After everything was settled in my mind, I immediately went to the place where I had buried the spirit gathering plate and removed it from the ground.
After cleaning the dirt from its jade surface, I placed it carefully into my spirit bag.
Lingering in the fields any longer was unnecessary, and potentially dangerous.
If someone were to find evidence of the formation or the Tier 2 crops, it could cause unnecessary misunderstandings and serious trouble.
I took out the prepared rice bags from my spirit pouch next.
One by one, I filled them carefully with Jade Spirit Rice.
The grains were plump and faintly glossy, carrying a gentle spiritual warmth even through the cloth bags.
Once filled, I sealed them properly and stored them, along with the jade rice stalks, inside the spirit bag.
The space inside accepted them smoothly, leaving no resistance.
Next came the Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice.
I deliberately slowed down for this part.
This was not something to handle carelessly.
I divided the precious vermilion grains into five separate bags, each holding exactly twenty-five Jin(pounds).
When I attempted to store them in the system inventory, the interface responded immediately with a soft chime.
[Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice (Bag) ×4]
[Accepted]
My gaze flickered slightly with interest.
So the system treats them as stackable units. That's useful for organization.
There were still about five pounds remaining after the division.
I placed those into a smaller bag and stored it inside my regular spirit pouch instead.
I stored the vermilion rice stalks as well, directing them into the system inventory.
The system accepted them entirely without issue.
They are good feed for the spirit pet, lets see if I can buy any pets on my next visit to the market.
But when the final stalk disappeared into storage, I felt something.
A subtle resistance, like hitting a soft barrier.
Almost like the system was notifying me of something important.
I quickly summoned the inventory interface to check.
My eyes narrowed.
Only one slot remained empty out of the total five slots available.
So that's the current limit.
This was going to be a problem if I didn't address it soon.
If I continued at this pace, harvesting and storing multiple crop types, the inventory space would fill up far too quickly.
There had to be a way to expand it somehow.
But that wasn't something I could solve standing in an empty field.
I pushed the thought aside for now and turned my attention back to the harvested land.
The area looked completely barren now.
Too barren, too obviously harvested.
Leaving it like this would definitely attract unwanted attention from other farmers when they came to check their own fields.
Without wasting any more time, I retrieved the last batch of Jade Spirit Rice seeds I have from my storage and started to plant them across the front one mu section of land.
I worked quickly but efficiently.
First, I raised my hand and activated the Earth Moving technique.
Spiritual energy flowed from my dantian through my meridians and into the soil below.
The earth responded immediately, turning itself over in neat, organized rows as if invisible plows were working the field.
Within moments, perfectly spaced furrows appeared across the entire section, each one the ideal depth for rice planting.
Next, I extended two thin threads of spiritual energy from my fingertips.
Each thread picked up a single seed with delicate precision, like invisible fingers working in perfect coordination.
With a thought, I directed all the threads simultaneously.
They moved in practiced unison, placing each seed into its designated spot in the prepared furrows with exact spacing and proper depth.
Once all the seeds were settled into the soil, I activated a Rapid Growth Card.
Spiritual energy surged instantly through the earth.
The soil trembled faintly beneath my feet as sprouts burst forth with visible speed, growing at an almost miraculous pace.
Leaves unfurled rapidly, stalks thickened and shot upward, and within mere moments, the previously empty field was once again covered in vibrant green rice plants.
More importantly, the new growth extended high enough to visually block the harvested section of the field completely.
From any normal viewing distance, it would look no different than usual.
Perfect. Complete concealment.
Only then did I finally turn away from the fields and head toward home.
The morning sun was climbing higher now, warming the air pleasantly.
As I walked the familiar path back, my steps slowed unconsciously.
My thoughts began to drift and organize themselves.
Qi cultivation is progressing well. Body cultivation resources are secured. Both paths are covered now.
