Chapter 28: Tang Wan Draws Close to the Spiritual Fields

Mu Yun’s round face was alight with joy as he carefully took the porcelain bottle suspended before him. His admiration for Jiang Yan grew yet again; the sect leader’s mastery of spiritual power had become ever more refined—he could now send the Bone-Altering Pill directly to him without even turning his head.

With a thought, Jiang Yan made three more milky-white porcelain bottles appear before Tang Wan and Nanmen Luo. “These are three bottles of Qi-Gathering Pills. Take them during cultivation to accelerate the absorption of spiritual energy. If you take them now, your cultivation speed will improve significantly. The three of you must work hard; strive to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement as soon as possible and become true cultivators.”

Before reaching the third level of Qi Refinement, practitioners could only rely on their physical strength in battle, still not surpassing the realm of martial artists. Only upon reaching the fourth level could one truly fight using spiritual energy. That was why Jiang Yan spoke thus.

“We obey the sect leader’s command,” the three replied in unison, bowing to Jiang Yan. Nanmen Luo and Mu Yun made their way to the practice field on the mountainside, while Tang Wan and Yun Ying remained where they were.

“Sect leader, are those fields at the back of the mountain, the ones you assigned Uncle Chen to tend, spiritual fields?” Tang Wan waited until her two junior brothers had left before cautiously asking Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan looked at her with some surprise, curious as to how she had guessed they were spiritual fields, but he answered as she wished. “Yes, Junior Sister Wan, those are indeed spiritual fields—our sect’s Grade One spiritual fields.”

Receiving this confirmation, Tang Wan’s face blossomed with a gentle smile. “Sect leader, though Uncle Chen watches over the fields, he doesn’t know how to channel spiritual energy. I fear he can’t properly tend them. I would like to take on this responsibility myself.”

Jiang Yan paused, weighing the pros and cons of Tang Wan overseeing the spiritual fields. Finally, with a trace of concern, he asked, “Junior Sister Wan, you already manage the sect’s affairs, assume my duties in my absence, and must also cultivate. If you add the spiritual fields to your responsibilities, will your body be able to bear it?”

Tang Wan’s heart brimmed with sweetness at Jiang Yan’s concern, her lovely face breaking into a radiant smile as she replied softly, “It’s no trouble, sect leader. I actually enjoy the atmosphere among the spiritual fields. When I’m there, I always feel my spiritual energy grows faster than when I cultivate at the practice ground.”

A hint of delight appeared on Jiang Yan’s face. If her cultivation advanced faster in the spiritual fields than elsewhere, that suggested her constitution was attuned to wood-element energy. When he had crossed into this world, the sect leader’s system came with many features, but not the ability to evaluate a practitioner’s constitution. Without that, it was difficult to tailor teaching methods to each disciple. That was why Jiang Yan dared not recruit many disciples. But now, hearing that Tang Wan enjoyed spending time in the spiritual fields…

Jiang Yan fixed his gaze on Tang Wan, and a transparent information panel appeared before him.

Name: Tang Wan
Sect: Mount Hua
Position: First-generation disciple of Mount Hua
Cultivation: Third level of Qi Refinement
Weapon: Light Spirit Sword, Basic Mortal Grade
Technique: Green Wood Technique, Grade One Intermediate
Merit Points:

Jiang Yan felt somewhat disappointed: after taking the Bone-Altering Pill, Junior Sister Wan had not broken through to the fourth level, and the system had only unlocked a merit point inquiry, still unable to assess a cultivator’s constitution.

With a flick of his wrist, the manual for the **Technique appeared in Jiang Yan’s hand. Guided by spiritual energy, it floated gently before Tang Wan. “Junior Sister Wan, this is the manual for the **Technique. To become a spiritual cultivator, you must master the **Technique and the Spirit-Gathering Method. I have this copy for you to study first; when I find other techniques, I’ll bring them to you.”

