Infinite Professions-Chapter 150 - 67: Intelligence

A year later, in the cottage.

Shen Hex sits in the Five Hearts Facing Yuan posture, suspended above the bamboo couch, surrounded by Spiritual Qi, subtly revealing a five-colored glow that makes him appear ethereal, as if he could transcend at any moment.

No one knows how long it has been, as the Spirit Light withdraws into his body, merging into the five internal organs. An extraordinary power originates, not clashing with the Gang Yuan, but instead fusing with it to form a unique Gang Yuan Magical Power.

Martial Dao Third Tier, Gang Yuan Realm.

Tier Two of the Immortal Dao, Cultivation Realm.

Gang Yuan Magical Power, unifying martial and spiritual cultivation.

Xingyi Fist Skill, Five Elements Technique, the foundational cultivation techniques of these two major systems—martial and immortal—can be skillfully cultivated together, embracing the power of both martial and immortal paths, without any conflict and instead complementing each other.

Shen Hex opens his eyes, a clear depth within, accompanied by a sense of transcendence and otherworldliness.

"One year, magical power cultivated!"

"Although I absorbed quite a few Spirit Stones and consumed some low-tier pills, it’s remarkable that a person with a Pseudo-Spiritual Root has achieved such progress—a feat that could be called astonishing."

Shen Hex sighs, then stands up and retrieves two Profound Iron Scythes from his Storage Pouch, and steps out of the cottage.

Outside the cottage, the sea of rice fields glows golden, as the ten acres of Spirit Field he cultivated are filled with golden rice stalks bowed with heavy grain. Even before harvest, the fragrance of Spirit Rice pervades the field.

It’s a bountiful harvest, a great harvest!

Even though only a year’s time has passed, thanks to the Gathering Spirit effect of the Cultivation Land and the farming techniques downloaded and learned from the Human Empire, and the Spiritual Agriculture Technique, the ten acres of Spirit Field under Shen Hex’s careful cultivation have all achieved a bountiful harvest.

Compared to the surrounding fields, his is more conspicuous. Even with diligent irrigation and fertilization, the Spirit Rice grown by other martial cultivators is still inferior, shorter than the rice in his field.

It’s evident that post-harvest, there will be a significant difference in yield and quality.

Yet, such disparity did not attract much attention.

This is the effect of the Cultivation Land.

It subtly diminishes one’s presence, silently gathering Spiritual Qi to enhance oneself while concealing various changes. Even if it can’t hide, it changes perceptions, allowing observers to justify not paying attention.

Shen Hex has conducted investigations on this.

The growth of Spirit Rice in his fields is evidently superior, an issue apparent to an astute observer.

However, despite this anomaly, people have not bothered him, nor have they sought to delve into the issue.

Why?

Because they’ve found an answer for themselves, thinking it’s due to his skill as a Spirit Farmer, thus explaining the excellent growth of Spirit Rice without any major issues.

This is the alteration of "cognition."

Good farming techniques, thus good Spirit Rice?

This logic seems normal, but in the Cultivation Realm, it’s inefficient, for the presence of "Immortal Fate" makes cultivators highly sensitive to unusual phenomena. When faced with such exceptional events, a logical suspicion or investigation should arise.

Yet, they did not, using a seemingly normal logic to convince themselves, avoiding trouble for Shen Hex, even overlooking such anomalies.

This is the effect of the Cultivation Land.

Not only does it affect the Spirit Fields, but fishing is similar. Over the past year in the Spirit Stream of Red Maple Valley, Shen Hex has caught many Spirit Fish, worth not thousands but hundreds of Spirit Stones. Normally, even without causing a sensation, this should attract the attention of the observant.

But now, it hasn’t. Everyone just assumes he’s good at fishing, and Red Maple Valley only sees him as a competent Spirit Farmer, nothing more, without any further development or intense suspicion.

This is the alteration of cognition due to "Hidden Cultivation," a subtle, slow-changer.

Such ability can be deemed terrifying, as it quietly alters the minds and even the world.

However, as a Professional Power, it is justified. Since professions inherently defy logic, existing as an exception to the norm.

