Cultivation: Starting with Farming in the Spiritual Pivot Grotto

Chapter 2 Righteousness often comes from humble beginnings.

"Brother Xiaoya, it's time! Wake up and spread the bait!"

"Okay, coming right up!"

Upon hearing that the visitor was Wei Que, Li Ya quickly stuffed the Fangcun Snail under the bed before opening the door.

The two mixed the bait and released it onto the lake surface on a bamboo raft. Soon the bait sank to the bottom of the water, and the clam shells opened their shells to enjoy the delicious food.

"Sigh! The food is even worse than yours."

Li Ya dared not steal any. He had heard from Wei Que that the last person who stole this spiritual bait suffered a ruptured intestine and died after ten days of excruciating pain.

"Or perhaps I could take this spirit shell, the pearl, and leave?"

Li Ya only dared to think about it. If he really did it, he would probably only be able to live as a wandering cultivator in the future, which was not worth it.

"Brother Xiaoya, how's it going with raising the money for the welcome dinner? If you really can't come up with it, just tell me, I have some, no interest required!"

Hearing Wei Que's words, which didn't seem like mere formalities, Li Ya felt a warmth in his heart.

"Second Brother Wei, I will definitely ask when I need it."

The two of them kept each other company and soon fed a large area of ​​shellfish.

"Brother Wei, with your Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation, you'll be able to achieve great things back in the mortal realm, unlike me, who can't even get close to Level 2."

Wei Que shook his head and smiled helplessly.

"Brother Xiaoya, I'm not like you. I came to Yunfu Sect on my own. You're different. Your family has been a respectable family in Sifang Town for generations. You have the hope of moving up the social ladder."

"However, I still have to say a few unpleasant things to you. To live forever and wield a sword through the heavens—that's for people born with immortality!"

"How many menial servants in the Yunfu Sect have you seen become outer disciples? To put it another way, there are very few who have risen from menial servants to become managers."

"Brother Xiaoya, you're better than me. I sincerely hope you can go further, but you still need to leave yourself a way out."

Li Ya nodded. Let alone a highly skilled cultivator who could control the Azure Sky with a sword, he had hardly ever seen any cultivators who were not afraid of water, fire, or fierce winds.

Those cultivators wished they could split a day into two, constantly consuming qi and meditating, never having a moment's rest.

Therefore, after these administrative tasks were distributed out, promising disciples within the sect would not touch them.

wrong?

Li Ya sensed something was wrong. Why did this look so familiar? Wasn't this the "black factory"?

"Second Brother, why don't we gather a group of frustrated cultivators and occupy the mountain..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Que's expression changed, and he quickly covered Li Ya's mouth.

"Are you out of your mind? How dare you say something like that!"

After looking around to make sure no one was there, he let go of her hand.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that, and you're not allowed to say it again."

"All sects in this land of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas are registered in the golden seal of the Jade Capital; if a sect is not registered in the jade register, then it is a traitor, the number one villain in the Azure Lotus World."

"keep in mind!"

In the world of Azure Lotus, the Daoist tradition manifests itself, while the Jade Capital suppresses the destiny and governs the world with the Dao.

Only those below Baiyujing, whose lineage is recorded in the Taoist tradition, are permitted to establish their own sects and recruit disciples.

Yunfu Sect is a sect whose name is recorded in the Jade Register, and it is the largest sect in this Chu Nan Kingdom.

"This world, where Taoist magic manifests its power, is surprisingly strict."

Li Ya was taken aback: "What's the difference between this and opening a factory with a license? Those unlicensed illegal factories are not only not protected, but they will also be shut down."

"I've essentially paid for a relaxed job with some lucrative opportunities. Plus, since everyone knows me, there's a chance for advancement. But these days, everyone's eyeing this lucrative position."

"Brother Wei is a social recruit, doing the hardest and most tiring job. He's practically an unregistered resident, and there's no chance for him to get promoted in this lifetime."

When the sun was high in the sky, the spirit shells, fearing the heat, all dived to the bottom of the lake to cool off, and the two of them went back together.

"Brother Xiaoya, it's my treat today, please go out and have some fun."

