The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 134: A Failed Partnership and a Senior Alchemist

Lin Yan’s casual remark sent ripples through the small gathering, each person reacting in their own distinct way.

Chu Xiu’s eyes darted between her and Jiang Chen, a cocktail of surprise and suspicion brewing in his gaze. Wang Ze’s jaw nearly dropped; he couldn’t believe the man he’d met just yesterday was an alchemist. Chang Zizai, the most senior of the group, simply narrowed his eyes, his expression an unreadable mask of calm. The other male alchemist, Zhang Qin, fixed them with a sharp, hostile glare.

Sensing the sudden tension, Lin Yan waved a dismissive hand. “Just kidding. We’re friends.”

Chang Zizai gave a slight nod. “If you are a friend of Lin Yan’s, then please, sit and have tea with us.”

Wang Ze snapped out of his stupor. “Yes, yes! Let’s all have some tea.”

As chairs were arranged, Chu Xiu took the opportunity to make formal introductions. “This is Chang Zizai,” he said, gesturing to the older man. “He is the most experienced among us, a Senior Alchemist capable of refining Earth-grade Barrier Breaking Pills and Golden Core Formation Pills.”

“Master Chang,” Jiang Chen and Wang Ze said in unison, offering a respectful bow.

Chang Zizai set down his cup, a faint smile touching his eyes. “I wouldn’t dare call myself a Master. Please, call me Old Chang.”

Chu Xiu then pointed to the hostile alchemist across from them. “This is Zhang Qin. He’s a Junior Alchemist, but he possesses a mutated Fire Spirit Root.”

Jiang Chen and Wang Ze exchanged a look before bowing again. “Master Zhang.”

“Hmph.” Zhang Qin let out a cold snort, making it clear he had no interest in acknowledging them.

Chu Xiu glanced at Lin Yan. “Well, since you two already know each other, I suppose no introduction is needed.”

Lin Yan, however, felt one was. Jiang Chen knew she was an alchemist, but he didn’t know her rank. “I’m also a Junior Alchemist,” she stated plainly.

With that, the introductions were complete. Old Chang, the senior statesman of the group; Zhang Qin, the arrogant junior with a rare Spirit Root; and Lin Yan, whose full capabilities were still something of a mystery.

Wang Ze took the initiative, picking up the teapot and filling everyone’s cup. “To be frank with you all,” he began, his tone formal, “Junior Brother Jiang and I have come seeking a partner. Since time immemorial, has it not been the role of Spirit Farmers to supply alchemists with their herbs?”

Some nodded at his words; others remained impassive.

It was Zhang Qin who broke the silence, his voice dripping with disdain. “That may be true, but we don’t work with just *any* Spirit Farmer. Especially those at the Qi Condensation realm—they should know to stay far, far away.”

Though he spoke as if stating a general rule, his eyes were locked on Jiang Chen, his contempt for lower-level cultivators unconcealed.

Wang Ze, however, was prepared for this. He would never have brought Jiang Chen here if he hadn’t already advanced. “You can rest assured,” he said smoothly. “Junior Brother Jiang and I are both Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmers.”

The mention of Foundation Establishment made Zhang Qin flinch. He grumbled under his breath and sullenly withdrew his gaze. A Qi Condensation cultivator was at the bottom of the pecking order, an easy target for scorn. But offending a Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmer was a different matter entirely. While alchemists were highly sought after, even they needed a steady supply of quality ingredients.

Chang Zizai, ever the diplomat, spoke up, his tone grave. “We must support our own. At present, we all have established partnerships with Spirit Farmers. To bring on someone new would not only introduce unnecessary risk but also require a significant new investment.”

The message was clear: a polite but firm rejection. Chu Xiu, it seemed, didn’t have the influence to push this deal through, and a veteran like Chang Zizai wasn’t about to gamble on an unknown quantity.

With Chu Xiu powerless, Zhang Qin hostile, and Chang Zizai unwilling, Jiang Chen and Wang Ze’s last hope rested on their acquaintance, Lin Yan.

