MTLNOVEL Chapter 8
“Brother An, what are you doing here?”
Wang Dazhu looked quite happy.
Li An replied, “I came to buy a few things.”
“Spring-Holding Grass? Li An, don’t tell me you’re planning to use that to heal your spirit root?”
Zhao Xianchuan glanced at the two large bundles of Spring-Holding Grass on Li An’s shoulder and chuckled.
A while ago, Wang Dazhu had visited Spirit Plant Mountain and came back saying Li An had succeeded in entering Qi Refining.
At the time, he was surprised. But after asking around, he learned that forcibly entering Qi Refining with a damaged spirit root was extremely risky.
Basically, Li An would be stuck at the First Stage of Qi Refining for life.
“Yes, I heard this grass might help the spirit root.”
Li An spoke calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Li An, this grass does work, but its effect is barely noticeable.”
Mu Qingwan couldn’t help but speak up.
Back when they entered the sect, she’d promised to help treat his injury if she succeeded in cultivation, but now she knew that Li An’s injury was nearly hopeless.
Li An simply sighed.
The group chatted for a while beside the market.
It had been four months since they joined the sect. Mu Qingwan had made the most progress—she had already reached the peak of the Second Stage and was about to attempt the Third Stage.
Her Mid Grade Yellow Tier Spirit Root made her cultivation speed far greater than others.
Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xianchuan had also reached the Second Stage.
They had all joined the sect together, but now, Li An was falling further and further behind.
Even their clothes highlighted the difference. Li An’s Menial Servant robes were dirty and worn from long labor, while the others’ official robes were clean and splendid.
Li An learned that they had come to the market to buy spirit rice.
“The sect’s Spirit Beast Mountain had a small beast tide recently. Rumor has it a high-bloodline spirit beast was born…”
“The sect issued a mission—capturing spirit beasts that overflowed can earn contribution points.”
Li An’s expression turned serious.
Spirit beasts were like humans and had bloodline grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.
A beast tide likely meant the beast had at least a Profound Grade bloodline.
Spirit beasts with Profound Grade bloodlines, even if they just grew normally, could reach the Second Rank—equivalent to a human Foundation Establishment cultivator. Some could even grow into Third Rank beasts!
A Third Rank spirit beast would match a human Core Formation cultivator.
Such spirit beasts were incredibly rare. The Sect Master of the Clear Sun Sect himself, Master Clear Sun, was only at the Core Formation stage.
“Oh right, Li An, aren’t you a spirit farmer? Got any extra spirit rice to sell? We’re all old friends, help us out…”
Zhao Xianchuan asked with a hint of superiority in his tone.
“Sorry, Senior Sister Xu Qiuhui passed by just now and bought all my spirit rice.”
Li An spread his hands.
“Xu Qiuhui’s chances of entering the inner sect are almost certain. Buying that much spirit rice… maybe she plans to bait that Profound Bloodline cub, hoping to exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill…”
Mu Qingwan murmured.
“Brother An, we’re going to a small gathering. I heard some inner disciples might be there. Want to come?”
Wang Dazhu invited him enthusiastically.
Li An smiled bitterly. “I finally got a day off. If I don’t get back soon, I’ll never finish all my work.”
He took his leave.
Watching him walk away with the bundles of Spring-Holding Grass, Mu Qingwan’s eyes turned complicated and she let out a quiet sigh.
…
Li An didn’t return to Spirit Plant Mountain right away after leaving the market.
He went to the sect’s exchange counter and spent one spirit stone to buy two books:
"Basic Medicine Arts" and "Overview of Talisman Crafting."
The first book taught the properties and uses of common herbs and how to identify certain spirit herbs.
The second introduced basic methods of making talismans, meant for beginners.
These were standard handbooks—common and cheap in the sect.
In his past life, Li An had reached Core Formation and had dabbled in alchemy, talisman crafting, medicine, and more—he already knew all this.
Especially in talisman crafting, he had excelled in his previous life.
He bought the books now for appearances.
So that if he ever revealed certain skills or knowledge, it wouldn’t raise suspicions.
…
After returning to Spirit Plant Mountain, Li An paused his secret stealing of spirit rice.
Pest outbreaks were getting worse and almost out of control. Stealing now would be too risky.
Each day, after completing his rainmaking task, Li An would study the two books and boil Spring-Holding Grass water to drink every night.
Occasionally, he’d even gather wild herbs from nearby hills to cook with it.
Fan Jie often stayed at Zhang Susu’s place overnight. He knew about Li An’s situation but just sneered in contempt, thinking it was all pointless.
…
One day, Li An was hunting in a mountain forest near the spirit fields.
His Rainfall Technique had become so refined he’d finished his task by noon.
“This patch of forest is the only place where stink rat-wolves live.”
