The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

On the flight back, Jiang Chen’s mind stirred. With a flick of his wrist, the three Communication Talismans he had received from Chen Bo—contact information for three other potential female suitors—materialized in his palm.

He didn’t even deign to look at the names.

Mobilizing the Fire Spirit Qi in his dantian, his palm grew searing hot. With a sharp hiss, the paper talismans curled and blackened, disintegrating into ash under the high temperature. A gust of wind caught the remnants, scattering them into the void without a trace.

Encountering a woman like Zhao Yingli on his first blind date had thoroughly killed his interest in the others. Keeping them would only serve as a distraction from his farming. It was better to burn bridges now and end the matter once and for all.

Soon, Jiang Chen returned to his Spirit Farm.

It was exactly as he had left it. Fortress patrolled diligently, his heavy footsteps crunching in a rhythmic circle around the perimeter. Da Huang and the Pearl Chickens remained huddled in their warm nests, too lazy to brave the cold. The five Fire Crows circled in the sky, occasionally drifting far afield to scout.

As for the crops, aside from the harvested Moonlight Grass and Golden Crow Vine, the Spirit Rice, vegetables, and Spirit Clover were thriving in the winter chill, promising maturity in just a few days.

An hour later, Jiang Chen was in the middle of accelerating the growth of his crops with the [Green Lotus Domain] when the Fire Crows above let out a sharp caw.

He immediately closed his eyes, tapping into the shared vision. Through the bird’s eyes, he saw Wang Ze speeding toward the farm on a flying artifact, trailed by a team of Earth Spirit Root disciples.

Jiang Chen was surprised. “What is he doing here?”

He quickly stowed the Companion Green Lotus. Moments later, Wang Ze landed outside the fence. Before he even dismounted, he called out, “Junior Brother Jiang!”

Jiang Chen walked out slowly. “Senior Brother, why have you come?”

Seeing Jiang Chen’s somewhat cold demeanor, Wang Ze’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly adopted an apologetic expression, bowing slightly. “What happened earlier was entirely this Senior Brother’s fault. I failed to vet the guests properly.”

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. “I understand Senior Brother had good intentions. I just hope there won’t be a next time.”

“Rest assured,” Wang Ze nodded vigorously, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cold. “There will absolutely not be a next time.”

A year ago, Wang Ze would never have been this humble. But times had changed. The young man before him was no longer the clueless newcomer who had just joined the Spirit Farm core area. Now, Jiang Chen had the genius Chen Tian as a backer and had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, placing them on equal footing in the sect’s hierarchy.

Seeing Wang Ze’s sincerity, Jiang Chen’s attitude softened. “Let’s consider this matter closed. You and Senior Sister Wu shouldn’t dwell on it either.”

At the mention of his wife, Wang Ze’s face darkened, his voice dripping with disdain. “Without me, would Wu Xi’er even be qualified to call herself your Senior Sister?”

He stepped closer, eager to explain. “I swear to you, I didn’t know that junior alchemist named Zhao Yingli at all. I never even saw that woman at the Spirit Farm meet-and-greet.”

Jiang Chen frowned. “Then… why did she do this?”

Wang Ze sneered. “Her family in the mortal world offended a major figure in the Moon Empire. Coincidentally, the Mo Clan was looking for a Wood Spirit Root son-in-law for their third daughter to secure a pill supply chain. The two parties hit it off, leading to the ambush earlier.”

He took a deep breath. “I have already kicked Wu Xi’er out. Someone who exploits the friendship between us brothers for personal gain doesn’t deserve to stay by my side.”

Jiang Chen was stunned. He hadn’t expected Wang Ze to go that far. “Senior Brother, that’s…”

Wang Ze offered a fawning smile. “The friendship between you and me, how could it be casually damaged by a mere Dao Companion?”

Jiang Chen nodded slowly, acknowledging the gesture. “Senior Brother speaks the truth.”

At that moment, Wu Guangman led his team of Earth Spirit Root disciples over, shovels and tools in hand.

Jiang Chen looked at them, confused. “Senior Brother, what is this?”

Wang Ze reached into his robe and pulled out a scroll—a land deed.

“Although this matter was Wu Xi’er’s doing, I am not blameless,” Wang Ze said solemnly. “This deed for a two-acre Second-Grade Spirit Farm is my compensation to you, Junior Brother!”

Jiang Chen shook his head immediately. “This compensation is too heavy.”

A Spirit Farm in the core area was a cash cow. Giving one away was akin to cutting off a piece of one’s own flesh.

Wang Ze pushed the deed into Jiang Chen’s hands, his expression serious. “Junior Brother, with your talent in planting, you will rise in the sect sooner or later. What you lack now is land, isn’t it? Consider it an investment. If you prosper in the future, just don’t forget your Senior Brother!”

Feeling the weight of the deed, Jiang Chen gave Wang Ze a deep look. He knew the cost. Wang Ze had a limited quota of land; giving this up meant losing an established farm and all the spirit plants currently growing on it.

It was a massive loss for Wang Ze, but a calculated one.

Seeing Jiang Chen accept the deed, Wang Ze visibly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He smiled. “I won’t delay you any longer. Come visit when you have time!”

He turned and fled on his flying artifact, moving swiftly as if afraid Jiang Chen might change his mind and return the deed.

For Wang Ze, this was a necessary sacrifice. First his cousin Wang Hu caused trouble, and now his wife had plotted behind his back. He was bleeding assets to keep Jiang Chen as an ally, and the grievance in his heart was immense—but keeping the bridge intact was worth it.

Wu Guangman stepped forward, grinning. “Senior Brother Jiang, where should we arrange the third Spirit Farm?”

Jiang Chen scanned his property, then pointed to the open space next to his second plot. “Right there.”

“Alright, brothers, let’s get to work!” Wu Guangman shouted to his team.

Boom. Boom.

The ground trembled as spells struck the frozen earth. Clumps of weeds shattered, and stones were ground into powder. Because it was deep winter, the soil was frozen hard as iron, making the progress slow. It would take at least until tomorrow to finish the foundation.

A few days later, in the early morning.

The third two-acre Spirit Farm had been completed, the soil tilled and ready, though planting hadn’t started yet. In the first farm, the Spirit Rice and vegetables had matured, ready for harvest.

But Jiang Chen wasn’t in a hurry. He lay on his wooden bed, a wineskin in his left hand. It had been filled with a jin of Top-quality Golden Wine, but now it was light and empty.

He had been studying day and night, aided by the wine’s enlightenment buff. Finally, the [Nine Flames Profound Art] had been initiated.

[Nine Flames Profound Art: First Layer (Incomplete)]

Effect One: [Flame Perception] – Detect open flames within three zhang.

Effect Two: [Flame Conjuration] – Condense a fist-sized fireball.

Effect Three: [Imbue] – Attacks gain +10% Fire Damage.

Effect Four: [Ward] – Fire Damage reduction +15%.

Jiang Chen stared at the panel, astonished. “Just the first layer of an incomplete manual, and its effects already rival the third layer of the [Blazing Oil Technique]. Truly worthy of being a High-level cultivation method.”

He spread his right hand. The Fire Spirit Qi in his dantian surged, draining rapidly.

His palm turned red, radiating intense heat. With a sharp hiss, the air warped. At a speed visible to the naked eye, a crimson fireball coalesced above his skin.

It was the size of an adult’s fist, dense and unstable. The high temperature it released instantly dispelled the winter chill in the room, making the air shimmer like a mirage.