The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality

Chapter 306: Sharp Will Shatters a Thousand Armies, Iron Blood Forges Heroic Souls

This man was not just the number one core disciple; he was the greatest sword prodigy the Cloud Sea Sect had seen in a millennium.

To reach the Earth-Grade Golden Core before his first century was a feat of talent so rare it was almost unheard of across the entire Azure Realm. Moreover, he was a prominent figure on the Azure Realm’s Top Ten Rising Stars ranking, his name listed near the very top.

Crucially, Qin Hao was also a master of artifact forging. The sunflower-shaped Magical Artifact he wielded, capable of unleashing a storm of countless flying swords, was his own personal creation.

Logically, with his identity, status, and power, punishing Mo Sha—a disciple who had yet to even earn a core position—should have been a trivial matter.

But who could have predicted that a Nascent Soul True Lord would intervene to protect him?

The gap between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms was a chasm, a gulf that could not be crossed. Even for a sword cultivator with a Metal Spirit Root, whose offensive power was ranked first among all affinities, bridging such a vast difference in cultivation was impossible. A Nascent Soul’s comprehension of the world’s laws was simply on another level, their power naturally far greater.

Jiang Chen drew a slow, deep breath. “No wonder Mo Sha is so arrogant. He has a Nascent Soul True Lord watching his back.”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. “Where is Senior Brother Long now?”

Tie Zhu scratched his head, answering with uncertainty, “Probably recuperating at Beast Mountain?”

With that, Jiang Chen produced a Communication Talisman—not for Long Ao, but for Old Jin. If Long Ao was injured, he would be resting, and it would be improper to disturb him directly.

“Something came up. How is Senior Brother Long?”

“Not good,” Jin Fugui’s voice replied, laced with worry. “This injury is far more severe than the last.”

“Give me the address. I’m on my way.”

Jin Fugui quickly relayed the location. It was within Beast Mountain, but in a deeper, more remote section.

Jiang Chen was about to leave immediately but paused, a thought striking him. He turned back to Tie Zhu. “Junior Brother Tie, find some time in the next few days and come see me. Those five acres of Spirit Farms need tilling.”

“Right away!” Tie Zhu replied, his face lighting up with excitement.

Jiang Chen then walked to the edge of Fire Peak and summoned his Giant Leaf. This time, he didn’t head home. He set a course for Beast Mountain, intent on checking on Long Ao’s condition first.

His journey was swift and unimpeded, bringing him to the entrance of Beast Mountain in short order.

The Pillar Python stood sentinel, as motionless and imposing as a true stone column. It seemed to spend most of its existence either basking in the sun or slumbering. Though many disciples were curious about the great beast, none dared to approach it with questions.

After all, it had a known taste for human flesh.

Following the directions and asking a few Beast Mountain disciples for clarification, Jiang Chen finally arrived at Long Ao’s residence on the edge of a dense forest.

The trees here were a peculiar species known as Nest Trees. As they grew, their branches would naturally weave and intertwine, forming hollow, nest-like structures. The older the tree, the more spacious its interior became, making them highly sought-after homes for avian spirit beasts.

Long Ao’s contracted spirit beast was a thousand-year-old white crane named Storm Crane 7. It had lived in this very forest since its birth. The name was both a personal identifier and a mark of its standing; within the entire white crane clan, its strength was ranked seventh. Possessing an affinity for both water and wind, it was a formidable creature.

As Jiang Chen approached, he saw the great crane standing guard at the entrance of a massive Nest Tree. It kept glancing inside, its posture tense and its expression fraught with worry.

That wasn’t all. Moored to one side, floating silently in the air, was a massive, opulent black vessel. A golden banner flew from its mast, embroidered with a single, serpentine character in black and gold thread: Feng.

Unexpectedly, a member of the Feng Clan from Wind Cliff was here. Jiang Chen didn’t know who it was, but it certainly wasn’t Feng Xiao.

After all… that man was dead.