Tang Wan’s beautiful eyes curved into crescents. Her original intention had been to continue tending the spiritual fields and use their proximity to hone her spiritual energy. Who would have thought her senior brother would not only bestow a spiritual cultivation technique, but also promise to seek out further techniques for her. The thought filled her heart with delight.

Jiang Yan flipped his wrist again, producing a Hundred-Treasure Pouch, which floated toward Tang Wan, guided by his spiritual energy.

Tang Wan gazed at the pouch with a hint of envy, but after that fleeting expression, her eyes cleared and she said, “Sect leader, I cannot accept this Hundred-Treasure Pouch. The sect has few spiritual artifacts as it is. Without it, you would find it difficult to carry many items. I cannot take it.”

Jiang Yan felt deeply gratified. Tang Wan, knowing the sect’s hardships, still put its interests above her own despite her fondness for the pouch. Her consideration for the sect warmed Jiang Yan’s heart.

“Junior Sister, if you wish to become a spiritual cultivator, the Hundred-Treasure Pouch is essential. Seeds, spiritual grains, and the tools used in the fields all require it. As sect leader, I grant you this pouch.”

“But sect leader, if I take it, what will you use? The sect has only two such pouches—Master lost one while hunting demons, and now only one remains. It must be kept for you.” Tang Wan’s lovely face grew stern with seriousness as she spoke.

Jiang Yan discreetly showed her the ring on his finger. “I have a spiritual artifact to use. This pouch is for you. In the future, not only you, but also Junior Brother Mu, Junior Brother Nan, Yun Ying, and all new disciples of Mount Hua must each have a spatial artifact. For now, the Hundred-Treasure Pouch is yours. When I acquire a better one, I’ll grant it to you.”

When Tang Wan saw the ring, her jaw dropped in astonishment. Only talisman masters could forge such miniature spatial artifacts! Hearing Jiang Yan’s following words, she was left speechless with surprise. Not until he pressed the pouch into her hand and Yun Ying tugged her out of the courtyard did she finally realize she truly owned a Hundred-Treasure Pouch.

Tang Wan examined the pouch and, seeing the ten catties of spiritual grain seeds and ten spirit stones within, was momentarily stunned. It took her some time to regain her composure. The sect leader had given her so many seeds and spirit stones at once! Even when her master was alive, she had never seen so many.

Without dwelling on Tang Wan and Yun Ying sowing spiritual grain in the back mountain fields, Jiang Yan stood in front of the courtyard where the few of Mount Hua’s members now lived. Gazing at the dilapidated sect grounds, he couldn’t help but sigh. The sect was in decline, their enemies strong. He had to complete as many tasks as possible, earning the system’s rewards to restore the sect to Grade Three status, so it would not be swallowed up by Tianshan or the Golden Flame Sect in Linqing Prefecture.

Calming his thoughts, Jiang Yan flicked his wrist and produced the wooden puppets awarded by the sect leader’s system. Channeling his spiritual power into them with ease, he watched as the puppets grew rapidly before his eyes. A satisfied smile played at his lips; only a few days ago, producing one such puppet would have left him breathless. Now, controlling four at once was effortless.

Meanwhile, Aunt Wu and Uncle Chen approached, carrying sacrificial offerings. They placed the three animals at the entrance, lit three sticks of incense, and then withdrew.

Jiang Yan gazed at the smoke curling upward, murmuring a vow, “Heaven above, today Jiang Yan pays respects to the ancestors. May you bless me in leading Mount Hua to soar to new heights, our name resounding throughout Linqing Prefecture. Jiang Yan bows again…”

After the rites, Jiang Yan waved his hand, and the blueprints infused with his spiritual energy rose into the air, expanding with the wind. The four puppets immediately took their places, anchoring the corners as the blueprints settled.

With the framework of the main hall thus fixed, the four wooden puppets began their orderly construction, quarrying stone from the cliffs and felling ancient trees from the groves…

In readers’ minds, the notion of not having a female protagonist and collecting beauties equally is bewildering. Hong Yan truly finds it perplexing. Dear readers, what exactly do you want?!