Chapter 101: Chapter 100 One Year Later (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_1 Chapter 101: Chapter 100 One Year Later (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_1 The next day.
Jadeite Cliff.
Fang Xi rubbed his lower back, sighed, and continued to stoop over as he replanted “Red Blood Spirit Rice”.
This time, besides the Red Blood Spirit Rice, he also picked a plot of land rich in spiritual energy and planted a mu of “Clear Lotus Spirit Rice”!
This kind of Spirit Rice needed to be planted in paddy fields, shaped like lotus flowers; come harvest time, by peeling back the lotus blossoms and leaves, one could obtain a lotus pod full of Spirit Rice.
Moreover, it had a flavor reminiscent of lotus flowers, with an excellent taste.
This was the Spirit Rice fit for Cultivators to eat!
As for Fang Xi, he planted it with the intention of consuming it himself.
“Little Cloud Rain Array, activate!”
After tending to the mu of land, he flew up into the air, took out the Array’s controlling token, and injected his Magic Spell into it.
Whoosh! A layer of invisible ripples spread out, a large amount of mist formed, turning into rain clouds and sprinkling strands and threads of Spirit Water.
With the Great Array, even farming became much more convenient.
…..
It took Fang Xi several days of busyness to just barely finish replanting the Spirit Rice.
Before he had the chance to rest and catch his breath, he noticed a Voice Transmission Talisman flying towards him.
After catching it, he deactivated the Array and saw Ruan Xingling riding in on a flower basket, with a beaming smile.
“Greetings, Island Master.”
Fang Xi performed a courtesy.
“I looked for you several times before but found no trace of you… I was worried that Sir had encountered some trouble,” Ruan Xingling observed Fang Xi, noticing he still maintained the Cultivation of Qi Refining Fifth Level, and her brows furrowed slightly.
“I was in closed-door cultivation practicing a Magic Spell recently and couldn’t leave. Is there something the Island Master needs?”
Fang Xi found a casual excuse.
“Nothing serious, just that a few Immortal Seedlings were found during the ‘Spirit Testing Convention’, and I wanted you to attend as an observer…” Ruan Xingling seemed to sigh, “Recently, Thousand Island Lake has been anything but peaceful. First, there was a madman on the outskirts of Baochuan Market who killed five late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, causing changes and unrest among the Market’s powers… Half a month ago, my great-grandfather and the Mo Family’s elder were both attacked by an unknown Cultivator while traveling, sustaining serious injuries!”
“What?”
Fang Xi’s face turned pale, “So many serious incidents? Is the madman outside Baochuan Market a failed Foundation Establishment? And the Feng Family’s elder and the Mo Family’s elder, were they harmed?”
“The situation isn’t optimistic, but at least their lives were saved. It’s said that the assailant is a silver-armored giant wielding a black sword… His attacks were incredibly sharp; even the Mo Family’s elder, who had a high-grade defensive magical instrument, was almost cleaved in half, and if not for timely rescue, I fear he would have…” Ruan Xingling’s expression was extremely grave, “This person has never appeared in Thousand Island Lake’s Cultivation world before, and his origins are unknown.”
“Could it be… an outside aid solicited by Old Gold Teeth Weirdo?”
Fang Xi pondered for a moment and then seriously voiced his speculation.
“Impossible…” Ruan Xingling said, “Golden Flame Island, belonging to Old Gold Teeth Weirdo, was also attacked by this silver-armored person, resulting in many disciples’ deaths. Old Gold Teeth Weirdo himself took action but could not subdue the man, losing some of his Primordial Energy in the process… If he hadn’t hidden in the Array in time, he too would have suffered greatly…”
Fang Xi had suspected everyone behind the scenes, and Old Gold Teeth Weirdo was naturally no exception.
“Hiss…”
He sharply inhaled, playing along, “Such ferocity, could it be another at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining?”
“Yes, this person’s emotions are unpredictable, beware, and it’s best not to leave the island for a while.”
Ruan Xingling warned, then glanced at the Spiritual Field where Clear Lotus Spirit Rice was grown, “Is this… Clear Lotus Spirit Rice?”
