3: Over-cultivation?

"I know," he said, placing her on the straw mat without allowing for argument, and then sat down on the edge of the bed. "Therefore, you need rest even more."

Ye Yuner looked at his indistinct but resolute silhouette in the darkness, and her tense body slowly relaxed.

An unprecedented sense of security enveloped her, allowing her to quickly fall into a deep sleep.

A few days later, the Spiritual Plants in Lin Feng's field were growing better and better; a few stalks even showed signs of Breakthrough to High Grade. The plants in Ye Yuner's field also became more vigorous day by day.

That day, Steward Wang swaggered over to inspect. Seeing the sight in Lin Feng's field, Steward Wang's pockmarked face instantly stretched into a long scowl.

"Oh? Lin Feng, what kind of luck did you stumble upon? This crappy field can actually grow plants like this?" Steward Wang gave the field ridge a kick, speaking with Yin and Yang sarcasm. "You didn't steal someone else's good plants and stick them in your field to make up the numbers, did you?"

Lin Feng looked at him calmly: "Steward Wang must be joking. This Disciple tends to them day and night and dares not slack off."

"Hmph! I doubt you have the guts." Steward Wang snorted coldly, then glanced at Ye Yuner's field next to them, which was also growing well, and his expression darkened further.

As an Outer Sect Disciple whose Cultivation was stuck at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, with no hope of advancement for years, he had been assigned to various places as a steward. His mentality had long been warped, and he hated seeing any signs of success among the bottom-rung Menial Servants.

"By the end of the month. Ten High Grade Spiritual Plants. Not one less. Otherwise, hmph!" He dropped his threat and left resentfully.

Not long after Steward Wang left, a tall, young man walked over. His face was handsome, and his gaze immediately locked onto Ye Yuner, who was helping Lin Feng weed by the field.

"Yuner!" His voice was gentle, but when he looked at Lin Feng, his eyes instantly turned cold.

Ye Yuner's body stiffened. She looked up: "Chen... Senior Brother Chen Qing."

Chen Qing grew up in the same village as Ye Yuner. He entered the Xuantian Sect a few years earlier than her. His Aptitude was decent, and he had already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, becoming an Outer Sect Disciple long ago.

"Yuner, why are you still associating with this trash?" Chen Qing walked closer, his gaze sweeping over Lin Feng. "What can he give you? He can barely protect himself. Come with me, I'll ask someone to switch you to a better job."

Lin Feng felt the Spiritual Pressure emanating from Chen Qing, along with the intense hostility. He subtly stepped forward, blocking Ye Yuner, and calmly looked at Chen Qing: "Senior Brother Chen, Yuner can decide her own affairs."

"What are you? Do you even qualify to speak to me?" Chen Qing's eyes sharpened, and his Spiritual Pressure pressed down on Lin Feng.

Lin Feng felt a tightness in his chest, as if struck by a massive rock. His body involuntarily swayed, and his face instantly turned pale. But he gritted his teeth, straightened his back, and refused to retreat a single step.

"Senior Brother Chen Qing!" Ye Yuner cried out in alarm, quickly supporting Lin Feng and glaring angrily at Chen Qing. "What are you doing! My affairs are none of your business. Senior Brother Lin... he is fine."

Chen Qing stared intensely at Lin Feng: "Fine? Lin Feng, is it? I've memorized you. Yuner is naive and easily deceived. Stay far away from her! Otherwise... hmph!" He snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve before leaving.

Chen Qing's oppression made Lin Feng once again feel the massive gap in strength.

'Qi Refining Fifth Layer... just the Spiritual Pressure is this terrifying!'

He returned to his small hut, sat down cross-legged, and submerged his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness. Looking at the still tiny heaven-stealing vine with only two tender leaves, a powerful desire surged in his heart.

'Become stronger! I must become stronger faster!'

'Since it can graft Spiritual Plants... then... what about people?'

'Perhaps it is feasible?'

Lin Feng's heart pounded wildly.

Ye Yuner came in holding a bowl of thin porridge: "Senior Brother Lin, are you alright? Chen Qing... he is just like that, don't take it to heart."

Lin Feng took the porridge and shook his head: "I'm fine. Yuner, don't worry, I won't let you suffer any more grievances."

Ye Yuner looked at him, feeling as if the Senior Brother Lin before her had completely changed. Although he was still thin, he seemed to have gained a backbone, giving her a strange sense of peace.

'The old Senior Brother Lin... would never stand in front of me like this... and would never say such words...' Ye Yuner's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head and sipped the porridge.

The night was deep and quiet.

Inside the small hut, there was only the sound of their steady breathing and the occasional chirping of insects outside the window.

Lin Feng gently turned onto his side, looking at Ye Yuner, who was curled up beside him with her brows slightly furrowed. He reached out and extremely softly smoothed the creases between her eyebrows.

This subtle movement startled Ye Yuner awake. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes, her cheeks warming slightly. Subconsciously, she tried to pull back, but Lin Feng gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Did I wake you?" Lin Feng's voice was very low.

"No..." Ye Yuner shook her head. She also turned onto her side, lying face-to-face with him, and asked softly, "Still awake?"

"Yuner, look," Lin Feng said, twirling a strand of her loose hair around his finger. "My field... and your field, aren't they both doing better now?"

At the mention of this, Ye Yuner's eyes brightened, and she nodded vigorously.

"Handing over ten High Grade Spiritual Plants at the end of the month shouldn't be a problem," Lin Feng calculated. "In fact... we might have quite a bit extra."

Ye Yuner blinked, momentarily failing to grasp the meaning: "Extra...?"

"The extra amount belongs to us," Lin Feng's eyes shone. "After paying off the debt, we can take them to the Sect's Market to sell. We can exchange them for Spirit Stones..."

"With Spirit Stones," Lin Feng grasped her hand; her palm was slightly cool and covered with thin calluses, "we can buy 'qi condensing pill's and better Cultivation Technique Jade Slips. Our Cultivation speed can accelerate."

Ye Yuner's breathing quickened slightly: "Really... is that possible?"

"Of course it is!" Lin Feng's tone was firm. "As long as the output from our fields is high enough. We can diligently Cultivate and charge towards the Fourth Level of Qi Refining."

At the mention of the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, Ye Yuner's eyes dimmed: "The Fourth Level of Qi Refining... it's too difficult. Moreover... I heard there's a Sect rule that if a Utility Disciple hasn't achieved Breakthrough to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining by the age of eighteen, they lose the qualification to be promoted to the Outer Sect."

Lin Feng's heart sank. He quickly calculated the original body's age, and his expression changed slightly: "Yuner, how old are we... this year?"

"Senior Brother Lin, did you forget? We are the same age, both seventeen and a half." Ye Yuner sighed. "We only have... half a year left."

Lin Feng stretched out his arms and tightly pulled the slender, slightly trembling body next to him into his embrace.

Ye Yuner stiffened, startled by the sudden movement, feeling the scorching heat penetrating her thin clothes.

"Yuner?"

"Hmm?"

"I Cultivated too much today, and my meridians are stiff and sore... could you massage them a bit for me?"

"Okay."

"Ah... Senior Brother Lin, weren't you asking me to massage you?"

"Mm. I'll help you first. You here... you've been overworked for a long time, and your Qi and blood are stagnant."

"Mmm, mmm..."