Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

In the night, the large raven cawed its acknowledgement and prepared to take flight again.

Han Yu suddenly remembered his low cultivation level and the strict sect rules. “Just look for wild spirit herbs and fruits,” he quickly added. “Don’t go causing trouble in other people’s fields or the sect’s Medicine Gardens.”

“And from now on, come at night. Try not to let yourself be seen by others.”

The raven, now recognizing Han Yu as its master and sharing a preliminary mental connection, understood these instructions easily. Its dark golden eyes reflected Han Yu’s lean face. It tilted its head, cawed once more, spread its wings, and soared into the shadows.

As the large Black Raven disappeared into the darkness, a flicker of excitement coursed through Han Yu.

Deacon Fang had said that someone with Four Spirit Roots like Han Yu might need ten years of cultivation to reach the fourth layer of Qi Refining and enter the outer sect. Now, after just over a month, he was already at the first layer. He figured it probably wouldn’t take that long to reach the fourth layer after all.

Furthermore, as his cultivation increased, his body grew stronger. Practicing the Blood Refining Art and condensing Blood Essence became significantly easier.

However, according to Old Daoist Li, now that Han Yu had reached the first layer of Qi Refining and officially stepped onto the “Orthodox Cultivation Path,” it was time to start learning spells.

The Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method contained two spells. One was the Wind Control Technique, which allowed swift movement and could strike enemies with wind. This was the basic technique Old Daoist Li had used when Steward Wang sent him flying and spitting blood.

From what Han Yu had witnessed, the striking power of this Wind Control Technique was minimal. It seemed more effective for running or escaping.

The other was the Water Control Technique, which, once mastered, allowed one to move a small stream of water to a desired location.

Han Yu thought for a moment, then looked at his water vat and buckets. These two spells would be perfect for fetching water and tending his spirit fields. Using the Wind Control Technique would make carrying buckets faster, and using the Water Control Technique would allow him to water the fields directly, rather than ladle by ladle.

Eager to try, Han Yu restrained himself. The manual stated that he needed to consolidate his cultivation for a few days—completing several Circulation Cycles—before attempting any spells.

For the next two days, Han Yu stayed in his dwelling. Each day, he ate a spirit rice ball to stabilize the Spirit Breath from his recent breakthrough. As his Circulation Cycles became more stable, he began attempting to practice the Wind Control and Water Control Techniques.

Just as he had anticipated, when first learning the Wind Control Technique, forming the hand seals and channeling his Spirit Breath before shouting “Go!” merely stirred up a gust of wind within the room. Using it on his legs, however, made movement noticeably more effortless and swift.

When he first started practicing the Water Control Technique, he could only move a bucket of water about ten feet. It wasn’t particularly impressive either.

Ultimately, the power of spells was limited by one’s proficiency and, more importantly, by the cultivator’s own cultivation strength. For Han Yu to make these two spells more useful, he needed more practice and a higher cultivation base.

This led Han Yu to compare them to the Blood Refining Art, a Pseudo-Immortal Method. It lacked the benefits of prolonging life or bringing physical and mental harmony, but its two spells—Blood Droplet and Spirit Nurturing Technique—were genuinely practical and held power even from the initial stages of learning.

Despite its many drawbacks, its practicality was undeniable. Han Yu saw no need to abandon it completely.

After reaching the first layer of Qi Refining, Han Yu continued cultivating with spirit rice balls. While this was still an unimaginably luxurious condition for many Laborer Disciples, his progress had noticeably slowed compared to the initial sprint.

Han Yu wasn’t in a hurry. After stabilizing his foundation, he continued his daily routine in the spirit fields. Steward Wang was tyrannical and treated Laborer Disciples terribly. Faced with such a villain, Han Yu wouldn’t expose his true cultivation speed before he had the ability to protect himself.

A few more days passed. Old Daoist Li arrived at his door carrying a rabbit. “Kid, have you eaten?”

“Master Daoist, I haven’t eaten yet,” Han Yu responded, stepping out.

