Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Wohu Township is extremely barren, and spiritual fields are scarce. Even after hundreds of Taoist households in Shanghuting have accumulated spiritual fields over a hundred years, they have only managed to cultivate a little over a hundred acres of spiritual fields.

The Zhao family of Yangpingli, consisting of more than fifty households, received only about twenty mu of sacred land.

"Using this well water to irrigate the spirit fields will yield at least two or three more bushels of spirit rice per acre per year!"

"The well water flows continuously, and if carefully tended and irrigated, it can supply water for dozens of acres of spiritual fields."

"Even if you irrigate ordinary fields, with the accumulated nutrients and the application of spiritual energy techniques over time, you might be able to add another ten or so acres of spiritual land!"

At this point, Zhao Mu felt extremely fortunate.

If there truly is a spiritual vein, the fighting for it would affect Wohu Township, let alone a small rural clan like the Zhao family in Yangping Village.

Now it just so happens to contain a trace of spiritual energy, which is just right for both his family and the Zhao clan of Yangpingli!

"Grandfather, this well is located within the Yangpingli area. If someone comes here to draw water, there is a risk of leakage."

"After all, my family isn't the only one in Yangping Village with a Qi Refining cultivator!"

Zhao Xian looked around and then said in a low voice.

"Sanlang, you are mistaken!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mu immediately shook his head and said in a deep voice, "This well can only conceal the truth for a while, not forever!"

"If the news leaks out, our few warriors alone won't be able to protect this well; we'll need the entire clan's help!"

"You know all too well the past chaos of villages fighting over water and land!"

"Although Chunping Village had a large and powerful force, it was still routed by Changgong Village and Wenmao Village!"

"Among the six li of Shanghuting, the Zhao family of Yangpingli has the fewest members, yet they have managed to occupy a fertile land, all because the entire family works together."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback.

He immediately knelt down and bowed deeply, saying, "Third Brother is narrow-minded and greedy, and almost ruined the lives of more than ten members of my family. Thank you for your guidance, Grandfather!"

Seeing that Zhao Xian sincerely admitted his mistake, Zhao Mu stroked his beard and smiled, quite satisfied.

"However, there is always a distinction between close and distant relatives. Our family must be the first to benefit from the well's spiritual energy!"

Changing the subject, Zhao Mu said with a smile.

"Please enlighten me, Grandfather!"

Zhao Xian got up, sat around the campfire, and asked with a smile.

An old man and a young boy squatted by the campfire, laughing like foxes who had come to life.

"I have seen spirit-gathering artifacts in the army; perhaps we can find one and place it in the well to collect spiritual energy!"

"Without the leakage of spiritual energy, this well is no different from an ordinary well!"

"Once our family is wealthy enough, we will then help other members of our clan!"

Zhao Mu pondered for a few moments, then spoke in a deep voice.

"Grandfather, magical artifacts are quite valuable, worth at least a hundred spirit stones, which is far beyond our family's means."

"Besides, even if my family had the financial means to buy it, we wouldn't know where to buy it or how to choose!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Sanlang, it is quite difficult for my family to gather a hundred spirit stones, but it is not a difficult task for the Zhao family of Yangping Village."

"As for how to buy and choose, that's up to Saburo."

Zhao Mu said slowly, but then looked at Zhao Xian with a smile.

"Sanlang is dull-witted and does not understand Grandfather's meaning. Please enlighten me."

Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly and said.

"Sanlang is still young, and his mind is disturbed by this meager spiritual energy. He is blinded by a leaf and cannot see the whole mountain. He still needs to gain more experience in the future!"

While pondering this, Zhao Mu pointed towards the pavilion and said with a smile, "The pavilion lord comes from a prominent family in the county, whose clan also possesses a spiritual vein. How could he not know how to gather spiritual energy!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's face showed a look of sudden realization, but then he hesitated.

"Snapped!"

Seeing this, Zhao Mu raised his hand and lightly patted Zhao Xian on the back of the head, then sternly shouted, "Foolish child! How can a mere well cloud your judgment!"

"If you continue this childish act, I'll fill this well in!"

The blow jolted Zhao Xian awake, and his eyes instantly regained their clarity and composure.

"Grandson has realized his mistake; thank you for your guidance, Grandfather!"

Zhao Xian didn't say much, but simply bowed to his grandfather.

"Chen Jun is kind and loves the people, and acts with integrity. This matter has been informed to him, so there is no need to worry about it being leaked."

"Since you say you can reach the fourth level of Qi Refining tonight, then we'll go to the pavilion tomorrow to ask Lord Chen for his assistance!"

After some discussion, the grandfather and grandson made up their minds.

