The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

The reaction to the notification was identical across the board.

Stunned silence.

It hadn’t been long since Jiang Chen mentioned reaching the late stage of Qi Condensation. For him to suddenly announce a successful breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was nothing short of ludicrous.

Usually, a massive chasm separated late-stage Qi Condensation from the true peak—Qi Condensation Perfection. Most cultivators spent years grinding their teeth against that bottleneck, often requiring a Foundation Pill just to bridge the gap.

Yet Jiang Chen had apparently skipped the struggle entirely, sending out a simple message: Foundation Establishment successful.

Wang Ze stared at his jade slip, disbelief etched into his features. “He’s already caught up to me?”

Jin Fugui, on the other hand, was a mix of shock and unbridled joy. “Old Jiang! You wait right there! I’m bringing the meat! We’re going to celebrate properly!”

“…freely check the daily trading prices of spirit plants within the sect! It costs thirty Medium-Grade Spirit Stones for just one!”

Hearing the price tag of thirty Medium-Grade Spirit Stones, the eyes of the three bystanders went wide.

Jiang Chen held the mirror even more reverently with both hands, bowing deeply once again. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Chen Bo waved a hand dismissively. “No need for formalities.”

Jiang Chen gestured toward the cottage. “Senior Brother, please, come insi—”

Before he could finish his sentence, a [Paper Crane] drifted over from the horizon. Standing atop it were three figures whose arrival stunned Jiang Chen, Jin Fugui, and Mo Yu into silence!

By the river, Mo Yu’s grip went slack. His fishing rod slipped from his fingers and splashed into the water, his expression one of profound existential crisis. “Is there truly no future in fishing?”

Far away, Lin Yu grinned widely. “Congrats! Too bad Big Sis won’t let me come find you!”

Long Ao merely raised a sharp eyebrow. “I’m still in the middle of the [Striving Crossing Assembly]. We’ll talk when I return.”

Jiang Chen’s circle was small, so once the notifications were sent, his social obligations were mostly complete. Aside from Long Ao and Lin Yu, everyone else was coming.

Starting at noon, Jiang Chen busied himself in the kitchen.

He didn’t skimp. Top-quality Spirit Rice, high-grade vegetables, spiritual fruits, and aged wine—he raided his own pantry without hesitation.

The first to arrive, predictably, was Jin Fugui.

Upon hearing the news, the portly beast tamer had excitedly slaughtered one of his own prize spirit pigs and purchased a large quantity of century-old spirit beast meat to boot. While others were skeptical of Jiang Chen’s speed, Jin Fugui didn’t doubt it for a second.

To him, the logic was purely pragmatic: A Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmer unlocked two acres of Second-Grade Spirit Farm. That meant Jiang Chen would need a lot more high-quality spirit fertilizer.

Given their business partnership, Jin Fugui was the only man for the job.

“You’re here,” Jiang Chen said, handing him a slice of watermelon.

Jin Fugui took a massive bite, the sweet juice exploding in his mouth. He chewed happily while eyeing the newly expanded fields outside. “Old Jiang, what do you plan to plant in the second acre?”

Thwack.

Jiang Chen brought a heavy cleaver down on a rack of pork ribs. “Probably high-value spirit plants.”

Jin Fugui nodded sagely. “Right. As long as you have enough Spirit Rice for yourself, making money is the priority.”

In the cultivation world, the four pillars of success were absolute: Wealth, Companions, Methods, and Land.

Wealth covered pills, equipment, and the cost of seclusion. Companions referred to allies and Dao partners to watch your back. Methods were the scriptures and spells one practiced. Land was the environment—for a Spirit Farmer, the farm was everything.

“If you have suggestions, I’m all ears,” Jiang Chen said, wiping his hands on a towel.

Jin Fugui held the watermelon in his left hand and scratched his head with his right. “If you asked me about breeding sows or feed ratios, I could talk for three days. But planting? I’m clueless.”

Jiang Chen chuckled. “Fair enough. Sit tight and eat. The others will be here soon.”

Not long after, the second guest arrived, surprising both of them.

“Junior Broth… ah, no. I should call you Fellow Daoist Jiang now!”

A massive butterfly, its wings shimmering with shifting camouflage patterns, descended from the sky. Wang Ze hopped off, cradling a yellow potted plant in his hands.

Jiang Chen quickly rinsed his hands and walked out with Jin Fugui to welcome him. “Senior Brother Wang, you jest. In front of you, I will always be a Junior Brother.”