In a strange twist of fate, the tables had completely turned. Not long ago, she had come to Jiang Chen’s Spirit Farm with an offer of partnership, only to be refused on the spot.

Truthfully, Jiang Chen wasn’t bothered. Whether he partnered with an alchemist or not was of little consequence. He controlled several rare and mutated spirit plants, and his business selling wine and pills in the Loose Cultivator market was already proving incredibly lucrative.

But this venture was Wang Ze’s project. He had called in a favor with Chu Xiu to arrange this meeting, and to walk away empty-handed would be a great loss of face. And Jiang Chen knew that Wang Ze valued his reputation above all else. A failure here would undoubtedly strain their newly mended relationship, creating a rift of resentment even if they didn’t openly fall out.

Lin Yan sighed, a hint of apology in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I already have a partner.”

“Heh,” Zhang Qin let out a short, mocking laugh.

Chu Xiu could only shrug helplessly. He knew many alchemists, but these were the only ones he was close enough with to call upon. The negotiation was a total failure, and Wang Ze’s expression soured.

Seeing his friend’s disappointment, Jiang Chen quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Whether we cooperate is not important,” he said to the room, his voice calm and respectful. “The greatest reward of this trip has been the opportunity to meet such distinguished alchemists.”

They all knew it was just empty pleasantries, but it was far better than a show of anger. Chang Zizai even offered an appreciative look. “For one so young to already be a Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmer… your future is limitless, young friend.”

Just as the meeting was about to dissolve into awkward silence, Lin Yan’s voice cut through the air. “While I can’t work with you, I can introduce you to a Senior Alchemist who might.”

“Oh?” Jiang Chen’s interest was piqued.

Lin Yan raised a slender hand and pointed toward the massive Pill Tower in the distance. “I have a Senior Sister who just returned from her travels. As it happens, she’s looking for a new partner.”

Zhang Qin’s eyes went wide. “Senior Sister Caiqing?”

“Yu Caiqing?” Chang Zizai echoed, a note of astonishment in his voice.

“You mean *the* Yu Caiqing?” Chu Xiu exclaimed. “She’s a genius on the same level as Huo Ling!”

Jiang Chen recognized that name. Huo Ling was Senior Brother Chen’s childhood sweetheart, the one who had left him for Zhao Feng of the Zhao Clan. But he had never heard of this Yu Caiqing. The fact that an alchemist went out on “travels”—a term often used for martial training and adventuring—suggested she was far from ordinary.

Lin Yan rose to her feet. “Come on. I’ll take you to meet her.”

Zhang Qin shot up, moving to block her path. “Why would you introduce *him* to Senior Sister Caiqing?”

Lin Yan arched a delicate eyebrow. “Because I feel like it.”

Stumped, Zhang Qin could only stand there, speechless.

Ignoring him completely, Lin Yan turned back to Jiang Chen. “Well? Are you coming?”

“Then… Senior Brother?” Jiang Chen glanced at Wang Ze, seeking his approval.

Wang Ze clapped him on the shoulder, a renewed spark in his eyes. “Go.”

With a nod, Jiang Chen stood and followed Lin Yan out of the room and toward the stairs. The group they left behind exchanged a few awkward words before quickly dispersing.

Jiang Chen kept pace with Lin Yan as they descended deeper into the earthworks, heading for the three-story Pill Tower at the center of the pit. The closer they got, the more intense the heat became. Waves of oppressive heat rolled off the structure, a physical force that seemed to push them back.

“You know,” Lin Yan said with a teasing smirk, “if you had just agreed to work with me back then, you wouldn’t have had to endure the sour faces of Old Chang and Zhang Qin today.”

Jiang Chen remained perfectly calm. “Times change. No one can predict the future.”

Lin Yan seemed to ponder his words for a moment. Then, out of nowhere, she asked, “So, what do you think of my sister?”