After binding with a genius, I became an immortal by exploiting loopholes.

When the news reached Zhou Ming's ears, he ran into Lu Qingchen by the field one day and jokingly asked, "Manager Lu, what are those two potted plants of yours? Why are you guarding them so closely?"

Lu Qingchen smiled and said, "It's nothing, just some ordinary seeds, planted casually."

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Zhou Ming did not press him further and left with a smile.

Sun Zhiyuan noticed it too, or rather, he had noticed it a long time ago!

Sometimes, he would come to the vicinity of the village and watch from afar as Lu Qingchen carried the two pots of spiritual plants out of the house and back from the edge of the field, feeling both anxious and resentful.

This kid is being way too guarded!

......

Although Lu Qingchen has focused most of his attention on the two spiritual plants in recent days, he hasn't neglected his cultivation for a single day.

At night, he sat cross-legged on the bed, focusing his mind on his dantian.

The pure energy slowly rotated in the dantian, and had already condensed into one hundred and forty strands.

Although I'm still quite far from reaching the third level of Qi Refining, at the current rate, I should be able to break through in another two or three months.

In the month or so since he arrived at Qingmu Manor, he has condensed a total of forty strands of pure energy, averaging thirty strands per month!

He knew in his heart that the speed of his cultivation was not an illusion.

The spiritual root is improving—the trace of cultivation drawn from the Dao Stele's light pearl each night seeps into the depths of the spiritual root, stripping away impurities and nourishing the root veins.

The wood spirit root has grown slightly longer than when it first started, and the spiritual energy is flowing more and more smoothly through the meridians.

Although the changes are subtle, they have accumulated over time and the effects are already becoming apparent.

It is foreseeable that as the spiritual root continues to improve, the speed of cultivation will become faster and faster in the future.

The changes in his spiritual body weren't very obvious, but Lu Qingchen vaguely sensed that his perception of spiritual plants seemed to be stronger than before.

He had already mastered the first level of the "Hidden Spirit Technique," and his aura was becoming increasingly stable. Although he couldn't yet control it completely at will, neither Zhao Demao nor Sun Zhiyuan could detect anything, indicating that he had reached a certain level of proficiency.

He also practiced his spiritual plant magic every day, casting spells on the spiritual plants by the spiritual field, over and over again.

Everything is proceeding as planned.

About ten days later, the two spiritual plants grew taller, their leaves growing from half a foot to about a foot long, turning a deep purple-black, with golden veins that looked as if they were embroidered with gold thread, shimmering in the sunlight.

Lu Qingchen felt that was about enough.

He went to Zhao Demao to ask for leave.

"Master, this disciple wishes to return to the sect."

Zhao Demao was looking at the account book when he looked up at him and frowned slightly.

Another leave of absence? Why is this young man always running to the sect every other day?

But Lu Qingchen's next words made him swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"This disciple wishes to take these two potted spiritual plants back to Elder Sun for his perusal."

Lu Qingchen pointed to the two spiritual plants at the entrance, "This disciple has always felt that they are unusual, and would like to ask Elder Sun to help me take a look and see what kind they are."

Zhao Demao put down the account book, walked to the door, squatted down and looked at the two spiritual plants.

With its purplish-black leaves, golden veins, and faint spiritual light, he had never seen such a spiritual plant in all his decades of farming.

"You don't mind letting me take a look, do you?"

"Hehe, Master, you have it easy."

Lu Qingchen smiled.

With permission, Zhao Demao reached out and touched the leaf, then leaned closer to smell it, his brows furrowing into a knot.

It's hard to tell where it came from.

He stood up, glanced at Lu Qingchen, and said, "Did you really get this from the mountains? I've never seen it before."

"Absolutely true," Lu Qingchen said.

Zhao Demao stared at him for a couple of moments, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes, but ultimately he didn't press the matter.

Everyone has their own secrets. He's been farming for so many years, he understands this basic principle.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright, go back and let Old Sun take a good look. If it's really something good, don't forget to tell the villagers."

"Disciple understands."

Sun Zhiyuan stood by his field, watching Lu Qingchen leave with the two pots of spiritual plants, feeling both anxious and resentful.

This kid kept a close watch on the spiritual plants. During the day, he would bring them out and stand guard beside them. At night, he would bring them back inside and close the door, so the other person had no chance to take any action.

Now look what's happened, they've brought him straight back to the sect.

......

Lu Qingchen tied the two pots of spiritual plants together with straw rope, carried one pot in each hand, and left Qingmu Manor.

Upon arriving at the sect, Lu Qingchen did not go anywhere else but headed straight for Panlong Peak.

Old Sun was squatting in the herb garden watering the medicinal herbs when he saw him walk in carrying a pot of glowing plants, and the water ladle in his hand paused for a moment.

"What is this?"

"I planted these in Qingmu Village and would like to ask Elder Sun for his help in taking a look."

Lu Qingchen placed the two potted spiritual plants on the ground and took a step back.

Old Sun put down the water ladle, walked over, squatted down, and squinted at it for a long time.

He didn't reach out to touch it, he just looked, his gaze moving from the leaves to the stem, from the stem to the roots, and then from the roots back to the leaves.

The casualness on his face slowly disappeared, replaced by solemnity.

He reached out and gently touched the leaves, then leaned closer to smell them. He stood up, took two steps back, and stared at the two spiritual plants for a long time.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.

"I found the seeds while collecting herbs in the mountains, and I brought them back to plant," Lu Qingchen said.

Old Sun glanced at him, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

That look clearly said—you're not telling the truth.

But he didn't ask any further questions; he just nodded and squatted down to continue watching.

"Elder Sun, is this considered a special spiritual plant?" Lu Qingchen asked.

Old Sun was silent for a moment, then said, "I've farmed all my life and never seen anything like this."

Lu Qingchen was secretly delighted, but showed no sign of it on his face: "Then... could we apply for a private spirit field? The kind protected by an array. I want to study these spirit plants, but Qingmu Manor doesn't have the necessary conditions."

Old Sun raised his head and gave him a meaningful look.

"You kid, this is probably what you came for, isn't it?"

Lu Qingchen did not deny it and nodded directly: "Yes, this disciple does want a private spiritual field. These spiritual plants are extraordinary, and this disciple is not at ease leaving them outside."

Old Sun pondered for a moment.

"I can help you with the matter of your personal spirit field."

Lu Qingchen was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Elder Sun!"

"Don't thank me yet."

Old Sun waved his hand. "I have a condition."

"Please speak."

Old Sun pointed to the two potted spiritual plants on the ground: "Keep these two here and I'll study them for a while."

"As a reward, I'll arrange your own spirit field, including the formation and the location of the spirit field."

Lu Qingchen's smile froze for a moment.

He looked down at the two potted plants, then looked up at Old Sun.

Old Sun was looking at him, his gaze calm and revealing no emotion.

He quickly calculated in his mind.

These two spiritual plants were grown from seeds of Qingyun Sanren, so they are indeed extraordinary. However, he still has five of those seeds, so giving away two is not a loss.