Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 17 A Genius with Intermediate Spiritual Roots

"This earthworm necklace is perfect for me."

To others, it is just an ordinary auxiliary-type, low-grade, first-tier earth-elemental spiritual artifact.

But in Liu He's hands, the effect it can produce is unimaginable.

"Let's go to the forest farm!"

Without saying a word, he rushed to the forest farm.

Next to the ant nest.

Liu He took off the earth elemental necklace from his neck, opened the hollowed-out copper ball that served as a pendant, and took out the earth elemental bead inside.

The surface of the earth bead is smooth and lustrous, resembling an earthy yellow glass ball.

He placed the Earth Elemental Pearl on the anthill: "My ant people, carry it into my nest."

A dozen or so ants swarmed around it, pushing and shoving as they carried the earth bead toward the nest.

Liu He watched as the Earth Elemental Pearl disappeared into the ant nest tunnel.

Earth Element Pearls have no odor and do not have the same powerful attraction to ants as Elixir.

"On the surface, it's just an ordinary ant nest."

Liu He knew that the Earth Pearl had been moved to the deepest part of the ant nest by the ants.

Who would have thought that there was a Soil Elemental Pearl deep inside this inconspicuous little ant nest?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Liu He returned to his room on Qixia Peak and entered the ant nest.

That low-grade earth elemental pearl lay quietly in his cave, so large that he had to look up at it.

"How do I refine this thing?"

He was in a dilemma.

In reality, the earth elemental pearl, which was only the size of his fingernail, transformed into a gigantic ball three zhang tall in the ant nest.

A three-inch diameter earth bead is considered a top-grade earth bead.

What grade is a three-zhang-tall Earth Element Pearl?

The principle of refining spiritual artifacts is to nurture and refine them with one's own spiritual energy repeatedly, thereby establishing a connection with the artifact and achieving a state of complete control.

The higher one's cultivation level, the shorter the time required to refine a spiritual weapon.

For cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining, refining a common low-grade first-order spiritual weapon can take anywhere from one or two days to three to five days.

"Assuming it takes me three days to refine a low-grade Earth Element Pearl, then refining this three-zhang-tall Earth Element Pearl would take... well, it's impossible to calculate."

"We have a treasure trove, but it's difficult to utilize it."

Liu He sighed inwardly.

He then sat cross-legged next to the Earth Elemental Pearl, pressing his body against it, and began to practice the method of refining spiritual artifacts.

As he refined the Earth Element Pearl, an extremely faint special energy was drawn from the Earth Element Pearl into his body.

This is the effect recorded in ancient texts, which enhances his affinity with the earth element.

"Too slow, we should focus on improving our cultivation level."

"With higher cultivation levels, there will be more spiritual energy within the body, making it faster to refine the Earth Element Pearl."

He has just embarked on the path of cultivation; he should proceed slowly and steadily, without any rush.

He spends three hours a day practicing the "Gathering Spirit and Qi Technique," half an hour refining the Earth Element Pearl, and the rest of the time reading books in the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

After successfully cultivating his Qi, his physique improved, and he was no longer a mere mortal. He only needed to sleep for one hour each day.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Several days later. Waishan Forest Farm.

Wu Shao summoned his men to assemble.

"Senior Brother Liu~"

Good morning, Senior Brother Liu.

"..."

They greeted Liu He warmly when they saw him.

Of the original twenty-odd trial repairmen, only Song Qian and Liu He were promoted to full-fledged repairmen.

"Senior Brother Liu, are you free after your shift? I heard the roses in the garden behind Qixia Peak are in bloom, they're so beautiful."

A female cultivator struck up a conversation with Liu He with a charming smile.

"Sorry, I have to go to the cultivation technique pavilion, I don't have time."

Liu He knew what the female cultivator was thinking.

He doesn't even have enough spirit stones for himself, so how could he have the mind to talk about love?

"All right."

The female cultivator secretly thought that it must be because of her appearance and figure that she was not good enough. She wished she were like Song Qian.

