A massive shadow eclipsed the sun, casting a darkness over the field ridge. A pink eye, the size of a lantern, stared down from above at the diminutive human standing amidst the crops.

“Junior Brother Jiang, long time no see!”

Long Ao’s boisterous voice rang out from the crane’s back. In a blur of motion, he leaped down, landing steadily on the soft earth in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Chen cupped his hands in a respectful salute, smiling. “Senior Brother Long, it has been a while. Has the Striving Crossing Grand Assembly concluded?”

Long Ao nodded slightly, dusting off his robes. “It ended yesterday. I rushed back today.”

Jiang Chen gestured toward his wooden hut. ” You’ve had a long journey. Would you like to come in and sit?”

Long Ao waved his hand dismissively. “I can’t stay long.”

His gaze swept over the two acres of Spirit Farm surrounding them.

Once a Spirit Farmer broke through to the early Foundation Establishment stage, the sect granted them an acre of Second-Grade land. On the left, Jiang Chen had planted a large quantity of Spirit Rice and various vegetables—his baseline for survival. On the right, the field was filled with heat-emitting [Golden Crow Vines] on the periphery, guarding the crescent-shaped [Moonlight Grass] within—his source of wealth.

One acre for stability, one acre for fortune. It was the standard ambition of every pragmatic farmer.

Jiang Chen blinked, sensing there was more to this visit. “Senior Brother Long, did you come all this way just to find me for something specific?”

Long Ao puffed out his chest. “Of course! I came to celebrate your success in reaching Foundation Establi—”

“He’s been muttering about your Spirit Wine for the last three hundred miles,” a sharp, haughty voice interrupted from behind.

Storm Crane 7 preened its feathers, shooting its master a look of disdain.

Long Ao’s weathered face flushed a deep crimson. He coughed awkwardly. “Ahem… well, Junior Brother Jiang’s Spirit Wine is indeed unique throughout the entire Cloud Sea Sect.”

“Ha, is that all? It’s just Spirit Wine.” Jiang Chen chuckled, relieved it wasn’t a serious matter. He spread his right hand, and a pre-packaged jin of Top-quality Spirit Rice Wine appeared in his palm.

He continued to brew the Top-quality grade for precisely this reason—to maintain strong ties with powerful allies. His storage space was always stocked for such occasions.

“Here, a taste for Senior Brother.”

Long Ao stared at the jar, momentarily stunned by Jiang Chen’s casual generosity. He hesitated, then shook his head. “This Senior Brother won’t take your wine for free. I placed in the top ten at the [Thousand Sails Striving Crossing Grand Assembly]. The reward was a superior-grade spiritual artifact.”

He raised his hand, revealing not a common Storage Bag, nor the trendy [Jade Green Gourd], but a small, exquisite gray-black Storage Ring—a true symbol of status.

With a thought, two items materialized in his hands.

Jiang Chen looked them over.

In Long Ao’s left hand was the [Azure Dragon Tether], a rope woven from dragon whiskers and spirit vines. It pulsed with the terrifying baleful aura of a flood dragon and emitted rich Water Spiritual Power.

In his right hand sat a small, nondescript wooden doll, carved in the shape of a human. It looked completely ordinary.

Seeing the confusion in Jiang Chen’s eyes, Long Ao explained, “On the way back, I ran into a fool who also placed in the top ten. He actually tried to rob me. So, he was… well, you understand.”

Jiang Chen understood instantly. The loot of the victor. “What is the wooden one?”

“This item is called a [Wood Spirit Puppet],” Long Ao introduced. “It’s a product of the Yan Arts. You simply infuse it with Wood Spiritual Power, and it enlarges to assist you with simple tasks.”

Jiang Chen nodded slowly. Yan Arts. He had read about this in the sect archives; it was a novel form of mechanism puppetry that had gained popularity in the last millennium.

Long Ao spoke magnanimously, “Junior Brother Jiang, you possess a Wood Spirit Root, so the [Wood Spirit Puppet] is the obvious choice. However, if you prefer the offensive power of the [Azure Dragon Tether], that is also fine.”