Wang Ze paused, stunned for a moment, before his smile widened into something genuine. “And that is exactly why you succeeded, Junior Brother Jiang.”

Fellow Daoist versus Junior Brother. The difference was subtle but significant. One implied a distant equality; the other acknowledged a bond of seniority and respect.

Wang Ze had seen it happen too often—humble juniors who turned arrogant the moment they broke through. Jiang Chen’s continued modesty was a breath of fresh air.

Though they weren’t close, Jin Fugui bowed respectfully. “Senior Brother Wang!”

Wang Ze nodded in acknowledgement before presenting the plant. “Junior Brother, to celebrate your advancement, I prepared a [Sun-Facing Flower] for you.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!” Jiang Chen accepted it with both hands, treating it with obvious care.

The [Sun-Facing Flower] was essentially a spiritual sunflower. The Cloud Sea Sect was famous for two specific ones. The first was a massive, ancient mother plant at the core of the sect’s Spirit Farms, burning like a miniature golden sun. The second had been refined into a magical artifact by the sword cultivator Qin Hao.

For a farmer, this plant was a treasure. It had two functions: storing sunlight and amplifying it. Placed near crops, it accelerated their growth rate. While a single flower offered only a mild boost, it was still a thoughtful and valuable gift.

Wang Ze looked at the expanded farm and nodded approvingly. “Excellent. With two acres, your yield will double. You’ll be raking in Spirit Stones soon.”

Jiang Chen placed the flower on the windowsill, ensuring it caught the best light. “Compared to you, Senior Brother, I’m just a small fish in a big pond.”

“Hahaha!” Wang Ze laughed heartily.

Jiang Chen pulled up a wooden chair. “Please, rest a moment. Senior Brother Chen Bo should be arriving shortly. Today, you must try my cooking.”

Hearing that Chen Bo was coming, Wang Ze—who had originally intended to drop off the gift and leave—immediately sat down.

The cottage was simple, and the furniture rustic compared to Wang Ze’s own abode, but the atmosphere was welcoming.

A short while later, the third guest appeared.

Mo Yu.

The fisherman walked in holding several shimmering white fish.

“Old Mo, you made it,” Jiang Chen greeted him.

Jin Fugui immediately smirked. “Buying fish at the market again? No shame in it.”

Mo Yu’s smile froze. He stiffened his neck, his face turning slightly red. “These are [Topmouth Culters]! I caught them myself from the river near Beast Mountain!”

Wang Ze’s eyes lit up. “Oh? That fish has tender meat and very few bones. It’s perfect for steaming.”

Jiang Chen took the fish, inspecting the scales. “Senior Brother has a good eye.”

“When it comes to eating, drinking, and enjoying life,” Wang Ze said proudly, “no one in the Spirit Farm district can beat me.”

“Steamed it is, then,” Jiang Chen said, turning back to the kitchen.

With Jiang Chen occupied, the atmosphere in the room grew slightly stiff. Jin Fugui and Mo Yu were intimidated by Wang Ze’s presence and didn’t dare banter freely.

Fortunately, the tension broke quickly with the arrival of the final guest.

“Senior Brother Chen!” Jiang Chen called out, washing his hands for the third time.

Wang Ze stood up, smiling. “Fellow Daoist Chen Bo.”

Chen Bo landed his [Paper Crane] and looked surprised. “I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Wang to be here.”

“Junior Brother Jiang and I go way back,” Wang Ze explained smoothly.

Chen Bo nodded, stepping off his mount. He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a polished bronze mirror. “Junior Brother Jiang, this is my gift to you.”

Jiang Chen took the item. The surface was cool to the touch, humming with faint energy. “Senior Brother, what is this?”

Wang Ze clapped his hands first and said, “That’s a fantastic treasure! It’s called a [Spirit Light Mirror]. As long as you inject your own spiritual power into it, you can check the daily transaction prices of spirit plants in the Cloud Sea Sect at will. A single one costs thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!”

At the mention of the thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones price tag, the three bystanders all widened their eyes in shock.

Jiang Chen held it reverently with both hands and bowed deeply again. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Chen Bo waved a hand dismissively. “No need for formalities.”

Jiang Chen pointed toward the cottage and said, “Senior Brother, please come inside…”

Before he could finish speaking, a Paper Crane drifted over from the distance—and standing atop it were three figures that left Jiang Chen, Jin Fugui, and Mo Yu utterly stunned!!!