As the view widened, Jiang Chen finally saw the second-grade Spirit Farm that belonged solely to him.

At first glance, it didn’t seem much different from the first-grade Spirit Farms on the outskirts. There wasn’t much distinction in terms of area or the height of the ridges.

But upon closer inspection, one would notice the soil was black.

This was clearly black soil with higher nutrient content. Not only could it grow spirit plants of exceptional quality, but it could also increase yield.

Not far away, about ten meters out, stood a dilapidated wooden hut.

Jiang Chen approached for a look and found it surprisingly dust-free inside. There weren’t even any snakes, insects, rats, or ants. It was exceptionally clean.

Inside, it had one bedroom, one living area, one bathroom, and one kitchen. But the house wasn’t heavily decorated; it only contained daily necessities like a bed and kitchenware.

“Not bad.” Jiang Chen was quite satisfied.

Whatever was missing could be added slowly later. At least he wouldn’t be exposed to wind and rain here.

Next, the first thing Jiang Chen did was change his clothes.

He had always disliked the gray robes worn by Outer Peak disciples. He quickly changed into the white robes reserved for full disciples, which had a green rice seedling embroidered on the chest.

His entire demeanor underwent a change as well. He appeared more steady and composed, no longer giving off the immediate impression of being just a spirit farmer at first glance.

“Next up is the Spirit Rice porridge I’ve been dreaming about.” Jiang Chen grinned.

Once you became a formal disciple of the [Cloud Sea Sect], you no longer needed to drink ordinary rice porridge. This hundred jin of Spirit Rice should last him at least until next spring.

Half an hour later, a pot of fragrant Spirit Rice porridge was ready.

The concentration of wood-attributed spiritual energy within the kitchen had noticeably increased.

Jiang Chen ladled out a small bowl and placed it before him for careful observation.

This Spirit Rice was plumper than ordinary rice. Even after being cooked, it didn’t have a mushy feel to it. It even had a bit of a springy texture; after solidifying slightly, it resembled jelly.

Jiang Chen took a small taste, and his eyes immediately lit up.

The texture of the Spirit Rice was incredible. With one bite, spiritual energy blended with its aroma burst forth in his mouth. The sheer fragrance was almost intoxicating.

Jiang Chen exclaimed in surprise, “My spiritual power is increasing.”

Although the increase was relatively slow, the resource itself had no limits; it could be consumed long-term.

Why were people like Wang Hu, Tie Zhu, Zhao Xin, and others—every single one of them—so fixated on Spirit Rice?

This was precisely the reason!

Moreover, Spirit Rice produced from first-grade Spirit Farms already had this effect. If it were from second-grade or even higher-grade farms… one could only imagine how astonishing that would be.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Jiang Chen did not rest. Nor did he plant spirit seedlings immediately.

Instead, he took out his jade slip and continued studying [Vine Bind].

As long as Wang Hu remained alive for another day, Jiang Chen would feel a sense of crisis for that day. Therefore, he absolutely needed the power to protect himself.

However, [Vine Bind] was, after all, a high-level spell. It couldn’t be mastered in an instant.

Fortunately, the current Jiang Chen was different now. Previously, it would have taken him over two months to gain a preliminary grasp. But now, Jiang Chen felt it would take him no more than a month at most.

And once he learned it, he could use his “golden finger” to forcibly raise its level.

Time passed to the third day after becoming a full disciple.

Jiang Chen shouldered his hoe and began loosening the soil of this mu of second-grade Spirit Farm.

It was currently winter; temperatures were dropping lower and lower, and the weather was growing increasingly cold. Consequently, the black soil turned out to be harder than expected.

If he hadn’t reached mid-stage [Qi Condensation] with five strands of spiritual power supporting him within, he truly wouldn’t have been able to get everything done in a short time.

Jiang Chen thought to himself, I wonder how much yield I can get?

“Oho—someone’s actually here on this side.” Just then, an exclamation came from not far away.

Jiang Chen hurriedly looked over and immediately froze.

He saw a fat man leading a spirit beast resembling a camel as he approached step by step. A palm-sized bell hung around the spirit beast’s neck; with every movement, it immediately jingled with a tinkling sound.

The spirit beast’s back was laden entirely with bundles. As the other party drew closer, a foul odor also began to permeate the air.