With the Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice and the new system rewards I'd obtained from the harvest, my body cultivation would advance rapidly once I began practicing the Primordial Star Refining Celestial Body Art properly.
I would gain physical strength far beyond what my current cultivation realm normally allowed.
Once I completed the first stage of the Primordial Star Refining Celestial Body Art, I might be able to rival Foundation Establishment cultivators in pure physical power.
Perhaps I would even surpass them in body strength alone.
Fighting across cultivation realms would no longer remain a distant fantasy.
In battles relying purely on spiritual energy, I might not be able to defeat Foundation Establishment opponents outright.
But in direct physical combat where body strength mattered most?
The outcome would be entirely different.
At minimum, survival and successful escape would no longer be impossible dreams.
then there was soul cultivation.
That path was fundamentally different from the others.
Resources for soul cultivation were extremely rare, tightly controlled by major powers, and often monopolized by top-tier sects.
Either I needed to advance my Spiritual Farmer legacy to Tier 3 to unlock access to soul-nourishing spiritual plants and their seeds, which would allow me to search for them in dangerous forest regions.
Or I would have to risk attempting direct resource exchange with powerful sects.
Both options carried significant, life-threatening danger.
The soul-nourishing resources that grew wild in forests were almost always guarded by high-tier yao beasts with territorial instincts.
Creatures at Foundation Establishment level or higher, who would kill any human cultivator attempting to steal their precious treasures.
And approaching a top sect was equally dangerous for different reasons.
If I approached a major sect requesting soul cultivation resources, they would immediately launch a thorough investigation into my background and origins.
If I revealed even the slightest knowledge of advanced soul cultivation techniques, I would be captured without hesitation.
Interrogated brutally for every scrap of information.
Soul searched to extract my secrets forcefully.
Then killed once they had extracted everything useful from my mind and body.
That death wouldn't be quick or painless either.
I clicked my tongue softly in frustration.
"Tch. Troublesome situation."
There was no immediate perfect solution visible to me.
Fine. One step at a time, like Grandfather always says.
Body cultivation first. Build that foundation properly.
Soul cultivation advancement can wait until safer opportunities present themselves.
By the time I reached home, I noticed the house was strangely quiet.
Far too quiet for mid-morning.
No voices calling out, no sounds of activity inside.
I paused at the entrance, listening carefully.
Then I heard faint sounds coming from the backyard, soil shifting slightly, soft chatter, light childish laughter.
I followed the sounds curiously around to the back.
Grandfather was working in the small garden area, sleeves rolled up past his elbows, calmly tending to a patch of colorful flowers with practiced ease.
Mo Fan stood nearby attentively, carefully holding a watering pot with both hands, trying very hard to look helpful and responsible.
Mo Ling squatted beside a freshly dug section of soil, her small hands completely dirty, face scrunched up with intense concentration as she attempted to plant a tiny seedling properly without damaging its delicate roots.
The entire scene was unexpectedly peaceful and warm.
When Mo Ling's sharp eyes noticed my arrival, they lit up instantly with pure joy.
"Big Brother Shen!" she shouted happily.
She jumped up immediately, completely forgetting the seedling, and ran toward me with surprising speed.
She crashed into my legs and nudged with her small hands eagerly for my attention. "Look! Look! Mo Ling planted flowers! Pretty flowers!"
I smiled genuinely and patted her dirt-covered head gently.
"I see. You did very well."
Her entire face beamed with pride at the simple praise.
She immediately grabbed my hand and pulled insistently, trying to drag me toward the garden to show me her work.
She chattered excitedly about how deep the hole should be dug, how Grandfather had patiently corrected her technique multiple times.
And how Mo Fan kept stupidly watering the exact same spot too much and nearly ruined all her hard work.
I let her pull me along, listening quietly to her enthusiastic explanation.
Mo Fan noticed my presence next and straightened his posture slightly, trying to look dignified despite being caught holding a watering pot.
