Jiang Chen opened his eyes, fixed his gaze on the soot-stained roof beam above, and froze for several seconds. A moment later, a torrent of memories surged into his mind. Jiang Chen touched his face—the skin was youthful and firm. The lingering sense of chronic exhaustion that had plagued him for years had completely vanished. […]

Returning to his leaky wooden hut, Jiang Chen shut the doors and windows tight, then sat cross-legged on the hard plank bed. At this moment, the problem placed before him wasn’t a complex arithmetic equation. Risk: If he didn’t upgrade, there was a high probability he couldn’t produce one thousand jin of Spirit Rice. He

At the foot of Earth Vein Peak, located within the Outer Peak. This was the gathering place for disciples with Earth Spirit Roots. Unlike the quiet desolation of the Spirit Farm area, this place was a hive of activity, filled with bare-chested, muscular men hauling rocks. Jiang Chen stood at the crossroads, looking somewhat out

Time flowed like water, neither hurried nor slow. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. During these two weeks, Jiang Chen lived a life far more disciplined than when he had been a boss in his previous life. He rose with the sun and rested at its setting. There were no

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. The third-quarter assessment for the Spirit Farm had finally arrived. If the yield per mu of a first-grade Spirit Farm reached or exceeded one thousand jin, the cultivator could become a formal disciple and officially join the [Cloud Sea Sect]. Everyone rose early in the morning.

Seeing the yield was short by just fifty kilograms, Wang Hu shot a subtle wink at Fellow Daoist Luo. The latter, Luo Tie, understood immediately. His right hand moved slightly toward Lord Gold. Instantly, the tenth golden bead swelled up on the Gold Toad’s back. Uncle Chen saw this small action clearly from the side,

Tie Zhu said with a beaming smile, “Fellow Daoist Jiang—no, I should call you Senior Brother Jiang from now on.” “You’re too kind.” Jiang Chen waved his hand with a polite smile. Tie Zhu said earnestly, “Senior Brother Jiang, you must look out for me more in the future.” “Of course, of course.” Jiang Chen’s

“There are one hundred jin of Spirit Rice inside, along with a set of formal disciple clothing.” Luo Tie swept his gaze over everyone. He then reminded them, “If you need to pack anything else, go quickly now.” Upon hearing this, Lin An and the others turned and left immediately. Only Jiang Chen stood still,

They didn’t know how long they had flown. Suddenly, Jiang Chen and the others felt a wave of refreshing comfort. They hurriedly focused their senses and discovered that the concentration of wood-attributed spiritual energy in the surrounding air was skyrocketing. “What’s this?” Jiang Chen exchanged a glance with Lin An beside him. Luo Tie pointed

Elder Mu reminded them, “There are houses near your Spirit Farms, so you don’t need to worry about resting. If you’re not satisfied or have your own ideas, you can ask earth spiritual root disciples to help with renovations.” Elder Mu added, “Also, considering the fourth quarter is winter and you’ve just joined, you can

As the view widened, Jiang Chen finally saw the second-grade Spirit Farm that belonged solely to him. At first glance, it didn’t seem much different from the first-grade Spirit Farms on the outskirts. There wasn’t much distinction in terms of area or the height of the ridges. But upon closer inspection, one would notice the

Seeing the other party remain silent with a strange expression on his face, Jin Fugui sighed and said, “I admit I’ve used it. Forty jin of Spirit Rice, is that acceptable?” Jiang Chen’s eyes widened upon hearing this. “So it has been used!” “Thirty jin of Spirit Rice. I can’t go any lower than that,”

However, Jiang Chen kept the matter of the New Year market opening in mind. Even if he couldn’t exchange for anything particularly good, he could still join in the fun. Moreover, this was within the [Cloud Sea Sect], so it wasn’t dangerous at all. When evening came, after eating a meal cooked with [Spirit Rice],

Jiang Chen had originally planned to use the remaining Spirit Rice to brew [Spirit Wine]. He never expected his plans to be ruined by these [Winter Awakening Insects]. He had already given Jin Fugui twenty jin of Spirit Rice earlier. Combined with what he had consumed himself during this period, only sixty jin remained. Now,

The next day arrived quickly. Early in the morning, just as the sun was rising, Jiang Chen and Lin An left swiftly without even eating breakfast. The location of that [Foundation Establishment] stage spirit farmer happened to be near Lin An’s [Spirit Farm]. Because of this, he was able to get the information first and

[Consume 4567 days of Lifespan to upgrade Vine Bind from Level Two to Level Three?] Instantaneously, massive amounts of experience and techniques emerged. Jiang Chen felt like he had personally cultivated for many years, rapidly absorbing them. [Successfully consumed 4567 days of Lifespan to upgrade Vine Bind to Level Three] (Effect One: Evolves into Century

Jiang Chen was not in a hurry to submit his task. He had to ensure he was on the same level as everyone else. Only when there were just two days left until the New Year, and everyone had mostly finished their harvests, did he proceed. He then arrived at the [Core Farm Management Office]

“The two of you, I’ve said all there is to say. Will you join or…” Xu Liang’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them. Jiang Chen was quite interested in this. “I’ll join.” Xu Liang’s smile immediately brightened. “Welcome, Fellow Daoist Jiang. What about Fellow Daoist Liu?” Instantly, both his and Jiang

Jiang Chen found a random spot and began setting up his stall. However, what he was selling wasn’t [Spirit Rice], but [Spirit Wine]. This caused many of the [Harvest Alliance] members observing from the shadows to pay it no mind. “Fellow Daoist, how much for this [Spirit Wine]?” “Ten [Low-grade Spirit Stones] per jin!” “Damn,

The [Red Leaf Valley] market continued. Jiang Chen, participating for the first time, found everything novel. As noon approached, more and more people joined the market. Suddenly, something flickered in the sky not far away. In the blink of an eye, several ink-black flying shuttles floated above the market. Among them was one particularly flashy

Seeing no movement from inside for a long time, the visitor couldn’t help but suspect that the occupant might not be home. After all, many people had gone to the Red Leaf Valley market yesterday to celebrate the New Year. The moment the door opened, a biting, cold wind rushed in. As a cultivator, Jiang

As the days passed, the winter snow began to melt, yet the temperature seemed to drop even lower. The little fellow was so cold it didn’t want to leave its nest. “You stay home and behave. I’m going to collect the spring seedlings,” Jiang Chen said to it, regardless of whether it understood him or

The female disciple stood beside Wang Ze, watching the receding figure. “How many is this now? People coming to borrow Spirit Stones or Spirit Rice?” “Junior Brother Jiang came to buy seeds from me.” “That’s not so bad then. Too many people have been coming to borrow things lately!” “This is just the beginning. There

Although he had to rest several times during the process, he persevered until the end. Regarding this, Jiang Chen did not add extra Spirit Rice on account of the other party’s physical discomfort. What was agreed upon beforehand remained exactly that. He was neither overly merciful nor did he go easy. People, after all, need

Instead of leaving, he opened his mouth, seeming hesitant to speak. Jin Fugui gave a dry laugh. “Can I invest in… no, I mean, invest in manure!” Jin Fugui said with a helpless expression, “There are still two years until the Formal Disciple Competition. During this time, the prices of all kinds of resources will

In the following days, everything settled into a cyclical rhythm: cooking, cultivating, walking the dog, and tending to the Spirit Farm. Day after day, it was always the same. If it were anyone else, they might not have been able to withstand such solitude. But every time Jiang Chen saw how much stronger and healthier

After some discussion, Jiang Chen agreed to cooperate. The cost was that he had to provide at least eight hundred jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice every quarter. In other words, if his quarterly yield was only two thousand jin, after submitting the one thousand jin required for the sect’s task, he would have to take

Compared to her older brother Sun Jin, Sun Mu fell somewhat short. She appeared cautious and careful, lacking Sun Jin’s composure. To put it bluntly, she lacked confidence in herself. Fortunately, because the pests were discovered relatively early this time—most having just crawled out from the puddles and depressions—there weren’t many on the Spirit Rice

Submitting one thousand jin of top-quality Spirit Rice produced from a Tier-2 Spirit Farm yielded +250 contribution points. However, there was still a gap of 1,500 points before he could exchange for a second high-level cultivation technique. To be honest, Jiang Chen had done the math. Submitting five thousand jin of top-quality Spirit Rice annually

“Did you take good care of my Junior Brother Jiang?” “This Junior Brother of yours is quite good.” Afterward, Wu Xi’er took out the “Spirit Clovers” from her storage pouch. Wang Ze gave them a cursory glance. “These are all three-leaf and two-leaf varieties; nothing special…” He originally felt disdainful and even planned to mock

The little yellow dog immediately wagged its tail excitedly. “Starving, aren’t you?” Jiang Chen crouched down and patted the dog’s head. “Woof! Woof!” It was unclear if it was responding or not. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you something to eat right now.” Jiang Chen stood up and walked toward the kitchen. This harvest was quite