Just then, Wu Shao arrived with another female cultivator.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce myself."

Wu Shao smiled warmly: "This is Wang Yarong, a former handyman disciple who was recently promoted to a full-fledged position. She will join our forest area from today onwards."

She is a genius with a medium-level spiritual root; her future path to immortality is limitless.

All eyes were on Wang Yarong, filled with envy and respect.

Wang Yarong wore a beige long dress-style robe, which accentuated her fair and delicate complexion.

Her long black hair was tied into a ponytail, straight and smooth.

Her eyebrows and eyes were delicate and gentle, her almond-shaped eyes clear as a mountain pool, exuding an air of purity untouched by worldly affairs. Her nose was delicate, her lips cherry-like; her beauty was flawless even without makeup.

The same long dress and robe looked incredibly alluring on Song Qian, but on this woman, it exuded a graceful and innocent charm, showcasing completely different temperaments.

A mid-level spiritual root?!

Before learning this news, everyone's impression of Wang Yarong was only "pure and beautiful".

There's now a sense of alienation, as if it's "unattainable".

In the trial training of miscellaneous tasks, the difference between inferior and intermediate spiritual roots is extremely large.

Those with inferior spiritual roots had to use every possible means to break through to the Qi Refining stage before the six-month deadline.

Wang Yarong, on the other hand, did nothing. She broke through to the Qi Refining stage in just over four months by simply practicing normally, without spending a single spirit stone.

"Everyone welcomes Wang Yarong to the team."

Wu Shao shouted loudly.

He was an outer disciple at the fifth level of Qi Refining, but only possessed a low-grade spiritual root. If Wang Yarong continued her cultivation without any mistakes, her future achievements would undoubtedly surpass his.

"Welcome, Senior Sister Wang!"

"A warm welcome!"

The voices of the crowd rose and fell in different tones.

"There's nothing else going on today, everyone can leave. Liu He, you and Wang Yarong, come with me."

Wu Shao called out to Liu He.

I?

Liu He didn't know why Wu Shao wanted to see him.

The two followed Wu Shao to a distance away.

"Liu He, isn't your forest area short of someone for night watch? Let Wang Yarong fill in for now. The forest area will be re-divided in a while, and I'll make other arrangements then."

Wu Shao said.

In a little over a month, the six-month trial period for these trial training servants will expire, and most of them will leave the sect.

Other menial disciples who want to enter the Spirit Plant Peak will then come to his service.

Since they are officially employed servants with cultivation, they would not only guard a thirty-acre forest area.

In short, there will be significant changes.

"Okay, I understand."

Liu He nodded, agreeing to Wu Shao's arrangement.

"I'll follow your arrangements."

Wang Yarong spoke concisely and in a soft, gentle voice.

"You two can decide between day and night shifts. Just make sure you both take care of the forest and nothing goes wrong."

After giving these words, Wu Shao used his lightness technique to leave.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"The forest area we're protecting is over there. I'll take you there."

Liu He pointed in the direction of the forest area and led Wang Yarong there.

"Thirty acres of forest area, the boundary line is here..."

Liu He explained in detail.

Just then, a person whom Liu He disliked arrived.

It's Feng Zhe.

Feng Zhe came to see Wang Yarong. He knew that Wang Yarong had a talent of medium spiritual root and must have extra spirit stones. If he could get close to this talented female cultivator, would he still lack spirit stones?

Not to mention that Wang Yarong is beautiful.

"Senior Sister Wang, my name is Feng Zhe."

He struck up a conversation without any hesitation, his face plastered with a fake smile.

"Did you need something?"

Wang Yarong looked puzzled.

"Senior sister, you're so beautiful! I couldn't help but want to come over and talk to you. Do you have a moment? I..."

"hehe."

Wang Yarong interrupted with a mocking smile, "Your skin is thicker than a defensive magical artifact. A trial cultivator's handyman wants to ask me out? If you put more effort into cultivation, you wouldn't have such low cultivation level."

"..."

Feng Zhe's fake smile came to an abrupt end.