After unloading the Spirit Beast Manure, Hu Bugui did not quote a price right away.
Instead, he opened his mouth, looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.
Xu Changqing asked doubtfully, "What is it?"
Hu Bugui gave a dry laugh. "Can I invest manure... no, I mean invest?"
"Huh?" Xu Changqing's eyes widened.
Hu Bugui said helplessly, "There are still two years until the Formal Disciple Grand Competition. During that time, all kinds of resources will keep rising in price. Just selling manure is hardly enough to live on."
Xu Changqing suddenly understood. "You want to use Spirit Beast Manure to invest in my Grade-Two Spirit Field."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Hu Bugui nodded forcefully.
Xu Changqing could not help pondering it.
Fertilizing Spirit Rice did indeed increase its yield. He had tested that last winter.
If he could secure Hu Bugui's long-term investment, the benefits would definitely outweigh the drawbacks.
But the question was, how much did the other man intend to take as his share?
That was the crux of the matter.
Too little, and Hu Bugui would certainly refuse.
But too much, and Xu Changqing would refuse instead.
Hu Bugui seemed to have seen through his thoughts and immediately said, "If you only want manure from hundred-year Spirit Beasts, then I'll take one-tenth of the total yield."
That meant taking one hundred catties from a thousand catties.
Two hundred catties from two thousand catties.
Naturally, the portion submitted for missions would have to be deducted first.
"You have better Spirit Beast Manure?" Xu Changqing asked in surprise.
Hearing that, Hu Bugui patted his chest. "I've got some connections in this line of work. Even manure from five-hundred-year Spirit Beasts, or even thousand-year Spirit Beasts, can be procured."
Xu Changqing thought for a moment before saying, "How about this? We'll test it during spring first. If everyone is satisfied, we'll continue cooperating afterward."
Hu Bugui's eyes lit up. "No problem!"
Thus, Xu Changqing obtained enough hundred-year Spirit Beast Manure to cover his entire Spirit Field.
Afterward, as long as he handed over around one or two hundred catties of Second-Grade Spirit Rice Grain, he would not be breaching the agreement.
The reason Hu Bugui wanted so little was because a cunning rabbit had three burrows.
He was not investing only in Xu Changqing.
In fact, he had found many Spirit Farmers to work with.
To put it bluntly, he had transformed from a simple manure peddler into a manure supplier.
Though he would lose money at the beginning, he might make a huge profit later.
All he stood to lose was manure that Spirit Beasts produced every day anyway.
Yet for Spirit Farmers, it was a precious thing that could increase their yields.
Even Xu Changqing could not help being tempted.
After fertilizing every Spirit Plant in the Spirit Field,
Xu Changqing did not hesitate and turned toward the Core Administration Office.
Since he had already started, he could not waste time.
He had to seize every opportunity.
He might as well post a Rainfall mission now.
He would find a Formal Disciple with a Water Spirit Root to cast the Minor Cloud-Rain Art.
Actually, there was another option.
That was to find a dao companion with a Water Spirit Root.
That way, he would not need to post missions and wait eagerly for someone else to help.
But Xu Changqing had too many secrets and could not reveal them lightly.
If others learned that a Spirit Farmer who had just joined the core division already had a yield from one mu of Spirit Fields comparable to, or even higher than, those in the Foundation Establishment Realm,
it would definitely cause a sensation and might even draw the "attention" of the Immortal Elders.
If he attributed it all to talent alone, that would be far too forced.
After all, back in the outer sect, Xu Changqing had only succeeded on his third assessment.
Therefore, he had to raise his cultivation to a certain level before considering such matters.
Just like last time, he posted the mission and filled in the reward.
Afterward, he received a notification talisman.
Next, all he needed to do was wait patiently.
The next day arrived quickly. Xu Changqing had just finished breakfast
when the talisman on him began to tremble and flash.
That meant a disciple with a Water Spirit Root had accepted the mission and was on the way.
Xu Changqing was in no hurry. He first cultivated on the ridge between the fields, absorbing Wood Qi.
Then he chased the little yellow dog all over the ground until it panted with its tongue hanging out.
At last, the talisman flashed faster and faster.
Xu Changqing had thought the other person would walk over.
Who would have thought she would be standing atop a Flying Paper Crane?
Xu Changqing looked up and saw that she was a female disciple with a Water Spirit Root.
Her appearance was rather pure and innocent.
Her large eyes were especially eye-catching.
"Are you Fellow Daoist Xu?" a voice asked from above.
Xu Changqing replied, "I am Xu Changqing. And you are?"
"My name is Bai Ling'er. I'm the Formal Disciple with a Water Spirit Root who accepted your Rainfall mission." At the same time, the Flying Paper Crane above slowly descended.
With a whoosh.
Bai Ling'er jumped down.
Then... things became a little awkward.
Xu Changqing went from looking up at her to looking down at her.
Bai Ling'er had to tilt her head back, even rising onto her tiptoes.
Seeing that she only reached his chest, Xu Changqing could not help laughing as he asked, "Didn't your parents come with you?"
Bai Ling'er said indignantly, "I accepted this mission. Why would my parents come?"
Xu Changqing had only meant to tease her. Hearing that, he froze for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Are your parents also in the Water-Control Pavilion?"
Bai Ling'er nodded lightly. "My father is a talisman master in the Water-Control Pavilion."
"Oh-ho!"
The smile on Xu Changqing's face instantly vanished, and his attitude became much more polite. "I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Bai this time."
Good heavens, she was not someone he could afford to provoke.
Though he had never been to the Water-Control Pavilion,
he knew that talisman masters held no low status.
If he angered Bai Ling'er with his words and her parents came knocking afterward, things would be troublesome.
He had better be honest.
"Alright!" Bai Ling'er turned to face the Spirit Fields.
She circulated the Second-Level Minor Cloud-Rain Art.
With a wave of her little hand,
the Water Qi in the air ahead rapidly gathered.
Before long, a layer of mist formed above the Spirit Fields.
Moreover, the mist seemed faintly black.
It appeared to be evolving toward genuine dark clouds.
Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow and thought, I saw it once before in the outer sect. Compared to this, it wasn't even on the same level.
It seems Bai Ling'er's aptitude is quite good.
Hualala!
The sound of rain rang out.
Dense spirit rain fell, covering more than half the Spirit Fields.
A moment later, the Spirit Plants that had received rain were visibly more vigorous.
They were covered from top to bottom in a layer of "water-gloss skin."
"Done." Bai Ling'er looked utterly relaxed.
"This is your reward—twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones." Xu Changqing decisively took out the payment.
The reason he used Spirit Stones
was mainly to create the impression that he did not have any Spirit Rice Grain either.
That way, he would not arouse suspicion.
After all, the price of Spirit Rice Grain had already gone through the roof.
Bai Ling'er accepted the Spirit Stones, then took out a talisman. "This is my Communication Talisman. If you need help, just let me know. Then you won't need to post a mission."
"Alright." Xu Changqing carefully accepted it.
"I'm leaving." Bai Ling'er jumped onto the Flying Paper Crane and swiftly departed.
Only after he could no longer see her did Xu Changqing let out a sigh of relief. "Good thing she's young and didn't understand what I said earlier, or I'd have been in trouble."
Then, he turned his gaze toward the Spirit Fields.
Now that the soil had been loosened, fertilized, and watered,
as long as nothing unexpected happened, this yield would definitely soar.
It might even exceed three thousand catties!!!
Before you continue