Early in the morning, a sliver of light crested over the Low Hill, casting its glow on the slopes of Low Mountain.
Chen Mu got out of bed, washed up, and made breakfast.
After devouring ten grilled meat roll cakes and gulping down two cups of secretly brewed chilled tea, he leisurely walked down to the field, gnawing on a crisp goat horn cucumber.
Within the Yellow Bud Rice Fields, the enchanting mist that resembled cotton appeared with the sunlight and gradually faded away.
As Chen Mu strolled through the Yellow Bud Rice fields, he was accompanied by the Five Ghosts.
From time to time, clusters of well water or bone powder would appear out of thin air.
The newly sprouted weeds on the ground vanished right away whenever Chen Mu laid his eyes on them.
After making a few trips along the long, narrow fields, the ten acres of Yellow Bud Rice had been taken care of.
He then went to another side of Low Mountain to a newly rented ten acres and repeated the process.
By the time he returned to the Low Hill Courtyard, all of this had taken no more than half an hour. In another fifteen minutes, he had taken care of the nightshade grass on the west side of the courtyard.
The day’s work was largely done.
Then Chen Mu comfortably lay in his rocking chair, humming a tune and sipping tea, “How satisfying…”
…
On the smooth surface of the western stone wall, an Iron Lotus Seed stood unmoving, like a tightly bound prisoner waiting to be shot.
The next moment, a flash of black and red light passed, and with a pop, the Iron Lotus Seed disintegrated, leaving only a few tiny, glowing red-hot fragments.
And to its right, another row of identical Iron Lotus Seeds awaited their execution.
With his left hand holding a teacup and a black and red pellet the size of a soybean appearing in his right palm, Chen Mu’s face bore a smile like a deranged executioner.
Biu!
Then another Iron Lotus Seed turned into iron dust and vanished.
After a while, Chen Mu reluctantly stopped.
He habitually glanced at the gray wall and remembered that the Sand Containing Technique had long been practiced to its limit when he noticed a column that had lost its experience progression.
“Sand Shooting Shadow is like a cannon, blasting everything in its path.”
“In the shooting game, the sand containing pellets that are like small handguns are indeed more fun,” Chen Mu thought with glee.
“Hmm… the description of a small handgun isn’t quite accurate.”
“After all, the ultimate version of the sand containing pellets can occasionally take the role of a sniper rifle.”
A shuttle-shaped pellet as long as a thumb, with a black surface covered in red, lava-like indentations, appeared in the palm of his right hand.
Whoosh!
The last Iron Lotus Seed on the wall vanished instantly.
A handful of crimson iron filings sparkled midair, then turned into a fine dust, falling softly. In the air lingered a faint scent of iron dissipating slowly.
Chen Mu set down his teacup and, with a flash, jumped into the well.
Through a hole chiseled into the wall of the well, he darted into the Underground Secret Chamber to begin a new day’s cultivation.
…
In the evening, at the Low Hill Courtyard.
The square table was filled with assorted meat and vegetarian dishes.
“This is for you,” Shang Huan said, handing Chen Mu a cloth bag.
“Half a month, ten White Jade Coins, you can’t earn this much by farming, can you?” Shang Huan asked smugly.
“I can’t,” Chen Mu replied honestly, shaking his head as he took the cloth bag.
“Just as I thought,” Shang Huan coaxed, “If you make me some more grilled meat marinade, you could earn even more than this!”
Chen Mu smiled.
“Not interested.”
Shang Huan glared at Chen Mu with frustration, “You’re not seizing a great opportunity. At this rate, when will you ever cultivate enough Spiritual Light?”
Chen Mu grinned and glanced at the gray wall.
Well… probably around this September.
…
“Can’t blame Brother Chen for being cautious, this business indeed has its risks,” Old Hao commented while picking up a slice of cured meat and looking at Shang Huan.
“You’ve already made quite a bit, no need to be so eager for quick success,” he added.
Shang Huan grimaced, “I’m just worried because I don’t have money on hand and want to earn a bit more.”
“Where’s all your money?” Old Hao asked in surprise.
He had often seen this chubby fellow flaunting his moves and earning quite a bit of White Jade, so how could he be short of money?
“Couldn’t help myself, spent it…” Shang Huan said, looking dejected.
“Did you buy a Secret Technique?” Old Hao probed.
