How fast was Tunfeng?

In less than a moment, Tunfeng had pulled them to Ping City.

Chen San was disoriented by the wind. Had it been half a day? No? The question should be: Did this trip take even an hour?

Qin Zhou remained relatively composed, directing Tunfeng to land directly at the village entrance.

Upon arrival, Qin Zhou didn’t restrain Tunfeng. He gave it a handful of pills, cautioned it not to disturb the fields on the back mountain, then let it go.

Qin Zhou could tell Tunfeng was a spirit-sentient mount. Wen Jue had also mentioned that when needed, a whistle would summon it.

Sure enough, after Tunfeng consumed the pill and surveyed Qin Zhou’s mountain village, it soon turned and flew away.

Qin Zhou thought to himself, Just as expected.

Spirit beasts preferred dwelling in places abundant with spiritual energy. Even their very breath was a form of cultivation.

A spirit beast of Tufeng’s caliber required even more spiritual energy.

In the game, this mountain ridge of Qinzhou Village was once teeming with spirit pets and covered in spirit herbs. But times had changed. Now, not a single living creature could be seen on this ridge.

Sighing softly, Qin Zhou turned and headed toward the rear mountain.

After his trip to the provincial capital, he wondered how the Spirit Heart Fruit was faring.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Meanwhile, at the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect in the upper realm.

Lu Shisi finally gathered everything he needed for the village chief—equipment suitable for practitioners at all stages: Golden Core, Foundation Establishment, and Qi Cultivation. From head to toe, armor to weapons, he packed an entire box and happily tossed it into his Cosmos Bag.

All that remained was for Baixing to deliver the Soul-Restoring Grass and White Crane Tears.

But as he waited, Baixing never arrived. Instead, the main guest himself appeared.

Amidst the stunned gazes of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect disciples, a young man approached. Clad in a long-sleeved robe of simple, unadorned cloth, his long hair fell nearly to his waist, held back by a plain hairband. With light, measured steps, he ascended the steps of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect.

Restoring life to the dead, reviving the dying.

The senior disciple of the Supreme Elder of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect, the Alchemist Immortal of Apricot Grove.

The Medical Sage is renowned throughout the cultivation world.

Alas, the Alchemist Immortal preferred wandering the four seas, having no fixed abode, making him exceedingly difficult to find. Yet, should one have the fortune to encounter him, whether one’s three souls were scattered by two or one’s seven spirits were lost by five, as long as they weren’t completely dead, he could bring them back.

Though Danxian was elusive, the disciples of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect knew that every hundred years, he would send someone to deliver medicine to their Supreme Elder. This practice had continued for millennia.

Yet, despite this long tradition, this was the first time they had ever seen Danxian himself come to the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect.

His arrival demanded that even the Sect Master of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect come out personally to greet him.

Upon receiving word, the Sect Master of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect appeared at the utmost speed—

“The Sect Master of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect pays respects to the esteemed Alchemist Immortal.”

“Such courtesy, Sect Master. I seek Shisi.” The youth with gentle eyes and brows spoke slowly.

Like a spring breeze caressing his face, the Sect Master of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect took a deep breath. “I shall send word immediately.”

“Not necessary. He is injured. I shall go myself.”

The Sect Master intended to offer further courtesy, but when he looked up, the figure had vanished.

This was the legendary Alchemist Immortal of Apricot Grove.

The senior disciple of the Supreme Elder.

Others only knew him as an unparalleled master of alchemy and healing, unaware that his cultivation had also reached the pinnacle of perfection, leaving others in the dust.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

“Shisi.”

Lu Shisi was packing a box for the village chief when he heard that gentle male voice. He almost thought he’d imagined it.

Shisi turned around. Sure enough, there stood a figure in blue robes with long hair—an old acquaintance.

“Fifth Brother?! You came yourself?”

“You sent Baixing with a message. Hearing that, I couldn’t stay put. Packed my things and rushed straight here.” His voice flowed like a natural breeze.

