First Mission, First Paper Crane

Faced with so much lifespan and yield.

Yet Xu Changqing was not satisfied.

After climbing onto the field ridge, not only did he not return to the house.

Instead, he immediately headed toward Stone Mountain.

He planned to take another look at the Mutated Spirit Rice before night fell.

Before long, he skillfully slipped into the cave entrance.

As he went deeper, the sole spirit plant in the Black Soil came into view.

Compared to when they had first met, it had grown taller and sturdier.

Every grain on its rice panicle was exceedingly plump.

They were so heavy that they had even bent the Mutated Spirit Rice over.

From time to time, it swayed up and down a few times.

"If the seeds of this Mutated Spirit Plant also grow into Mutated Spirit Plants, then my future yield will surpass 4,000 jin—perhaps even reach 5,000 or 6,000 jin." Xu Changqing crouched down beside it, then circulated the fifth layer of the Evergreen Formula.

[Not Mature]

[Abundant Spiritual Energy]

[More Children, More Blessings]

To his utter surprise, it was still not mature.

Its entire body was golden and gleaming.

Every seed was twice as large as those of the Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice outside.

Yet it was still in its growth stage. That was simply inconceivable.

One could imagine just how astonishing it would be once it matured.

"Keep waiting. Time is the one thing I lack least." Xu Changqing took a deep breath.

Afterward, he watered it several times with spring water before returning to the wooden house.

He began preparing food for Little Yellow, the Pearl Chickens, and himself.

No matter how much spirit rice he obtained.

No matter how much lifespan he harvested.

His life had remained unchanged from beginning to end.

Time swiftly came to the day for turning in spirit rice.

Early that morning, Xu Changqing donned a bamboo hat and made his way step by step toward the Spirit Field Core Administration Office.

This time, however, he had already decided to buy a Flying Paper Crane for travel.

Walking there every time truly wasted too much time.

By the time he reached the palace on Flat-Top Mountain, the place was already packed to the brim.

Normally, only a few people could be seen here, yet now heads bobbed like waves.

Xu Changqing stood in line for a long time before it was finally his turn.

With this, together with the thousand jin from spring.

Only half of this year's task remained.

That was 2,500 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice.

Given the reserves Xu Changqing currently had, he could have completed the task ahead of schedule.

But there was truly no need.

A formal disciple who had joined the Spirit Field Core Administration Office less than a year ago.

If he completed his task in advance.

It would surely arouse the suspicions of many people.

Xu Changqing's thoughts were simple.

He only needed to lie low and stay steady.

There was no need to stand out too much.

And even less need to draw others' attention.

Previously, he had spent thirty points to exchange for seeds of Four-Leaf Clover, cabbage, and watermelon.

As a result, he had 470 points remaining.

After turning in 1,500 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice, he received 275 points.

Thus, his points had successfully surpassed 700.

He was one step closer to exchanging for the third high-grade cultivation technique of the Immortal Sect's second set.

However, Xu Changqing spent another 20 points.

He exchanged them for sweet potato and chili pepper seeds.

He had not yet used up the Four-Leaf Clover, cabbage, and watermelon seeds he had exchanged for earlier.

Once everything was settled, he did not leave immediately.

Instead, he greeted Flower Elder, then headed toward the task wall.

Sure enough, when he arrived beneath the wall, he saw countless tasks.

Compared with last time, there were far more of them now.

Moreover, some of the requirements appeared even harsher.

[Seeking a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple with a Wood Spirit Root to assist in cultivating a hundred-year spirit plant]

(Points +60)

(Reward +5 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones)

"This task is still here?" Xu Changqing was somewhat surprised.

But then, another task caught his attention.

He could not help studying it closely.

[Urgent task: Seeking a Wood Spirit Root disciple to care for Earth-Spouting Lotus for 7 days]

(Points: +10 per day)

(Reward: +10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones per day)

It was a seven-day task.

He could receive 10 points and 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones every day.

And there were no requirements for cultivation realm or technique level.

Given the strength Xu Changqing currently displayed to outsiders, there would be no problem.

Thinking that he had nothing to do these next few days, he immediately accepted the task.

He would take a look first.

If it truly did not work out, he could abandon it at any time.

As soon as Xu Changqing accepted the task, he immediately received a Communication Talisman.

It was his first time encountering such a situation, and he was slightly surprised.

Before long, it began flashing.

"Are you the one who accepted the task I posted?"

"Yes."

"What is your name?"

"Wood Spirit Root, Xu Changqing!"

"What is your realm?"

"Middle Qi Refining."

