The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 474: Pei Mo’s Dilemma!

That night, after putting everything in order, Jiang Chen made a show of lying down to rest.

In reality, the moment his back touched the nanmu bed, he immediately entered his portable space.

His vision blurred for a second, and the familiar Water Spirit Palace appeared before him.

Inside, Linglong was still sleeping. Not wanting to disturb her, he merely cast a glance in her direction before immediately heading toward the opposite side.

The interior of his portable space was divided into four distinct regions: east, south, west, and north.

To the west was the Spirit Farm.

To the east was Dongting Lake.

To the north stood the Water Spirit Palace.

The entrance to the Ancestor’s tomb mound was located right near the Water Spirit Palace.

Naturally, the Mirage Thunder Dragon Boat was also quietly docked nearby.

Jiang Chen began fishing his latest haul out of his Square Inch Ring. First up was the incredibly massive Earth-Metal refining furnace. Although he had no immediate use for it, it wasn’t a bad piece to keep around for display.

Next were all the pillars he had taken from the cultivation chamber. Since they were carved with rich and valuable information, he absolutely could not leave them behind.

The meditation cushion was also a fine item; just looking at it told him its quality was quite high.

As for the shield, the longsword, and similar items, he casually tossed them aside.

For a moment, a continuous series of clangs and thuds rang out.

Right then, the doors to the Water Spirit Palace were pushed open. Xu Linglong walked out, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she called out, “Daddy!”

Jiang Chen had just pulled out the Four Seasons Fruit Tree and the Jade Dew Spirit Bud. Hearing her, he smiled and said, “You’re awake.”

Xu Linglong toddled over and asked curiously, “Did Daddy just get back?”

Jiang Chen nodded, putting on a highly exaggerated look of exhaustion. “Yes, your hardworking old father just returned from laboring away outside.”

Hearing this, Xu Linglong hurriedly stepped forward. She had originally intended to massage his shoulders, but since she was too short, she could only pound her little fists against his waist instead. Afterward, she blinked her large eyes at him. “Did you bring me a present?”

Jiang Chen’s eyes darted around before he pointed at the massive refining furnace. “I did. That big thing over there is your new toy. Study it well. I don’t expect you to forge Magical Artifacts right away; just crafting a few Spirit Weapons will be enough.”

Xu Linglong looked at the furnace, compared its size to her own, and instantly stared blankly.

The thing was even bigger than the Ancestor’s room—meaning that giant coffin. Forget about using it to refine artifacts; even climbing on top of it would be a struggle.

Jiang Chen patted her frail little shoulder. “Our family is just too poor. These are all the scraps other people threw away. Children of poor families must take charge early. You are already five years old, it’s high time you…”

Seeing the tears welling up in Xu Linglong’s eyes, he couldn’t keep up the charade any longer.

Alright, fine, he really shouldn’t bully children.

…

…

In the days following his return, Jiang Chen found himself quite busy.

Because the Harvest Lord was away, he and Elder Mu were left to handle many of the matters regarding the Spirit Farm. Furthermore, since it was spring, problems were constantly popping up in the fields, and numerous assignments were being issued from elsewhere in the Sect.

As a result, his cultivation time was severely cut down, and he could only find odd moments here and there to study the Golden Seal Heaven Governing Art.

Fortunately, the disciples he had previously helped become formal members—people like Miao Huayu, Lin Shan, and the others—had banded together to form a mutual aid association called the Azure Alliance.

Whenever any problems arose, they would first try to resolve them privately among themselves.

If they couldn’t fix it, they would seek out Jiang Chen.

If even Jiang Chen was stumped, only then would they turn to Elder Mu for help.

This conveniently saved Jiang Chen from dealing with a lot of minor headaches.

For instance, they would cover for one another when completing assignments. Any harvested spirit plants would be traded internally among their own group first.

Because of Jiang Chen’s presence, everyone was incredibly united.

On this particular day, Jiang Chen had just finished helping out in someone else’s spirit field and was on his way back to Red Leaf Valley when he was suddenly blocked by two familiar faces.

One was Long Ao.

The other was Pei Mo.

