The stars shifted, the sun rose, and the moon hid.
Ten-plus days later.
Lin Changsheng skillfully performed a hand seal, unleashing the Golden Needle Technique with all his might.
In a short moment, a golden needle suddenly materialized. It was as solid as reality, about an inch long, and as thick as a chopstick.
The golden light shimmered, completely unlike the Golden Needle Technique's usual lack of deterrent power.
"Go!" he lightly commanded.
The golden needle shot out like lightning.
It easily pierced through the foot-thick brick wall in front of him, leaving an exaggerated hole.
The result of this strike was remarkable; if he hadn't performed it himself, Lin Changsheng would have found it hard to believe this was the same Golden Needle Technique that could barely draw blood even when aimed at one's backside.
With a thought, his system panel displayed: 【Golden Needle Technique Major Achievement: 810/2000】.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Lin Changsheng couldn't help but let out a few grunts like a piglet.
"I didn't expect a Spell cultivated to Major Achievement to have such great power."
He roughly estimated that with such terrifying penetrating power, used by surprise, taking down Qi Refining fourth- or fifth-level Cultivators would be effortless.
"Finally, I have some self-preservation ability," Lin Changsheng said in a low voice, his eyes brightening.
However, he rubbed his slightly dizzy head.
"This is the result of my continuous diligent Cultivation day and night for over ten days. It's only reasonable for it to have such power."
If other Loose Cultivators knew that he felt tired after cultivating a Spell to Major Achievement in just over ten days, they would probably beat Lin Changsheng to a pulp.
One must know that, like Cultivation Aptitude, the Dao of Spells demands exceptionally high Comprehension Ability.
Ordinary Cultivators might not reach the Major Achievement Realm even after decades of diligent Cultivation. Even a Spell Genius would need several years of diligent study and practice to succeed.
Furthermore, not many people would spend all their time on Spell Cultivation. Acquiring a few Magical Artifacts for self-protection could greatly enhance one's strength.
Improving one's Realm, diligently cultivating the myriad arts of immortal Cultivation, and seizing Opportunities are the mainstream in this world.
After casting the Golden Needle Technique several more times, Lin Changsheng, whose magical power was insufficient, found that his Qi Refining third-level cultivation could only fully unleash the Golden Needle Technique about ten times before his Spiritual Qi would be depleted.
Fortunately, a Major Achievement-level Spell can have its Spiritual Qi consumption freely controlled. It can also be used to create illusions, making it unpredictable and hard to guard against.
He stroked his chin, feeling pleased with himself, but the rumbling in his stomach pulled Lin Changsheng back to reality.
Coming to his senses, it was already late morning.
Lin Changsheng skillfully set up an iron pot, preparing to cook some spirit rice, but the spirit rice in the jar had quietly run out.
"It seems my original body was so impoverished from buying Medicinal Pills that he could barely afford rice. I still need to buy some spirit rice to fill my stomach."
Spirit rice isn't expensive, ten catties for one Spirit Stone. But for low-level Cultivators, it's still a significant expense.
He touched the two and a half Spirit Stones he had left; not to mention buying Medicinal Pills, there wasn't much for buying rice.
Thankfully, being frugal could help him last until the spirit rice in the fields matured.
After a hurried meal, Lin Changsheng picked up his hoe and headed to the fields.
The fields in July were golden, with heavy rice ears bending the stalks, clearly indicating an impending harvest.
Spirit grains are extraordinary; their stalks are thick and sturdy. Like sorghum, they are over one person tall, and the long rice ears are translucent, like amber. They emit a faint Spiritual Qi and the fresh scent of plants.
Standing at the edge of the field, Lin Changsheng took a deep breath, then picked up his hoe and walked into the field.
He carefully avoided the roots of the spirit plants and began to clear the surrounding weeds.
Lin Changsheng's expression was focused. His movements were fluid and graceful, completely different from his initial clumsiness.
After dealing with the weeds, it was time to replenish the spirit rain.
With a practiced hand seal, Spirit Rain Technique +1.
