He Changyou spoke as he picked up the jade scroll given to him by Elder Chen earlier.
"Bai Xiaotian, Kitchen!"
"Qiu Yu, Spirit Beast Room."
"Chen Dao, Spirit Plant Room."
...
He Changyou continued reading names, glancing at the jade scroll before each one. Chu Ning guessed that he was likely checking the spirit root information.
Then, based on different attributes, he assigned them to different rooms, as the cultivation methods and spells varied.
"Chu Ning, Spirit Plant Room."
At that moment, Chu Ning heard his name called out.
Hearing that he was indeed assigned to the Spirit Plant Room, Chu Ning felt a sense of relief.
After He Changyou finished assigning everyone, Chu Ning roughly calculated that most people were headed to the Spirit Plant Room, nearly thirty in total, followed by the Spirit Beast Room.
It seems planting and breeding are major industries in the Cyan Creek Sect.
At this point, a few more people came from inside the house, leading groups to different places.
And the one leading Chu Ning and the others was He Changyou himself.
"Those assigned to the Spirit Plant Room, follow me." With that, He Changyou started walking toward the foot of the mountain.
Seeing this, many disciples who had high hopes showed disappointment, as the sect was located on the mountain, and heading down clearly meant getting further from the sect's core.
Chu Ning wasn't surprised, thinking farming usually happened at the foot of the mountain, just curious about the difference between cultivating in the Immortal Realm and traditional farming on Earth.
Having grown up in the countryside, he had planted rice seedlings and harvested rice aplenty as a child, but after working in the city, he hadn't done such work again.
After some distance, they could see vast fields, and where the fields met the mountains, there were scattered small courtyards.
"Our Cyan Creek Sect's spirit fields are divided into four levels: A, B, C, and D. The higher your cultivation, the higher the level of the spirit field you can cultivate, and the better the spirit plants you can plant.
Levels A and B spirit fields are managed by outer and inner sect disciples, even stewards and elders, while our Hundred Arts Hall mainly manages Zones C and D. Since you're newcomers, you'll start by helping in Zone D."
He Changyou spoke, leading the group further to the outermost area of the spirit fields.
There had gathered a lot of people, mostly middle-aged, with few young among them. As He Changyou approached, they greeted him politely.
"Steward He."
They spoke with considerable respect.
He Changyou only nodded slightly in response.
Seeing this, Chu Ning started to murmur to himself.
"It seems the cultivation realm really does have clear hierarchies. He Changyou was very respectful before Elder Chen but holds a position of high esteem among servant disciples."
At the same time, Chu Ning reminded himself to grow discreetly until he becomes strong enough.
"These are the newcomers from this year," He Changyou announced.
"As usual, each of you take one to teach."
He Changyou turned to Chu Ning and the others:
"Later, I will arrange for someone to deliver cultivation techniques and living supplies to you.
These are your senior brothers, and they will teach you the basic techniques for planting spirit plants in Zone D and some simple spells.
Every two weeks, gather at the Transmission Room to listen to lectures, where a transmission disciple will answer your cultivation questions.
In the next three months, you'll focus on cultivation and learning planting techniques. After passing the test in three months, you can cultivate a spirit field independently."
Having said that, He Changyou started assigning people, soon reaching Chu Ning.
"Chu Ning, you will follow Cao Dongxin."
As He Changyou concluded, a middle-aged man with dark skin, medium build, and slightly hunched back stepped out from the crowd.
Judging by his appearance alone, Cao Dongxin seemed nearly fifty years old, making him one of the older servant disciples.
Chu Ning walked over and politely said, "Senior Brother Cao."
Cao Dongxin did not respond, just glanced at Chu Ning, acknowledging him.
Chu Ning assumed he was just not talkative and refrained from saying more.
After assigning everyone, He Changyou left without further ado, and the older servant disciples began to disperse with their charges.
Cao Dongxin still didn't speak, nor did he give Chu Ning any instructions, just turned and left.
"Could this senior brother be mute?" Chu Ning wondered as he followed, but was soon attracted by nearby conversations.
"There are several hundred people in Zone D, but since there are few newcomers, only a few of us came out."
"Most people in Zone D are at the early or middle stage of Qi Refining, with the highest being the Fifth Layer.
Anyone at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation or higher, with hopes of reaching the late stage, has gone to cultivate higher-level spirit fields.
To put it bluntly, we're the least talented group, just waiting to die of old age here."
"Every three years, a new batch of disciples comes in to help us old guys for three months, our small perk."
...
The senior brother next door spoke with a hint of self-deprecation but remained optimistic and talkative, providing Chu Ning and the other newcomers with much insight.
Chu Ning realized why these seniors lacked ambition.
Watching wave after wave of more talented young people reach higher levels and enter higher-level spirit fields while they were left here, it's no wonder their ambition faded over time.
After some walking, Cao Dongxin entered a small courtyard first, and Chu Ning followed.
Noticed the talkative senior brother went into the neighboring courtyard.
He remembered that senior's name was Shang Zhaoxiang, and thought he might have opportunities to get more information about the Cyan Creek Sect from him.
Once in the courtyard, Cao Dongxin headed straight for a central room, prompting Chu Ning to finally ask:
"Senior Brother Cao, can you tell me which room I should stay in?"
Cao Dongxin continued ahead, casually pointing to a room on the east side.
Chu Ning asked again, "Is there anything else I should know, Senior Brother?"
Cao Dongxin paused slightly but didn't turn back, merely said:
"Tomorrow morning, join me in the fields for work."
With that, he simply entered the room.
Seeing this, Chu Ning wondered, "So he's not mute, just a bit too reclusive."
Though he thought this, Chu Ning showed no dissatisfaction, instead calmly heading toward the east room.
Recognizing that Senior Brother Cao wasn't easy to get along with, Chu Ning didn't want to annoy him by showing any negative emotions.
Unnoticed by Chu Ning, as Cao Dongxin entered his room and closed the door, he glanced at Chu Ning to observe his reaction.
Seeing Chu Ning calmly heading to his room, Cao Dongxin's expressionless face maintained as he closed the door behind him.
Inside the east room, Chu Ning found it tidy but simple. He didn't mind, placed his belongings, and briefly cleaned up.
After a short while, someone called from the courtyard entrance.
"Chu Ning, come out and collect your supplies."
Hearing this, Chu Ning knew it was likely the cultivation techniques and living supplies He Changyou had mentioned earlier, and he promptly exited the room.
Receiving proper cultivation methods, the very reason why so many vie to join the Cyan Creek Sect in the first place.