Chapter Twenty-Six: The Spirit Hound

"Brother Xiu, it’s not that I’m deliberately lowering the price—just look at these pangolin hounds. Their fur is wrinkled, their eyes can’t open, and they have no spirit at all. I’m not even sure they’ll survive. Three low-grade spirit stones, not a coin more,” Zhou Changwang protested, waving his hands repeatedly.

“They’re only half a month old. That’s perfectly normal! Just give them some more white-haired sheep’s milk and they’ll perk right up. Besides, unopened eyes have their benefits—when they open them for the first time and see you, won’t they be closer to you? For the sake of our long friendship, how about eight low-grade spirit stones?” Xiu countered, sounding as if Zhou was getting the deal of a lifetime.

Back and forth they bargained, each haggling relentlessly.

In the end, with their lips dry from arguing, Zhou Changwang managed to walk away with the sturdiest of the black pangolin hounds for five low-grade spirit stones.

He then spent five spirit fragments for some white-haired sheep’s milk, ten more for a new spirit hoe, and another thirty for two grass-cutting sickles. The spirit rice was about to ripen, and he still lacked handy tools—these sickles were crafted from spiritual materials, just perfect for the harvest.

After another round of shopping, yet another spirit stone had passed into someone else’s pocket.

...

“In two more days, the spirit rice should be ready to harvest. Honestly, this period has been nothing but hardship. Up at dawn, working till dusk, hunched over and bent—I’m getting old, and I doubt I could keep this up for many more years.” Sitting on the ridge between fields, Old Xu gazed at his spirit rice, the heavy grains bending the stalks low. Though he complained aloud, the delight in his heart was impossible to conceal.

“That’s right. I thought my few acres of spirit fields were finished. I was in utter despair,” Xu Zhong, resting nearby, joined in. “If it weren’t for Brother Changwang’s help, my spirit rice would never have grown or borne fruit. Now, harvest is near.”

His five plots were in decent shape; though some stalks had withered and some were stunted by pests, there would still be a yield. After paying the rent to the Hall of Spirit Agriculture, there should even be some surplus—enough to fill him with both satisfaction and surprise.

“But really, it’s that boy Changwang who’s got real skill. Look, he’s even raising a spirit hound now! In just a few days, the little fellow has grown much stronger, and yesterday it actually caught a spirit rat. I bet it’ll become an expert mouser in no time.”

The two chatted, both casting envious glances toward Zhou Changwang, who was meditating to recover spiritual energy. At his side, the little black spirit hound sat upright, ears alert, as if helping to guard him. If anyone approached, the hound would likely snarl and drive them off.

Seeing this, their envy only deepened. Yet, though they were jealous, neither entertained the idea of buying a spirit hound themselves. They could afford to buy one, but not to keep it—it simply wasn’t worth it.

“My spiritual energy is fully restored. And my cultivation has improved a bit as well.”

Zhou Changwang slowly opened his eyes, immediately checking his attribute panel.

It had been five days since he’d bought the spirit hound. In that time, he’d eaten spirit rice every day, consumed a spirit pill each night for cultivation, and occasionally used a Mind-Clearing Talisman to recover energy and continue training. His progress was visible with each passing day.

Now, he was not far from breaking through to the next realm.

Name: Zhou Changwang
Lifespan: 17/75
Cultivation: Qi Refining, Stage Two (98/100)
Technique: Five Elements Formula (Mastery 194/200)
Skills: Spirit Rain Art (Proficient 42/400), Cleaning Art (Beginner 75/100), Growth Art (Proficient 23/400), Gengjin Finger (Proficient 124/400), Soothing Art (Beginner 49/100), Fireball Art (Beginner 25/100)

“My cultivation is nearly at the peak of Qi Refining, Stage Two—just two more points and I’ll break through. One day, maybe two at most. Even my Five Elements Formula is nearing perfection; once it advances, my energy flow and cultivation efficiency will both improve dramatically.”

Zhou Changwang felt a sense of deep satisfaction as he looked at the panel. Now this was real cultivation. Compared to the meager progress of one or two points a day before, the difference was like heaven and earth.

As for his other spells, each had improved during this period. The Growth Art had reached proficiency, while the newly acquired Soothing and Fireball Arts had both been trained to the beginner stage—progress that pleased him. The Gengjin Finger had already been at proficiency; advancing further required much more practice, and with fewer spirit insects, he’d slowed his training. For now, his greatest wish was to break through in cultivation, as that was his foundation for surviving in the world of immortals.

At the third level of Qi Refining, even in the outskirts of the market, he would be able to protect himself, or at least not be easily underestimated. For example, the pair of innate cultivators from before—if Zhou had possessed third-level strength then, they wouldn’t have dared to act so rashly.

As for the pangolin spirit hound beside him, Zhou casually cast a Soothing Art, then tossed it a small ball of spirit rice.

“Awwooo!”

The little spirit hound wagged its tail excitedly, nuzzling Zhou Changwang’s leg affectionately before lowering its head to eat the rice. When its master showed no further interest, it bounded off into the spirit fields, leaping and darting after rats and insects.

The Soothing Art was truly an invaluable skill for raising spirit beasts—one spell and the hound was instantly calm, and more devoted to its master. Zhou had honed his skill proficiency mostly on the little hound, which explained its docility and obedience.

As for the spirit rat caught yesterday, Zhou hadn’t trained it for that specifically—it was simply the hound’s innate talent. He’d rewarded it with a large rice ball, and let it feast on the spirit rat as well.

This was why Old Xu and Xu Zhong, though envious, had no wish to raise one themselves. They could barely afford spirit rice for their own meals, let alone to feed a spirit hound—they weren’t so extravagant.

...

At night, Zhou Changwang sat cross-legged, running the Five Elements Formula.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles...

His spiritual energy increased steadily as he cultivated.

Cultivation +1
Cultivation +1

Suddenly, Zhou felt a swelling sensation in his dantian, as if a balloon had reached its limit.

Qi Refining, Stage Two (100/100)

Feeling the breakthrough coming, Zhou Changwang steadied his mind and continued circulating his technique.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...