Crow Immortal
Chapter 34: Borrowing Spirit Rice

Last night, the crow flock caught spirit insects and Spirit-Stealing Mice in the Spirit Fields, feasting until full. Today, not only were there no pest or rodent problems in Han Yu's fields, but none of the menial disciples in the entire Spirit Fields area encountered any insect or rodent infestations.

Having ostensibly broken through to the first layer of Qi Refinement, Han Yu spent the day practicing spells with decent form, allowing passing menial disciples to notice his advancement to Qi Refinement level one.

Come nightfall, Han Yu once again activated the Spirit Refining Technique to refine his fire attribute spiritual root. After each session, his daily spiritual energy absorption limit increased slightly, but the cost was another wave of unmistakable weakness.

Operating the Blood Refinement Technique to replenish his vitality still required two more days of consuming essence blood and practicing the technique to fully recover from the damage.

After cultivation, sensing unusual movement outside his window, Han Yu focused his gaze to see a silent, dark mass of crows gathered before his window.

Rising to approach, the Large Crow happily flew over to perch on Han Yu's shoulder, behaving like a child proudly showing their masterpiece to a parent.

Feeling the Large Crow's emotions, Han Yu smoothed its feathers and praised, "Well done."

"After eating those spirit insects and Spirit-Stealing Mice, have your crows gained spiritual awareness? Can they be more useful now?"

"Gah," the Large Crow responded.

"Good, that's excellent," Han Yu said. "Lead your flock well. There will be more work for you all in the future."

The Large Crow hopped excitedly twice before affectionately pecking at Han Yu and taking flight into the night sky, followed closely by the Small Crow and then a group of larger-than-average crows with jet-black feathers gradually developing spiritual awareness.

Han Yu watched quietly, his mood light.

Over the next two days, pest and rodent problems remained scarce, with only occasional appearances that caused little harm.

After using the Blood Refinement Technique to recover from the Spirit Refining Technique's damage, Han Yu returned to cultivation.

Wei Kunyi and Liu Lan continued their daily routine of meditating in Old Man Li's Spirit Fields until three days before the Green Sprout Spirit Rice harvest, when Old Man Li seemed to have an epiphany and began cultivating in his own field, forcing Wei Kunyi and Liu Lan to stop leaching spiritual energy.

On the evening before harvest, Sun Kang arrived at Han Yu's stone house carrying a sack. "Junior Brother Han, I see your Green Sprout Spirit Rice is nearly ready for harvest, with an estimated yield around fifty jin."

"I've brought ten jin of spirit rice to lend you. If your yield falls short, you can secretly make up the difference to reach fifty jin before the steward notices."

"With one-tenth of the harvest as your share, you'd keep twenty-five jin. After repaying my ten, you'd still have fifteen left."

"Otherwise, you might end up like Junior Sister Liu, forced to surrender everything with nothing to show for it!"

Han Yu expressed sincere gratitude before asking, "Senior Brother Sun, what if Steward Wang finds out? Could there be trouble?"

After consideration, Sun Kang replied, "Unless Steward Wang catches you red-handed, he typically won't make an issue of it."

This answer left Han Yu uneasy, knowing Steward Wang's poor character from their previous encounters when he and Old Man Li first joined six months ago. Getting caught would likely bring severe consequences.

Moreover, Han Yu didn't actually need spirit rice for cultivation—a mere dozen jin meant little to his practice.

After deliberation, Han Yu returned the rice. "Senior Brother Sun, as a newcomer facing my first harvest, I'd rather play it safe than risk mistakes. I deeply appreciate your kindness, but this time I'd prefer to assess the situation first."

Sun Kang nodded understandingly. "That's reasonable. I just worry you might react like Junior Sister Liu if things go poorly."

After sincere thanks, Han Yu watched Sun Kang depart.

Unexpectedly, his door knocked again an hour later. Hearing Wei Kunyi's voice, Han Yu wondered why this woman—who should be with Steward Wang—would visit a junior disciple so late.

Opening the door, Wei Kunyi entered with a smile. "Junior Brother Han, do you know why I'm here?"

"No," Han Yu answered.

"I've come to solve your problems," she declared. "For your first Spirit Field harvest, even with daily care, monthly watering, and pest control, fifty jin per mu remains uncertain. Falling short means no sect merits and complete forfeiture—"

"Junior Brother, you wouldn't want to continue cultivating without spirit rice, would you?"

Han Yu wondered in surprise: Could Wei Kunyi actually be kind-hearted?

Her next words corrected his misunderstanding. This Senior Sister never gave without reason.

"I have fifteen jin of spirit rice and close ties with Steward Wang. If your harvest runs slightly short tomorrow, I can ensure you make up the difference to exceed fifty jin."

"This way, you'll earn five sect merits and keep over twenty-five jin of rice—ample cultivation resources! All you need do is repay me twenty-five jin next harvest season!"

Fifteen jin now for twenty-five jin later?

Han Yu stared in amazement. "Senior Sister Wei, I fear I couldn't repay that!"

"Of course you could!" she laughed. "With my help and our shared Southern Li Kingdom origins, I'd never pressure you too harshly!"

Han Yu remained skeptical—her kindness might vanish if harvests faltered. Plus, he truly didn't need the rice.

"Senior Sister, I should decline—"

"How can you refuse? I'm offering genuine help, seeing you as practically family..."

"No, Senior Sister, I'd feel uneasy—"

"Junior Brother, you amuse me. Given my relationship with Steward Wang, he'd turn a blind eye even if he knew..."

Despite her persistent coaxing, Han Yu kept refusing until Wei Kunyi's expression cooled.

"Junior Brother, reconsider carefully. Refusing my rice doesn't just embarrass me—Steward Wang may treat you less kindly!"

Seeing Han Yu remain unmoved, Wei Kunyi snorted coldly and left his stone house, heading toward Old Man Li's residence.