It was inconvenient to fly with the Crimson Wolf, so Li Mu summoned his Spirit Boat from his Storage Pouch and flew through the air. Soon, he arrived at Green Dragon Valley and plunged into the Spirit Valley, which was concealed by an illusion Formation.
“Woof woof…” As soon as the Crimson Wolf landed, it excitedly ran around, wagging its tail and occasionally lifting its leg to mark its territory with urine.
Seeing this, Li Mu felt an urge to whip it with a rattan cane. However, the Spirit Valley was too large; it wouldn't make sense not to let it leave some scent.
Watching the Crimson Wolf excitedly run to the Azure Pool to drink water, Li Mu ignored it and walked into the stone house, entering a storage room. He began setting up the Ice Yuan Formation, transforming it into an ice cellar.
Carving miniature Formation patterns into the stone wall, embedding Spirit Stone power Formation eyes… Li Mu methodically set up the Formation according to the Ice Yuan Formation’s Formation diagram.
Of course, Li Mu also had some of his own thoughts while carving the Formation patterns.
Li Mu attempted to combine modern scientific theories he learned from his original world to analyze the working principle of the Ice Yuan Formation.
The Ice Yuan Formation uses Spirit Qi driven by Formation patterns to forcibly strip away other elemental Spirit Qi, creating a region where Fire Element Spirit Qi is forcibly removed, making the space within the Formation cold and achieving a cooling effect.
The power that maintains the Ice Yuan Formation's operation comes from the Spirit Stones embedded in the driving Formation eyes.
The Formation patterns of dozens of Formations produce different effects, possessing functions such as: stripping certain Spirit Qi, isolating Spirit Qi, repelling Spirit Qi, outputting Spirit Qi, stabilizing Formations, regulating Spirit Qi, and so on, making them incredibly complex.
Li Mu felt that this type of Formation, which strips and repels a certain type of Spirit Qi, could be slightly modified to create many different uses.
For example, collecting the Fire Element Spirit Qi stripped by the Ice Yuan Formation could create a greenhouse for cultivating Fire Element Spiritual Plants. Another example: modifying it to create a Thunder Yuan Formation that strips Thunder Element Qi, which could be used to restore that fifth-grade Thunder Book… there are many directions to research.
Half an hour later, Li Mu successfully carved the Formation patterns of the Ice Yuan Formation. In the Formation eye area, he embedded eighteen Medium Grade Spirit Stones. With a soft 'swish,' the Ice Yuan Formation was successfully activated, and a large amount of Spirit Qi emanated from the Formation eyes, pushing out the Fire Element Spirit Qi within the storage room.
The temperature inside the storage room rapidly dropped. Soon, the walls of the storage room began to be covered in white frost. The Ice Yuan Formation took effect, and the temperature dropped below zero.
Li Mu glanced at the Spirit Stones embedded in the Formation eyes. The eighteen Medium Grade Spirit Stones collectively 'shrunk' a bit. This rate of consumption would probably only last for about ten to fifteen days, which was a bit alarming.
However, this should be a special situation for the Ice Yuan Formation's first activation. Once all the Fire Element Spirit Qi in the storage room is expelled, it will only need to maintain the Formation, and the Spirit Stone consumption of the Ice Yuan Formation will be much lower.
Li Mu opened his Storage Pouch and took out all the Yao Beast meat, placing it piece by piece on the shelves in the storage room.
Next, Li Mu cut off a two to three jin piece of Profound Feather Eagle leg meat, closed the wooden door of the storage room, and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Li Mu took out pots, bowls, and utensils from his Storage Pouch and arranged them on the wooden rack next to the stove. Then, he walked to the running water trough, which was fed by the Azure Pool, washed the eagle meat… A brand new modern farmhouse kitchen made cooking and stir-frying full of joy.
Li Mu happily busied himself in the kitchen, stir-frying some wild vegetables and making a portion of braised eagle meat. Feeling it wasn't enough, Li Mu went directly to the Azure Pool. With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he immediately caught a seven to eight jin Black Spirit Fish, gutted it, scraped off the scales, washed it, and steamed it over the pot.