"Brother Shen," he greeted formally.
Grandfather glanced up from his work briefly, studied me with those knowing eyes, then nodded once in acknowledgment.
"You're back earlier than I expected."
"Yes," I replied simply. "Finished the harvesting work ahead of schedule."
He studied my face for another moment, probably reading things I didn't say, then waved his weathered hand dismissively.
"Good. Go inside and rest properly then."
I shook my head. "I'll prepare breakfast for everyone instead. You've all been working."
He didn't argue or insist, which meant he was probably hungry anyway.
I headed inside to the kitchen area and began working quickly.
This time, I decided to prepare something special.
I made a nutritious vegetable rice soup as the base, but carefully added exactly one tablespoon of finely measured Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice grains mixed in.
I cooked it slowly over controlled heat, ensuring the powerful vitality and blood energy were properly diluted and gentled through the cooking process.
This way, even mortals or low-level cultivators could consume it safely.
On the side, I prepared savory braised spirit meat chops with a rich glaze and cooked a pot of regular jade spirit rice to accompany everything.
Rich and nourishing, but not overwhelming.
By the time I brought all the food out to the table, they had already washed up and seated themselves expectantly.
I placed the rice and meat dishes down first for everyone.
"You all eat first," and I served the meat chops with spirit rice to grandfather and the kids.
As they started eating, I handed him a separate bowl of the special soup.
"This soup was made from special rice grains that are particularly good for nourishing blood and vitality."
"Excellent for strengthening the body. But drink only what you can comfortably handle, don't force yourself to finish it all at once."
He raised one eyebrow curiously but nodded in acceptance.
"Alright. I'll be careful."
He first ate the meat then lifted the bowl to his lips and drank the entire contents in one long, steady gulp.
Almost immediately, a faint reddish flush spread visibly across his weathered face.
But it faded just as quickly, within seconds, leaving him looking noticeably healthier and more vigorous than before.
After a short while of quiet contemplation, he frowned slightly and looked at the empty bowl.
"These special grains you used, where exactly did you acquire them?"
I had my answer prepared already.
"Shopkeeper Wu from the trading shop gave them to me as a generous gift for consistent business. Don't worry about the source, it's completely legitimate."
He stared at the bowl thoughtfully for another moment, probably sensing the quality, then nodded slowly in acceptance.
"I see. That was kind of him."
The two children had been watching our entire exchange with intense, barely contained curiosity.
Their eyes kept darting between Grandfather's face and the now-empty soup bowl.
Grandfather noticed their obvious interest and chuckled warmly.
"Let them try a small amount too. It will benefit their growing bodies significantly."
Mo Fan and Mo Ling both turned toward me instantly with matching expressions of desperate hope, eyes practically shining with anticipation.
I sighed deliberately, pretending reluctance.
"Fine. But only one small cup each to start. If nothing bad happens within one incense stick's burning time, you may have another. Understand the rules?"
"Yes!" they shouted in perfect unison, nodding eagerly.
I poured the special soup into two small cups typically used for drinking wine.
Mo Fan grabbed his immediately and didn't hesitate even slightly.
He drank it down in one quick gulp, then smacked his lips.
Mo Ling watched her brother carefully, then she mimicked his actions exactly, drinking hers just as fast.
We all waited and observed them carefully.
I lit an incense stick and placed it nearby to measure time.
One stick burned down slowly to ash.
Nothing concerning happened to either child.
"Well?" I asked. "Any discomfort? Dizziness? Nausea?"
"No!" Mo Fan replied immediately, his voice excited. "It feels really warm inside! Like my whole body isn't tired anymore even though we were working all morning!"
Mo Ling nodded her head vigorously in agreement.
"Mo Ling feels warm too! And hungry! Can Mo Ling eat meat now?"
I smiled at her priorities and gestured to the food.
"Yes, eat properly first. Then we'll see about more soup."
After they'd eaten some solid food, I asked again if they wanted another cup.
