Chapter 11: Encounter with the Mysterious Elder in the Qingyun Spirit Field Instance!

Upon strategizing in your mind, you prepared to follow Jin Congxue, knowing that doing so might lead you to the entrance of the instance.

Jin Congxue became wary of you initially but ceased paying attention upon realizing that your abilities posed no threat to her.

As you followed her, it became apparent that she merely intended to return to Jinling City.

Jin Congxue chose a small path back to the city, prompting a thought in your mind that this might be where she discovered the entrance to the instance.

Suddenly, as she turned, Jin Congxue disappeared from sight, startling you into believing she had entered the instance.

At that moment, a chilly voice behind you inquired, "Who are you? Why are you following me?"

Facing the mildly annoyed beauty before you, you reluctantly claimed a keen interest in Buddhism, having heard of Jin Congxue's expertise in the field, hoping to seek guidance.

Initially skeptical, Jin Congxue questioned you about some fundamentals of Buddhism.

Fortunately, having studied some Buddhist teachings beforehand, despite stumbling through your responses, you managed to barely convince her.

When Jin Congxue asked if you had any questions for her, you inquired about the "Ten Difficulties in Buddhist Verses" you had come across online. Unable to respond, Jin Congxue promised a later answer.

Seizing the opportunity, you expressed a desire to return to the city with her.

Reluctantly, Jin Congxue agreed, and you both walked along the outskirts of the city.

After a short while, you noticed an unusual glow emanating from beneath a willow tree not far away.

Startled yet excited, Jin Congxue identified it as a temporary instance and expressed her wish to explore it.

Despite her warning about your low strength, you insisted on entering, which she interpreted as a willingness to risk your life.

Thus, you entered the "Qingyun Spirit Field" instance.

Upon awakening, you felt elated at the success!

The Qingyun Spirit Field evidently catered to cultivation, harboring secrets that remained unknown to Su Xing but undoubtedly held significant utility for him.

Su Xing continued his simulation with heightened excitement.

You found yourself in an unfamiliar environment—a mountainside with picturesque scenery, a thatched cottage visible in the distance.

Ecstatically, you recognized the dense spiritual energy around, confirming this as a dwelling place for cultivators!

Jin Congxue headed towards the thatched cottage, and you followed suit.

Knocking on the cottage door, an elderly yet youthful-looking man emerged.

The old man expressed surprise at your arrival, stating this place was an immortal's secret realm, accessible only to those with deep blessings.

Acknowledging your auspicious aura, the old man offered a task. If completed, he would grant you a serendipitous opportunity.

Accepting the task, you and Jin Congxue were assigned to tend to a spirit field within a week.

Each of you received an acre of land planted with various spiritual grains. Your task: to nurture the grains for optimal growth.

Exchanging glances, you both understood the magnitude of this opportunity and dedicated yourselves to the task.

Having grown up in a rural setting, you possessed insights into farming and swiftly adapted.

Jin Congxue, unfamiliar with farming, clumsily handled the grains, resulting in wastage.

Seeking guidance, Jin Congxue turned to you, and willingly, you imparted knowledge on cultivating crops.

Her fondness for you increased, and you forged a friendship.

While tending the spirit field, you discovered that spiritual energy significantly enhanced the crops' growth. Especially noteworthy was the extraordinary effect of your wood-element cultivation technique, the "Longevity Technique," on the field.

Valuing this task immensely, you dedicated eight hours daily to tending the field, infusing it with spiritual energy.

Under your attentive care, the spiritual grains flourished.

Soon, seven days passed. Apart from managing the field, your leisure time was spent in cultivation, advancing your Qi-refining cultivation to the fifth level.

On the day of task submission, the old man inspected your fields. After examining Jin Congxue's with calm composure, he approached yours, visibly astonished by the thriving spiritual grains.

Upon inspection, he called both of you aside and rewarded you for your efforts.

While Jin Congxue received ten spirit stones and a small bag of spiritual rice, you noticed a discrepancy in her initial reward of three spirit stones and a small bag of rice. Now, she had been granted an additional seven stones—a result of Su Xing's assistance in improving Jin Congxue's field!

Expectantly, Su Xing awaited his own reward.

After rewarding Jin Congxue, the old man presented a transparent stone, asking you to place your hand upon it.

As your hand touched the stone, a faint five-colored light flashed across its surface.

The old man sighed softly, declaring you possessed a mixed five-element spiritual root, acknowledging your talent for cultivation yet foreseeing an inability to achieve immortality.

Unsurprised at this revelation, Su Xing accepted it, considering his original white-grade spiritual root as a mixed five-element root.

After some contemplation, the old man finally handed you a small bag of spirit stones and a large bag of spiritual rice, containing thirty spirit stones and approximately thirty catties of rice.

With a wave of his hand, the old man expelled you from the instance.

Outside the instance, you encountered Jin Congxue, who inquired about your rewards.

Presenting a portion of the spirit stones and rice, you stated that your rewards were akin to hers, albeit in slightly greater quantity.

Jin Congxue nodded slightly, displaying no discomfort.

Spending a few more days in Jinling City, your interaction with Jin Congxue remained amiable before returning to the Capital University.

Back at the university, you resumed your usual trade of selling equipment and established the Tarot Association.

With substantial wealth at your disposal, Wang Qingxuan sought you out, and you comprehended her intentions, exploring uncharted territories.

Following this, Wang Qingxuan disappeared, leaving you to continue managing your business.

Although you refrained from using the spirit stones obtained from the instance, every few days, you indulged in a bowl of spiritual rice.

Delightfully aromatic and delicious, one bowl could sustain you for three days while nurturing your physique.

After a year, you discovered an inadvertent breakthrough in your physical cultivation, advancing to the Bone Forging stage, attributing this to the combined effects of the spiritual rice and your fitness regimen.

By the fifth year, the university expelled you as expected, prompting you to return to your old trade of selling second-hand equipment.

Over these five years, your physical cultivation steadily ascended, attaining the level of a Bone Forging fifth-stage cultivator.

(End of this chapter)