Yet, Jiang Chen was not satisfied. After climbing onto the ridge, he did not return to his hut. Instead, he immediately headed toward the rocky hill.

He planned to take another look at the mutated Spirit Rice before it got dark.

Soon, he deftly slipped into the cave entrance. As he ventured deeper, the sole spirit plant in the black soil came into view.

Compared to their first meeting, it was taller and more robust. The seeds on the panicle were each exceptionally plump, so heavy that they even bent the mutated Spirit Rice stalk, causing it to sway up and down occasionally.

“If the seeds from this mutated spirit plant also grow into mutated spirit plants, my future yield could break through 4,000 jin, possibly even reaching 5,000 or 6,000 jin,” Jiang Chen thought as he crouched down close to it, then circulated the Evergreen Art (Fifth Layer).

[Mutated Spirit Rice: Not Mature]

He never expected it was still not mature. It shone brilliantly gold all over. Each seed was twice as large as those from the top-grade Spirit Rice outside. Yet, it was still in its growth stage. This was truly incredible.

One could imagine how astonishing it would be once mature.

“I’ll keep waiting. Time is the one thing I’m not short of.” Jiang Chen took a deep breath.

Next, he watered it several times with spring water before returning to his wooden hut. He began preparing meals for the little yellow dog, the pearl chickens, and himself.

No matter how much Spirit Rice he obtained, no matter how much lifespan he harvested, his life remained completely unchanged from beginning to end.

Time quickly arrived at the day for submitting the Spirit Rice.

Jiang Chen set out early in the morning, wearing a bamboo hat, walking step by step toward the Core Management Office. This time, however, he had considered buying a Paper Crane for transportation. Walking every time was truly a waste of time.

When he arrived at the flat-topped mountain palace, it was already packed with people. Usually, only a few were seen, but now it was a bustling crowd.

Jiang Chen queued for a long time before it was finally his turn.

[Successfully submitted 1,500 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice.]

Thus, adding the one thousand jin from spring, he now had only half of this year’s task remaining: 2,500 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice.

Although, with his current stockpile, Jiang Chen could complete the task ahead of schedule, there was really no need.

A formal disciple who had joined the Spirit Farm core area for less than a year completing his task early would inevitably raise many suspicions.

Jiang Chen’s thinking was simple: Steadily lying low was fine. There was no need to stand out too much, and even less need to draw others’ attention.

[Current Contribution Points: 725]

Previously, he spent thirty points to exchange for Spirit Clover, cabbage, and watermelon seeds, leaving him with 470 points. Now, after submitting 1,500 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice and gaining 275 points, his points had successfully broken through to 700.

He was one step closer to exchanging for the third part (the second part from the Immortal Sect) of the high-level cultivation technique.

However, Jiang Chen spent another 20 points.

[Current Contribution Points: 705]

The Spirit Clover, cabbage, and watermelon seeds exchanged earlier were not yet used up.

After finishing all this, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he greeted Elder Mu and then walked toward the task wall.

Arriving beneath the wall, he indeed saw many, many tasks. Compared to last time, there were more in number alone. Moreover, some of them appeared to have even harsher conditions.

[Seeking Foundation Establishment stage Wood Spirit Root disciple to assist in cultivating a century-old spirit plant]

(Remuneration: +5 Mid-grade Spirit Stones)

But at this moment, one task caught his attention. He couldn’t help but examine it carefully.

[Urgent Task: Find a Wood Spirit Root disciple to care for an Earth Lotus for 7 days]

A seven-day task. One could receive +10 points and +10 Low-grade Spirit Stones per day. And there were no requirements for cultivation realm or technique level.

Given Jiang Chen’s currently revealed strength, it was feasible.

Thinking he had nothing to do these next few days, he immediately accepted this task. He would check it out first. If it really didn’t work out, he could abandon it anytime.

As Jiang Chen accepted the task, he immediately received a communication talisman. This situation was encountered for the first time; it was slightly unexpected.

Not long after, it began to flicker.

“Was it you who accepted my posted task?”