I already have better, Long Ao thought to himself. My own tether is thousand-year grade.

He had participated in the competition purely to give Zhao Qianyun face. Rather than letting these rewards gather dust in his ring, gifting one to Jiang Chen would solidify their friendship. It would also make asking for wine less awkward in the future.

In matters of social reciprocity, Jiang Chen never disappointed. He pointed decisively. “I choose the [Wood Spirit Puppet].”

The [Azure Dragon Tether] required Water Spiritual Power, making it perfect for Long Ao, who possessed dual Water and Wood roots. For Jiang Chen, it would be useless junk to be sold off. The puppet, however, promised labor efficiency.

Long Ao handed over the wooden doll.

Jiang Chen accepted it, but then, to Long Ao’s surprise, he withdrew the one-jin jar of wine he had offered earlier.

Long Ao blinked, confused. “Junior Brother?”

Jiang Chen chuckled, shaking his head. “For such a valuable gift, if I only gave Senior Brother Long one jin of wine, I would be far too stingy.”

Without another word, he turned and walked into his wooden hut.

Moments later, he emerged, effortlessly carrying a large ceramic vat.

“Twenty jin,” Jiang Chen said, placing the heavy vat down. “Top-quality Spirit Wine.”

Long Ao’s eyes lit up, his throat bobbing slightly. “Junior Brother Jiang… you really are… quite considerate!”

“If you finish it, just send a message via Communication Talisman,” Jiang Chen said with a calm smile. “I will have it delivered directly to Beast Mountain.”

Long Ao swept the vat into his storage ring, a broad grin plastered across his face. “No need to trouble yourself. If I finish it, I’ll come personally when I have time. Or I’ll send Crane Seven.”

“Hmph!” Storm Crane 7 let out a proud snort, though its gaze lingered on where the wine had disappeared.

They chatted idly for a few moments longer before Long Ao, citing the need to prepare for the upcoming [Formal Disciple Grand Competition], bid his farewells.

The enormous white crane launched into the sky, its wings stirring up a gale as it vanished beyond the horizon in a flash of white lightning.

Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze and looked down at the wooden doll in his hand.

If this thing worked as advertised, his daily routine was about to change. No more waking up at dawn to shovel Da Huang’s and the chickens’ manure. No more trekking to the distant spring for clean water.

Automation, Jiang Chen thought fondly. The ultimate dream of any farmer.

“It’s a rare Yan Art puppet,” he muttered. “Don’t disappoint me.”

He channeled his Wood Spiritual Power into the doll.

Click.

A mechanical sound resonated from within the wood. The puppet seemed to awaken, vibrating in his hand. As he tossed it onto the ridge, it began to expand, wooden gears and joints interlocking with a fluid, organic grace.

In moments, the tiny doll grew into a two-meter-tall construct. It resembled a stiff, green-skinned treant, its surface smooth like polished jade. Its eyes were carved simple circles, giving it a look of profound, vacuous “intelligence”—a look that rivaled Da Huang’s on a slow day.

It stood motionless, a silent sentinel.

“Right, the imprint,” Jiang Chen remembered.

He bit his finger and pressed a drop of blood onto the puppet’s forehead, simultaneously stamping it with his Divine Sense.

Hum.

The dual imprint settled. The puppet’s wooden eyes suddenly flared with an emerald-green light.

Instantly, Jiang Chen felt a mental tether connect him to the construct. It was similar to the bond with a spiritual artifact or a spirit beast—obedient, hollow, waiting for input.

A deep, resonant voice grated from the puppet’s wooden jaw.

“Master.”

Jiang Chen looked the hulking construct up and down, nodding in satisfaction.

“From now on, your name is [Fortress],” Jiang Chen commanded. “Your duties are to guard the Spirit Farm, clear the weeds, and clean up the dung from the dog and chickens. Additionally, you will travel to the distant spring to fetch clean water daily.”

Fortress’s emerald eyes burned like torches. It nodded stiffly but with vigorous force.

“Yes, Master!”