This seemingly small green wooden boat was surprisingly heavy, weighing at least several hundred jin.

Chen Bo said in a deep voice, “Infuse it with your blood and then leave a spiritual power imprint. That will allow you to freely control this [Demon Wood Boat].”

Jiang Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this, then forced a drop of blood from his middle finger.

The moment the blood dripped onto the surface of the Demon Wood Boat, it visibly seeped inward at a rapid pace, even emitting fine bubbles.

Subsequently, the demon boat began to shake violently, whimpering and groaning as if it had come to life.

“Spiritual power imprint,” Chen Bo hurriedly reminded him.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen dared not be careless and hastily released his own spiritual power, injecting it into the boat.

The moment the blood and spiritual power merged, an imprint unique to him was immediately formed.

If someone else were to obtain this [Demon Wood Boat], there would only be two ways to use it: destroy the imprint, or destroy the boat itself.

At the same time, Jiang Chen felt a strand of consciousness seemingly detach itself, merging with the boat in his hand. All information regarding the vessel became clear and distinct.

[Demon Wood Boat]

Effect 1: Advanced Wind Control

Effect 2: Advanced Water Avoidance

Effect 3: Advanced Sturdiness

Effect 4: Devour and Grow

Special Effect: Locks onto location upon sensing demonic aura

Jiang Chen smiled. “It really is a good item.”

Chen Bo gave a slight nod. “This boat was found by my cousin in the nest of a thousand-year great demon he slew. Its quality is certainly excellent.”

The reason Chen Tian was being so generous was obvious. This gift alone was enough to show he was going all in on Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, how are these demons judged by their rank?”

Chen Bo immediately explained, “Demons are not like us cultivators. Their realms are divided by their cultivation age. Around a hundred years makes a minor demon; around a thousand years, a great demon. Those with several thousand years of cultivation are called Demon Kings, and those with ten thousand years are revered as Demon Emperors. Above that, there are Immortal Demon Gods, and even Supreme Progenitors.”

“Hiss.” Jiang Chen drew in a sharp breath.

Put that way, demons sounded utterly terrifying. Since the Rust Empire was situated in the central region, didn’t that mean it was in deep trouble?

Chen Bo’s expression gradually turned serious, his tone grave. “Junior Brother, we spirit farmers have the protection of the immortal sect, so we don’t realize how dangerous the outside world is. Humans and demons have been locked in constant slaughter, their relationship as incompatible as fire and water. Demons treat humans as food; consuming them increases their cultivation age. Meanwhile, humans need the core parts of demons to break through their own realms. This trip really broadened my horizons.”

Jiang Chen’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this.

He resolved never to wander around recklessly in the future. At most, he would go to the rogue cultivator market to sell some Spirit Rice. The outside world was too dangerous. It was better to stay honestly within the immortal sect and farm.

Chen Bo suddenly remembered something. “As for this second item, Senior Brother currently cannot give it to you.”

“Why?” Jiang Chen showed a puzzled look.

Chen Bo shrugged. “My cousin wants to give you a Wood-attribute Demon Core, but he hasn’t found a suitable one yet. I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until he returns.”

Jiang Chen waved his hand. “I’m in no hurry for that.”

Jiang Chen then grinned. “Senior Brother, please!”

All other Spirit Rice plants had already been dealt with. Only this Golden Spirit Rice plant remained, “standing alone in its splendor.”

Chen Bo naturally knew how to transplant it and immediately walked over. Before long, he had dug up the plant. Then, after exchanging greetings with Jiang Chen, he stepped onto his Paper Crane and left.

Watching Senior Brother Chen’s hurriedly departing figure, Jiang Chen opened the small storage pouch and took a peek inside.

One hundred seeds of Golden Spirit Rice emitted a dazzling golden halo.

Would he give them away? He would definitely give some. But the value of Golden Spirit Rice was so high that he absolutely had to keep a portion for himself. Only next time, he would have to sell them elsewhere. The rogue cultivator market in Green City was a good choice.

Next, Jiang Chen stored away the [Demon Wood Boat] and summoned his Paper Crane.