"Yes, please!" Mo Fan answered instantly without hesitation.
I poured a second round for both of them.
They drank eagerly.
By the third cup, Mo Fan's face had turned noticeably red, almost like he'd been drinking actual alcohol.
His breathing became slightly heavier.
"That's enough for you," I said firmly, stopping him from reaching for more. "Go sit down properly. Meditate, or go lie down and sleep. Choose one."
He chose meditation immediately without any complaint.
He sat down cross-legged right there on the floor, closed his eyes, and began trying to circulate what little spiritual energy he could sense.
Mo Ling, however, appeared completely fine still.
She sat there cheerfully nibbling on a piece of glazed meat, tilting her small head curiously as she studied her brother's flushed face.
"Grandpa," she asked in her cute voice, "why is brother's face so red? He looks funny!"
Grandfather chuckled softly at her innocent observation.
"The soup is very strong, little one. His body is working hard to absorb all the good energy."
When she had finished her third cup and still showed no issues, I asked carefully, "Any discomfort at all? Even a little?"
She shook her head confidently. "Nope! Mo Ling feels good!"
I looked at Grandfather for his opinion.
He observed her carefully, then nodded his approval.
I told her she could drink one more.
She happily accepted the fourth cup and drank it down.
Then we waited again, watching closely.
Still nothing concerning.
She remained energetic and clear-eyed.
Her body is accepting the blood energy far more naturally than Mo Fan's. Interesting.
I offered her a fifth cup.
"Last one," I warned. "After this, no more today."
"Okay!" she agreed readily.
She drank the fifth cup of soup.
Moments later, she yawned widely, her small mouth opening like a baby bird.
"Sleepy..." she mumbled, her eyelids drooping heavily.
She slumped forward gently, already half-asleep.
I moved quickly, bringing over a soft sleeping mat and laying it out beside where Mo Fan sat meditating.
I carefully picked up Mo Ling and placed her down on the mat, arranging her into a comfortable position.
Within seconds, she was sleeping peacefully, her breathing even and deep.
I watched both children closely for several minutes.
Mo Fan meditated with stubborn concentration, a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead but his posture remaining admirably steady.
Tiny wisps of steam rose almost invisibly from his skin as his body processed the powerful energy.
Mo Ling slept like she didn't have a single care in the world, completely relaxed and peaceful.
No signs of danger or qi deviation in either of them.
I exhaled quietly in relief.
Good. They're both handling it well, just differently.
Mo Ling slept peacefully on the mat, her breathing even and light, as if the entire world held absolutely no worries for someone so small.
Her little chest rose and fell in a perfectly steady rhythm.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed from the residual warmth of the Vermilion Blood soup still circulating through her young body.
There was no sign whatsoever of discomfort, no restless movement, no frown, not even the slight involuntary twitching that usually accompanied the digestion of spirit-infused food in mortal bodies.
I watched her carefully for a long moment, checking and rechecking.
Then I slowly straightened up.
Grandfather's weathered gaze followed mine, his eyes studying the sleeping child with quiet, thoughtful contemplation.
"Looks like she has significantly more natural talent than her brother," he said at last, his voice deliberately low so only I could hear as not to disturb them.
His tone carried certainty, not speculation.
I glanced over at Mo Fan sitting nearby.
He remained cross-legged on his mat, face still noticeably flushed red, brows tightly furrowed in intense concentration.
His breathing was somewhat uneven but he was clearly trying to control it, following the crude meditation breathing pattern I had taught him as best he could.
Sweat had formed visibly on his forehead and temples.
Yet his young face showed stubborn, almost fierce resolve.
He was enduring the discomfort through pure willpower.
But enduring was fundamentally not the same thing as being naturally suited.
"I think so too," I replied softly in agreement. "But he has the heart and determination to forge through hardships. That counts for something as well."
Grandfather nodded approvingly at my assessment.
