The Yan Art puppet, [Fortress], moved with the stiff, rhythmic precision of a clockwork mechanism. Taking the wooden hut and the Spirit Farm as its center, it patrolled in concentric circles, scanning for feces to scoop, weeds to pull, and water to haul.

Da Huang, having just woken up, prowled the perimeter until he found the perfect spot to relieve himself. He spun in circles, sniffing the earth, calculating the optimal angle and posture. Just as he bared his teeth and prepared to exert himself, a shadow fell over him.

He glanced back.

Two meters of green-skinned wood loomed over him. Fortress stared intently with its gem-like eyes. Specifically, it was staring directly at Da Huang’s nether regions, shovel at the ready.

The dog froze. To poop, or not to poop?

One dog, one puppet. A silent standoff.

Da Huang held the pose for an awkward moment, his legs trembling. Finally, unable to perform under such scrutiny, he let out a string of indignant barks, tucked his tail between his legs, and sprinted toward the distant stone mountain at breakneck speed.

“Hahaha!”

Jiang Chen, witnessing the scene from the field ridge, laughed out loud. He had no intention of intervening. The dog had a bad habit of soiling the doorstep; a little discipline from Fortress was exactly what was needed.

Still chuckling, he turned his attention back to the [Golden Crow Vine]. Standing amidst the rising heat waves, he continued to comprehend the [Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method].

As noon approached, a sensation of clarity washed over him. He checked his status panel.

[Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method: First Layer]

Effect: Contract one Fire Crow.

It was, after all, a low-grade incomplete technique; mastering the basics had been trivial. His accumulated knowledge and frequent states of enlightenment had significantly boosted his comprehension. In the past, this might have taken a month. Now, aided by the environmental heat of the vines, it took only days.

[Consume 2 years of Lifespan to advance the Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method to the Second Layer?]

Jiang Chen decisively refused. “No. Repair the incomplete manual first.”

The system interface shifted instantly.

[Consume 10 years of Lifespan to repair the Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method to completion?]

“Yes.”

Jiang Chen slipped into a trance-like state. His mind worked like a high-speed loom, weaving his existing knowledge of fire qi and beast taming to fill the gaps in the ancient text. The flawed meridian routes straightened; the missing incantations resurfaced.

When he opened his eyes, the technique had transformed.

[Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method: First Layer (Complete)]

Effect 1: Contract one Fire Crow.

Effect 2: Shared Vision.

Originally, Shared Vision was a Second Layer ability. Now, it was available immediately.

[Consume 1 year of Lifespan to advance the Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method to the Second Layer?]

“Yes.”

[Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method: Second Layer]

Effect 1: Contract one Fire Crow.

Effect 2: Shared Vision.

Effect 3: Fire Breath (The crow can expel flames).

Jiang Chen nodded. “It is a low-grade technique, so the gains per level aren’t earth-shattering. But it serves my purpose.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Max it out.”

Since the repair process had already granted him total understanding of the technique, there was no need for further enlightenment. The proficiency rose naturally, like water filling a canal.

Two breaths later, it was done.

[Fire Crow Qi Nurturing Method: Fifth Layer (Max)]

Effect 1: Contract up to five Fire Crows.

Effect 2: Simultaneous Shared Vision with all crows.

Effect 3: High-Temperature Flame Breath.

Effect 4: Essence Nurturing (Each crow produces one drop of Fire Spirit Liquid every ten hours).

Effect 5: Intelligence boost (Crows possess the intellect of a three-year-old child).

Special Effect: Fire Crow Formation (When combined with fire-attribute spiritual artifacts, power is doubled).

Jiang Chen exhaled a breath of hot air. The technique wasn’t a combat powerhouse, but for his current needs, it was perfect. His primary goal wasn’t offense, but surveillance. The encounter with Zhu Fuxian on the stone mountain had been a wake-up call; he needed eyes in the sky to protect his secrets.

Now, he just needed the birds.

Since Fire Crows were spirit beasts, Jiang Chen didn’t bother cooking lunch. He immediately pulled out a Communication Talisman.

“Brother Jin, I need to buy a few Fire Crows.”

Jin Fugui’s voice crackled through, sounding amused. “Can’t you just play with your own bird?”

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes at the crude joke. “I’m serious. Does Beast Mountain have any in stock?”

“It’s difficult,” Jin Fugui replied, his tone turning business-like. “Fire Crows feed on fire qi. Beast Mountain is lush with wood and water energy; we don’t keep many fire-attribute beasts there.”

“Where can I find them?”

” The Earth Fire Zone below the Alchemy Hall,” Jin Fugui explained. “That place is swarming with them. If you really want some, I can pull a few strings and introduce you to a contact.”

“Good. I need them urgently.”

They agreed to meet after lunch.

Jiang Chen put away the talisman and went inside to cook. As he ate, Da Huang rubbed against his leg, whining pathetically. The dog kept shooting fearful glances out the window at Fortress, who was standing motionless in the yard like a statue.

Master, please, do something about that thing!

Jiang Chen ignored the plea, calmly eating his spirit rice. Da Huang realized his begging was futile and let out a frustrated whimper, slumping onto the floor.

About an hour later, Jin Fugui arrived.

The two boarded Jiang Chen’s [Giant Leaf] and flew toward the Alchemy Hall’s Earth Fire Zone. As they approached, the biting chill of late autumn faded, replaced by a dry, stifling heat.

The Earth Fire Zone knew no seasons. Here, it was eternal summer. The air shimmered with heat haze, and the ground was parched and cracked. Many cultivators actually flocked here in winter to escape the cold, using the ambient heat to save on heating talismans.

However, when they landed, Jiang Chen was surprised by the crowd. Usually, the streets here were sparsely populated due to the oppressive heat. Today, they were packed with cultivators of all Spirit Roots.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen spotted a familiar figure staring at a stall selling alchemy tools.

“Senior Sister Yu!” Jiang Chen approached, bowing politely.

Yu Caiqing turned, her cool gaze softening slightly when she recognized her supplier. “It’s you.”

Jiang Chen introduced Jin Fugui, then asked, “Senior Sister, why is the Earth Fire Zone so lively today?”

“The Alchemy Hall is holding a ‘Pill Tasting Gathering’,” Yu Caiqing explained, her voice crisp. “Pills are being sold at a discount, so many cultivators have come to browse.”

Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui exchanged a look of realization.

One was a hermit farming in the fields. The other was busy shoveling manure in Beast Mountain.

Neither had a clue about current events.

Just then, Yu Caiqing extended an invitation.