81: Chapter 81 A New Beginning

The handover process took over an hour.

The new Disciple assigned to take over Zone C was named Zhou, a young man at Qi Refining Level 2 who looked somewhat nervous. Lin Xuan led him from one end of the field to the other, introducing it row by row:

"This area is thunder-pattern grass; it likes the sun but cannot tolerate direct exposure. At noon, you must use bamboo blinds to block thirty percent of the light. Do not water the leaves directly; let it seep in from the roots..."

"Those few plants with yellowing leaf edges are red sun grass. They aren't sick; it's normal old leaf metabolism. Don't rush to fertilize; observe them for two days first..."

"The soil in the southeast corner is a bit hard. I mixed in rotted pine needles to improve it; you'll need to supplement it again next month..."

Junior Brother Zhou held the Jade Slip and scribbled furiously, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

After Lin Xuan finished explaining once, he took him through the practical operations of mixing nutrient solutions, checking for pests, and other common tasks until the other party was generally familiar with them.

The news spread quickly through Zone C.

Qian Xiaohu put down his medicine hoe and patted Lin Xuan's shoulder in a friendly, naive manner: "Senior Brother Lin, don't forget to treat me to a drink once you make a fortune! I heard that talisman masters are all very rich!"

He had great strength, and the pat made Lin Xuan's shoulder ache. Lin Xuan laughed: "Certainly. Work hard; Deacon Wu values steady people, and you have a good chance for the Spirit Planter assessment in the future."

"Heh heh, I just like tinkering with these flowers and plants." Qian Xiaohu scratched his head, "It's more comfortable than fighting."

Zhao Ming also came over, his tone somewhat sour: "It really is faster to make money making talismans. But Junior Brother Lin, focusing on one craft is fine, unlike us, having to deal with mud every day to earn that bit of hard-earned money."

His words were barbed, but Lin Xuan was long used to it, only saying calmly: "Senior Brother Zhao has more experience in spirit planting than I do, and you will surely achieve great things in the future."

Sun Yun stood far away and nodded at Lin Xuan, considering it a farewell. She was introverted and didn't like to talk, but she was meticulous, and Lin Xuan had a good impression of her.

After checking the area he was responsible for one last time to ensure there were no oversights, Lin Xuan cupped his hands to the group: "Everyone, take care."

"Take care, Senior Brother Lin!"

"Come back and visit often!"

It was nearly noon when he walked out of Qinglin Valley. The spring sun shone brightly on the mountain path, and the bamboo forests on both sides swayed with the wind, the rustling sound continuous.

Lin Xuan did not look back.

Upon returning to the small courtyard on Emerald Bamboo Peak and closing the door, a strange sense of relaxation spread from the bottom of his heart.

It wasn't laziness, but that his time had suddenly become abundant—gaining two extra hours out of thin air every day was a tangible resource for a cultivator.

He boiled water to make a pot of tea for clearing the mind and sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, sipping slowly. The tea was slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, and amidst the swirling steam, his thoughts gradually became clear.

Next, his time needed to be replanned.

Early morning: Cultivate the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art. When the sun first rises, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is most active, especially suitable for thunder magic Cultivate.

The Bottleneck for Qi Refining Level 4 was thin; he should take advantage of the momentum to Cultivate. Afterward, draw one or two Thunder Shield Talismans; his Divine Sense was clearest at this time, and the talisman success rate was high.

Morning: Thunder Body Refining Technique medicinal bath. A Breakthrough to Body Refining Level 3 was imminent, and medicinal force absorption was key.

After the medicinal bath period, he could enter the Spirit-Taming Tower Space to tend to spirit plants and train Spirit Beasts.

The Pangolin's [Earth Perception] needed continuous development, and the Herb-Seeking Mouse should also be pushed toward Qi Refining Level 2.

At the same time, use the rich Thunder Spiritual Energy in the space to nourish the earth fiend bell—this newly acquired defensive Magical Artifact required time to break in so he could use it as easily as his own arm.

Afternoon: Head to Gravity Valley to Cultivate. Body Refining could not be slacked off; the pressure of the four-fold gravity zone was the best tempering for muscles and bones.

By the way... he could ask Deacon Zhao Tieshan, who guarded the valley, about difficulties in Body Refining; this opportunity should not be wasted.

