Chapter 455

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Spring departs, summer arrives.

Ever since he no longer had to attend the Spirit Field Outer Perimeter Assessment, Xu Zhangqing's range of activity basically revolved among only three places: Hongfeng Valley, Flower Sea Market, and Qingmu Peak.

With another harvest completed, his lifespan increased once again.

It has now reached: 2862 years

Immediately after, Xu Zhangqing donned his conical hat, instructed the fortress to take good care of everything at home, then summoned Broken Moon Flowing Frost and soared into the sky, flying toward the distance.

Before long, he arrived at the Core Management Office.

"Damn it, the good tasks got snatched up!"

"I camped here for several hours, only to lose on hand speed!"

"Can't we get a few more tasks looking after rare spirit plants?"

This place was still the same as ever; except for winter, most of the time a crowd of Formal Disciples camped here guarding tasks, thereby earning points, spirit stones, even rare spirit plants.

Seeing this scene, Xu Zhangqing felt a surge of emotion.

The him of the past had done the same for points, and even unexpectedly reaped a Green Lotus Seed.

Unexpectedly, five years had passed, and he had become a Core Disciple, even a Spirit Cultivator.

Yet these people were still the same as before, with almost no change.

Afterward, Xu Zhangqing went to the task submission window.

The assessment requirements for Formal Disciples and Core Disciples are not the same.

Formal Disciples need only hand in five thousand catties of spirit rice per year, or spirit plants of equivalent value; the key is there is essentially no requirement on quality.

Core Disciples, on the contrary, must hand in eight thousand catties of quality-grade spirit rice per year, or quality spirit plants of equivalent value; otherwise they will receive punishment.

At first it is only a reduction of resources, benefits, and treatment.

If they consistently fail to complete it, although the Core Disciple identity will not be revoked, they will lose all benefits coming from the Immortal Sect.

Put bluntly, in the end only an identity remains, nothing more.

In the past, Xu Zhangqing submitted 1,250 catties of top-grade spirit rice each time, plus Lin An's 1,250 catties of ordinary spirit rice, so the two of them together just reached five thousand catties a year.

Now, with Lin An's assessment task unchanged, because of this Core Disciple identity, it changed to submitting 2,000 catties of top-grade spirit rice each quarter.

Of course, this increase meant nothing to him.

In fact, ever since gaining the Personal Space, he only ate top-grade spirit rice when entertaining friends; daily he exclusively enjoyed the rare spirit rice produced by rare spirit grain.

Put bluntly, top-grade spirit rice has already been phased out for him.

However, just before leaving, he was stopped by Hua Lao.

Xu Zhangqing showed a doubtful look and asked, "Steward?"

Hua Lao said seriously: "Because the Grain Lord has to leave the Immortal Sect for a period of time, the Core Office now has only you and me managing it."

Xu Zhangqing was stunned: "Leave?"

Hua Lao spoke with hidden meaning: "A transplanted tree dies; a transplanted man lives."

Xu Zhangqing reacted, his face changing drastically: "Has it already reached this step?"

He remembered the last time they met, the two had a heart-to-heart talk.

If Zhu Fuxian could not break through to Nascent Soul, his life would reach its end.

He originally thought there were still over a hundred years; unexpectedly, time really was not much left.

……

……

On the way back to Hongfeng Valley, Xu Zhangqing's eyes carried a trace of worry.

Before becoming a disciple of Si Geng, Zhu Fuxian was in a sense his "Master," or rather his guide.

If not for the other party, he could not have become the Spirit Field's sole Spirit Cultivator, much less have his current identity and status.

At this moment, Xu Zhangqing swept with his Divine Sense and discovered someone at the entrance.

And not just one, but a man and a woman.

The woman was Ruo Qunshuang; she should have come to collect cultivation resources.

The man, however, gave Xu Zhangqing a surprise — it was actually Chu Qiu.

The originally missing limbs had now all grown back.

"Chu Shixiong!"

"Junior Brother Xu, long time no see!"

"You… have you fully recovered?"

"Barely counts, I suppose!"

"Finally some good news."

A smile once again emerged on Xu Zhangqing's face.

Ruo Qunshuang at the side, seeing this, felt a bit superfluous.

When she arrived, Chu Qiu had not yet come.

As she waited and waited, Xu Zhangqing did not appear; instead, this person showed up.

Xu Zhangqing and Chu Qiu chatted for a while at the entrance, then invited the two into the valley.

Chu Qiu looked around at the beautiful scenery and exclaimed, "Outside is still better."

During the days of being ice-sealed, not only did he have to endure the torment of Li Fire Thunder.

Moreover, he also had to endure the intense pain brought by extreme cold.

If it weren't for Master and Crane King being very capable, it would have taken at least over a year before he could appear.

Xu Zhangqing smiled: "If Senior Brother likes it here, you can stay for a few days."

Chu Qiu waved his hand: "I still have a bit of other matters, after all..."

Although he stopped mid-sentence, from that touch of solemnity in his eyes, one could tell what he meant.

Xu Zhangqing naturally understood, therefore he didn't say much.

After a while, he took out all the cultivation resources Ruo Qunshuang needed, and incidentally gave back some melons, fruits, and vegetables.

As the number of contacts increased, the two became increasingly familiar.

They came to understand each other's hobbies and interests.

Don't look at Ruo Qunshuang's introverted personality; she's actually a foodie too.

She would occasionally send some Spirit Talismans, spirit fish, and such Yu Shui Ge specialty products.

If it were usual times, the two might still chat about daily life, or things that occurred.

Now with Chu Qiu present, therefore Ruo Qunshuang tactfully left early: "I'm going back."

Xu Zhangqing stood up to see her off; when he returned, he saw Chu Qiu teasing Wangzai.

One word, half a year has passed, Wangzai's body type is nearly catching up to Wangwang.

Tall stature, developed muscles, strong and sturdy.

Doesn't look like a dog at all, simply a fierce beast.

Especially the yellow vortex on his forehead, even attracting Earth Spirit Qi to gather.

Whether energy or physical strength, Wangwang is already no match for his own offspring.

Chu Qiu pondered: "Your family's dog pup should have awakened some kind of Earth Attribute bloodline."

Xu Zhangqing nodded slightly: "Not bad."

Chu Qiu made a suggestion: "I think you should send it to the Ling Beast Valley's beast tamers for proper training; in the future it can become a major assistance for you."

Not to mention anything else, just the earth loosening alone already far surpasses its same kind.

What's more, from the vortex on its forehead one can see its future is absolutely not simple.

Xu Zhangqing laughed lightly and agreed: "Okay."

After Chu Qiu finished teasing Wangzai, he then plopped down on a stool, and blinked: "During this ice-sealed period, I've been craving your wine."

Xu Zhangqing understood immediately, immediately took out Top-grade Spirit Rice Wine, but on second thought put it back, then asked: "I have a new product here, does Senior Brother want to taste it?"

Hearing the words 'new product', Chu Qiu's eyes lit up, he decisively agreed: "Of course!"

Soon, Xu Zhangqing ladled a bowl of the brewed Tianma Milk Wine, then handed it over: "Senior Brother, quickly have a taste."

Chu Qiu was surprised: "It's actually Milk Wine, you kid are getting more and more powerful!"

Xu Zhangqing didn't hide it either: "This is a wine I'm cooperating on with someone else, currently still perfecting bit by bit; once it's about ready, mass production will start."

Chu Qiu was full of anticipation, immediately held the porcelain bowl and drank a mouthful, then instantly stared wide-eyed, and blurted out: "Holy shit!"