining Essence into Qi, they will probably be used up quickly.
Ten catties of staple food can fuel one session of Entry-Level Refining Essence into Qi, refining a trace of Spiritual Power. Given my Proficient Rank Heavenly Circulation Method, I would need to consume two pills an hour.
"Professor, if I use them up, can I apply for more?" Zhang Sheng asked.
Professor Liu shot Zhang Sheng a look. "In your dreams!"
He then continued, "However, I heard that someone in the Capital has Awoken a very high Rank Alchemist Talent and can already mass-produce essence food pills, but supply still can't meet demand."
An Alchemist?
Someone actually managed to Awaken that kind of Talent!
Looking at the black Medicinal Pills, the size of glass beads, in his hand, Zhang Sheng was still very happy. At least he wouldn't have to produce waste for a while.
"Keep your rewards safe. Now, for your next task!" Professor Liu said seriously.
"Take a look and see if you can handle this. This is your next task. If it's not suitable, I can adjust it." Professor Liu took out a piece of paper.
: 6,029 Gold Spirit Rice Seeds, two mu of experimental field, estimated maturation time 7 days... Precautions... "If you feel the pressure is too great, I can assign some to your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."
Zhang Sheng thought for a moment. It was only two mu of experimental field, and with his Proficient Rank Spring Breeze Turning into Rain Technique, it was completely manageable.
"Professor, I can complete it."
Hearing this, Liu Quan was somewhat surprised. He smiled and said, "Then it's up to you. If you can complete the task, the school will not be stingy with the rewards."
Just as he was about to leave the office, Professor Liu suddenly said, "Perform well. When you run out of essence food pills, I will try to apply for more."
"Thank you, Professor Liu!" Zhang Sheng smiled, backing up to close the door as he left.
Returning to his Cultivation Room, Zhang Sheng stared at the black Medicinal Pill in his hand.
It emitted the fragrance of grains and cereals—this was a legendary Medicinal Pill.
Swallowing one, Zhang Sheng immediately activated the Gluttonous Eating Method. A gentle heat spread from his abdomen toward his internal organs.
The feeling of satiety was intense.
Wonderful!
Absolutely wonderful!
Indescribably wonderful!
If only he could refine Medicinal Pills himself one day. Zhang Sheng shook his head. Unfortunately, he didn't have the means now. He would think about it later when he had the chance.
After confirming there were no adverse reactions like stomach pain, Zhang Sheng swallowed another essence food pill. Two pills, substituting for twenty kilograms of staple food, were just enough energy required for one session of Refining Essence into Qi.
Arriving at the assigned experimental field, Zhang Sheng was not in a hurry to plant the rice seeds. The professor gave him seven days, but casting the Spring Breeze Turning into Rain Technique to hasten growth could ripen the gold spirit rice in three days.
As Zhang Sheng formed hand seals, a streak of earthy yellow Qi emerged from his fingertips!
"Detectable Spell—Thick Earth Art. Do you wish to learn it?"
"Learn!"
"Spell: Thick Earth Art (Beginner 1/10)"
Casting the Thick Earth Art was not complicated; it was much simpler and faster than the Spring Breeze Turning into Rain Technique.
As the wisp of earthy yellow Qi emerging from his fingertip sank into the farmland, the Spell was officially at the Beginner Rank.
Again and again, Zhang Sheng cast the Thick Earth Art on the experimental field until the Spiritual Power within his body was completely exhausted.
"Spell: Thick Earth Art (Beginner 5/10)"
The Earth Qi of the farmland continuously gathered under the activation of the Spell.