"I am a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple in the Earth Vein. My name is Hu Man."

"So it is Senior Brother Hu!"

"I live on the eighteenth level of the Earth Vein. You can use the spirit talisman to open the cave entrance."

"Understood, Senior Brother Hu!"

The communication ended.

Xu Changqing put it away in his small storage pouch.

The other party had only said to care for it, without explicitly saying that he needed to stay there.

That meant he only needed to check on the Earth-Spouting Lotus each day.

Since that was the case, there was no rush to head over.

Not to mention he still needed to cook for Little Yellow and the Pearl Chickens.

Traveling back and forth between the Spirit Fields and the Earth Vein every day would take a great deal of time.

Therefore, Xu Changqing decided to buy a Flying Paper Crane first.

After thinking it over, he took out Bai Ling'er's Communication Talisman.

Then he injected a thread of spiritual power into it.

"Xu Changqing?"

"Yes, it's me!"

"Are you going to make it rain again?"

"No, I'm looking for you this time because I want to buy a Flying Paper Crane."

"I can draw talismans, but I can't make them. You've come to the wrong person."

"Then... who should I look for?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the Spirit Field Core Administration Office."

"Post a purchase task. Someone will come looking for you soon."

"So that's how it is. Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Bai!"

"Then I won't chat anymore. I've been very, very busy lately."

Bai Ling'er ended the communication herself.

Xu Changqing wore an enlightened expression, then posted a task.

The contents were very simple.

[Urgently need one Flying Paper Crane]

(Price: +20 Low-Grade Spirit Stones)

Sure enough, just as Bai Ling'er had said.

The moment the task was posted, someone immediately accepted it.

Soon afterward, the location talisman began flashing without pause.

Before long, a Wood Spirit Root disciple appeared before Xu Changqing.

The man asked with a beaming smile, "Fellow Daoist, are you the one who wants a Flying Paper Crane?"

"Yes." Xu Changqing nodded.

"My humble name is Han Ying. Though I am a Wood Spirit Root disciple, I also serve as a middleman for a talisman master of the Water-Control Pavilion," Han Ying introduced himself.

The instant Xu Changqing saw him, he had already guessed as much. Thus, after hearing the introduction, he was not surprised at all. Instead, he asked, "My name is Xu Changqing. When can I get the Flying Paper Crane?"

At this, Han Ying took several paper cranes from his storage pouch and said, "I have three grades here: inferior, ordinary, and high-grade. Take a look and see which one you need."

Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow at the sight, then inspected them carefully.

The inferior paper crane looked crudely made, and the patterns on its surface were a complete mess.

It would probably be scrapped after only a few uses.

The ordinary paper crane was better in both material and patterning, and at the very least, its appearance was decent.

As for the high-grade paper crane, not only did it have a fine texture, its patterns were clear and smooth, appearing highly orderly.

At a glance, the three Flying Paper Cranes had clearly come from the hands of three different talisman masters.

At present, he definitely would not choose the inferior one.

He would basically choose either the ordinary or the high-grade one.

Han Ying blinked. "Has Fellow Daoist Xu made your choice?"

Xu Changqing instead asked, "What are the prices for the ordinary and high-grade ones?"

Han Ying put away the inferior paper crane, then replied, "The ordinary one only costs 25 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, while the high-grade one costs 88 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"How long can they be used?" Xu Changqing asked again.

Han Ying grinned. "As long as you don't use the ordinary one on rainy days, it can last you at least around two years.

"As for the high-grade one, it can be used for three years whether there is wind or rain."

Xu Changqing's mouth twitched a few times. Then he said, "Too expensive."

Han Ying shrugged helplessly. "Fellow Daoist Xu, take a look at the current market. All resources are rising in price. We can't sell at a loss, can we?"

"Sixty-six Low-Grade Spirit Stones for the high-grade one." Xu Changqing frowned.

Han Ying froze for a moment, then shook his head. "Eighty at the lowest. I won't sell it for any less!"

Xu Changqing's expression darkened. "Stop talking nonsense. Seventy Low-Grade Spirit Stones. That's my bottom line!"

"Deal." Han Ying instantly changed his expression, revealing an enthusiastic smile.

Damn it—I bid too high. Xu Changqing was filled with regret.

And so, after a round of haggling, he bought a Flying Paper Crane for 70 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

He did not even ask for a Communication Talisman before leaving in a grand sweep.

Watching his departing back, Han Ying's eyes flashed with slyness. "This kid knows how to haggle, but he'll never guess that my purchase price was only 40 Low-Grade Spirit Stones!!!"