In Qingshui Town, within the Qingxuan Sect's Resident compound .
"Nangong Senior Brother, this is my Disciple token. I've been ordered to serve as the manager of the Spirit Plant Division in Qingshui Town!" Li Mu handed the Disciple token to Nangong Hong, who had sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, and an extraordinary Aura.
Nangong Hong was about twenty-four or twenty-five, but he had a Peak Qi Refining Ninth Level Cultivation. He was probably only one Foundation Establishment Pill away from Foundation Establishment.
Li Mu sized up Nangong Hong, feeling a bit of admiration for this 'Heaven's Chosen Son'. If he didn't have the proficiency panel, his Golden Finger, he wouldn't even be fit to carry Nangong Hong's shoes.
Nangong Hong took the Disciple token, probed it with his Divine Sense, and looked at Li Mu, smiling, "So, the new manager of the Spirit Plant Division is Zhao Shidi! You've come at just the right time. In a few days, it'll be time to collect the tenant rent! I was just wondering what to do!"
After verifying Li Mu's identity information, Nangong Hong returned the Disciple token to Li Mu.
"That's right, Guo Senior Brother sent me down for this!" Li Mu took the Disciple token, casually put it into his Storage Pouch, and replied with a smile.
"Hmm! There's no rush for the Spirit Plant Division's matters! Junior Brother, you came from Gangyang City? You must be tired! How about we arrange a dinner first to welcome you, and then prepare a room for you to rest?" Nangong Hong greeted him enthusiastically.
"Nangong Senior Brother, please don't be so polite. I came from Qing'an Town. I've always lived in Qing'an Town, which isn't far from Qingshui Town. If possible, I'll handle my own accommodation! I don't plan to stay in the Resident !" Li Mu smiled, politely declining Nangong Hong's suggestion.
"Uh! Junior Brother, you might not know this, but Qingshui Town occasionally experiences Yao Beast invasions; it's not as stable as Qing'an Town. The Sect's Resident has a defensive formation that can resist second-tier Yao Beasts. If you live outside, it won't be as safe!" Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu and kindly reminded him.
"Thank you for the reminder, Nangong Senior Brother, but I have my own plans. I still won't be staying in the Resident !" Li Mu smiled faintly, his attitude firm.
Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu in surprise, unable to understand what reliance this Zhao Shidi, who was only at the Early Stage of Qi Refining Seventh Level, had. He wouldn't even stay in the Resident with the Sect's defensive formation, preferring to choose his own accommodation.
"Alright! Since Junior Brother is so persistent, I won't force you. If you change your mind, just let me know." Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu and agreed.
"Hmm! Nangong Senior Brother, could you please hand over the affairs of the Spirit Plant Division in Qingshui Town to me? When I arrived, I looked at the Spirit Plant situation in Qingshui Town and found quite a few empty plots that could be cultivated into Spirit Fields. Why are they left to waste?" Li Mu nodded with a smile, getting straight to the point.
Nangong Hong was slightly taken aback, not expecting this Junior Brother to be so dedicated to his career. As soon as he arrived, he was concerned about his duties.
"Zhao Shidi, you've just arrived in Qingshui Town and don't know some of the situations yet. Those abandoned barren lands are unavoidable. Firstly, Qingshui Town is near the Tai Mo River. Once the flood season arrives, the Tai Mo River's water level will rise significantly, and those barren lands will be submerged by the river. Therefore, these places cannot be cultivated into Spirit Fields or planted with Spiritual Plants!" Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu and explained.
After a pause, Nangong Hong continued, "Secondly, Qingshui Town is close to Lingtian Peak. This Peak contains a Spiritual Vein above the second tier, with abundant resources of various Spirit Medicine and spirit ore. The Sect's Utility Disciples, Loose Cultivators in Qingshui Town, ..., all acquire Cultivation resources through other means. Few people are willing to be spirit rice farmers. Therefore, due to insufficient manpower, these barren fields certainly cannot be cultivated into Spirit Fields."
"Thirdly, there are various Yao Beasts descending from the mountains and crossing the river to attack the city, destroying Spirit Fields, as well as various insect pest problems, which has led to fewer and fewer people willing to serve as spirit rice farmers."
"Junior Brother, your responsibility as the manager of the Spirit Plant Division is quite heavy!" At the end, Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu meaningfully and sighed.
...
