"Our first step is to open up a cave dwelling, then start cultivating these spiritual herbs in the medicinal garden, without needing to increase their age."
"The second step is to accumulate contributions to the sect. If we submit enough spiritual herbs, our contributions will far exceed those of ordinary disciples."
"The third step, once we have enough contributions, is to exchange them for a flying sword. I noticed that behind the waterfall is a very secluded spot; we can fly there and establish our cave dwelling as a place for cultivating spiritual herbs."
"The fourth step is to gather information about foundation-building pills within the sect. The South Dipper Mountain secret realm is too dangerous; there's no need to take unnecessary risks."
Chen Xun spoke methodically, and the big black bull listened intently, his admiration for Chen Xun deepening.
"The most important thing is that there's that sect competition every year; we can go watch the excitement!"
"Moo!!" A burst of laughter erupted beside the waterfall. Chen Xun stripped off his clothes, revealing his sixteen-pack abs, and dove headfirst into the water—what a delight! The sky was clear for miles, a gentle breeze blowing, as Chen Xun and the big black bull busily went about their tasks.
The valley echoed with booming sounds as Chen Xun wielded a mountain-splitting axe against the cliff, sending shards of rock flying and dust billowing. The big black bull fetched a water bucket from their thatched hut, repeatedly drawing water from the waterfall. It also wanted to practice a spell called "Water Spirit Technique." This technique was specifically designed to infuse water with spiritual energy, a rather lackluster spell used for irrigating spiritual fields, yet it surprisingly had three levels. The big black bull was overjoyed; it could learn something new.
On the long path of immortality, nothing invigorated it more than acquiring new knowledge, a sentiment shared by both Chen Xun and the bull, filled with enthusiasm for the future.
"Old bull, be careful when fetching water; don't drown, I won't save you, haha." Chen Xun was covered in lime, even his hair was dusted with it. He turned to look at the big black bull, recalling their days of chiseling ice.
"Moo?!" The big black bull was furious; it wouldn't slip and fall into the water! The last time was just an accident. However, they were unaware that the "Water Spirit Technique" was quite difficult to cultivate, with most disciples managing only the first level. After generations of summarizing, it turned out that this minor spell truly required time to hone, with no shortcuts available. It was unclear who had authored it, but every sect used the "Water Spirit Technique" because nothing better could be found.
In this world of cultivation where strength reigned supreme, only those who were well-fed would waste time practicing this spell, which was a significant reason for the scarcity of herbal farmers. Yet, there were indeed such extraordinary beings among the ten great sects, but they were all treasured gems, never revealing themselves to the public.
"Forcefully splitting Mount Hua!" Chen Xun gritted his teeth and struck the cliff fiercely again. "Damn..."
"Moo?!" The big black bull, forgetting the water bucket, rushed over to find Chen Xun.
"Is it really that hard?!" Chen Xun's eyes widened, his eyebrows dusted with lime. "Old bull, the mountain-splitting axe is chipped."
"Moo?" The big black bull couldn't believe it; the cliff of the Ningyun Mountain range had been split open with just one strike of Chen Xun's axe. After all this time, he had even broken the axe.
"Ah, it's fine. I'll just sharpen it again; this is just ordinary iron." Chen Xun sighed, looking at his beloved axe with a pained expression. "Maybe the stones in this mountain range are particularly hard."
"Moo~"
"Old bull, go on; don't mind me." Chen Xun sat down, found a stone, and began to sharpen his axe. The big black bull nodded and went back to fetching water.
Two days later, Chen Xun finally opened up the cave dwelling, placing pots and pans inside, and began chopping wood to make various tools. Chen Xun was quite skilled with his hands; he quickly fashioned a wooden table and chairs.
"Old bull, let's arrange everything; this will be our home from now on." Chen Xun smiled with emotion as he took out the wooden carvings and placed them around.
"Moo~" The big black bull also scurried around, dragging things here and there.
"Dust-clearing spell!" Chen Xun cast a spell, and a gust of fresh wind swept through, rejuvenating his entire being, making him shine. "Haha..."
"Moo?" The big black bull was astonished; this was even cleaner than a bath.
"Old bull, don't underestimate these minor spells." Chen Xun marveled, realizing that each minor spell saved them time, even things like the fasting pills.
"Moo~~" The big black bull grinned, sitting down to practice the "Water Spirit Technique."
That night, the night sky was like water, dotted with countless stars. Chen Xun quietly stepped out of the cave dwelling, gazing at the starry sky alone.
"What kind of world is the cultivation world, really?" A faint smile appeared on Chen Xun's face, his eyes dreamy. He recalled how Ji Kun boasted while on the flying boat, claiming to have seen in ancient texts that in a distant, endless place, there existed a true cultivation civilization, and that they were merely in a backward land.
Just like primitive people... Chen Xun scoffed, utterly disbelieving; wasn't this place the most orthodox cultivation realm?
"Cultivation civilization..." Chen Xun murmured softly, leaning against the cave dwelling, gradually falling asleep. "Old bull and I will definitely go there..."
The next day, dawn broke, and the sun rose high. Chen Xun shook off all distractions and began to busy himself with the big black bull.
"Old bull, let's go hunting."
"Moo!" Chen Xun slung an axe over his shoulder and led the big black bull into the mountains, where wild beasts roamed freely, and the sect wouldn't interfere.
Time flowed by, and a trickle of clear spring water emerged; in the blink of an eye, half a year had passed. The medicinal valley was lush with spiritual herbs, the fragrance of medicine wafting everywhere, and the growth was quite promising. Chen Xun and the big black bull sat cross-legged among them.
Waves of water rippled around them, transforming into lively water balls filled with spiritual energy and magical power.
Pop! Pop! One by one, the water balls burst in the air, and Chen Xun and the big black bull slowly opened their eyes. "Second level of the Water Spirit Technique, achieved!"
"It doesn't feel too difficult." Chen Xun frowned slightly, but inwardly he felt a sense of superiority. "Even the old bull has reached the second level."
"Moo? Moo!" The big black bull stared wide-eyed, what did that mean? Its cultivation progress was slow, but it was quick in practicing the spell.
"However, our Qi refining stage cultivation can indeed be honed." Chen Xun pondered for a moment and continued, "If we refine this dantian liquid for another hundred years, who knows, we might just succeed."
"Moo!" The big black bull's pupils contracted, nudging Chen Xun, what a great injustice!
"Haha, just kidding." Chen Xun laughed heartily, patting the big black bull. "Everything is proceeding according to plan; let's move!"
"Moo~" The big black bull happily called out and quickly followed behind Chen Xun.
In the medicinal valley, Chen Xun even crafted a straw hat for himself and a large straw hat for the big black bull, which made it incredibly happy; it even wore it to sleep.
Under the sunlight, a man and a bull, both wearing straw hats, busily worked in the medicinal fields, their eyes filled with joy, and no one ever came to disturb them.