In the night, the large raven acknowledged Han Yu's words with a croak before preparing to fly away again. Han Yu suddenly rembered his low cultivation level and the sect's nurous rules, so he added more instructions: "Only look for wild spirit herbs and fruits. Don't cause trouble by trespassing in other people's fields or the sect's dicine gardens."
"Also, when you co at night, try not to let others see you."
Now that the raven recognized Han Yu as its master and had established a basic ntal connection with him, understanding these words wasn't difficult. Its dark golden pupils reflected the young man's slender face as it tilted its head, let out another "caw," and flew away.
Watching the large black raven disappear into the darkness, Han Yu felt a surge of excitent.
Steward Fang had said that soone like Han Yu with four spiritual roots might need ten years to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining and enter the outer sect. Yet after just over a month of cultivation, Han Yu had already reached the first level of Qi Refining. It seed unlikely he would need that much ti to reach the fourth level.
Moreover, as his cultivation improved, his body's vitality increased, making it easier to practice the Refined Blood technique and condense essence blood.
According to the old Taoist's words, reaching the first level of Qi Refining ant Han Yu had officially stepped onto the "proper path of immortal cultivation." It was ti to start learning spells.
The Green Sprout Qi Cultivation Technique contained two spells: Wind Riding and Water Control. Wind Riding allowed one to run swiftly with wind at their feet or strike enemies by directing wind from their hands—the sa basic technique Steward Wang had used to send the old Taoist flying and spitting blood.
From what Han Yu had witnessed personally, the offensive power of Wind Riding seed minimal. It would probably be more effective for running or escaping.
The other spell, Water Control, allowed small amounts of water to be moved to desired locations after mastery. Han Yu thought for a mont, then looked at the water vat and buckets.
These two spells would actually be perfect for watering the spirit fields. Wind Riding would make carrying water faster, while Water Control would allow direct watering without the tedious scooping and pouring.
Though eager to try after breaking through to the first level of Qi Refining, Han Yu had to restrain himself. The Green Sprout Qi Cultivation Technique specified that he needed several days to stabilize his energy circulation before practicing spells.
For the next two days, Han Yu didn't leave his dwelling. Each day, he ate a spirit rice ball to smoothly transition his newly breakthrough cultivation, gradually stabilizing his energy circulation. Once properly settled, he began practicing Wind Riding and Water Control.
As predicted, his initial attempts at Wind Riding—forming hand seals, channeling energy, and shouting "Go!"—only created a small gust of wind indoors. Applied to his legs though, it did make movent more effortless.
Similarly, his first attempts at Water Control could only move a bucket of water about three ters—hardly impressive.
Ultimately, a spell's power depended on both mastery and the cultivator's own strength. For these spells to beco truly useful, Han Yu needed more practice and higher cultivation.
This realization made Han Yu unconsciously compare them to the Refined Blood technique—a pseudo-immortal thod. While not part of proper immortal cultivation and lacking benefits like longevity or bodily harmony, its Blood Droplets and Spirit Nurturing techniques were imdiately practical and powerful even for beginners.
Despite its drawbacks, its utility ant Han Yu saw no reason to abandon it completely.
After reaching the first level of Qi Refining, Han Yu continued cultivating with spirit rice balls. Though still unimaginably luxurious for most servant disciples, his progress noticeably slowed compared to before.
Han Yu wasn't anxious though. After stabilizing his breakthrough, he focused on his daily spirit field work. With Steward Wang's bullying behavior toward servant disciples, Han Yu knew better than to reveal his true cultivation speed before having self-protection abilities.
Several days later, the old Taoist arrived carrying a rabbit: "Kid, eaten yet?"
"Not yet, Taoist Uncle," Han Yu answered, coming outside.
"Here, cook this and we'll eat together," the old Taoist said, tossing the rabbit to Han Yu.
Han Yu hesitated: "Taoist Uncle, I only know how to cook rice. I can't prepare dishes."
The old Taoist looked surprised: "You've been eating plain rice for two months since joining?"
When Han Yu nodded, the old Taoist grumbled: "I'm already bringing you food, now I have to cook it too?"
Rolling up the sleeves of his gray servant robe, he complained the whole ti but still prepared a stir-fried rabbit dish and a pot of rice.
As they sat down to eat, the old Taoist eyed the crude wooden bowl and chopsticks Han Yu had carved himself with disapproval—the boy's craftsmanship was truly rough.
"Kid, how's your cultivation progressing since we joined together?" the old Taoist asked between bites of rabbit.
Han Yu glanced at him: "What about you, Taoist Uncle?"
"I sensed qi a month ago. Now I can feel a few strands obeying my guidance. Just need to persist until completing an energy cycle to reach the first level of Qi Refining," the old Taoist said.
Han Yu nodded: "Sa here."
The old Taoist gave him a skeptical look: "You too?"
"Yeah."
The old Taoist suddenly looked relieved: "You too... that's good... Actually there's no need to rush. The proper immortal path is supposed to be this difficult. Reaching the first level in about a year would already be good progress."
"By the way, kid, are you still practicing that blood energy technique?"
Han Yu shook his head.
"What about that raven I gave you?" the old Taoist pressed.
"Don't know. Probably flew away," Han Yu replied.
Following Han Yu's instructions, the raven now hid during dayti and avoided being seen, not cawing recklessly. Han Yu also didn't feed it blood energy every night, so outsiders wouldn't normally notice a pure black raven occasionally visiting after dark.
"Flying away is probably for the best..."
The old Taoist's eyes showed faint blood vessels as he hesitated: "Kid, what if we...can't succeed on the proper cultivation path..."
Before he could finish, footsteps approached from outside. The old Taoist imdiately stopped talking and looked warily toward the door.
Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan arrived at the doorway, all smiles.
"That aroma traveled far! Junior Brother Han Yu, you're quite the cook!" Zhang Shan's voice arrived before he did.
Han Yu and the old Taoist both stood to greet the trio.
"Senior Brother Zhang Shan, I didn't cook this. Taoist Uncle prepared it," Han Yu said.
More socially adept, the old Taoist explained with a smile: "Han Yu and I joined around the sa ti—call it fate. I caught a rabbit today and ca to share a al. What brings you three here? Join us?"
"No need, no need!" Zhang Shan said cheerfully. "We ca with good news—Liu Lan has broken through to the third level of Qi Refining!"
"Tomorrow, a few close friends are gathering to celebrate for her. We'd like you two to join us!"
A celebration?
The old Taoist looked slightly embarrassed: "Han Yu and I just joined the sect—we're penniless and have no proper gifts to offer... Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Liu Lan laughed: "No problem! Your presence is gift enough. We don't care about presents!"
Only then did the old Taoist relax, though he couldn't hide his astonishnt: "Liu Lan, you're only sixteen and already at the third level?"
"Of course!" Zhang Shan interjected. "With her triple spiritual roots, she's far more talented than us. In a few years, she'll be an outer sect senior sister!"
Hearing this, the old Taoist thought of his own age and spiritual roots. The envy in his eyes burned like a flickering fla, impossible to conceal.
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