At the same time, he was extremely curious. He wanted to know what kind of cultivation technique the other party would bring from the rogue cultivator market. As long as it was suitable for a Wood Spirit Root to cultivate, it would be absolutely fine. Moreover, with the help of his golden finger, he could

Chen Bo raised his teacup, gesturing for them to drink together. After taking a sip, he said, “By the way, there’s another matter you might find interesting.” Jiang Chen held his teacup, feeling it was a bit too hot to drink, and asked curiously, “What is it?” Chen Bo smiled. “In a few days, my

A yellow Paper Crane flew downstream with two people aboard: one was Chen Bo, the other was Jiang Chen. As they flew farther ahead, a vast expanse of dense forest suddenly appeared before them. From within the woods, intermittent low roars echoed from time to time. Chen Bo pointed in that direction and introduced, “Past

Starting from the second floor, one must at least be at the late stage of Qi Condensation to enter. As for the third floor, one must reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Jiang Chen and Chen Bo, being formal disciples with Wood Spiritual Roots and neither having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, shouldn’t normally be able

Chen Tian’s gaze lingered on Jiang Chen for only a moment. After all, he was the main character of this birthday banquet. After exchanging greetings, Chen Bo led Jiang Chen back to their previous seats, and the two sat down again. At this moment, Su Qing, one of the managers of the Harvest Alliance, spoke

This trip would take at least a year or more. It was even uncertain when they would return. Jiang Chen didn’t mind this. Time held no meaning for him. A few farming cycles would pass in the blink of an eye. The only thing that puzzled Jiang Chen, even leaving him somewhat astonished, was this:

Time flew by, and soon it was the day to collect the summer seedlings. After instructing the little yellow dog to guard the house well, Jiang Chen arrived at the Core Management Office early in the morning. Many Spirit Farmers were already queuing up. Before long, Jiang Chen received his rice seedlings for summer planting.

Thus, Jiang Chen and the little yellow dog gained another chicken companion. Or rather, more accurately, a Spirit Hen. It was grey all over and covered in regular, round white spots; indeed, it looked somewhat similar to pearls. It laid an egg every three days. These eggs contained weak spiritual energy and were fairly rich

However, Jiang Chen’s first thought was not to sell it. It was to relocate it elsewhere—for example, to that hidden cave beneath the Stone Mountain. Therefore, he decisively released his spiritual power, enveloping this mutant Spirit Rice from top to bottom, including even the roots within the black soil. Immediately after, he began digging carefully

After bidding farewell to Chen Bo, Jiang Chen was still pondering the matter of the mutated spirit plant. If there was a method to induce mutation in spirit plants, wouldn’t that equate to a continuous stream of yield and Spirit Stones? He carefully recalled. Before the rain, there wasn’t much difference among all the Spirit

An orange sun hung in the sky. Scorching heat radiated across the land. The incessant, grating chirping of cicadas filled the air. An occasional wisp of breeze brought no sense of coolness. “Summer is so unfriendly to Wood Spirit Roots.” Jiang Chen slumped in a wooden chair by the doorway, his face a picture of

As the number of fish he caught kept increasing, Jiang Chen was astonished. He never expected that Spirit Wine would have such an effect. It truly was an unexpected discovery. “Haha… I can brag about this for a year when I get back.” Jin Fugui grinned widely. Previously, he hadn’t been completely skunked, but the

Great Heat—the hottest day of summer—arrived like an opened floodgate, unleashing torrents of scorching sunlight upon everything below. Flowers wilted under the intensity, while wild grasses drooped listlessly. Even the leaves on the trees hung limp, finding no respite from dawn until dusk. This heatwave affected all vegetation, including the Spirit Rice fields where stalks

Yet, Jiang Chen was not satisfied. After climbing onto the ridge, he did not return to his hut. Instead, he immediately headed toward the rocky hill. He planned to take another look at the mutated Spirit Rice before it got dark. Soon, he deftly slipped into the cave entrance. As he ventured deeper, the sole

However, he did not take off from Flat Top Mountain. Instead, he walked down the steps to the mountain’s base. There was a rule: unless one was an Immortal Elder or a core disciple, one could not approach or depart in this manner. After arriving at the mountain’s foot, Jiang Chen found an open area

Facing this pressure, Jiang Chen did not retreat. For now, the mid-stage of Qi Condensation could indeed withstand it. There was pressure, but it wasn’t that great. It hadn’t reached an unbearable level. As he walked, a sign appeared ahead. On it were four large characters: [Earth Vein Level 1]. He hadn’t expected to be

One mid-grade Spirit Stone per day for seven days made seven stones. For an Earth Lotus that could sell for fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones, that was only one-seventh of the price. Logically, this payment wasn’t excessive. But Jin Man felt a bit displeased. What right did a mere Qi Condensation stage Spirit Farmer have to

As time moved into the next day. On the other side, Jin Man grew more anxious the longer he waited. From the first day of infusing attribute spiritual power, the process could not be interrupted. He had thought Jiang Chen would give in, but he never spoke another word. In the end, Jin Man had

It was still that familiar taste. However, it was superior in every way to the Tier-2 Spirit Rice grown in the Tier-2 Spirit Farm. Of course, Jiang Chen wasn’t selfish enough to eat it all by himself. He later shared a portion with the yellow dog and the pearl chickens. As the two little creatures

The mutated rice seeds continuously absorbed water and expanded. Seven days later, fresh sprouts indeed emerged. Because this was an experiment, Jiang Chen only used 100 grains. The success rate was high: 95 grains sprouted. The other 5 grains, although expanded, showed no change. Next, he planted all 95 sprouted grains into the black soil.

Riding their Paper Cranes, the two gradually approached the Red Leaf Valley market. Come to think of it, this was Jiang Chen’s second time here. Compared to the first time, the foot traffic was indeed much heavier. One could frequently see flying shuttles, flying boats, and flying ships. Of course, the most common sight was

“Right, right, right.” Tie Xin grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. “I thought you were just a little follower tagging along behind Chen Bo. I never expected your brewing skills to be this excellent.” Tie Xin seemed unaware that her words were a bit hurtful and continued blithely, “Ever since Pei Mo followed Chen

With a creak, the brown wooden door was pulled open from the inside. Instantly, a bitingly cold wind carrying dense, swirling snow rushed into the room. The floor was visibly covered with a layer of frost at a rapid pace. In an instant, the temperature inside the room plummeted. Da Huang and the pearl chickens,

Looking closely, he felt it resembled a geomancer’s compass used for feng shui readings. Only palm-sized, it was composed of many concentric rings. Each ring had different markings and symbols. “You understand this?” Tie Xin glanced sideways, a challenge glinting in her eyes. Somewhat understanding yet somewhat not, he asked, “Installing array formations—do you need

(Requires summer planting. After balancing yin and yang, it becomes Yin-Yang Grass. A single plant is worth about 5 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.) (A single plant can fill an entire Spirit Farm. Its fruit can be used for alchemy. Total value is about 30 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.) (One leaf is poor quality, two leaves are good,

The temperature warmed up, and all living things revived. Jiang Chen stood on the field ridge with his eyes closed, carefully sensing. The free-floating Wood-attributed spiritual energy between heaven and earth continuously increased over time. The Wood Spiritual Root within his body released signals of hunger and thirst. Suddenly, he opened his eyes. He quickly

Tie Zhu returned to the rest area at the Earth Vein. His face showed no expression, making it impossible to tell if he was happy or sad. Someone nearby who knew him couldn’t help but ask, “Did you manage to borrow the rice?” Tie Zhu glanced at the person and then shook his head. “No,

There were men and women, with all kinds of spiritual roots. After all, there were only two ways to leave the Cloud Sea Sect. First, the cross-domain teleportation array. Second, long-distance flying spiritual artifacts or magical instruments. For the vast majority of formal disciples, the teleportation array was too expensive. Activating it once required at

How many Low-grade Spirit Stones could be sold? Shen Ping couldn’t decide, feeling somewhat nervous as he said, “Fellow Daoist Han, I’m just a Manager. Large-scale Spirit Rice transactions require consulting with our Patriarch. May I… go back once?” Jiang Chen frowned slightly. “I won’t wait long.” “Thank you.” Shen Ping didn’t dare delay, turning

Jiang Chen’s gains this time were quite decent. He had acquired a fragment of a high-level cultivation art, the [Green Lotus Art], and a brewing recipe for a wine superior to Spirit Wine, the [Golden Wine]. Just after stepping out of the trading house, however, he sensed someone following him. As is well known, reaching

At that very moment, a piercing roar erupted from deep within the Dark Forest. The sound was so shrill and high-pitched that it spread outward like rolling thunder. Wherever the sound waves passed, flowers, grass, and trees trembled violently. Fish plunged into the depths of the water, hiding in the mud. Insects scrambled into any

Jiang Chen and Tie Zhu had just arrived at the [Fragrance Pavilion]. The sound of musical instruments drifted to their ears. The qin strummed urgently, like someone fleeing in panic, while the se plucked softly, as if following in close pursuit. When harmonized, they transformed into a seductive melody that tugged at the heartstrings, enticing

The auction continued. One item after another was brought up—spirit tools, spells, spirit plants, elixirs, and more, a wide variety. But most of them ended with only one result: going unsold. After all, most people who came to the auction were here for necessities. “The next item is a spirit tool!” “It has two effects:

Dewdrops, crystal clear and translucent, hung upon the spirit plants. The Pearl Chicken’s pitch-black eyes darted around, searching for insects on the ground. The yellow dog, Da Huang, lay sprawled at the doorway, his front paws crossed in a posture of surprising elegance. With a creak, Jiang Chen, now fully dressed, pushed the door open

[Golden Spirit Rice] He had seen it in the Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms. Ordinary spirit plants wouldn’t have prefixes. Even if they mutated, a prefix wouldn’t necessarily appear. This was a matter of chance, not a certainty. Before this, neither the mutated mother rice nor the mutated offspring rice had one. It was possible

It seems the [Green Lotus Art] is not simple. Is this truly just a high-tier technique? [Consume 666 days of Lifespan to advance the Green Lotus Art to the second layer?] Instantly, a vast amount of experience and techniques related to the Green Lotus Art surged forth. The advancement concluded after two breaths. (Effect Three:

Rumble! A low, rolling thunderclap approached from the distance. It sounded like something heavy grinding within the dark clouds. Moments later, a fine drizzle, droplets linked together, began to fall from the cloud layer. Spring rain is quieter, softer. It lacks the fury of summer rain, the bleak chill of autumn rain, and certainly the

Jiang Chen scratched his head and said, “I didn’t expect it either.” After speaking, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the stone mountain. Inside, ninety-nine mutated spirit rice plants still remained. Chen Bo nodded slightly and then asked, “How do you want to handle this?” Jiang Chen quickly replied, “I’ve looked it up. This mutated spirit

This seemingly small green wooden boat was surprisingly heavy, weighing at least several hundred jin. Chen Bo said in a deep voice, “Infuse it with your blood and then leave a spiritual power imprint. That will allow you to freely control this [Demon Wood Boat].” Jiang Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this, then forced a

If there was evidence that I had killed Wang Hu, the visitors would definitely not be just two formal disciples. No matter what, a manager or Elder from the [Punishment Department] would certainly be accompanying them. Therefore, the people before me were merely suspicious, nothing more. Jiang Chen replied calmly, “I only knew him, that’s

Jiang Chen rode the paper crane toward the agreed-upon location. Upon arrival, he immediately spotted Jin Fugui squatting by the roadside. He never expected this guy’s outfit today to be a bit… greasy. Already plump, he was dressed in pale golden robes. He looked just like a gold toad squatting by the road. All ten

Upon hearing this, Lin Su revealed an expression of extreme disgust. She fanned her hand under her nose, turned, and walked away immediately, not wanting to stay for even a moment. Jin Fugui stood there dumbfounded. Jiang Chen, standing nearby, said with exasperation, “You really are something else.” “What? I really do sell manure!” Jin

A feeling of compassion suddenly welled up within Feng Xiao. It was as if he couldn’t bear to see everyone separated by a transparent veil called [Desire]. From his complex eyes, two clear trails of tears quietly rolled down. At once, his ten fingers moved, intertwining and overlapping, swift to the point of blurring as

“This is already the third one in a hundred years!” “Feng Xiao’s aptitude is passable. Is he worth saving?” “Demonic energy is formless; it can only be eliminated by possessing a host.” “It seems the thing below can no longer be suppressed…” Upon entering Red Leaf Valley, Jiang Chen and his two companions didn’t stop.

Crunch. Jiang Chen leaned against the poplar tree, a stalk of green grass dangling from his mouth. He bit down, and a bitter taste immediately spread across his tongue. Yet, instead of spitting it out, he savored it carefully. Da Huang sat before him, head tilted back, his eyes frantically signaling his eagerness. Seeing this,

“Eat up.” Chen Bo waved his chopsticks. Jiang Chen forced a smile. “Senior Brother, aside from me and Chen Tian, has anyone else come looking for you?” Chen Bo shook his head, looking surprised. “What do you mean by that?” Jiang Chen picked up a spoon as he replied, “This Junior Brother just feels that

He couldn’t find a more tactful way to phrase it. He wanted to offer praise, but couldn’t; he wanted to criticize, but couldn’t do that either. Jiang Chen was not a relative, unlike Chen Tian. Nor was he a close confidant with whom Chen Bo could share everything. When it came down to it, they

With a flick of her left hand, Yan Fei launched the Metal Sword Orb, unleashing streams of white sword energy. She attempted to overwhelm her opponent with an incredibly dense barrage of attacks. However, the person standing before her was no ordinary Water Spirit Root cultivator. She was the number one formal disciple of the

The moment the words left her mouth, Wang Bing blurted out, “Shall we give it a try?” Jiang Chen was taken aback. This was completely unexpected. Given the relationship between Wang Bing and Wang Hu, he had intentionally maintained his distance. He had assumed her repeated attempts to chat were merely probes. He never imagined

“Hey~ You haven’t taught me how to use the array yet!” Jiang Chen was dumbfounded. This was a first for him. Fortunately, he reacted quickly. Before Tie Xin hit the ground, he manipulated the surrounding weeds, causing them to grow wildly and weave into vines to catch her. Then… he tossed her into the nearby

A faint hint of fish-belly white appeared in the eastern sky. The cacophony of insect chirps and frog croaks that had lasted all night receded like the tide. With a creak, the door of the wooden hut behind the Spirit Farm opened. Jiang Chen, carrying the Green Wood Water-Dividing Hoe on his right shoulder, stepped

Especially regarding the two mutated Spirit Clovers. Sell one. Keep one. He was rather unwilling to seek out blacksmiths from outside the sect. If they truly had skill, they wouldn’t be stuck in a place like a Loose Cultivator market. On the contrary, there were many master-level blacksmiths within the sect’s [Fire Peak]. Since there

Jiang Chen stood atop the massive flying sword as it slowly drifted away from the Sword Pavilion. Once the vessel reached a safe distance and altitude, the blade began to vibrate. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a streak of golden light, tearing through the sky for thousands of meters. Screech! Right

“Congratulations to this Fellow Daoist for acquiring five unidentified seeds from the stomach of a five-hundred-year-old Earth-Rolling Dragon for the price of 33 Mid-grade Spirit Stones!” The host smiled broadly as he offered his congratulations. Moments later, a staff member from the auction house approached with a jade tray. Five Spirit Plant seeds of varying

[ Successfully consumed 1,888 days of Lifespan to upgrade Spirit Wine to Masterful ] Effect One: Increases Spirit Qi absorption speed by 40% for one hour. Effect Two: Reduces spiritual power consumption by 30% when operating Wood-element cultivation techniques. Effect Three: Increases comprehension speed of low-level techniques by 30% while slightly intoxicated. Effect Four: Increases

Jiang Chen observed the tiny sprout and thought, In that case, the other two identical seeds should also grow into Green Gourds. According to the records in the [ Spirit Farm Compendium ]: An ordinary Green Gourd seed, when cultivated, can produce 8 to 35 fruits per harvest. A single mature, ordinary Green Gourd is

Seeing that there was plenty of time, Jiang Chen took out a communication talisman from his small storage pouch. “I need to loosen the soil here. When are you free?” Their exchange ended quickly. At the Earth Vein, a fellow disciple with an Earth Spirit Root couldn’t help but remind him, “You haven’t finished today’s

Jiang Chen mumbled several times, unable to form a single complete sentence. The scene before his eyes—or rather, the person before him—delivered a powerful impact on his vision, worldview, spirit, and multiple other aspects. Although he had guessed earlier that this person was not ordinary, he never expected them to be so extraordinarily unordinary. Suddenly,

Beneath the pale moonlight, Jiang Chen studied [Forest Stealth]. Among the several high-level techniques he had obtained, this was the only high-level movement technique he hadn’t yet mastered. Feeling a slight sluggishness in his thoughts, he immediately pulled out the prepared Masterwork-grade Golden Wine and took a quick sip. Instantly, a spicy yet sweet flavor

Mo Yu was still on his way. Although he wasn’t far from the [ Rain Pavilion ], he spent every day searching for new fishing spots in remote areas, so it took him some time to travel back. Jin Fugui was rather worried. “Old Jiang, we might not be the only ones who’ve discovered this

“Fellow Daoist, how many Spirit Stones per kg for this watermelon?” “Two Low-grade Spirit Stones per 0.5 kg!” “Damn, is the flesh made of Spirit Stones or the seeds made of Spirit Rice?” “Take a look, this is top-quality watermelon. Where else can you find one like it?” “So, is this watermelon guaranteed to be

On the left stood Long Ao. On the right stood Shui Wuhen. The two faced each other, their gazes meeting in the air. Both could feel the intense fighting spirit emanating from the other. Long Ao, the number one formal disciple of Beast Mountain. Ranked first on the pre-tournament leaderboard. Not yet thirty years old,

“Mastering both Spirit Roots?” “Isn’t this Long Ao too overpowered?” “Almost all multi-Spirit Root cultivators choose one to focus on, yet he’s mastering two!” Upon hearing Shui Wuhen’s exclamation, everyone revealed expressions of shock. It was common knowledge that cultivators with multiple Spirit Roots would generally choose one to focus their cultivation on. This increased

The battle between the first and second place on the pre-tournament ranking ended quickly. Everyone had thought the two were evenly matched and expected a fierce fight. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a one-sided crushing victory for Long Ao. Not only did this person simultaneously cultivate both Water and Wood Spirit Roots as his

Spirit Stones. Everyone had seen them. But this many Spirit Stones? Neither Jin Fugui nor Mo Yu had ever laid eyes on such a quantity before. Mo Yu said quite excitedly, “I can finally get new fishing gear.” Jin Fugui rolled his eyes. “Old Mo, is that all you aspire to?” Mo Yu retorted, unconvinced,

Time quickly arrived at the next day. Once again, early in the morning, Jiang Chen, Jin Fugui, and Mo Yu gathered together, then took their things and flew towards [Fire Peak]. “Those three guys really came again!” “This time I also prepared grilled meat, who’s afraid of who?” “Although my watermelon isn’t top-grade, and my

Hundred Zhang Cliff lived up to its name. It was three hundred meters high. Looking from top to bottom, it was almost a sheer, straight cliff face. At the very bottom was a pitch-black cave entrance. Jiang Chen looked down from above, feeling as if he were teetering on the edge. It seemed he might

To someone unfamiliar with the situation, or if Jiang Chen were alone, seeing such a large fish tail would surely make them eagerly pull on the fishing line. But doing so would play right into the aquatic fish demon’s trap. After all, its strength in the water was immense. Last time, if not for Mo

It was late into the night. To an outsider, his courage might have seemed immense, bordering on reckless. But to Jiang Chen, the risk was calculated. He believed it was worth it. He had personally witnessed the Fish Demon sustaining injuries, and they were no minor wounds. An injury of that severity was an opportunity

Judging by its visible length alone, the creature was at least thirty meters long. No skin, no flesh, no sinews. Only pale white bones remained. Yet, even though this thing had been dead for a long time, and despite the distance of several dozen meters, Jiang Chen could still feel an icy, chilling aura radiating

“The hidden opportunity at Black Dragon Pool has been triggered by a certain disciple!” “Just a small Fish Demon, and it took over a hundred years for a disciple to succeed?” “Having one is already good enough. Those fishermen have been guarding a treasure mountain without even realizing it!” “Who exactly is responsible for corrupting

Jiang Chen took out ten catties of Top-quality Spirit Rice and held it out. “Thanks for your hard work.” Tie Zhu waved his hand immediately. “It was just fixing a stove. No need for payment.” Jiang Chen thought for a moment, put the Spirit Rice back, and then took out five catties of Top-quality Spirit

[Effect One: Enhanced Flame Perception] [Effect Two: Precise Flame Manipulation] Since the [Blazing Oil Technique] was a low-tier manual, it didn’t come with any dazzling special effects. Jiang Chen was quite satisfied with this. It was better than nothing. After all, many of the techniques and spells available in the Loose Cultivator markets were low-grade

Jiang Chen casually waved his hand, tossing out the companion Green Lotus. Instantly, the [Green Lotus Domain] enveloped the entire acre of his Spirit Farm, accelerating the growth of everything within. This time, Jiang Chen’s primary concern wasn’t the Spirit Rice, but the three rare spirit plants he had planted earlier. They were: [Earth Attraction

Jiang Chen rode the [Giant Leaf] toward the [Spirit Farm Core Management Office]. Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to gather all the medicinal herbs needed for the [Vitality Pill]. To obtain them, there were essentially three methods. First, exchange contribution points with the Immortal Sect. Second, post a trading task. Third,

Jiang Chen picked up the leftmost pill between his thumb and forefinger. He tossed it directly into his mouth and began chewing carefully. Although the pill was tiny, its texture was remarkably dense. The taste was sweet—not just a little, but intensely so. The sweetness of the licorice even overpowered the notes of honey. As

The entire area was now empty, leaving only Jiang Chen. Holding a sickle in his right hand, he walked to the first mu of the second-grade Spirit Farm on the far left. Here grew a medicinal herb called [Blind Grass], resembling an oversized version of foxtail grass. It was very fluffy on top, covered with

All the spirit plants had been harvested. Jiang Chen was merely a Qi Condensation stage Wood Spirit Root cultivator, yet in terms of Lifespan, he was already no different from a Golden Core ancestor. The sky had completely darkened. The enormous moon shone with a bright, solitary light. The freshly harvested Spirit Farm was exceptionally

By the time the next morning arrived, Jiang Chen had already wrapped up his daily chores. He prepared three meals at once, setting them out in the yard. Since he was heading to the loose cultivators’ market, he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow, and he couldn’t let Da Huang and the pearl chickens go hungry.

The outside world was simply too dangerous. Even with Long Ao—a dual Spirit Root genius—acting as a shield, safety was far from guaranteed. Therefore, participating in this so-called ‘Striving Conference’ was completely out of the question. Jiang Chen’s greatest ambition, perhaps his only wish, was to farm honestly and cultivate in peace. At his current

“The Shen Clan?” “The Shen Clan has been developing quite well recently!” “That’s right, I heard the clan head, Shen Rong, has already broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!” Jiang Chen gathered news as he approached the Shen Clan estate. In the entire Green City, there were five minor cultivation families that had

Shen Rong lifted the wineskin and poured a mouthful into his mouth. The sweet liquid washed over his palate and taste buds, causing his eyes to widen in shock. The fragrance of Spirit Rice. The aroma of Spirit Wine. The two scents blended seamlessly, transforming into a rich bouquet that seemed to waft from his

The biggest difference between the Fragrance Pavilion now and a few months ago was that the beauties inside had been replaced with a new batch. Several of the top courtesans were missing, either redeemed by some cultivator or having met an untimely end. The musicians and dancers remained largely the same, with little change. Only

Therefore, as soon as the sect’s giant flying sword arrived, Jiang Chen immediately boarded it. After waiting for a while, several more disciples gradually came aboard. Once the scheduled time arrived, they departed from the flying dock. Just as the giant flying sword carrying Jiang Chen and the others soared into the sky, a thunderous

Just as Jiang Chen was about to channel his Wood spiritual power into Chen Bo’s Communication Talisman, a sharp Crack! suddenly echoed from the arena nearby, as if something had shattered. Jiang Chen immediately cut off the connection and turned to look at the arena with Jin Fugui. Both their expressions changed instantly. Mo Yu,

At this moment, Han xin, Wang Xuan, Mo Yu, Jin Fugui, and the others watched as Jiang Chen picked up the Communication Talisman and channeled his Wood-attribute spiritual power into it. Instantly, a faint spiritual glow appeared on the surface of the talisman, followed by a slow, rhythmic flickering. Before long, a familiar voice came

Liu Shuang immediately stepped forward, her eyes roaming over the other’s curvaceous figure. Su Qing gave a slight nod, then swept her gaze toward Jiang Chen and the others. She first glanced at the quite attractive Han xin before locking onto Chen Bo. “Senior Brother Tian’s cousin, are you looking for me because Senior Brother

Jiang Chen, Chen Bo, and Wang Xuan had been waiting outside all along. A moment later, Su Qing and Xu Liang emerged, one after the other. Xu Liang immediately apologized, “Fellow Daoist, I am truly sorry!” Seeing the distinct shoe print on the other’s face, Jiang Chen suddenly realized something. This person is the one

They had braced themselves for the worst—losing all their profits, or perhaps even being kicked out of the sect entirely. If the two of them had simply handled things with a modicum of competence, the situation never would have spiraled so wildly out of control. If Mo Yue had possessed even a shred of rationality,

“The rumbling has been constant for days. It should be time.” Despite the palpable excitement in the air, the ordinary Earth Spirit Root disciples remained disciplined and silent. The oppressive atmosphere of the Earth Vein’s thirty-eighth layer weighed heavily on them, both physically and mentally. Only a group of five stood at the precipice, chatting

For any cultivator, regardless of their Spirit Root affinity, the path after reaching Foundation Establishment simplifies into one singular obsession: accumulation. Jiang Chen’s internal state had undergone a drastic transformation. The nine drops of liquid Wood Spirit Power in his Dantian had merged into a cohesive pool. This wasn’t just a change in quantity; the

[Greenwood Thunder-Fire Spirit Root] [Vine Bind: 3rd Layer] [Blazing Oil Technique: 3rd Layer] [Green Lotus Art: 9th Layer] Breaking through from the Early to the Mid-Stage of Foundation Establishment had granted Jiang Chen an additional thirty years of lifespan. In his pragmatic eyes, those extra decades were worth more than an entire harvest of high-quality

Bang! Bang! Bang! The rhythmic thud of earth manipulation echoed across the hillside. The rugged terrain smoothed out under the concerted efforts of the disciples, stones grinding into powder and weeds disintegrating into dust. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the perimeter of the second mu of Spirit Farm was finally established.

Twelve thousand six hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Or, if converted, over 1.2 million Low-grade Spirit Stones. That was the potential revenue if every single one of these mutated gourds was refined into a storage artifact and sold at market price. This was why cultivators went mad for mutated spirit plants. It wasn’t just about utility—it

The reaction to the notification was identical across the board. Stunned silence. It hadn’t been long since Jiang Chen mentioned reaching the late stage of Qi Condensation. For him to suddenly announce a successful breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was nothing short of ludicrous. Usually, a massive chasm separated late-stage Qi Condensation from the true peak—Qi

Jiang Chen blinked, genuinely taken aback. Why are they here? The trio standing at his gate was the last group he expected. He hadn’t seen the Lin sisters or Wang Bing in at least two months. Ever since the “Feng Xiao Incident,” Lin Yan had strictly forbidden her younger sister, Lin Yu, from visiting the

Three cold appetizers graced the table. [Sugar-Frosted Tomatoes] [Soy-Tossed Watermelon Rind] [Smashed Cucumber Salad] The tomatoes were a vibrant red, dusted with granulated sugar that looked like crushed snow. As the sugar melted into the tomato juice, it created a syrup that promised a burst of sweet acidity. The watermelon rind—usually discarded as waste—had been

Jiang Chen set aside his own chores to prioritize the harvest for Senior Brother Li. After preparing breakfast and lunch for his two spirit beasts, he stepped onto his Giant Leaf and ascended into the sky. He arrived at Chen Bo’s Spirit Farm shortly after, spotting his host waiting in the pavilion. Jiang Chen guided

Jiang Chen stared at the Communication Talisman in his hand, momentarily at a loss for words. The connection had been severed abruptly. On the other end, Wang Ze, seeing no response, had taken the initiative to cut the line. The silence of the estate was deafening, amplifying the sudden unease that had settled in his

The door was unlocked this time. Wang Ze’s face lit up when he saw Jiang Chen approach. “You’re in luck! My alchemist friend just finished a fresh batch today. Since we’re early, we’ll get first pick.” Jiang Chen nodded politely. “I’ll follow your lead, Senior Brother.” Wang Ze didn’t waste a moment. He waved his

“Speaking of which, the reason I brought Junior Brother Jiang along today is…” Wang Ze began, his tone polite. Chu Xiu cut him off with a dismissive wave. “I get it. Your Junior Brother needs a [Foundation Pill] to break through. Look, I’m swamped. He’ll have to wait until after the Sect Competition. And I’ll

Chu Xiu’s gaze darted between Jiang Chen and the woman, his expression a mix of shock and suspicion. Wang Ze looked equally flabbergasted. He had never expected the woman he briefly met yesterday to be an alchemist, let alone one sitting at this table. Chang Zizai narrowed his eyes. He remained the most composed of

“Uh.” Faced with Lin Yan’s sudden question, Jiang Chen was momentarily struck dumb. The two of them stared at each other, wide-eyed and at a complete loss for words. Lin Yan raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her expression turning impatient. “Well? Cat got your tongue?” Jiang Chen forced a dry laugh. “The question was a

Jiang Chen left the [Pill Tower] with a pouch of Moonlight Grass seeds secured at his waist. Lin Yan had remained behind, apparently intent on learning alchemy techniques from Yu Caiqing. Jiang Chen had wanted to stay as well, hoping to observe the skills of a Senior Alchemist firsthand, but Yu Caiqing had flatly refused

Jiang Chen’s current lifespan had already surpassed the five-hundred-year limit typical of a Golden Core cultivator. Who would have guessed he was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage? Even if he stopped harvesting lifespan from his plants today, he could live for over seven hundred years. As for his rare spirit plants, he had already

Because the harvest had just finished, the fields were devoid of the usual insect chirps and frog croaks. The night atmosphere was tranquil, bordered by a crisp, biting chill. After a long session of slash-and-burn, ash spreading, fertilizing, and rain summoning, the depleted nutrients in the first mu of the second-grade Spirit Farm had been

Who was the person standing behind Lin Yu? She possessed a pure, stunning beauty. Standing together, the two of them looked less like sect sisters and more like actual siblings. Once the Paper Crane touched down, Jiang Chen asked, “What brings you two here together?” Lin Yu hopped off and explained, “I just happened to

Jiang Chen’s shout snapped the two women out of their competitive trance. They immediately terminated their spiraling spells. Cut off from the source of Spirit Power, the two heavy clouds above the Spirit Farm began to dissipate. However, the damage was done. The air hanging over the flooded fields didn’t smell like fresh rain; it

By day, Jiang Chen tended to the first acre of his Grade-2 Spirit Farm. By night, he shifted his focus to the second acre. Under this near-manic cultivation schedule, the flora within the two Spirit Farms flourished at a terrifying rate. The crops seemed to transform daily, shedding their old appearances for new, vibrant growth

Jiang Chen reached out to Senior Brother Chen via communication talisman. Upon confirming the man was home, he immediately summoned his Giant Leaf and flew toward the residence. As he approached, however, he noticed Chen Bo was not alone. Standing in the yard with him was a woman. She had a standard oval face, classically

Storage artifacts were considered advanced equipment, generally becoming popular only among Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators. While their quality varied between Inferior, High-Quality, and Top-Grade, their market price remained remarkably stable. Most standard units sold for around three hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, rarely exceeding four hundred. Jiang Chen ran the numbers in his head.

“When did that happen?” Tie Zhu gasped, staring at Jiang Chen with wide, unbelieving eyes. It had only been a few days since their last meeting, yet his senior brother had already achieved Foundation Establishment. And not just barely—he hadn’t gotten stuck at the Qi Condensation Perfection bottleneck at all. It was a smooth, effortless

He knew the Foundation Pill would be expensive, but not this expensive. Jiang Chen did the mental math. A Jade Green Gourd—a complex, high-quality Spirit Tool—sold for just over three hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones. A single consumable pill cost the same as a permanent, high-utility artifact. It was absurd. Tie Zhu slumped back into his

The ground shook violently, a tremor that rattled the teeth. Jiang Chen didn’t need to guess the source. He’d felt this particular earthquake before. He sighed, wiped his hands, and walked out of the hut. Sure enough, a pitch-black flying shuttle was jutting out of the earth at an awkward angle, its nose buried deep

In truth, Jiang Chen had nearly been swayed by the offensive potential of the [Wood Spike Volley Array] or the retaliatory nature of the [Thorn Reflection Array]. The former could instantaneously manifest razor-sharp wooden stakes, which, if ignited with Fire Qi, would possess terrifying destructive power. The latter reflected a portion of incoming damage back

The autumn harvest was only a few days away. Jiang Chen rode his [Giant Leaf] toward the Alchemy Hall’s Earthfire Zone. This time, however, he bypassed Chu Xiu, the junior alchemist he had met previously, and headed straight for the Pill Tower. His goal was ambitious. If he could secure a partnership with Yu Caiqing,

Jiang Chen mentally reviewed his agricultural assets. The first acre of his Spirit Farm was strictly regulated; he couldn’t afford to make major changes to the crop rotation there. The [Top-quality Spirit Rice] was the linchpin of his economy. It was simply too important. A single season yielded four thousand catties. The distribution was non-negotiable:

“It’s you again.” Elder Mu looked up from his desk, immediately recognizing the disciple responsible for the recent influx of Top-quality Spirit Rice. Jiang Chen clasped his hands together and performed a respectful, traditional bow. “Greetings, Manager.” Elder Mu looked him up and down, a faint smile playing on his lips. “What brings you here

Fire Spiritual Power ignited the origin. Jiang Chen held a seed the size of a pigeon’s egg in his palm. As he injected two distinct streams of spiritual essence, the pointed ends of the seed immediately flared with color—azure on the left, pulsating with Wood Qi, and crimson on the right, burning with Fire Qi.

The massive flying sword descended gently, its blade sinking into the designated slot at the flight dock with a heavy thud. Jiang Chen disembarked, descending the stone steps one by one until his boots touched the paved streets of the Loose Cultivator market. He vaguely recalled his last departure. Back then, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere

The Shen family hadn’t lied. Their new wine shop sat on the prime real estate of the Loose Cultivator market’s busiest street. Pedestrian traffic surged past in a constant stream. Flanked by high-end pill shops and talisman emporiums, the location was prestigious. Even more telling was the presence of the market’s only Spirit Cuisine restaurant

Shen Peng selected a celadon teapot and a pair of delicate pine-grain cups. With practiced grace, he used a bamboo scoop to measure out precisely seven leaves and one bud of the [Orchid Mist Tea] from the green wooden box. “Seven leaves, one bud,” Shen Peng murmured, almost to himself. “Too little, the flavor is

“What a beast… Is this really the protagonist among monsters?” “And look at that dog, Da Huang. It’s huge!” Listening to the hushed whispers of the surrounding crowd, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. His gaze drifted over the chaotic scene, his thoughts turning inward. It all leads back to that Earth Spirit Root Golden Core

From the ranks of the [Descending Tiger] team, a voluptuous young woman broke formation. She carried the Earth Dragon’s stomach sac, her hips swaying with practiced allure as she approached Jiang Chen. “Fellow Daoist,” she said, her voice soft and honeyed, “here is the item you won.” Jiang Chen’s gaze lingered on her for a

“Seven hundred and ninety Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Going once, going twice… Sold!” The final price fell just shy of eight hundred. Old Ghost Liu, unable to out-curse his rival and lacking the funds to out-bid him, glared venomously at Wang Xiang before storming off, his back stiff with indignation. It was a simple transaction: pay

“The Lei family presents a pair of guardian stone lions for the gate!” “Panchun Teahouse presents a set of premium wine vessels!” “Spirit Cuisine Restaurant gifts a long-lasting night-bright pearl!” The Evergreen Wine Shop instantly became the liveliest store on the street. Shen Rong stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd.

The sensation was ineffable—profound and mysterious—lingering for five full breaths before fading into the recesses of his consciousness. Simultaneously, the high-ranking defensive spell evolved. [Mystic Wood Golden Body Art: Second Layer] Effect 1: Skin hardens to the density of Ironwood. Effect 2: Ironwood resonance reflects minor damage. Effect 3: Physical Resistance +20%. Effect 4: Enhanced

Jiang Chen knelt on one knee, his eyes narrowing as he examined the soil. The patch of earth where he had buried the strange seed was noticeably different from the surrounding area. It was moist, almost saturated, giving off a sheen as if it had been soaked in oil. Curious, he extended a finger and

According to the records, the Earth Yuan Fruit had stringent growth requirements. It thrived only in areas saturated with thick Earth Qi. Its growth cycle was excruciatingly slow: ten years to root and sprout, another ten to flower and bear fruit. More importantly, it possessed a unique duality that Jiang Chen found unforgettable. When the

A massive shadow eclipsed the sun, casting a darkness over the field ridge. A pink eye, the size of a lantern, stared down from above at the diminutive human standing amidst the crops. “Junior Brother Jiang, long time no see!” Long Ao’s boisterous voice rang out from the crane’s back. In a blur of motion,

The Yan Art puppet, [Fortress], moved with the stiff, rhythmic precision of a clockwork mechanism. Taking the wooden hut and the Spirit Farm as its center, it patrolled in concentric circles, scanning for feces to scoop, weeds to pull, and water to haul. Da Huang, having just woken up, prowled the perimeter until he found

“Of course we can go together,” Jiang Chen started, hesitating for a moment. “It’s just that…” Yu Caiqing furrowed her willow-leaf brows slightly. “Speak directly. I don’t like guessing.” Jiang Chen pointed a thumb at Jin Fugui. “He still has some business to attend to.” Yu Caiqing’s gaze shifted to the robust man, her expression

Having established the perimeter was clear, the Fire Crows dove from the sky. They were streaks of living flame, hurtling toward the Fire Lure Pills scattered on the ground. The first crow landed, snatched a pill, and swallowed it whole. Seeing no danger befall their scout, the herd mentality kicked in. Caw! Caw! A chaotic

Lady Tantai was a vision of ethereal purity. A translucent veil of snow-gauze obscured her features, embroidered with lotus patterns in gold thread that caught the light with every movement. Only the delicate curve of a jade-like jawline was visible beneath, hinting at a beauty too profound for mortal eyes. Her gaze was clear and

The ground floor of the Pill Tower remained familiar, though the atmosphere had shifted. Due to the ongoing Pill Appraisal Gathering, the sheer volume of pills on display had increased significantly. Inferior products had no place here; even the lowest tier of displayed elixirs was High-grade, with Earth-grade treasures appearing frequently. Several high-level alchemists, usually

Jiang Chen navigated the bustling floor, stopping at a stall manned by a High-level Alchemist. The item on display was the [Profound Origin Qi Gathering Pill]. According to the murmurs of the crowd, this high-grade pill was designed to drastically accelerate cultivation speed. However, it came with a strict limitation: only one could be consumed

As one of the three Top-tier Alchemists in the entire Cloud Sea Sect, Wang Yangyin possessed the strength and qualifications to be arrogant. When the gathered crowd realized he truly had no intention of participating, a wave of disappointment washed over the hall. The eyes of the Senior Alchemists, Yu Caiqing included, dimmed noticeably. To

The Fire Crow had been starving for hours, trapped in a cramped, dark space. After countless failed attempts to escape, hunger and fear had combined into a potent cocktail of despair. It had already begun to give up, entering a state of lethargic resignation. When it was suddenly pulled from the Spirit Beast Ring into

In reality, his mind was flooded with a strange, dual perspective. Two distinct visual feeds—one from his left, one from his right—superimposed themselves over his consciousness. Through the eyes of the Fire Crow, the night was not a veil of darkness, but a vibrant landscape. The cold moon hanging in the firmament, the scattering of

Jiang Chen pulled a chair to the doorway and sat down, fanning out three [Communication Talismans] in his hand. They corresponded to Chen Bo, Wang Ze, and Zhu Fuxian. Since he had promised Yu Caiqing yesterday that he would help locate the Yang-extreme [Crimson Sun Ginseng] and the Yin-extreme [Profound Yin Lingzhi], he intended to

Zhu Fuxian lived in a house of living bamboo. From the outside, it appeared to be a modest two-story structure, yet each floor boasted ceilings four to five meters high. The entire building was constructed from thick, emerald green bamboo poles that seemed to pulse with vitality. The roof was thatched with layers of fresh

Zhu Fuxian escorted him to the gate. Once outside the bamboo fence, Jiang Chen turned and cupped his hands. “Senior Brother, there is no need to see me further.” Zhu Fuxian paused, his gaze sharp. “Junior Brother Jiang, are you aware that there are Fire Crows in our area?” Jiang Chen blinked, then nodded with

Each blade was seven inches long, curving like a perfect silver crescent. Set against the crisp, cold backdrop of winter, the field shimmered with ethereal beauty. There were only five hundred plants in this harvest, half the usual amount, as Yu Caiqing’s demand had decreased. However, the rapid growth cycle of these rare plants—maturing twice

‘Too eager to improve.’ If outsiders couldn’t stop Jiang Chen’s relentless march toward power, then as his friends, they stood even less of a chance. Still, both men felt a mixture of surprise and begrudging respect. Most Spirit Farmers—hell, most cultivators in general—lacked this kind of singular focus. They were either restless with their lot

Once Jin Fugui and Mo Yu departed, Jiang Chen retrieved Chen Bo’s Communication Talisman. He had barely infused a wisp of Wood Spirit Qi when the connection clicked open instantly. “Aside from you, no one would actively look for me at this hour!” “Senior Brother, it’s that time again for the Fire Peak accounts.” “Come

Although the carriage parked outside was of a style commonly found in the mortal world, its quality was anything but mundane. The horses were not ordinary beasts; they were Cloud-Patterned Beasts, snow-white and radiating spiritual energy. The carriage itself was crafted from Cold Vein Sandalwood, with intricate green talismanic patterns flowing across its surface like

On the flight back, Jiang Chen’s mind stirred. With a flick of his wrist, the three Communication Talismans he had received from Chen Bo—contact information for three other potential female suitors—materialized in his palm. He didn’t even deign to look at the names. Mobilizing the Fire Spirit Qi in his dantian, his palm grew searing

[Consume 15 years of Lifespan to repair the [Nine Flames Profound Art] to completion?] Confirm. In an instant, Jiang Chen plunged into a profound state of enlightenment. Countless insights, techniques, and nuances regarding the Nine Flames Profound Art flooded his mind. Under the System’s omnipotent guidance, the fragmented manual stitched itself back together, flaws vanishing,

As the New Year drew closer, the temperature plummeted. An absolute, biting cold descended, seeking to freeze the world into stillness. Even Da Huang and the guinea fowl had long since retreated, refusing to leave their warm nests. Only the Fortress—a puppet that knew neither heat nor cold—remained standing in the yard, completely unaffected by