“My name is Jin Fugui. I’m a full disciple from [Beast Mountain]. May I ask who you are?” The somewhat portly Jin Fugui grinned broadly; even the two lumps of fat on his cheeks wobbled several times.

“Jiang Chen.” Jiang Chen introduced himself.

Jin Fugui asked further, “Fellow Daoist Jiang, are you a newly arrived spirit farmer?”

“Yes. I just became a full disciple.” Jiang Chen nodded slightly.

“Seeing you loosening soil… don’t tell me you plan to plant during winter?” Jin Fugui seemed rather surprised.

Jiang Chen smiled. “Well, since I’m idle anyway.”

“What a coincidence! I happen to have something you need right here.” Jin Fugui’s eyes lit up.

“You could understand it that way. But to be precise… I am an entrepreneur on the rise.” Jin Fugui revealed an expression of pride.

“What are you selling?” Jiang Chen was very curious.

“I come from [Beast Mountain]. Naturally, what I bring is… spirit beast dung.” Jin Fugui turned around to take down a small bundle. Then, facing Jiang Chen again, he opened it up.

Immediately, an even more pungent stench wafted out. It made Jiang Chen retreat several steps, coughing.

Only after some of the smell dissipated did he step forward again.

Leaning in for a closer look, he saw inside were pieces upon pieces of spirit beast dung. It leaned toward a black color, containing many plant fibers within. Probably having been collected for some time, it had dried somewhat.

Jin Fugui chuckled. “This is dung from century-old spirit beasts, perfectly suited for your second-grade Spirit Farm.”

“What’s your price?” Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen became thoughtful.

Black soil naturally had high nutrients indeed, but adding spirit beast dung would definitely be “adding wings to a tiger.” Especially now during winter—who wouldn’t want some extra yield?

Jin Fugui said quite magnanimously, “Originally, one hundred jin of century-old spirit beast dung costs ten Low-grade Spirit Stones, but since you’re a new customer, I’ll give you eight.”

Jiang Chen shook his head. “I don’t have Spirit Stones, only Spirit Rice.”

Jiang Chen asked, puzzled, “How many Spirit Stones can ten jin of [Tier-1 Spirit Rice] exchange for?”

“Uh.” Jin Fugui gave a dry laugh. “The market price for ten jin of [Tier-1 Spirit Rice] is one Low-grade Spirit Stone.”

Although demand for Spirit Rice was high, its production wasn’t low either, and prices for [Tier-1 Spirit Rice] remained relatively stable; only higher-quality, rarer types of spirit plants sold more expensively.

“So you mean ten jin of [Tier-1 Spirit Rice] equals ten jin of century-old spirit beast dung?” This result stunned Jiang Chen.

“Well… rarity determines value, right?” Jin Fugui defended awkwardly.

“Too expensive. Give me a friend discount. We’re not doing a one-time deal, after all—surely you’ll come my way again later, won’t you?” Jiang Chen didn’t want to give up easily.

Jin Fugui deeply agreed.

Isn’t business just like this? Give-and-take, mutual trust.

So, after thinking, he raised the chubby two fingers of his right hand.

“What does that mean?” Jiang Chen didn’t get it.

Jin Fugui said seriously, “You give me ten jin of [Tier-1 Spirit Rice], I give you twenty jin of century-old spirit beast dung. Deal?”

“Only twenty jin?” Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

“Twenty-five jin. Can’t go any higher.” Jin Fugui gritted his teeth.

“Deal.” Jiang Chen didn’t want to sour the relationship.

After the transaction was completed between the two men, Jin Fugui suddenly smiled mysteriously. “I still have some good stuff here. Fellow Daoist Jiang, want to take a look?”

“Good stuff?” Jiang Chen expressed serious doubt.

Selling dung already—what other “good stuff” could there possibly be?

Perhaps to prove his own capabilities, Jin Fugui took out a small storage bag, opened it, and pulled out several items.

They were, respectively, a jug of wine, a paper doll, and a few seeds stuck with spirit beast dung.

Jiang Chen immediately showed a disgusted expression, saying, “What is all this?”

“You’re all alone here; surely you need to relieve your worries and solve your difficulties. This paper doll was designed personally by a talisman master from [Rain Pavilion]. Not only can it be male or female, but the simulation effect rivals a real person, too. The current price is only fifty jin of [Tier-1 Spirit Rice], oh.” After saying this, Jin Fugui made an exaggerated wink.