"really?"

"really!"

"Come on, my mouth is practically tasteless these days."

With a smile on his face, Wei Que pulled Li Ya away.

Unlike other servants, the menial laborers in Beitian did not have fixed residences. Because they needed to keep an eye on the spirit shells at all times, they all lived in bamboo houses by the lake.

All the places for eating, drinking, and having fun are located within Sifang Town, where servants dressed in uniform gray Taoist robes can be seen everywhere.

His brows were furrowed with deep resentment that was hard to dispel.

The two stood outside Baihua Lane, looked around for a while, and then took heavy steps.

"Brother Xiaoya, these are all monstrous dangers on the path of cultivation. Do not fall into their trap."

"Second brother, I know!"

"But why did I hear from my coworkers that you secretly came here before the New Year, and afterwards you were in a daze for several days and had no heart to work?"

Wei Que's dark face flushed red.

"It is because I, your brother, have been here that I know this is a tiger in human skin. They will not only empty your money bag, but also your body."

"I wouldn't have given this warning to anyone else!"

Li Ya smiled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Second Brother Wei."

The two eventually arrived at a long-established restaurant in the town.

"Hey! Little Cliff Bro."

"No, it's Immortal Master Li!"

The waiter pulled off a rag and wiped the table again.

"I was wondering why the magpies were chirping so much today; it turns out we have a distinguished guest at our door."

"I'm hardly a distinguished guest; this is the real distinguished guest!"

Wei Que sat down with an imposing air.

"With your honey-sweet words, I have to order a few more dishes!"

"It would be an honor for you to sit here for a while. Just have enough to eat, no need to order more."

"Give me a pot of pine syrup, a bucket of yellow sprout rice, and a few hearty dishes. Just pick what you like."

"Alright, don't worry, little esteemed guest, I'll pack the yellow rice tightly!"

The waiter immediately rushed to the kitchen.

"Second brother, I've been a regular customer of Qingfengju since I was a child. It's a reliable shop that never cuts corners."

Before long, a small bucket of rice, three dishes, a soup, and a pot of pine syrup were served.

Without any formalities, the two grabbed their bowls and chopsticks and began to eat heartily, like starving ghosts reincarnated.

Even when the two were in a place like Beitian, which was rich in spiritual energy, they spent most of their time doing manual labor, and their talents and cultivation techniques were the worst.

With only average talent, the true energy gained from meditation alone is far from enough.

One meal of yellow sprout rice can be equivalent to several days' worth of exercise. Unlike other grains, this spiritual rice does not leave many impurities in the body, and eating more of it can replenish qi and blood.

Towards the end of the meal, Li Ya secretly loosened his belt to make room in his stomach.

"If we could eat this yellow sprout rice every day, what a blissful life that would be!"

Those true cultivators and scions of noble families within the Yunfu Sect truly ate spiritual delicacies every day.

How can ordinary people possibly catch up?

Halfway through a pot of pine syrup, Wei Que started talking non-stop.

"Brother Xiaoya, I've been in this Yunfu Sect for a few more years than you, and I've fallen into many pitfalls. I'm telling you this in the hope that you can avoid taking the same detours."

"It is said that education should be provided to all without discrimination, but in reality, only the wealthy are given the opportunity to receive education."

In today's world, blessed lands, famous mountains and rivers are all occupied by major sects, and every resource is tightly held in the hands of these sects and aristocratic families.

Even if ordinary independent cultivators obtain a cultivation method, they cannot find a suitable natal object, let alone a master to match acupoints with amulets according to their destiny, aptitude, and cultivation method. Even if they get a chance for a while, they will quickly fall into the mud.

Wealth, companions, methods, and environment are all indispensable; relying solely on meditation and absorbing qi would take an eternity to achieve any success in cultivation.

"Brother Xiaoya, never believe those inner disciples' lectures. They charge hundreds of taels of red copper coins for each one."

"Oh? Second Brother went to hear about it, but I haven't seen it?"

"Alas, young men aspire to the Way; which menial servant isn't like that!"

Wei Que's eyes gleamed, as if he were reminiscing about the past.

