Infinite Professions-Chapter 148 - 65: Countryside

Five Elements Technique

Skill Profession: Immortal Hermit.

Skill Effect: Hidden Cultivation (When cultivating in Cultivation Land, the efficiency of Five Elements Technique is significantly enhanced)

Skill Introduction: The Dao of Five Elements begins from within.

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General skill First Transformation, gains professional blessing.

Shen Hex performs the Technique, feeling all meridians relaxed, and can clearly sense the Spiritual Qi gathering into his body, merging into his organs under the effect of the Five Elements Technique, nurturing Spiritual Power according to the attributes of the Five Elements, thereby reaching the cultivation realm of "Gathering Spirit".

Though there are three thousand paths of the Dao, they all ultimately lead to the same destination, yet the starting roads differ.

The emphasis of the Martial Dao lies in training the physical body, condensing Inner Strength with blood and Qi, then purifying Inner Strength into True Qi Gang Yuan, not until reaching the Fifth Realm does one access the Power of Heaven and Earth, using Heavenly Gang Sha to temper the Golden Core.

While the Immortal Dao’s focus initially lies in Primordial Spirit cultivation, altering the body using Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, gradually transitioning into Primordial Spirit form, early on cultivating Magical Power comparable to Martial Dao True Essence, and at the Foundation Establishment of the Fourth Realm, one can mobilize the Power of Heaven and Earth to a certain extent.

Martial Arts Body Training!

Immortal Dao Refining Qi!

These are the slight differences between the starting points of the two systems.

Though there are differences, there are similarities as well, even shared aspects, hence often people cultivate both Immortal and Martial paths, training the physical body while refining Spiritual Qi, known as Immortals within Martial.

At present, Shen Hex has reached Tier Three in Martial Dao, and is just beginning Immortal Dao, logically requiring some exploration, yet having experienced Heavenly Gang Sha alchemy, his control over the Power of Heaven and Earth is already proficient, making the cultivation process facile.

The sole obstacle is the Spiritual Root.

The original Zhong Chuan lacked a Spiritual Root, the Five Elements complete Pseudo-Spiritual Root Shen Hex reckons was born from the increase in Immortal Dao Talent when upgrading as "Spirit Fisherman", thus forming Acquired Spiritual Root.

Now having transitioned from Spirit Fisherman to Immortal Fate People, although Spiritual Root aptitude hasn’t further increased, with the aid of Five Elements Technique and Hidden Cultivation, along with the experience in Heavenly Gang Sha alchemy, cultivation efficiency is enhanced, at least not inferior to Yellow-grade Spiritual Root.

Thus, after half a day, Shen Hex feels fatigued and exits that marvelous state.

Cultivation emphasizes gradual progression, especially in Immortal Dao cultivation, because it involves directly absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Spirit, even with the aid of Spiritual Root and cultivation technique, it remains a significant burden on the physical body and soul, requiring moderation, otherwise the risk of qi deviation is high.

That’s why Immortal Dao cultivation prioritizes "Dharma, Land, Wealth, and Companions".

While nature’s spiritual energy can be absorbed, it’s akin to sewage containing various impurities and even toxins; the pure Spiritual Qi for cultivators only comprises a small portion.

Cultivators cultivate to purify Spiritual Qi of impurities and toxins through cultivation technique and Spiritual Root, integrating the most suitable and purest Primordial Spirit into their bodies.

Therefore, Dharma, Land, Wealth, and Companions are exceedingly vital.

Dharma represents techniques, encapsulating methods for longevity and Dao Protection Skill, not only affecting the cultivation speed but also pertaining to life and death and the survival of one’s path, being of utmost importance.

Land refers to Spirit Land, residing in areas abundant with Spiritual Qi can significantly enhance cultivation efficiency and reduce the risk of qi deviation, and in High Tier Spirit Land, one may not even require active cultivation, silently nurturing a Primordial Spirit Body.

Wealth and Companions follow similarly; Wealth comprises Spirit Stones and items like Pill Talisman Array, Spirit Stones with pure Spiritual Qi, and pills with various benefits significantly aiding cultivation.

