Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 24 Harvest

Li Shiming utilized his consciousness to gather the Spirit Rice, meticulously documenting the resulting data.

While he currently lacked the means to optimize the Spirit Rice, he knew such opportunities might arise later. Since each growth cycle of Spirit Rice spans one month, recording the data now was effectively a way to save a month of time in the future.

The plants averaged 60 tillers each, with the single-layer cultivation rack yielding 0.65KG per square meter.

Upon finishing this season's harvest, he had amassed 364 jin of Spirit Rice, totaling nearly two and a half shi.

A faint smile of contentment crossed his face as he surveyed the Spirit Rice.

His consciousness swept over the grains, selecting the most robust and vigorous specimens.

These choice grains were set aside as seeds for the upcoming season, ensuring a continuous supply of Spirit Rice.

What pleased him even more was that this level of yield, even without further Cultivation improvements, was more than enough for his personal needs, leaving a significant surplus.

Despite the abundance, this Spirit Rice was unsuitable for consumption by the masses.

The Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Rice is considered gentle for those at the Qi Refining stage, but it acts as a lethal toxin to ordinary people.

Ingesting it would cause a commoner's body to explode; consequently, he had no intention of sharing it with anyone else.

To prevent the distinct fragrance of the Spirit Rice from escaping, he restricted all cooking to the machine room space.

Using one jin of Spirit Rice and spirit rainwater produced by the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, he prepared a pot of rice.

The moment Li Shiming brought the meal out of the machine room space, he was greeted by an incredible aroma, while mild Spiritual Energy drifted away with the rising steam.

Worrying that the Spiritual Energy would vanish if he waited, he ate quickly until he was full.

Even though he had been starving for nearly a month, he found himself unable to finish more than a quarter of the pot.

He had clearly overestimated his stomach; a single jin of Spirit Rice plus water created a massive portion. Between the volume and the immediate sense of satiety it provided, he now understood the correct proportions for cooking.

His monthly consumption would likely not exceed seven and a half jin, and that was a generous estimate based on his current hunger; the actual amount would probably be lower.

This meant he would have a surplus of over 350 jin of Spirit Rice every month.

"I'll store it for the time being and see if there is an opportunity to sell it later," Li Shiming mused, though he did not halt his planting efforts.

Spirit Rice represented the only valuable commodity he could use for bartering with other practitioners of Cultivation.

Even without current trading partners, he believed in the necessity of being prepared.

The second season of Spirit Rice planting was far less demanding than the first; with his data complete, he only needed to perform routine checks.

Sending his consciousness into the machine room space, he opened a wooden box stored in a small, designated area.

Inside the box, two rows of iron objects the size of fists rested on soft cloth, five to a row.

These were the self-defense tools Li Shiming had crafted. The first row consisted of white phosphorus grenades, which were terrifyingly destructive; they burn relentlessly upon contact, capable of melting through flesh until they reach the bone.

The second row held thermite grenades, which possessed immense power. Their explosion produced more than just high heat and chemical reactions.

These specially modified thermite grenades could reach temperatures of 3000℃, emitting a flash bright enough to strike anyone blind who was caught off guard.

Furthermore, steel targets hit by these grenades would melt almost instantly.

This was logical, as even a basic thermite reaction can liquefy pure iron, let alone these refined grenades.

These two types of explosives were the most potent life-saving tools he could manufacture given his available resources.

His interest in creating firearms had waned after he analyzed the defensive capabilities of the White Robe Magic Artifact.

Standard bullets could not penetrate the defenses of such Magic Artifacts, and he couldn't produce more advanced weaponry in the short term.

Compared to guns, white phosphorus and thermite grenades were far more effective for dealing with cultivators.

As for the small wooden sword, it was currently useless to him; a previous attempt to use it had nearly sucked his Spiritual Energy dry.

The issue was that even after exhausting his entire reserve, the sword remained inactive.

The wooden sword's thirst for Spiritual Energy was like a bottomless pit, far exceeding what a practitioner at the Qi Refining Second Level could manage.

Thus, despite knowing the wooden sword was more powerful, it was less useful to him than a standard Longsword Magic Artifact.

After checking the Spiritual Energy levels in the machine room, Li Shiming began the "Five Elements Qi Absorption Technique," pulling energy from the space.

Strands of Spiritual Energy flowed into his body, circulating through his Meridians and purging the impurities that had built up over the month through his pores.

Once he finished a full cycle of the "Five Elements Qi Absorption Technique," a sense of lightness and clarity returned to him.

Since he had been careful with his diet and only a month had passed, the amount of expelled impurities was minimal.

There was no foul odor, but he still requested Si Qin to prepare a bath so he could clean himself properly.

The White Robe Magic Artifact proved its worth once again; it remained perfectly clean and required no washing.

"Shiming, the official vessel arrives at the docks tomorrow. I won't be there to see you off," Li WenYuan stated solemnly, looking up from his study at his son.

All preparations were finished, and the farewells were done. The time had come for the young bird to fly.

"Father, I've put some tea leaves in the storehouse; please look after your health once I'm gone," Li Shiming replied, bowing his head.

He felt a premonition that once he departed Nanling Prefecture, his return would be a long way off.

While his public reason for leaving was the Imperial Examination, his true goal was to seek the path of immortality. Because he wasn't certain of success, he kept it secret, planning to write to Li WenYuan only if he succeeded.

Despite the scarcity of Spiritual Energy, he had repeatedly used the "Spring Breeze and Rain Skill" to cultivate tea leaves that held a trace of energy.

"Shiming, you are an adult now with your own secrets, and I won't pry. Just remember to be cautious; a wise man avoids unnecessary danger!" Li WenYuan advised after a brief hesitation.

Having consumed the tea Li Shiming prepared, he was well aware of its unique properties.

He felt as though his body had regained the vitality he possessed a decade ago.

The physical benefits were obvious every time he drank it, though the sensation became less intense as he grew accustomed to it.

This extraordinary tea, coupled with Li Shiming's unexpected success in the Imperial Examination, suggested there was much more to his son than met the eye.

Regardless, Li Shiming was his son, and he chose not to investigate the boy's secrets.