“Right, right, right.” Tie Xin grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. “I thought you were just a little follower tagging along behind Chen Bo. I never expected your brewing skills to be this excellent.”

Tie Xin seemed unaware that her words were a bit hurtful and continued blithely, “Ever since Pei Mo followed Chen Tian to the Central Region, I’ve been really craving this wine.”

Jiang Chen’s heart stirred. “Could I ask you to install an array formation?”

Since the other party had been chosen by Chen Tian as “one of us,” it meant she must have talent in array formations.

Tie Xin took a sip of Spirit Wine, then wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand before answering, “Sure thing.”

“What’s the price?” Jiang Chen asked with a curious look.

Tie Xin thought for a moment. “Forget Spirit Stones; I have a whole bunch in my storage pouch. You can pay me with Spirit Wine afterward.”

Hearing that no Spirit Stones were required, Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up immediately. “How many jin do you want?”

Tie Xin smacked her lips. “Since we’re on the same side, I’ll give you a friend’s price: 100 jin of Spirit Wine to install one low-level array formation.”

“That’s not unacceptable.” Jiang Chen thought it over and agreed.

100 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Wine converted to about 20 Mid-grade Spirit Stones. The current market price for a low-level array formation was 15 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Although it was a small loss, it was still acceptable. At least he had made a connection with an array master.

Afterward, the two exchanged communication talismans.

Following that, Jiang Chen directly packed up his stall. He began helping Jin Fugui sell spirit beasts.

Perhaps benefiting from the popularity of Jiang Chen’s Spirit Wine sales, quite a few people actually inquired about prices and even bought some spirit beasts. They made quite a bit by the end of the day. Much better than the previous few years.

It was still early; they could wander around a bit to see what new things were available at the current Red Leaf Valley market.

As he wandered, he didn’t see many new items but bought quite a lot of food instead—either pastries popular in the outside world or delicacies infused with spiritual energy.

Although everyone here were cultivators who usually ate Spirit Rice and drank from spirit springs, one had to admit that food from the outside world had its own unique flavor. Especially since it carried that familiar yet increasingly distant “hustle and bustle” atmosphere that everyone recognized.

Suddenly, three familiar faces approached from ahead: Zhao Ziyao, Zhao Ying, and Wang Hu.

When they saw Jiang Chen, they all froze collectively.

Wang Hu was fine; their relationship was already very poor. Zhao Ziyao and Zhao Ying, however, wore expressions of extreme complexity.

Especially Zhao Ziyao. After a moment of internal struggle, he asked Wang Hu beside him in a subdued tone, “Senior Brother Wang, could you lend me 10 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice?”

“Why?” Wang Hu looked at him in surprise.

Zhao Ziyao pointed at Jiang Chen. “I owe him.”

Hearing this, Wang Hu narrowed his eyes. After some consideration, he nodded. “Fine. But it will be deducted from your resources.”

Zhao Ziyao was stunned, then showed an expression of extreme reluctance.

After encountering difficulties last time, he had been forced to seek refuge with Wang Hu. Although the Spirit Farm was still technically his own, he had to share each harvest’s yield with Wang Hu. Therefore, he wasn’t much different from a tenant farmer like Zhao Ying.

His resources were already scarce, and his cultivation progress was slow. Now another portion would be deducted…

He had owed this debt for almost a year and felt somewhat guilty about it.

Wang Hu asked with slight impatience, “Well? What’s your decision?”

Zhao Ziyao took a deep breath and gritted his teeth in agreement.

Then, Wang Hu took out 10 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice from his storage pouch. But instead of handing it over properly, he tossed it onto the ground with a look of disdain.

Seeing this, Zhao Ziyao’s face darkened as anger surged within him.

At that moment, Zhao Ying beside him secretly tugged at his sleeve.

In the end, Zhao Ziyao trembled all over as he bent down and picked up the 10 jin of Tier-2 Spirit Rice from the ground like a beggar receiving alms.

He immediately walked up to Jiang Chen without saying a word. He directly stuffed the Spirit Rice into Jiang Chen’s arms and then turned back.

Witnessing this scene, Jiang Chen’s gaze swept over Zhao Ziyao, Zhao Ying, and Wang Hu one by one.

He never expected these three—or rather two of them—to end up together.

Unlike Zhao Ying, Zhao Ziyao possessed innate talent for planting. He had passed the assessment successfully on only his second attempt in the outer sect and became an official disciple. Logically speaking, he should have had a bright future ahead.

But times had changed.

Of the four who became official disciples together back then:

Lin An was arrested for breaching his contract; who knows what he’s doing now.

