Chapter 3 Life is Not Easy

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In front of Bright Moon Tower, Chen Qing tidied up his clothes.

Looking at the scene before him, with its bright lights and lush scenery, he couldn't help but sigh, "All for a living, how hard it is!"

After speaking, he walked into Bright Moon Tower, quickly met by a pretty young lady who took his arm and led him inside.

"What does the gentleman have in mind today?"

Her voice was soft and tender, making one feel weak in the knees.

Chen Qing took out a lower-grade Spirit Stone from his pocket and tossed it into the young lady's arms. "Find me a good spot on the second floor to listen to some music."

On the second floor, filled with colorful and beautiful women, it felt like entering a peacock's nest, with subtle fragrance permeating everywhere.

He sat by the window, where the lady on stage opened her cherry-like mouth, singing a melodious tune that made one momentarily forget their worries, salivating in delight.

No doubt, they were professionals!

The charming young lady waved a beautiful fan. "Would the gentleman like something to drink?"

Chen Qing reached into his pocket, took out thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones, and placed them on the table. "A pot of wine for everyone here."

Then, Chen Qing took another lower-grade Spirit Stone and tossed it to the young lady. "You know what I mean?"

She smiled sweetly, giving Chen Qing a gentle push on the arm. "I understand."

Soon, more than one graceful young lady came with wine, serving each guest at the table a pot.

Those who inquired were directed to Chen Qing by the gesture of a jade-like hand.

Those served with wine cupped their hands toward Chen Qing, to which he responded with a smile and a cupped-hand greeting.

When the wine was served, a newcomer, a scholar, took a sip, stood up, and said, "I wonder why this Fellow Daoist is treating us?"

Chen Qing thought to himself that Bright Moon Tower's arrangements were indeed well thought out, as the scholar was clearly introduced by the young lady attending him.

Chen Qing stood up, cupped his hands, and laughed, saying, "I am Chen Qing from Cold Wave Cave of Wuyou Mountain, now at the third level of Qi Refinement, fortunate enough to be favored by the sect and gain a Grass Spirit Gu."

"Now with hope for a livelihood, I feel joyful and wish to share this joy with you!"

Hearing this, many raised their wine in response, "A Grass Spirit Gu, now that's something!"

"I see, congratulations, Fellow Daoist!"

"We'll have to rely on you for help in our Spiritual Fields next time!"

"That's definitely useful information."

After some conversation, Chen Qing knew that from today, many would know he had a Grass Spirit Gu.

Just thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones, it's okay; it's okay.

With the remaining Spirit Stones, Chen Qing bought some rice and meat and wandered around the market stalls for a while before discovering.

"Senior Brother, how much are you selling this Earth Spirit Crystal for?"

The blue-robed Daoist replied, "Five lower-grade Spirit Stones per qian."

Chen Qing, with some disdain, said, "You've got dirt in this, it's obviously not pure."

"What if my family's Gu gets sick from eating it?"

The blue-robed Daoist said, "This is fresh, of course, there's dirt, but how about this, I'll count it as four lower-grade Spirit Stones per qian for you."

Chen Qing took out the last twenty Spirit Stones from his spirit stone bag: "Give me half a liang."

Returning to Cold Wave Cave at night, Chen Qing looked at his now empty spirit stone bag.

Earlier today, it was still full with fifty-six Spirit Stones, now all gone.

Ah, such is the force of life.

Speaking of which, that young lady's hands were really soft...

Ouch...

Slicing the bacon he bought, Chen Qing placed it neatly atop rice and put them into the pot.

In no time, the fragrance wafted around, as he picked up three small Chinese cabbages "borrowed" from Li He's field.

Mixing them with the hot and fragrant bacon rice made his mouth water.

Glancing at the Grass Spirit Gu, its growth progress rose from 18 to 24.

"A qian of ochre earth yellow can increase six points of growth progress."

Chen Qing placed one qian of the Earth Spirit Crystal, holding the rice bowl, "I eat, you eat too."

The next day there was no news, so Chen Qing simply went to the Spirit Plant Elder to continue receiving tasks to do.

After working for three straight days in the sect, Chen Qing returned home and saw a child waiting at the door one day.

"Are you Mr. Chen?"

Chen Qing asked, "What's the matter?"

The child said, "My master asked me to see if you are available in the coming days. He and a few friends need their Spiritual Fields attended to and have sent me to invite you specifically."

Chen Qing inquired, "Who's your master?"

The child said, "Ye Botong from Qingyu Temple."

Chen Qing smiled, "Ah, Fellow Daoist Ye, I've been quite busy recently, but since Fellow Daoist Ye has asked, I can make a visit."

"I'll come in the coming days."

The child joyfully responded, "Thank you, Mr. Chen."

After confirming Ye Botong's background with Li He, knowing he was a crane breeder, Chen Qing was relieved.

Generally speaking, those who made a living from production-oriented Gu took their reputations seriously; otherwise, they wouldn't survive in the region.

Moreover, after learning Ye Botong was also a disciple of Wuyou Mountain, Chen Qing felt more at ease.

Over six days, he attended thirty mu of Spiritual Fields. Perhaps Ye Botong was busy; on the sixth day, when settling the accounts, Chen Qing finally met him.

After receiving thirty Spirit Stones from Ye Botong, Chen Qing handed back two.

"Between us, no need for so many."

Ye Botong didn't object, raising his hand to accept, "Actually, these are the fields of me and four other Fellow Daoists. Since they are away, they've entrusted them to me."

Chen Qing laughed, "Between us friends, no need to be so specific."

Pausing, he looked at the two Spirit Stones and added, "Just keep this between us."

Ye Botong nodded with a laugh, "Hahaha, be assured, Mr. Chen."

Chen Qing didn't want others to know for fear of being accused of undercutting prices, displeasing other cultivators who also had Grass Spirit Gu.

For Ye Botong, because those two Spirit Stones were a reduction from the thirty mu of fields, with his share being four mu, it was equivalent to spending just half the cost, so those other four wouldn't find out.

They exchanged smiles, satisfied with food and wine, before parting ways.

During these times, Chen Qing gradually came to understand that generally, cultivators owning Grass Spirit Gu could attend to about three mu per day, and four mu was rare.

His Grass Spirit Gu was indeed a precious treasure.

Recalling this, he felt more convinced that the bundle of Gu Spirit Grass and ten lower-grade Spirit Stones spent were worthwhile.

"I should find time to visit Elder Chen again."

"Frequent visits build relationships."

Being new in this realm, Elder Chen was one of the few acquaintances, and he had provided much guidance.

Though Elder Chen was getting on in years, he remained a significant Cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refinement.

Trading a few days' wages for Elder Chen's favor was undoubtedly a profitable deal.

In over half a month, many brothers from nearby had come to invite him after Chen Qing completed his duties and took time to visit Elder Chen.

He bought a bottle of ginseng wine valued at ten lower-grade Spirit Stones from Li He, but this time did not receive a warm welcome.

Instead, Elder Chen scolded him, criticizing him for buying such expensive things right after gaining a means of living.

With sincere advice, Elder Chen lectured him for an hour, "You've just got your first Gu, it's time to accumulate, don't waste money."

"Focus on your cultivation, you're still young."

After a long lecture and a meal, Chen Qing gratefully bid farewell.

Looking at the untouched wine, "Who would've thought, Elder Chen is a genuine, kind elder."

Recalling how Li He would describe the dangers outside Wuyou Mountain, Chen Qing wondered how Elder Chen managed to survive so long.

Returning, Li He stopped Chen Qing with a bowl of rice, "Did you hear, Brother Wu is crippled."

Chen Qing asked, "The Wu Brother at the fourth level of Qi Refinement?"

Li He nodded, "Yep, he only had one sword Gu, and now with a crippled leg, I doubt anyone will want him for adventures anymore."

For some reason, Chen Qing felt a strange satisfaction.

He liked hearing about cultivators who chose Combat Gu as their first Gu, getting into trouble.

Look, fond of fighting and trouble, got into trouble, right!

Production-oriented ones like us are more secure.

So, Chen Qing tore a leg from the chicken in front of Li He and sat beside him on the doorstep, "Tell me more, tell me more."

Li He grew more animated, "He's left with just the one sword Gu, and with a broken leg, his combat power's surely gonna drop considerably, I reckon it'll be tough."

Chen Qing nodded in agreement, "What'll he do if no one's hiring?"

Li He laughed, "I hear he's planning to spend everything on a fake leg, probably going to find work somewhere else."

Chen Qing understood the meaning, pretending he wasn't crippled. "But that's not a long-term solution, he'll get caught eventually."

Li He nodded, "That's right, production Gu are the safer choice."

After finishing half of Li He's chicken, Chen Qing returned contentedly to his cave.

Lifting the bed, underneath lay twenty-eight neatly arranged Spirit Stones, "Does this count as sleeping on money?"

The money spent at Bright Moon Tower was not in vain.

After counting all his Spirit Stones again, Chen Qing prepared to check on his treasured Gu.

[Mortal Grass Spirit Gu]

Quality: Seventh Transformation

Life Span: 42/65

Effect: Manages Gu Spirit Grass in a five-mu range, improving growth rate and quality

Growth Requirements: Earth Spirit Crystal, ochre earth yellow, spirit shed

Growth Progress: 42/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, ten drops of Earth Mother Spirit Liquid, one Soul Stealing Flower

Over time, after feeding, he understood the growth progress from three materials.

One qian of Earth Spirit Crystal improved growth by 3 points, costing five lower-grade Spirit Stones.

One qian of ochre earth yellow improved growth by 6 points, costing nine lower-grade Spirit Stones.

One piece of spirit shed improved growth by 8 points, costing ten lower-grade Spirit Stones.

"Seems using spirit shed is the cheapest way to cultivate."

Chen Qing carefully calculated his assets, with three qian of ochre earth yellow left, something he acquired by chance over the past year.

Twenty-eight Spirit Stones, a rusty sword, three sets of clothing, three pieces of bacon, fifty pounds of white rice.

Picking up a stick, he made calculations in the ground, "The most economical method is to buy four more pieces of spirit shed, one qian of ochre earth yellow, and one qian of Earth Spirit Crystal."

"Together, fifty-four Spirit Stones."

"If starting from zero progress, to advance from the Seventh Transformation to the Eighth Transformation would roughly require a hundred and thirty lower-grade Spirit Stones."

"Which is about twenty-six days of wages."

"Doesn't seem too expensive."

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