Lu Shisi smiled. “Fifth Brother, sit down.”

Lu Wu didn’t rush to sit. After studying his face, he remarked, “Shisi, you look much better.”

“I have improved greatly. I took the Soul-Stabilizing Pill Baixing sent. If I hadn’t, you’d be scolding me again this time.” Shisi shook his head and swayed his body. Fifth Brother only appeared gentle; his blows still stung.

Moreover, the pain inflicted by a healer is the kind that teaches you a lesson without damaging your core.

“It’s not the Soul-Stabilizing Pill’s effect,” Lu Wu remarked, his tone carrying an unspoken implication. “It’s because your heart isn’t weighed down as heavily anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Shisi merely smiled.

“I’ve brought you the Soul-Restoring Herb and the White Crane’s Tears. Now it’s time for you to clear up my confusion. Where is the alchemist who can refine a sixth-tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill?” Lu Wu asked.

“Fifth Brother, you’ll be making a wasted trip. Because he isn’t here.”

“You’ve seen a sixth-tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill.”

“…No.”

Hearing this, Lu Wu grew even more curious. “Then how do you know he can refine one?”

Shisi rubbed his nose and muttered, “If you knew who said that, you wouldn’t doubt his ability either.”

Though spoken softly, the words didn’t escape Lu Wu’s ears. Yet, after racking his brain, he couldn’t place who this person might be.

Was there anyone in all the heavens and earth capable of refining a sixth-tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill?

Had he wandered the realms too long, unaware of the talents emerging in the upper realm? Yet even so, Baixing still founded his own sect here—he couldn’t be so narrow-minded as to overlook such a monumental event.

Moreover, Shisi implied he knew this person personally.

“Stop beating around the bush. This concerns your health. With a sixth-tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill, you could prolong your time.” Lu Wu urged.

Shisi: “Brother Wu, the village chief is back.”

Lu Wu’s movements froze.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” His gentle brows furrowed. “Shisi, don’t joke like this.”

He knew he wouldn’t believe it.

Shisi said, “Earlier, while I was meditating, my soul essence was pulled down to the lower realm. Right there, on the mountain behind our old home, the village chief was farming. He told me to come farm too.”

“…” Lu Wu looked at him, still disbelieving, but didn’t argue.

“I know this sounds absurd. If you don’t believe me, go to the lower realm yourself. Go back to the village. See for yourself if the village chief has returned!“

Lu Wu fell silent.

”Fifth Brother, I fear my story might be false, too. So let’s go together.“

”I won’t go.” Lu Wu refused decisively.

Shisi had imagined Lu Wu might react with joy or excitement, but never expected such an immediate refusal.

“Fifth Brother… you don’t want to see the village chief?” Shisi froze.

“It’s not that I don’t want to. I just can’t bear to face him.”

Lu Wu’s jaw was clenched tight. Shisi knew this was agitation. Yet his words about not going were sincere.

“Why…” Shisi was puzzled.

“The village chief won’t be pleased to see me,” Lu Wu pressed his lips together. “He might even kick me out.”

“I can’t even refine a sixth-tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill.” As he spoke, a bitter smile touched his lips. “If I go, the village chief will only feel humiliated.”

Lu Shisi’s expression shifted from confusion to numbness.

What on earth was this man talking about?

The renowned Alchemist of Apricot Grove, famous throughout the entire cultivation world?

Huh?

Wait, that can’t be right.

“Fifth Brother, if you put it that way…” Lu Shisi suddenly realized something. “The Village Chief didn’t kick me out… could it be because he values my determination to help him farm despite my disability?”

How badly had he been treated!

Forget cultivation—he was practically dying! What? So that was the state he’d presented himself in before the village chief!?

Lu Wu sighed. “You’re just a kid. I can overlook it.”

But he wasn’t just any kid. Fifth among the Lu family’s hundred disciples. What face did he have to show the village chief?

