Ning was at the Spiritual Farming Hall’s library, a quiet, quaint place filled with the faint scent of parchment and dried herbs.

  It had taken over a month for him to finally visit. Between finishing his duties at the Scripture Pavilion and managing the fields, Ning hadn’t had the time until now.

  Glancing around, his gaze landed on a massive scroll displayed at the center of the library.

  [Alchemy required spiritual herbs and fruits.

  Talisman crafting needed spiritual grasses, bamboo, and bark.

  Artifact forging and array formation also demanded materials such as spiritual wood.

  In the end, farming was the cornerstone of all professions.]

  Ning wasn’t sure whether that declaration was meant to uplift one’s morale or merely to comfort farmers suffering under the contempt of “higher” professions.

  He quickly realized that this library held almost no cultivation techniques or spells, only notes, manuscripts, and guides on spiritual plants.

  He picked up a thick volume titled A Guide to Spiritual Agriculture and began to read.

  Clearing land, cultivating soil, breeding seeds, adjusting fertilizer, controlling pests…

  Spirit fields had to be cultivated around spiritual veins. If none existed, an area rich in spiritual energy, created by a spirit-gathering array, could suffice.

  The process of land clearing was much like ordinary farming: deep plowing, weeding, and ridge planning.

  However, the soil of spirit fields was far tougher than normal earth, and most importantly, the weeds grew wildly. Thus, the work required at least a low-level Qi cultivator, preferably one trained in the Spirit-Forging Earth-Shaking Technique, which could shake the ground and draw spiritual energy into the soil.

  Of course, all fields within the sect had already undergone this process. But outside the sect, newly cultivated spirit fields were infertile and lacked vitality. Hence, fertilizers, spells, and arrays were essential to make them suitable for crops.

  The simplest spiritual fertilizer consisted of crushed used spirit stones mixed into the soil. These remnants replenished the veins and stabilized spiritual energy.

  Other materials included ash from burning cinnabar wood and composted spirit beast manure.

  According to the text, one acre of first-grade spirit field required:

  – Twenty spirit stones (crushed into powder)

  – One hundred catties of cinnabar wood ash

  – One hundred catties of manure

  To maintain spiritual energy, it was recommended to set up a low-grade spirit-gathering array and apply fertilizer annually.

  “Pretty general,” Ning murmured. Most of it was basic knowledge.

  Hu Yue had mentioned that the advanced materials were behind a paywall, something Ning could only shrug at, given his finances. Still, it wasn’t useless. He learned several cultivation methods for various spirit grains.

  The one he currently grows was the most basic low-level variety, resilient and easy to maintain. As long as it received spiritual rain and regular care, it would thrive.

  But the ones listed next were on a completely different level.

  Purple Extreme Rice, Blazing Sun Rice, Blood Marrow Rice, Green Bamboo Rice, Pearl Rice, Golden Bell Millet...

  All of them were high-grade spiritual grains, requiring mastery of the Small Cloud Rain Technique at the great accomplishment stage, plus several supplementary methods.

  After nearly an hour of browsing, Ning's eyes finally lit up.

  [Frozen Breath Grain]

  High-grade spiritual grain with ice attributes. Requires the spell “Hidden Ice Mist Technique” during growth. Six-month cultivation cycle. Low supplementary requirements.

  Among the many high-grade, first-level grains, this one stood out. Compared to Sheer Ice Rice, which also required the Small Cloud Rain Technique but demanded rare fertilizers, Frozen Breath Grain was far cheaper and simpler.

  Its yield might not be as potent, but it was perfectly suited to Ning’s situation. Others might hesitate to learn a new spell for a single type of grain, but for him, it was a non-issue.

  After all, his talent for spellwork had grown noticeably sharper ever since overcoming his inner demon.

  ‘So it’s decided,’ he thought.

  ...

  “Junior Brother, are you sure you want to choose Frozen Breath Grain?” Hu Yue asked later, visibly surprised by his choice. It was, after all, a rather niche crop, not just because of the unique spell required, but also the specialized attribute involved.

