With a single thought, he mobilized Spiritual Power to outline one rune structure after another related to the Geng Metal Finger.
This time, however, the Spiritual Power he mobilized was much less than before, barely enough to cover the rune structure without the overflow that had occurred previously.
Then, the Magic formed.
He pushed forward a bit more!
Swish!
A flash of golden light streaked across, piercing directly into the floor, forming a small hole as wide as a finger and over three inches deep.
Geng Metal Finger +1
"It worked.
Sure enough, reducing the Mana input still allows the spell to be cast successfully.
Although its power is relatively weaker.
But just for practice, it's more than sufficient."
Zhou Changwang was overjoyed.
This meant that, when his Mana was abundant, he could double the number of times he cast the Geng Metal Finger, from ten times to twenty times.
So, Zhou Changwang began incessantly trying to cast the Geng Metal Finger using this 'Cultivation Mode.'
One, two, three...
Until the Spiritual Power within his body was completely exhausted.
Only then did he stop.
He then glanced at the Attribute Panel.
The value under the Geng Metal Finger column prominently changed to: Geng Metal Finger (Entry Level 38/100).
He estimated that in two more days, he could elevate this Magic to the Mastery Level.
The night passed during the process of meditation to recover his Spiritual Qi.
Although the area where Zhou Changwang lived was just on the outskirts of Fengming Dock Marketplace, it was close to the center region's First-Grade Spirit Vein, meaning the Spiritual Qi was still sufficient, and so his recovery speed naturally surpassed that in the Spirit Field.
After three circulations, he was almost brimming with energy.
At this time, his Heart Spirit was also nearly exhausted.
The best recovery method was taking a nap, so he quickly lay down and fell asleep.
...
Early next morning.
Zhou Changwang got up as usual.
Washed rice and cooked porridge.
As he busied himself, a petite woman came hesitantly towards him from the neighboring residence.
As she walked, she cautiously glanced at the location of Zhou Changwang's room.
"Fellow Daoist Qian, do you need something?"
Zhou Changwang recognized the woman as Qian Xiaoyue, a Loose Cultivator at the Third Level of Qi Refining who lived next door. She was an Alchemy Apprentice, currently working under an Alchemy Master in Hexagonal Pavilion at Phoenix Dock Marketplace, far higher in status compared to him.
After all, an Alchemy Master's status in the Cultivation Realm was extremely high.
Even an Alchemy Apprentice was much better off than a Spirit Farmer like him.
"Ah, oh, it's nothing..."
Upon hearing this, Qian Xiaoyue acted as if frightened, shrinking her neck, and quickly turning to leave.
But after two steps, she couldn't help pausing, and carefully asked, "Last night I heard noises from your place..."
"I was practicing Magic, didn't expect to disturb you, Fellow Daoist Qian, my apologies."
Zhou Changwang quickly explained.
He knew that the sound of the failed spell casting last night would inevitably be heard by the surrounding neighbors, yet he didn't expect timid Qian Xiaoyue to be the first to inquire.
"It's fine."
Qian Xiaoyue shook her head and said nothing more, leaving directly.
Zhou Changwang didn't think much about it, drank his porridge, and stepped out again.
Arriving at his Spirit Field, surrounding him, other Spirit Farmers were starting their work.
Among them were Old Xu, and the Zhao brothers Zhao Jie and Zhao Qiang, who worked the hardest nearby and had built a small hut around their Spirit Field for resting, farming the most Spirit Field at thirty acres, plus renting three acres of Spiritual Medicine, fenced off with Spirit Thorn Vine.
Unlike Spirit Rice which can yield twice a year if well-tended,
Spiritual Medicine typically requires years to mature from planting.
Few take between one to three years, while many take ten years or longer.
They need meticulous care, often casting Spirit Plant Techniques to assist growth, which is very time and effort-consuming.
However, both brothers had high cultivation, one at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining and the other at the Fifth Level, rare Mid Stage levels among Spirit Farmers.
Plus, they had a Spirit Beast Dog at the Second Layer of Qi Refining, ensuring some level of security.
Further away, other Spirit Farmers were also busy on their Spirit Fields.
Meanwhile, Zhou Changwang noticed Xu Zhong, who, like himself, was from Spirit Plant Hall.
Xu Zhong wore a brocade robe, with a fair complexion, and if not for wielding a Spiritual Hoe and having a farmer's demeanor, one might mistake him for a wealthy young master.
Yet, after working for a short while, he was seen rushing out of his field in a panic, checking along it and growing more distressed with each look...
Zhou Changwang wasn't concerned, continuing his routine weed removal.
Then casting the Spirit Rain Skill to ensure the normal growth of Linghe each day.
Afterward, as his Spiritual Power diminished significantly, he promptly found a place to sit cross-legged and began meditating to recover his Spiritual Power.
Thus, three circulations passed.
Zhou Changwang's Spiritual Power was half-recovered.
At this moment, he opened his eyes.
First thing, he checked the Attribute Panel.
"Five Elements Technique proficiency has reached (Entry Level 96/100).
With four more circulations, it'll reach (Entry Level 100/100), and by then, my Cultivation Realm might change."
Zhou Changwang's face was filled with joy.
Four circulations.
With extra effort tonight, it's entirely feasible.
In other words,
today, his Cultivation Technique proficiency will reach Perfection, and I'll advance...
In the afternoon.
After lunch, Zhou Changwang enthusiastically headed to the Spirit Field.
The taste of Cyan Beetle yesterday was unforgettable to him, most importantly, the Spiritual Power contained in Cyan Beetle's flesh greatly benefited his cultivation.
He'd even heard rumors of people exchanging fifteen Cyan Beetles for a Lower-Grade Spirit Stone because of the easily absorbable Spiritual Qi it contained, making it a valuable extra income for Spirit Farmers.
Therefore, he was also keen on seeking out and eliminating Spirit Insects.
If plentiful, perhaps he could earn a tidy sum?
"Sure enough, the fruiting period is approaching, just cleaned it yesterday, and today there are Spirit Insects again."
Zhou Changwang noticed a Cyan Beetle hiding on the back of a Linghe leaf, its weight making the leaf bend conspicuously, revealing its presence.
He quickly held his breath, Spiritual Power circulated within him, at the moment of forming runes, the Magic condensed.
Geng Metal Finger +1
Then he pointed forward, a golden light flashed.
Poof!
The Cyan Beetle had its head pierced, falling to the ground.
Then came the second, the third.
Besides the Cyan Beetle, there were also the Eight-cornered Black, Root-eating Ladybug, and Earth-Digging Zen, of which the Eight-cornered Black and Root-eating Ladybug were relatively smaller but just as hazardous, one directly gnawing the stalks of Linghe, the other biting through the roots, greatly affecting Linghe's growth.
To restore the vitality of the nibbled Linghe, he had to cast Fertilization Technique to assist its growth.