Chapter 10: Harvest Day
Chapter 10: Harvest Day
Boom~
With a thunderous roar inside Chen Ji's body, it felt as if some barrier had suddenly shattered. In a daze, countless strange fragments flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
At this moment, Chen Ji's consciousness seemed to float above the entire cave dwelling.
His body exuded a faint fragrance of grass and flowers, filling the cave with the vitality of spring.
After what felt like an eternity, his consciousness slowly returned to his body.
"Phew—"
As the ripples from the breakthrough gradually subsided, Chen Ji let out a long breath of turbid air. Feeling the changes in his body, he couldn't help but smile.
[Name: Chen Ji]
[Lifespan: 27/87]
[Spiritual Root: Metal 17, Wood 26, Water 18, Fire 23, Earth 16]
[Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer (37/100)]
[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Spring Art (Intermediate 1/4000)]
[Skills:]
Spells: Rain Transformation Art (Beginner 45/200); Entangling Vine Technique (Intermediate 102/400)
Talisman-Making: Vajra Talisman (Advanced 337/1600); Gathering Qi Talisman (Intermediate 386/400)
Martial Arts: Five Animals Health Preservation Fist (Intermediate 347/400)
With a thought, the panel of the "Wordless Book" appeared before his eyes.
Aside from the breakthrough in the "Longevity Spring Art," the most noticeable change was—[Lifespan: 27/87].
Chen Ji had gained a full 10 years of lifespan compared to before the breakthrough.
"The breakthrough in the 'Longevity Spring Art' actually increased my lifespan."
Chen Ji was both surprised and intrigued. He grew even more curious about the "secret realm" the original owner had visited years ago. After all, spiritual items and techniques that could increase lifespan were generally of high grade.
Even with his limited knowledge, Chen Ji now understood that the "Longevity Spring Art" was no ordinary technique. In fact, for someone like him, it was an excellent choice.
"Creak~ creak~"
Chen Ji waved his hand and cast the "Entangling Vine Technique." Several vines suddenly appeared around the piece of pork tied to the tree, tightening and squeezing!
Snap.
The pork was instantly torn into several pieces, falling to the ground.
"With the advancement of the 'Longevity Spring Art,' my spiritual energy has become much more robust. Even though the 'Entangling Vine Technique' is still at the Intermediate level, its effectiveness has improved significantly."
Chen Ji was overjoyed, but this wasn't even the most crucial part!
He sat down cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and began meditating, circulating the "Longevity Spring Art."
"The efficiency has at least doubled!"
This was the most important benefit of the technique's advancement!
Whether it was lifespan or the refinement of spiritual energy, nothing compared to the importance of cultivation efficiency.
"With this efficiency, plus the help of the 'Gathering Qi Talisman,' I'm confident I can break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining within three years!"
For a moment, Chen Ji was filled with confidence.
...
...
Recently, Chen Ji's stall schedule had become more regular—once every three days.
Due to the limitations of his divine sense, the production of "Gathering Qi Talismans" was restricted, requiring three days to recover.
Thus, Chen Ji naturally set up his stall once every three days.
"Hey, kid Chen, catch."
At the stall, Old Lin, his neighbor, turned around and tossed a small pouch to Chen Ji. Inside were over a dozen low-grade spirit stones.
"That's a lot."
Lately, Chen Ji had been engrossed in cultivation, only coming to the stall every three days to sell a batch of "Gathering Qi Talismans." On other days, he left some "Vajra Talismans" for Old Lin to sell on his behalf.
"Hehe, who in the outer city hasn't heard of the great Talisman Master Chen?"
"Plus, there's been talk recently about some ancient ruins in Yunfu Mountain and rumors of a Foundation Establishment Pill. Naturally, the price of 'Vajra Talismans' has gone up too."
"Though, in my opinion, it's probably all fake."
Listening to Old Lin's sarcastic remarks, Chen Ji didn't think much of it. It was true that the "Gathering Qi Talisman" had given him a bit of a reputation in the northwest corner of the market.
As a result, the "Vajra Talismans" bearing his name also sold well.
As for the "ancient ruins," Chen Ji also believed it was a hoax. Similar rumors popped up every couple of years—nothing new.
Taking about a third of the spirit stones from the pouch, Chen Ji placed them on Old Lin's stall.
"Perfect. I'll buy a bottle of 'Celestial Drunk' after closing up."
With that, Chen Ji grinned at Old Lin, who didn't refuse the offer.
"By the way, kid Chen, now that you're a proper 'first-grade talisman master,' have you thought about finding a more stable job?"
"With the recent rumors of demonic cultivators in the market, the Song Family has been making a lot of moves. Finding a job would be safer and more secure."
"The merchant houses in the inner city are always hiring. They welcome any cultivator with a skill, no matter how many."
"Of course, working for them does come with some restrictions."
"But the pay is good. They're wealthy and generous."
Old Lin's words made Chen Ji frown. He couldn't help but think:
"Isn't this just like working in a factory?"
Working for someone else was out of the question. Not in this lifetime...
It wasn't that Chen Ji was unwilling to lower himself and work for a merchant house. It was just that, unlike most cultivators, Chen Ji was already pushing himself to the limit, working non-stop every day.
If he joined a merchant house, even though the pay would be good, he wouldn't have as much time to grind his proficiency.
Moreover, Chen Ji fundamentally disliked being tied down.
As a transmigrator, his ultimate goal was nothing less than immortality.
So,
"I haven't really considered it. Working for a merchant house would be too restrictive. I prefer the freedom of running my own stall."
As Chen Ji finished speaking, a customer happened to approach his stall.
"Two 'Gathering Qi Talismans,' please."
"Here you go, Fellow Daoist..."
...
Skipping the stall setup, straight to the harvest!
Today's earnings: 60 spirit stones. Including the "Vajra Talismans" Old Lin helped sell, the total came to 66 spirit stones, with a net profit of 34 spirit stones.
"At this rate, my monthly income should be around 350 spirit stones."
Monthly Expenses:
- Cave dwelling rent: 20 spirit stones
- Stall fee: 10 spirit stones
- Spirit rice: 80 spirit stones
- Talisman ink and brush wear: **80 spirit stones
- Miscellaneous daily expenses: **30 spirit stones
After deducting these, the net surplus each month was a solid 130 spirit stones!
Life wasn't exactly luxurious, but it was comfortable.
This was even after switching from "Fasting Powder" to "Spirit Rice," which added a significant expense.
However, Chen Ji didn't regret it. After all, spirit stones were meant to be spent.
While he was still weak, resources had to be converted into strength as quickly as possible.
Magical tools, pills, and heritage all needed to be acquired.
Recently, Chen Ji had set a goal for himself: to make up for the deficiencies left by the original owner, both physically and in terms of cultivation foundation.
Only with a solid foundation could he build a towering structure!
...
"Whoosh—"
On the way home, the market was once again blanketed in heavy snow.
Although the market had formations that could block all weather changes, it allowed the snow to fall freely. It was said that being close to nature was more beneficial for cultivation.
In the cold wind, Chen Ji couldn't help but break into a run on his way back to the cave dwelling. He ran faster and faster, recalling the movements of the "Five Animals Fist" and adjusting his breathing, engaging every muscle in his body.
Gradually, his strides grew longer and more powerful, each step covering four to five meters. In the blink of an eye, he had crossed a hundred meters, the wind whistling past him.
A cultivator by the roadside watched in amazement:
"Did he use a 'Swift Movement Talisman'? That's so extravagant!"