“The Lesser Zodiac Star River Spiritual Light Method,” Shang Huan said, a mix of pain and pride in his voice.
Chen Mu couldn’t help but feel a jolt. That was one of the most expensive techniques for the Spiritual Light Stage, costing five hundred White Jade Coins!
“`
“Medicinal fields have always been troubled by exotic beasts,”
“Destruction of herbs and casualties among personnel never ceased.”
“Your barbecue seasoning business can still thrive in the short term.”
“It’s safer to go slow, rather than risking your life for a secret technique you paid for,” Old Hao advised.
“That’s the only option,” Shang Huan agreed, nodding helplessly.
“The medicinal fields are still being disturbed by powerful exotic beasts?” Chen Mu couldn’t help asking with a curious mind.
“Not just the medicinal fields. Planting areas near the mountain edges also frequently witness exotic beasts,”
Resting his right hand on his knee with his right foot on a long bench, Shang Huan leisurely ate while speaking mysteriously, “It’s said quite a few people have died or been injured.”
Old Hao and Chen Mu exchanged a glance, both recalling the strange snake incident.
More so than Old Hao, Chen Mu, who knew the details, thought even further.
That strange snake was thick-skinned and tough, a match for Perceptive Spirit Light. Ordinary disciples from the Lower Courtyard who encountered it were doomed for sure!
People are anxious?
Now that’s an opportunity!
Chen Mu’s mind raced, and he smiled at Shang Huan, “I concocted a kind of powder a few days ago that you might like.”
Shang Huan, not quite understanding, looked at Chen Mu, “What’s it taste like? I don’t want it if it’s not good.”
Chen Mu chuckled. What’s it taste like, as if it’s barbecue seasoning.
He didn’t explain but instead joined in the fun cheerfully, “It can isolate Earth Spirit Vital Energy, prevent detection by exotic beasts, how’s that for flavor?”
He had researched the vines in detail.
Using the Fifth Rank Pharmaceutical Technique, he devised a powder.
The working principle was unknown, but through experiments on a White Jade Plate and sensing with Spirit Armor Technique, it was confirmed that this powder could block Earth Spirit Vital Energy to some extent.
Shang Huan suddenly slammed his chopsticks down on the table, “Great! This flavor is friggin’ awesome!”
Business opportunity!
A huge business opportunity!
“No kidding around, if it doesn’t work, the buyers will definitely come knocking for a refund,” Old Hao worriedly furrowed his brow.
“There should be no refunds,” Chen Mu said with a grin, quite proud of his Alchemical Technique.
“Of course no refunds!” Shang Huan couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Old Hao, utterly confused, “What do you mean?”
“If they don’t encounter a powerful exotic beast, the buyer won’t return it.”
“If they do encounter a powerful exotic beast and lose their lives, who will come to me for a refund? Haha…”
“Brother Chen is brilliant!”
Old Hao stared at Chen Mu in disbelief.
Is this still the same honest and straightforward Brother Chen?
A corner of Chen Mu’s mouth twitched, and he quickly clarified, “This is an ancestral formula handed down in my family, not fake!”
“Right, right, right! Ancestral formula! Tell anyone who asks it’s an ancestral formula!” Shang Huan said, holding his thumb up excitedly.
Chen Mu’s face involuntarily twitched again.
How on earth did this get so twisted!
The damn fatso’s leading me astray!
…
In the deep mountains northwest of the Lower Courtyard below Jilong Mountain, more than ten grey tents stood on a cleared area made by cutting trees.
Wu Lie hurried into the main tent in the center, “Prefect, news from the Lower Courtyard, another dead.”
“Several parts of the herbal garden were destroyed too, not a small loss.”
Lin Su nodded calmly, “No movements from the Upper Court?”
“It was not mentioned in the message,” Wu Lie hesitated, “I guess it should be soon.”
Lin Su calmly waved his hand for Wu Lie to leave.
“Looks like I need to release some more exotic beasts in there,” Lin Su thought silently.
“Only when enough of the medicinal fields are destroyed will the Upper Court send people to repair them.”
“Mo Wuzhou, you’d better hurry up and come,” a sharp light flashed in Lin Su’s eyes.
A genius who made a breakthrough in the dojo?
Ha…
Just a Lower Courtyard farmer, a genius?
It must be because of the Exquisite Jade Plate!
“`