The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 310: I Stand Corrected

Even for a banquet arranged on short notice, the scale was anything but simple.

The spread was a feast for the eyes. More than five staple dishes, a full eight main courses, and no fewer than six different desserts crowded the table. A single meal offered over twenty distinct delicacies—a display of wealth and confidence that only a clan of immense standing could muster.

Despite his own extensive culinary experience, Jiang Chen recognized only a handful of the dishes.

Premium Spirit Rice.

Rice-Fragrance Braised Spirit Chicken.

Rice-Fragrance Braised Pork Ribs.

Green Wave Rice Flower Crab.

Golden Light Ice Spirit Cake.

“This is even better than what we eat at our own sect!”

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, you are far too generous!”

The disciples from the Spirit Grain Sect, from Senior Brother Ji Mingxuan down to the other core members, buzzed with excitement as they took in the magnificent spread.

Zhao Feng swelled with pride. “Since I am hosting Spirit Envoy Jiang and my good friend, Fellow Daoist Ji, a few common dishes would hardly suffice. This time, I have also prepared a special Spirit Dish!”

The words “Spirit Dish” seized everyone’s attention, their eyes widening in unison. After all, while the food before them was nutritious and rich in Spirit Qi, it paled in comparison to a true Spirit Dish. A Spirit Dish could not only replenish spiritual energy but also purify the body, temper the spirit, and even aid in cultivation breakthroughs.

These were the effects that made Spirit Dishes so coveted—and so prohibitively expensive.

Taking in their awestruck reactions, Zhao Feng gestured to Rong Fu. “Go. Bring it.”

Rong Fu nodded curtly and departed, returning moments later from the kitchens bearing a massive earthenware pot. As it drew near, an astonishing wave of Spirit Qi washed over them, palpable even before the lid was lifted. The energy radiating from the pot was richer than that of the entire banquet combined, filling the room with breathless anticipation.

Rong Fu placed the Spirit Dish in the center of the round table, ensuring everyone would have access. Then, Zhao Feng himself stepped forward to unveil it.

As he lifted the lid, a plume of hot steam billowed out, carrying with it the fresh, earthy aroma of a Spirit Farm in early spring. In that instant, the Wood-attribute Spirit Qi within everyone’s Qi Sea resonated in harmony.

When the steam cleared, they peered into the pot. The broth was a translucent, pale gold, shimmering with latent energy. Within it, perfectly sliced Return-to-Source Spirit Mushrooms floated like delicate petals.

Ji Mingxuan inhaled deeply. “It truly is a Spirit Dish!”

Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Feels… familiar.

Zhao Feng announced with a flourish, “This Spirit Dish is called Return-to-Source Spirit Mushroom Soup. Its main ingredients are the Return-to-Source Spirit Mushroom and Spirit Rice Essence, supplemented by Profound Ice Spirit Spring Water and Reviving Spring Grass.”

“Return-to-Source Spirit Mushroom Soup?” Ji Mingxuan gasped.

Huo Ling’s face lit up with excitement. “In Mystic Heart City, a dish like this costs several hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones!”

“I’ve been at the Spirit Grain Sect for years and never once tasted a Spirit Dish!”

“We’re truly benefiting from Senior Brother’s prestige today!”

“I can’t imagine what it tastes like…”

The surrounding disciples were practically vibrating with eagerness.

Jiang Chen blinked, a thought flashing through his mind. Isn’t this the soup I make all the time? I feed the leftovers to Da Huang and Gege.

He frequently prepared this exact dish in private. For one, most of the ingredients could be harvested directly from his Spirit Farm. For another, the primary components weren’t particularly expensive. The only real hassle was the time-consuming preparation: a six-hour soak in Profound Ice Spirit Spring Water, followed by meticulously scraping the spores from the mushroom caps, and finally, slicing and marinating them in Spirit Rice Essence.

Zhao Feng picked up a ladle, preparing to serve everyone personally. “The first bowl, naturally, is for my beloved Ling’er.”

Huo Ling winked playfully. “Thank you, Brother Feng~”

Watching the exchange, Jiang Chen sighed internally. Now I finally see why Senior Brother Sancai never stood a chance against Zhao Feng. He has no money, no connections, and most importantly, he can’t cook.