After gathering their tools and properly covering the wellhead, the grandfather and grandson returned to Yangpingli.

......

Dark clouds piled up, obscuring the moonlight.

The countryside was quite quiet, with only the occasional bark of a dog, which quickly dissipated with the wind.

In the darkness, Zhao Xian sat upright on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his breath barely perceptible and extremely weak.

Suddenly, the white porcelain bottle in front of him swayed slightly, then stood firmly on the couch again.

After a few breaths, it swayed a few more times, but remained standing.

"call!"

He let out a long sigh, and two streaks of crimson light flashed and disappeared in the darkness, followed by the opening of a pair of bright eyes.

Looking at the white porcelain bottle in front of him, Zhao Xian reached out and picked it up, weighing it in his palm; it weighed about one or two ounces.

"No wonder one needs to reach the seventh level of Qi Refining before one can wield magical weapons in battle."

"Now that I've just entered the fourth level of Qi Refining, my divine sense can only cover a distance of about ten feet around my body. When I use my object manipulation technique, I can't even shake a white porcelain bottle weighing one or two ounces, let alone use magical artifacts in battle!"

"It should be known that even the most ordinary low-grade magic implements are more than ten times heavier than this white porcelain bottle."

Zhao Xian sighed, his heart filled with anticipation for the late stage of Qi Refining.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed before my eyes, and a golden light screen appeared.

Owner of the cauldron: Zhao Xian

[Qi Yun: Floating White]

[Spiritual Root: Fire Root (丙中火)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 4]

[Lucky Golden Pearl: 0]

【技艺】：六阳诀（精通：2806/10000）、基础箭术（精通：4033/10000）、松鹤养元拳（精通：1616/10000）

"My cultivation has reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. I will go to the pavilion tomorrow to report the good news and also inform the pavilion master about the well."

"It's a pity the ox-horn bow was destroyed. For the past month, I've only been able to practice archery with a mulberry wood bow, and my skills have improved very little. It's as if I've wasted a whole month!"

Zhao Xian sighed, his mind stirred slightly, he dispersed the golden curtain, and then lay down to sleep fully clothed.

I slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Zhao Xian went out of the inner gate and headed towards the pavilion.

Before long they arrived outside the pavilion, but they did not see the pavilion's father, Liu Quan.

Because Shanghuting was attacked twice by enemy forces within a few months, Liu Quan suffered greatly and resigned from his position as the pavilion's father, retiring home to enjoy his grandchildren.

The position of the head of the Shanghu Pavilion is currently vacant.

According to the rules of Shanghuting, the next pavilion father may come from the Zhang family in Changgongli.

While he was pondering, Zhao Xian had already stepped into the pavilion.

Just as it was morning exercise time, Zhao Ze, the thief, was leading the other three guards in the front yard to hone their skills. Steam rose from their heads, creating a white mist.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, Zhao Ze immediately put down the stone lock he was holding, wiped the sweat from his brow, and greeted him with a smile, "Ninth Brother, what brings you here today?"

"Uncle, I've come to tell you the good news! I managed to break through last night and have reached the fourth level of Qi Refining!"

Zhao Xian also answered with a happy expression.

"Oh! I remember Jiulang's birthday is in the first month of the lunar calendar, he's seventeen this year, isn't that right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ze immediately expressed his delight.

"Thank you so much, Uncle Twelfth, for remembering Jiulang's birthday so clearly!"

Zhao Xian immediately responded with a smile.

"At seventeen years old, he has already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. Jiulang is truly a prodigy!"

"Mr. Zhao, your family is on the verge of prosperity!"

The three guards standing nearby also stopped what they were doing, looked at the uncle and nephew, and said with envy.

These three guards all came from Shanghuting, and Zhao Xian naturally recognized them. He immediately bowed to the three men and repeatedly expressed his humility.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Ze slapped his forehead and laughed, "I almost ruined Jiu Lang's important business!"

"Tingjun is resting in the backyard; Jiulang may go ahead."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian bowed to the group again and then headed towards the backyard.

"Zhao Jun, Jiu Lang has reached the fourth level of Qi Refining at the age of seventeen, and is also highly regarded by Ting Jun. Perhaps he will be able to join the ranks of Dou Shi Li in the future."

Watching Zhao Xian leave, a soldier said enviously.

"Of course, Jiulang is indeed the prolific son of the Zhao family of Yangping Village!"

Zhao Ze said with a sigh, but he had already begun to think about it.

As far as he knew, Zhao Xian had not had a suitable bow and arrow since the bandit leader broke his ox-horn bow that night.

I happen to have a fine iron-rimmed bow that has been sitting idle, which I can give to Jiulang.

I just don't know if Jiulang can pull it!