"When I first came to Yunfu Sect, I also dreamed of riding the wind with a sword, eliminating demons in the world, and saving money to attend classes, but every time it was just talking about ancient things and vague things."

"Every time I was about to give up, I would hear the next lecture about practical tips for spiritual practice. After this happened dozens of times, I finally gave up."

Damn it, no wonder they get paid for any job they do at the Yunfu Sect, and there are even sect rules protecting the menial laborers.

This is a set of rules designed from top to bottom, and all the money issued will be taken back in various ways.

All the menial servants are talented individuals, serving as stepping stones for a small group of cultivators below the immortal rank in the sect.

"But I realized it too late. Now I can only try to make more money while I can still hold on, so that I can have some financial security."

"Second Brother, is there really no future for us menial laborers?"

Wei Que looked around and, seeing that no one was at the next table, lowered his voice.

"have!"

Li Ya suddenly became interested: "Please show me, Second Brother!"

"Baiyujing governs the Qinglian World, but the world is so vast. Across the ocean, there is a territory that rivals other regions in our Central Continent, called the Southern Wilderness Continent."

"It is said that the demonic path is rampant there, and the cultivators are high and mighty. In recent years, many rogue cultivators who could not make a living there have exhausted their family fortunes and smuggled themselves across the border."

"Over there, as long as you're ruthless, there are many unscrupulous ways to get ahead."

As Wei Que listened, some thoughts began to form in his mind.

This is just because they couldn't make it in their local area, so they went to work elsewhere, becoming slaves in another place.

"Brother Xiaoya, you must never think of going down this path. Those demonic people are even more ruthless. Extracting souls and refining spirits is a common occurrence for them."

"I heard from a steward that the number one demonic sect in the Southern Wilderness Continent is the Beginning Sect."

"If we were there, we menial laborers would be toiled to death just to live."

"When someone dies, their bones become valuable materials, their spirit is used to refine magical artifacts, and even their flesh and blood find a purpose. In short, everything is put to good use."

Li Ya chewed the beef until it turned into dry, shriveled bits without noticing, his brows furrowing slightly.

The thought sent chills down my spine. It was better to stay in Zhongzhou. With the Spirit Pivot in hand, I was sure I could create my own world.

Even if you're completely drained in the Central Continent, at least you'll survive. But in the Southern Wilderness Continent, you won't even have a trace left.

"I've spent half my life on this before I finally figured out a truth."

"The path to immortality is a race; if you don't advance, you fall behind. What are you fighting for? You're fighting for reincarnation."

"If you can't win the battle of being born into the right family, then you can only resort to any means to hold onto everything you can."

"Brother Xiaoya, don't let my muddy words spoil your spirit. I'm telling you this so you can understand these principles sooner and go further."

"Thank you, Second Brother!"

Li Ya raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

The two of them chatted away for half an hour, and Wei Que noticed that he seemed less melancholy than usual, so he ordered a few more dishes of snacks to go with the wine and a pot of pine wine.

As darkness fell, Li Ya had already passed out from drunkenness.

Wei Que carried Li Ya on his back and rushed back to Beitian.

After returning to the bamboo house, Wei Que settled him in and then took out a bag of money from his pocket and stuffed it into the quilt.

"Brother Xiaoya, you shouldn't be like me. You need to climb up and make something of yourself."

Then he chuckled to himself.

"Remember to make something of yourself and show your brother what it's like up there."

To tuck Li Ya in properly, they filled a water vat with water and placed it by the bedside.

Only then did he hurriedly go back to mix the spirit bait and feed it to the shellfish field managed by Li Ya as well.

Li Ya, who was asleep, was completely unaware of Ling Shu's movements.

The matter requested by you, fellow Daoist, has been deduced.

[Mountain Root: Below Qianji Peak, upstream of the ancient pine mountain stream, beneath the third waterfall, lies a blue stone, imbued with the spirit of the mountain; this is considered a lower-grade mountain root.]

[Spiritual Soil and Spiritual Spring: The medicinal herb fields on the back mountain of Yunfu have hundreds of acres of spiritual soil and a spiritual spring.]