Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 27 Reflections

As soon as Zhao Chengan finished speaking, everyone's faces showed surprise.

Among the five, Zhao Cheng'an entered the sect the latest, but he was second only to Chen Heng, becoming the second to enter the Qi Refining stage and become a true cultivator.

Moreover, the breakthrough occurred in just about a year.

The time it took was similar to that when Chen Heng broke through. However, there was a huge difference between the two not only in their spiritual root aptitude, but also in the cultivation resources they obtained.

In several small tests, Chen Heng was able to consistently obtain extra resources, and Shen Yanshan was also exceptionally patient with the problems Chen Heng encountered in his cultivation, often giving him extra help.

Despite such a disparity, Zhao Cheng'an was still able to maintain a cultivation speed similar to Chen Heng's.

For a moment, Sun Fuli and the others looked at Zhao Cheng'an as if he were a monster. It seemed like they had spent more than a year with him before they truly got to know him.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

Shen Yanshan nodded with some surprise.

Zhao Cheng'an's rapid progress in cultivation pleased him even more than Chen Heng's previous breakthrough. This was because Chen Heng possessed exceptional talent and had always been under Shen Yanshan's watchful eye; such progress was entirely within his expectations.

For Zhao Cheng'an, it was a completely unexpected surprise.

Shen Yanshan usually appears somewhat casual, but he is very sincere when it comes to objective events.

He immediately said, "Zhao, I take back what I just said. Your progress through your own cultivation methods speaks for itself."

"However, I still find it hard to believe how you broke through to this level in such a short time. I believe the remaining students must be very interested in your cultivation methods. Of course, I won't force you to tell me, after all, this is your own achievement."

Shen Yanshan smiled broadly and spoke with some excitement.

The remaining people also looked at Zhao Cheng'an with burning eyes, and even Chen Heng's eyes were filled with uncontrollable curiosity.

After all, there's a natural difference in aptitude among students other than Chen Heng, so Chen Heng's methods might not be suitable for them. But Zhao Cheng'an is different; he could very well offer some inspiration.

"No, Master, I am happy to share my methods of cultivation."

Zhao Cheng'an's expression remained calm. He then briefly shared what he had learned from Qi Weizhao, and added some further details.

"I've noticed that whether it's magic, cultivation techniques, or the cultivation of spiritual plants, it all boils down to the inscription and application of the rune system."

"Although learning from Master Qi took some time, it gave me a deeper understanding of the rune system, which actually improved my cultivation speed to some extent."

"So that's how it is, no wonder..."

Shen Yanshan nodded slightly and sighed.

"Zhao, you and Chen Heng are both true geniuses. However, Chen Heng's talent lies in the purity of his heart for cultivation and his aptitude, while your talent lies in your ability to observe, learn, and understand."

"In some ways, your talent is even more precious. You should keep up the good work and not waste this gift."

"What you say is true, Master. I will keep it in mind," Zhao Chengan said respectfully.

The remaining Xiang Yunyuan and the others had thoughtful expressions on their faces.

"Alright, that concludes today's lesson. You can go home now. I hope you will reflect on what Zhao shared when you get back."

Shen Yanshan clapped his hands and then spoke to Zhao Chengan.

"Zhao, could you stay for a moment? I have something to discuss with you privately."

……

Half an hour later.

Zhao Cheng'an left Shen Yanshan's study, carrying a large stack of books in his hands, with a bag piled high with spirit stones on top. Ling Wei was already waiting outside the door, and a smile appeared on her face when she saw Zhao Cheng'an come out.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on successfully breaking through to the Qi Refining stage. Your path to enlightenment is promising."

Zhao Cheng'an felt a little embarrassed by her praise.

"This is just the first step; there are many more challenges ahead."

"Everything is difficult at the beginning."

Lingwei's big eyes narrowed into crescent moons as she took the book from Zhao Cheng'an's arms.

Zhao Cheng'an asked her to deliver the books to the bamboo house, while he put the spirit stones into his sleeve and headed deeper into Thousand Ears Valley.

Qianhui Valley, the edge of golden rice paddies.

Qi Weizhao was leaning against a large rock, puffing away on a pipe. When he heard Zhao Chengan come to report the news, Qi Weizhao's expression froze, and he stopped smoking.

"Really?"

Zhao Cheng'an simply released his aura.

Qi Weizhao showed an expression of admiration and smiled, "Not bad, I didn't expect the Imperial Academy to have received another promising talent."

"You've broken through to the Qi Refining stage in a year, and there are still six years until the assessment. Although the overall difficulty of breaking through after the Qi Refining stage increases, your chances are still very high. Don't slack off, keep working hard."

"This disciple understands," Zhao Cheng'an said.

He then explained his purpose for coming.

Once you enter the Qi Refining stage, you can learn spells. However, at this stage, the focus should still be on improving your cultivation level, and Zhao Cheng'an doesn't plan to waste too much energy on it.

He only plans to learn one technique for now, which is Qi Weizhao's signature technique, the Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique.

Both the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique and the Golden Needle Technique are low-level spells. However, unlike the Golden Needle Technique, which focuses on lethality, this is a support-oriented spell.

By learning this spell, Zhao Cheng'an can help Qi Weizhao tend to the spirit fields and fulfill his previous promise. Furthermore, the Lesser Cloud Rain spell can also increase the yield and disease resistance of his hybrid spirit rice, a crucial boost for Zhao Cheng'an at this stage.

As for attacking and defending against enemies, since we spend most of our time at the Imperial Academy, there's no need to consider these issues for now.

Qi Weizhao clearly understood Zhao Cheng'an's thoughts, and this down-to-earth and steady personality earned Zhao Cheng'an many points with Qi Weizhao.

Qi Weizhao said, "Cultivation should be grounded in reality to go further. However, some students in the Imperial Academy are too impetuous. If everyone were like you, that would be wonderful."

After a moment of reflection, Qi Weizhao began to teach Zhao Chengan the Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique.

The Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique has a total of four runes.

Three of the water-based runes are used to summon clouds and rain, while the last one, a wood-based rune called the Vitality Rune, serves as the finishing touch. This imbues the rain summoned by the Lesser Cloud and Rain Spell with a faint life force, capable of stimulating the growth of plants and healing diseases.

"But there's one thing to be aware of."

Qi Weizhao warned:

"Before casting the Minor Cloud Rain spell on the spirit field, you must carefully remove the weeds. Otherwise, these weeds will not only steal spiritual energy, but also take up living space and strangle the rice seedlings if they grow too much, which will have a negative effect."