Having known that Qingshui Town would be a pit, Li Mu was already mentally prepared.
If it were anyone else, they would definitely have concerns about the poor state of the Spirit Plant Division's affairs in Qingshui Town. However, for Li Mu, this was completely a good thing.
So many places suitable for cultivating Spirit Fields were left abandoned. Next, these places could be freely screened. Li Mu planned to carefully choose a place to Cultivate a large area of Spirit Fields, hundreds, or even thousands of mu, with the Spirit Fields connected into one large area, making it convenient for him to manage them.
"Hmm! I understand!" Li Mu nodded, looking at Nangong Hong and getting straight to the point, "Nangong Senior Brother, could you please show me the Spirit Plant Division's account books, Sect field register, and collection register?"
"Of course, no problem. These are all the Spirit Plant Division's account books. I'll hand them all over to you now." Nangong Hong looked at Li Mu in surprise, then quickly took out several account books from his Storage Pouch and handed them to Li Mu as if he were getting rid of trouble.
Taking the account books, Li Mu immediately began to read them carefully, scanning ten lines at a glance. While understanding the Spirit Plant Division's affairs, he searched for suitable places to reclaim.
"Nangong Senior Brother, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. I plan to visit the Spirit Fields in Qingshui Town and verify the accounts." Li Mu looked at Nangong Hong and indicated.
"Zhao Shidi is truly a diligent person! Do you want me to accompany you?" Nangong Hong was stunned for a moment, then looked at Li Mu and praised him with a smile.
"No need! I can manage by myself. If I need anything, I'll ask for your help then!" Li Mu smiled freely and politely declined.
"Good!" Nangong Hong nodded with a smile, watching him leave.
Soon, Li Mu turned and left the Sect's Resident compound , holding the Spirit Field account books and a map, and began to wander alone around the Spirit Fields near Qingshui Town, searching for a place suitable for him to Cultivate Spirit Fields.
Xiao Liang Mountain's terrain was steep, and Li Mu had put in great effort to Cultivate eleven mu of Spirit Fields, reaching its limit.
Qingshui Town was different; it was close to the Tai Mo River and backed by the Lingtian Mountain, a large mountain range. There were more flat valleys suitable for cultivation, tens or even hundreds of mu of Spirit Fields.
"This place won't do. If it's the flood season, the Tai Mo River's water level will rise and submerge this area!"
"This Spirit Field is alright; it can be cultivated for about fifty mu. Hmm! This place is a Spirit Field leased by the Foundation Establishment Wang family, ..."
"Oh! This Spirit Field is decent. Setting up a Spirit Gathering Array and a Gathering Spirit Formation has the potential to advance to Medium Grade Spirit Field. Unfortunately, it can't be cultivated for a hundred mu, ..., I'll make a note of it for now."
...
Li Mu flew back and forth over Qingshui Town on his sword, searching for a place suitable for him to Cultivate Spirit Fields.
Time flew by, and Li Mu flew farther and farther.
Finally, Li Mu stopped flying with his sword, hovering in the air. About seven or eight li from Qingshui Town, he discovered a Spirit Valley, which was extremely suitable for cultivating Spirit Fields.
The Spirit Valley was formed by the convergence of two mountain Peaks. A waterfall slanted downwards, with surging white waves, roaring powerfully within the valley.
The sunlight shone on the turbulent waterfall, and the mist created a seven-colored rainbow. The majestic cliffs were covered with towering giant trees and dense forests.
The waterfall surged, the clear pool was serene, the river meandered, the mountains were layered, and the scenery was beautiful.
By the clear pool, a large area of weeds and shrubs grew, and the terrain was quite flat, allowing for the cultivation of a hundred mu of Spirit Fields.
What pleased Li Mu even more was that, through vein-finding techniques, he discovered that this valley contained a Spiritual Vein, so many Spirit Medicine grew within the valley.
In a short while, Li Mu discovered many Spirit Medicine: hundred-year-old Ice Mist Spiritual Plant, Purple Ginseng, Golden Pearl Grass, Hundred Seed Flower, ..., a wide variety. This valley had Spiritual Qi circulating, was accompanied by a clear pool, and also had a waterfall, making the environment excellent.
Li Mu's eyes gleamed. He was already thinking about what formations to set up and how to arrange them to conceal this valley and make it his personal, exclusive place.