Chapter 20: Apprenticeship with Qingyunzi, Gaining Spiritual Fields

After going through all this trouble, Su Xing's ultimate aim was to be apprenticed to this old master.

Though merely a nominal disciple, the benefits he received would surely surpass even the extraordinary Spirit Farmer Technique he had previously acquired.

Hence, Su Xing wasted no time and directly paid his respects:

"Your disciple pays respects to Master!"

Qingyunzi, with a smiling countenance, stroked his long beard and remarked:

"Now that you have become my disciple, I have a few gifts to bestow upon you."

"The first gift is an immortal technique named 'Spirit Farmer Technique.' Though I occasionally obtained it, I spent millennia researching it diligently, yet couldn't perfect its cultivation."

"Seeing your talent in farming, I offer you this technique. If you can perfect it, you shall carve a niche in this vast world!"

After these words, Qingyunzi handed Su Xing a jade slip inscribed with the Spirit Farmer Technique.

"Thank you, Master!"

Su Xing eagerly received it. He knew the value of this Spirit Farmer Technique—worth billions in energy points! To acquire it through the simulator would take ages, but now, in the real world, it came without expending any energy.

Qingyunzi nodded slightly and continued:

"The second gift is this portable three-inch spiritual land!"

"Though it spans merely a hundred zhang in area, this small mountain is abundant in spiritual essence, serene and picturesque. It is well-suited for your study of cultivating spirits!"

Having said this, Qingyunzi extended his hand, imprinting Su Xing's forehead with a mark, which merged into Su Xing's body.

Su Xing sensed something; he was entirely connected to this world, able to perceive every movement within.

"Ah… Does this mean I directly possess this instance? Can I enter and exit at will?"

Su Xing was once again astonished at the cunning ways of his seemingly unassuming master.

Continuing, Qingyunzi produced a token and handed it to Su Xing, saying:

"The third gift is the Qingyun Token of the Qingyun Sect. Although you're only a nominal disciple, your status within the sect is not low. When you reach the Returning Void Realm in your cultivation, you can become my formal disciple. By then, you can head to the Qingyun Sect's gate in the Qingyun Realm!"

Su Xing received this ancient token, feeling somewhat thrilled.

The Qingyun Sect was undoubtedly a genuine cultivation sect. It likely possessed various resources for cultivation. If he could enter the sect, he would gain greatly.

However, Qingyunzi set a condition for him: to break through to the Returning Void Realm before entering the Qingyun Sect. This was still a distant goal for Su Xing.

After presenting the three gifts, Qingyunzi inquired:

"Do you have any other inquiries, my disciple?"

Su Xing pondered and said:

"Master, I lack superior cultivation techniques… You mentioned I'm suited for alchemy, yet I have no knowledge of it…"

Upon hearing this, Qingyunzi nodded slightly and handed another jade slip to Su Xing, stating:

"I am not adept at the path of alchemy, but I occasionally obtained this Fiery Refinement Alchemy Manual, which contains 360 alchemical formulas. It should suffice for your learning."

Su Xing hurriedly accepted this alchemical art. At his current stage, mastering alchemy was vital.

Whether for enhancing his own strength or earning energy by selling pills, it was highly advantageous.

Finally, Qingyunzi added:

"As for superior cultivation techniques, you must understand that desiring too much leads to shallow understanding. You already have the Eternal Spring Technique, which is enough to guide you to the Returning Void Realm and holds great benefits for you. Once you have perfected this technique, then come to me for further guidance."

After these words, Qingyunzi waved his sleeve, gradually dissipating within this small world.

His laughter lingered in the air:

"A fleeting figure, traversing myriad realms… How exhilarating!"

Su Xing watched his disappearing master, feeling bewildered:

"Master, I haven't even boarded yet!"

"Ah! Master, my technique is only a fragment! It's far from sufficient for cultivating to the Returning Void Realm!"

Su Xing loudly called out, receiving no response whatsoever.

His face darkened instantly as he exclaimed:

"Darn it! Acting all mysterious like a recluse… How could you not even provide me with cultivation techniques?"

Su Xing felt speechless. His Eternal Spring Technique was only half-complete, far from enough for him to advance to the Returning Void Realm.

With a light sigh, Su Xing went to the thatched cottage, intending to see if his master had left any treasures for him.

However, after searching for a while, all he found were a few bags of seeds, a worn-out alchemy furnace, and a few hundred spirit stones.

"Alas… Can these few spirit stones propel me to the Returning Void Realm?"

Su Xing felt somewhat speechless. Even with these few hundred spirit stones added to the 200 he had saved earlier, it didn't total a thousand.

It would be good enough to break through to the Golden Core Realm, but the Returning Void Realm was still too distant!

"Well, it's just a matter of simulating a few hundred more times, bringing out a bit of cultivation each time. Eventually, I'll break through to the Returning Void Realm!"

Su Xing consoled himself this way.

"But finding the latter half of the Eternal Spring Technique should be prioritized..."

Su Xing stroked his chin. The latter half of the technique came from that mysterious organization. To find it, he would definitely have to make contact with them.

After organizing the property his thrifty master had left behind, Su Xing carefully examined the "three-inch spiritual land."

As Qingyunzi had stated, the area was approximately a hundred zhang in circumference, totaling around five hundred acres. However, it was filled with trees and weeds, leaving just over ten acres fit for cultivation.

Nevertheless, this portable spiritual land was an invaluable treasure for Su Xing!

Su Xing's mind raced. He exited the "Qingyun Spiritual Fields" and returned to the real world.

It was late outside, and as Su Xing emerged, he saw Jin Congxue waiting nearby.

"Su Xing, you've finally come out!"

Jin Congxue said excitedly.

After chatting for a while, Su Xing asked:

"Congxue, the spirit stones are of no use to you, but they are of great use to me. I'd like to exchange fifty catties of spirit rice for your fifty spirit stones. Would that be alright?"

Jin Congxue shook her head upon hearing this and replied:

"I've received these rewards due to your help, so you deserve half of it!"

Saying so, Jin Congxue handed fifty spirit stones to Su Xing.

Su Xing didn't hesitate and directly accepted them.

For the present Su Xing, spirit rice could be obtained through farming, a renewable resource. However, spirit stones, for which he hadn't found any other means of acquiring, were precious—every single one of them.

Glancing at the sky, Jin Congxue remarked:

"Ah Xing, it's getting late! Let's return to the city."

Su Xing nodded in agreement and went back to Jinling City with Jin Congxue.

The time in the Qingyun Spiritual Fields' instance flowed in sync with the real world.

At this moment, the external date was already November 26th, and the simulation cooldown had finished. Without hesitation, Su Xing chose to simulate.

"Commence simulation!"

"Consuming 1200 energy points. Remaining energy: 2680 points. No more simulation attempts."

"Simulation initiated!"

"Drawing a white talent costs 100 energy points, while a green talent costs 1000 energy points. Would you like to draw a green talent?"

"Draw a green talent!"

"Congratulations, you've obtained the green talent, 'Mr. Mighty!'"

(End of this chapter)