  There were other grains that were like Frozen Breath Grain with a specialized spell requirement and low supplement cost. Moreover, those spells also had offensive benefits, unlike the hidden ice mist technique.

  “Yes, Senior Sister,” Ning replied calmly. “I cultivate an ice-attributed technique, and I believe Frozen Breath Grain will be quite useful for me.” He didn’t mention the name of his cultivation art, but spoke the truth.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “If that’s your decision, then it’s fine,” Hu Yue said after a pause. “But you’ll need at least great accomplishment in the Small Cloud Rain Technique to grow it properly.”

  “I’m aware,” Ning nodded, smiling. “I’m close to reaching that level already; it shouldn’t take long.”

  He glanced at his panel:

  [Small Cloud Rain Technique: Great Accomplishment (199/200)]

  “As expected, you’re truly talented, Junior Brother,” Hu Yue said, impressed. With the record of his spell progress stored in his sect token, she had little reason to doubt him. She sighed softly. “Our Spiritual Farming Hall has good luck. After Senior Li Yue, there’s finally another promising disciple.”

  “Senior Li Yue?” Ning asked, curious at the sudden name drop.

  “Mm. Senior Li Yue was born with a supernatural power,” Hu Yue explained, her tone turning admiring. “They say he could stimulate vitality in seeds, accelerating growth when combined with the Spring Breeze Seedling Technique. It’s an incredible talent.”

  “That’s amazing,” Ning said sincerely. An ability that nurtured life itself, it was the kind of talent most farmers could only dream of.

  “Yes. He was from two batches before yours,” Hu Yue said proudly. “He’s getting ready for Foundation Building now.”

  Ning nodded politely, but his mind was already elsewhere. He turned to her with a thoughtful look.

  “Senior Sister,” he began, “I was wondering… could I possibly apply for reimbursement for the Hidden Ice Mist Technique?”

  Hu Yue blinked. “Reimbursement?”

  “Yes,” Ning said smoothly, already shifting gears into his practiced rhetorical tone. “Frozen Breath Grain is a rare crop, and if I can cultivate it successfully, it’ll broaden the hall’s variety and enrich the sect’s spiritual grain reserves. Having more diverse spiritual plants would not only help in trading but also in alchemical recipes that require ice attributes.”

  He paused, watching her reaction, then pressed his advantage.

  “I’m aware that the Hidden Ice Mist Technique isn’t cheap,” he continued, “but think of it as an investment. If I succeed, the hall gains a new high-grade crop. It’s not just for my benefit, but for the sect’s advancement as well.”

  And then, shamelessly, he added, “Besides, Senior Sister, you know how limited my income is as a new spiritual farmer…”

  While speaking, he unleashed his Puppy Dog Eyes Technique.

  A skill that required neither spiritual energy nor incantation, only a cute and attractive face.

  And Ning’s face… well, let’s just say that Hikigaya Hachiman’s dream of being a househusband could’ve been realized through this face alone.

  “Ah!” Hu Yue sighed in defeat. “Alright, alright. The Elder did say we should prioritize talented disciples. I’ll bring it up with him. But no promises, though."

  “Thank you, Senior Sister.” Ning smiled brightly.

  ...

  “So, what are supernatural powers, Elder Shen?” Ning asked the old man, who was leisurely sipping his wine.

  With Ning’s successful management of the pavilion and their growing familiarity through daily interactions, he had indeed become close to the elder. It wasn’t difficult. One only needed a few simple things: good wine, a few snacks, the patience to listen, and a talent for flattery.

  Ning had made it his personal mission to report the library’s daily happenings to Elder Shen. Over the months, and with Old Zhou’s spiritual wine serving as a bridge between them, they had grown surprisingly close.

  The greatest driving force in life was self-affirmation, the need to have one’s path acknowledged, whether by oneself or by others. Elder Shen, who was slowly growing old, naturally didn’t mind a young man who listened earnestly to his stories.

  Of course, their rapport also had much to do with Ning’s youth and humble background. Even if he happened to irritate the old man, Elder Shen would likely forgive him, chalking it up to inexperience.

