Blessing: Spirit Rain

On Day 184 of Year 1, Yang Shi invited the Treasured Goods Pavilion's shopkeeper to the teahouse for tea. After downing three cups of Immortal Drifting Milk Tea, they began discussing Spirit Rice Paddy.

"Shopkeeper Liao, what was that immortal food you mentioned last time called?"

"What immortals eat is naturally Spirit Food, mainly Spirit Rice and Spirit Fruit."

"Oh~ What does this Spirit Rice look like? Have you seen it?"

"Of course. At our Treasured Goods Pavilion headquarters, Spirit Rice is not uncommon. It is rice grains husked from cultivated Spirit Rice Paddy. Immortals and wealthy official families often purchase it. The grains are as translucent as crystal, and under sunlight, one can even see a faint halo flowing within them. Once cooked, its fragrance fills the entire room."

Delight appeared on Yang Shi's face.

"It sounds fascinating. Shopkeeper Liao, do you happen to have any Spirit Rice Paddy? I would also like to taste this food of immortals."

"Hahaha~ Spirit Rice may be fragrant, but compared with Boss Yang's Alpenliebe Candy and chocolate, it falls far short. Why spend a fortune on such a thing?"

"A man lives his life for nothing more than food and drink. If I had never heard of it, that would be one thing—but now that I have, if I cannot eat a few bowls, I will be scratching at my ears and cheeks, as though ants were crawling across my skin. The itch would be unbearable, and I would lie awake all night!"

Seeing Yang Shi's expression, Shopkeeper Liao chuckled. "Boss Yang and I have worked together many times, so I will not hide it from you. I recently happened to receive a batch of Spirit Rice Paddy and was preparing to sell it."

"Oh? Where did this Spirit Rice Paddy come from? Could I buy some?"

Shopkeeper Liao stroked his beard. "Treasures are not questioned as to their origin, and payment must be made promptly. Those are the rules of our Treasured Goods Pavilion. Please do not make things difficult for me, Boss Yang."

"Then may I ask whether you can sell this batch of Spirit Rice Paddy to me? I am willing to pay a high price."

Liao Cao looked at Yang Shi with a smile that was not quite a smile. "I am willing to sell it, but I fear the price is beyond what Boss Yang can afford."

Sitting on the third floor, Yang Shi pointed below. The second floor was filled with tea drinkers, the first with board game players; not a single seat was empty.

"My Yang's Board Game Teahouse does not catch Shopkeeper Liao's eye?"

"Not at all, not at all. It is simply that Spirit Objects differ from mortal objects. Their value is measured in Spirit Stones. My twenty jin of Spirit Rice Paddy costs one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. Can Boss Yang afford it?"

"Spirit Stones!"

This was currency used only by cultivators. Yang Shi, a modestly wealthy man who had only recently risen to prosperity, naturally had none.

Thinking that his entire estate was not even worth one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, Yang Shi felt somewhat dejected.

The difference between immortals and mortals was greater than that between man and dog.

"Is there no other way?"

"If it were anyone else, then certainly not. But for Boss Yang..." Liao Cao narrowed his eyes. "Can you still get those Fasting Cakes?"

Yang Shi raised an eyebrow. Among the five crates of supplies his ancestor had given him during the sacrifice, one crate contained Compressed Biscuits—five hundred packs in total. Since they could be stored for a very long time, he had not been in a hurry to sell them.

"If I can, what are you offering?"

Liao Cao held up three fingers. "Three hundred packs. I will exchange these twenty jin of Spirit Rice Paddy for them."

"One hundred and fifty."

"Hehehe~ Boss Yang must be joking. I, Liao, am not some street peddler. We have cooperated many times; you should know that the Treasured Goods Pavilion has always spoken plainly and honestly in its prices. Three hundred packs is the most suitable price I can offer."

"Deal."

After the two completed their transaction, a carriage left the Treasured Goods Pavilion that very night and raced toward Jade Dragon Commandery.

On Day 187 of Year 1, Yang Shi planted half of the Spirit Rice Paddy seeds in the reclaimed Spirit Field, while storing away the remaining ten jin of unhusked Spirit Rice Paddy.

Ding~ The Yang Family had planted a Spirit Field for the first time. Incense Value +50

New Blessing unlocked—Spirit Rain: Condense spiritual energy into rain within a designated area for 3 shichen. 5 Incense Value/mu/use

Yang Genshuo had barely accelerated time for a short while before unlocking new content.

"This is obviously for cultivating Spirit Fields. It came at just the right time!"

Otherwise, Yang Shi could only have tended the Spirit Rice Paddy as he would ordinary crops.

"Let's give it a try."

Use Blessing: Spirit Rain

Incense Value -5

Strands of spiritual energy between heaven and earth were drawn into motion, surging toward the cave where the Spirit Field lay. Vast amounts of white mist gathered there as well, forming one white cloud after another.

Whoosh—

Clear Spirit Rain fell. The freshly planted Spirit Rice Paddy, nourished by the rain, began growing rapidly.

Yang Shi naturally knew that his ancestor had arrived. He hurriedly bowed toward the ancestral graves.

"Our ancestor has cast his art. Next year will surely bring a bountiful harvest."

Spirit Rain continued to fall endlessly within the cave, only slowly dispersing after three shichen.