Zhao Feng quickly filled a second bowl and placed it directly before Jiang Chen. “And this second bowl is for Spirit Envoy Jiang, who saved me from a great deal of trouble.”

Jiang Chen offered a wry smile. “I was about to be offended, thinking the first bowl wasn’t for me. It seems Senior Sister Huo Ling holds a higher place in your heart after all. However, since we have a distinguished guest, this second bowl should rightfully go to Fellow Daoist Ji.”

Huo Ling let out a delicate “pfft,” her shoulders shaking with laughter. For the first time, she found this stoic envoy to be surprisingly amusing.

Ji Mingxuan waved his hands in protest. “Not at all, not at all! Fellow Daoist Jiang is a Cultivation Envoy. In terms of status, he is second only to our host, Fellow Daoist Zhao.”

Jiang Chen simply took the bowl and set it down in front of Ji Mingxuan. “We’re all friends here; there’s no need for such ceremony. Besides, for a man of Fellow Daoist Zhao’s means, what’s a single Spirit Dish?”

Zhao Feng, initially stunned by the maneuver, saw the genius in it. Jiang Chen had not only shown respect to Ji Mingxuan but had also given him, Zhao Feng, an opportunity to appear magnanimous. His eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Fellow Daoist… Jiang is right! Please, everyone, don’t stand on ceremony with me.”

Realizing that further refusal would be graceless, Ji Mingxuan respectfully lifted the bowl with both hands. “Very well. It would be rude of me to decline.”

Zhao Feng immediately ladled a third bowl. This time, he presented it to Jiang Chen with both hands, his attitude no longer just polite but tinged with genuine admiration. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, there were many misunderstandings between us before. I hope you can forgive me.”

Jiang Chen accepted it without further protest. “I already said we’re all friends here,” he quipped. “If you keep up this formality, I’ll get up and leave.”

“Don’t, don’t, please don’t!” Zhao Feng yelped, waving his hands in alarm.

With the tension broken, the banquet continued with conversation and laughter. Though inherently arrogant, Zhao Feng was an impeccable host—enthusiastic and attentive, ensuring every guest felt included. With Jiang Chen occasionally interjecting with a dry joke or a clever remark, the atmosphere grew increasingly relaxed and jovial, punctuated by frequent bursts of hearty laughter.

After several courses, Ji Mingxuan produced a Communication Talisman and offered it to Jiang Chen. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, if you ever have the chance, please visit me at the Spirit Grain Sect near Mystic Heart City. We could exchange our knowledge and techniques on spirit plant cultivation.”

Jiang Chen accepted the talisman with a nod and a thumbs-up. “In that field, your Spirit Grain Sect is the undisputed master. It is I who should be learning from you.”

A faint blush colored Ji Mingxuan’s cheeks. “And yet, I was the one who failed to identify the third problem today.”

Jiang Chen clapped him on the shoulder reassuringly. “The fact that you sensed something was wrong without any prior knowledge is already a testament to your skill. Don’t forget, I am the Spirit Farm’s Cultivation Envoy. I know this land like the back of my hand.”

Ji Mingxuan had to admit, conversing with Jiang Chen was remarkably comfortable. The Cloud Sea Sect was one of the three great sects of the Azure Realm. For its sole Cultivation Envoy—a man whose status far outstripped his own—to be so approachable and friendly was a rare thing indeed.

Once the meal concluded, Ji Mingxuan and the other Spirit Grain Sect disciples were shown to their quarters to rest.

Zhao Feng, however, sought out Jiang Chen, leading him back toward the fields of Thousand-Ear Golden Light Rice.

Unwilling to waste time, Jiang Chen got straight to the point. “Is there something else?”

Zhao Feng turned, bowed deeply with his hands clasped, his voice thick with gratitude. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, thank you for your leniency earlier. You allowed me to save face in front of Huo Ling and the others.”

He looked up, his gaze earnest and stripped of all its former arrogance. “Before, I wasn’t convinced. I couldn’t understand why you were made the Cultivation Envoy. Now I know the truth.”

“Besides you, no one else is worthy.”