Evening: Focus on talisman making. The success rate of the Thunder Shield Talisman had stabilized at seventy-five percent, but he needed to increase the daily production to four or five sheets if possible.

This was his most important source of income now; the final payment for the cloud-piercing shuttle, daily Cultivate consumption, and material reserves for future exploration of Thunderfall Ravine all depended on it.

Zi hour: Cultivate the Origin Returning Qi Concealment Formula for half an hour to consolidate the Qi concealment state. This technique was at Minor Achievement and needed daily practice to reach Perfection soon. Afterward, rest.

After planning his time, Lin Xuan set near-term goals.

Long-term Goal 1: Continuously monitor intelligence related to "Thunderfall Ravine." The ancient history of Thunder Flame Mountain mentioned by Deacon Wu, rumors of the Purple Lightning Sable, and the lightning-struck stone veins discovered in Cloud Mist Valley... these clues all pointed there. But exploration required strength; he should only consider it when he reached at least the Late Stage of Qi Refining and had complete defensive, escape, and scouting methods.

Long-term Goal 2: Spirit plant cultivation in the space. The thunder essence fruit tree was the top priority, and the shocking thunder flower also needed careful care. The day these high-value spirit plants matured would be the moment to break through his resource Bottleneck.

Long-term Goal 3: Keep an eye out for suitable Spirit Beasts. The second shared slot in the spirit control tower was still empty. The Pangolin's [Earth Perception] was practical, but it lacked powerful attack or defense talents. If he encountered cubs with sufficient potential or special creatures in the future, he could consider contracting them.

Thinking of Spirit Beasts, Lin Xuan paused.

Lin Xuan recalled the Pangolin's longing for the black iron rock layer on the back mountain, the subtle symbiosis between the Thunder-Light Bug and the thunder-attracting vine, and the benign mutation of the Herb-Seeking Mouse in the Thunder Spiritual Energy environment...

The Dao of beast taming seemed to go beyond just "sharing talents."

He shook his head and put away the paper and pen. Thinking too far ahead; first, stay grounded and do the things in front of him well.

Getting up and walking into the Quiet Room, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. He didn't start Cultivate immediately but first looked inward:

Inside the Dantian, the Thunder Spiritual Energy vortex rotated slowly, Spiritual Qi flowing endlessly; he had reached the Perfection of Qi Refining Level 3.

At the core of the vortex, a touch of purple was becoming increasingly rich—that was the prototype of the "thunder seed" that only appeared when the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art was cultivated to a certain depth.

The strengthening of his Physical Body, muscles, and bones was clearly palpable, and faint purple thunder patterns flowed under his skin. The "bones like jade" of the Thunder Body Refining Technique was truly just one step away.

Divine Sense swept through the Storage Pouch: the earth fiend bell was being nourished in the Dantian, the barrier-breaking pill jade bottle lay quietly, and stacks of purple-patterned talisman paper and special cinnabar were neatly arranged.

In the inner pocket close to his chest, the Tier 2 Vajra Talisman and God-Speed Talisman were within reach.

Looking at the Spirit-Taming Tower Space again: the spirit fields were vibrant, the thunder essence fruit tree had grown taller, and the cyan-purple small fruits on the thunder-attracting vine seemed to have grown a size larger.

The Thunder-Light Bug was dancing on the vine tip, the Pangolin was sleeping soundly in the underground cave, and the Herb-Seeking Mouse was practicing "Spirit Energy Tracking" against a thunder-pattern grass...

Everything was on track.

Lin Xuan closed his eyes and slowly circulated the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art. Thunder Spiritual Energy surged through the Meridians like a river entering the sea, repeating in cycles.

Outside the window, the sun gradually slanted westward.

The bamboo shadows on the ground lengthened, then shortened inch by inch. As twilight began to rise, Lin Xuan opened his eyes, and a flash of purple electricity flickered in his pupils.

He stood up, spread out the talisman paper, and picked up the talisman brush.

The tip of the brush was dipped in cinnabar mixed with thunder-pattern stone powder, and Thunder Spiritual Energy flowed out along his arm, outlining the first arc on the light purple talisman paper.

Steady, smooth, with a unique elasticity.

A new starting point began with this single stroke.