The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen, Jin Fugui, and Chen Bo all fell silent.

It wasn’t that they believed Old Mo’s nonsense; they simply had no words to offer.

If the man had truly reaped a harvest, he wouldn’t have returned with such a low profile.

Thus, the three couldn’t be bothered to pry further. Together, they boarded the Shattered Moon Flowing Frost and soared toward the new market near the Flower Sea.

Once they left Red Leaf Valley far behind, the scenery ahead gradually shifted, revealing a vast, endless expanse of grassland.

However, it lacked the deep emerald of spring and summer, as well as the vibrant tapestry of autumn.

As far as the eye could see, large swathes of the earth had faded into varying shades of withered brown.

Stripped of its lushness, the land felt hollow, even barren in certain patches.

“Heavens, the market is even grander than before!”

“Look for yourselves-there are pavilions everywhere!”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen, Chen Bo, and Mo Yu cast their gazes forward and found it to be true.

Although they had yet to reach the Flower Sea, which now served as the new market.

Even from this great distance, they could see a sprawling, undulating complex of architecture.

It was glaringly evident that the scale of this new gathering place dwarfed its predecessor.

While Red Leaf Valley was by no means small, it could never have accommodated such a dense array of structures.

As they drew closer, the four noticed that the Flower Sea still held true to its name.

Grassland daisies, violas, pansies, and anemones bloomed in diverse clusters, though they lacked their former overwhelming fragrance.

The trading hubs had also undergone a transformation.

Previously, constrained by the narrow confines of Red Leaf Valley, the stalls had been packed tightly together.

Now, with the vast expanse of the Flower Sea at their disposal, the districts were distinctly separated.

The Harvest Alliance’s Spirit Farm occupied the southeast corner. Beyond its newly erected halls, it openly displayed a myriad of rare spirit plants.

Moreover, dozens of Spirit Farmer stalls lined the entrance.

Naturally, setting up shop wasn’t a free-for-all; strict permission was required.

In celebration of the New Year, the Harvest Alliance had devised a game: spend a certain amount of Spirit Stones, and you could open a sealed seed box.

With heaven-defying luck, one might instantly recoup their wealth-though thus far, no one had managed the feat.

The Talisman Guild’s Rain Pavilion anchored the west side. Thousands of glowing talisman lanterns drifted in the air, each projecting the shimmering effects of a specific paper charm.

The pavilion was divided into three distinct courtyards: Combat, Daily Life, and Experience.

Most of the stalls within were manned by seasoned talisman masters, offering a dizzying array of wares.

The Pill Alliance claimed the very center of the market. Several octagonal alchemy platforms stood tall, bearing heavy bronze furnaces. Beneath them, the alchemical flames burned in a gradient of intensity, shifting from roaring crimson to a haunting, deep blue.

Their wares were meticulously categorized.

For realm breakthroughs, they offered an assortment of Foundation Pills tailored to specific Spirit Roots.

For specialized needs, they sold elixirs imbued with unique, lingering effects.

There was even a tasting section. Fledgling alchemy apprentices laid out free samples on their stalls; anyone was welcome to try them, though the creators washed their hands of any explosive side effects.

The Artifact Hall of Fire Peak dominated an open-air plaza to the north. Forging furnaces roared with fierce heat, and the rhythmic, ringing strikes of hammers against iron filled the air with a bustling energy.

Three grand archways marked its entrances: Daily Life, Combat, and On-site Forging.

Fire Peak had specifically stationed apprentices here to hammer out ordinary implements for the crowds.

Even the Array Guild from the Earth Veins had emerged to join the festivities. Their hub occupied a square in the southwest corner, its paving stones carved with overlapping Spirit Gathering Formations that rendered the ambient Spirit Qi thick enough to taste.

They, too, divided their services: Defense, Support, and Custom Engravings.

At least two array masters held court here every month.

Beyond all this, the new market boasted one truly unique feature.

Disciples could use the immortal sect’s contribution points for purchases, bartering, and direct transactions.

In other words, if one’s pouch of Spirit Stones ran light, sect points could bridge the gap.

