Crow Immortal
Chapter 12: Forming Good Connections

"Senior Brother Sun, you must be close to breaking through to the third layer of Qi Refinement, right?" Han Yu asked as Sun Kang was about to leave.

Mentioning this, Sun Kang's face lit up with anticipation: "With enough spirit rice, I should break through in about six months!"

"Oh, and in one month, our spirit fields will be ready for harvest. You can observe the harvesting process then to gain some experience."

After Sun Kang left, Han Yu remarked: "Senior Brother Sun is truly a kind-hearted person. I hope he breaks through smoothly and enters the outer sect soon."

The old Taoist Li rasped in agreement: "Not bad at all." Then with a hint of envy: "He's about to reach the third layer of Qi Refinement..." before hurriedly returning to his cultivation.

Han Yu also inspected the spirit fields before beginning his own practice.

He ate the replicated spirit rice ball, feeling the energy circulate through his meridians, bringing slight growth before finally gathering in the tiny spiritual seed within his dantian.

Qi circulation began from the dantian and returned to it, flowing throughout the body. The minuscule gains ultimately returned to the dantian.

After one complete cycle, the spiritual energy from the rice ball was completely absorbed. Continuing cultivation relying solely on his four spiritual roots to gather scattered energy from the surroundings became significantly slower and less effective.

"One replicated spirit rice ball per day isn't enough, and my four spiritual root aptitude is indeed lacking..."

As Han Yu pondered this, he heard faint wingbeats at the door.

Opening it, the large glossy-feathered crow flew in, followed by a normal-sized crow.

Both birds stared at him silently.

Han Yu chuckled: "I asked you to find spirit herbs for me, and you went and found yourself a companion!"

The large crow cawed softly: "Caw."

"You mean having help makes searching easier?"

"Caw."

Han Yu smiled: "Fair point. No wonder you've had no results these past few days."

"Caw." The large crow protested indignantly before hopping aside.

Han Yu condensed essence blood and used the Spirit Nurturing technique, transferring it to the new crow's mouth.

Red mist slowly emerged from the crow's body before gradually receding.

It then affectionately hopped onto Han Yu's shoulder, lightly pecking him in acknowledgment.

Freshly converted by the Spirit Nurturing technique, it wasn't as intelligent as the original crow, instinctively showing only obedience.

Han Yu patted the normal-sized crow before sending both out to search for spirit herbs.

The next morning, after another field inspection revealed no pests or water issues, Han Yu prepared to return to cultivation.

A passing woman called out: "You're Han Yu, right?"

Stopping, Han Yu recognized the attractive Senior Sister Wei from Liu Lan's celebration: "Yes, Senior Sister Wei, that's me."

"Young and with four spiritual roots isn't bad. You might enter the outer sect someday." She smiled. "Would you like to visit? I can offer you some treats."

Han Yu looked at her in surprise.

Was she also kind-hearted? He hadn't noticed yesterday.

"Don't worry," she explained, seeing his hesitation. "My family in the Southern Li Kingdom has means. Exchanging worldly goods for cultivation resources is easy for me. I like forming good connections with promising juniors."

Understanding his caution, she added: "If you ever leave Wangu Valley on missions, showing slight consideration for our Wei family would make this worthwhile."

Han Yu suddenly realized her intentions. "Your family—the one with the Prime Minister in Southern Li?"

Senior Sister Wei brightened: "You know! Wonderful!" She grabbed his arm: "Since we're both from Southern Li, no need for formality. Come, let me host you!"

Feeling overwhelmed, Han Yu suggested: "Li Quan who entered with me is also from Southern Li. Should I invite him too?"

That ninety-year-old with five spiritual roots?

Senior Sister Wei's mouth twitched slightly.

But considering it wouldn't hurt to include one more person for good relations, she nodded.

Han Yu called at the old Taoist's door but got no response.

"He seems to be out."

Senior Sister Wei, secretly pleased at saving one gift, said: "What a shame. I'll host you alone today."

Han Yu considered: "Senior Sister Wei, perhaps we could wait for Li Quan and visit together later?"

Her expression cooled noticeably before giving a terse nod: "Fine." Then she quickly excused herself.

While genuinely wanting connections, this junior was frustratingly hesitant. Among all the disciples she knew, he was the first to refuse benefits.

Must I beg you repeatedly?

Old Taoist Li was unusually absent. Only at night did faint light briefly appear in his stone house.

Han Yu called out, and the wary old man peered out: "What?"

"Old Taoist, Senior Sister Wei invited me today to form connections..."

As Han Yu spoke, he noticed the old Taoist's unusually cold, deep-set eyes and tightly closed mouth, like a bloodthirsty animal restraining itself.

When Han Yu finished, the old Taoist's predatory aura faded as he rasped: "Foolish boy! Take the free food and gifts! Why wait for me?"

"We're companions from Southern Li, and I had conflict with her fourth brother." Han Yu explained. "Having you there would be better."

The old Taoist's gaze softened slightly before laughing hoarsely: "You foolish boy—fine, come in!"

Inside, Han Yu saw a bowl of thick essence blood emitting bloody vapor on the table.

"I went to Green Sprout Market today!" The old Taoist made no attempt to hide it. "Traded martial skills for money to buy Blood Nourishment."

"Old Taoist, you're practicing the Blood Refinement Technique again?"

"At my slow cultivation speed, I have no choice." His ugly face turned solemn. "Practicing only the Green Sprout Qi Cultivation Technique, I might die without progress. I must try alternatives."

"Though the Blood Refinement Technique is pseudo-immortal cultivation, it's still a demonic path. Better than dying with regrets from lack of progress!"