Farming Saga: Blue Silver Grass's Agricultural Revolution

Hei Tang San looked at the plate of decidedly stale vegetables, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

He was a work-study student.

Although Teacher had given him a few Silver Soul Coins, that little money had to go toward Hidden Weapon Materials for cultivation, and it had long since become insufficient.

The food on the second floor of the cafeteria was better than that on the first floor, but only relatively speaking.

"Bear with it, Xiao Wu."

Hei Tang San coaxed her softly and transferred all the remaining meat from his own plate to hers.

"When I have money someday, I'll definitely take you to a big city and buy you the best carrots."

"For now, eat some meat first. Growing up is what matters."

Xiao Wu looked at the bowl piled full of meat, and some of the grievance in her heart faded away.

She raised her head and looked at Hei Tang San's plate, which now contained only plain rice and vegetables, feeling somewhat touched.

"Third Brother, you're so good to me."

She picked up a piece of meat and put it into her mouth. Though it was not her favorite carrot, her heart felt warm.

It was a heartwarming scene.

Two innocent childhood companions.

This kind of self-sacrificing spirit of "giving you the best of everything" could indeed move many young girls just beginning to understand love.

But in the Sky Curtain's narration, it was merely a powerless sort of tenderness.

[Because he was powerless, he could only sacrifice himself.]

[He could not solve the problem of bad-tasting carrots.]

[He could only use the meat he saved meal after meal to maintain this fragile dependence.]

[That was called being touching.]

[Not being capable.]

[White World]

The same cafeteria.

The same complaints.

Xiao Wu slammed her chopsticks onto the table and glared furiously at the carrots on her plate.

"What kind of crap is this?! Is this fit for human consumption?"

"This is pig feed, isn't it?!"

Compared to the cutesy behavior of the Xiao Wu in the Black World, the Xiao Wu in the White World was clearly much more hot-tempered.

Bai Tang San, seated across from her, ate at an unhurried pace.

He did not coax her like Hei Tang San, nor did he offer her any meat.

Instead, he extended his chopsticks and picked up the carrot she despised.

He held it before his eyes and examined it carefully.

Purple Demon Eye activated.

"Rough skin, messy root hairs, excessively coarse fibers in the cross-section."

"This is a typical result of a harsh growing environment."

Bai Tang San set down the carrot, his tone as calm as if he were reading an experimental report.

"Nuoding City's soil is acidic red soil, lacking phosphorus and potassium fertilizer."

"On top of that, the Academy cafeteria bought old, backlogged stock to save money."

"It has lost over forty percent of its moisture, tastes astringent, and contains no Soul Power Fluctuation whatsoever."

"It truly is garbage."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then rolled her eyes dramatically.

"What good is saying all that? Can you make something tasty appear?"

"I'm not here to listen to you lecture. I want something crunchy! Something sweet!"

Bai Tang San wiped his mouth and stood up.

"Come with me."

"Where?" Xiao Wu asked suspiciously.

"To solve the problem."

Bai Tang San picked up his plate and headed straight for the collection station.

"Don't waste time. If you want to eat something good, follow me."

At the Academy Back Mountain stood a flower garden that had been abandoned for a long time.

Weeds grew everywhere, and few people ever came here.

But in Bai Tang San's eyes, it was an undeveloped treasure trove.

"What are you planning to do? Bring me here to feed mosquitoes?"

Xiao Wu swatted at the insects around her, her face full of impatience.

Bai Tang San ignored her.

He walked to the center of the flower garden and crouched down.

His right hand pressed against the ground.

Buzz—

A faint dark-green glow spread outward from the center of his palm.

Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, released.

But this time, it was not for battle, nor was it for slaughter.

It was for...

Communication.

"Blue Silver Grass is the foundation of the plant world."

"Their roots connect to the deepest veins of the earth."

Bai Tang San closed his eyes, his thoughts following the countless Blue Silver Grass roots deep underground.

Within his perception,

the structure of the underground soil, the distribution of water, and the flow of nutrients instantly became crystal clear.

"Life Share."

Bai Tang San shouted in a low voice.

The surrounding weeds began to wither rapidly.

The meager vitality within them was forcibly extracted by the Blue Silver Grass, then gathered into the small patch of earth before Bai Tang San.

Immediately afterward,

he pulled a glass bottle from his robes.

It contained an emerald-green liquid.

Using excess low-grade herbs and residue purified with Acid Etching Solution, he had formulated—

"High Concentration Plant Growth Liquid."

More commonly known as: Golden Kela—crossed out—Spirit Liquid.

A few drops of Spirit Liquid fell.

The soil instantly turned fertile dark brown.

Bai Tang San took out a handful of carrot seeds he had swiped from the cafeteria—low-quality seeds unused by the kitchen.

He scattered them into the soil.

"Grow."

Soul Power surged.

A miracle occurred.

Before Xiao Wu's stunned eyes,

the seeds broke through the soil at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Their shoots were emerald green, their stems and leaves unfurling.

In the short time it took for an incense stick to burn,

several bright-red, plump carrots, even giving off a faint white mist, grew right out of the ground!

Their crisp, sweet fragrance instantly overwhelmed the smell of the surrounding weeds.

Gulp.

Xiao Wu swallowed.

It was a craving born of biological instinct.

"Th-this... is this magic?"

She eagerly reached out to pull one free.

Smack!

A hand mercilessly knocked away her paw.

Bai Tang San pulled out a carrot and casually wiped the dirt off on his clothes.

The carrot was crystal clear from end to end, like it had been carved from red agate, with a faint flowing radiance swirling within.

"Improved variety: Spirit Gathering Carrot."

"Through optimized root absorption efficiency with Blue Silver Grass, combined with growth liquid catalysis."

"Not only does it taste exceptional—crisp, sweet, and juicy."

"More importantly..."

Bai Tang San waved the carrot in his hand.

"It contains a trace amount of gentle Soul Power."

"Long-term consumption can nourish the meridians, purge impurities from the body, and increase cultivation speed."

"For Soul Beast Transformations... ah, no, for Beast Martial Soul Spirit Masters, it is an excellent tonic."

Xiao Wu's eyes had already turned into hearts.

She stared fixedly at that carrot, practically drooling.

"Give it to me! Give it to me now!"

She pounced forward to snatch it.

Bai Tang San shifted aside and extended his other hand.

His palm faced upward.

"Five Copper Soul Coins per carrot."

"No credit."

Huh?

Xiao Wu froze in midair, her face full of disbelief.

"Y-you're asking me for money?"

"I already call you boss! I still have to pay to eat one of your carrots?"

Bai Tang San remained expressionless.

"Even blood brothers settle accounts clearly."

"Technology is priceless, and labor is sacred."

"You can choose not to eat."

As he spoke, he opened his mouth and took a crunchy bite.

The crisp sound came with juice bursting and splashing everywhere.

The fragrance grew even richer.

"Mmm... sweetness level twelve, plenty of moisture. Perfect."

Bai Tang San gave his evaluation while chewing.

This was practically naked temptation!

How could Xiao Wu possibly endure it?

She searched all over herself, finally pulling a handful of crumpled Copper Soul Coins from her pocket.

They were the last of her spending money for the week.

"I'll buy it! I'll buy it, okay?!"

"You damn profiteer! Stinking Tang San!"

Money in one hand, goods in the other.