Jiang Chen stepped forward and offered a respectful greeting. “Lord Storm Crane 7, it has been a while.”

Storm Crane 7 glanced at him, a flicker of recognition in its ancient eyes. “Ah… the young winemaker.”

Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. “Is Senior Brother Long inside?”

“He is,” the crane replied.

With that, Jiang Chen leaped into the air, landing softly at the entrance to the Nest Tree. He peered inside and was taken aback. The interior was cavernous, indistinguishable from a well-appointed human dwelling. It had a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, a study—all the comforts of a proper home.

Under the watchful gaze of Storm Crane 7, he stepped inside.

He soon spotted Jin Fugui, Xu Yuan, Shui Wuhen, and several other Beast Mountain disciples he didn’t recognize.

Shui Wuhen barely reacted to his arrival; they were little more than strangers. Jin Fugui and Xu Yuan, however, immediately came forward. “You’re finally here.”

Jiang Chen looked at them, puzzled. “Why are you all waiting out here?”

Jin Fugui shot a nervous glance toward the bedroom door and lowered his voice. “A core disciple is inside with Senior Brother Long.”

Remembering the opulent vessel outside, Jiang Chen’s curiosity was piqued. “Which member of the Feng Clan is it?”

The Feng Clan wasn’t merely the most powerful cultivation family on Wind Cliff. They were backed by one of the five great empires, the Heaven Empire. Supported by a seemingly endless river of resources, the clan had produced several core disciples for the sect. Feng Xiao had been one of them—hailed as the ‘Little Genius’ with the most potential.

“Feng Lie,” Jin Fugui whispered.

The name was vaguely familiar to Jiang Chen. He recalled the man making a brief appearance during the duel between Long Ao and Shui Wuhen. He had only appeared for a moment before departing, his actions swift and decisive.

Since a core disciple was present, Jiang Chen had no choice but to wait patiently.

Before long, the sound of footsteps echoed from within. The bedroom door swung open, and a tall man in a four-clawed black python robe emerged. His voice was a low rumble as he spoke. “Wasting away in Beast Mountain with an injury like yours is pointless. You should ascend Iron Blood Peak as soon as possible.”

The entire Cloud Sea Sect was comprised of seven great immortal peaks.

They were:

* **Iron Blood Peak**

*Motto: Sharp Will Shatters a Thousand Armies, Iron Blood Forges Heroic Souls!*

* **Water Immortal Peak**

*Motto: The Silver River Cleanses the Heart, Uniting All Waters; The Phantom Array Condenses Origin, Calming the Boundless Waves!*

* **Green Wood Peak**

*Motto: Jade Branches Condense Dew, Birthing All Creation; Verdant Peaks Nurture the Seeds of Spirit!*

* **Crimson Fire Peak**

*Motto: The Golden Crow Bathes in Fire, Tempering the True Body; Crimson Flames Scorch the Heavens, Sweeping Across the Eight Wastelands!*

* **Vajra Peak**

*Motto: Tai’a Tempering Forges the Golden Soul; The White Tiger Howls at the Moon, Slaying a Thousand Armies!*

* **Thick Earth Peak**

*Motto: The Yellow Jade Nourishes Harmony, Securing the Foundation; The Sovereign Earth Upholds All, Stabilizing Heaven and Earth!*

* **Profound Darkness Peak**

*Motto: Chaos Erodes Bone, Shattering the Void and Falsehoods; The Nine Nether Spirit Spring Refines the True Soul!*

Everyone present immediately cupped their hands in a respectful bow.

Feng Lie, however, paid them no mind, his gaze fixed forward as he strode past. A moment later, he boarded his black vessel and departed without a backward glance.

From the room, Long Ao’s voice called out, “Has Junior Brother Jiang arrived?”

Jiang Chen exchanged a look with Jin Fugui and Xu Yuan before walking to the doorway. “I’m here,” he announced.

“Come in,” Long Ao beckoned.

Jiang Chen immediately stepped inside. His eyes fell upon the figure on the bed, and he froze, his breath catching in his throat.