Before long, a steaming hot plate of steamed Black Spirit Fish was ready.
“Woof woof woof…” The Crimson Wolf, having smelled the meat, had already been impatiently waiting under the dining table, whimpering at Li Mu.
“Your bowl is over there! Bring it over.” Li Mu pointed to the wooden basin prepared for the Crimson Wolf in the corner, signaling.
“Woof!” The Crimson Wolf barked excitedly, trotted over, and brought the dog bowl to Li Mu.
Li Mu smiled, scooped a large spoonful of Spirit Rice into the dog bowl, then tore half a piece of braised eagle meat and a fish tail, placing them in front of the Crimson Wolf: “Eat!”
The Crimson Wolf immediately snatched a piece of meat and wolfed it down. A large piece of meat went down whole, and its eyes instantly bulged.
The Crimson Wolf lay down on the ground, looking sickly, losing its appetite.
“What’s wrong, are you choking?” Li Mu was puzzled. He bent down to check the Crimson Wolf’s mouth but found nothing unusual.
“Hmmph!” The Crimson Wolf responded to Li Mu, indicating that it was fine and just needed to rest a bit.
Li Mu unhappily put down the Crimson Wolf's head and sat at the table, beginning to enjoy his meal.
Li Mu happily took a bite of Spirit Rice, picked up a small piece of braised eagle meat, and after eating it, he realized why the Crimson Wolf had made that expression.
The power contained in second-grade Yao Beast meat was more than ten times that of first-grade Yao Beast meat. Eating just a small piece immediately made Li Mu feel a slight sense of fullness, and his whole body felt warm and very comfortable.
Li Mu finished the meal with great difficulty, with more than half of the braised eagle meat still uneaten.
“I need to find an opportunity to exchange for a Body Refining Cultivation Technique at the Sect!” Looking at the large portion of uneaten braised eagle meat, this thought couldn't help but pop into Li Mu's mind.
Li Mu was no longer a cultivation novice. He knew the main reasons he couldn't digest the second-grade Profound Feather Eagle meat: firstly, his physical strength was insufficient, and secondly, his Cultivation Technique was too Low Grade. The five Five Elements Techniques he cultivated were all only Yellow-grade Cultivation Techniques, and their Spirit Qi absorption effect was too poor, making it difficult to fully absorb the Spirit Qi contained in high-grade food.
Seeing the Crimson Wolf still lying on the ground like a corpse, Li Mu sighed. He didn't demand too much; raising the Crimson Wolf was like raising a pet husky—it was only for companionship and amusement. Li Mu didn't expect it to have much combat power.
Li Mu neatly cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks, left the stone house, and began inspecting the hundred acres of Spiritual Fields that had been cleared.
When he found weeds that had miraculously survived, Li Mu casually cast the Kurong Technique. If the soil was too hard, he would cast the Turning Earth Technique… It took another two hours to tour all hundred acres of land.
With the Gathering Spirit Formation and Spirit Gathering Array both active, the Spirit Valley was rich in Spiritual Qi. Li Mu estimated that the spiritualization of the hundred acres of land would take about twenty days to complete, turning them into Low Grade Spiritual Fields. At that time, he could begin planting.
Li Mu's plan for the hundred acres of Spiritual Fields was simple: fifty acres for Wind Spirit Grass (3 months), thirty acres for White Jade Spirit Rice (6 months), and twenty acres for Emerald Spirit Fruit (9 months). Wind Spirit Grass had a shorter growth period, maturing in 3 months. After two or three continuous harvests, he believed that by the time the Emerald Spirit Fruit could be harvested, it would certainly help him successfully achieve Foundation Establishment.
He wondered if the Yin Yang Five Elements Scripture had been sent from the Sect yet.
Li Mu sighed silently, feeling a bit anxious. Everything was ready; he was just missing this Cultivation Technique that would allow him to achieve Foundation Establishment.
