Soul Severing Seven Absolutes, Battle of the Seven Absolutes (Seeking Monthly Passes)

"Old man, how has this year's harvest been?"

Chen Ping'an stood on the narrow path between the fields, a faint smile on his face.

The Old Farmer turned around in slight confusion, only then noticing Chen Ping'an standing on the path.

His hunched back paused, the blade of his hoe suspended three inches above the ground. He slowly straightened up, his withered hand gripping the hoe handle.

"The harvest wasn't too good! Field rats ruined the first planting. We replanted a second crop, but the weeds had taken root too deeply, and it couldn't hold on either."

Chen Ping'an casually plucked a stalk of grass from the roadside and toyed with it in his hand.

"What about the third planting?"

The Old Farmer raised his head, revealing a gaunt, shriveled face. Skin clung to his bones, deeply furrowed with wrinkles.

"The soil's buried with old earth-qi, and there's too much wild cogon grass. If we plant again, it'll probably be lost too. I don't dare plant another crop."

"Oh?" Chen Ping'an gently rubbed the grass stalk, then suddenly smiled. "If you don't plant the third crop, next year will be hard to get through."

"Yes, it has to be planted. Next year still has to be lived through." The Elder's hoe came down, rolling up a patch of earth. "That's why this Old Farmer came to turn over the soil. Once the soil is turned and the weeds are cleared, then the third crop can be planted!"

"When that third crop goes in, it should grow strong and spirited. Then next year's harvest will have something to rely on."

"Old man, you are well versed in farming. This junior admires you." Chen Ping'an held the grass stalk and took half a step forward. The freshly turned waves of soil seemed