37: Brewing Spirit Wine

After the meal, everyone moved outside to chat.

"Senior Brother, this Azure Spirit Concealment Array of yours is truly impressive."

Lu Zhengfeng and the others looked at the Formation that resembled a green mist barrier around Lin Yan, all showing expressions of envy.

"It's a pity that we don't have the ability; we can't even set up the simplest Spirit-Gathering Formation."

"That's right, we lack the Genius Comprehension Ability of Senior Brother."

"The simplified version of this 'Azure Spirit Concealment Array' is comparable in difficulty to a second-tier Formation. An ordinary Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage would never be able to comprehend it in their entire life."

"Indeed, the Dao of Formations is extremely difficult; only those with outstanding Comprehension Ability like Senior Brother can touch upon it."

"Last time, I wanted to hire a Formation Master to set up a simple Spirit-Gathering Formation, but they immediately asked for a fifty Spirit Stone service fee, and I still had to gather the Formation Materials myself. It was too expensive."

"What is difficult about that? You go buy some Azure Spirit Vine and Hidden Mist Grass seeds, and once the Azure Spirit Vine grows to five meters, I will set up the Formation for you," Lin Yan said with a smile.

"We appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother, but we cannot accept rewards without merit."

"Exactly, how could we trouble Senior Brother with this?"

"We can't even afford the simplest Spirit-Gathering Formation, let alone this 'Azure Spirit Concealment Array'."

Several people spoke up to decline.

"You don't need to be so polite; for me, it's just a simple task," Lin Yan said, waving his hand.

The cost of the Azure Spirit Concealment Array lies in cultivating the spirit plant.

Without second-tier spirit fields, cultivating the Azure Spirit Vine and Hidden Mist Grass requires quite a bit of spirit fertilizer.

But as for the act of setting up the Formation itself, it really is just a simple task.

This thing is just a case of: those who can't, find it hard; those who can, find it easy.

"How could we be so embarrassed..." Lu Zhengfeng said with hesitation.

"How about this, I have one request," Lin Yan said.

"Senior Brother, please state it," Lu Zhengfeng said with a pleased expression.

"From now on, if you have any surplus Mutated Rice, sell it to me, and I will purchase it at market price," Lin Yan said.

"Oh... is that all? I agree."

"I agree too!"

"I currently have three stalks of Mutated Rice in my spirit field; I will bring them to Senior Brother tomorrow."

Several people agreed one after another.

Lin Yan purchasing the Spirit Rice from them was naturally not to make a profit of one or two Spirit Stones, but to take the opportunity to sell more of his own Mutated Rice.

Sitting on dozens of stalks of Mutated Rice that he couldn't sell was truly agonizing.

It was exactly like guarding a mountain of gold but being unable to use it, or having a newlywed wife but being unable to consummate the marriage.

After the New Year, the Small Valley returned to its usual tranquility.

Lin Yan held the Jade Slip he obtained from the Old Menial Servant and carefully studied the brewing techniques within.

Spirit Rice Wine needs to be based on Spirit Rice, supplemented by spirit spring water, and then catalyzed by specific Spells to brew spirit wine that truly contains Qi.

Relying solely on worldly brewing methods cannot unlock the Qi within the Spirit Rice.

He pressed the Jade Slip against his forehead.

Soon, the information imprinted within the Jade Slip flooded into Lin Yan's mind.

It was as if a book about brewing had appeared in his mind.

With a thought, he could browse through the brewing steps, which was very convenient.

And that Jade Slip had turned into an ordinary piece of jade, with no information about brewing left inside.

Lin Yan estimated that this Jade Slip was made by the Foundation Establishment Old Menial Servant himself.

There is a prerequisite for making such Jade Slips, which is the Foundation Establishment.

The Foundation Establishment Realm possesses powerful Divine Sense, which can imprint information onto Jade Slips.

If one were to imprint a Cultivation Technique or Spell, it would also require a Perfection-level understanding of the Cultivation Technique.

When Lin Yan achieves a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he will be able to make a Jade Slip for the "Azure Wood Technique".

Of course, doing so would violate Sect regulations.

The Spells learned in the Sword Pavilion are generally not allowed to be spread externally.

The steps to make spirit wine are not complicated.

Take Spirit Rice, soak it in spirit spring water overnight, and let it fully absorb the spiritual essence.

Then, steam the Spirit Rice until half-cooked, keeping the center of the grain slightly firm to facilitate subsequent fermentation.

Add the specially made spirit yeast and place it in the spirit cellar to ferment.

