This trip would take at least a year or more. It was even uncertain when they would return.

Jiang Chen didn’t mind this. Time held no meaning for him. A few farming cycles would pass in the blink of an eye.

The only thing that puzzled Jiang Chen, even leaving him somewhat astonished, was this:

Since Chen Tian was not short of people around him, why did Chen Bo still bring him along? Even to the point of making him a so-called “insider”?

After all, if Chen Tian lacked Spirit Rice or any other spirit plants, he could simply get it done by finding Su Qing. If that didn’t work, he could always have Chen Bo spend time cultivating it.

In contrast, Jiang Chen had only just joined the core of the Spirit Farm barely a year ago. He had merely completed one transaction involving eight hundred jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice.

Yet, he had actually become a member of Chen Tian’s team. This was simply too absurd.

To put it bluntly, there were so many formal disciples in the Spirit Farm. There were even a large number of Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmers. How did it come to be Jiang Chen’s turn, someone who superficially was only at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation?

Therefore, this made him harbor suspicions toward Chen Bo, and even Chen Tian, in his heart.

But asking directly was certainly not an option. He could only take one step at a time and see how things developed.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you back first,” Chen Bo called out.

Jiang Chen had originally planned to find Lin Yu to arrange a time for the rain. But it was too late; he estimated she was already resting. He could only abandon that idea and jump onto the Paper Crane with Chen Bo.

The two were silent throughout the journey, neither speaking. Chen Bo seemed preoccupied, keeping his head down in thought.

Under the night sky, countless stars twinkled incessantly. From time to time, a fleeting meteor could be seen.

Fire Peak remained its usual self. Fireballs fell continuously, day and night.

Beast Mountain was much quieter. Only occasionally would a beast’s roar ring out.

Finally, the two returned to the core area of the Spirit Farm. Chen Bo was very responsible, first taking Jiang Chen home. Then he controlled the Paper Crane to fly toward his own Spirit Farm.

Watching the other’s figure gradually disappear into the darkness of night, Jiang Chen’s gaze was profound.

“What exactly is Senior Brother Chen planning?”

He was not a foolish person. After witnessing just how outstanding Chen Tian was and how many followers he had, he realized that his own ability to become a member of that team was truly outrageous!

Although this certainly had a lot to do with Chen Bo, this stroke of luck made Jiang Chen not excited in the least; instead, he was very wary.

It was the same principle as pies not falling from the sky for no reason. People also wouldn’t show such goodwill to an outsider without cause.

What he feared was that the Spirit Stones might not be easy to earn. What he feared was that being an “insider” might not be easy to handle.

Several days passed in a flash, and nothing much happened otherwise.

Seeing the temperature rise higher and higher, summer was approaching soon. He had someone find time to come and loosen the soil.

Having learned from the experience of spring, he decided to still focus on yield as his starting point. Of course, because there was a small cultivable area under the stone mountain, he would definitely need to cultivate some additional spirit plants as well. But on the surface, it would still be Spirit Rice cultivation.

“Senior Brother Jiang!” Tie Zhu arrived around noon.

Jiang Chen went out to greet him. “You came quite quickly.”

Tie Zhu grinned. “Whenever Senior Brother calls, this Junior Brother will never delay.”

Compared to the unreliability of Lin An and others, this one before him was more “fragrant”. Although fifty jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice wasn’t much, at least the source was stable enough. It wouldn’t lead to an awkward situation where there was some this time but none next time.

Jiang Chen didn’t stand on ceremony either, pointing at the spirit field. “Then let’s begin.”

However, Tie Zhu waved his hand. “Before we start, let me show Senior Brother something good first.”

“Oh?” Hearing this, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but look Tie Zhu up and down.

Tie Zhu moved closer and pulled something out from his small storage pouch. “Senior Brother needed techniques, right? This is one I obtained at the rogue cultivator market a few days ago.”

Jiang Chen took it. It was a thin booklet. There were some blurry characters on it. He immediately started flipping through it and found it was actually a high-level technique.

But seeing the end, he froze.

It turned out this wasn’t complete; it was a fragmentary manual.

Tie Zhu scratched his head. “I do have a few low-level techniques, but I thought Senior Brother would probably want a high-level one more. Even though it’s a fragment, the seller said the effect of the first layer is also very powerful.”

Jiang Chen wasn’t angry but nodded instead. “You’ve worked hard, Junior Brother.”

Having something was better than nothing. After all, he had taken risks going to the rogue cultivator market. Therefore, there was no need for him to be picky.

Seeing this, Tie Zhu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Then he started rummaging in his small storage pouch again. “After buying this fragmentary manual, there were ten jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice left…”

Jiang Chen stopped him. “Keep the rest as compensation for your trouble.”

“Ah?” Tie Zhu was very surprised, even somewhat excited.

Although it was only ten jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice, at the current market rate, whether selling it or exchanging it for Tier-1 Spirit Rice would actually be quite profitable.

Jiang Chen put away Ironwood Armor properly and then smiled. “Begin your performance.”

Tie Zhu didn’t waste words either and immediately took off his shoes. With last time’s experience, he came fully prepared this time.

But strangely, the Yin cold underground now wasn’t very intense. Although he could still feel it, he could endure much longer than the first time.

And so, Tie Zhu loosened the soil in the spirit field while Jiang Chen supervised from above. When thirsty, he drank water. When tired, he rested.

Half a shichen later, the soil loosening was complete.

Jiang Chen took out a contract talisman. “Same as before. You’ll receive fifty jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice as payment after summer ends.”

Tie Zhu quickly said, “I trust Senior Brother, so there’s no need for a talisman contract.”

Jiang Chen knew the other wanted to build closer ties but still insisted. “This is for your protection. What if my summer yield is low?”

After signing the talisman contract, Tie Zhu left the place.

But his direction wasn’t out of the spirit fields. Actually, he still had to help others loosen soil; he just came to Jiang Chen’s place first.

In the following days, Jiang Chen continuously practiced Ironwood Armor, the high-level technique fragmentary manual Tie Zhu brought from the rogue cultivator market.

Even if he could only cultivate to the first layer, it would be worth it. After all, this was a defensive technique.

According to its description, even achieving just the first layer would cover one’s body with a layer of ironwood armor, capable of withstanding several hundred jin of piercing force. It even had effects like fire resistance and metal resistance.

But it must be said that learning high-level techniques progressed very slowly. To complete it at the fastest speed, it was best paired with expert-grade Spirit Wine.

Therefore, Jiang Chen started brewing wine.

This time he didn’t use Tier-1 Spirit Rice but one hundred jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice. The quality would thus improve accordingly.

Very soon—in just three days—it already began producing Spirit Wine. Although the quantity wasn’t large yet, this was just the beginning; production would continue steadily afterward.

Jiang Chen took a small sip and immediately widened his eyes.

(Effect One: Increases spiritual energy absorption speed by 30% for one shichen)

(Effect Two: Reduces spiritual energy consumption by 20% when operating Wood-element techniques)

(Effect Three: Increases comprehension speed for low-level techniques by 25% while slightly intoxicated)

(Effect Four: Increases comprehension speed for high-level techniques by 10% while slightly intoxicated)

(Negative Effect One: Long-term consumption will continuously reduce reaction speed)

(Negative Effect Two: Long-term consumption will cause damage to internal organs)

While the negative effects remained unchanged, all positive effects were enhanced!