"Brother Xiu, it's not that I'm deliberately trying to lower the price. Look at these few Earth-penetrating Dogs, they're all wrinkled, can't even open their eyes, and have no spirit at all. I'm worried they won't survive. Three Lower-Grade Spirit Stones, can't offer more."
Zhou Changwang waved his hand repeatedly.
"They've only been born for half a month, it's quite normal to be like this. Just feed them more sheep milk from the White-haired Sheep, and they'll be spirited in no time. Plus, there's an advantage to their eyes not being open; when they first open them and see you, they will be closer to you... Given how well we know each other, eight Lower-Grade Spirit Stones."
Brother Xiu argued back, with an expression that said Zhou was getting a great deal.
The two haggled back and forth, speaking one sentence after another.
Finally, their lips were dry from all the negotiation.
Only then did Zhou Changwang take away one slightly more robust black Earth-penetrating Dog for five Lower-Grade Spirit Stones.
He then spent five points of Broken Spirit to buy some sheep milk from the White-haired Sheep, ten points of Broken Spirit on a new Spiritual Hoe, and spent thirty Broken Spirit points on two Grass Cutting Sabers, since the Spirit Grain Rice was about to mature and he didn't have suitable tools. The Grass Cutting Sabers were made of Spiritual Materials, just suitable for the job...
After this round of shopping, another Spirit Stone went into someone else's pocket.
...
"I estimate the Spirit Grain Rice will be mature in another two days.
It really has been hard these days.
Getting up early and working late every day, bending and bowing; on this old body, I reckon I won't be able to manage in a few years."
Sitting on the ridge of the field, Old Xu watched the Spirit Field at home, the Spirit Rice on the Spirit Grain bearing abundantly, each grain plump and causing the Spirit Grain to bend under the weight. Although he was complaining out loud, the joy in his heart was still hard to conceal.
"Indeed, I thought my few acres of Spirit Field were done for.
I was in despair at the time.
Thanks to Brother Changwang's help, my Spirit Grain Rice was able to grow and bear fruit smoothly.
Now, it's almost harvest time."
Resting nearby, Xu Zhong couldn't help but speak.
His five Spirit Fields were growing well, though some Spirit Grain had died and others limited by pest impact, reducing the yield. Nonetheless, they successfully bore fruit. After the harvest, deducting the rent for Spirit Plant Hall, there should still be some surplus.
This already made him extremely satisfied and surprised.
"But speaking of which, that boy Changwang is skilled.
Look, even raised a Spirit Dog.
In just a few days, the little guy's grown so much bigger, and yesterday it even caught a Spirit Rat.
I reckon it'll become a master at catching rats in the future."
The two discussed, unable to refrain from looking enviously at Zhou Changwang, who was sitting in meditation recovering his Spiritual Power, while beside him a small black Spirit Dog stood guard, appearing as though assisting as a Guardian.
If the two were to approach, they would likely be barked away by the Spirit Dog.
Witnessing this, they felt even more envious.
Yet, even though envious, they never considered buying a Spirit Dog.
They could afford one, but couldn't keep it; it simply wasn't worth it.
"Spiritual Power fully recovered, and cultivation level even improved a bit."
Zhou Changwang slowly opened his eyes and first checked the attribute panel.
At this time, it had been five days since he purchased the Spirit Dog.
Five days where he continuously consumed Spirit Rice during the day and at night ingested a Spirit Pill to cultivate. Occasionally, he used Awakening Talisman to restore Heart Spirit for cultivation… his improvement was evident.
Now, he was not far from breaking through to the next realm.
Name: Zhou Changwang
Lifespan: 17/75
Cultivation Level: Qi Cultivation Stage Second Layer (98/100)
Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Technique (Mastery 194/200)
Skills: Spirit Rain Skill (Small Success 42/400), Cleaning Technique (Entry Level 75/100), Fertilization Technique (Small Success 23/400), Geng Metal Finger (Small Success 124/400), Calming Technique (Entry Level 49/100), Fireball Technique (Entry Level 25/100)
...
"Cultivation has reached the peak of Qi Refining Second Layer, two more points to break through.
Shortly a day, at most two days.
Even my Five Elements Technique is nearing experience perfection and advancing to Small Success.
By then, my technique's operating speed will increase, and cultivation efficiency will notably improve."
Zhou Changwang looked at the information on the attribute panel, feeling a wave of satisfaction.
This is real cultivation.
Compared to the previous days of one or two points of improvement, it was indeed vastly different.
Meanwhile, other techniques have progressed in varying degrees; among them, Fertilization Technique reached Small Success, while newly acquired Calming Technique and Fireball Technique, through practice, have reached Entry Level.
As for Geng Metal Finger, it had already reached Small Success before, and now required more proficiency to advance further. Coupled with the daily dwindling Spirit Insects, he had slowed down on cultivating it.
After all, his most urgent wish now was to break through.
For survival in the Cultivation Realm, this was the fundamental principle.
Qi Refining Third Layer, on the fringe of the marketplace, not to say sufficient for self-protection, but not something an ordinary person would belittle.
For example, the previous Innate Couple wouldn't have dared move as easily had Zhou Changwang had the strength of a Qi Refining Third Layer Immortal Technique.
When it comes to side, Zhou Changwang swiftly performed a Calming Technique on the nearby Earth-penetrating Dog Spirit Dog, leaving down a small Spirit Rice Ball.
"Awoo!"
The Little Spirit Dog excitedly wagged its tail, affectionately nudged Zhou Changwang's leg, then lowered its head to eat the Spirit Rice Ball. Seeing the owner didn't object, it jubilantly ran into the Spirit Field, scampering upwards and downwards, catching mice and bugs...
Calming Technique was undoubtedly a great skill in raising Spirit Beasts.
A single technique calmed the Spirit Dog, making it grow closer to its owner.
Zhou Changwang's skill proficiency was mostly gathered on the Little Spirit Dog.
That's why it's so obedient and well-behaved.
As for the Spirit Rat caught yesterday, he hadn't taught it but credited its talent.
For that, Zhou Changwang rewarded it with a large Spirit Rice Ball, and the Spirit Rat was also added to its meal...
This is why Old Xu and Xu Zhong, although envious, never considered raising one.
If they couldn't regularly have Spirit Rice for themselves, how could they afford to feed a Spirit Dog?
They had no such luxury.
...
Night.
Zhou Changwang sat cross-legged, continuously operating the Five Elements Technique.
One circulation, two circulations, three circulations...
His internal Spiritual Power slowly increased with continued operation of his cultivation technique.
Cultivation Level +1
Cultivation Level +1
Suddenly, Zhou Changwang felt a swelling sensation from his Dantian inside.
As though a balloon inflated to its limit.
Qi Cultivation Stage Second Layer (100/100)
Zhou Changwang's heart spirit stirred, knowing he reached the limit of the Qi Cultivation Stage Second Layer, promptly calming his mind to continue his technique's operation.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths...