The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

They were currently in the central part of Mystic Heart City, an area known as the Whale Belly District.

Further in was the Flood Dragon Nest District, the domain of the City Lord’s Mansion and the five great families. To their left, a long, straight avenue led directly to the Sea Demon District.

With the exception of Long Ao, it was everyone’s first time here, and the sprawling city felt entirely alien to them.

Jiang Chen broke the silence. “So, do we find a place to rest, or is there a plan?”

Jin Fugui’s eyes lit up, his voice filled with impatience. “Old Jiang, if we’re talking about rest, there’s only one place to go—the Sea Demon Pavilion!”

Mo Yu nodded in solemn agreement. “He’s right. We came all this way…”

Jiang Chen paid the two no mind, especially with Li Xianglin standing right there. Instead, he turned to Long Ao with a questioning gaze.

Long Ao understood. “I’m well-acquainted with Zhao Qianyun, the City Lord’s son, often called the Eldest Young Master. Let’s head to the Flood Dragon Nest District first.”

Since they were here, it was only proper to pay him a visit. It was also a good opportunity to introduce him to Jiang Chen and the others.

With Long Ao taking the lead, the rest of the group followed closely behind, taking in the sights as they ventured deeper into the city. The Whale Belly District was clearly a prosperous area; every person they saw, cultivator or mortal, was a cut above the rest, from their fine attire to their confident bearing.

“But this place is surrounded by the sea. Could the Spirit Grain Sect be situated on an island somewhere?”

If the opportunity arose, he wouldn’t mind meeting them and visiting their sect. After all, they were the sole providers of Spirit Rice for every cultivation sect, family, and power in the Azure Realm. Their status was anything but low.

Soon, Long Ao led them to the entrance of the Flood Dragon Nest District. They didn’t get far before a line of guards blocked their path.

“Halt! You are approaching the Flood Dragon Nest District. State your purpose!”

“No one may enter without an invitation from the City Lord’s Mansion or one of the five great families!”

The Flood Dragon Nest District was the very core of Mystic Heart City, a sanctuary reserved exclusively for the city’s ruling powers. Outsiders and the general populace were confined to the other four districts.

Long Ao, however, remained perfectly calm. He produced a token of black profound iron. “We are honored guests of the City Lord’s Mansion.”

The sight of the token instantly transformed the guards. Their stern expressions, sharp tones, and suspicious gazes all melted away, replaced by an affable warmth.

“Honored guests of the City Lord’s Mansion! Of course, you are welcome in the Flood Dragon Nest District!”

Long Ao tilted his head toward Jiang Chen’s group. “Let’s go.”

This time, their path was clear. They passed through the gates unopposed, entering a breathtaking domain shrouded in a five-colored spiritual mist. The area was vast, filled with magnificent, palace-style pavilions.

Long Ao led them directly toward a towering, nine-story pagoda. As they reached the entrance on the ground floor, they saw a man was already waiting for them.

He was a middle-aged man of average build, dressed in a slightly worn, dark brocade robe with faint gold water patterns embroidered on the hem. His face was wreathed in a constant smile, one that carved deep crinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Upon seeing Long Ao’s party, the man strode forward, his welcome effusive. “Welcome, esteemed cultivators! It is an honor to receive you!”

Long Ao’s expression remained neutral. “Steward Lin. Your presence means Zhao Qianyun knows we’ve arrived. Where is he?”

The steward, Lin Wufeng, bowed slightly. “The Eldest Young Master is occupied with preparations for tomorrow’s Thousand Sails Event. He instructed me to escort you upstairs to rest. He will join you as soon as he is able.”

Lin Wufeng’s gaze swept over Jiang Chen and the others.

Long Ao stated flatly, “They are my Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters.”

The steward’s eyes widened in surprise. While it wasn’t uncommon for sect disciples to visit Mystic Heart City for leisure or adventure, he had never seen Long Ao arrive with so many of his peers.

Recovering his composure, he gestured for them to follow him into the nine-story tower.

As he led the way up, Lin Wufeng began his introduction. “This tower is named the Subdue Flood Dragon Tower.”

“The first floor is dedicated to Profound Water.”

“The second, to the art of the Hunting Shadow.”

“The third is for Spirit Gathering.”

“The fourth serves as the Artifact Repository.”

“The fifth is the Blood Jade Chamber.”

“The sixth is for Sea Viewing.”

“The seventh is the Forbidden Pavilion.”

“The eighth is the Young Master’s Residence.”

“And the ninth floor is the seat of the Subdue Flood Dragon itself.”

He explained each level as they ascended. Though it appeared to be a tower from the outside, it was more akin to a grand, vertical mansion. Each floor possessed a unique style and purpose, making the entire structure feel exceptionally rich and multifaceted.

Ordinarily, guests would be permitted only as high as the sixth floor, the Sea Viewing level. But Long Ao’s close relationship with Zhao Qianyun granted them access directly to the eighth.

The so-called Young Master’s Residence was indeed the personal living quarters of Zhao Qianyun. The floor exuded an air of refined elegance. Potted plants were tastefully arranged throughout the space, most of them a vibrant, emerald-green species of water-patterned bamboo—a miniature variety that never grew taller, favored by many cultivators for home decor.

The floor was paved with white jade tiles that seemed to glow with a soft, warm light. The space contained a large desk, a plush couch, and even an alchemy furnace.

Spread across the desk was an unfinished demon-hunting plan. Beside it lay several water demon cores, their surfaces polished to a smooth, warm luster from frequent handling.

Hanging on the wall was a magnificent painting titled *Canglan Hunting the Flood Dragon*. It depicted the first City Lord in the heroic act of slaying a thousand-year-old Profound Flood Dragon. In the corner, a line of elegant script was inscribed:

*”Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.*

*Demons can nurture a city, but they can also destroy it.”*

Jiang Chen found himself drawn to the painting, studying its details with great interest.

Noticing his focus, Lin Wufeng explained, “The Eldest Young Master often uses this painting as a reminder to himself.”

Long Ao made himself at home, sinking into a chair. “Steward Lin,” he commanded, “brew a pot of your Young Master’s treasured Saliva Jade Dew. Let my Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters have a taste.”

“As you wish,” Lin Wufeng nodded. “Please wait a moment.”

He turned and departed, leaving the group to themselves.

Some sat down, while others drifted toward the windows.

“They must all be here for the Thousand Sails Event tomorrow.”

“If we participate, do we do it as a group or individually?”

While this event couldn’t compare to the grand competitions held by major sects, it was a significant and lively affair for Loose Cultivators and the smaller cultivation clans and families.

Jiang Chen pulled his gaze away from the painting and walked to a window. Just as Li Xianglin had said, the sea below was teeming with vessels of every imaginable shape and size.

He had come to Mystic Heart City for two reasons. First, to participate in the centennial Thousand Sails Event. Second, to conduct a field study. He needed to determine if this was the right place to open a second branch of the Evergreen Wine Shop and whether he should seek out local partners.

Suddenly, Jin Fugui’s voice cut through the air, sharp with disbelief. “My heavens! The grand prize for this year’s Thousand Sails Event… the reward for first place is a Water Spirit Source Crystal!”