The [Red Leaf Valley] market continued. Jiang Chen, participating for the first time, found everything novel.

As noon approached, more and more people joined the market.

Suddenly, something flickered in the sky not far away. In the blink of an eye, several ink-black flying shuttles floated above the market. Among them was one particularly flashy red boat with a banner flag planted on it.

“The [Foundation Establishment] formal disciples are here!”

“We either walk or use [Paper Cranes]. Look at them!”

Like those around him, Jiang Chen looked up. The flying shuttles were small inside, fitting only a few people. The red boat was different; it was several times larger.

Then they saw, surrounded by a group of formal disciples, the core disciple from atop the red boat drift down to land. Purple robes stood out like a crane among chickens amidst all the white robes.

Jiang Chen observed carefully. The pattern embroidered on this core disciple’s chest was unique. A triangular mountain with one character written in vigorous strokes: ‘Fu’ (Talisman). It seemed somewhat related to the [Rain Pavilion] but different.

At that moment, someone nearby explained, “So it’s Core Disciple Chen Tian who awakened three spiritual roots.”

Jiang Chen couldn’t help asking, “Fellow Daoist, why is his chest pattern different from ours?”

The person next to him explained, “Because core disciples all have masters. And those immortal elders all live on our [Cloud Sea Sect]’s immortal mountains.”

Another added, “This triangular mountain with one 【Fu】 character represents both the mountain shape and the master’s lineage.”

“‘Fu’—doesn’t that mean he’s very skilled at drawing talismans?” Jiang Chen speculated.

Someone nearby agreed deeply, “This Chen Tian isn’t just a genius with mutually generating Gold, Water, and Wood three spiritual roots. His master is our [Cloud Sea Sect]’s Talisman Dao [Grandmaster] [Nascent Soul True Lord] [Grandmaster Shui]!”

Jiang Chen could tell many people envied Core Disciple Chen Tian greatly. After all, [Outer Peak] disciples and formal disciples generally held low status. Only by becoming a core disciple did one have a slim chance to glimpse immortal fate. That’s why the Formal Disciple Competition was so popular.

“Isn’t that… [Senior Brother] Chen Bo?” Jiang Chen exclaimed in surprise.

He noticed standing beside Chen Tian an acquaintance—Chen Bo, who had helped him multiple times at the outer area of the [Spirit Farm]. Judging from the positioning, the other party was clearly closer to Chen Tian. After all, there were many formal disciples around stronger than Chen Bo.

“Hmm?” Sensing someone watching him, Chen Bo instinctively looked over. Upon seeing the familiar face, he was also stunned momentarily, not expecting to meet him here.

Chen Tian, seeing this, asked, “Cousin, what’s wrong?”

Chen Bo replied, “Saw an acquaintance.”

Chen Tian, hearing this, smiled and asked, “Need to wait for you?”

Admittedly, he did have some connection to Jiang Chen, but the relationship between the two hadn’t reached that level yet. Moreover, his cousin came to the [Red Leaf Valley] market with urgent business. Therefore, he just nodded toward Jiang Chen, acknowledging the greeting.

Then, the group led by Chen Tian continued forward, soon arriving at the [Harvest Alliance] trading point entrance. Inside, nearly ten people quickly came out to welcome him.

“I wondered who honored us with a visit! Turns out it’s [Senior Brother] Lingbi ah!” The leader was a Wood spiritual root female disciple with exquisite features and a slender figure, accompanied by several handsome Water spiritual root male [Fellow Daoists] beside her.

Chen Tian teased, “Long time no see! Your [Fellow Daoists] have changed again, ah.”

Su Qing smiled slightly, “These spirit plants change yearly too!”

Meaning her [Fellow Daoists] were like the spirit plants in the field; when their time was up or she grew tired, she would replace them with a new batch. Anyway, there was never a lack of handsome guys among the disciples every year.

Then, Chen Tian followed Su Qing and entered the [Harvest Alliance] trading point.

The crowd watching gradually dispersed.

“Could Chen Tian have come to purchase resources?” Jiang Chen pondered thoughtfully.

This showed how fierce the resource competition was now; even a core disciple had to come to the [Harvest Alliance] to seek help. Therefore, if he wanted to earn more, especially to associate with people of that level, he couldn’t just plant [Spirit Rice]. He must have indispensable spirit plants that others lacked.

Jiang Chen was not a stubborn person. When he needed to lay low, he did so. But opportunities must be grasped firmly. He already decided that for the spring planting, he would not only plant [Spirit Rice]. Only by striving to enhance his self-worth could he avoid being controlled by people like Wang Hu, and even possibly negotiate with a behemoth like the [Harvest Alliance].

Time reached evening.

Jiang Chen took the flying [Paper Crane] and returned to the [Spirit Farm] core area.

This trip was immensely fruitful in terms of both gains and broadening his horizons.

His home was unchanged since leaving, everywhere covered in thick snow.

After settling everything, he finally released the little yellow dog from the Spirit Beast Ring. The little thing, having moved to a strange place, looked nervous, constantly surveying its surroundings.

“Don’t pee everywhere, okay!”

“When it’s not cold anymore, you have to go outside and watch the fields!”

Jiang Chen reached out and stroked the little fellow’s furry head, then started preparing the evening meal.

Because he had an extra pet—and a spirit beast at that—the portion was slightly larger than before. Anyway, with several hundred jin of [Tier-2 Spirit Rice] on him, he fundamentally didn’t worry about food.

Snowflakes drifted slowly from the sky. The whole world was colder and darker. In the dim, simple wooden hut, at the narrow dining table, one person and one dog were eating [Tier-2 Spirit Rice] and drinking [Tier-1 Spirit Wine]. Although it was somewhat solitary and monotonous, it had a unique flavor.

“Toast myself a cup! I’ll work harder next year.” Jiang Chen raised his cup, drank, and smacked his lips, feeling the spreading alcohol in his mouth.

“Woof woof!” The little fellow barked twice, excitedly wagging its tail.

“Okay, toast you a cup too! Watch the house well from now on!” Jiang Chen grinned, then refilled his cup and lightly clinked it against the dog’s water bowl.

Thus, cup after cup, he didn’t eat much food, but he certainly drank his fill. He had originally planned to stay up to celebrate the New Year, but before long, he felt completely dizzy and fell asleep.

“Fellow Daoist Jiang!” Not long after, someone’s calling voice came from outside.