The Spirit Rain Technique works by drawing spiritual energy from the air, fusing it into the rainwater, which then seeps into the soil, allowing spirit plants to absorb it.
As He Song demonstrated the technique, Meng Guan, standing nearby, nodded in approval.
The execution of the Spirit Rain Technique was impressive, showcasing that He Song had put in serious effort.
The Spirit Rain Technique: passed.
"Alright, that's enough. Stop now so as not to disturb others," Meng Guan's slightly aged voice instructed from the side.
"Now, demonstrate the Spirit Arrow Technique."
Heeding the instruction, He Song ceased casting.
The Spirit Rain Technique was undeniably useful, but context mattered. Within the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, where slaughter was strictly forbidden, casting spells with excessively intense energy fluctuations could attract the enforcement team. They might even treat the culprit as a wandering cultivator or an evil cultivator.
Fortunately, the spiritual energy fluctuations caused by the Spirit Rain and Spirit Arrow Techniques were mild, and since applicants regularly demonstrated them at the Spirit Herb Pavilion, there was no concern about drawing undue attention.
With Meng Guan's permission, He Song transitioned to the next spell.
"Spirit Arrow Technique!"
Reciting the mantra inwardly, He Song manipulated his spiritual energy. Within moments, a spiritual arrow, condensed entirely from energy, materialized at his fingertips.
The arrow shimmered with a cold, sword-like radiance, its potency fully manifested. A mere thought would unleash it.
"Good, good, good!"
"You're a diligent one! In just a month, you've mastered both techniques to a usable level without losing their power. Impressive work!"
Watching He Song demonstrate both spells proficiently, Meng Guan's satisfaction grew stronger.
A month ago, as part of his role in recruiting Spirit Planters, Meng Guan had casually selected a lone, first level Qi Refinement cultivator who had just entered the world of immortal cultivation. He had given He Song the Spirit Plant Cultivation Techniques book.
At the time, it had been little more than a casual gesture, a whim without much expectation.
Over the years, Meng Guan had made similar gestures many times, never expecting much in return.
But now, just one month later, this whimsical act had brought him a pleasant surprise.
He Song's diligence, while unexpected, left a favorable impression.
A minor, thoughtless action on his part had been taken seriously by He Song, and this attitude was something Meng Guan greatly appreciated.
"With senior's guidance, it's only natural that this junior put forth their best effort," He Song replied humbly, deflecting the praise.
What else could he say?
That he had actually learned both techniques in just twenty days, spent only three days practicing further, and that for the remaining seven days, he hadn't even transmigrated yet?
Such things were better left unsaid.
Meng Guan, however, seemed to be in a particularly good mood.
Despite He Song's humble response, Meng Guan remained in high spirits.
"Good. You're neither arrogant nor impatient—exactly the temperament suited for a Spirit Planter," Meng Guan said, stroking his meticulously groomed beard, his gaze toward He Song growing warmer.
"Well, since you're so diligent and of such pure character, from now on, you're officially a Spirit Planter under our Spirit Herb Pavilion." With that, Meng Guan stood up and led He Song to the back courtyard.
In the courtyard, Meng Guan prepared two sets of uniforms specifically for Spirit Planters and handed them to He Song.
He also filled a small bag with spirit rice seeds for him.
Afterward, Meng Guan took He Song outside and assigned him five acres of spirit farmlands, indicating that these would be under his care.
He explained that as He Song's cultivation improved, he could apply for more spirit farmlands in the future. Each cultivation breakthrough would allow Spirit Planters to manage more farmlands, as higher cultivation meant more spiritual energy reserves to handle the workload.
This directly translated into increased income.
It was this potential for wealth and stability that made the position of Spirit Planter so coveted.
The income wasn't fixed; the more farmlands one managed and the higher-grade spirit plants one cultivated, the greater the earnings.
For those with patience and skill, this could pave a steady path toward the Foundation Establishment Realm of cultivation.
However, progress required time, and the income was modest in the early stages.
For He Song, now immortal, time was no longer a concern. The Spirit Planter path suited him perfectly.
After bidding Meng Guan farewell, He Song followed the map provided and soon arrived at the location of his assigned five-acre farmland.
The farmlands were close to Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, practically adjacent to it.
spirit farmlands required the nourishment of spiritual energy to exist. Only areas with sufficient concentration of spiritual energy could support them.
The proximity to the market ensured these farmlands were well-nourished, as more distant areas lacked the spiritual density necessary for cultivation.
"This location is convenient," He Song mused, glancing at the road behind him where people passed by regularly.
"Not far from where I live and connected by a main road—it should be safe."
Observing his surroundings, He Song noted that most neighboring farmlands were already planted with spirit rice seeds.
"It's spring now," he realized, raising an eyebrow.
"That must be why Elder Meng handed out Spirit Plant Cultivation Techniques a month ago—perfect timing for spring sowing."
He couldn't help but feel that his predecessor had been quite fortunate.
Just as the previous soul had achieved Qi Refinement and entered the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, Meng Guan had begun recruiting Spirit Planters for the spring planting season.
This fortunate timing had led him onto the path of becoming a Spirit Planter.
Without this encounter, He Song might have been at a loss upon transmigrating.
Shaking off his wandering thoughts, He Song refocused.
The priority now was planting the farmlands.
With a wave of his hand, strands of spiritual energy scattered the spirit rice seeds across the five-acre farmland in an even spread.
Once the seeds were planted, He Song cast the Spirit Rain Technique, enveloping the entire farmland in a light, spiritual rain.
Droplets of spiritual rain infused with energy fell steadily onto the soil, nourishing the spirit rice seeds.
Triggered by the spiritual energy, the seeds began to undergo subtle changes.
Half an hour later, He Song stopped casting, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.
The Spirit Rain Technique, as a support spell, required only a small amount of spiritual energy. However, with He Song at the first level of the Qi Refinement Realm, sustaining the spell for half an hour drained his reserves.
Even so, He Song felt no discouragement.
This was the life of a Spirit Planter.
Spirit rice required daily care: half an hour of the Spirit Rain Technique, pest control, and general maintenance of the farmlands. Only through consistent effort across an entire year could one yield a successful harvest.
This meticulous process explained the high price of spirit rice.