The odds of finding such a treasure were as abysmal as a Spirit Plant mutating in the first place. Yet, unexpectedly, a single cabbage had yielded an [Ice Soul Orb]. In other words, he had just pocketed at least three hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Jiang Chen gazed at the Ice Soul Orb, which had been

By all rights, the poplar tree should have been bare. To survive the harsh winter climate, the tree had shed its leaves months ago, standing as a skeletal silhouette against the gray sky since late autumn. Yet now, impossibly, emerald green buds were breaking through the rough bark. Jiang Chen activated his [Green Lotus Art],

Since the monthly yield of Top-quality Spirit Wine was limited—fluctuating between one hundred and two hundred jin—Jiang Chen couldn’t pay the full thousand jin upfront. He negotiated a payment plan with Tie Xin: a minimum installment of fifty jin per month, with the goal of clearing the debt within two years. This arrangement suited Jiang

To the naked eye—and indeed, in reality—the field was currently lined with only a hundred Golden Crow Vines along its perimeter. But under the influence of the array, the scene shifted. Whether it was the “Mirror Flower” by day or the “Water Moon” by night, the formation’s essence was deception. It bent light and perception,

“I need to renovate my house. Are you free?” The morning after the formation was installed, Jiang Chen pulled out Tie Zhu’s Communication Talisman. It was time for an upgrade. First, his wooden hut was a fire hazard—a serious concern for someone experimenting with high-temperature flames. Second, it was simply too small. He was a

The transformation was complete. The cramped wooden shack was gone, replaced by a sturdy, two-story stone fortress. Running a hand along the cool, rough-hewn walls, Jiang Chen felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The upgrade wasn’t just cosmetic; it was a massive leap in security. Whether he was refining pills, forging artifacts, or practicing volatile

By the time Jiang Chen left the Earth Fire Zone and returned to his Spirit Farm, night had fully descended. The farm was quiet. Da Huang and the pearl chickens were curled up in their nests, fast asleep. Under the old poplar tree, Fortress stood motionless, resembling a withered stump blending into the shadows. Too

Per their initial agreement, the profit split was set in stone. For the first six months, Jiang Chen held sixty percent, while the Shen family took forty. After that grace period, Jiang Chen’s share would rise to seventy percent, leaving the Shen family with thirty. Since this was the first settlement, the sixty-forty split applied.

When it came to furniture and daily necessities in the cultivation world, there were generally two tiers of quality. High-end shops offered custom-made goods with excellent craftsmanship and after-sales service, but the prices were a high wall that most Loose Cultivators couldn’t scale. Then there was the [Wanbao Pavilion]. It was essentially a glorious junk

The receptionist’s smile was sugar-sweet, practiced to perfection. “Immortal Elder, if you are undecided, perhaps you could tell me your specific needs? I can offer a more tailored recommendation.” Jiang Chen didn’t beat around the bush. “Do they come with pill formulas?” The receptionist nodded enthusiastically. “Of course! The [Profound Ice Spirit Furnace] comes with

Everyone had their own path. Their own choices to make. As a seeker of eternal life, Jiang Chen viewed himself primarily as an observer. He watched the world flow by, rarely stepping into the current unless necessary. Thus, he didn’t disturb Chen Bo as the man walked off the arena stage. Instead, Jiang Chen turned

As the temperature inside the Starfall Mystic Gold Cauldron climbed, the artifact began to respond. On its surface, the intricate engravings of the Twenty-Eight Mansions stirred to life. The Tail Fire Tiger, the Room Fire Pig, the Beak Fire Monkey, and the Wing Fire Snake illuminated one by one, their runes echoing each other from

They lay there, identical as twins. Greenish-yellow, perfectly round, and possessing a lustrous, jade-like sheen. A unique herbal fragrance wafted from them, clearing the mind. If one disregarded the quantity and focused strictly on quality… These possessed the color, density, roundness, and aromatic concentration of a perfect pill. They were indistinguishable from those refined by

The cold didn’t bother him, but the idleness did. After polishing off a bowl of silky, golden steamed egg custard for breakfast, Jiang Chen headed down to the second level of the basement. This time, however, he wasn’t there for alchemy. He had only finished his last session a few hours ago, and even a

Snap. The slender [Greenwood Needle] broke in two. The spiritual light shimmering on its surface flickered once and extinguished, leaving behind a dull, lifeless piece of wood. Jiang Chen tossed the debris into the waste bin and frowned. “Another failure.” This was his third attempt. He wiped his hands, acknowledging a harsh truth: there was

Jiang Chen had heard enough. Losing interest in the conversation, he turned and accelerated through the biting wind, flying straight toward the Rain Pavilion. Just as he adjusted his trajectory, another disciple came tearing through the air from the opposite direction. The newcomer skidded to a halt before a figure sitting motionless by the water—a

Stepping onto the third floor was like entering a different world. The noise and chaos of the lower levels vanished instantly, replaced by a hushed, sterile atmosphere. The floor plan was far more expansive than Jiang Chen had imagined, lined with row upon row of numbered doors—Room 301, Room 302, and so on. He had

Jiang Chen arrived at the entrance of the underground refining area. By now, his face was his pass; the guards recognized him instantly. With a quick registration, he bypassed the usual security checks and stepped inside. The Internal Pill Appraisal Meeting had concluded, and the halls had returned to their customary, solemn silence. Occasionally, a

Before they parted ways, Yu Caiqing mentioned she would visit the Spirit Farm once she wrapped up her duties at the Pill Tower. She didn’t specify a time. She didn’t say why. Jiang Chen was mildly surprised by the vagueness, but he knew better than to pry. He simply nodded and returned to his routine.

Jiang Chen stared at the translucent blue system panel floating before his eyes. [Skill: Artifact Crafting (Novice)] Effect 1: Material wastage reduced to 50%. Effect 2: Crafting success rate increased to 30%. Effect 3: 30% chance for the Spirit Artifact to manifest 2-3 Spirit Patterns. [System Query: Consume 174 years of Lifespan to promote Artifact

Mid-flight, Jiang Chen paused, looking back at his companions. “How about we call Senior Brother Chen along, too?” Chen Bo was a solitary creature. He had no family left, having severed ties with his clan years ago. His only remaining relative wasn’t even within the Cloud Sea Sect. Although he constantly claimed to enjoy the

Logically speaking, Jiang Chen knew he should refuse. Senior Sister Yu was undeniably captivating—an icy beauty who had just thrown herself into his arms. But the moment his mind drifted to the myriad secrets he harbored—the System, his lifespan manipulation, his true wealth—a bucket of cold water doused his rising heat. He suppressed the physiological

“Junior Brother, have you eaten?” Chen Bo asked, wiping his hands on an apron. “I ate before coming,” Jiang Chen lied smoothly, forcing a polite grin. Chen Bo sighed, looking genuinely disappointed. “A shame. I was planning to let you taste my latest culinary breakthrough.” Jiang Chen glanced at the table. It was the same

Jiang Chen looked at the man before him. The raw agony etched into Lin An’s features told a clear story: the last two years had been a living hell. Deciding to postpone his visit to Senior Brother Zhu, Jiang Chen guided the broken man straight back to his own territory. Moments later, they stepped inside

Listening to the chaotic string of titles tumbling from Lin An’s mouth—Master, Shopkeeper, Senior Brother—Jiang Chen couldn’t help but feel the kid had been thoroughly broken by that Primary Alchemist in the Earthfire Zone. He cut him off with a strange expression. “Just call me Senior Brother.” Jiang Chen reached into his storage and flicked

The biting chill of winter froze everything outside the stone walls, but it couldn’t penetrate the searing heat within the house. Jiang Chen lay on his spacious nanmu bed, the thin silk quilt draped loosely over his lower half. Nestled in the crook of his right arm was a figure as soft and fragrant as

Time slipped away unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Nether Spring Medicine Garden’s opening arrived. The heavy snowfall had finally ceased, leaving the entire world dressed in silver and wrapped in white. Only the biting wind remained, howling whoosh, whoosh through the valleys like the wailing of a grieving

Jiang Chen stood before the withered tree, his mind racing as he calculated its worth. He was no stranger to high-level concepts. He possessed a Fire Spirit Root, his artifact forging skills had reached the Mastery stage, and he even shared a bed with a High-level Alchemist. He had tasted Earth-grade pills before. But the

Jiang Chen tallied his harvest mentally. Blood Evil Wood. Kun Earth Prison Dragon Vine. Green Wood Reviving Spring Ginseng. Geng Metal Demon-Breaking Bamboo. He let out a slow, satisfied breath. Fortunately, his recent business ventures had been lucrative, and his body could handle the strain of high-intensity crafting. Otherwise, purchasing even one of these treasures