“I am a Foundation Establishment stage disciple from the Earth Vein named Jin Man.”

“I live on the 18th level of the Earth Vein. You can use this talisman to open the cave entrance.”

The communication ended. Jiang Chen stored it in his small storage pouch.

The other party only mentioned caretaking and did not explicitly state living inside. Meaning, he only needed to look after the Earth Lotus each day. If so, there was no rush to go over immediately.

Not to mention he still needed to cook for the little yellow dog and pearl chickens; the daily commute between the Spirit Farm and Earth Vein would require a lot of time.

Therefore, Jiang Chen decided to first purchase a Paper Crane.

After some thought, he took out Lin Yu’s communication talisman, then infused a wisp of spiritual power into it.

“Are you asking me to make rain again?”

“No. I’m contacting you this time because I want to buy a Paper Crane.”

“I can draw talismans, but I don’t make them. You’ve got the wrong person.”

“Where are you now?”

“I’m at the Spirit Farm Core Management Office.”

“You post a purchase task; someone will find you very quickly.”

“So that’s how it is. Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Lin!”

“Let’s not chat then. I’m very, very busy recently.”

Lin Yu proactively ended the communication.

Jiang Chen wore an expression of sudden understanding and then posted a task. The content was simple:

[Urgently need one Paper Crane]

Just as Lin Yu said, as soon as this task was posted, someone immediately accepted it, and very soon his location talisman began flickering incessantly.

Before long, a Wood Spirit Root disciple appeared before Jiang Chen.

This person asked with a smile, “Fellow Daoist, is it you who wants a Paper Crane?”

“My name is Han Ying. Although I am a Wood Spirit Root disciple, I am also an intermediary for a certain talisman master from Rain Pavilion,” Han Ying introduced himself.

The moment Jiang Chen saw him, he had already guessed as much, so after hearing the introduction, he wasn’t surprised at all but inquired, “My name is Jiang Chen. When can I get the Paper Crane?”

Hearing this, Han Ying took out several paper cranes from his storage pouch, saying, “I have three grades here: inferior, ordinary, and high-grade. Which one do you need?”

Seeing this, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, then examined them carefully.

This inferior paper crane looked crudely made; its surface patterns were a complete mess. It probably wouldn’t last more than a few uses before possibly becoming scrap.

The ordinary paper crane was better in terms of material, patterns, and so on; at least its appearance wasn’t bad.

As for the high-grade paper crane, not only was its texture good, but its patterns were clear, smooth, and appeared very regular.

The three Paper Cranes clearly came from three different talisman masters.

Currently, he definitely wouldn’t choose inferior. Basically, he was choosing between ordinary and high-grade.

Han Ying blinked. “Has Fellow Daoist Jiang made your choice?”

Jiang Chen countered, “What are the prices for ordinary and high-grade?”

Han Ying put away the inferior paper crane then replied, “Ordinary costs only 25 Low-grade Spirit Stones, while high-grade costs 88 Low-grade Spirit Stones.”

“How long can they be used?” Jiang Chen asked again.

Han Ying grinned. “For ordinary, as long as you don’t use it on rainy days, you can probably manage about two years.”

“As for high-grade, whether windy or rainy, you can use it for three years.”

Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched several times, then he said, “Too expensive.”

Han Ying shrugged helplessly. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, look at current market conditions. All resources are rising in price; we can’t sell at a loss.”

“66 Low-grade Spirit Stones for high-grade,” Jiang Chen frowned.

Han Ying paused, then shook his head. “Minimum 80. Any lower, no sale!”

Jiang Chen’s face darkened. “No nonsense. 70 Low-grade Spirit Stones, that’s my bottom line!”

“Deal.” Han Ying instantly changed his expression, revealing an enthusiastic smile.

Thus, after some haggling, he obtained one Paper Crane for 70 Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Then, without even taking back his communication talisman, Han Ying strode away.

Watching his departing back, Han Ying’s eyes flashed with cunning. This kid bargains well, but he absolutely wouldn’t guess my cost price is only 40 Low-grade Spirit Stones!