“Here, for you. Cook it up, and we’ll eat together,” Old Daoist Li said, tossing the rabbit to Han Yu.

Han Yu looked troubled. “Master Daoist, I only know how to cook rice. I don’t know how to make dishes.”

Old Daoist Li was surprised. “You little brat, in the two months since you entered the sect, you’ve only been eating plain rice?”

Seeing Han Yu nod, Old Daoist Li became exasperated. “I owe you, do I? I bring you food, and I still have to cook it for you!”

Rolling up the sleeves of his gray Laborer Disciple robe, he grumbled and cursed his way through making a stir-fried rabbit dish and a pot of rice.

The two sat down to eat. Old Daoist Li glanced disdainfully at the wooden bowl and chopsticks Han Yu had carved himself—the kid’s craftsmanship was really too rough.

“Kid, we entered the sect at the same time. How’s your cultivation coming along?”

Han Yu glanced at him, chewing on rabbit meat. “Master Daoist, how about you?”

“I gained Qi Sense a month ago. Now I can feel a few strands of airflow that I can somewhat guide. I’m just waiting to persist until I achieve a Circulation Cycle and step into the first layer of Qi Refining,” Old Daoist Li said.

Han Yu nodded. “Me too.”

Old Daoist Li looked at him with a hint of suspicion. “You too?”

“Mhm.”

Old Daoist Li’s mood immediately improved. “You too… that’s good… Actually, we don’t need to rush. The Orthodox Cultivation Path is inherently difficult. Reaching the first layer of Qi Refining in about a year is already pretty good.”

“By the way, kid, are you still practicing that Blood Essence cultivation method?”

Han Yu shook his head.

“What about that raven I gave you?” Old Daoist Li asked again.

“Don’t know. Probably flew away,” Han Yu replied.

On Han Yu’s orders, the large raven now hid during the day and came out at night, avoiding being seen. Han Yu didn’t feed it Blood Essence every night either. So, outsiders generally wouldn’t notice that a pure black raven occasionally flew to Han Yu’s place under the cover of darkness.

“Flew away… that’s good too…”

A few bloodshot threads appeared in Old Daoist Li’s eyes. He hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back. “Kid, what if… what if we can’t manage to cultivate and enter the proper path…”

Just then, several sets of footsteps sounded outside the door. Old Daoist Li immediately stopped talking and looked outside warily.

Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan arrived at the doorway, all smiles.

“Could smell the aroma from far away! Junior Brother Han Yu, your cooking skills are pretty good, huh?” Zhang Shan’s voice arrived before he did.

Han Yu and Old Daoist Li both stood up to greet the three of them.

“Senior Brother Zhang Shan, I didn’t make the dish. Master Daoist came over and cooked it.”

Old Daoist Li, more familiar with social niceties, explained with a smile, “This kid Han Yu and I entered the sect together, so it’s fate. I got a rabbit today and came over for a meal. What brings you three here? Sit down and have some?”

“No need, no need!” Zhang Shan said cheerfully. “We came to share some good news. Liu Lan has broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining!”

“Tomorrow, a few of us close friends are planning to celebrate properly for her. You two should come too!”

A celebration?

Old Daoist Li immediately looked somewhat embarrassed. “Han Yu and I just entered the sect. We’re penniless and have nothing presentable to offer as gifts… Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

Liu Lan chuckled. “It’s fine! Everyone’s presence is the sentiment that matters. We don’t care about gifts!”

Only then did Old Daoist Li relax, but then he was struck with shock. “Liu Lan, you’re only sixteen this year, and you’re already at the third layer of Qi Refining?”

“Of course! Liu Lan originally had Three Spirit Roots aptitude, much better than ours. In a few more years, she’ll be an outer sect senior sister!”

Hearing Zhang Shan say this, Old Daoist Li thought of his own age and Spirit Roots. The envy in his eyes was almost impossible to conceal.

It flickered like a scorching flame.