Chapter 047

Chapter 47: Beginner’s Task

Hua Xuan Zi looked at Wei Yun Xi, who had grown another inch taller and become even sweeter in appearance, and smiled as she replied, “The senior brother in charge here had something to handle outside, so he asked me to fill in. Are you here to accept sect missions?”

Wei Yun Xi immediately smiled and said, “Yes, senior sister, I wonder if there are suitable tasks for new disciples like us?”

“You can have a look first,” Hua Xuan Zi said kindly, handing her a jade slip. “These are all tasks suitable for new disciples. Most of you are still in the early stage of Qi Refining, so you can start with simple tasks like planting or cleaning. Once your cultivation reaches mid-Qi Refining, you can take on tasks like gathering herbs or hunting on the sect’s rear mountains.”

Wei Yun Xi’s divine sense quickly swept through the tasks listed in the jade slip, then handed it over to Zong Hao for him and Zong Yu to review. Meanwhile, she continued chatting with Hua Xuan Zi.

Over the past year, Wei Yun Xi had changed significantly. Firstly, her height had soared due to eating one milk fruit daily. At just six years old, she was already over four feet tall, nearly matching Zong Hao and Zong Yu. Her figure had even begun showing signs of early girlhood.

Thanks to her rapid cultivation progress, her aura had transformed too. The soft baby fat had faded, leaving behind features increasingly similar to her mother’s, a harmonious blend of sweetness and cool elegance.

Wei Yun Xi was very satisfied with her appearance, especially the pair of dimples that appeared whenever she smiled. These dimples enhanced her charm, making her seem harmless and approachable. Thanks to this, she’d made several friends within the outer sect, including Hua Xuan Zi.

Hua Xuan Zi crafted excellent quality blank talisman paper without cutting corners just to earn more spirit stones, so Wei Yun Xi consistently purchased from her. In turn, Wei Yun Xi provided Hua Xuan Zi with completed talismans to sell. This arrangement allowed Wei Yun Xi to earn some spirit stones without attracting undue attention, benefiting them both.

At this moment, Hua Xuan Zi lowered her voice and advised, “Yun Xi, junior sister, I’d suggest you accept the spiritual rice cultivation task. You don’t need to farm much—just three acres to start. Initially, you’ll spend some spirit stones on seeds, but after three months when the rice matures, aside from turning in the required amount to the sect, everything left over is yours. You can keep it for yourself or sell it.”

Wei Yun Xi felt slightly hesitant. Despite having transmigrated, her agricultural knowledge came purely from books and farming shows; she’d never actually farmed anything herself.

Noticing Yun Xi’s hesitation, Hua Xuan Zi continued gently, “There are techniques involved in growing spiritual rice. For your first attempt, it’s best to plant Zhen Zhu rice, which has lower spiritual energy but higher yields and fewer pests. After you’ve gained some experience over two harvests, you can switch to red Jing rice or purple rice. Although their yields are lower, their spiritual energy content is three times that of Zhen Zhu rice, and you can sell them for good spirit stones.”

“As cultivators, we shouldn’t abandon all mortal pleasures. Eating spiritual rice also nourishes the body and can gradually enhance your cultivation. Think it over. If it doesn’t suit you, you can always choose a different task next time. Moreover, taking this task will free you from needing other missions for at least three months.”

After hearing this explanation, Wei Yun Xi felt reassured. She decided to accept the task and try her hand at farming. Nodding, she said, “Then I’ll listen to senior sister’s advice and accept the spiritual rice farming mission this time.”

“Good. Hand me your identity token; I’ll register it for you. Then take your token to the Outer Fifth Peak, which is specifically dedicated to farming. At the mountain base, you’ll find the steward disciple. Give him a small gift, and he’ll assign you good farmland with an included spirit-gathering formation, making your cultivation easier.”

Wei Yun Xi listened carefully, swiftly handing her identity token over. This was exactly the benefit of befriending experienced senior disciples: their guidance could save newcomers from many pitfalls.

Wei Zong Hao, hearing this advice, immediately chose the same mission as Yun Xi. With fire, wood, and earth spiritual roots, the farming task suited him perfectly, especially given his natural affinity for plants and soil.

After a moment’s thought, Zong Yu decided on a mission helping out in the artifact refining room. He had metal, fire, and earth roots and wanted to learn refining. Though his cultivation was too low, he could at least observe and learn as a cleaning boy.

Having accepted their tasks, the three stepped aside to wait for Wei Yun Ying and the others.

Wei Yun Ying chose a task tending medicinal fields. Wei Zong Jin selected cleaning duties at Spirit Beast Peak. Wei Yun Qing deliberated for a while before finally selecting the task of sorting herbs at the Alchemy Peak.

Yun Xi’s eyelids twitched slightly upon learning Wei Yun Qing’s choice. [She’s clearly preparing to enter the next phase of the plot,] she thought. After all, the male and female leads would first meet precisely at Alchemy Peak.

But seeing Wei Yun Qing was currently shorter even than herself, Yun Xi dismissed these idle thoughts. As long as Sheng Yu Hong wasn’t a weirdo, he probably wouldn’t develop any strange feelings towards such a childlike Wei Yun Qing.

The six briefly shared their choices, then returned to their residences, planning to visit their respective task locations in the afternoon.

None of them noticed that, as they left, someone was silently watching their every move. Only after their figures vanished from sight did the observer quietly enter the Task Hall.

That afternoon, Yun Xi and Zong Hao visited Outer Fifth Peak together. At the base of the peak, they saw a straw hut labeled “Task Exchange.” Some disciples were handing in harvested spiritual rice, while others were collecting new seeds. Two steward disciples were bustling inside.

Yun Xi exchanged a glance with Zong Hao, and they promptly lined up to collect their seeds. Soon, it was their turn.

Wei Yun Xi smiled sweetly as she cupped her fists in greeting, “Senior brother, we’ve accepted farming tasks and are here to register and receive spiritual rice seeds and farming tools.”

The steward disciple glanced up at them briefly, recognizing their status as new disciples and first-time mission takers. Calmly, he said, “Identity tokens, please.”

“Yes!” they responded, handing over their tokens while discreetly slipping a low-grade spirit stone each into his hand. Observing how smoothly the steward disciple pocketed the stones, they realized he was an experienced hand at this.

Yun Xi continued warmly, “Senior brother, we were introduced by Senior Sister Hua Xuan Zi. She said the steward senior brother here is very accommodating and would certainly guide us newcomers.”

“Oh, you’re friends with Senior Sister Hua?” His attitude instantly warmed, and his tone became more familiar. Clearly, those two low-grade spirit stones had done the trick.

Wei Zong Hao eagerly chimed in, smiling, “Yes, Senior Sister Hua has been helping at the Task Hall recently. She even helped us select our tasks.”

“Good. Come here and look at the spiritual farmland map,” the steward disciple said kindly. “Green fields are already occupied; the gray ones are free. You two can pick from these. Since this is your first time, I suggest taking just three acres each. More than that will be difficult to manage.”