[Lv2 Plant Growth (1/200): Consumes energy to increase the growth rate of plants.]
'The description is the same as in my previous life, but the efficiency should be significantly improved...'
Qi Ping remembered that the jump from Level 1 to Level 2 usually increased the effect by about thirty percent.
'I wonder what the boost will be like in this cultivation world.'
He could clearly feel that after reaching Level 2, he could channel more of that special energy. Since he was currently at the Blood Ginseng plot, he couldn't wait to try it out.
As the special energy from his palm was slowly absorbed by a Blood Ginseng, the plant—which had been a bit shriveled from previous extractions—instantly filled out and grew visibly larger. This sight filled his heart with joy.
"The growth efficiency has indeed increased by about thirty percent!" Qi Ping was thrilled.
Don't underestimate this thirty percent. If he devoted more energy to the herbs, compared to his previous progress, his output could nearly double! Not to mention that Level 2 Plant Growth would be more effective on higher-aged spirit plants.
With doubled output, the rate of his bee production could also double!
'I can also cultivate more Day-Sun Flowers and Moon-Sleep Flowers. Using these fast-growing, low-requirement flowers for the bees' daily consumption is perfect. I'll only need to add a small amount of Blood Ginseng to maintain their combat power, leaving more Ginseng for the new larvae.'
Previously, he had let the bees consume honey made entirely from Blood Ginseng. He did this to enhance their individual combat power and because the supply was sufficient. But for large-scale production, he had to be careful with his calculations.
Daily, the bees could collect common nectar or other spirit-adjacent materials, supplemented by a bit of Blood Ginseng. This would be enough for their needs. Especially once the Brewer Pot-bellied Bees were ready, they could surely achieve the maximum effect with minimum herbs, further reducing the demand for spirit resources. Then, the surplus could be used for the explosive growth of more Ring-cutters to face the crisis.
Having made his decision, he gave the orders. The Golden Marrow Bees were equally excited. They had wanted to expand for a long time, but Qi Ping had held them back, knowing herb production was limited. Now that he provided a solution, they immediately understood and sent out more bees to collect various pollens and herbs. The high-quality honey made from the best Blood Ginseng would be reserved for the Ring-cutters, Balanced Bees, and Pot-bellied Bees.
With the resource problem solved, a weight was lifted from his heart. Now, he just had to focus on the expansion!
The next morning, Qi Ping first accelerated the herbs' growth and then met up with Sister Nan as agreed. Together, they headed to the courtyard of the Life-Prosperity Association. The weather was gloomy, with dark clouds stretching across the horizon, as if a great storm were imminent.
They thought they were early, but several people were already there. At a glance, he saw familiar faces like Wang Shan and Fatty Zhou. Beside them was a man with a sallow complexion; his name was Li Peng. He was older than Qi Ping and at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, making him one of the most talented members of the association. Only the late Lin Chaoyang could have rivaled him in talent.
This man once had a chance to become a servant or even an outer disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, but for some reason, he didn't go. Now, he raised a pond of Golden-Pupil Carp in a mountain stream. It was said he had a secret recipe for fish farming, and he earned the most spirit stones in the association.
However, although he earned much, he didn't care for cultivation. Aside from rent and daily expenses, he spent everything at the brothels. His sallow face was a result of his overindulgence. Once, while visiting a brothel, he was nearly drained dry by a malevolent cultivator disguised as a woman. Everyone thought he would learn his lesson, but he remained incorrigible; as soon as he had stones, he ran back to those places. When he was broke, he occasionally amused himself with mortal women, though he claimed they were far inferior to female cultivators.
Besides Li Peng, there was a young female cultivator in white. Her name was Meng Shanshan. Her strength was only at the second layer of Qi Refinement, but she was quite beautiful. However, she wasn't very close to anyone in the association; she had joined mainly due to the connections her father had built. She currently worked as a helper in a spirit field in District A.
Qi Ping's impression of her was not great. Two years ago, Old Man Zhou and Meng Shanshan's father had tried to set them up, but she had refused him mercilessly in front of everyone, stating that her future husband had to be at least an outer disciple of the Qingyuan Sect. Everyone had been embarrassed, and it was Qi Ping who had stepped in to smooth things over. He had thought she was delusional then, and his impression of her had only worsened since.
Thus, when he entered, he greeted everyone but treated her as if she were air. The others also just nodded to her; clearly, they didn't like her much either. If it weren't for her father, they probably wouldn't have invited her.
With that, the group was complete—six people in total. There should have been twelve. But Lin Chaoyang was dead, two had left after the rent hike, and one had fled the night the insects appeared. Another had gone out to investigate the insects yesterday and was found with only half a head left.
A once-lively association had dwindled to six in such a short time. This was not an isolated case, but a microcosm of Qingshi County. In a chaotic world, loose cultivators struggled to survive...