Li An hid behind a large rock, running his Life-Nurturing Immortal-Building Art. The life aura from his Life Seed blended him with the surrounding vegetation.
A flash of yellow darted past ahead.
A water arrow instantly formed and shot out with a swoosh.
A shriek followed. Ten meters away, the stink rat-wolf was hit and fell over, twitching twice before going still!
Li An stepped out, satisfied.
His Water Arrow Technique was now fully under control, with a range of fifteen meters.
Thanks to his cultivation method, his spirit energy was thick, resilient, and quick to recover—he could fire up to twelve arrows in a row.
His strength now could easily crush most Second Stage cultivators.
“The first leaf of the Life Seed has fully opened, and the second leaf already has a tiny green dot—almost sprouting…”
Li An was confident he could reach the Second Stage within a year.
Everything was going smoothly.
He carried the stink rat-wolf back to his place, cut it open, and extracted the sticky, smelly scent gland from its rump.
The awful stench made Li An gag. He quickly held his breath using his cultivation technique and threw the gland into a pot.
“Evil Vulture Grass is enough to kill the moths. Add in camphor root and stink rat-wolf stench to cover the smell—no one will figure it out.”
He had promised Xu Qiuhui another delivery of spirit rice next month. If the pests weren’t dealt with, not only would he get no bonus—he might even lose rice.
He had finally made a connection with Xu Qiuhui—he couldn’t ruin it.
Back in his previous life in a cultivation family, he’d learned several secret recipes for dealing with pest outbreaks.
The method was simple: boil Evil Vulture Grass in water—it was very effective at killing bugs.
To hide the secret, he added camphor root, stink rat-wolf glands, and other strong-smelling ingredients so no one could guess the recipe.
Black soup in the pot bubbled out a horrible stench that spread far.
“Li An, are you boiling shit?!”
Fan Jie, eating at Zhang Susu’s place, was almost puking. He rushed out, kicked open Li An’s door, and shouted while pinching his nose.
Li An quickly explained, “Immortal Master, I found a formula in a medicine book and was testing a pesticide decoction…”
“Bullshit! You?! Brewing medicine? Shut that fire off right now!”
Fan Jie couldn’t take the smell.
Li An put out the fire in a hurry.
…
The next day, Li An poured the decoction into the rainwater as he used the Rainfall Technique.
An hour later, large patches of moths in his spirit field were dead.
And the spirit rice wasn’t harmed at all.
“It actually worked this well?!”
Fan Jie was stunned. That smelly mess from yesterday had really come from something in a basic book?
He was secretly thrilled. The pest issue had been driving him insane.
He immediately asked Li An to brew him a pot that night—he had a use for it.
This surprised Li An.
He thought of the big formation on Spirit Plant Mountain meant for stealing from the fields.
Fan Jie had always banned Li An from stepping onto the mountain above.
Was he secretly growing something up there—and it had been hit by the pests?
But Li An didn’t ask. He simply agreed.
“Li An, can you make a batch for me too?”
Zhang Susu also came over. Since she had started serving Fan Jie meals, her life had drastically improved.
She now looked radiant, no longer wore Menial robes, and dressed in elegant skirts again—more alluring than ever.
Li An replied, “Sister Susu, I’ll need time to gather the herbs…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay. Once my field harvests this month, I’ll give you half my bonus—deal?”
She smiled.
The pest outbreak was getting worse. Even Fan Jie had no solution. If this kept up, her field wouldn’t get any bonus yield.
Li An agreed right away.
Even Wang Zilin hobbled over with a wooden crutch, muttering, “Brother An, I…”
“Ninety-five percent. I get ninety-five percent of your bonus, and I’ll brew you a pot.”
Li An looked at him.
Wang Zilin nearly broke down. What?! Ninety-five percent of his extra income for one pot?!
That was robbery!
But if he didn’t solve the pest problem, he’d lose even his monthly rations.
He had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
…
In the next few days, Spirit Plant Mountain became intensely smelly.
Fan Jie stopped staying at Zhang Susu’s place—Li An’s medicine stank too much.
…
Soon, the third batch of spirit rice was harvested.
This time, with no pest damage, all fields had excellent yields.
Li An was the biggest winner—his field’s bonus yield plus shares from Zhang Susu and Wang Zilin totaled 138 kilograms.
He was in a great mood. Sitting back and reaping the rewards truly was the best.
On the last day of the month, he went to the market again to fulfill his deal with Xu Qiuhui.
He found out that the small beast tide in the Spirit Beast Mountain was still ongoing, so spirit rice would remain in high demand.
He also bought another 20 kilograms of Spring-Holding Grass.
…
Time passed quickly.
Eight months went by in a flash.
“It’s about time.”
Li An’s condition had never been better—he had finally reached the peak of the First Stage of Qi Refining.
He was ready to break through to the Second Stage.
…
(End of Chapter)