Crow Immortal
Chapter 32: Approaching Harvest

Han Yu listened to their discussions and gained much understanding, yet couldn't help feeling an inexplicable sense of urgency. 

If the major sects truly launched an attack against Wangu Valley, what could mere menial disciples like them do? 

Wouldn't their lives hang by a thread at others' whims? 

Then another thought struck him—how had news spread so quickly among menial disciples within just a few days? What did this imply? 

If the sect intended to strictly guard this secret, the information shouldn't have circulated so rapidly. 

Han Yu couldn't fathom Wangu Valley's intentions, so he focused solely on cultivation—enhancing his qi refinement through the Green Sprout Qi Cultivation Technique while improving his aptitude via the Spirit Refining Technique. 

The Blood Refinement Technique could also rapidly boost his vitality, but after using it to compensate for bodily damage caused by the Spirit Refining Technique, his blood energy accumulation slowed significantly. 

By consuming Spirit Blood Vine to supplement his vitality, Han Yu shortened his Spirit Refining sessions from every five days to every four days. 

Unnoticed, over a month passed without any conflict erupting between Wangu Valley and other sects. The earlier fervent discussions gradually faded into obscurity until no one mentioned them anymore. 

Han Yu eventually realized Wangu Valley's motive in allowing all disciples—including menial ones—to openly discuss these matters: to signal any hidden traitors that the valley stood prepared, discouraging further schemes. 

This deliberate provocation aimed to startle potential enemies into abandoning their plans. 

Old Daoist Li and Han Yu no longer interacted, becoming complete strangers. Han Yu neither knew how the old man had removed his red hair that day nor what urgent matters kept him occupied recently. 

Han Yu could only tend to his own progress, cultivating daily with steady improvements and continuous gains. 

After repeated Spirit Refining sessions, about twenty percent of his Fire Spirit Root had been refined. 

Absorbing medicinal energy each day and increasing the upper limit of spiritual essence had clearly improved compared to before; the spiritual seed budding in the dantian had become faintly more distinct. Although there was still quite a gap to reach the third level of Qi Refining, with consistent effort over time, progress was noticeably faster than before.

Such aptitude enhancement came at tremendous cost—an enormous deficit when considering only Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment realms. Only Han Yu could endure and dare attempt this. 

One morning, upon leaving his stone hut, Han Yu immediately noticed changes in his Spirit Field. 

The Green Sprout Spirit Rice stood half an inch taller than yesterday, with spiritual energy gradually coalescing—it had entered the final harvest stage! 

"Junior Brother Han, quickly enter the Spirit Field to meditate!" Sun Kang approached with a smile. "With your Four Spiritual Roots, this opportunity might help you reach Qi Refining First Layer!" 

The reminder stirred Han Yu: indeed, it was time to publicly "achieve" Qi Refining First Layer and begin learning spells. 

"Many thanks for Senior Brother Sun's guidance." 

After expressing gratitude, Han Yu entered the field and assumed meditation posture. 

Shortly after, Old Daoist Li emerged wearing a bamboo hat. Sun Kang called out: "Junior Brother Li, seize this chance to cultivate inside the field—" 

But the old man shook his head without pausing: "I have other matters." 

After speaking, he glanced at Han Yu meditating in the field before hurrying away. 

Sun Kang exclaimed in surprise: "What could possibly outweigh Spirit Field harvest at such a time?" 

Turning back to Han Yu, he smiled: "I intended to assist you both, but since Junior Brother Li disregards this opportunity, I'll conserve effort—only helping you ward off pests and Spirit-Stealing Mice." 

Han Yu immediately stood and bowed solemnly: "My deepest gratitude, Senior Brother Sun!" 

"No need for formalities. Resume meditation—strive to break through soon." 

Throughout the morning, numerous menial disciples passed by Han Yu and Old Daoist Li's fields. Liu Lan and Wei Kunyi also visited, surprised to find Han Yu cultivating while the old man prioritized external affairs during this critical period. 

That afternoon, the notoriously eccentric Lu Yun arrived grinning: "What coincidence—your fields harvest just as mine does." 

Sun Kang, guarding Han Yu's field, asked in astonishment: "You've been here for years—why didn't you synchronize planting with everyone?" 

"Certain matters... inadvertently delayed me," Lu Yun replied with a smirk. 

Sun Kang fell silent—undoubtedly this man's vulgar habits had caused the delay. 

Having no prior acquaintance with Lu Yun beyond his infamous reputation, Han Yu simply nodded in acknowledgment upon learning his name, their fields being distantly separated anyway. 

Shortly after Lu Yun departed, Han Yu emerged announcing his imminent breakthrough to Qi Refining First Layer. 

Sun Kang beamed: "Excellent! Once you break through, you'll truly walk the cultivation path. I'll take you to Green Sprout Market then!" 

Unaware Han Yu had already visited once. 

As they spoke, Old Daoist Li hurried past without responding to Sun Kang's raised hand, heading straight to his stone hut. 

Sun Kang didn't pursue conversation—his kindness wasn't obstinacy. 

"Senior Brother Sun, your guardianship today deserves my deepest thanks. After tomorrow's breakthrough when I learn spells, I'll no longer delay your cultivation time." 

Sun Kang nodded: "Today's pests haven't appeared—I've contributed little. Once you master basic spells, frightening Spirit-Stealing Mice and insects should suffice. Seek me only if they prove troublesome." 

Wei Kunyi approached with Liu Lan, smiling. Upon hearing Han Yu's impending breakthrough, Liu Lan offered congratulations while Wei Kunyi's eyes sparkled: 

"Junior Brother Han, sincere congratulations! As fellow Southern Li Kingdom natives, we must grow closer." 

Adopting a concerned tone, she cautioned: "Young newcomers often overlook human malice. Remember—announce successes only after achieving them. Sabotage during critical breakthroughs brings unimaginable consequences." 

Though aware of Wei Kunyi's private dealings with Steward Wang, Han Yu acknowledged her valid advice. 

Recognizing Han Yu's potential, Wei Kunyi set aside past dining unpleasantness and led Liu Lan toward Old Daoist Li's hut. 

When Sun Kang inquired, she explained: 

"With spiritual rice gathering energy, this cultivation opportunity shouldn't be wasted. I'll persuade Junior Brother Li to let us meditate in his field tomorrow."