Although he had a new means of transportation—one that was better in every aspect, such as speed and defense—keeping a low profile was key. He needed to minimize his presence as much as possible and avoid drawing attention.

He controlled the Paper Crane to fly toward the [Core Management Office].

Upon arrival, he saw spirit farmers everywhere.

Jiang Chen submitted 1,500 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice, smoothly obtaining 375 contribution points. Added to his previous accumulation, his total reached 1,600 points.

Elder Mu quickly recognized him. “It’s you!”

Jiang Chen inquired respectfully, “Can I directly collect rice seedlings for a whole year?”

Elder Mu replied, “As long as you can preserve them properly, of course you can.”

In fact, it wasn’t even strictly necessary to collect spirit seedlings here. Many spirit farmers cultivated them privately. Collecting from the Management Office was just for convenience.

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up. “That’s good.”

With the Green Lotus Domain, the spirit plants he cultivated would mature earlier. Others planted four times a year; he could manage five. Seemingly just one extra harvest, but that actually meant an extra 4,000 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice. And that wasn’t even counting vegetables.

Elder Mu asked with a smile, “What realm are you at now?”

Jiang Chen replied, “Late-stage Qi Condensation.”

Elder Mu gave a slight nod before asking again, “What about the Evergreen Art?”

This cultivation speed could only be considered normal among spirit farmers—not too fast, not too slow. Only his cultivation art level was relatively outstanding; one could even say unique. Basically, formal disciples all learned the Spirit Growth Art. However, since this person could grow Top-quality Spirit Rice, these weren’t issues anymore.

Elder Mu kindly reminded him, “When you get stuck at the Qi Condensation Perfection stage later on, you can go buy a Foundation Establishment Pill from the [Pill Alliance].”

Elder Mu absolutely couldn’t imagine that the person before him had already reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Jiang Chen had skipped directly from late-stage Qi Condensation over Qi Condensation Perfection—not only without obstacles, but incredibly smoothly.

Afterward, Jiang Chen went to collect rice seedlings for one year.

This visit, seemingly just to consult Elder Mu, was actually a test of the Green Lotus Art’s special effect.

[Special Effect Five: Reduces aura emitted by oneself, fluctuations caused by realm]

In other words, as long as one didn’t deliberately leak it out, even existences with higher realms would find it hard to detect the user’s true level. From how things looked now, unless Elder Mu was acting, he indeed hadn’t noticed.

After collecting the spring seedlings, just as Jiang Chen reached the palace entrance, two people walked toward him.

They were very familiar: Zhao Ziyao and Zhao Ying.

All three were outer peak disciples who had become formal members in the same batch.

Jiang Chen originally thought these two would pretend not to know him. After all, things hadn’t been pleasant last time at the Red Leaf Valley market.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ying took the initiative to greet him. “Fellow Daoist Jiang!”

Even Zhao Ziyao nodded with a smile. “Good afternoon.”

It was clear both were in good spirits. However, the three didn’t converse much and soon passed each other by.

Jiang Chen summoned his Paper Crane and immediately flew toward home.

Yet, upon arrival, he found two people outside his house. Both were unfamiliar faces, a man and a woman who looked quite young.

One was a disciple of the [Rain Pavilion]. The other had a purple lightning pattern on their chest.

Da Huang barked frantically while running around along the field ridges, trying to escape. Behind him, the female Rain Pavilion disciple held a blade of dogtail grass, chasing excitedly. “Little doggy, don’t run! Let auntie pet you!”

The male disciple watched with a speechless expression, the corner of his mouth twitching occasionally.

“Who might you two be?” Jiang Chen landed his Paper Crane, feeling very wary inside.

At this moment, the male disciple turned around. While scrutinizing him up and down with an examining gaze, he introduced himself. “I am Lei Wei from the Thunder Woods. That is Wang Bing from the Rain Pavilion. We are both members of the Punishment Department!”

Jiang Chen looked astonished and couldn’t help asking, “What do you want with me?”

Lei Wei countered sharply, “What is your relationship with fellow spirit farmer Wang Hu?!”