“Yes, the land’s spiritual energy has somewhat recovered recently, and with the help of the Array, I’ve managed to grow some good rice,” Fang Xi responded, squatting on the ridge between paddies, his eyes brimming with anticipation for the harvest.
“This rice looks good. When it’s time to harvest the Spirit Rice, you’ll have to give me some…” Ruan Xingling’s face held a teasing smile as she sighed softly, “Alas… I, the Island Master, have been preoccupied with many tasks lately, and I must assist in stabilizing the situations within the Feng Family and the Mo Family… It looks like I will be busy for a while.”
Feng Baimeng and the Mo Family elder might not have died, but their primordial energies were greatly depleted.
Given their ages, even if their wounds were to heal, their days were numbered…
Thus, all schemes and conspiracies had to be set aside.
This actually made the recently busy Ruan Xingling feel that the Island’s affairs suddenly became much calmer, and both Feng Man Building and Mo Qingyu no longer caused trouble, seemingly behaving with tails between their legs…
That was also Fang Xi’s intention.
After this incident, besides late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, few dared to venture outside of the Island’s protective Array.
The area had become much more peaceful, which was perfect for farming trees.
Of course, to be on the safe side.
It would be best to wait another year and see how things played out after the storm had passed…
…..
Spring came and went and autumn arrived.
Another year passed.
By Fang Xi’s count, he was already twenty-three years old, and his Cultivation still lingered around the Qi Refining Fifth Level.
Whoosh!
In the courtyard, next to the pond, a big Daqing fish seemed plump and had grown considerably since before.
Fang Xi casually extended a barrier of Magic Power to block off the pond water while muttering to himself, “Why won’t this fish level up no matter how I raise it? Should I just stew it?”
Whoosh!
The next moment, the Daqing fish was so frightened that it hid in the mud at the bottom of the pond, shivering violently…
‘Little rascal…’
Upon seeing this, Fang Xi chuckled to himself, got up, and began to harvest the Spirit Rice in the Spiritual Field.
This time, the twelve-acre plot of Red Blood Spirit Rice yielded only about two hundred pounds per acre, as it had been planted late.
After several busy days, he finally managed to pile more than two thousand seven hundred pounds of Spirit Rice into the warehouse.
“With so much Spirit Rice, even Taisui couldn’t finish it all… It’s time to try brewing wine. There’s a first-grade wine recipe in the ‘Alcohol Deity Manual’ that is perfect for Red Blood Spirit Rice as it can enhance vitality and blood…”
Fang Xi made calculations in his mind and then went to the edge of the finest paddy field.
Above the shallow water surface were lotus leaves wrapped into bundles.
He grabbed one, peeled open the lotus leaves, and saw a pod full of Spirit Rice inside.
A fragrance of lotus flowers instantly dispersed.
Carefully peeling it back, Fang Xi saw that each grain of Clear Lotus Spirit Rice was the size of a longan, resembling lotus seeds, completely white, except for the faint color of lotus at the tip, looking like tiny longevity peaches, very pleasing to the eye.
“Lord Ruan has been thinking about this Spirit Rice for a long time; it should indeed be sent to him!”
The yield of Clear Lotus Spirit Rice was even lower, only about a hundred pounds per acre.
Fang Xi wrapped thirty pounds of Spirit Rice, thought for a moment, and then packed an additional ten pounds, taking a Black Feather Boat to Mirror Moon Lake, to the ‘Mirror Moon Manor’ where the Ruan Family lived.
“Mr. Fang, you’re here!”
Feng Man Building had just walked out, and upon seeing Fang Xi, he bowed respectfully, “Are you here to see the Island Master? She happens to be free right now; I’ll go to report your arrival.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Feeling Feng Man Building’s goodwill, Fang Xi acknowledged with cupped hands in thanks.
Well, ever since Feng Baimeng had been seriously injured, he seemed to have given up certain thoughts and had started to take a wife and have children, trying hard to fit into life on Peach Blossom Island.
