The Eternal Farmer: I Trade My Harvest for Immortality Chapter 88

Seeing that there was plenty of time, Jiang Chen took out a communication talisman from his small storage pouch.

"I need to loosen the soil here. When are you free?"

Their exchange ended quickly.

At the Earth Vein, a fellow disciple with an Earth Spirit Root couldn't help but remind him, "You haven't finished today's task yet."

Tie Zhu shrugged with an indifferent expression. "I know better than you which is more important."

In his eyes, Jiang Chen, who could provide Top-quality Spirit Rice, was more important than mining.

After all, mining could be done every day. But not every Spirit Farmer could grow Top-quality Spirit Rice.

During this period, relying on the rice provided by Jiang Chen and his own diligent efforts, Tie Zhu had advanced from the mid-stage of Qi Condensation to the late-stage.

Meanwhile, several fellow disciples who used to be at the same level were still lingering in the mid-stage.

After a long while, Tie Zhu appeared on the ridge of the field.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen asked, "Why don't you buy a means of transportation?"

Tie Zhu quickly replied, "I used all my Spirit Stones to exchange for cultivation resources."

It wasn't that he had no money. Earth Spirit Root disciples mining were paid monthly in Spirit Stones. Therefore, he wasn't actually strapped for cash, though he might appear somewhat destitute.

Jiang Chen pondered and said, "In a few days, I might change my means of transportation. The Paper Crane I replace could be sold to you at a cheaper price."

Tie Zhu was surprised. "Senior Brother, didn't you just buy that advanced Paper Crane not long ago?"

Jiang Chen summoned the Paper Crane and explained while showing it to him. "Something happened a while ago, causing some damage. Although it can still be used normally, I happened to come across a new means of transportation."

Tie Zhu observed carefully and nodded upon seeing the actual damage. He then asked, "How much does Senior Brother plan to sell it for?"

"I bought it for 70. How about selling it to you for 30 Low-grade Spirit Stones?" Jiang Chen answered.

Earth Spirit Root disciples had a speed bonus when traveling on foot. That was why he could constantly travel back and forth between the Earth Vein and the Spirit Farm.

However, his speed couldn't compare to that of a true flying tool.

Of course, their transaction wouldn't happen now. They would have to wait until Jiang Chen phased out the Paper Crane. If the Giant Leaf refinement failed, there would be no need to sell it anyway.

Seeing that the other had rested enough, Jiang Chen said, "Let's start loosening the soil."

Tie Zhu gave a slight nod, immediately took off his shoes, and stepped into the field.

The Spirit Farm was covered with a layer of ash from burned straw. This was clearly a trace left after slash-and-burn cultivation.

Although it was only the second time using this method, Jiang Chen was very satisfied. It had indeed reduced the probability of pest infestations. From spring to summer, pests had not appeared even once, and the insect-repelling array installed so far hadn't been activated a single time.

Tie Zhu moved continuously, turning over the black soil in succession.

The ash left from burning straw was originally just simply covering the surface. As the black soil was turned over, the two substances gradually became indistinguishable from each other.

Therefore, this soil loosening was more efficient than in winter. Tie Zhu only rested twice before finishing everything.

Jiang Chen gave him 50 kg of Top-quality Spirit Rice produced from the Tier-2 Spirit Farm land and several large top-quality watermelons. He also reminded him, "According to our previous agreement, next time you can only receive 25 kg of Top-quality Spirit Rice."

"If you loosen the soil again later this year, there will be no more payment."

Tie Zhu said with a serious expression, "Senior Brother can rest assured; this Junior Brother hasn't forgotten."

They had an agreement before. Jiang Chen would provide a total of 125 kg of Top-quality Spirit Rice produced from the Tier-2 Spirit Farm.

Jiang Chen only needed to give him another 25 kg to get a free laborer for the final cycle.

They chatted for a while longer before Tie Zhu turned and left while eating a watermelon.

Jiang Chen still didn't idle. He took out another communication talisman.

Jin Fugui!

Jiang Chen wanted him to deliver all the spirit beast manure needed for the subsequent period. That is to say, not just the manure for autumn, but also for winter.

Fortunately, this was simple for Jin Fugui. He might not have a Dao Companion, but when it came to spirit beast manure, he absolutely had it in large quantities and could provide until full satisfaction.

Therefore, early the next morning, he delivered all the requirements for the next half year.

This time, Jiang Chen specifically instructed Jin Fugui that he must deliver processed spirit beast manure.

For farming, this stuff wasn't better when fresher.

Jiang Chen had read about it in the Farming Chapter of Spirit Farm Anecdotes. Fresh spirit beast manure tended to deplete earth Qi and could even harbor insect eggs. Processing could reduce risks and turn it into fertilizer truly suitable for farming.

Why did pests appear repeatedly before? It was precisely because fresh spirit beast manure was used!

To tell the truth, he was actually tricked by Jin Fugui once.

However, Jiang Chen wasn't angry. What's past is past; no need to dwell on it. After all, they were now best friends.

Now that soil loosening was complete and the manure was prepared, Jiang Chen quickly proceeded with planting the Spirit Rice seedlings.

He had already completely diverged from other Spirit Farmers.

Others had to wait for the Spirit Rice to mature before harvesting. Moreover, they only had four opportunities a year.

But Jiang Chen possessed the Green Lotus Domain, which could accelerate the maturation speed of spirit plants. As long as he didn't waste time, he had five harvesting opportunities a year.

It seemed like only one more than others. In reality, this amounted to a full 2000 kg of Top-quality Spirit Rice.

Converted into Low-grade Spirit Stones: 3,076 pieces. If converted into Mid-grade Spirit Stones: 30 pieces.

Time flew by. It was evening three days later.

Jiang Chen was using the Green Lotus Domain to accelerate the maturation of plants in his Spirit Farm when he suddenly received a communication from [Fire Peak].

"Fellow Daoist Jiang! Your means of transportation—the Giant Leaf—has been successfully refined!"

"Upon arriving at [Fire Peak], Fellow Daoist may proceed directly to Forging Room Jia-17 to collect it."

Jiang Chen sensed his spiritual power within his Dantian; currently, one drop remained. Controlling the Paper Crane for one trip shouldn't be a problem; there likely wasn't any risk of crashing.

Subsequently, he told Da Huang to guard everything well—the home, the Spirit Farm, the spirit plants, the pearl chickens, the house, the food, the water... in short, to watch over everything—before departing on his Paper Crane.

The journey proceeded without any incidents, and he arrived smoothly.

Unexpectedly, the evening saw many formal disciples fiercely sparring on the platforms. Moreover, it looked even more intense than during those first few days. It seemed they got carried away while fighting.

However, Jiang Chen wasn’t interested in any of this.

Following the instructions from the earlier communication talisman, he quickly found Forging Room Jia-17.

The door was closed, with faint ding-ding-dang-dang sounds coming from inside.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Who is it?" Soon, a deep voice sounded.

Jiang Chen promptly replied, "I’m here to collect my refined Giant Leaf!"

Thump, thump, thump!

A series of ground-shaking footsteps approached.

Then came a creak as the previously shut door opened.

But what followed was a wall-like mass appearing before Jiang Chen’s eyes.

He couldn’t help swallowing, slowly raising his gaze upward.

Well-developed limbs. Muscles stacked like bricks. Full pectoral muscles resembling a temple bell. Androgynous face. Eyes as large as bronze bells. A head taller than the doorframe itself.

Expert-level blacksmith Hong Chui, standing over two meters tall, grinned to reveal brilliantly white teeth, laughing, "Here you are, brother!!!"