Xu Ning's actions of collecting manure during this period had made many people in the village misunderstand him.
Now that they thought about it, it turned out they didn't understand.
Looking at Xu Ning now, Mei Miaomiao's gaze had changed. She only felt that he exuded an inscrutable mysterious aura, which made her curious and want to explore.
Xu Ning felt very uncomfortable under her gaze. He quickly went over, grabbed a large corn cob, and handed it to Mei Miaomiao: “Take this back for planting. Consider it my repayment to Uncle and Aunt Mei.”
Mei Miaomiao looked at the corn cob Xu Ning handed her, a little dazed: “Are you really giving this to me?”
Xu Ning nodded: “Stop talking nonsense, just take it!”
Mei Miaomiao took it in a daze, and then, still dazed, was pushed out of the Cottage by Xu Ning.
After closing the door, Xu Ning couldn't help but ponder.
After a long while, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask: “Cottage, when will you be able to move!”
That's right, Xu Ning was preparing to leave. The corn had been exposed, and it would soon spread throughout the village. By then, he definitely couldn't stay here.
Once Immortal Cultivators noticed it, they would 100% investigate the corn, and at that time, many of Xu Ning's secrets would be discovered, unable to withstand scrutiny.
Moreover, Xu Ning knew in his heart that this extraordinary corn would not only attract Immortal Cultivators. It was important to note that food was also very scarce in this era, as production was low.
Once war broke out, this corn would be an important strategic resource, and then big problems would arise.
Cottage: “To move, you must reach mortal-grade Legendary.”
Xu Ning: “Then there's no other way, I need to leave first!”
The Cottage fell silent after hearing this, and only spoke after a long time: “Let me upgrade one more level. Then I can withstand many years of wind and rain, waiting for your return.”
Xu Ning shook his head: “I can't wait any longer.”
With that, Xu Ning walked over and began to process the corn.
If the corn remained in its current state, Xu Ning certainly couldn't take it with him, so he had to turn it into corn kernels and then sell them.
After a day of effort, Xu Ning peeled all the corn kernels and packed them.
Early the next morning, Xu Ning carried a portion of the corn to the market.
Because Xu Ning's corn kernels were very large, they sold out quickly. Xu Ning returned to carry the rest of the corn to sell as well.
All the corn kernels totaled about five hundred catties. After keeping some for food, Xu Ning sold over five hundred catties in total, at 1.8 wen per catty, making a total of nine hundred wen.
Afterward, Xu Ning put on his backpack, packed the iron pot and cleaver inside, then carried the manure bucket and hoe, and left Tanyun Village under the cover of night.
The next day, when Mei Miaomiao came to look for Xu Ning, she only saw the empty Cottage.
At first, Mei Miaomiao only thought Xu Ning had gone on a long trip and would return after some time, but half a month passed in a blink, and she didn't see him return.
At this point, Mei Miaomiao finally realized that he had left and didn't know where he had gone.
Looking at the empty Cottage, Mei Miaomiao felt an indescribable sense of loss.
At the same time, the entire Tanyun Village also underwent tremendous changes because of Xu Ning's corn.
First, all the villagers realized the importance of manure. They no longer relieved themselves on the roads but chose to collect it for irrigating crops.
The corn Xu Ning left behind also began to be accepted by the villagers and was planted on a large scale. The entire village also had very good harvests because of this corn. Not only did they no longer starve, but their homes also had surplus grain.
On this day, an incomparably beautiful woman came to Tanyun Village and developed a strong interest in that corn.
Her name was Song Xuezhen, an Immortal Cultivator. After seeing that kind of corn, she speculated that there must be some kind of treasure in this village, which caused the corn to grow so large.
To explore the secret within, Song Xuezhen decided to stay and settle down, to investigate its secrets.
And the Cottage, which became empty after Xu Ning left, became Song Xuezhen's residence.
After living there for some time, Song Xuezhen discovered that the Cottage was a bit unusual, a bit too comfortable. It didn't seem like an ordinary Cottage at all, which further solidified her determination to stay.
...
Meanwhile, Xu Ning, after more than a month of travel, arrived at a place called Tianxiang Village.
It wasn't that Xu Ning had specifically chosen this place. Rather, upon arriving here, after inquiries, the villagers learned that Xu Ning was a wandering orphan.
Coincidentally, there was a very kind elderly person in the village who had no children and no one to care for him. So, they asked Xu Ning if he wanted to stay and care for the elderly person.
This atmosphere gave Xu Ning a very good first impression, so he decided to stay.
The elderly person's name was Zhao Datou, and he was already over sixty.
In fact, in this era, being over sixty was already considered old age.
Led by the villagers, Xu Ning arrived at Uncle Zhao's house.
This was a thatched Cottage, much larger than the Cottage Xu Ning had in Tanyun Village.
Zhao Datou, being old, couldn't do farm work and was currently sitting at the doorway basking in the sun.
“Village Chief, we found someone to care for you in your old age and bury you when you pass!” The villagers exclaimed as soon as they arrived.
Xu Ning was surprised to hear that he was actually the Village Chief.
Zhao Datou instinctively turned his head to look, his gaze falling directly on Xu Ning, with sharpness in his eyes that made Xu Ning feel very uncomfortable all over.
At the same time, Xu Ning secretly remained vigilant, feeling that this old man was not simple and must have been a formidable person when he was young.
“The room over there is empty. Go clean it up and live there!” Zhao Datou raised his hand and pointed to a room, saying.
Xu Ning nodded, walked over with his belongings, pushed open the door, and put his things down.
When he came out, the other villagers had dispersed. After all, it was currently the busy farming season, and they couldn't stay to watch the excitement.
“Uncle Zhao, my name is Xu Ning. I will take good care of you from now on!” Xu Ning said with extreme sincerity.
Zhao Datou nodded gently: “People's hearts are hidden. I don't know if you're here for my land or for something else, but I only have one request: take good care of me while I'm alive, and bury me in the ground after I die.”
Xu Ning nodded: “Don't worry!”
Afterward, Zhao Datou took Xu Ning to identify the fields, making it convenient for him to work later.
And in the time that followed, Xu Ning began to get busy.
However, he no longer chose to plant corn but chose to plant wheat.
Thus, he worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk every day.
And Zhao Datou saw Xu Ning's diligence.
On this day, Xu Ning carried grass back into the house: “Cottage, quickly devour it.”
Inside the Cottage, a surprised voice immediately sounded: “Thank you, Xu Ning.”
As the Cottage devoured, the entire Cottage immediately underwent some subtle changes, successfully upgrading to mortal-grade mid-rank.
This was also the result of Xu Ning's hard work during this period.
A few days later, Zhao Datou also seemed to sense the difference in the Cottage and couldn't help but ask Xu Ning: “Xu Xiaozi, don't you feel that living in this Cottage is different from before? I've felt very comfortable living here these past few days.”