Jiang Chen chuckled lightly. “It’s been a long time, Senior Brothers!”

Long Ao waved a hand dismissively. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. If we’re looking for you, it definitely means we need something.”

Jiang Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully. “We’re all on the same side. If it’s something I can help with, I will absolutely lend a hand.”

The unspoken implication was: If I can’t help, don’t count on me.

He was already swamped with work lately; he barely even had time to cultivate.

Pei Mo and Long Ao exchanged a look before Pei Mo spoke up. “It’s like this. I plan to improve my Spirit Root before I attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage.”

Jiang Chen was surprised. “Improve it?”

Pei Mo nodded and explained, “As you know, my previous aptitude was a Metal-overcoming-Wood Spirit Root. My cultivation speed and efficiency have been excruciatingly slow. Now, I want to add a third Spirit Root to the mix.”

Jiang Chen rubbed his chin. “That leaves you with only three options.”

First, a Water Spirit Root.

Water nourished Wood, counteracting the suppressive force of Metal.

Second, a Fire Spirit Root.

Fire melted Metal, but it also burned Wood.

Third, an Earth Spirit Root.

Earth generated Metal, but Wood naturally suppressed Earth.

If Pei Mo wanted to improve his situation—or rather, fundamentally alter his foundation—he could only introduce one of these three elements.

Pei Mo nodded. “Exactly. I want to add a Water Spirit Root, thereby transforming the relationship between my other two roots from mutual suppression into mutual generation.”

Jiang Chen immediately took a step back, looking highly alert. “I don’t swing that way, alright? There is absolutely zero chance of us dual cultivating.”

Long Ao burst out laughing, doubling over as if he might pass out from the sheer absurdity.

He had to admit, he could always count on Junior Brother Jiang for a good laugh.

Pei Mo’s mouth twitched violently. “What the hell goes on in that head of yours? I don’t like men either!”

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. “Then why are you looking for me?”

Pei Mo answered honestly, “Ever since the dragon vein in the Canglan Sea was severed, the frequency of Water Spirit Roots and water-attribute heavenly treasures appearing has greatly increased. Recently, I heard that over near the Nine Curves Sect—the one that was flooded by tainted spirit water—there might be something I need.”

Realization dawned on Jiang Chen. “Ah, I get it now. You want to use me to get in touch with Ruo Qunshuang.”

Pei Mo nodded repeatedly. “Yes, exactly.”

Jiang Chen thought it over. “It’s doable, but Junior Sister Shuang is quite introverted, and she’s been very busy lately. If she doesn’t want to see you, there’s nothing I can do.”

Pei Mo wasn’t deterred. “We just need a guide who’s familiar with the area. If Ruo Qunshuang refuses, aren’t there several other former disciples of the Nine Curves Sect around?”

Long Ao chimed in to clarify, “Actually, the main reason we came to you is because we already know each other, and you’re half-acquainted with Ruo Qunshuang. Rather than letting the benefits fall to outsiders, it’s better to keep the opportunity within our own circle.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen didn’t waste any more time talking and pulled out a Communication Talisman.

As the spiritual light upon it began to flash, a long while passed before the connection was finally established.

“Senior Brother Jiang, is there something you need?”

“It’s like this. I have two Senior Brothers with me who would like to meet with you.”

“Meet with me? Why?”

“It has to do with your hometown!”

“I just accepted an assignment and was about to head to the Earth Fire Zone…”

Jiang Chen glanced at Long Ao and Pei Mo. Seeing that they remained silent, he continued, “How about this: come over and let’s talk first. If the offer suits you, I will have them issue a formal assignment. You can name your price—contribution points, Spirit Stones, resources, whatever you want.”

As soon as Ruo Qunshuang heard this, she knew the matter wasn’t simple, especially since it involved her ‘hometown.’

Her ‘hometown’ was none other than the Nine Curves Sect.

The very place that had been completely submerged by tainted spirit water.

Therefore, the true reason for this meeting was glaringly obvious.

Considering that she needed to give Jiang Chen face, Ruo Qunshuang thought it over and eventually relented. “Alright. Let’s meet up and talk first!”