Faced with so much lifespan and yield.
Yet Xu Changqing was far from satisfied.
After climbing onto the field ridge, not only did he not return to the house,
he immediately headed toward Stone Mountain instead.
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 ventured deeper, the only spirit plant in the Black Soil came into view.
Compared to when he had first seen it, it had grown taller and sturdier.
Every seed on its rice ears was exceptionally 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 reaching 5,000 or 6,000 jin." Xu Changqing crouched down after approaching it, then circulated the fifth layer of the Evergreen Formula.
[Not Mature] [Spiritual Energy Abundant] [More Children, More Blessings]
To his utter surprise, it still had not matured.
Its entire body was clearly golden and gleaming.
Every seed was twice as large as the seeds of those Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice plants outside.
Yet it was still in its growth stage. That was simply unbelievable.
One could only imagine how astonishing it would be once it matured.
"Keep waiting. Time is the one thing I lack least." Xu Changqing drew a deep breath.
Afterward, he watered it several times with spring water before returning to the wooden house.
He began preparing food for the little yellow dog, the Pearl Chickens, and himself.
No matter how much Spirit Rice Grain he obtained,
or how much lifespan he harvested,
his life had remained unchanged from beginning to end.
Time swiftly arrived at the day to submit Spirit Rice Grain.
Early in the morning, Xu Changqing put on 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 with people.
Usually, only a few people could be seen here, but now heads bobbed like waves.
Xu Changqing queued for a long time before it finally became his turn.
With this, added to the thousand jin from spring,
only half of this year's task remained.
That was 2,500 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice.
Although, with the food stores Xu Changqing currently possessed, he could complete the task ahead of schedule,
there was truly no need.
A formal disciple who had joined the Spirit Field Core less than a year ago
would certainly draw much suspicion if he completed the task early.
Xu Changqing's thinking was simple.
He only needed to lie low and stay steady.
There was no need to stand out too much.
Much less any need to attract others' attention.
Previously, he had spent thirty points to exchange for seeds of Four-Leaf Clover, Chinese cabbage, and watermelon.
Thus, he had 470 points remaining.
Now, after submitting 1,500 jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice and receiving 275 points,
his points had successfully surpassed 700.
He was another step closer to exchanging for the third high-grade cultivation technique, the Immortal Sect's second volume.
However, Xu Changqing spent another 20 points
to exchange for seeds of sweet potatoes and chili peppers.
He had not yet used up the Four-Leaf Clover, Chinese cabbage, and watermelon seeds he had exchanged for earlier.
Once everything was settled, he did not leave immediately.
Instead, he greeted Flower Elder before heading toward the mission wall.
Beneath the wall, he indeed saw a great many missions.
Compared with last time, there were far more this time based on sheer numbers alone.
Moreover, some of them appeared to have even harsher requirements.
[Seeking a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple with a Wood Spirit Root to help cultivate a century-old spirit plant] (Points +60) (Reward +5 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones)
"This task is still here?" Xu Changqing was somewhat surprised.
But then, one particular mission caught his attention.
He could not help studying it carefully.
[Emergency mission: Find a Wood Spirit Root disciple to care for Earth-Spouting Lotus for 7 days] (Points per day +10) (Reward per day +10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones)
A seven-day mission.
He could receive 10 points and 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones every day.
Furthermore, there were no requirements for cultivation realm or cultivation technique level.
Based on the strength Xu Changqing had revealed to the outside world, there would be no problem.
Thinking that he had nothing to do over the next few days, he immediately accepted the mission.
He would take a look first.
If it truly did not work out, he could give up at any time.
As Xu Changqing accepted the mission, he immediately received a Communication Talisman.
It was his first time encountering such a situation, leaving him somewhat surprised.
Not long afterward, it began to flash.
"Did you accept the mission 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 into his small storage pouch.
The other party had only said to care for it, not explicitly that he had to stay inside.
In other words, he merely needed to check on the Earth-Spouting Lotus each day.
Since that was the case, there was no rush to go over.
Not to mention that he still had to cook for the little yellow dog and the Pearl Chickens.
Traveling back and forth between the Spirit Fields and the Earth Vein each day would take plenty of time.
Thus, Xu Changqing planned to buy a Flying Paper Crane first.
After thinking it over, he took out Bai Ling'er's Communication Talisman.
Then he infused it with a thread of spiritual power.
"Xu Changqing?"
"Yes, it's me!"
"Are you making it rain again?"
"No. This time, I came to you because I want to buy a Flying Paper Crane."
"I can draw talismans, but I can't make them. You came 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 mission. Someone will find you soon enough."
"So that's how it is. Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Bai!"
"Then let's stop chatting. I've been very, very busy lately."
Bai Ling'er took the initiative to end the communication.
Xu Changqing wore an enlightened expression, then posted a mission.
The contents were very simple.
[Urgently need a Flying Paper Crane] (Price +20 Low-Grade Spirit Stones)
Just as Bai Ling'er had said,
the moment this mission was posted, someone immediately accepted it.
Before long, the location talisman began flashing without stop.
Not long afterward, a Wood Spirit Root disciple appeared before Xu Changqing.
The man asked with a smiling face, "Fellow Daoist, are you the one who wants a Flying Paper Crane?"
"Yes." Xu Changqing nodded.
"My name is Han Ying. Though I am a Wood Spirit Root disciple, I am also the middleman for a talisman master of the Water-Control Pavilion." Han Ying introduced himself.
The instant Xu Changqing saw him, he had actually already guessed as much. Therefore, 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?"
Upon hearing this, Han Ying took several paper cranes from his storage pouch and said, "I have three grades here: inferior, ordinary, and Advanced Paper Crane. Take a look and see which one you need."
Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow at the sight, then examined them carefully.
This inferior paper crane looked crudely made, and the patterns on its surface were an utter mess.
It would probably be scrapped after only a few uses.
The ordinary paper crane, however, was better in both material and patterning. At the very least, it did not look shabby.
As for the Advanced Paper Crane, not only did it have excellent texture, its patterns were clear and smooth, carrying an orderly appearance.
The three Flying Paper Cranes were clearly made by three different talisman masters.
For now, he definitely would not choose the inferior one.
He would basically choose between the ordinary and advanced ones.
Han Ying blinked. "Have you decided, Fellow Daoist Xu?"
Xu Changqing asked instead, "What are the prices for the ordinary and advanced ones?"
Han Ying put away the inferior paper crane and replied, "The ordinary one only costs 25 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, while the advanced one costs 88 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"How long can they last?" Xu Changqing asked again.
Han Ying grinned. "As long as you don't use the ordinary one on rainy days, it can endure for around two years.
"As for the advanced one, you can use it for three years, rain or shine."
Xu Changqing's mouth twitched a few times before he said, "Too expensive."
Han Ying shrugged helplessly. "Fellow Daoist Xu, take a look at the market these days. Every resource is rising in price. We can't sell at a loss, can we?"
"Sixty-six Low-Grade Spirit Stones for the advanced one." Xu Changqing frowned.
Han Ying froze for a moment, then shook his head. "Eighty at the lowest. I won't sell for any less!"
Xu Changqing's expression darkened. "Quit 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 offered too high. Xu Changqing felt boundless regret.
And so, after a round of haggling, he acquired a Flying Paper Crane for 70 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
He did not even ask for a Communication Talisman, instead turning and leaving at once.
Watching his departing back, Han Ying's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning. "This kid sure knows how to haggle, but he'd never guess that my purchase price was only 40 Low-Grade Spirit Stones!!!"
Before you continue