With a creak, the brown wooden door was pulled open from the inside.

Instantly, a bitingly cold wind carrying dense, swirling snow rushed into the room. The floor was visibly covered with a layer of frost at a rapid pace. In an instant, the temperature inside the room plummeted.

Da Huang and the pearl chickens, who had been sleeping in, were jolted awake by the cold. The dog and the chickens quickly huddled together, leaning against each other for warmth.

Jiang Chen poked his head out to glance outside.

Everything was white as far as the eye could see, without a trace of any other color. Everything in the world seemed frozen. A bone-chilling wind howled, whoosh whoosh. Goose-feather snow fell, rustle rustle.

“This year’s snow came a bit later than last year’s,” Jiang Chen remarked with a sigh.

Fortunately, he was completely unaffected. For those with a Wood Spiritual Root, summer was the hardest season to endure, with its unbearable heat. Spring, autumn, and winter were actually quite comfortable in comparison.

Moreover, his cultivation realm had now reached the late stage of Qi Condensation. After this period of improvement, the spiritual energy within his body had grown to seven strands. At this rate, he might be able to break through to Foundation Establishment on the day of the [Spiritual Energy Tide].

Jiang Chen closed the brown wooden door again.

The clamor from outside abruptly ceased. The wind and snow that had been rushing in seemed to have met a closed door.

Glancing at the two little ones still shivering, Jiang Chen moved the portable stove from the corner over. Although he didn’t need it himself, they desperately needed it right now. Of course, he might as well roast a few sweet potatoes while he was at it.

He tossed a small amount of dry grass and wood shavings into the stove. Soon, orange flames quickly consumed the dry grass and shavings. The fire grew stronger, and the temperature gradually rose.

The chill that had invaded the room gradually weakened without its “reinforcements.”

One moment Da Huang and the pearl chickens were huddled together for warmth. The next moment, they separated with looks of disdain for each other.

“Your friendship is truly short-lived,” Jiang Chen shook his head upon seeing this, then headed toward the kitchen to start preparing today’s breakfast.

After that, he planned to go out for New Year’s visits. Tie Zhu and Jin Fugui were a bit far away. Lin Yu wasn’t at that level of closeness yet. He hadn’t been in contact with the Luo siblings for several months now. Currently, there was only one person left to visit for New Year’s greetings.

Half an hour later, after finishing breakfast, Jiang Chen opened the door again.

The sky was still gloomy and gray. Heavy snow continued to fall, covering everything layer upon layer, burying all traces of the past deep beneath it.

Jiang Chen took out his Paper Crane and soared into the air from where he stood. As he flew along, he suddenly pulled out a bamboo hat and put it on his head. No particular reason—snow was getting in his eyes.

Although the Paper Crane offered great value for money, it unfortunately provided neither shelter from wind nor protection from rain. Fortunately, it was still faster than walking.

Before long, he arrived near Chen Bo’s Spirit Farm.

Jiang Chen stood outside the fence gate and called inside, “Senior Brother!”

“Who is it?” Someone coming to visit so early in the morning greatly surprised Chen Bo.

Seeing his visitor braving the heavy snow, Chen Bo quickened his pace while asking with a look of astonishment, “What brings you here so early?”

Once the fence gate opened, Jiang Chen handed over a prepared jin of Tier-2 Spirit Wine and explained, “I came to pay New Year’s respects!”

Jiang Chen asked with a smile, “Senior Brother doesn’t need to go home for New Year’s visits?”

Chen Bo shook his head and said wistfully, “It’s been many years since I last went home after my parents passed away.”

Normally, cultivation families should be united and caring. But ever since his cousin Chen Tian’s branch rose to prominence, the atmosphere suddenly changed. All sorts of schemes and deceptions. You plot against me; I plot against you. Home no longer felt like home; there wasn’t a trace of warmth to be felt.

The people at home also became increasingly devoid of human feeling. They never showed concern; they only knew how to take. After becoming utterly disappointed with his family, Chen Bo never went back.