This matter concerned the duties of the Cultivation Technique Hall Disciple; he shouldn't neglect his duty!
Oh, right! I need to go to the Sect's station .
He was currently one of the Managing Disciples of the Qingxuan Sect in Qingshui Town, and he had responsibilities in the Spirit Plant Division.
Li Mu quickly flew up on his sword, flew out of Green Dragon Valley, and headed towards the nearby Qingshui Town.
In less than a quarter of an hour, Li Mu landed his sword in the Sect's station compound in Qingshui Town.
“Greetings, Senior Brother!”
“Utility Disciple - Xiao Cheng, greetings, Senior Brother.”
…
The Utility Disciples in the station compound looked at Li Mu enviously, cupping their hands and greeting him.
“Hmm! Where is Senior Brother Nangong?” Li Mu nodded at the Utility Disciples and asked casually.
“Senior Brother Nangong is meeting guests, entertaining Patriarch Ling and Patriarch Chen, discussing the fighting matters three days from now. Senior Brother, would you like me to take you there?” Utility Disciple - Xiao Cheng stepped forward first, enthusiastically introducing.
“No need, I am the new Managing Disciple of the Spirit Plant Division. This is only my second time at the station compound, and I'm not very familiar with it. Please take me to the Spirit Plant Division!” Li Mu waved his hand and instructed.
“Yes, Senior Brother, this way please!” Xiao Cheng nodded happily, made a gesture, and led the way.
Soon, led by Xiao Cheng, Li Mu arrived at a two-courtyard compound of the Spirit Plant Division.
“This main hall is where Senior Brother works. The main hall is the reception area, and next door is the rest room. The largest room is the Spiritual Plant warehouse. You can go to the cafeteria for three meals a day, or you can have other Disciples deliver them… The Spirit Plant Division has twelve Utility Disciples, among whom Utility Disciple - Chu Shuyuan has worked the longest, for three years, and knows the Spirit Plant Division's work best. There's also Ding Zhenghong, Junior Brother Ding is mainly responsible for looking after the warehouse…,” Xiao Cheng enthusiastically introduced the situation of the Spirit Plant Division to Li Mu, non-stop.
Li Mu nodded repeatedly with satisfaction. With Xiao Cheng's introduction, the situation of the Spirit Plant Division was clear at a glance, and he even had an idea of how to arrange work. It was very good.
“Hmm! Doesn't the Spirit Plant Division have twelve Utility Disciples on duty? Why don't I see anyone?” Li Mu looked at the empty Spirit Plant Division compound, puzzled.
“Well, well, perhaps they went out to inspect the Sect fields. In thirteen days, it seems to be the day for collecting Sect field rent! They should be verifying the Sect field situation!” Xiao Cheng opened his mouth, unsure how to explain, and guessed.
“Well done, this bottle of Qi Gathering Medicinal Pill is your reward!” Li Mu took out a Medicinal Pill bottle and threw it to Xiao Cheng.
“Thank you, thank you, Senior Brother!” Xiao Cheng was overjoyed, taking the Medicinal Pill bottle and expressing his gratitude.
“I need you to do me a favor. Please call all the Utility Disciples assigned to the Spirit Plant Division.” Li Mu smiled slightly, signaling.
“No problem! Senior Brother, please wait a moment, I'll be right back.” Xiao Cheng quickly agreed, left a word, and fled the Spirit Plant Division as if escaping, going to gather the Spirit Plant Division's companions for Li Mu.
Li Mu surveyed the Spirit Plant Division hall and then went to the warehouse for a look, checking the warehouse's defensive Formation. His brows couldn't help but furrow.
The warehouse where the Spirit Plant Division stored the Sect field tenant's Spiritual Plants only had a simple early warning Formation guarding it. Also, another protective Formation had not been activated with embedded Spirit Stones. Hmm! Perhaps it hadn't been activated because the Spiritual Plants hadn't entered the warehouse yet!
To ensure the safety of the warehouse, I'll secretly add a Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation to it later!
After inspecting the several buildings inside the Spirit Plant Division, Li Mu made a decision.