  Moreover, Ning had no clan or family name to teach him how to curry favor through schemes and hidden motives. The adult world was full of such things, dirty and layered with pretenses, but he was refreshingly free of them.

  And because of that, even if Elder Shen sensed Ning’s small intention to grow closer, he didn’t mind. He had realized early on that the old man admired proactive disciples, so he often offered small updates or tips that the elder appreciated. Naturally, Elder Shen lowered his guard.

  ‘Of course, this might also be thanks to my natural talent for pleasing old men - wait, that sounded wrong.’ Ning coughed lightly, shaking off the thought and returning his attention to the elder.

  “Supernatural powers,” Elder Shen began, swirling his cup, “are innate abilities. They come in all forms, some useful, others… not so much. There’s no rule to who gains them. Some say they’re gifts from heaven, others believe they’re tied to the peculiarities of one’s soul, or perhaps to the ancient bloodlines of humanity.”

  “I see.” Ning nodded thoughtfully. That was easy enough to understand. Supernatural powers were like spiritual roots; some people had them, and among those who had them, the differences could be vast.

  “Of course,” Elder Shen continued, taking a slow sip of wine and reaching for the potato chips Ning had provided, “if we’re to speak of supernatural powers, we must mention the Sect Leader.”

  “Sect Leader?” Ning asked, curiosity piqued.

  “Yes. It was about a hundred years ago,” Elder Shen said, eyes distant with nostalgia. “The sect was in turmoil, our previous Golden Core leader was on the verge of death, and internal and external strife were everywhere. It was a bloody, uncertain time. And then, our Sect Leader Ge Xuan rose from that chaos.”

  Ning leaned forward slightly, eating a chip as he listened.

  “With his supernatural powers, the Sword Bone and Sword Intent, and his freshly tempered Golden Core cultivation, he stood against the mid-stage Golden Core leader of the Dark Soul Sect. Sect Leader Ge Xuan was a once-in-a-century genius. With a sword in hand, he cut down countless foes, quelled rebellion, and drove away the greedy eyes of rival sects. It was through his strength that order returned to the sect. He was unrivaled in talent, fighting across realms as easily as one might drink water.”

  Elder Shen sighed, eyes glinting faintly in the lamplight, lost in old memories.

  Ning could feel the dire situation back then. As expected, without sudden lore drops like this, it was impossible to appreciate the true might of the sect.

  “Elder Shen must have also been quite brave and remarkable back then,” Ning said with a grin.

  “Of course!” The drunk elder puffed out his chest proudly. “With my spells, I was unmatched in my realm! When one enemy came, I killed one. When two came, I killed two. When ten came, I killed ten! I was unstoppable in those days.”

  Ning smiled knowingly. “As expected of Elder Shen. The saying, ‘Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one,’ truly suits you.”

  Elder Shen blinked, then laughed heartily. “Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one! Yes, that sounds just like me. As expected, you understand me, Xiao Ning.”

  The elder nodded approvingly, basking in the warmth of such perfectly placed praise. Truly, with Ning, his emotional needs were greatly satisfied.

  “I only hope to reach even one-tenth of Elder Shen’s level someday,” Ning said, obliging the old man’s pride.

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Xiao Ning. I see my shadow in you. You’ll surely achieve greatness.” Elder Shen’s voice was slightly slurred.

  “Elder,” Ning asked, smoothly shifting the topic, “I’d like to learn more about supernatural powers. But I haven’t found any books on the subject in the pavilion. Where can I read about them?”

  After all, the old man was just one sigh away from saying I was Him frfr.

  Elder Shen stroked his beard. “Books about supernatural powers are hard to come by; they’re usually bought from outside, and even then, they’re rare. You’re lucky, though. I have a jade slip on the topic. I’ll lend it to you in a few days.”

  “Thank you, Elder.” Ning smiled and poured more wine for him.

  No wonder they said an old man in the house was a treasure; Elder Shen truly lived up to the name.

  ...

  Thanks for reading~