By then, the Spirit Rice Paddy seeds had already sprouted.

The Spirit Field's attributes changed.

Spiritual Energy Concentration: 2 (↑)

Yang Genshuo nodded in satisfaction.

"This Blessing is an excellent farming helper. Its priority is higher than 'Vitality.' Once this batch of Spirit Rice Paddy matures and is harvested, Yang Shi and I will be able to eat Spirit Rice."

But looking at the five points of Incense Value consumed, he felt troubled.

"It just consumes too much. I only have 125 Incense Value now, enough to bring down Spirit Rain twenty-five times at most."

This Incense Value had been accumulated over the past half year while Yang Shi developed the Lineage.

The Lineage foundation had gained one hundred mu of fertile fields. Incense Value +20

The Lineage wealth had surpassed ten thousand taels of silver. Incense Value +20

The Lineage servants had reached fifty people. Incense Value +10

"Breaking through martial realms and planting a Spirit Field for the first time gave much more. It seems achievements that improve the Lineage's hard strength can earn more Incense Value."

Yang Genshuo realized that Incense Value was utterly insufficient. Otherwise, if he gave Yang Shi a 'Vitality' buff every day, his Body Tempering progress would soar.

Now that they had Spirit Rice Paddy, he could only prioritize its growth.

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, he continued accelerating time.

On Day 208 of Year 1, Yang Shi comprehended a whip technique from the relationship between whipping force and labor efficiency in 100 Draws Upon Logging In. He named it Hundred Lightning Whips. His whip moved as swiftly as a shadow, its angles mysterious and unpredictable, capable of striking an enemy's vital points from every direction. It was exceedingly fierce.

On Day 215 of Year 1, Huzi learned Hundred Lightning Whips, increasing the Yang Family Manor's production efficiency.

On Day 300 of Year 1, Yang Shi broke through to the fifth layer of the Body Tempering Realm—Bone Hardening.

A Yang Family descendant had broken through the fifth layer of the Body Tempering Realm for the first time. The Lineage's martial virtue had greatly increased. Incense Value +50!

Yang Shi moved about slightly, and his bones crackled all over, as though they were about to grow anew.

"Body Tempering has ten layers: five for body refining and five for Qi Nurturing. I have reached the final stage of Body Refining—bone training. Once I reach great accomplishment, I must nurture Qi. But Qi Nurturing cultivation methods... only sects possess them."

"Let's see whether Boss Liao can get a Qi Nurturing cultivation method. Otherwise, I will have to go to Jade Dragon Commandery to seek a master and learn the arts..."

After briefly looking ahead to the future, Yang Shi returned to his bone-training practice.

"Very good. Yang Shi is very clever. He lets the intelligent Jiang Xiaobai manage the teahouse, Huzi manage the manor, and trains every day himself. His martial cultivation is steadily improving."

Yang Genshuo felt deeply moved as he watched Yang Shi's efforts over the latter half of the year.

Compared with mundane matters such as making money, Yang Shi was more focused on martial arts. There was a fire in his heart that had never ceased burning.

He had even created Hundred Lightning Whips himself because he lacked good martial arts.

On Day 321 of Year 1, Huzi cultivated while taking Qi-Replenishing Blood-Nourishing Powder over a long period. With the support of his Minor Vessel Accomplishment talent, he successfully advanced to the fourth layer of the Body Tempering Realm.

Huzi had kept close on Yang Shi's heels, something Yang Genshuo had known all along.

Among the hundreds of beggars in Bluestone County, he had only allowed Yang Shi to take in Huzi because Huzi possessed two Mortal Grade talents.

Minor Vessel Accomplishment (Mortal Grade): After the age of eighteen, the body begins developing once more. Comprehension increases, and martial arts training efficiency increases.

Word Is Bond (Mortal Grade): Values promises. When fulfilling commitments made to others, efficiency +10%.

Huzi was one year younger than Yang Shi. After following him, he had just turned eighteen, and his previously ordinary body began developing again. Supplemented by the tonics Yang Shi gave him, his physique gradually became sturdier, and his martial arts progress advanced a thousand li in a single day.

His second talent also showed that Huzi possessed excellent character. He could be cultivated as an important future combat force of the Yang Family.

Time continued rushing forward in the image. Aside from bringing down Spirit Rain every fifteen days, Yang Genshuo had nothing else to do. Lying on the sofa, he pondered what reward he should give Yang Shi this year.

At the same time, in places beyond the image's sight, the world continued turning without pause.

Jade Dragon Commandery, Spirit-Show Forest.

This was the territory of the Ge Family, a Spirit Plant Family.

Spirit Rain occasionally fell from the skies. Immortal mist curled through the air, Spirit Beasts called softly, and Spirit Objects grew in abundance—a scene straight from an immortal realm.

Clan members and household servants constantly moved through the forest, tending to vast numbers of spirit plants.

As one of Jade Dragon Commandery's foremost Spirit Plant Families, the Ge Family's Spirit-Show Forest produced enormous quantities of food resources for immortals every year.

Today, all of the Ge Family's upper echelon had gathered in the council hall, a rare occurrence. The room was filled with cultivators.

Their gazes were all fixed upon the square pastry held between the patriarch's two fingers.

"This object is called a Fasting Cake. It is the opportunity for my Ge Family's advancement."