Jiang Chen could sense the emptiness in this person’s heart and immediately said, “From now on, I’ll come visit you here every year for New Year’s greetings.”

“That would be good.” A gratified smile appeared on Chen Bo’s face; he was quite moved inside.

Afterward, the two entered the house.

“Junior Brother, have a seat. I’ll go prepare some food.” Having said that, Chen Bo headed toward the kitchen.

Jiang Chen sat on a hard chair and looked around curiously. The interior was very simple. Only the most basic table and chairs—that was all.

It seemed Chen Bo wasn’t interested in many things.

In contrast, Wang Ze enjoyed life to its fullest. All sorts of antiques and paintings filled his house everywhere you looked—a dazzling array. These two people were complete opposites.

Before long, Chen Bo brought out some food.

Jiang Chen took one look at it, and his mouth twitched several times. It looked more like snacks to go with drinks than actual food. It seemed this jin of Tier-2 Spirit Wine wouldn’t “survive” past today.

“Why aren’t you eating anything?” Chen Bo asked puzzledly.

Jiang Chen gave an awkward laugh. “Back in my hometown, when we pay New Year’s visits, we get red envelopes.”

Chen Bo was taken aback, then said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, “How much do you want?”

Rubbing his hands together excitedly, Jiang Chen said, “Senior Brother can decide whatever amount feels right; anyway, I wouldn’t mind as little as one Low-grade Spirit Stone or as much as one Mid-grade Spirit Stone.”

Hearing this, Chen Bo nodded, then took out one Mid-grade Spirit Stone from his storage pouch.

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up; he hadn’t expected such generosity! However, just as Chen Bo handed over the Spirit Stone, he suddenly pulled his hand back again!

“Huh?” Jiang Chen looked at him incredulously!

But looking very serious now, Chen Bo said, “I suddenly think, compared to Spirit Stones, something else should be more helpful to Junior Brother!”

Very curious now, Jiang Chen asked, “What thing?”

Chen Bo took out a book and handed it over while explaining, “This book, called Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms, records details of various spirit plants and various unexpected situations! You’ve only joined core spirit farming for one year; you probably don’t know much about many things yet!”

Jiang Chen immediately took the book, quite excitedly saying, “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

This was exactly what he urgently needed! Otherwise, he would always have to bother others!

A flicker of cunning flashed through Chen Bo’s eyes! As everyone knows, one Mid-grade Spirit Stone equals 100 Low-grade ones! And this Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms sells outside for the price of 10 Low-grade ones!

Jiang Chen excitedly flipped through the pages! Soon, he found useful content!

[How to avoid spring bugs]

Answer: Turn the soil during cold winter temperatures!

Why? Because insect eggs will freeze and die!

By noon, it was time to leave! Not because he was mooching food and got chased away by Chen Bo! But because female array master Tie Xin had notified him!

Today, she was installing the array formation! Therefore, he had to return home early!

About half an hour later, Tie Xin indeed arrived!

You have to say, array masters really are rich people! Others use Paper Cranes or spirit beasts! She actually rides a black flying shuttlecraft instead!

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but ask, “It’s snowing heavily; are you sure you want to install the array formation?”

Tie Xin put away the shuttlecraft, then said smilingly, “Isn’t this taking care of our own people?”

“You sure?” He looked at her suspiciously, expression full of doubt!

Tie Xin’s smile faded, and she gave an annoyed eye roll, saying, “Alright fine! The reason I came to find you is because I ran out of wine to drink!”

Jiang Chen exclaimed, shocked, “That was five jin of Spirit Wine, though!”

“Five jin is a lot?” She snorted disdainfully, curling her lip scornfully, and waved her hand impatiently, saying, “Stop the nonsense! Which low-level array formation do you want to install?”

Snapped back, Jiang Chen pondered. “The insect-killing one, called Gold… what again?”

Although he got Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms from Senior Brother Chen, he still must install the array formation, since it was more reliable and safer!