“Senior Brother, I didn't fail you. I've called everyone here.” Xiao Cheng, leading a large group of people, ran up to Li Mu, panting as he reported.
“Hmm, you've worked hard!” Li Mu smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the twelve Utility Disciples, whose eyes darted around nervously.
“Greetings, Managing Senior Brother!”
“Greetings, Senior Brother!”
…
The twelve Utility Disciples were uneasy, and their greetings to Li Mu were sparse as they cupped their hands.
“Senior Brother, you're too kind. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now.” Xiao Cheng shrewdly greeted Li Mu and quickly left the Spirit Plant Division.
Watching Xiao Cheng walk away, Li Mu's gaze fell on the twelve Utility Disciples, and he lectured, “How lazy have you been during your Spirit Plant Division shifts, and what have you done? I'm too lazy to bother with you, but the Sect field rent collection day is approaching. This month, you must maintain your best condition for me, be on standby at all times, and not leave the station compound by half a step. Did you hear me?”
Upon hearing this, the twelve Utility Disciples' faces turned ashen. Each looked constipated, exchanging glances, holding back words they dared not speak, and unwilling to obey Li Mu's command.
“What, speak if you have a problem?” Li Mu asked with a sinking face, puzzled.
“Senior Brother, in previous years, strict guarding only began on the rent collection day. Isn't it too early to start now?”
“That's right! I still have a sick old mother at home to take care of, and I can't leave the residence by half a step. I can't do it!”
“Senior Brother, I raise dozens of Cailing Chickens, two giant boar….”
“My Dao Companion is nine months pregnant and about to give birth. I really can't get away!”
…
As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, the twelve Utility Disciples complained one after another, each having reasons for not being able to obey, all claiming to be unable to help themselves.
Li Mu chuckled. It seemed that the position of Managing Disciple of the Spirit Plant Division had been vacant for too long, raising a bunch of Utility Disciples who only ate but didn't work. No wonder he didn't see them earlier; they must have all left their posts without permission to attend to their own affairs.
Just like some government departments in his original world, they had developed bad habits. He had already issued the order, and they still dared to find excuses to refuse the arrangement!
To be honest, if it weren't for the position arranged by the Sect, Li Mu wouldn't want to be the Managing Disciple of the Spirit Plant Division and take on a heap of tasks for himself.
Now, if the Sect's tenant rent couldn't be collected, or if something went wrong, the blame would fall on him. Li Mu could only push the responsibilities onto them, because he had passed the Outer Sect Disciple assessment, and his status was one level higher than that of a Utility Disciple.
“There must be many Utility Disciples who want to enter the Spirit Plant Division, right? You have already received a year's salary from the Sect, and you've barely done any work. Now that there's work to be done, whoever is unavailable, speak up, and I will approve your departure from the Spirit Plant Division.” Li Mu said with a smile, gesturing.
As soon as Li Mu said this, the Utility Disciples immediately felt as if their throats were choked, unable to utter any excuses.
What a joke! The position in the Spirit Plant Division was a lucrative one. Sometimes, even with Spirit Stones, one couldn't secure a job there.
The affairs of the Spirit Plant Division were only busy during tenant rent collection, seed distribution, and Spiritual Field cultivation throughout the year. On normal days, there was hardly any work, and they almost always received their salary for free. No one wanted to lose this position.
“Managing Senior Brother, my old mother will be looked after by my elder brother. I am willing to obey Senior Brother's arrangements and strictly follow them.”
“Yes, yes! My Dao Companion can be looked after by my mother. I am also willing to obey.”
“Me too!”
…
The Utility Disciples nodded vigorously, like garlic being pounded, showing fawning smiles to Li Mu, and all expressed their willingness to obey.
Li Mu's single sentence hit their fatal weakness, and all the Utility Disciples immediately became incredibly obedient.
Li Mu smiled with satisfaction and began assigning tasks to the Utility Disciples: cleaning the Spirit Plant Division, tidying the warehouse… The scene became a bustling one.