The Path to Immortality: Starting with the Growth of Bubble Fruits from the Ground

Zhou Mu took a deep breath, swallowing and refining strands of spiritual energy, which then merged into his dantian.

He could clearly sense that the spiritual energy here was not only much purer than that in the lower-grade areas, but also more than three times more concentrated.

"As expected of a spirit field ranked in the top 300, the spiritual energy here is truly amazing."

Furthermore, none of the medium-sized spiritual fields he passed along the way could compare to this one.

The most crucial element is the stream beside the courtyard. Zhou Mu sensed spiritual energy in the stream. As long as the method of diverting the water is appropriate, along with the eight earthworms, Zhou Mu's subsequent planting will be much easier.

Zhou Mu looked at Steward Liu, somewhat incredulous: "Steward, I'm only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, is this really where I was assigned?"

The fourth level of Qi Refining is only the minimum threshold for a first-level intermediate spirit plant master. Zhou Mu doesn't believe there aren't people in the intermediate zone with higher cultivation levels than him.

Manager Liu smiled smugly and said, "Don't worry, this is the territory of the No. 90 Internal Affairs Hall. I can make the decisions here. Just don't forget my previous request. Almost half a year has passed. You need to work hard to cultivate from now on."

Zhou Mu smiled and agreed, but his heart sank. Four and a half years to break through four times—it was incredibly difficult…

Since breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, Zhou Mu had vaguely sensed the bottleneck of the mid-stage of Qi Refining, a feeling of unbreakable barrier that he had never experienced before.

"Come over here and take a look."

Manager Liu patted Zhou Mu on the shoulder and then walked towards the courtyard.

But when the courtyard gate was pushed open, Steward Liu stopped in his tracks.

"You...how did you get here?!"

Manager Liu pointed into the courtyard and exclaimed in shock and anger.

Zhou Mu turned to look into the courtyard with a puzzled expression, and his face darkened.

A middle-aged man dressed in a blue steward's uniform was sitting at a stone table in the courtyard, holding a teacup and looking at Steward Liu with a mocking expression.

Behind him stood a young man who looked to be almost thirty. Judging from his blue robe, he was clearly a mid-level spiritual farmer, which meant he was an inner disciple of the outer sect.

He looked at Zhou Mu expressionlessly, his hostility undisguised.

Zhou Mu could guess with his life what these two people were up to when they appeared here.

"Two unexpected obstacles have suddenly appeared out of nowhere."

After Zhou Mu and his companion entered the courtyard, the man picked at his ear, tilted his head, and loudly said to Ling Nong beside him, "Nephew, I think I just heard someone bragging outside. Did you hear that?"

Lingnong glanced at the furious Steward Liu, then turned back with a beaming smile: "Uncle, you heard right. Someone was indeed patting their chest outside just now."

Manager Liu's face darkened: "Li Gang, are you deliberately going against me?"

Li Gang slammed his hand on the stone table and stood up. Without any politeness, he pointed at Steward Liu's nose and shouted, "Yes, I did it on purpose. I'm going against you. I'm also the steward of the No. 90 Internal Affairs Hall. What can you do to me?"

"Let me tell you straight, this spiritual field belongs to my nephew. Forget about it, get lost, and don't make a fool of yourself."

In addition to the General Hall of Internal Affairs, the sect has arranged two stewards in each of the Internal Affairs Halls, each with their own duties, in order to prevent the emergence of a one-man rule that could lead to personal enrichment and damage to the sect's interests.

In addition, one steward is appointed for every ten internal affairs halls, which is the position that Steward Liu has longed for for many years, something Zhou Mu already knew.

But Zhou Mu had never met Manager Li from the No. 90 Internal Affairs Hall before, and he never expected that the first time he met the two managers, they would be so tense.

Seeing his fearless demeanor, Zhou Mu felt that the spirit fields outside were getting further and further away from him.

The fat duck that was about to be eaten suddenly slapped Zhou Mu in the face and flew away right in front of him, which Zhou Mu found hard to accept.

"Fine, fine, you've got guts," Manager Liu laughed angrily, pointing at Li Gang and cursing, "I'm not one to be trifled with either. Do you believe I can fire you with just one word?"

The room fell silent. Li Gang and his companion exchanged a glance, their faces twitching.

Zhou Mu was also completely baffled, unable to understand why Steward Liu was suddenly so confident. Normally, when two stewards had a dispute, they would need to report it to the higher-ups and wait for a decision.

"Hahaha……"

Suddenly, Li Gang clutched his stomach with one hand, pointed at Manager Liu with the other, and burst into wild laughter, his face full of mockery.

"Fine, I... let's see how you get rid of me with just one sentence."

Li Gang wiped his eyes, and was slightly out of breath as he spoke.

Zhou Mu, who was standing to the side, suddenly saw Steward Liu's face return to calm, his lips move slightly, and then he put his hands behind his back and leisurely stood aside, making way for the courtyard gate.

Li Gang, who had been smug, suddenly froze, staring at Manager Liu with a livid face.

"Please..."

Manager Liu smiled slightly, pointed to the courtyard gate, and said to Li Gang.

"Bang..."

"Hmph...Let's go!"

Zhou Mu looked at the stone table that Li Gang had smashed with one palm with a pain in his eyes. The stone table was exquisitely crafted and worth at least two Qi-cultivating pills.

"Boy, my Li family will die because of you. You just wait."

Suddenly a sharp, shrill voice pierced Zhou Mu's ears, making him feel disoriented and his head throbbed with pain.

"Smack..."

Just as Zhou Mu was about to give up, Steward Liu appeared in front of him, not only blocking the sudden attack but also slapping Li Gang's nephew across the face.

The man's right cheek bulged out, and he was lifted off the ground, sent flying, and rolled three times after landing.

"Wow……"

Li Gang's nephew coughed up blood, his body covered in weeds and mud. He struggled for a few moments before finally managing to get up.

"If you dare lay a hand on me, you're asking for death!"

Li Gang finally realized what was happening. He pointed at Manager Liu, both shocked and angry, but Zhou Mu could clearly see that he lacked confidence.

"roll……"

Manager Liu shouted angrily, and Li Gang glanced at Zhou Mu before snorting coldly and striding away.

Zhou Mu touched his nose, looking slightly embarrassed.

At this moment, Zhou Mu sensed a murderous intent. He looked up and saw Li Gang's nephew staring at him with bloodshot eyes and full of resentment.

After their eyes met, he looked away and followed Li Gang, staggering as they gradually disappeared into the mixed woods.

"Alright, that annoying guy is gone."

Steward Liu pointed to the spirit field outside: "Let's go back to the Internal Affairs Hall first, register this spirit field in your name, and then report it to the main hall."

"Manager, what did you just say? Why did Manager Li... Li Gang just leave like that?"

As the two walked along the winding path, Zhou Mu asked curiously.

"Li Gang is my peer, and our cultivation levels are about the same. If we keep arguing and it gets to the deacon, we'll both be punished."

As he spoke, Manager Liu revealed a wicked smile: "But this time is different. You cultivated the Black Jade Ginseng, and I'll leverage Elder Qin's influence. He'll have no choice but to accept it."

Zhou Mu was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected Steward Liu to handle it this way, but Elder Qin still didn't know.

"Manager, aren't you afraid Elder Qin will find out?"

"I'm scared, so hurry up and let's finish the formalities for you, then we'll go find Elder Qin."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mu quickened his pace.