My Wood Spirit Root acted as the kindling, feeding its verdant energy into the flames until my Fire Spirit Root burned with an unprecedented intensity. Aided by the Ice Soul Orb, the mutation of Yu Caiqing’s Ice-Water Spirit Root was progressing at a terrifying speed. She seemed thoroughly satisfied with my performance. “With your assistance,”

The group of disciples was still a distance away in the snow, but they were already waving their arms, shouting enthusiastic greetings over the howling wind. When they finally trudged into the courtyard, their breath puffing white in the freezing air, Jiang Chen stepped out to meet them. “Long time no see, everyone!” he called

When the Spirit Weapon mold emitted a faint, resonant thrum, Jiang Chen immediately withdrew the surrounding fire qi. With practiced caution, he pried the mold open, inch by inch. The crimson gourd revealed within was familiar. For this attempt, he had been meticulous. Every variable—timing, temperature, material ratios—had been calibrated to perfection. Yet, to his

As the ground finally ceased its rhythmic trembling, the fourth mu of the Second-Grade Spirit Farm was officially cleared. Wu Guangman and his team were exhausted, panting in the freezing air, but their faces were flushed with excitement. Knowing a Foundation Establishment stage Spirit Farmer—one who possessed four mu of high-grade land—was a connection that

Finger Force Turning into Rainbow! A streak of golden light tore through the air, instantly striking a massive, frozen brown boulder in the distance. There was no explosion. No shattering of rock. Instead, the beam penetrated the stone as smoothly as a hot knife sliding through tofu. Thin wisps of scorching smoke drifted lazily from

Thanks to the fortune he had amassed at Fire Peak, Hu Bugui had been aggressively buying up land and expanding his herd of spirit beasts. Consequently, the supply of spirit manure was no longer a concern. The real bottleneck lay with Mo Yu. The jump from two mu of Spirit Farm to four wasn’t just

With a lady present, Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue were on their best behavior, acting far more restrained than usual. The dishes on the table appeared to be ordinary home-cooked meals at first glance, but a closer look revealed they were anything but simple. Take the Braised Spirit Spring Fish Head, for example. The surface

In the past, one Low-grade Spirit Stone could buy 10 jin of Tier-1 Spirit Rice. Now? You’d be lucky to get six! The inflation was staggering. Commodities that used to be readily available were now being rationed. Spirit plants, Pills, talismans—everything had tripled in price, if not more. Driven by desperation, many disciples from the

The Beginning of Spring. The biting frost of winter finally began to recede, replaced by the faint promise of warmth. Before the first rays of dawn could pierce the horizon, Jiang Chen was already awake. He rolled out of bed and headed straight for the outer ridges of the fields. A hundred meters away, the

Feeling the Wood Spiritual Qi surging within his Qi Sea, Xu Changqing made a silent calculation. At this speed, I might break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage before the start of summer. If he were an ordinary cultivator, or anyone else for that matter, such a leap would require several years of grinding

Lin An entered the room, carefully carrying a tray. He placed the steaming cups on the table. “Senior Brothers, please enjoy the tea.” The moment the liquid settled, a rich, floral aroma drifted through the air. Li Chun sniffed deeply, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise. “That scent… it’s extraordinary.” Jiang Chen smiled warmly. “It

Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched violently. “Senior Sister, please. I do not have a penchant for male companionship!” He shook his head. “Forget it. Let’s stop thinking about nonsense and get some rest.” He waved his hand gently. The glass lamp on the nightstand extinguished instantly, plunging the bedroom into darkness. The night passed in silence.

A blue system panel flickered into existence before Jiang Chen’s eyes, detailing the attributes of the recipe he had just mastered. [Item: Ice Heart Jade Pot Wine] Proficiency: Masterful Effect 1: Slowly regenerates non-fatal injuries for cultivators below the Golden Core stage. Effect 2: Reconstructs damaged Meridians. Effect 3: Purges specialized Fire Poison from the

Long Ao glanced toward the staircase, his expression shifting into awkwardness. “I think I’d better go with you,” he said. Over the past few days, he had come to a realization: Junior Brother Jiang wasn’t just living here alone. He had a female Dao companion. A very beautiful one, at that. And from what he

Bai Xiaotian let out a sharp “Huh?”, his expression shifting from fatigue to genuine astonishment. “Which formal disciple of the Rain Pavilion is it?” he pressed. “And what kind of Spirit Root does she have?” After hearing the details, Bai Xiaotian’s expression turned strange. He looked Jiang Chen up and down, a teasing smirk curling

Only one day remained until the official disciple competition. In the morning, just after Jiang Chen had finished absorbing the Wood Spirit Qi gathered by the spirit plants, he felt a subtle vibration from his Jade Green Gourd. With a thought, a Communication Talisman materialized in his hand. He infused a trace of his own

To ensure absolute privacy, Jiang Chen produced a Soundproofing Talisman and flicked his wrist. The slip of yellow paper shot backward, adhering perfectly to the center of the wooden door. A faint shimmer rippled across the room. It was a one-way barrier. He could still hear the bustling noises from outside—the wind, the footsteps, the

The wooden window creaked open, letting a cool breeze sweep through the room and dissipate the lingering, humid heat of the night. Jiang Chen lay back on the bed, his arms behind his head, looking at the woman beside him. “Senior Sister,” he asked lazily, “the Formal Disciple Grand Competition starts today. Considering how late

It was a roster. The scroll unraveled to reveal a dense list of names, all belonging to the sect’s formal disciples. At a glance, Jiang Chen spotted a familiar set of characters on Scroll Number Seven. Chen Bo. The name ignited with a golden brilliance. Immediately after, a luminous thread extended from it, darting across

The atmosphere around Jiang Chen’s group tightened instantly. Although Chen Bo had spent months honing his combat skills and sparring with the team, those had been friendly matches. There was no killing intent, no desperate stakes. This was different. This was war. The rules of the Formal Disciple Competition were brutal in their simplicity: every

Jiang Chen stepped forward, examining the burns. “Senior Brother, are you alright?” Chen Bo glanced at the clusters of angry red blisters bubbling on his arm and shook his head dismissively. “My Wood Spirit Root excels at recovery. Injuries like this will heal before the sun sets.” Jin Fugui grinned, clapping his hands together. “Senior

Mo Yin’s expression was a twisted mask of resistance and disgust. Clearly, he detested being controlled or manipulated by others. Seeing this, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but calculate his next move. ‘It’s better to rip the bandage off quickly than to let the wound fester,’ he thought. ‘I need to get him into the first

Jiang Chen pointed toward the humble earthen structure where Lin An resided. “Senior Brother Long, my friend isn’t home these days. You can use this place to recover and cultivate.” The two approached the small shack. The wooden door wasn’t locked, merely pulled shut with a loose latch. Inside, the furnishings were spartan in the

Jiang Chen returned to Fire Peak, flanked by his usual group. They headed straight for Arena No. 3. Truthfully, Jiang Chen had lost interest in the official disciple competition. Firstly, spectating had become tedious. Secondly, he had never been fond of mindless fighting and killing. However, he had no choice but to attend today. The

Boom~ Thunder rolled across the horizon, deep and resonant. The air grew heavy, suffused with the scent of damp earth and ozone. At first, the rain fell in fine, silk-like threads, painting dark, wet spots onto the bluestone slabs. But as the thunder grew more muffled and distant, the drizzle thickened. Dense curtains of rain

As Spring neared its end, the first quarterly assessment officially began. The assessment team consisted of three members. First was Lin Ya, the formal disciple overseeing the Spirit Farm’s daily operations. Second was Jiang Chen, responsible for assessing the cultivation techniques and crop quality. Third was Luo Tie, the representative from Beast Mountain tasked with

Jiang Chen moved through the fields with practiced efficiency, his left hand casting the Spirit Finger technique, his right hand wielding a sharp sickle. Swish. [Harvested 1 “Top Grade Spirit Rice” plant. Lifespan +6 days.] [Harvested 1 “Top Grade Cabbage” head. Lifespan +5 days.] [Harvested 1 “Top Grade Watermelon”. Lifespan +5 days.] By the time

It was around three in the afternoon. Chen Bo arrived carrying the title deed for a Second-grade Spirit Farm, trailed by a team of five cultivators possessing Earth Spirit Roots. Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the group. The faces of these reclaimers were unfamiliar. It appeared they were a different team dispatched from the

Jiang Chen leaned back against the rough bark of the poplar tree, his eyes half-closed against the afternoon sun. Between his teeth, he chewed on a stalk of green grass, the bitter sap spreading across his tongue. A cool breeze swept through the fields, tousling his hair and fluttering his sleeves. He was alone again.

Huang Yuanhua was a loose cultivator possessing an Earth Spirit Root. His cultivation base had reached the Human-Grade Golden Core realm. A year ago, his hidden cave dwelling had been unearthed. However, the discovery came with a deadly surprise—an Earth Dragon with over five hundred years of cultivation guarding the entrance. Its emergence caused a