Immortality: Raising an Ant Queen to Cultivate by increasing stat points

He had wanted to try this method for a long time.

However, he previously lacked the necessary cultivation levels, unable to mobilize and externalize the energy within his body.

Now that he had reached the Innate Realm, he barely possessed this ability.

He had tested it when he was helping the Golden Toad with its injuries, and it worked quite well.

He extended his hand to grasp the root stem of the Dogtail Grass.

Then he mobilized a faint trace of the Everlasting Spring Technique’s energy and released it, controlling it to penetrate into the Dogtail Grass.

After it was absorbed, the stems and leaves slowly filled out, rapidly regaining vitality.

This method was indeed feasible.

Qin Niu repeated the process with the other herbs, treating each one in turn.

In about half an hour, all of them had regained their vitality.

“Now that I have the cultivation of the Innate Realm, I should be able to explore deeper into the mountains. I can gather some more medicinal herbs to plant.”

Having tasted the sweetness of the Boundary-breaking Elixir, he was completely captivated by the supreme allure of elixirs.

The best main ingredients for refining high-grade elixirs are not beast cores,

but Spiritual Medicines.

It has always been so since ancient times.

The essence of plants and trees is the best material for alchemy.

Beast cores are instead considered unorthodox. Acquiring beast cores not only requires taking a life but also, beasts and humans are fundamentally different beings. Their cultivation methods also differ.

Using beast cores for alchemy goes against natural principles and involves numerous risks.

This is why the major families only regard cultivated medicinal herbs as the core resources of the family, and never as one hears a family raising a mystical beast as their core asset.

At most, they would raise a mystical beast to guard the house and protect the family’s forbidden grounds.

After restoring vitality to these herbs, Qin Niu then hurried to the Yan Family’s farmland.

Upon arriving at the first line of defense, swarms of locusts were advancing under the cover of darkness. Ordinary locusts passing this line of defense would not be attacked.

Only when special locusts went through would they be intercepted by Qin Niu’s Termite soldiers and then mercilessly killed.

He checked the Termite’s results.

Thirteen special locusts were hunted.

Compared to the peak times when hundreds could be hunted in a day, this was a significant drop.

Qin Niu had specifically brought a group of Grade Three Termites this time to test their combat strength.

It turned out that not to mention the extra-large locusts, even the special locusts were hard to come by.

This left him somewhat frustrated.

He was contemplating discussing with the Yan Family the next morning about having the Yan Family find another Insect Master to guard this defensive line.

Having helped guard the Yan Family for so many days, he felt he had done enough and had repaid his debt of gratitude.

He had specifically brought a book to read today.

It was about time he brushed up on the fundamental knowledge of cultivation.

Entering the thatched hut, he lit the oil lamp and read through the night.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning, Yan Qi arrived.

“Master Qin, was everything peaceful last night?”

“Nothing happened. Looking at the situation, the locust plague seems to be subsiding. Pass a message to Young Master of the Yan Family for me, starting today, I am officially withdrawing from this defensive line.”

Qin Niu’s relationship with the Yan Family was merely one of cooperation.

He would work if he wanted to.

If not, he’d just say goodbye and leave.

“Is there any way in which our Yan Family has failed to be hospitable?

The color drained from Yan Qi’s face as she carefully asked.

“I stood guard last night, and there were only two special locusts. I estimate that even if a few more appear during the day, it won’t cause much trouble. Master Mo Sang can handle it completely. There are many affairs to attend to at home, and I really don’t have time to waste here. Of course, if the locust situation changes and the Yan Family encounters difficulties, feel free to call on me at any time.”

After finishing his words, Qin Niu left with the Termite he had collected.

“Master Qin, your breakfast banquet is ready! How about having your meal before I see you off?”

“No need, just go and notify the Young Master of the Yan Family and Masters

Mo and Shi, that will do.”

With a wave of his hand, Qin Niu left gracefully.

Not long after he had arrived home, the Young Master of the Yan Family came over personally in a carriage.

“Master Qin, we owe a lot to you for aiding our Yan Family in holding the line these past few days, preserving our assets. If you’re leaving abruptly, could it be that the decrease in the number of special locusts has substantially reduced your income? This oversight is indeed my mistake. After consulting with my father, the Yan Family is willing to offer a guaranteed daily rate of One Tael of Silver for your pest control services.

If the number of special locusts killed in a day exceeds a hundred, then we will calculate the cost as per our prior agreement.

If it’s less than a hundred, the Yan Family will cover the base rate of One Tael of Silver per day for you.”

The Young Master of the Yan Family offered a rate that would make countless Insect Masters green with envy.

A daily wage of One Tael of Silver is definitely a top-tier salary.

“It’s really not about the money, Young Master Yan, you needn’t overthink it. My defense against pests for the Yan Family wasn’t wholly for the sake of making money. The Yan Family has taken great care of me, and when my new residence was completed, you presented a generous gift to celebrate, which signifies a deep bond. Seeing the Yan Family in trouble, I naturally couldn’t stand by idly. Now that the pest calamity has subsided, defending that line has also caused me to neglect many matters.

That’s why I decided to step back.”

Qin Niu patiently explained.

“So that’s the case, we of the Yan Family have been narrow-minded. Here’s the remuneration for the recent pest control services you’ve performed for our Yan Family, totaling 92 Taels and 5 cents of Silver Money. Would you please check if there are any discrepancies?”

“If you’ve counted it, that’s fine by me, I trust you.”

After working for so many days, Qin Niu had earned more than ninety taels of Silver Money, which was quite good.

And in passing, he also trained his troops, giving the Termites very good exercise.

Their capacity for group cooperation and experience in combat against enemies had both grown substantially.

Teamwork is the Termites’ greatest strength.

This must be diligently practiced; there are no shortcuts.

“According to my father’s wishes, we’ve rounded it up to a Hundred Taels of Silver Money to thank you for your help to our Yan Family. My father also said, whenever Master Qin is free, you’re welcome to visit the Yan Family at any time. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to turn to us. As long as it’s within our capability, the Yan Family will certainly not stand idly by.”

Yan Ruohai is much more capable in dealing with matters than the Young Master of the Yan Family.

In dealing with people, he makes one feel very comfortable.

“Please convey my thanks to your father; when I have time, I will surely pay him a visit.”

Qin Niu had long looked up to this local authority.

There were many areas in which Yan Ruohai was worthy of his study.

After this pest calamity, he wanted to take advantage of the momentum to become a local power like the Yan Family, and there were still many things he needed to learn from them.

From Yan Ruohai’s message, it was clear he regarded Qin Niu as a friend.

That was very good.

Every brave man needs allies; everyone needs friends.

After seeing off the Young Master, Qin Niu took Xiao Qing and went to the mountains for training.

This was also the first time he brought Xiao Qing into the maze within the Ancient Banyan Tree.

“Xiao Qing, remember this place.”

He led her directly in front of the Ancient Banyan Tree.

“Such a huge old tree! But why do I feel there is emptiness ahead… It’s not right. With such a big tree, there should be a lot of energy reserves.”

Xiao Qing, also practicing the Medicine King Sutra, could feel the energy within plant bodies.

She was surprised to find she couldn’t sense anything; the Ancient Banyan Tree in front of her was void.