Chapter 429: Ji Mingxuan’s Invitation
When Shattered Moon Flowing Frost landed at the foot of the mountain, it signaled Jiang Chen’s arrival at the core management office.
On the surface, he possessed dual Water and Wood Spirit Roots.
Since his Water Spirit Root was already anchored by the Nine Curves Tide Generating Art, that left only the Wood Spirit Root.
Of course, if calculated by the true measure of the Five Elements Spirit Roots, he was actually still missing at least three more cultivation arts.
Water Spirit Root: Nine Curves Tide Generating Art.
Fire Spirit Root: Nine Flames Mystic Art.
Wood Spirit Root: None.
Earth Spirit Root: None.
Metal Spirit Root: None.
Currently, the cultivation arts and techniques for these three vacant Spirit Roots could only be obtained from the outside world.Fortunately, any incomplete fragment would suffice to fill the void.
Not long after, Jiang Chen reached the mountaintop.
Logically, few Wood Spirit Root disciples could be seen in the dead of winter; most stayed sequestered in the warmth of their homes.
Yet, when he crossed the heavy wooden threshold and entered the palace interior, he discovered over twenty of them gathered in the hall.
Jiang Chen even spotted a familiar face. “The Spirit Grain Sect’s Ji Mingxuan?”
Previously, the Grain Master had mentioned that Wood Spirit Root cultivators from the Canglan Sea, upon reaching Foundation Establishment, would join the Sect’s Spirit Farms as formal disciples.
The exceptionally outstanding ones could ascend the mountain to directly become core disciples.
“Is this the Cloud Sea Sect’s Spirit Farm Management Office?”
“I heard it was quite impressive before, but I didn’t expect it to be this magnificent!”
“We can be considered as having found fortune in misfortune!”
These people had just joined the Spirit Farm and found everything novel, their eyes wide with awe.
As one of the three great immortal sects, the Cloud Sea Sect was extremely extravagant in many aspects.
This scene was exactly the same as when the Nine Curves Sect’s Elders and disciples merged into the Rain Pavilion back then.
At that moment, crisp footsteps echoed from behind. The crowd turned to look, only to see an unremarkable spirit farmer walking toward them.
Ji Mingxuan was the first to react, greeting him with a warm smile. “Spirit Envoy Jiang!”
If it were an ordinary disciple, these people wouldn’t have paid any attention.
But upon hearing the title “Spirit Envoy,” their expressions instantly shifted.
Everyone knew that the position of Cultivation Envoy was second only to the Manager.
Although the rank wasn’t high, the authority it carried was quite significant.
Therefore, every single one of them properly cupped their hands and bowed in unison, their voices ringing out:
“Greetings, Spirit Envoy Jiang!”
Jiang Chen’s gaze swept over them, then he asked knowingly, “You are the members of the various cultivation sects and families from the Canglan Sea?”
Ji Mingxuan responded first. “Yes.”
The others quickly chimed in. “Yes.”
Jiang Chen revealed a faint smile. “Welcome everyone to the Spirit Farm!”
Ji Mingxuan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Spirit Envoy Jiang, it’s been a long time since we last met. Could we find an opportunity to chat?”
Seeing a trace of eagerness in the man’s eyes, Jiang Chen pondered for a moment. “Alright. If I finish my business first, I’ll wait for you outside. Otherwise, you wait for me.”
Ji Mingxuan’s eyes lit up. “Good.”
Afterward, Jiang Chen walked toward Elder Mu.
Once he was out of earshot, the surrounding people immediately gathered close to Ji Mingxuan.
“I never expected Senior Brother Ji to be familiar with the Spirit Farm’s Cultivation Envoy!”
“It seems we should interact more in the future!”
“We are all Wood Spirit Roots, all from the Canglan Sea. We should look out for each other!”
Ji Mingxuan met the flattery of those around him with a polite smile.
Those with true ability would stand out sooner or later.
As for those without, no amount of help would mean a thing.
On the other side of the hall, Jiang Chen went straight to Elder Mu.
Although they were old acquaintances, proper etiquette still had to be observed.
Jiang Chen cupped his hands and bowed. “Manager!”
Elder Mu asked with a beaming smile, “Sleeping comfortably in the new home?”