"True. Will can sometimes surpass talent in the long run."
Mo Ling had consumed noticeably more of the potent soup than her older brother.
Yet her small body had accepted the powerful blood energy naturally, almost effortlessly, without any resistance or rejection.
It didn't surge violently through her undeveloped meridians like it might have.
Instead, it blended smoothly, nourished gently, and settled peacefully into her foundation.
That kind of natural compatibility and absorption rate couldn't possibly be faked or forced.
Grandfather's experienced eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
Not in suspicion or concern, but in genuine contemplation.
"Her body constitution is suited best for body cultivation," he murmured quietly, almost to himself. "It absorbs blood energy and vitality deeply, thoroughly. Like fertile soil drinking in spring rain."
I smiled faintly at the comparison.
A very fitting analogy, coming from someone who'd spent his entire life working with earth and crops.
After a brief comfortable silence, Grandfather turned to look directly at me.
"So," he asked with deliberate casualness, "are you planning to begin your body cultivation training today?"
The question itself was simple and straightforward.
But the weight of meaning and expectation behind those words was definitely not simple.
I took a slow, deep breath, then nodded firmly.
"Yes, Grandfather. I'm ready to start."
His weathered expression didn't visibly change.
But his voice grew noticeably firmer, carrying the weight of hard-earned wisdom.
"Good. But remember this very carefully, Shen Yuan, do not rush the process."
I turned to face him fully, giving him my complete attention.
"Cultivating toward immortality," he continued seriously, "especially at the very beginning foundation stages, is exactly like laying the foundation of a tall tower."
He lifted one gnarled hand slightly, his fingers forming a rough square shape in the air to illustrate.
"If the foundation you build is too shallow, the entire tower will lean dangerously. If the foundation is rushed and hasty, critical cracks will form deep in the structure."
"And no matter how impressively fast you manage to build the upper floors above it, the whole thing will eventually collapse."
His eyes met mine directly, holding my gaze.
"The stronger and more solid the foundation you build now," he said quietly but with absolute conviction,
"the more stable the structure becomes. And the taller the tower you can safely build reaching toward the heavens in your future."
I bowed my head slightly in genuine respect.
"I understand completely, Grandfather. Thank you."
And I truly did understand what he was teaching me.
My cultivation path was already fundamentally different from the vast majority of normal cultivators.
An abnormally enormous dantian that required far more energy to fill.
A soul weapon formed far earlier than it should have been possible.
A special body technique that absolutely demanded patience and thoroughness rather than reckless speed.
If I started chasing breakthroughs recklessly just to advance faster, I would only end up sabotaging my own future potential.
Grandfather nodded once, seemingly satisfied with my sincere response.
"Good. Then go and eat your own breakfast properly now. I'll watch over these two while you're occupied."
I hesitated briefly. "Are you certain? I can stay and..."
He waved his weathered hand dismissively.
"I'm not made of fragile paper quite yet, boy. Go. Eat your fill and recover your strength. When you return, we'll switch positions."
I smiled at his stubborn independence.
"Alright, Grandfather."
As I stood and moved toward the dining table where my untouched food waited, I couldn't help but glance back one final time at the scene.
Mo Fan sat stubbornly in determined meditation, teeth visibly clenched but his posture remaining admirably steady despite obvious discomfort.
Mo Ling slept soundlessly beside him on her mat, completely unaware that her natural talent might already be quietly reshaping her entire future.
And between the two children, Grandfather sat calmly like an ancient, weathered tree.
Worn down by decades of wind and weather, but still standing unwavering and strong, silently guarding the fragile beginning of these two young lives.
I thought about what their futures might hold.
But fate was always uncertain and impossible to predict.
Whether one day they would stand tall enough to shake the very heavens themselves or,
Simply exist beneath those same heavens as ordinary nameless beings going about their quiet lives.
Only time and their own choices would ultimately decide.