The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Huang Yuanhua was a loose cultivator possessing an Earth Spirit Root.

His cultivation base had reached the Human-Grade Golden Core realm.

A year ago, his hidden cave dwelling had been unearthed. However, the discovery came with a deadly surprise—an Earth Dragon with over five hundred years of cultivation guarding the entrance. Its emergence caused a massive sensation at the time.

For various reasons, no individual or team managed to fully explore the site during the first six months.

In fact, many cultivators had lost their lives trying.

Jiang Chen hadn’t expected to walk into the trading house today and find that a complete map of the cave dwelling was already on sale.

The receptionist, a young woman with a sweet appearance, confirmed his suspicion immediately.

“Yes, Immortal Elder. That area has already been fully cleared by the monster-hunting teams.”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “When did this happen?”

“Just seven days ago,” she replied eagerly. “The City Lord of Green City, Perfected Master Wang himself, led all the major monster-hunting teams deep into Huang Yuanhua’s dwelling.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen wasn’t surprised.

The fact that this dungeon had remained unconquered for a year was already strange.

Either the local monster-hunting teams were incompetent, or there was a deeper reason behind the delay.

Now that a Golden Core Perfected Master had personally intervened, it would be abnormal if the issue wasn’t resolved.

Seeing his contemplative look, the receptionist flashed an enthusiastic smile. “Immortal Elder, the cave is now open for visits at any time. If you join a group tour, we can even offer you a 10% discount.”

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not interested.”

True, it was the legacy site of a Golden Core cultivator.

But if they were daring enough to open it to the public for tours, it meant the place had been picked clean.

Why go if there were no treasures left?

And if there was still danger lurking inside, that was even more reason to stay away.

A flash of disappointment flickered in the receptionist’s eyes. Her commission for booking tour groups was significantly higher than for selling standard goods.

Jiang Chen ignored her reaction and turned his attention to the Reflecting Mirror.

He scrolled through the listings, carefully examining everything from cultivation techniques and spells to spirit plants.

After a thorough scan, he confirmed there were no hidden gems to be found today. He quickly left the trading house and headed toward the Evergreen Wine Shop.

The shop’s inventory had long since sold out. The shelves were bare, waiting for Jiang Chen’s replenishment.

That didn’t stop a few dedicated alcoholics from lingering in the main hall, seemingly content just to inhale the lingering aroma of the wine.

Not long after, Jiang Chen met with Shen Peng.

The location was the same as always: the Hope Spring Teahouse, directly opposite the wine shop, in the private “Yi” room on the third floor.

Shen Peng stood up excitedly the moment Jiang Chen entered. “You’ve finally come.”

Jiang Chen handed over a small Storage Bag containing the goods. “Everything is inside.”

Shen Peng accepted it with both hands. He didn’t even check the contents. Instead, he immediately produced a bag containing the profits from the previous month.

“3,000 jin of high-quality Spirit Wine, all sold out,” Shen Peng reported. “Your 70% share comes to 315 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.”

Jiang Chen swept his spiritual sense over the bag. There were 320 stones in total.

It wasn’t that Shen Peng was bad at math.

Although the market price for wine had dipped slightly recently, the Shen Clan hadn’t lowered their payout rates. It was a gesture of goodwill Jiang Chen appreciated.

Shen Peng chuckled, his expression turning mysterious. “By the way, there are a few other things I’m sure you’ll be interested in.”

Jiang Chen looked at him, puzzled. “What things?”

Shen Peng reached into his own Storage Bag. “A few days ago, the Shen Clan participated in the raid on Huang Yuanhua’s cave dwelling. After the dust settled, we specifically requested these seeds as part of our share. They are still relatively well-preserved.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up as he took the seeds. He examined them closely.

“Seven seeds in total, and all different colors,” Jiang Chen noted, his tone softening. “You’ve put some thought into this.”

“It is only what we should do,” Shen Peng replied seriously.

Jiang Chen stored the seeds away carefully, then tapped his finger on the table, seemingly deep in thought.

“My friend is an alchemist,” Jiang Chen lied smoothly. “He mainly refines Vitality Pills and Foundation Spirit Pills. Do you have channels to acquire materials or sell the finished product?”