Jiang Chen blinked. “It’s alright.”
Elder Mu reminded him, “The Ancient Red Maple is a spirit plant personally planted by the Director of Cultivation. It usually remains dormant and only wakes up when special events occur.”
Jiang Chen suddenly understood. “No wonder I tried to communicate with it but received no response.”
Elder Mu nodded slightly. “Flowers, plants, trees, and other monsters are different. Even after gaining sentience, they require a long time to gradually improve their strength.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chen’s expression turned odd.
According to this logic, both the Ancient Red Maple and the Poplar Tree Spirit needed to sleep.
Yet the old man before him was busy every single day, never resting at all.
Elder Mu noticed his gaze but didn’t explain, instead teasing, “You usually don’t come to the management office. When you do, there must be something on your mind.”
Jiang Chen smiled awkwardly. “This disciple wishes to check his contribution points.”
Elder Mu quickly checked the records. “You currently have 5,025 contribution points.”
Jiang Chen was taken aback. “Five thousand?”
Elder Mu provided an explanation. “You submit 1,250 jin of Top-quality Spirit Rice each quarter, earning 125 points. Then, as a Cultivation Envoy, you receive a 1,000-point Reward each quarter. After various deductions, additions, and subtractions, that is indeed the final number.”
Jiang Chen pondered. “This disciple wishes to exchange for a cultivation art.”
Elder Mu chuckled lightly. “Your points are enough to exchange for a high-grade cultivation art.”
Jiang Chen said somewhat awkwardly, “Not a high-grade cultivation art.”
Elder Mu was astonished. “Earth-grade?”
Jiang Chen inquired tentatively, “Is it enough?”
Elder Mu shook his head. “5,000 points are not enough.”
Jiang Chen quickly pressed, “Then how many points are needed?”
Elder Mu replied, “6,000 points.”
Jiang Chen immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s not too bad. I can exchange for it after the New Year.”
Elder Mu said earnestly, “You are only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. There’s no need to rush to change cultivation arts. First, improve the Four Seasons Scripture.”
Jiang Chen had already prepared an excuse. “This disciple currently has dual Water and Wood Spirit Roots and wishes to exchange for a cultivation art that perfectly harnesses Water and Wood Spirit Qi. Although the Four Seasons Scripture is good, it is ultimately of the Wood attribute.”
Elder Mu seemed thoughtful. “Perhaps you could seek advice from the Grain Master. He holds you in quite high regard and might be able to offer some suggestions.”
Jiang Chen understood implicitly. “Alright, then this disciple will take his leave first.”
Although he didn’t exchange for a complete Earth-grade cultivation art this time, he at least had a clear idea of the cost.
At worst, he could wait. Coming back after the New Year wouldn’t be too late.
When he stepped outside, Ji Mingxuan had indeed been waiting for a long time.
The people who had arrived with him were all gone, likely off to inspect their new houses and Spirit Farms.
Jiang Chen walked up to the man, looking him up and down as he asked, “What is it?”
Ji Mingxuan glanced around and said in a low voice, “There are too many eyes and ears here.”
Seeing the other party acting so secretive, Jiang Chen instantly became alert. “Then just use voice transmission.”
Ji Mingxuan was taken aback for a moment, then transmitted his voice. “It’s like this. I discovered an underwater secret realm in the Canglan Sea. It seems to have some connection to the founding ancestor of the Spirit Grain Sect. I wonder if Spirit Envoy Jiang is interested?”
Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. “Not interested.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingxuan was instantly dumbfounded. “Huh?”
Jiang Chen placed his hands behind his back and smiled faintly. “I have absolutely no interest in any adventures, explorations, or fights. My heart only desires farming.”
Ji Mingxuan said somewhat unwillingly, “If you and I could find Wood-attribute natural treasures from the secret realm, wouldn’t we be able to improve our strength?”
Jiang Chen still refused, his attitude and tone turning colder. “I said, I’m not interested in your so-called secret realm.”
Ji Mingxuan took a deep breath and said helplessly, “Alright.”
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “Is there anything else?”
Ji Mingxuan shook his head. “No.”
Jiang Chen quickly headed down the mountain. “Then I’m going home first!”