However, four thousand Qian Gold sounds like a lot, but that is the production of a full ten years. Moreover, the consumption is extraordinarily large. Just the Spirit Gathering Array alone needs to have its spirit stones replaced every five years, requiring five spirit stones each time, which averages out to the usage of one spirit stone per year. Additionally, the fertility of the spirit field is a huge problem. A spirit field without fertility is like a human body lacking various vitamins, which can easily lead to stunted or even dead spiritual medicine. The best source of fertility is the fermentation of spiritually linked things such as straw left from harvesting spirit rice, remaining purple leaves from purple-leafed Heshou, and remnants of spirit fish and spiritual flesh. Of course, the main source of fertility is still the manure from domesticated spirit beasts. For example, the Huangfu Family raises quite a number of Spiritual-Horned Yaks, and the manure they produce in a year is considerable. Besides using it on their own spirit fields, they sell the surplus to reduce the cost of raising spirit beasts. Spirit Horned Yak meat is expensive, and rightly so, as the breeding costs are exorbitant. They must use the spirit fields to grow a large amount of spirit grass and occasionally have to buy residue from spirit bean oil extraction or rice bran left from threshing spirit rice! Even Celestial Human Families must be frugal to ensure a continuous flow of profit. Similarly, the maintenance of spirit fields is extremely troublesome. Spiritual Qi gathering, replacement and maintenance of spirit stones in the Spirit Gathering Array, creation and maintenance of the irrigation system of the spiritual spring, fertility supplementation of the spirit fields, and pest and disease control—all these have very high costs. However, if the spirit fields are well-maintained, they not only have a high output value but are also the foundation of a family. Wang Shouzhe set aside distractions and said, "These trades of purple-leafed Heshou aren’t recorded in the family account books, right?" He had carefully studied the family account books and found no entries for the income and expenditure of those two acres of spirit fields. "Rest assured about that, Shouzhe." Wang Xiaohan hurriedly explained, "The income and expenditure of these two acres of middle-grade spirit fields are all recorded personally by me, and the other elders and the clan leader can check the accounts at any time. When we return to the thatched cottage, I’ll show you." "Part of the output is used to offset the costs of the two acres of middle-grade spirit fields. Some are exchanged for Minor Primordial Cultivation Pills and portions of spirit beast blood and flesh, gradually converted into family account books and inventory as repayments from other families, transforming into the family’s long-term consumption." Wang Shouzhe suddenly remembered that indeed the family account books recorded some obscure income, like debts from other families to the Wang Family from decades ago being repaid in batches, etc. At that time, it seemed inexplicable, but now it makes sense that it was the output from this hidden spirit field. The purpose should be to make those two acres of middle-grade spirit fields more concealed. "Naturally, I trust you, Sixth Grandpa." Wang Shouzhe waved his hand and smiled, "However, Sixth Grandpa must also train the successor for the spirit field cultivation and care as soon as possible. Otherwise, having an ancestor at the Spirit Platform Realm farming every day is not feasible." "A successor naturally needs to be trained early, but..." Wang Xiaohan furrowed his brows slightly, "Right now, only Zongwei has just become an adult in the family!" For a family like the Wang Race, which prides itself on its honor and strictness towards men, to have such a character emerge. Though he seemed more honest after recently getting beaten. But considering Wang Xiaohan’s character, he surely wouldn’t trust a gambler? No matter how he appears to have changed, it doesn’t help. The spirit fields in the family are crucial assets; what if that scoundrel sells them off? "There’s no rush, select a few from the younger generation and see who has talent," Wang Shouzhe said, "Shouyong, Shoulian, and Shouye can also be tried. Managing spirit fields isn’t something that happens in a mere ten or eight years." Letting Wang Zongwei manage the spirit fields—Wang Xiaohan wouldn’t allow it, and even Wang Shouzhe wouldn’t agree. Wang Xiaohan opened his mouth, initially wanting to ask what if he couldn’t advance to the Spirit Platform Realm. But on second thought, if he couldn’t advance, the family might be in jeopardy... At that time, they’d have to find other ways to protect the family and Shouzhe. But many family assets, including these spirit fields, might be lost. Thinking too much about it now is futile. "Shouzhe, most of the proceeds from the purple-leafed Heshou are invested into this acre of middle-grade spirit field," Wang Xiaohan said, pointing to another middle-grade spirit field. This other spirit field is also divided into multiple sections of various sizes. The smallest section is only a few dozen square meters, while the largest takes up a third of the space, about two hundred square meters. Only one spiritual medicine is planted there. Its large leaves are greedily absorbing the sunshine and spiritual energy within the spirit field. It was previously mentioned that Wang Shouzhe had learned the Fierce Beast Atlas and Spirit Medicine Atlas as part of his studies since childhood. He immediately recognized it as a Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng, and seeing its large leaves, he realized this ginseng was quite old. Usually, a century-old ginseng is worth several dozen Qian Gold. But the Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng is of spirit grade. Even a century-old one is worth over a thousand Qian Gold, as it’s a material for many Tier Three spiritual medicines. The Healing Holy Medicine Creation Pill consumed by Ancestor Longyan requires a two hundred-year-old Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng, making its price extraordinarily high, but its healing and stamina-restorative effects are also exceptionally powerful! Even for an ordinary person at death’s door, a single Creation Pill