Taking in the sights, Jiang Chen and the others couldn’t help but click their tongues in marvel.

The old trading hubs had never offered such refined services; their merchants had always carried a haughty “buy it or leave it” demeanor.

Now, with the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly looming a few years away, the sect had forcefully elevated the entire standard of living.

To be fair, it made life infinitely more comfortable for the local disciples.

The only question was whether this golden age of convenience could truly last.

The moment their boots touched the ground, they spotted Tie Zhu and Li Xianglin. Ever since confirming their Daoist companionship, the two had been inseparable, radiating a sweet harmony that drew envious glances.

Jiang Chen asked curiously, “Where did Tie Zhu’s Foundation Pill come from?”

Chen Bo replied, “Xianglin begged me, then returned to plead with her clan. Finally, by agreeing to a long-term payment pact with an alchemist, she secured a Foundation Pill tailored for an Earth Spirit Root.”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “Which alchemist is so accommodating?”

Chen Bo glanced at the three men beside him before answering, “Xuan Zang.”

Hearing the name, none of them showed a sliver of surprise.

Through multiple dealings, they all knew that Xuan Zang possessed genuine skill over the furnace flames.

While he didn’t forge heaven-defying, mythical elixirs, he churned out common pills in staggering, reliable quantities.

More importantly, he was a grounded, decent man, free of the treacherous scheming so common among cultivators.

Jin Fugui rubbed his chin. “It seems I should pay Xuan Zang a visit as well. But Metal and Fire are conflicting Spirit Roots. I wonder how many Spirit Stones a specialized Foundation Pill for that would cost?”

Jiang Chen blinked. “No need to rush!”

Jin Fugui nodded deeply. “You’re right. Pacing a hole in the floor won’t help at this stage.”

With that settled, the four waded into the bustling market.

Compared to the old grounds, the new market was a treasure trove.

Not only did it offer mortal sweets and delicate pastries, but it also boasted rich delicacies that bordered on true spirit cuisine.

Fortunately, this year, everyone save for Chen Bo-namely Jiang Chen, Jin Fugui, and Mo Yu-had lined their pockets heavily in the Return to Ruins Secret Realm.

Thus, their purse strings were loose; whatever caught their eye, they bought without a second thought.

Amidst the crowds, they crossed paths with familiar faces.

Zhao Ying and her family.

They even spotted Wang Bing.

However, no words were exchanged between them.

The river of time had washed everything away, especially old sentiments.

Besides, it had only ever been a one-sided infatuation to begin with.

Later, as was tradition, Jin Fugui, Chen Bo, and Mo Yu chose to stay at the new market to ring in the New Year.

After all, it was a fresh environment, teeming with life and a festive, roaring atmosphere.

Jiang Chen, however, did not linger. He handed out his New Year gifts to the trio, then summoned the Shattered Moon Flowing Frost and rode the winds back toward Red Leaf Valley.

Returning to his quiet sanctuary, he immediately set to work pasting red spring couplets and hanging glowing lanterns.

Da Huang and Wang Zai trotted circles around his boots, their tails wagging with eager anticipation.

Ge Ge perched atop a wooden chair, watching the bustling preparations in silent judgment.

By evening, the entirety of Red Maple Residence was bathed in the warm, lustrous glow of lanterns and vibrant streamers.

Even though Jiang Chen was the sole human present, the courtyard felt exceptionally alive.

The dog, the chicken, the Fortress, and even the ancient poplar tree spirit standing guard outside-in their own strange way, they were one big family.

“Come, come, come!”

“Time to eat!”

“There are red envelopes for everyone after the meal!”

At Jiang Chen’s hearty call, they all gathered around the rustic wooden table.

Even the Fortress, which had no mouth to feed, was poured a brimming cup of Top-quality Spirit Wine.

…

…

Meanwhile, back in the bustling new market.

Mo Yu and Chen Bo had already torn open their gifts. The contents were perfectly tailored to their tastes.

Fine fishing gear and rare spirit plants rested in their hands.

But when Jin Fugui unsealed the wooden box in his hands and saw what lay inside, his eyes bulged, and he gasped in sheer shock, “A Foundation Pill!”