Hearing the word “Pill,” Shen Peng’s interest piqued instantly. “If they are high-quality pills, the Shen Clan is willing to purchase them directly. We can even assist with sales.”

Jiang Chen didn’t waste words.

He reached into his robe and placed two pills on the table.

One Top-quality Vitality Pill.

One Top-quality Foundation Spirit Pill.

He displayed them openly, without a hint of concern.

The Vitality Pill was a deep, earthen brown. It appeared smaller and more condensed than the ones typically found in the market.

The Foundation Spirit Pill was a lustrous greenish-yellow, perfectly round and smooth. Its surface was etched with delicate, natural spiral patterns.

Though the names were common, the appearance of these pills was vastly superior to anything sold in the loose cultivator market.

Moreover, both emitted an incredibly rich, concentrated herbal fragrance that instantly filled the room.

Shen Peng stared blankly at the table. He swallowed hard. “The… quality?”

When he realized that both the Vitality Pill and the Foundation Spirit Pill were Top Grade, Shen Peng’s breathing turned heavy. His pupils dilated violently.

He had thought he’d already estimated Fellow Daoist Jiang’s value highly enough.

He was wrong.

This man didn’t just provide Top-quality Spirit Rice and premium Spirit Wine.

Even the alchemist behind him was producing Top Grade pills.

If the Shen Clan could seize this opportunity… they wouldn’t just profit. They would soar.

Shen Peng’s heart pounded against his ribs like a war drum. The blood rushed to his face.

Jiang Chen watched the man’s physiological reaction with amusement. “Are you alright?”

Shen Peng took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “Fellow Daoist Jiang… no, I mean… how many Spirit Stones do you plan to sell these for?”

Jiang Chen had already calculated the prices.

“The Top-quality Vitality Pill: 6 Low-grade Spirit Stones per pill.”

“The Top-quality Foundation Spirit Pill: 55 Low-grade Spirit Stones per pill.”

These prices were clearly above the standard market rate.

Generally, a Top-quality Vitality Pill went for 5 Low-grade Spirit Stones.

A Top-quality Foundation Spirit Pill usually fluctuated between 45 and 50.

Supply and demand usually dictated that bulk orders lowered the price. Jiang Chen was doing the opposite.

“If you think it’s expensive,” Jiang Chen said indifferently, “I can find another partner.”

Shen Peng furrowed his brows, sinking into deep contemplation. Finally, his expression turned serious.

“If the quantity is small, the Shen Clan will naturally take them at your price. But if the quantity is large… I suggest you go to Mystic Heart City.”

“Mystic Heart City?” Jiang Chen asked, surprised.

“The loose cultivator market is ultimately too small,” Shen Peng explained earnestly. “If you want to earn a mountain of Spirit Stones, you must go to a larger market.”

To a loose cultivator, this market might seem vast.

But to a disciple of an Immortal Sect, it was pitifully tiny.

The Evergreen Wine Shop sold only one type of Spirit Wine, yet in just a few months, it had monopolized 90% of the local clientele. Competitors had been forced to close down or flee. The ceiling here was too low.

Mystic Heart City was different. The cultivation atmosphere there was far more intense, and the market scale was massive.

Most notably, it hosted the renowned “Thousand Sails Event.”

A small event every year.

A grand event every decade.

And rumor had it that next year would mark the centennial celebration—a special, massive gathering that would be livelier than ever.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly. “I’ve heard of the place, but I’m not familiar with the lay of the land.”

Shen Peng leaned forward conspiratorially. “The Shen Clan has a slight connection with the Long Clan, one of the five great families of Mystic Heart City.”

Jiang Chen instantly deciphered the subtext. “You mean to say, if I want to open a wine shop in Mystic Heart City, it won’t just be the Shen Clan taking a cut? The Long Clan will want a slice of the pie too?”

Shen Peng gritted his teeth, making a decision. “For Mystic Heart City… the Shen Clan only asks for 10% of the profit!”

In truth, the Shen Clan had long wanted to use Jiang Chen’s premium Spirit Wine as a battering ram to break into the lucrative Mystic Heart City market.

The problem was that they needed his consent.

Before today, they hadn’t found a compelling enough reason to pitch the idea.

But now, with these two Top Grade pills on the table, Shen Peng decided to lay his cards out completely.