In just a breath's time, a large amount of water vapor condensed in the air, and a torrential Spirit Rain began to fall.
【Spirit Rain Technique Minor Achievement: 359/800】.
The Minor Achievement-level Spirit Rain Technique was not only larger in scale but also had a double abundance of Spiritual Qi. Soon, the spirit grains, nourished by the rain, were full of vibrant life.
Lin Changsheng estimated the growth of the spirit rice. This year's harvest would increase by at least a Major Achievement.
"Little Lin, Little Lin, this is bad…"
A panicked cry came from a distance.
It was Old Zhuang, the big farming household from next door.
Seeing this, Lin Changsheng asked in surprise,
"Old Zhuang, what big matter has happened?"
Old Zhuang gasped a few times, his face flustered, and said,
"The eastern fields are plagued by Earth Dragons. Because they weren't dealt with in time, they've spread to our side. At noon today, I even saw many spirit rice plants in the fields being gnawed on."
"Those half-baked spirit farmers are truly infuriating!"
Earth Dragons are one of the most difficult demonic insects for ordinary spirit farmers to deal with. They reproduce extremely quickly, are agile, and can burrow into the ground.
Except for coming out at noon to gnaw on spirit rice and sunbathe, they are mostly active underground.
Their nests are also interconnected, and once they become numerous, they become extremely difficult to handle. They can easily destroy most of the crops in the fields.
"We must think of a solution, otherwise, if the demonic insects multiply, we'll have no harvest at all."
Old Zhuang paced back and forth at the edge of the field, at a loss.
A moment later,
Lin Changsheng arrived at Old Zhuang's field and indeed saw several Earth Dragons scurrying in the field, gnawing on many spirit grains.
The Earth Dragons resembled lizards, were entirely earthy yellow, and half a foot long.
Their bodies were agile, and their movements swift.
Beside him, Old Zhuang was silently reciting incantations, casting the Golden Needle Technique to eliminate the Earth Dragons, flicking out golden needles.
After half a day, he was drenched in sweat from exhaustion. But he couldn't hit the Earth Dragons at all, instead damaging several spirit rice plants, making him cry out in frustration.
Seeing this, Lin Changsheng raised an eyebrow and silently stepped forward.
He thought,
"Although these Earth Dragons are fast, I should have confidence."
Just as he was about to try, Old Zhuang next to him took a deep breath and said,
"Little Lin, don't waste your effort. We need to quickly find an expert in pest control for this situation, otherwise, if these Earth Dragons proliferate, we'll have no harvest at all."
Lin Changsheng remained silent.
He lightly formed a hand seal, and the Major Achievement-level Golden Needle Technique was unleashed. He continuously flicked his finger, and a golden light flashed, instantly crossing over twenty zhang. Each needle precisely pierced into the Earth Dragons' eyeballs.
The technique was ruthless, each needle fatal.
In just a few breaths, he killed several demonic insects without harming the spirit plants in the slightest.
Old Zhuang watched, dumbfounded, then revealed a look of great joy.
"Fellow Daoist Lin!"
He was so surprised that he couldn't even call him Little Lin, gesturing wildly and saying,
"You actually have such great ability."
Lin Changsheng modestly waved his hand.
"Hehe, it's a small skill, Old Zhuang. Although my Cultivation talent isn't good, I have some Comprehension Ability in Spells."
Old Zhuang, however, praised him,
"Fellow Daoist Lin, your skill is even better than the experts in pest control in the city."
"No, I must thank you properly today, and if I need pest control later, I'll have to ask for your help, otherwise, my fifteen mu of land will be difficult."
Saying this, he patted his chest and grandly said,
"After we finish cleaning up the fields today, I'll treat you to a meal at Zuixian Restaurant later."
Lin Changsheng's throat moved, and his eyes gleamed.
"Then thank you very much, Old Zhuang!"
During this time, he had been eating bland spirit rice every day. Although it tasted good, it had been so long since he had tasted meat that his mouth was practically tasteless.
Now, upon hearing about going to Zuixian Restaurant, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.