In the twenty-third year of the Jingtai Era, late summer.
Rice blossoms scented both banks of the Spirit River, while cicadas shrilled like boiling water.
"Name: Jiang Tu" "Remaining Lifespan: 27/76" "Cultivation: Newly Entering the Dao Path (Agricultural Dao Sequence · Ninth Grade · Farmer) (177/200)" "Remaining Evolution Time: 5 years 11 months"
Inside the room.
Jiang Tu looked at himself in the mirror. His muscle lines were not especially pronounced, yet they flowed smoothly; his frame was sturdy, his skin a healthy bronze. Compared to five years ago, his physique had improved considerably.
But when he looked again at his cultivation progress, he could not help shaking his head.
Over these five years, he had been diligent in farming and developed steadily, but all occupational activities related to being a farmer contributed very little to his cultivation—barely better than nothing. Often, three to five months of farming only gained him three to five points.
Even today, he was still searching for a way to improve.
The only pattern he had discovered so far was this: whenever a new "Farmer" was born into the world, he gained five to ten points of cultivation.
Thinking back to the first evolution, Luo Jin's rapid advancement and breakthrough seemed to have been connected to his spreading education among the slaves.
"Could it be that only by teaching more cultivators of the same sequence, helping them break through and advance, and earning their respect and admiration can one truly increase sequence cultivation?"
"The sequence loading brought by the Sequence Golden Codex is also somewhat like spreading education, which is why it can raise my cultivation at appropriate times... but its effect is nowhere near as fast as directly educating other cultivators!"
But opening up education in the real world and passing down the Agricultural Path? That would be no different from exposing most of his secrets himself!
He would not do that! At the very least, he could not do it at the birth of the Agricultural Dao Sequence!
He could ride the crest of the age, but he absolutely could not become the leader charging at the very front. That was no different from being a living target.
Fortunately, compared with ordinary sequence cultivators, he had a unique advantage when it came to raising his cultivation.
As long as he accumulated enough evolution time, he could evolve, watch ancient people cultivate within it, summarize their experience, obtain settlement rewards, and even add points directly. These were all shortcuts leading straight to the heavens!
Evolution was the foremost principle of development!
"Five years isn't quite enough... but I can still have a taste of sweetness. Tonight—tonight, I'll undergo the second evolution! Perhaps after the settlement, I can break through in one stroke and advance to Eighth Grade!"
Creak—
He pushed open the door and stepped out. Looking back at the dilapidated house he had lived in for eight years, then at the bright and cloudless sun overhead, he smiled.
"Time to go see my new home...!"
"Little Jiang really has incredible luck! In just five short years, he's bought himself a farmstead! Didn't I say his family's feng shui was good?"
"What feng shui? I say it's fate. Every man has his destiny! Old Wang's child used to be simple-minded and dull—who would have thought his Root Bone would be outstanding enough to be chosen by the Daoist Sect masters? Little Jiang is the same. It's fate!"
"Whose daughter is pretty and lively? Hurry and introduce her to him! He's nearly thirty and still has no wife—is that proper?"
A crowd had gathered outside a farmstead.
The farmstead was surrounded by rammed-earth walls, its gate facing south. A newly hung wooden plaque over the entrance was covered with red cloth.
Inside the yard stood a cowshed, where two yellow oxen ate fodder. The granary was built high from blue bricks, and to the north stood a two-story building with loofah vines growing below it.
Outside lay ten mu of fertile fields, their ridges neat and orderly, planted with crops of all kinds. The hired farmers were busy at work in the fields.
Everything was in perfect order, warm and peaceful.
Inside the small building, Jiang Tu sat across from Manager Qian.
Manager Qian chuckled as he took out the land deed. "Little Jiang, from today onward, you're a man with land of your own!"
Stamped with the owner's vermilion seal, the deed read: "South of Locust Tree Village, Xiaopei County: one farmstead and ten mu of fertile fields, all belonging to Jiang Tu."
Thump, thump, thump!
Jiang Tu's heart began beating faster.
More than eight years! From hired laborer, to two mu of poor fields, to the family property he had today—it had all been worth it!
He smiled honestly and took out a string of coins. "This was all thanks to Uncle Qian helping arrange things behind the scenes. This is a token of my respect. Please, you must accept it."
