Cultivation: I can see the proficiency level

Inside the Snake-Entwined Valley, Liu Qing gathered seven or eight spiritual farmers to meet Wang Mian. The group of low-level cultivators were respectful and obedient. After hearing Wang Mian's alias, they all bowed and addressed him as Senior Wang.

Wang Mian, using the alias Wang Xinzhou, smiled slightly, nodded, gave a few brief instructions, and then waved his hand to dismiss the Lingnong, telling them to each perform their duties.

Then Liu Qing was sent to lead the way and inspect the medicinal field.

"Senior Wang, this medicinal field covers a total of eighteen acres, of which sixteen acres are planted with the spiritual herb White Hair Needle, and the other two acres are planted with Centipede Grass." Pointing to the two kinds of spiritual herbs of different colors, Liu Qing explained.

Baihaozhen, also known as Baihaorong, is an auxiliary material used in the refining of several kinds of elixirs.

Centipede grass, also known as centipede grass, is also an auxiliary material for alchemy. It is more precious than white needle grass and is more difficult to cultivate.

Wang Mian strolled along, stopping to ask questions each time, and Liu Qing would explain in detail how he knew all the intricacies of cultivating and tending the medicinal herbs in the area.

"Tell me the details of the monster's attack." Wang Mian stared at the medicinal field that had destroyed many of the spiritual herbs, stood by the field, and turned to ask Liu Qing.

The soil in the spirit field was turned upside down, and many spiritual herbs had disappeared. The field was full of traces of battle, which spread from the spirit field upwards to the foot of the mountain.

Following the trail, one can see that the rocks are cracked, there are obvious pits, trees have fallen, and there are occasional traces of blood.

Judging from the traces of the battle along the way, the cultivator's resistance was of little effect, and the battle did not last long before he was killed by the demon beast at the foot of the mountain.

When Wang Mian inquired about the matter, Liu Qing recalled the scene from that day:

"The snake demon appeared suddenly. It was about two zhang long and as thick as a water vat. Its body was covered with green scales and it spewed out a foul wind. It coiled up in this spot and lured Senior Du out. Then Senior Du fought with it and gradually went up the mountain."

"After about half an incense stick's time, Senior Du let out a scream and was killed in the fight. After that, the snake demon stayed for a moment and then left. It was only after a long time that we dared to collect Senior Du's remains."

"For many days, I and the other Lingnong have been living in constant fear. Only with the arrival of Senior Wang today have we been able to rely on him and put our minds at ease."

"Now that Senior Wang is here, we can take care of the medicinal herbs in the field with peace of mind."

Having said this, Liu Qing seemed to have found his backbone.

Standing on high ground, stepping on the scorched earth burned by demonic fire, Wang Mian's gaze followed the traces of the battle and stopped at his feet, where a few traces of demonic energy still remained.

After discarding the broken and fragmented scales he had found, Wang Mian slowly spoke: "Go back. You can continue with your affairs as usual. Unless it is important, do not disturb my cultivation."

I came here for spiritual practice, not to exorcise demons.

Since the demonic beast had vanished without a trace, he was too lazy to bother searching for it. If the demonic beast attacked again, he would just kill it. He had been eating mortal beasts for quite some time now.

It's been a long time since I've eaten demon food, and after so long, I'm starting to miss its taste.

"As you command, Senior." Liu Qing replied earnestly and respectfully, "I will escort Senior Wang to his residence. Please follow me."

The guard post was located not far from the medicinal herb field, in a narrow stone hollow with an extremely narrow entrance, surrounded by stone walls on all four sides, covered with vines and moss.

Pushing open the stone gate at the entrance, the interior opens up into a spacious area with wooden buildings, a pond, gardens, open spaces, pavilions, and covered walkways.

Clusters of flowers, their fragrance filling the air.

It was meticulously arranged, exuding a refined and elegant charm.

"Was the previous guard a female cultivator?" The scene before him prompted Wang Mian to ask.

Liu Qing looked somewhat awkward when asked the question. Seeing Wang Mian looking at him with a questioning expression, he had no choice but to answer truthfully: "The previous garrison commander, Senior Du, had a penchant for effeminate men, so... so... he was a bit more refined."

"Luanfeng... I shouldn't have asked that question," Wang Mian said, his expression extremely awkward.