Of course, as a Tier Two Profession, its power has limits. It can only conceal moderate anomalies, altering non-critical perceptions.

If Shen Hex were to grow a Spirit Rice stalk dozens of meters high or violently expose cultivation, even with Hidden Cultivation power, he couldn’t alter people’s perceptions.

Such obvious anomalies and crucial perceptions cannot be changed, at least not by a Tier Two Profession.

Moreover, cultivators of high skill, like Golden Core Cultivators in Tier Five of the Immortal Dao, can resist such influences.

For Foundation Establishment... Red Maple Valley not troubling him indicates Foundation Establishment Cultivators can’t break through the Cultivation Land’s effect.

Thus, Shen Hex can now relax, enjoying his pastoral life untroubled.

With two scythes in hand, he sets out to sweep through the fields, embodying a human harvester, slashing down all ten acres of Spirit Rice.

Meanwhile, a few minor bandits attracted by the Spirit Rice—snakes, insects, rodents, with a hint of Spiritual Qi—are difficult for mortals to capture.

Yet, faced with his scythes, they are mercilessly cut down, bodies stored in the Storage Pouch, reserved for extra meals or bait.

Thus, within half a day, the ten acres of Spirit Field are completely harvested.

Shen Hex gathers the harvested rice, then with one hand performs a technique that activates his Gang Yuan Magical Power. Instantly, a Spirit Light emerges, enveloping the mountain of Spirit Rice.

Spirit Plant Technique—Shell-removal Technique!

"Swish!"

Under the magic’s influence, tens of thousands of catties of Spirit Rice rapidly shed their husks, separating the pearl-like Spirit Rice and the coarse, yellow-brown husks.

Tier Two of the Immortal Dao, Cultivation Realm, already cultivated magical power, enabling the casting of Magic.

This Shell-removal Technique within the Spirit Plant Technique is one of them.

Although using magic to husk rice is considered extravagant by low-tier cultivators, Shen Hex is not among their ranks and thus doesn’t mind.

Tens of thousands of catties of Spirit Rice yield thirteen thousand catties of white Spirit Rice, eighteen thousand catties of Spirit Rice husks, and one hundred catties of Yellow Millet.

White Spirit Rice needs no further elaboration; it’s the Pearl Spirit Rice Shen Hex previously cultivated at Dongting Lake. It contains a certain amount of Spiritual Qi, and although it’s not as potent as a Spirit Stone, consuming it over time can also aid cultivation and is considered hard currency in the Cultivation Realm, just like Spirit Stones.

Yellow Millet is a variant of White Spirit Rice, containing even more Spiritual Qi and can slightly enhance the Divine Soul, offering some support for cultivators on the Foundation Establishment path. After all, breaking through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment requires the refinement of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, using the "Three Splendors Gather at the Top" to forge Spiritual Sense.

This Yellow Millet can enhance the Divine Soul, providing considerable support for Foundation Establishment, hence its value far exceeds that of White Spirit Rice, with a hundred pounds equating to ten thousand pounds of the latter.

In total, the year’s hard work allowed Shen Hex to harvest twenty-three thousand pounds of White Spirit Rice.

A bountiful harvest, indeed an absolute harvest!

You should know, according to the contract signed with Red Maple Valley, the annual rent for these ten acres of Spirit Field was no more than three thousand pounds of White Spirit Rice, and the actual yield was expected to be between four to five thousand pounds, about five hundred pounds per acre.

However, Shen Hex could now produce one thousand three hundred pounds per acre, totaling thirteen thousand pounds, and even grow Yellow Millet worth ten thousand pounds. Such yields, if spoken of, would surely drop the jaws of many Spirit Farmers in Red Maple Valley.

"After paying the rent, there’s still ten thousand pounds of White Spirit Rice, and a hundred pounds of Yellow Millet left, which can be considered for alchemy and brewing wine."

"White Spirit Pill, Yellow Millet Wine, these are hard currencies in the marketplace, especially that Yellow Millet Wine, which is said to be equivalent to half a Foundation Establishment Pill. I wonder if that’s true?"