Take Shen Hex as an example, absorbing a Spirit Stone grants at least several days’ worth of Qi Cultivation results, using pills even more so, spanning months or years with ease, and acquiring a Top-Grade Spiritual Pill to gain sixty years’ worth of results in one night is not impossible.

Sadly, most cultivators lack these conditions; forget Top-Grade Spiritual Pill, even Low-tier Pill or Lower Grade Spirit Stone aren’t usable for daily cultivation—only during breakthroughs are they reluctantly utilized, their sorrow unknown to outsiders.

It’s due to Wealth’s preciousness that some pursue alternative means from "Companions", inventing sinister techniques like Yin Yang Replenishment, turning companions into cauldrons.

Shen Hex now possesses Five Elements Technique, Hidden Cultivation Land, and contributions from Ding Shengji and several Scattered Wealth Boy, having three of the four; as long as he spends Spirit Stones, even if his Spiritual Root lacks, cultivation can progress rapidly.

Yet he doesn’t immediately use Spirit Stones for cultivation.

Small hermitage in the forest, great hermitage in the city—the Spirit Farmer’s work remains undone.

Shen Hex retrieves a bag of Spirit Rice seeds and a Profound Iron forged hoe from the Storage Pouch, then exits the cottage to commence land cultivation.

Sweat during noon, every grain is hard work!

Red Maple Valley only rents fields; seeds and tools are for the Spirit Farmer to purchase, cultivation is self-sustaining and profits or losses are their responsibility; regardless of harvest, a yearly quota of Spirit Rice must be paid, or else collateral Spirit Stones are deducted and fields reclaimed.

Thus, for Spirit Farmers to survive, they must tend to their fields well, cultivation is secondary to farming.

Although some Spirit Farmers prioritize cultivation, renting only an acre of Spirit Field, seldom farming, and during year-end purchasing Spirit Rice at the marketplace to pay rent, such individuals are few and far between, lacking enough Spirit Stones doesn’t support this approach. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Though Shen Hex possesses many Spirit Stones, he can’t rely on them indefinitely; hence he too must farm the Spirit Field—not only farm but cultivate aggressively, to pave the celestial path.

With his body bent and the Profound Iron hoe swinging traces of shadows, Shen Hex quickly overturns ten acres of Spirit Field owing to his Gang Yuan Martial Artist’s robust physique.

What, a plow?

Regrettably, bringing Spirit Beast into the valley requires payment.

Spirit Beasts can absorb nature’s spiritual energy; if not charged, one might lead hundreds of cattle here—how would Red Maple Valley continue?

To be precise, Beast Taming and Pill Talisman Array are high-end industries within the Cultivation Realm; many cultivators barely sustain themselves, where would extra Spirit Stones to nurture Spirit Beasts originate?

It demands a certain wealth base; otherwise, encountering Exotic Beast, ordinary cultivators might only end up as dinners.

This explains why Shen Hex hasn’t released the Iron-Feathered Eagle; not only is it conspicuous, but incurs a Spiritual Rent, albeit minor, yet an avoidable cost.

Ten acres of Spirit Field undergo both rough and meticulous cultivation to ensure adequate softness.

Following this, Shen Hex performs Lightweight Skill, and like surrounding field workers, holding several large buckets leaps about, fetching Spirit Stream water for irrigation, transforming fields into wet paddy fields.

Despite being Martial Artists, such labor induces fatigue.

Yet Shen Hex savors this work, day and night fetching water for irrigation, finally transforming ten acres into paddy fields within three days.

At this point, the seeds, soaked in Spirit Stream water, have sprouted, Shen Hex commences transplanting seedlings acre by acre.

Thus, from sunrise to sunset, it approaches evening.

With sunset resembling blood, the ten acres glisten under slanting light, verdant seedlings planted into moist yellow soil, exuding hopeful vitality and new life’s promise.

After a day’s toil, Shen Hex refrains from cultivation, instead placing a recliner in front of the cottage, relaxing into it, viewing the lush seedlings, and emanates the satisfaction and joy of an elder farmer.

Pastoral life, rural splendor, though somewhat arduous, carries distinct allure, immersing individuals, anticipating harvest’s arrival.

Shen Hex enjoys such a lifestyle!