Seeing Wang Mian retract his hand, which was about to push open the door, Liu Qing spoke up at the right moment: "Senior, everything inside the building has been cleaned up. This small building has been cleaned inside and out many times. Now... it is clean."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Mian pushed open the wooden door, stepped over the threshold, and found that there were no private belongings in sight, only emptiness.

His discomfort subsided. There were no extra rooms on the first floor, so the empty lobby was converted into a cultivation area, equipped with a spirit-gathering array.

One can see the wisps of spiritual energy escaping, yet it is firmly locked within the spirit-gathering array. Judging from the concentration of spiritual energy, it is barely enough to sustain cultivation.

Aside from the former guard's eccentricities, Wang Mian was quite satisfied with this place; it was a good place for secluded cultivation.

With Liu Qing overseeing and managing the spiritual field, he only needs to close the stone gate to ensure that no one will disturb his cultivation.

"Senior, you can focus on your cultivation. I will take care of everything else. Unless there is something important, I and the other spiritual farmers will not disturb your cultivation," Liu Qing said confidently.

As the deputy in charge of guarding the spirit field, Liu Qing was very satisfied with Wang Mian's approach of not interfering in other matters.

It will neither diminish his power nor give him arbitrary orders, nor will it allow Ling Nong to pretend to know what he doesn't. Moreover, as a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator living in this Snake-Entwined Valley, his safety is guaranteed.

Such a senior deserves to be humbled, subservient, and served with utmost courtesy.

"You may leave now. Take good care of the medicinal fields and the spirit farmers. You will not be treated unfairly. If you have any important matters, come and find me again." Since there was nothing else for him to ask, Wang Mian dismissed him.

Liu Qinglian explained his situation, then took his leave and went out of the stone valley, sealing the stone gate behind him.

Seeing him leave, Wang Mian released Bai Jiuniang, whispered a few words to her, and then she suppressed her demonic aura, using her demonic power to condense words and ask, "Is there a problem?"

Wang Mian shook his head, only saying it was strange: "Just deal with whatever comes your way, and focus on your cultivation. Do you show any signs of breaking through your cultivation barrier?"

Bai Jiuniang nodded.

After several months of practice and having consumed many Qi-boosting pills, it can now vaguely sense the location of the barrier. It is likely that after a little more cultivation, it will be able to break through the small barrier again.

After breaking through the second level, a mid-grade demonic beast is on par with, or even slightly better than, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

"Take these three bottles of Qi-Boosting Pills and strive to break through the cultivation barrier as soon as possible. With your talent, you will become a Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator after breaking through the barrier, and even your escape speed will be hard to match." Wang Mian handed her the pills.

He now desperately hopes that Bai Jiuniang will make another breakthrough. With its speed and the backing of the dog, even if Lu Shi doesn't reach the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining, he will feel confident enough to take advantage of her.

Bai Jiuniang accepted the pills and nodded gently.

Wang Mian disliked taking pills, and it devoured all the pills that could enhance its magical power. Now, it had already consumed more than ten bottles of Qi-boosting pills alone.

It's time to clear the gate.

There was no need to worry about the spiritual fields and herbs; Wang Mian only needed to focus on his daily cultivation, which took several days.

Unable to receive any news from Su Fuyao, he grew restless and decided to go to the market to buy some paper and ink to continue his studies in talismanic arts.

After running out of paper and ink, the daily practice of talismanic arts has been interrupted for many days.

"Ninth Sister, come with me to the market." Wang Mian patted the spirit beast pouch, and Bai Jiu Niang reluctantly crawled into it.

Having grown up in the outside world since childhood, Bai Jiuniang now has to live in the spirit beast bag all the time, which is like being imprisoned. Every time she comes out, she is unwilling to go back into the spirit beast bag.

Once everything was ready, he called Liu Qing over and gave him a few instructions. Then he mounted his shuttle and flew away from Snake-Entwined Pass. Many busy spirit farmers noticed his departing figure.

As the light faded into the distance and Wang Mian's figure gradually disappeared into the sky, Liu Qing looked around and walked to a secluded spot. He took out a talisman and infused it with spiritual energy to activate it.

After whispering a few words, he quietly put away the talisman. After doing all this, he walked casually to the edge of the spirit field and began to direct the spirit farmers to cast spells to weed, chatting and laughing with several spirit farmers.

It was as if what had just happened had never occurred.