Muttering to himself, Shen Hex took out a special Spirit Rice Pouch, carefully storing away the White Spirit Rice and Yellow Millet, not even letting the more than ten thousand pounds of Spirit Rice Husk go to waste, as it’s top-quality material for making fish bait.

After harvesting the Spirit Field, Shen Hex glanced at the sky, then proceeded to Spirit Stream as per usual, intending to fish for two double hours.

Two double hours later, it was already late twilight.

Carrying the fish basket, Shen Hex did not return to the thatched hut but headed toward the marketplace at the center of Red Maple Valley.

Red Maple Valley, Drunken Immortal Tower.

"Brother Zhong, selling fish again!"

In the restaurant’s kitchen, a ruddy-faced, burly man saw Shen Hex carrying a fish basket and greeted him with a cheerful smile: "What fine catch have you brought today?"

"Nothing much, just a small Cyan Dragon."

Shen Hex handed over the basket, and the man took a look to find a Spirit Shrimp about as thick as an arm, scales blackish-blue, claws and whiskers long, indeed a "Gathering Spirit" level Spirit Shrimp.

"Not bad, I’ll take it."

The man nodded, then turned to an attendant nearby: "Fetch Brother Zhong twenty-five Spirit Stones from the counter."

The attendant nodded and soon returned with a small pouch of Spirit Stones, handing it to Shen Hex.

"Count them."

"No need."

Without even looking, Shen Hex accepted the Spirit Stones and bid farewell to the man: "Take care!"

"Safe travels!"

"..."

Leaving the Drunken Immortal Tower, Shen Hex changed his appearance to that of a slightly fierce-looking middle-aged man, then returned to a bustling tavern illuminated with red lights and filled with song and dance.

Though it was called a tavern, in reality...

"What can I do for you, esteemed guest?"

A woman approached, with a charming demeanor and captivating eyes.

Shen Hex maintained a calm expression: "I’d like to inquire about some news."

"This way, please!"

The woman said no more, guiding him to the second floor, into a room: "What news does the guest wish to inquire about?"

Shen Hex got straight to the point: "Matters of Immortal Fate!"

"Oh?"

The woman gave him a glance: "Any specific requirements?"

"None."

Shen Hex shook his head: "Just tell me about the few biggest incidents among the Three Sects and Five Countries lately."

"I see."

The woman murmured, then spoke: "Recently, the biggest Immortal Fate event among the Three Sects and Five Countries took place in the mundane lands of the Chen Kingdom, involving the Dongting Fishing Elder."

"Dongting Fishing Elder?"

Shen Hex raised an eyebrow: "What’s the story?"

"About a year ago, in the Dongting Lake within the Chen Kingdom, a rare Spirit Beast, the Nine-Star Dragon Carp, emerged. Many cultivators went forth, and powers from all sides moved in response; even the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain and Cloud Dragon Sect, these two major Golden Core Sects, dispatched Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"Amidst such gatherings, an exotic individual appeared in Dongting Lake, self-styled as the Dongting Fishing Elder, committing numerous major crimes in the Five Prefectures of Dongting, annihilating several gangs and their backing cultivators, clashing even with the Golden Fish Gang under the Thunder Sect."

"Eventually, using powerful means, he burst forth and obliterated the chief disciple of the Thunder Sect, Thunderfire Sword Cultivator Ding Shengji, and took on five Foundation Establishment cultivators in combat, casually departing, vanishing without a trace."

"All sides have determined he holds significant Immortal Fate, therefore searching throughout Dongting Lake, but after scouring it thoroughly over half a year, his whereabouts remain unknown, and the matter has reached an impasse."

The woman’s account explained the cause and effect.

"Such a person exists?"

Shen Hex feigned surprise: "And what of the Nine-Star Dragon Carp, who claimed it?"

"No one found it!"

The woman shook her head: "After the Fishing Elder’s incident, the Nine-Star Dragon Carp also vanished without a trace. The Foundation Establishment cultivators used Spiritual Sense to sweep through Dongting Lake but found nothing. Helpless, they had to give up. The major Foundation Establishment cultivators have returned, leaving only some low-tier disciples and mortal forces to continue the search."

Shen Hex: "..."