Jiang Chen left the [Pill Tower] with a pouch of Moonlight Grass seeds secured at his waist.

Lin Yan had remained behind, apparently intent on learning alchemy techniques from Yu Caiqing. Jiang Chen had wanted to stay as well, hoping to observe the skills of a Senior Alchemist firsthand, but Yu Caiqing had flatly refused him.

They had just met, after all. He hadn’t earned that privilege yet.

Moonlight Grass… a rare spirit plant that only grows at night. The stronger the moonlight, the faster the growth and higher the quality.

Jiang Chen ran through the data in his mind. He had already memorized the entire Spirit Farm Compendium, so he had no need to look up reference materials.

Armed with the knowledge, his max-level [Evergreen Art], the [Green Lotus Creation Art], and his [Green Lotus Domain], this task was well within his capabilities.

Twenty days, he calculated. At most. Any other farmer would struggle, but for me, this is child’s play.

Before leaving the area, he stopped by Chu Xiu’s cottage and knocked.

The door creaked open, and Chu Xiu poked his head out. “It’s you.”

“Is Senior Brother Wang here?” Jiang Chen asked immediately.

Chu Xiu shook his head. “He’s gone. Seems he went back already.”

“Alright. Sorry to bother you.” Jiang Chen turned to leave.

“Wait!” Chu Xiu called out, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Did you… meet Senior Sister Yu?”

Jiang Chen paused.

“And?” Chu Xiu pressed, practically vibrating with impatience. “Did you get the contract?”

Jiang Chen grinned. “Senior Sister Yu gave me a test. If I pass, we can collaborate long-term.”

Chu Xiu’s jaw dropped. “Senior Sister Yu is a Senior Alchemist. You’re just a freshly minted Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could you possibly…”

It was unbelievable. Even low-level alchemists turned their noses up at unproven farmers. For a high-ranking figure like Yu Caiqing to agree was unheard of.

Jiang Chen didn’t bother explaining. “I have work to do. Goodbye, Master Chu.”

He summoned his [Giant Leaf]. The four massive green blades spun to life, lifting him off the ground and carrying him away into the distance.

Chu Xiu watched him go, muttering to himself in bewilderment. “Even Senior Sister Yu is willing to give him a chance? Could it be that we all misjudged him?”

On the flight home, Jiang Chen’s route took him past Fire Peak.

Rumble…

A thunderous noise echoed from above. Jiang Chen looked up just in time to see a burning fireball plummeting from the peak, trailing black smoke.

Good lord. Which blacksmith is littering again?

The sight triggered a thought.

I still have that mutated Jade Green Gourd. Should I get it refined into a storage artifact?

His current storage bag was running out of space as his assets grew. Since he had time and was already in the neighborhood, a detour seemed logical.

But who to ask?

The answer was obvious: the eccentric but skilled blacksmith, Hong Chui.

Sure, the woman was terrifying, but her technical skills were flawless.

Jiang Chen pulled out his Communication Talisman.

“Jiang Chen here. I commissioned the [Giant Leaf] from you before.”

“Aiyaya! If it isn’t my little brother! How’s the leaf treating you?”

“Very well. I’m extremely satisfied. Your skills are truly impressive!”

“Glad to hear it! So, what brings you to your big sister today?”

“I wanted to ask if you refine storage items.”

“Depends. What material are we talking about?”

“I have a mutated Jade Green Gourd.”

“Ooh, that thing? Sister can definitely handle that. Bring it over!”

Jiang Chen cut the connection and steered the [Giant Leaf] upward.

Minutes later, the sprawling plaza of Fire Peak came into view, dominated by the nine massive combat arenas. Despite the approaching evening, the place was bustling. Disciples dueled on the stages while others hawked wares in makeshift stalls below.

Jiang Chen ignored the noise and headed straight for the colossal palace at the center.

At the entrance, a shirtless male apprentice with a Metal Spirit Root blocked his path. “Fellow Daoist, do you have an appointment?”

“I just scheduled a meeting with Expert Blacksmith Hong Chui,” Jiang Chen replied.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a strange vibe.

The apprentice’s expression shifted into a knowing grin. “Ah! So you have a date with Sister Hong!”

“Cough! Cough!” Jiang Chen choked on his own saliva.

The apprentice stepped aside, his smile widening. “Right, right. I won’t delay your… important business.”

Jiang Chen covered his face with one hand and hurried toward Forging Room A17.

Having been here once before, he knew the way.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Rhythmic hammering echoed from within.

Jiang Chen raised his hand and knocked firmly on the heavy doorframe. Thump, thump, thump.

The noise inside ceased instantly. Heavy footsteps—boom, boom, boom—approached the door. If Jiang Chen hadn’t known better, he would have assumed a siege beast was about to burst through.

The door creaked open.

A familiar wall of pectoral muscles filled his vision.

Hong Chui looked down at him, a wide grin splitting her face. “You’re here, little brother!”

Jiang Chen nodded, feeling dwarfed. “Sister Hong.”

“Come in, come in,” she beckoned.

Jiang Chen hesitated for a split second before stepping into the forge.

The heat was oppressive, a stifling wave of dry air left over from the furnace. The room was a chaotic mess of scrap metal, tools, and half-finished weapons.

“Sit anywhere, make yourself at home,” Hong Chui said, gesturing vaguely at a pile of debris.

Jiang Chen looked left, then right. Seeing no safe surface, he forced a smile. “I’ll stand.”

Hong Chui shrugged. She grabbed a round wine jar, poured herself a massive bowl of strong liquor, and downed it in one go.

Burp!

“So,” she wiped her mouth. “You want to refine a Jade Green Gourd?”

“Yes.” Jiang Chen produced the gourd.

Hong Chui took it, her large hands turning it over delicately. “Quality is decent. If I refine it, it’ll take at least seven days. The fee is 80 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.”

Jiang Chen nodded. “No problem.”

That was the standard market rate. Once refined, a storage gourd of this quality could sell for 300 stones easily. It was a fair price.

He counted out 80 Mid-grade Spirit Stones and handed them over.

Hong Chui’s eyes lit up at the sight of the crystals. She chuckled, pocketing the payment. “Since you’re taking such good care of your big sister, I’ll add an extra Spirit Pattern for you during the refinement.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes brightened. “That would be amazing!”

More Spirit Patterns meant higher capacity, better durability, and stronger spiritual defense. It was a significant upgrade.

“Don’t mention it!”

Hong Chui slammed her palm onto Jiang Chen’s shoulder.

Wham!

Jiang Chen felt his knees buckle, his entire body compressing by at least twenty centimeters under the friendly assault.

“Little brother,” she boomed, “you can rest ten thousand percent assured!!!”