His relationship with Fang Xi thus naturally shifted from hostility to friendliness.
As for that Mo Qingyju, she still held nefarious intentions, but without the support of the Mo Family, she could no longer stir up any trouble.
Fang Xi just left Ruan Xingling to deal with the headache herself.
A moment later, Feng Man Building emerged, “The Island Master awaits you!”
Fang Xi nodded, walked into the hall, and then saw Ruan Xingling.
Compared to before, this woman seemed to carry more authority, and the gentle and generous image of the stunning woman in Fang Xi’s memory was gradually becoming blurred…
“…As for the harvest of Spirit Rice, I thought I would bring it to the Island Master.”
Fang Xi rambled, talking about the trivial matters of farming and fish rearing and then offered the Clear Lotus Spirit Rice.
“I only mentioned it in passing, but you have put thought into this.”
Ruan Xingling looked at the lotus leaves wrapping the Spirit Rice and abruptly asked another question, “Since you’re so devoted to farming, why not find a Taoist Companion to help you out? If you wish, this Island Master is willing to matchmake for you…”
“This… Actually, aside from farming, I still have some expectations for my own Cultivation Path. I’ve committed to the Immortal Path, and it’s difficult to commit to another person, so I would ask the Island Master not to bother thus.”
Fang Xi raised his eyebrows, declining, “Actually… once I return, I’m preparing to go into seclusion for harsh cultivation, fearing that I may visit the Island Master less frequently in the future…”
“I hadn’t expected you to be so dedicated to rigorous cultivation.”
Ruan Xingling’s expression remained mild, “Well then… you may leave.”
“I take my leave!”
Fang Xi bowed and left the hall.
Behind him, there seemed to be a low sigh, but the pleasant ringing of bells did not accompany it…
…
Having left Mirror Moon Lake, Fang Xi thought it over and did not directly return to Jadeite Cliff but made a detour to Twin Peaks.
Atop the East Peak, Mu Wen had become the head of the Mu Family, set up a large residence, and even cultivated numerous Spiritual Fields outside the house, which seemed to be thriving.
Apart from the absence of a Mountain Protective Array, it could be considered the beginnings of a small Family.
Watching the diligent old farmers working in the Spiritual Fields, Fang Xi nodded and then shook his head, chose not to land the flying boat, and instead left to visit Gemini West Peak.
Atop the West Peak.
Flowers bloomed everywhere, and in a valley, a Spirit Spring flowed.
Next to the Spirit Spring, a small residence had been built, encircled by a bamboo fence.
Inside the fence, there were more than a dozen beehives, with snow-white Jade Bees flying in and out.
Hua Chanjuan, looking somewhat more haggard than before, with a baby girl on her back, was busy tending to the beehives.
Upon seeing the Escape Light, she was initially startled, but then she relaxed after recognising Fang Xi, “So it’s Mr. Fang, what brings you here this time?”
“Hua, Sir!”
Fang Xi brought ten pounds of Spirit Rice and then said, “I’m planning to go into prolonged seclusion when I return, in the hopes of making a breakthrough in the late phase of Qi Refining before I turn forty… Although the Taoist Path is faint, I must exert myself, so I will not be able to visit frequently in the future. I ask for your understanding if this seems rude!”
“To cultivate in seclusion is good, very good!”
Upon hearing this, Hua Chanjuan revealed a smile, “To be honest, I want my Yi Xi to always stay by my side, and I’d prefer her not to even leave West Peak, for the outside is full of bad people!”
‘Has this female cultivator lost her mind?’
Witnessing this, Fang Xi couldn’t help inwardly criticizing.
“Oh, I have not yet invited you inside to taste a bowl of Spiritual Honey Water!”
Hua Chanjuan seemed to have just come to her senses, “This ‘Jade Bee Spirit Honey’ of mine, even the Island Master has praised it…”
“No need.”
Fang Xi waved his hand and left on the flying boat.
Returning to Jadeite Cliff, he took in a deep breath and was slightly excited.
Everything was ready; it was time to start planting trees!