Both Zhao Ziyao and Zhao Ying had sought refuge with Wang Hu and become tenant farmers.

Wang Hu sneered. “Junior Brother Jiang! Long time no see. You’re living more freely than ever.”

Jiang Chen looked at him with indifferent eyes and asked casually, “How have you been lately, Senior Brother Wang?”

Wang Hu glanced at Zhao Ziyao’s stifled expression and then said meaningfully, “Of course I’m doing well. It would be even better if you joined us too.”

Except for Jin Fugui, everyone present understood the implication. After all, Jiang Chen, Zhao Ziyao, and Zhao Ying had become official disciples together.

Jiang Chen shrugged. “Thank you for your regard, Senior Brother Wang. But I’m currently following Senior Brother Chen Bo and can’t spare myself for now.”

Hearing this, Wang Hu raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t help but step forward until he stood right before Jiang Chen. The two stared at each other intently before Wang Hu sneered coldly. “I knew all along that it was Chen Bo who helped you back then. Pity that compared to my cousin Wang Ze… he ultimately falls short.”

Jiang Chen smiled slightly. “Senior Brother Wang Ze? I ran into him at Chen Tian’s birthday banquet last time. Unfortunately, he left too quickly; we didn’t get to catch up.”

Upon hearing this statement, Wang Hu’s pupils instantly contracted sharply! After several moments filled with shock and doubt, he abruptly turned away and barked sharply toward those behind him, “What are you standing around gawking for?! Let’s go!”

Watching their hurried departing backs, a trace of mockery appeared on Jiang Chen’s lips as he smiled faintly.

Wang Hu originally intended to use the mention of his cousin ‘Wang Ze’ to disgust or annoy him—after all, the events of last time remained a vivid memory.

Yet not only did the plan fail, but he got himself startled instead.

Indeed, within the Spirit Farm sphere, Chen Bo’s status was truly inferior compared to Wang Ze, a fact witnessed by all eyes.

But he possessed one advantage many others lacked: his younger cousin, Chen Tian.

This genius blessed with triple-element spiritual roots was not only nearing a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, but moreover—what made Wang Hu fear even more—was the master behind him: this Nascent Soul True Lord whom the entire Wang Clan dared not provoke!

Jin Fugui asked discontentedly, “Who was that asshole?”

Jiang Chen shook his head. “Consider him a half-acquaintance.”

Jin Fugui curled his lip disdainfully. “That guy talks way too punchably.”

But Jiang Chen didn’t mind; instead, he called out, “Come on—time to head home.”

Immediately, both left the Red Leaf Valley market.

For the first half of the journey, they still used Paper Crane flight.

Seeing the entrance to Beast Mountain drawing nearer and nearer, Jin Fugui summoned his spirit beast camel, then said cheerfully, laughing, “Fellow Daoist Jiang! See you next year!”

Soon, Jin Fugui ran far away.

While Jiang Chen alone piloted his Paper Crane flight, finally managing to return home before sunset.

“Woof, woof!” The yellow dog excitedly rubbed against his master’s feet.

The Spirit Hen remained her same old self, perched atop the chair armrest, seemingly surveying her realm like a monarch, yet her pair of black eyeballs darted around restlessly—who knows what she was thinking about.

Jiang Chen squatted down and patted the dog’s head, smiling. “Already gave you a name, Fellow Daoist! From now on, you’re called Da Huang!”

Standing up while heading toward the kitchen, he chattered incessantly. “Today at the Red Leaf Valley market, lots of things happened…”

Regardless of whether Da Huang or the Spirit Hen could understand or not, he just poured out his thoughts, talking to himself.

After all, he couldn’t find a second living person here.

This year was the first year of becoming an official disciple. Last year, he only had Spirit Rice and Da Huang to keep him company. This year, he not only added the Spirit Hen, but even the meals were exceptionally abundant.

Roasted sweet potatoes, chili stir-fried cabbage, chili scrambled eggs, half a watermelon, various desserts… Whether prepared by himself or purchased at the Red Leaf Valley market, anyway, a whole pile covered the table that couldn’t even hold it all.

Soon, one person, one dog, and one chicken sat separately around the table. Before them were steaming hot delicacies.

Jiang Chen personally filled bowls of water for Da Huang and the Spirit Hen, then poured a small cup full of Spirit Wine into his own cup and raised it up.

“Da Huang, another year older—from now on, behave, guard the home properly, don’t run around everywhere anymore…”

“Spirit Hen, stop always being nervous and jumpy—if I wanted to eat you, I would’ve done it long ago…”

“As for me—this year I’ve worked fairly hard, but I must guard against arrogance and impatience, and strive to be better next year…”