"Oh, no need, no need. We're both working for the owner. Why should the two of us make such a fuss over this...?"
Manager Qian accepted the coins and weighed them in his hand. About two hundred copper coins—not bad.
"You deserve your good fortune, kid! You know how to conduct yourself! That's why you were able to form such a good connection with the owner! Otherwise, the owner would never have sold you land, much less at such a low price!"
Jiang Tu smiled.
Five years ago, he had rented two mu of poor farmland. His sole advantage was that he truly knew how to farm, and he was willing to work hard.
A good hoe combined with his Ninth Grade foundation let him work swiftly and well. Ordinary land, once it passed through his hands, yielded far more than usual.
Nor had he looked after only himself. Whenever someone's crops fell over or disaster struck their fields, he lent a hand whenever he could. Over time, the farmers nearby all remembered his kindness.
Three years ago, he rented five mu of land. His household had surplus grain, and he bought an ox.
Two years ago, the owner heard of him and came personally.
The owner was known as Big Household Zhou. His ancestors had made their fortune, and he held thirty percent of Xiaopei County's fertile fields in his grasp.
He walked around Jiang Tu's fields twice. He did not notice anything else, only felt that the feng shui here was good, that fortune ran strong, and that the land had been touched by the immortal aura of the Daoist Sect masters! So he wanted to reclaim the land and have Jiang Tu find another place to clear wasteland.
Anyone else would likely have exploded on the spot!
Land they had painstakingly tended for years, reclaimed just like that? And they were told to go clear wasteland? Was that work fit for a human being?
But Jiang Tu did not say a word. He simply went and cleared wasteland in earnest.
And just like that, a good connection was formed!
From then on, Big Household Zhou paid Jiang Tu the highest wages. During every holiday, he sent grain, meat, and wine. Seeing that Jiang Tu had a knack for reclaiming wasteland, he even assigned people specifically for him to command.
In two years, Jiang Tu led his men to reclaim over forty mu from barren slopes. The farmers working under him also saw their lives grow more and more prosperous.
The more Big Household Zhou watched, the more pleased he became.
Then Jiang Tu said he wanted to establish a household and buy some land for his future marriage. Big Household Zhou directly sold him this farmstead at a dirt-cheap price, practically giving it away, and even threw in two yellow oxen, a granary, and three farmhands!
Manager Qian waved a hand. "The matter's settled. I'm off."
Jiang Tu rose to see him out.
At the gate, Manager Qian suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Little Jiang! I heard that in nearby Dajiang County, the farmers are living like dragons and tigers! There are even several people who awakened Awakened Wisdom and were born knowing all kinds of farming knowledge. Incredible, really!"
Jiang Tu's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.
"The Daoist Sect has even sent Daoist masters to investigate and taken quite a few farmers as disciples! In the past, what chance did those barefoot field laborers ever have? The owner intends to buy several feng shui treasures and keep them for us to farm ourselves. Who knows? Maybe Xiaopei County will produce someone with Awakened Wisdom too!"
He was encouraging Jiang Tu to join the owner and go make a fortune in Dajiang County.
Jiang Tu lowered his eyes as thoughts raced through his mind.
As the Agricultural Dao Sequence loaded and time passed, new Ninth Grade "Farmers" were taking root and sprouting across Jiang Prefecture. Even the Daoist Sect had noticed them and taken them as disciples... By rights, he should go take a look.
But on second thought, the Daoist Sect overhead could not be clearly judged as righteous or evil, while phantom monsters prowled outside. Danger lay everywhere.
Over the past five years, he had developed far beyond the other farmers. If he continued drawing attention, he would also invite envy and jealousy.
Wasn't lying low and developing in peace far better?
With the Golden Tome in hand, watching the years change and quietly developing was the kingly path.
So Jiang Tu gave an honest smile. "I understand Uncle Qian's good intentions. You're giving me advice! But I've only just acquired this farmstead, and I'm planning to find myself a wife. No matter how good Dajiang County is, it has nothing to do with me. I just want to live my own little life well."
"Besides! I've farmed for so many years. If I could awaken Awakened Wisdom, wouldn't I have done so long ago? Why would I wait until today?"
Manager Qian considered it after hearing this.
That made sense!
This kid was an excellent farmer, steady and hardworking, but as for awakening Awakened Wisdom... he was probably not qualified.
