Clang, clang, clang… clang, clang, clang…
As dawn broke, an urgent metallic clanging sound echoed.
He Pingsheng rubbed his eyes fiercely, forcing his tired self to open them.
A new day had arrived.
Time to work again.
?
It smells so good!
The scene before He Pingsheng’s eyes gradually cleared: “Where is that scent coming from?”
He scrambled up from his bed and then scanned the room with his gaze.
Suddenly… his pupils slightly contracted: “This is…”
The entire room was dark, with only a sliver of dawn light peeking through the window, and not far from the windowsill, a dark clay pot was filled with golden rice.
He Pingsheng rubbed his eyes fiercely again.
He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him!
He pinched his thigh hard: Hiss… it hurts so much.
It’s not a dream!
It’s not an illusion!
This… is this really High Grade Spirit Rice?
At this moment, He Pingsheng’s heart pounded uncontrollably. He got out of bed and tiptoed to the clay pot.
He reached his hand into the Time rice and gently stirred it upwards.
It was all Time rice.
Although it was his first Time seeing it, He Pingsheng had this basic knowledge. He knew that what was in front of him was High Grade Spirit Rice.
But why was it like this?
Yesterday, didn't that son of a bitch Zhang Laoda give him only half a pot of ordinary Spirit Rice, white with a hint of greenish glow?
When did it turn Time?
“No, that’s not right…” He Pingsheng keenly noticed that not only had the quality changed, but the quantity seemed to have changed as well.
Yesterday, there was only half a pot of ordinary Spirit Rice, but today it was a whole pot full of Time High Grade Spirit Rice.
What’s going on?
Could it be that someone entered my room and secretly put it here?
He Pingsheng looked towards the door.
No!
The door bolt was tightly closed, and the iron lock was firmly locked.
No one could have come in.
So what exactly happened?
He Pingsheng was completely baffled.
“Bang, bang, bang…” Just then, there was a loud knocking sound from the door: “He Pingsheng… are you still not up? Get your ass up, eat and work!”
It was Zhang Laoda’s fierce voice from outside.
“I’m up, Zhang Laoda, I’ll be right there!” He Pingsheng quickly put the pot of Time rice, along with the clay pot, under his bed, covered it haphazardly with his clothes, and then opened the door, grabbed his large iron bowl, and headed towards the dining hall.
However, his mind was still on the Time Spirit Rice.
“Xiao He… eat more meat, so you’ll have the strength to work!” Old Bao, in the dining hall, fiercely scooped a spoonful of meat into He Pingsheng’s bowl with a large ladle: “Eat more!”
“Aye, aye… thank you, Uncle Bao!” He Pingsheng said gratefully, then after getting his food, he squatted under the eaves outside the dining hall and began to gobble it down.
“Boy!” Zhang Laoda walked up to him and looked down at He Pingsheng: “I know you’re tired, but you can’t be lazy!”
“Remember what I said, go back and eat some Spirit Rice. Today’s task must be completed, otherwise, you won’t be able to sleep tonight!”
“Aye, aye, aye…” He Pingsheng nodded while wolfing down his food.
By the Time Zhang Laoda left, He Pingsheng had almost finished his bowl of rice.
“Uncle Bao!” He said, holding his empty bowl: “Another bowl for me!”
“Alright…” Old Bao was not stingy and gave He Pingsheng another large bowl of meat.
In the Immortal Sect, meat was not scarce; it wasn't valuable.
After eating, He Pingsheng returned to his room, locked the door, and then took out the Spirit Rice from under his bed.
Should he cook some Spirit Rice to eat?
“No… no…” This idea was immediately rejected by He Pingsheng.
Why?
Because it was too fragrant.
He had helped Jiang Jian cook Spirit Rice before, and he still remembered that fragrance; the rich aroma of the rice could travel dozens of feet.
And that was just green High Grade Spirit Rice, but his was Time High Grade.
If the fragrance was too strong, and someone discovered it, wouldn’t they accuse him of being a thief who stole rice?
No, absolutely cannot cook it!
He Pingsheng grabbed a handful of Time Spirit Rice and swallowed it directly.
If cooking it won't work, then I'll eat it raw!
After a few mouthfuls of Spirit Rice, He Pingsheng felt as if a ball of fire was burning in his stomach.
No… to be precise, it was a warm fire slowly burning. This warmth surged from his stomach to his limbs, instantly making him feel an inexhaustible strength throughout his body.
It seemed that all the fatigue from yesterday had vanished without a trace in that instant.
Hiss, hiss, hiss…
Amazing!
Time rice is truly extraordinary.
Regardless of how this Time rice came to be, He Pingsheng poured the rice from the pot into the leg of his unused trousers, tied both ends tightly, and then placed it on his bed, making a simple and ugly pillow.
This way, even if someone broke into the room, he wouldn't be afraid of them noticing anything amiss!
He covered the pillow with some old clothes, and then He Pingsheng cautiously went out.
He picked up two large buckets and ran like the wind towards the mountain spring.
It was a scorching summer day. As soon as He Pingsheng reached the waterfall, he had already broken out in a sweat. He put down the buckets, went to the edge of the pond first, bent down, and took two sips of the cool water.
Refreshing!
However, the taste of the spring water seemed to have changed a bit.
He Pingsheng couldn't quite put his finger on how it had changed, but it just didn't seem as good as before.
After drinking water, it was Time to work!
He carried two huge wooden buckets filled with spring water on his shoulders, and today they felt much lighter.
He Pingsheng carried water while marveling at how powerful the Spirit Rice was; just a handful had given him so much strength.
Again and again!
In less than a morning, He Pingsheng had actually filled the large Cylinder at the entrance of the Utility Disciple dining hall.
He counted, and he had already made ten trips.
This was too fast, wasn't it?
Returning to the mountain spring, He Pingsheng didn't rush to continue carrying water but instead rested.
Although he was only fourteen and somewhat naive about certain things, he still had a basic sense of danger.
He Pingsheng knew that if he completed the task too quickly, it would definitely arouse Zhang Laoda’s suspicion, and if Zhang Laoda investigated further, the matter of the Time rice might be exposed.
At that point, he would truly be not far from death.
So!
It was better to be cautious and not go so fast.
So, for the rest of the midday and afternoon, He Pingsheng began to work slowly and deliberately. Although it was very easy, he made it appear as if it was extremely difficult.
It wasn't until long after nightfall that He Pingsheng finally completed his twenty trips for water.
Although he carried water five more Times today than yesterday, because of the Spirit Rice’s enhancement, it was comparatively much easier.
