It was still that familiar taste.

However, it was superior in every way to the Tier-2 Spirit Rice grown in the Tier-2 Spirit Farm.

Of course, Jiang Chen wasn’t selfish enough to eat it all by himself. He later shared a portion with the yellow dog and the pearl chickens.

As the two little creatures ate, they both showed expressions of enjoyment. All over their bodies, they even emitted the unique, rich fragrance of Mutated Spirit Rice. Even their fur became softer and more lustrous.

Jiang Chen said with a hint of regret, “What a pity there isn’t enough to eat.”

Now, only nine hundred grains remained; they couldn’t continue consuming them.

He planned to cultivate the mutated rice seeds into mutated seedlings and replant them in the black soil to see if they could grow and mature.

If successful, it would mean he could have a continuous supply of mutated rice grains in the future. Thus, the speed of his cultivation progress would greatly increase.

In less than a year, he could reach Qi Condensation perfection and even break through to Foundation Establishment. After all, there was another wave of “Spiritual Energy Tide” in the spring.

In the following days, Jiang Chen kept a close watch on the mutated Spirit Rice plant.

Although harvesting the panicles had caused it to lose its luster, apart from that, there were no other problems.

After watering it with spring water a few more times, Jiang Chen left the cave. Then, stepping onto his Paper Crane, he flew toward the Core Management Office.

With autumn approaching, the third-quarter planting was about to begin. Although he still had other seeds, he needed to collect new spirit seedlings.

Jiang Chen specifically checked his contribution points.

He had earned 700 previously by submitting Spirit Rice. Later, he earned another 700 by helping Jin Man cultivate Earth Lotus.

Added together, it just exceeded 1400 points, equivalent to half of a high-level spell technique.

Indeed, the best way to increase points was to complete tasks. But good tasks were like finding hidden treasures—encountered by chance, not sought by design. Tasks like cultivating Earth Lotus were even rarer.

Afterward, Jiang Chen left the Core Management Office.

Everything proceeded step by step. He had Tie Zhu come over to loosen the soil. He agreed on a time for rain with Lin Yu. He waited for Jin Fugui to deliver the spirit beast manure.

The first two were fine, without any issues. It was specifically the third one, concerning Jin Fugui, that had a situation.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but ask the unfamiliar young man leading a camel before him, “You are?”

“My name is Sun Ban,” the unfamiliar young man explained with an awkward smile. “Because Senior Brother Hu has some matters to attend to, he temporarily asked me to deliver the century-old spirit beast manure to you.”

Sun Ban quickly added, “Senior Brother Hu is injured.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen thought of Mo Yu and Black Pool.

Subsequently, he had Sun Ban unload the century-old spirit beast manure. Before Sun Ban left, Jiang Chen gave him a plump and juicy large watermelon as payment.

Then, Jiang Chen took out a communication talisman from his small storage pouch and infused it with spiritual energy.

“Is it related to Mo Yu?”

“It has nothing to do with Senior Brother Mo!”

Next, under Jin Fugui’s detailed explanation, Jiang Chen finally learned what had happened to this guy.

Last time, after the two separated, Jin Fugui soon went with Mo Yu to Black Pool. They wanted to see if Spirit Wine could lure a Dragon Carp.

Unexpectedly, Black Pool didn’t just have Dragon Carp; it also had fish demons.

While fishing, they were suddenly attacked. Jin Fugui was dragged into the water. Fortunately, Mo Yu possessed a Water Spiritual Root and had reached Foundation Establishment. He managed to rescue Jin Fugui before he was eaten by the fish demon.

The two didn’t dare stay and immediately fled. But Jin Fugui’s arm was injured in the process, temporarily preventing him from going out.

Jin Fugui said quietly, “Fellow Daoist Jiang, your Spirit Wine really works.”

“Oh?” Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Jin Fugui said seriously, “After I was dragged into the water by the fish demon, I happened to see a Dragon Carp lingering near where we poured the Spirit Wine.”

Jiang Chen frowned. “Unless it bites the hook, that doesn’t prove it’s effective.”

But Jin Fugui immediately said, “No, no, no. I think the Spirit Wine works. It might be that the quality of the Spirit Rice used to make it isn’t high enough, so its attractiveness is insufficient.”

“Quality…” Jiang Chen thought of the Mutated Spirit Rice in his hand.

Could it be that ordinary Spirit Wine could attract Dragon Carp but wouldn’t make them bite? If it were Tier-3 Spirit Wine, or Mutated Spirit Wine… according to Jin Fugui’s words, perhaps they really would bite.

Because Dragon Carp possess trace amounts of demon dragon bloodline, their price is extremely high. The price for just one casually exceeds a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Because their taste is exceptionally delicious, they are beloved by many.

At this point, Jin Fugui said quite regretfully, “It’s a shame we didn’t succeed this time. Otherwise, I could have become a core disciple too and wouldn’t have to participate in that damned Formal Disciple Competition.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen smiled slightly.

He himself had no intention of participating in the Formal Disciple Competition. Even if his strength was sufficient, even if his realm was sufficient, he simply wasn’t interested. He’d rather spend that time planting more Spirit Rice instead.

Next, the two chatted briefly for a while longer.

Jin Fugui’s injury this time required at least ten days to half a month of rest. Their next meeting would likely be in winter.

Jiang Chen felt that as long as he was safe and sound, that was what mattered. Jin Fugui was one of his few friends. If something really happened to him or he died, the loss of spirit beast manure supply would be secondary. The key point was there would be no one to drink and chat with anymore in the future.

Time flew by quickly, arriving at Lin Yu’s scheduled day for rainmaking.

Not long after she arrived as promised. Today she seemed in good spirits; she wore a smile on her face throughout.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but ask, “Something happy happened?”

Lin Yu blinked her eyes. “My sister returned from the Eastern Domain! She brought back lots of local specialties.”

Lin Yu nodded, then took something out from her pink, sachet-like storage pouch. “This is Peach Cake, currently the most popular sweet treat in the Moon Empire. Try some.”

Jiang Chen took it and examined it carefully. The small box inside held a pastry. It was slightly pink, shaped to resemble a peach blossom, and had a faint peach blossom fragrance.

He picked it up, put it into his mouth, and bit off one-third.

The texture was very crispy, the taste somewhat sweet. Chewing produced many fine crumbs. Overall, it was okay—not particularly stunning.

“I’ll start rainmaking now.” Lin Yu wanted to finish quickly and return early to chat with her sister.

Soon, the Minor Rain Spell activated.

A slightly darkish, misty vapor condensed above the Spirit Farm. Like mist, yet not mist; like cloud, yet not cloud. Not long after, the pattering sound of rain began.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen hurriedly put away the remaining half of the Peach Cake, then took out several buckets from his small storage pouch.

Lin Yu, seeing this, asked, puzzled, “What are you doing?”

Jiang Chen smiled awkwardly. “I’m collecting some spirit water.”

Lin Yu understood, then reminded him, “Then you need to pay attention; the spiritual energy will dissipate within a few days.”

Soon, several buckets were filled.

After Lin Yu left, he immediately hurried toward the Stone Mountain. But not to irrigate the mutated Spirit Rice plant. Rather, to cultivate seedlings.

There were a total of three steps: Seed Soaking (soaking rice seeds in water), Germination Promotion (placing soaked seeds in a warm, humid environment), and Seedling Cultivation (placing seeds in nutrient-rich soil after they sprout).

The entire process would take roughly three to seven days for the mutated rice seeds to possibly become mutated rice seedlings!