Spirit Rice Harvest

As a tree, would I become reclusive?

Yu An didn't know how other trees felt.

But he felt like becoming reclusive right now.

With this "Flying Flower Plucking Leaf" ability, he couldn't even kill an ant, how could he protect himself?

Could it be that he really had to wait until the next stage of growth to awaken Divine Abilities like [Bonding]?

He wondered what it was like in this world for those Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots that could establish a Blessed Land based on themselves.

If he could see it with his own eyes, it might be helpful for his next evolution.

The next morning, Yu An woke up from his "meditation."

His so-called meditation was a state of thoughtlessness, as if his soul had completely transformed into a tree. This feeling was clearly different from sleeping as a human.

At least he didn't have dreams.

And he could feel that this state was also very beneficial for his soul's growth.

The most obvious point was that when he first transformed into an Elm Tree, he would get very tired after perceiving the outside world for a long time.

But now, he could easily maintain this state for more than half a day.

After waking up, Yu An saw Yu Xiaoshan standing in front of him "stealthily."

Clearly, the changes in the tree's body had attracted his attention.

After all, in the same household, some things could be hidden, but others couldn't be hidden no matter what.

And Yu Xiaoshan, being smart and quick-witted, had already been "scheming" about this tree, so how could he not pay attention?

"Little tree, you must strive to become a Rare Species soon. Then Dad and the others will know how good my judgment is."

Yu Xiaoshan muttered softly.

Although the Elm Tree had undergone significant changes, Yu Xiaoshan didn't think that his little tree could become a Rare Species overnight.

This usually took years, or even longer, to achieve.

Even though he had asked his second brother before, he was only hoping for a miracle. Deep down, he didn't actually believe that his little tree would be a Rare Species.

After all, he had never seen his little tree exhibit any extraordinary signs.

However, today, after noticing that the Elm Tree seemed to have grown a bit, he felt a little more hopeful.

Perhaps in the future, his little tree could really become a Rare Species.

Although he had made a discovery, Yu Xiaoshan had no intention of telling his father and the others. Who asked them to keep secrets from him first?

Yesterday, his second brother had told him to be alert in the Spirit Field and to call them in advance if any outsiders approached.

Then, as expected, an outsider did come.

The person was clearly from outside the Ox Ridge Settlement, otherwise, they wouldn't have asked him for directions.

Then the other person gave his second brother a package and mentioned something about Miss Xiaoxiao.

As for what happened next, he didn't even enter the house before his second brother sent him to the Spirit Field.

Even though he had asked curiously last night what that person was doing and what he had delivered, his second brother had brushed him off, saying he was too young and shouldn't inquire about so many things.

He was already twelve years old, and in two more years, he could start cultivating. How was he too young?

However, ever since that person delivered the package yesterday, he had felt that the atmosphere at home had clearly changed.

Especially his eldest brother.

Before yesterday, his eldest brother was practically wearing his worries on his sleeve, the corners of his mouth drooping constantly.

Yet last night, he had deliberately put on a stern face in front of him, not noticing that the corners of his own mouth were clearly turned upwards.

Did he really think he was a child, easily fooled?

He just couldn't be bothered to expose him.

And he could guess that the trouble their family had encountered had already been resolved.

Of course, he wasn't stupid. His second brother had been so serious yesterday, and he naturally understood the gravity of the situation. He wouldn't speak of it and would pretend he had never seen that person.

But he felt a little unconvinced, deep down.

So, after discovering that the small tree had grown quite a bit more, he also decided not to tell them his guesses.

You guys have secrets?

I have them too!

So, while no one was around, he hurried away from the small tree.

However, Yu Xiaoshan, lost in his own world, never once considered that this tree was growing in the courtyard. If even he could notice the difference, how could his father and the others not?

Thus, another three days passed.

The Spirit Fields of Ox Ridge Settlement officially entered the harvesting stage.

Although Spirit Rice was troublesome to care for, harvesting it was quick.

But it was only ten mu of land. Old Man Yu's family all pitched in, and in just half a day, they harvested it all. This was even with them being careful; otherwise, it would have been even faster.

After all, with Yu Dashan's Fetal Movement Major Accomplishment strength, his sickle could practically spark.

After harvesting the spirit rice, they proceeded to husk it in their own yard.

This was also Yu An's first time seeing spirit rice up close. It was somewhat similar to the rice on Earth, with golden ears of rice as long as a palm, looking plump and full.

Although Yu An couldn't smell it, just by looking at how Old Man Yu's family couldn't wait to sniff it more, he knew this spirit rice must have a fragrant aroma.

Yu Xiaoshan even picked up a fallen grain of spirit rice and stuffed it into his mouth.

This husked spirit rice was much larger than the rice on Earth, presenting a crystalline jade color.

If there was one drawback, it was perhaps the low yield.

A full ten mu of spirit fields yielded only two thousand jin of spirit rice, and that was because it was a bumper harvest year.

If not for the issue of the Blessed Land quota price increase, this day would have definitely been a joyous occasion for the Ox Ridge Settlement.

But alas... there are no "ifs."

"Dad, why don't you keep some more spirit rice here too?"

Yu Ershan said, looking at Old Man Yu.

Yu Xiaoshan, who couldn't resist stuffing a few more grains of spirit rice into his mouth, immediately perked up his ears, his face full of anticipation.

He knew it. Their Spirit Stones were already enough, otherwise, his second brother wouldn't have said that.

And keeping more spirit rice meant they could eat more Spirit Rice meals next year.

Just thinking about it made him happy.

What confused him slightly was, what did he mean by "keep some more here"?

When did his second brother and dad split their households?

"No need. It doesn't make much difference whether I eat spirit rice or not. Moreover, after the Black Annihilation Wind Disaster arrives, I'll be hiding in the cellar and won't be able to light a fire to cook. I'll just use ordinary rice, along with the husks from the spirit rice, and grind them together to make rice cakes." Old Man Yu shook his head.

Even though the family was now 'well-off,' there would be even more places where Spirit Stones were needed in the future, especially with the need to fully support his eldest son's attempt to break through to the Qi Refining Realm for the next three years, and to occasionally provide extra meals for the Rare Species in the yard.

The days ahead would only be tougher.

Another point was that as long as the spirit rice at home was stored properly, the rate of spiritual energy loss would be very slow. Storing it for a year would result in a loss of at most around thirty percent.

But once cooked, the spiritual energy would dissipate much faster.

Old Man Yu chose to stay. Without the ability to make a fire to cook, they could either eat it raw or pre-bake it into rice cakes.

But eating it raw meant incomplete absorption, which was wasteful.

And baking it into cakes was no different from cooking it; over time, the spiritual energy within would dissipate just as quickly.

It was better to just eat ordinary rice.

Only in the Blessed Land were there specialized Spirit Rice granaries that could preserve the spiritual energy for extended periods without loss.

Therefore, after the Settlement harvested the Spirit Rice, it would be transported to the Blessed Land. After the Black Annihilation Wind Disaster passed, the following year's merchant caravan would bring some Spirit Rice, along with various supplies, to the Settlement for sale.

Of course, the price would definitely be higher than when it was acquired.

But this was unavoidable.

Most importantly, Spirit Rice was not meant for the daily consumption of ordinary people in the Settlement.

As for Spirit Grain Pills, which were refined by adding spiritual medicine to Spirit Rice and could be preserved for a long time, with one pill sustaining a person for several days without needing to eat, ordinary people might never get to eat them in their lifetime.

Beside him, Yu Xiaoshan was completely stunned after hearing his father's words.