can drag them back from the brink. However, it’s difficult for even wealthy ordinary people to purchase a Creation Pill. Wang Shouzhe’s heart trembled more and more as he looked at the Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng; there was something wrong with it. "This Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng was already close to five hundred years old when Ancestor discovered it in the Outer Domain," Wang Xiaohan explained, "so Ancestor decided to plant it in the Spirit Field to cultivate it." Five hundred years old? Wang Shouzhe was truly astonished by the family’s foundation; indeed, it was a family treasure. He vaguely understood that one of the main ingredients of the legendary ’Celestial Spirit Pill’ was the Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng aged five hundred years. The value of this item was likely to exceed fifty thousand Qian Gold? Indeed, if an ancestor in the lineage was formidable, the foundation of the family’s heritage was something other ordinary families couldn’t compare to. "It’s just a pity that the Middle-Grade Spirit Field is too little of a benefit to it," Wang Xiaohan said helplessly, "Currently, its growth is very slow. It’s been here for seventy years and hasn’t transformed into a five hundred-year-old spiritual medicine." Seventy years ago it was nearly five hundred years old, and seventy years later it still hasn’t transformed; indeed, that’s quite slow. Wang Shouzhe found himself speechless, as the value of high-tier spiritual medicine is extraordinary, yet it’s truly something ordinary families can’t afford to cultivate. Looking at it occupying more than three fields, if these seventy years had been used to plant Purple-leafed Heshou, the net profit should be at least several thousand Qian Gold, yet it has only grown a little bit. The age of spiritual medicine is not simply determined by how many years it is planted. If the same spiritual medicine is planted in Lower-Grade and Upper-Grade Spirit Fields, can they be the same? What is called Centennial Spiritual Medicine is because the spiritual medicine undergoes transformation at that stage, significantly advancing its essence of life and medicinal properties to the next stage. It’s somewhat akin to humans transitioning from the Qi Refining Realm to the Spirit Platform Realm. The value escalates significantly. However, the higher the age of the spiritual medicine, the more difficult it becomes to cultivate because its need for spiritual energy and nutrition becomes greater. A barren spirit field simply lacks the ability to sufficiently nourish its growth. In some excellent spirit fields, the growth speed of spiritual medicine is notably faster. However, in terms of planting and cultivating layout, it is best not to let it grow at a speed that exceeds the normal age speed. For example, enhancing the concentration of spiritual energy and fertility, using fifty years to accelerate to produce a centennial spiritual medicine. Such spiritual medicine in the market is called ’Rapid-growth Pill’; both its practical medicinal properties and value are greatly reduced. The growth of spiritual medicine involves factors such as spiritual energy and fertility, while the actual years of growth are equally important. Some experienced spiritual medicine merchants, Pill Workshop Chief Stewards, alchemists, and other professionals can discern with a glance whether it is a rapid-growth pill. "According to my estimation, in seventy years of planting, its age should have increased by about seven years. But if it accelerates, I estimate in another twenty years it will transform into a five-hundred-year-old spiritual medicine." Wang Xiaohan said excitedly yet regretfully, "It’s just a pity our family doesn’t have an Upper-Grade Spirit Field, otherwise it should be able to grow normally." Upper-Grade Spirit Field? Wang Shouzhe glanced at Wang Xiaohan, thinking how daring you are for a sixth elder. Our family finds it hard enough to handle a Middle-Grade Spirit Field, yet you dare dream of an Upper-Grade Spirit Field? "Shouzhe, this item was originally left for you to use as a precaution once it matures." Wang Xiaohan said with difficulty, "Moreover, the family has invested too many resources and effort into it. Selling it now before it transforms incurs a loss. If it weren’t for the family being in a crisis, I would absolutely not sell it to exchange for a Celestial Spirit Pill. Ultimately, it is the Sixth Grandfather who let you down." "Selling it now is indeed too costly," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "However, Sixth Grandfather, don’t act rashly just yet. Let me think of a way to solve the problem of the Celestial Spirit Pill." Wang Xiaohan was astounded, "Shouzhe, where would you get so much money to buy a Celestial Spirit Pill?" A Ninth Grade Lower-Rank Clan, using decades to gradually accumulate wealth to exchange for a Celestial Spirit Pill, was already extremely difficult. Families able to achieve this level can mostly perpetuate the lineage, continuing endlessly. Loose Cultivators, unless they encounter great opportunities, couldn’t buy a Celestial Spirit Pill in a lifetime. Furthermore, major academies and sects are cautious towards rootless and foundationless Loose Cultivators. Even if the person’s talent far surpasses a genius like Wang Shouzhe, academies would still consider and investigate cautiously, choosing not to accept if there’s any doubt. Lack of background means one could make up an origin, leading to potential future issues; who knows if they’re spies for hostile forces or carrying great unresolved hatred? It’s also because resources are hard to earn that Wang Xiaohan was so shocked. "Sixth Grandfather, you should first use the Peiyuan Pill to properly adjust your health, quickly recover your state to prepare for the sprint to the Spirit Platform Realm," Wang Shouzhe did not answer directly, "I am merely attempting to try a bit. If luck is good, hehe~" In Wang Shouzhe’s view, the Liu Family and Zhao Family achieved what they have today by seizing the results that the Wang Race ancestors fought for with their lives. Since he knew they had accumulated decades of wealth ’fruits.’ With his personality, wouldn’t he try to figure out a way to have a go? Even if he couldn’t win, Wang Shouzhe wouldn’t want them to easily digest the wealth fruits.