His interest immediately faded. He patted Jiang Tu on the shoulder, climbed onto his ox cart, and departed in a cloud of dust.
Jiang Tu watched him leave for a while. When he turned back, he jumped in surprise.
At some point, the entrance to the yard had become packed with people.
Old Sun, Aunt Fang, Widow Wang from next door, and several young wives holding children—all of them craned their necks to peer inside. Uncle Tao stood at the very front, holding a carp freshly caught from the pond.
"Brother Tu, congratulations!"
"Let us come in and have a look!"
"This farmstead is really impressive!"
Jiang Tu did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Come in, all of you, come in."
The villagers surged inside in a rush, looking over the cowshed, touching the granary, and craning their necks to stare up at the small building.
"Brother Tu, today's such a joyous occasion. Aren't you going to put together a feast?"
"A feast it is! Nobody leaves tonight—we're eating here!"
He brought out his surplus grain, then went into town to buy meat and wine. Aunt Fang and several of the young wives voluntarily helped tend the fire and cook.
Before long, the fragrance of food drifted through the yard.
When night fell, lanterns were lit in the courtyard. Two large tables were pushed together and piled high with food.
Braised carp, steamed pork slices, fried eggs, dressed cucumbers, a basin of old hen soup, and freshly steamed buns. The villagers sat around the tables, raising cups and trading drinks, their mouths gleaming with grease as they ate.
By the time the feast dispersed, the sky was full of stars.
The villagers burped contentedly and left in twos and threes.
Slightly tipsy, Jiang Tu stood in the yard and looked up at the sky. The summer night was clear and bright, the Milky Way stretched across the heavens, and the evening breeze felt wonderfully comfortable.
The plaque reading [Jiang Family Farmstead] hung high overhead.
—He had a home.
But he knew that in this world where phantom monsters ran rampant, having a home was not enough. He also needed the ability to protect it.
Late at night.
Jiang Tu sat on the bed.
Five years had passed. It was time to see the harvest!
"Agricultural Dao Sequence" "Sequence Number: 01" "Current Evolution Progress: Eighth Grade · 'Field Steward'" "Total Cultivators in This Sequence: 14" "Sequence Influence Level: lv0.5 (Its reputation has begun to spread in Dajiang County)" "Harvestable Causality Value: 190"
Fourteen sequence cultivators!
Its influence had already begun spreading in neighboring Dajiang County!
This was the result of five years!
(Note: Every advancement of a sequence cultivator in the native world, and every major sequence-related event, will generate additional Causality Value.) "Triggered Events" "(New) Dajiang County farmer Chen Cun awakened Awakened Wisdom and became a Ninth Grade cultivator for the first time (Causality Value +80)" "(New) Thirteen 'Farmers' were born in Dajiang County (Causality Value +65)" "(New) The Dajiang County magistrate reported to the Daoist Sect, which sent people to investigate on site (Causality Value +15)" "(New) The Daoist Sect accepted Chen Cun and four others as outer sect disciples (Causality Value +30)"
"Enjoying the causality of the sequence... interesting. Over five years, many sequence cultivators have emerged one after another. Even the Daoist Sect has noticed them... But why do I keep feeling that this isn't a good thing? What will become of these 'Farmers'...?"
At the current rate of development, it would not be long before both banks of the Spirit River knew that there was such a group of people—people who needed no Buddhist-Taoist Path Root Bone, and who might step onto the road of cultivation simply through diligent farming.
Whether it was fortune or calamity was still hard to say...
Jiang Tu suppressed his emotions. His consciousness locked onto the Causality Value, and just as he was about to complete the harvest, the words before his eyes suddenly changed, catching him completely off guard!
Whoosh!
"(New) The first 'Farmer,' Chen Cun, accumulated strength and advanced to Eighth Grade 'Field Steward' (Causality Value +50)" "(New) He suffered a hidden plot and failed his advancement. Chen Cun died violently (Causality Value +10)"
The hairs on Jiang Tu's back stood on end, and cold sweat instantly poured down him. "?!"
Dead?!
The first Agricultural Path Cultivator of the Immortal-Phantom World should have had a bright future and a broad, open road to the Great Dao—yet he had actually died just like that?!
What the hell was going on here...!
Before you continue