My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 165: Three Handfuls of Black Earth

“You… have finally awakened?”

The voice jolted Chen Ping. He realized with a start that the Ancient Tree had been waiting for him the entire time.

Judging by the tone, he had been immersed in that state of “absolute clarity” for quite a while.

“Senior,” Chen Ping asked, rubbing his temples, “how long was I in meditation?”

“I do not know the exact hours, but it was not a short duration.”

The Ancient Tree’s voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. However, it immediately pivoted to the only subject it cared about.

“The Fated Chance has been bestowed. Are you satisfied? Now… can you hand over that Sacred Earth to me?”

Despite the grandeur of the voice, there was a trace of barely suppressed urgency. For the Tree, every second of this wait had been agonizing.

Chen Ping steadied his mind, pushing down the lingering disappointment about the Tree Heart’s intangible effects.

A deal was a deal. He had received his goods; it was time to pay the bill.

“Senior, rest assured. This junior honors his agreements.”

Chen Ping offered a verbal “heart-stabilizing pill,” but before the Tree could relax, his tone shifted.

“However, before I hand over the Black Earth, I have a few questions. Your answers will determine how I treat this substance in the future. I hope Senior can enlighten me.”

The Qingyun Ancient Tree fell silent. It was clearly impatient, its branches twitching in the spiritual wind. But for the sake of the cure, it swallowed its pride.

“Speak.”

“First question,” Chen Ping said, organizing his thoughts. “Senior called this Black Earth the ‘Cradle of Life’ and ‘Sacred Earth.’ Why? Do you know its true name and origin?”

The Ancient Tree’s voice grew contemplative.

“This earth… I do not recognize it. Its true name? I have never heard it. I was born at the dawn of this world. Over the long eras, I have witnessed countless spirit soils and wondrous terrains. I have even sensed the Immortal Soil carried by fragments of the Immortal Realm.”

The voice deepened, trembling with reverence.

“But this Black Earth… The Source Power contained within it is of the utmost purity. It is the essence of the microscopic and the infinite, far exceeding my knowledge.”

“Immortal Soil is marvelous because it contains Immortal Qi. It can accelerate the growth of herbs and nurture roots. But its function is still limited to ‘nourishment’ and ‘promotion.’ This Black Earth is different.”

“The Source contained within it feels like the foundational basis for the growth of all things—the Origin Point of Creation. It does not merely nourish; it bestows the most primitive Vitality. It does not promote; it reshapes the very foundation of life! I cannot fathom its specific background, but for a Heaven and Earth Spirit Root like myself… it is a Supreme Holy Medicine!”

Chen Ping listened, his heart pounding against his ribs.

Far surpassing Immortal Soil?

Bestowing primitive Vitality?

Reshaping the foundation of life?

Although the Ancient Tree’s description was abstract, it was enough to confirm Chen Ping’s suspicions: the Black Earth in his Jade Pendant was terrifyingly valuable. Its origin was likely beyond this world entirely.

This solidified his resolve. The secret of the Jade Pendant must never see the light of day.

“Thank you for the explanation, Senior.”

Chen Ping digested the information and moved to the next point.

“Second question. How can you be certain this Black Earth will heal the injuries left by the Heavenly Tribulation Dao Marks? What is the basis of your judgment?”

This was crucial. He needed to know if this was a gamble or a guarantee.

The Ancient Tree answered instantly. It had clearly spent the last few hours analyzing this very question.

“I am an Innate Spirit Root. My perception of plants, wood, soil, and stone is an instinct granted by Heaven and Earth. The trace of Purple Source Power within that soil… its level is so high, its life-generating power so potent, that mere Dao Marks of Destruction cannot withstand it.”

“If I use that Source Power to wash and nourish my core, it will undoubtedly repair my damaged foundation. In fact… I may even surpass my prime!”

By the end of the sentence, the Ancient Tree’s voice was vibrating with excitement. Its confidence stemmed from a biological imperative—the resonance between a dying lifeform and the ultimate cure.

Chen Ping nodded. The logic held up.

He then asked the most practical question—the one that would determine his “cost.”

“Third question. Senior, you said the Black Earth can treat your injury. Specifically, how much is needed? Is one handful sufficient? Or more? To completely eradicate the Dao Marks, restore you to your original state, and perhaps… advance further… what is the quantity required?”

He emphasized the words “advance further.”

He had keenly caught the ambition leaking from the Tree’s previous words.

The Qingyun Ancient Tree fell silent again, performing precise calculations.

After a long pause, the grand voice resonated with unprecedented solemnity and honesty.

“The handful you revealed earlier… that quantity alone is enough to purge the residual Heavenly Tribulation power, repair the cracks in my Source, and free me from 10,000 years of suffering!”

“If I can obtain a second handful… I am confident I can restore my cultivation to the peak of the Rank 5 realm within a hundred years!”

“If… if I could have a third handful…”

The voice trembled, the longing palpable.

“Not only would my Source be completely stabilized, but I could also use this Creation Power to nurture a stronger vitality! I might even… glimpse the threshold of the Rank 6 realm!”

Three handfuls.

That was the magic number.

One to heal. Two to restore. Three to evolve.

Chen Ping did the math instantly.

In his Jade Pendant space, there was a literal field of Black Earth. It was practically inexhaustible. Three handfuls were nothing—a drop in the ocean.

He could easily afford this.

And the return? The friendship of an Innate Spirit Root that could return to Rank 5 and potentially ascend to Rank 6. This was a geopolitical superweapon for the Sect.

“This junior understands.”

Chen Ping clasped his hands in a formal salute.

“Finally, I must ask Senior to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath regarding the secrecy of this transaction.”

The Qingyun Ancient Tree let out a hearty, booming laugh that shook the leaves above.

“Young friend, you are truly a remarkable schemer! Excellent! Excellent!”

[I, Qingyun, swear to the Heavenly Dao that I will never reveal this information to a second living being…]

As the oath settled into the laws of the world, Chen Ping nodded.

With a thought, his figure vanished from the spot.

The Ancient Tree’s vast Divine Sense immediately locked onto the empty space, waiting anxiously.

To Chen Ping, it was a casual stroll into his dimension. To the Tree, that split second felt like an eon.

The next moment, Chen Ping reappeared.

He held a simple cloth bag in his hand.

Inside was nothing but soil. It looked like ordinary dirt one could find in any mortal garden. No one would ever imagine that this unremarkable grit was a supreme treasure capable of saving an Innate Spirit Root.

“Senior.”

Chen Ping walked up to the massive, glowing roots.

“Here are three handfuls of Black Earth. Please accept them.”

He gently poured the contents of the bag onto the glowing spirit grass at the base of the trunk. He didn’t toss it casually this time; his movements were solemn.