Then comes the most critical step: use specific Spells to catalyze it, allowing the Spirit Rice to ferment naturally and convert the Qi.

Lin Yan's own Comprehension Ability is not bad, and having Cultivated the "Azure Wood Technique" to Perfection, he has a certain understanding of the Dao.

The Spells for brewing spirit wine were extremely simple for him, and he grasped the essentials in a moment.

After applying the specific "Spirit Brewing Spell", he sealed the Spirit Rice in the jar and let it sit for ten days. Once the wine matured, it could be filtered and consumed.

For his first attempt, Lin Yan decided to experiment on a small scale.

He only took ten catties of Spirit Rice and followed the method on the Jade Slip step by step.

Three days later, a faint "gurgling" sound came from the wine jar, and an intoxicating aroma of wine wafted from the jar's mouth.

Lin Yan checked it and found that the Spirit Rice had completely transformed; the liquid was clear and faintly shimmered with a pale golden luster.

He sealed the wine jar and let it sit for another seven days to allow the liquid to further refine.

Seven days later, Lin Yan, filled with anticipation, opened the seal of the wine jar.

"Thump!"

As soon as the jar was opened, a rich aroma of wine burst forth.

The aroma of the wine brewed from Spirit Rice was very mellow, even carrying a hint of the freshness of Spirit Rice.

He carefully scooped a small cup and took a light sip.

"Hmm?!"

Upon entering his mouth, the wine first tasted of clear, crisp rice, then the Qi bloomed on the tip of his tongue like a trickling stream, nourishing his whole body, and finally flowed into his Dantian as a trace of warmth.

"Success!"

This is spirit wine that truly contains nourishing Qi!

"Shuangyuan, come quickly and taste the spirit wine I brewed!" Lin Yan excitedly called the Little Fatty over.

"It smells so good!"

Before the wine even touched his lips, the Little Fatty complimented it.

He couldn't wait to take the wine cup from Lin Yan's hand and drank it in one gulp.

"Senior Brother, you are amazing. Compared to the Spirit Rice wine sold in the market, your wine has a more mellow taste and purer Qi!" The Little Fatty gave a thumbs up.

"You kid, when did you learn to brag?" Lin Yan rolled his eyes at him.

He knew the quality of his own wine.

It certainly couldn't compare to the Old Menial Servant in the market; it was about on par with the wedding wine that Lu Zhengfeng drank.

Of course, this was only his first time brewing.

As his craft became more and more proficient, he would soon be able to catch up to the Old Menial Servant's standard.

If he wanted to go further, he would need to Awakening his Fire Spiritual Root and add a step of flexibly nurturing it while brewing.

Or, use better brewing ingredients.

For example, second-tier Spirit Rice, especially the Spirit Rice from the Crimson Flame Rice, would be a perfect match for this brewing technique!

"Shuangyuan, in the future, when you have free time, go to the market and sell the spirit wine," Lin Yan instructed.

"Alright," the Little Fatty readily agreed.

"I didn't let you go catch snow rabbit with Sun Xiaochuan and the others; you don't hold a grudge against me, do you?" Lin Yan asked.

After the New Year, Lu Zhengfeng and the others followed Sun Xiaochuan straight to the Snowy Plateau west of the Jian Ge Mountain Range to earn some extra money.

Lin Yan politely declined their invitation and didn't let the Little Fatty go either.

With the System, he didn't need to go out and take risks.

"Senior Brother, what are you saying?" The Little Fatty quickly explained:

"Following Senior Brother, I have good food and drink, I don't need to go out and take risks, and my cultivation level is steadily improving. Where else could I find such a good thing?"

The Little Fatty was full of sincerity:

"I don't have any grand desires to wander the world freely. Ten Thousand Willow Peak, Qingzhu Peak, Shanyue Lake... I haven't even finished exploring the mountains and waters around the Spirit Herb Pavilion yet."

When eating the New Year's meal last time, the Utility Disciple brought by Lu Zhengfeng and Hua Chenan were still at the second level of Qi Refining.

And he, Xu Shuangyuan, as a Utility Disciple, was not at all weaker than Outer Sect Disciples like Lu Zhengfeng, being at the third level of Qi Refining.

"Hmm, not bad," Lin Yan nodded with satisfaction.

It was because he saw that he was sensible that he took him in.

This point is commendable; truly sensible people are actually rare in this world.

It is not uncommon to pour one's heart and soul into someone, only to end up raising an ungrateful wretch.