The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 313: The Grain Master

The sight of either one of these creatures was enough to make one’s skin crawl. Both appearing at once was a different matter entirely.

For an ordinary person, such a sight could leave lasting psychological scars, not to mention a visceral, physical revulsion.

Elder Mu spoke, his voice steady. “Little Jiang, you’ve been a Spirit Cultivator for nearly half a year. Your knowledge of disaster management should be sound. Let’s see what you’ve learned.

What kind of disaster is the Spirit-Eroding Fungus?

And the Meridian-Reversing Worm?”

Jiang Chen didn’t need to think, reciting the information as if from a textbook. “The presence of Spirit-Eroding Fungus indicates the birth of a Spirit-Eroding Fungus King somewhere deep underground. The Meridian-Reversing Worm is similar; it signifies that a century-old Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother is laying its eggs at the roots of rare spirit plants to establish a nest.

Based on the three disaster classifications—Human, Earth, and Heaven—both of these qualify as Earth-level threats.”

Human-level threats were minor: low difficulty, minimal damage, limited spread, and easily resolved.

Earth-level threats were another story: high difficulty, significant damage, wide-ranging impact, and far more troublesome to contain.

Heaven-level threats were catastrophic: exceedingly difficult to handle, with a high probability of being unresolvable, often resulting in death.

“It’s worth noting,” Jiang Chen continued, his tone shifting to one of cold calculation, “that the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King is technically a type of rare spirit plant. If cultivated properly, it can significantly boost the yield and quality of certain flora, especially other fungi. On the open market, one could fetch anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

As for the century-old Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother, it can also be tamed and even raised as a spirit pet. For this reason, many insect-path cultivators, particularly those with Earth Spirit Roots, covet them. The current market price for a hundred-year specimen is 70,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and the price doubles for every additional century of its lifespan.”

He paused, his point clear. “In short, while these two disasters pose a grave threat to the Spirit Farms and their plants, proper handling could turn this crisis into a massive profit. They are a hazard, but also an opportunity.”

Elder Mu nodded, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. “And what does it mean when they appear together?”

Jiang Chen considered this. “If they appear in tandem… although our Cloud Sea Sect has no record of such an event, other sects have. Their records suggest a deep corruption within the underground spirit veins. This corruption taints the surface-level earth qi, triggering a cascade of catastrophic events. Essentially, the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King is spawned by the stimulation of the underground Spirit Qi, while the Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother is drawn in by the resulting chaotic energy and enriched earth qi.

Furthermore, they share a common trait: they specifically target mutated spirit plants. This would explain why that single mutated rice stalk of Zhao Feng’s was so afflicted, as if it were deliberately targeted.”

Jiang Chen’s voice grew grim. “The last recorded instance of a dual outbreak destroyed the very foundation of a medium-sized Cultivation Sect. After all, neither the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King nor the Meridian-Reversing Worm Mother are easily dealt with, especially when they’re hidden deep underground.”

Hearing this, Elder Mu’s eyes filled with genuine appreciation. “Making you a Spirit Cultivator was indeed the best decision the Grain Master and I ever made.”

Jiang Chen quickly cupped his hands in a bow. “I am indebted to the trust both you and the Grain Master have placed in me!”

Just then, Zhao Feng, having been summoned, rushed over. “Manager!”

Elder Mu shot him a sideways glance before speaking gravely. “From what we’ve seen, Spirit Envoy Jiang’s assessment is correct. This is undoubtedly the precursor to a major disaster.”

The words struck Zhao Feng like a physical blow. “But… but I just finished clearing this land!”

“To be precise,” Elder Mu said thoughtfully, “we should have been on alert a year ago.”

Jiang Chen and Zhao Feng exchanged a look of mutual surprise. “Why?”

Elder Mu posed a question in return. “A year ago, on Earth Vein level 38, there was an incident—an overflow of earth qi that collapsed a spirit vein. Are you aware of it?”

Zhao Feng searched his memory. “I think I heard someone mention it.”

Jiang Chen nodded emphatically. “It certainly happened. I was there. I even used the eruption of non-attribute Spirit Qi to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

A knowing, almost grim look settled on Elder Mu’s face as he stared into the pit. “This disaster is fallout from that incident. Our Spirit Farms have been affected by the troubles in the Earth Vein, which means we must go and demand an explanation.”

It all clicked into place for Jiang Chen. No wonder the thirty-eighth level of the Earth Vein was sealed off when he went to see Han Xin. The manager there had locked it down. He had assumed the problem was contained, never imagining the consequences would ripple out to the Spirit Farms a full year later.

Zhao Feng’s face turned pale, then flushed with anger. “If this is truly connected to the Earth Vein, then they must answer for it! My farm, my plants… they’re innocent victims in all this!”

A newly developed plot should have been the safest. Instead, he’d been plagued by failing plants and nutrient-depleted soil. It was only by a stroke of luck—bringing in Jiang Chen—that the true severity of the problem had been uncovered. If they had waited any longer, it would have been too late. The Zhao Clan would have faced a catastrophic loss.

“This matter is too great for me to handle,” Elder Mu announced. “It requires the Grain Master to personally negotiate with the Earth Vein authorities. Come, I will take you to see him.”

At the mention of meeting the Grain Master, both Jiang Chen and Zhao Feng felt a surge of excitement.

It was common knowledge that the highest authority over the Spirit Farms was the Director of Cultivation. One level below was the Grain Master, who oversaw all operations. Below him was Elder Mu, the Manager. Further down was Jiang Chen, the Spirit Cultivator. At the very bottom were the spirit farmers, like Zhao Feng.

The Director of Cultivation was a distant figure, rarely seen and even more rarely involved in daily affairs. In practice, the true ruler of the Spirit Farms, the one who decided everything, was the Grain Master.

The next moment, countless thick, gnarled roots erupted from Elder Mu’s body, ensnaring them in a living cocoon.

This wasn’t Jiang Chen’s first time traveling this way, and he remained perfectly calm.

It was, however, Zhao Feng’s first time. He looked both flustered and fascinated by the bizarre experience.

They felt their bodies plunge downwards, then begin moving at an incredible speed through the earth.

Zhao Feng tried to extend his spiritual sense, but found it blocked. He whispered, “Fellow Daoist Jiang, why can’t I use my spiritual sense?”

“It’s the same for me,” Jiang Chen replied. “We’re being shielded.”

Zhao Feng frowned. “But… shouldn’t we be going to an Immortal Peak to see the Grain Master?”

A corner of Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched. “How should I know?”

An unknown amount of time passed before they felt a sudden upward thrust. The roots that bound them retracted one by one, releasing them.

They found themselves standing at the edge of a spirit farm, right before a simple fence gate.

The place felt intensely familiar to Jiang Chen, though he couldn’t quite place it.

Abruptly, Elder Mu faced the property and called out with deep respect, “Grain Master, I have come to discuss a matter of great urgency.”

A familiar voice drifted from within. “For you to come to my doorstep, it must be serious indeed!”

With a flash of cyan light, a familiar figure strode out from the bamboo house.

He had an aged face, yet his spirit was vigorous and bright. In his hand, he held a bottle of Top-quality Spirit Wine.

Jiang Chen’s jaw dropped. “Senior Brother Bamboo?”