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

The batch of high-quality spirit rice with deep spiritual infusion in the woodshed was also safe and sound. He watered it once every night to make sure it was undamaged, and then covered it with an oilcloth again.

At this critical juncture, it's better to avoid trouble. We can wait until things have calmed down before replanting the premium rice.

Zhao Demao, however, was worried for him.

Once, they met on a field ridge. Zhao Demao stood with his hands behind his back for a while, then suddenly said, "The sect is probably going through the formalities. Be patient and wait."

Lu Qingchen nodded: "This disciple is not in a hurry."

Zhao Demao glanced at him, hesitated, and finally just patted him on the shoulder before walking away with his hands behind his back.

Lu Qingchen was indeed not in a hurry.

Whether or not a reward is given, and how much, is not something he can control.

He was more concerned about the immediate matter—the protective fields would be empty after the spirit rice was harvested.

He planned to take advantage of that opportunity to transplant the Earth Vein Spirit Embryo from the stone chamber in the valley.

However, the Earth Vein Spirit Embryo is not an ordinary spiritual plant.

The protective array of the spirit field is only a low-grade first-order array. Senior Brother He made it very clear that it is only for gentlemen, not villains. If someone at the late stage of Qi Refining is determined to break through, they can still do so with some effort.

We must hide it even deeper.

Not only do we need to hide it, but we also need to add an early warning system.

If someone does manage to break in, at least he'll know immediately.

That night, Lu Qingchen sat cross-legged on the bed with a piece of paper spread out in front of him, on which was a simple diagram of the protective spirit field.

He deliberated over several plans before finally settling on one.

Dig a pit in the center of the protective field, slightly to the east.

A layer of bluestone slabs was laid at the bottom of the cave to isolate spiritual energy, followed by a layer of ordinary soil, and the earth vein spirit embryo was planted in it.

The spirit-attracting jade of the Earth Qi Spirit-Attracting Array is buried above the cave, gathering earth energy to nourish the spiritual embryo, while using the fluctuations of earth energy to mask the spiritual embryo's own spiritual energy fluctuations.

The entrance to the burial chamber was covered with a movable bluestone slab, which was then covered with soil, and the spirit rice was planted as usual.

In this way, unless someone turns the entire protective field upside down, it would be impossible to discover what is hidden underground.

He marked the location and dimensions of the pit on the map, and listed the materials needed—several bluestone slabs, a set of materials for the early warning array, and digging tools.

The project was quite large, and it needed to be carried out in secret. Digging the pit, laying the stone slabs, and setting up the formation all had to be done by him alone.

But it's worth it.

Once the earth vein spirit embryo is properly settled, it will have a continuous supply of spiritual energy to assist its cultivation in the future, and its cultivation speed will be able to reach a new level!

......

While waiting for the harvest and the rewards from the Spirit Plant Hall, Lu Qingchen didn't neglect his cultivation for a single day.

Visualize your inner dantian; the pure qi slowly rotates within it, strand by strand, like fine silk threads.

He counted them silently—one hundred and eighty strands!

There are still 36 strands of pure energy needed to reach the third level of Qi Refining.

Since obtaining the "Hidden Spirit Technique," he no longer deliberately suppressed his cultivation as before.

With the Dao Stele as a safety net, one can improve their cultivation faster without fear of being discovered.

He has already mastered the first level of the Concealing Spirit Technique, and his aura is becoming more and more stable. As long as he doesn't actively reveal it, Zhao Demao and Sun Zhiyuan and others can't see his true strength.

As for whether his rapid cultivation progress might arouse suspicion—the Earth Vein Spirit Embryo is in his hands, so he can easily attribute the credit to it.

With the aid of spiritual objects from heaven and earth, it's understandable that progress is faster.

Currently, his apparent cultivation level is the second level of Qi Refining, but the actual amount of pure Qi he possesses has exceeded one hundred and eighty strands. It won't be long before he reaches the threshold of the third level of Qi Refining.

He also adjusted and allocated the cultivation power he gained from the Dao Stele Reincarnation.

Previously, most of it was used to temper spiritual roots, and a small portion was used to improve cultivation.

Now he intends to directly channel more cultivation into himself—the faster his cultivation improves, the sooner he can reach the fourth level of Qi Refining.

At that time, the Dao Stele will likely unlock a second bound wheel position, doubling the cultivation points gained from daily wheel rotations, and significantly accelerating the speed of spiritual root tempering and cultivation improvement.

Although the changes in the spiritual root and spiritual body are subtle, the direction is correct.

The length of the wood spirit root has increased by nearly one point since it first started, and the spiritual energy is flowing more and more smoothly in the meridians.

Aoki's spirit body has also improved, and her perception of the vitality of spirit plants is clearer than before.

Although the changes are small, they accumulate over time and eventually lead to a qualitative change.

......

While Lu Qingchen awaited his reward, a debate about him had already begun in the council hall of the Spirit Plant Hall on Mingfa Peak.

Su Mingyuan sat in the main seat, with several documents spread out on the table in front of him.

The three deputy hall masters sat on either side, and the five elders were seated in turn.

Zhou Yuandao was also there, holding a teacup, his expression indifferent.

Although the disease has subsided, its aftereffects have not yet ended.

The loss statistics for the seven villages have been reported—the yield of Ling rice has decreased by 10% to 20%, while the yields of red ginseng and ginkgo seedlings have been slightly more severe, but still within 20%.

Although the pesticide controlled the disease, the parts that had already withered could not be saved.

The only saving grace was that the pesticide was delivered in time, preventing the disease from spreading further; otherwise, the losses would have been far greater.

Su Mingyuan put down the disaster report in his hand and looked at Elder Meng and Elder Zheng.

"Elders, how is the investigation into the source of the Soul-Eating Disease progressing?"

Elder Meng stood up and took out a folded paper from his sleeve and unfolded it.

"Palace Master, the Corrosion Disease first appeared in Cuiping Village, and the first outbreak point was the Red-Veined Ginseng Field of Spirit Plant Master Zhou Ping."

His voice was unhurried, "As for why it occurred, it is still uncertain for the time being, but I have already obtained a clue - the appearance of the Soul-Eating Disease is very likely related to the seeds of that batch of Crimson Ginseng. Perhaps the source of the Soul-Eating Disease comes from these seeds."

Su Mingyuan nodded slightly: "Is there any basis for this?"

"I have checked Zhou Ping's records of receiving seeds. He received his batch of Crimson Ginseng seeds from the sect's seed bank several months ago. The same batch of seeds was also distributed to two other estates, and those two estates also experienced Spirit Erosion Disease one after another. The time and the batch of seeds match up."

There was a moment of silence in the council chamber.

"Of course, this is only a preliminary assessment."

Elder Meng added, "Whether it's a problem with the seeds, and if so, how the seeds became infected with the Spirit-Eating Insects—these questions still need further investigation."

"I will continue to investigate along this lead."

Su Mingyuan remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "It's good to have clues. Continue to investigate. Before we find out the truth, we will not make this matter public. We will strengthen the inspection of the seeds purchased by the Spirit Plant Hall in the future, and all seeds will be inspected using secret methods before being put into storage."

Elder Meng and Elder Zheng responded in unison, "Yes."

Su Mingyuan paused, then changed the subject.

"The second matter—the reward for Lu Qingchen, the spiritual plant grower of Qingmu Manor—let's discuss it."

The atmosphere in the council chamber shifted slightly.

Zhou Yuandao paused for a moment while holding the teacup, then resumed his normal hand gesture.

Elder Zheng spoke first, his tone solemn: "Palace Master, I believe he should be richly rewarded."