They stared at each other, speechless.

After a long pause, Shisi couldn’t hold back: “So… are we going or not?”

He’d promised the village chief he’d bring him something.

“You must go. The Sixth-Tier Soul-Stabilizing Pill can save your life.”

“And you…”

Lu Wu: “…Let me think.”

The Thousand Machinery Divine Sect knew nothing of what transpired that day, only that Xinglin Danxian had departed in a daze.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Amidst his daily routine of nothing but alchemy in Qin Zhou, the day of harvest finally arrived.

The Spirit Heart Fruits in Qin Zhou’s fields, nurtured with his meticulous care, were nearing ripeness.

The entire Spirit Heart Fruit field on the back mountain exuded an enticing fragrance and brimmed with abundant spiritual energy. Even Tunfeng couldn’t resist taking a stroll through the back mountain whenever he came to collect his rations.

As a farmer, Qin Zhou was most delighted by the bountiful harvest, but at the same time, the problem of insufficient manpower became apparent.

Last time, Shisi had cleared a large area and planted many Spirit Heart Fruit trees. Consequently, the harvest was substantial.

After harvesting, the fields must be weeded and tilled again, replanted, and irrigated.

Moreover, considering the potential increase in demand for alchemical ingredients once the pill business flourishes, clearing new land couldn’t stop, and farming certainly couldn’t stop.

In the past, he only needed to summon a few more villagers to work, assign them tasks regularly, and the spirit fields would be well-tended.

But now…

The cooldown for summoning villagers from the Character Roster was far from over.

And even if he could summon them, cultivators like Shisi couldn’t stay in the lower realm long-term to farm for him.

After much deliberation, he and Chen San would just have to work harder themselves.

Fortunately, Qin Zhou wasn’t lazy. Quite the opposite—he was a hardcore grinder.

He bought several extra hoes and got straight to work.

When Shisi arrived, Qin Zhou was harvesting vegetables in the field.

Of course, he didn’t know.

He hesitated at the village entrance for a long time before finally deciding to step inside.

After all, Fifth Brother was right—he was Shisi, still just a kid. Even if the Village Chief looked down on him for being useless, he had to pluck up the courage to come anyway.

Because… he wanted to live.

After searching for a while, Shisi finally found Qin Zhou on the back mountain.

When Qin Zhou saw Shisi, his eyes lit up.

“Shisi, come here quickly.”

At those words, Shisi forgot everything else. He nearly threw himself at Qin Zhou, ready to hug him and cry. He knew it! A father never despises his own child. The village chief couldn’t possibly look down on him for being useless!

Before he could utter a single sentimental word, Qin Zhou tossed him a small shovel.

The blade was palm-sized, the handle as long as his forearm.

Shisi: …

This tool looked so familiar.

You use a hoe to till the soil, but what do you use for harvesting? A small trowel, of course!

The village chief had taught him before: the small fruits grown in the spirit fields were precious, and only a small trowel could dig them up by the roots.

Clearly, he’d landed in good fortune once again.

So was Fifth Brother’s worry unnecessary? The village chief didn’t see a child—only his worthless land!

Shisi swallowed his sentimental words whole, even sniffing back a hint of sadness as he asked, “Village Chief, have your fruits ripened?”

“Yes. Come help.”

This time, it wasn’t the binding of word magic. But Shisi had no intention of slacking off either.

“Village Chief, hand me two.” Shisi stared at the shovels on the ground, his voice brimming with confidence.

Qin Zhou understood his meaning and replied earnestly, “It has to be you.”

And so, the Supreme Elder of the Thousand Machinery Divine Sect, shovel in each hand, crouched down and began digging with a grunt.

Occasionally glancing up, he caught the village chief’s encouraging and approving gaze. His hands moved faster, and he thought to himself—

Fifth Brother just carries too much baggage!

Who says he’s useless and brings shame to the village chief?

In the village chief’s eyes, a child who can farm is a good child!