Chapter 136, Nameless Peddler

Translator: StarReader

 

Su Chen mused, his thoughts turning to his Spirit Mountain within his Upper Dantian and some spirit grain he bought. He intended to return and conduct experiments.

 

Previously, while en route to Immortal City Zhaoge, he had once planted spirit beans within Spirit Mountain. Spirit beans were seldom favored by cultivators; most cultivators consume spirit grain.

 

If spirit beans could be cultivated, then this spirit grain could be cultivated as well.

 

The sole factor requiring consideration was the cost involved.

 

Su Chen, with this in mind, drew several spirit grain seeds into his Spirit Mountain. He wished to ascertain the degree of profit that cultivating spirit grain could yield.

 

However, beyond spirit grain, an external source of spiritual energy was essential for its growth.

 

Su Chen was reluctant to employ the azure essence he had cultivated for the purpose of nurturing spirit grain.

 

Subsequently, he extracted a spirit stone; holding it in his hand, he could distinctly perceive a concentration of spiritual energy contained within the stone.

 

However, the spiritual energy within this spirit stone was difficult to extract. The process was lengthy, taking two hours, and it couldn’t be consumed directly like spirit grain.

 

Cultivators only utilized it when recovering spiritual power, leveraging the spirit stone to replenish the spiritual power expended through spiritual arts.

 

In contrast, the spiritual energy stored within a water spirit pearl could be released instantaneously, and the speed of mobilizing spiritual energy was far greater than that of a spirit stone by many times. With the assistance of a water spirit pearl, even if he was not a water cultivator, he could nevertheless perform basic water spiritual arts.

 

Su Chen gripped the spirit stone forcefully, crushing it into powder in an instant.

 

Then, he absorbed it into his Spirit Mountain, evenly distributing it around several spirit grain seeds, allowing these spirit grain seeds to absorb the spiritual energy from the spirit stone.

 

Su Chen then observed meticulously, scrutinizing the growth condition of these spirit grain seeds.

 

Su Chen sat cross-legged within the wooden house, his eyes closed in stillness, a wisp of Divine Sense sinking into his Spirit Mountain, meticulously observing the growth state of the spirit grain seeds after they absorbed the spiritual energy from the ground spirit stone powder.

 

The ground spirit stone powder was slowly releasing spiritual energy outwards. The powdered form released spiritual energy at a slightly faster rate than a whole piece of spirit stone, but it remained limited, requiring nearly half a day to exhaust its spiritual energy, transforming into a pile of white stone powder.

 

Within this Spirit Mountain, as long as the spiritual energy was sufficient, the growth rate of spiritual objects was extraordinarily rapid, a single day equating to nearly a year. Yet, despite the prolonged observation, these twelve hours still felt interminably long.

 

Su Chen observed for nearly half a day and discovered that only a few of these spirit grain seeds had just begun to sprout, still far from producing a spirit grain head.

 

He felt a sense of resignation and could only temporarily withdraw from his Spirit Mountain, beginning to sit and cultivate the Mayfly Chapter cultivation method, allowing the spirit grain seeds to slowly grow on their own.

 

After several hours passed, he discovered that the spiritual energy within his Spirit Mountain was insufficient and added another piece of ground spirit stone powder.

 

After a full day.

 

Su Chen again submerged himself within his Spirit Mountain, surprised to find that several of the spirit grain plants had already borne fruit, the golden spirit grain drooping plentifully.

 

Each spirit grain appeared full and robust, its shell smooth, spiritual energy overflowing, and the fragrance of ripening grain filling the air.

 

…

 

Su Chen spent three days conducting three repetitions of the experiment to avoid inaccuracies caused by a single trial.

 

Three days later, he finally tested a very precise and satisfactory result.

 

“The spiritual energy from a single piece of spirit stone can grow two mature spirit grain plants. The spiritual energy of a single piece of spirit stone and two spirit grain plants is equivalent.

 

“Each grain of spirit grain produces over a hundred grains, which weigh approximately one grain each and sell for one spirit stone on the market.

 

“That means planting one spirit stone’s worth of spirit grain can yield a full doubling of profit.

 

“And they’re limited in space. I can only plant ten spirit grain seeds at a time, maturing ten stalks of spirit grain a day, selling half a kilogram for ten spirit stones, a pure profit of five spirit stones.”

 

Su Chen couldn’t suppress the ecstasy in his heart.

 

This was merely a day’s pure profit. Over thirty days in a month, that was a full one hundred and fifty spirit stones.

 

Great wealth wasn’t something one could speak of.

 

But a small fortune was absolutely secured.

 

He had inquired and knew that working a job in Immortal City Zhaoge, a mid Qi Refining cultivator earns roughly dozens of spirit stones a month, while a late Qi Refining cultivator has a chance to earn over one hundred spirit stones steadily each month.

 

It was settled.

 

Planting spirit grain to sell!

 

Su Chen was excited.

 

Of course, now he needed to find himself a suitable identity as a disguise so as not to be noticed by outsiders about the unusual origin of his spirit grain.

 

To become a spirit grain merchant, a small peddler!

 

While he tinkered with buying and selling spirit grain, planting some spirit grain each day to sell, such a small trader was common in Immortal City Zhaoge, and outsiders wouldn’t notice the problem of his spirit grain origin.

 

…

 

Su Chen had Ah Nu cultivating the martial path at home, while he left to buy half a kilogram of spirit grain from a farm outside Immortal City Zhaoge, and then, with this small bag on his back, he sold it in the night market of Zhaoge City.

 

The trade in spirit grain was fiercely competitive, making it a difficult business.

 

Su Chen calculated carefully; simply operating as a small-time trader selling spirit grain yielded only a single spirit stone profit for every hundred and two spirit grain sold. It was difficult to sell even a fraction of a spirit grain in a day.

 

It was precisely because of the meager profits that some traders mixed in inferior spirit rice, deceiving novice rogue cultivators who couldn’t tell the difference.

 

Su Chen wasn’t overly concerned with such insignificant profits; he barely earned any spirit stones doing it for an entire month.

 

He still needed to cultivate spirit grain on his Spirit Mountain to double his profits.

 

The spirit grain he cultivated on Spirit Mountain was of excellent quality, with golden kernels, plump and full, all of the most superior grade, fetching a price of one spirit stone for every two spirit grains.

 

A month swiftly passed.

 

His business selling spirit grain went from being ignored to gradually gaining some traction.

 

The bag of spirit grain he carried on his back each day grew heavier, accumulating five spirit grain, and he held nearly a hundred spirit stones in his hand.

 

He set up his stall at the Zhaoge night market for a few hours each day, returning after selling a fraction of a spirit grain and not wasting any time. After all, he only cultivated a fraction of a spirit grain each day and could not have more.

 

…

 

One day, after selling his spirit grain, Su Chen returned to his wooden house and smiled at Ah Nu, saying, “Ah Nu, cook these two spirit grains. Tonight, let’s have a meal of spirit grain rice and taste what it’s like.”

 

Since arriving in Immortal City Zhaoge, a month had passed, and apart from the time he was at the manor, when Quack Lu treated everyone to a small bowl of spirit rabbit broth noodles, he hadn’t eaten any real spiritual food.

 

Now that he had accumulated some spirit grain, he could finally begin supplementing his diet.

 

“Young Master, you’ve only just begun your business trading spirit grain; it’s a time for accumulating money. Eating the spirit grain now would diminish it and make it difficult to do big business!”

 

Ah Nu seemed somewhat worried.

 

“It’s nothing to fret about. I’m just a grain trader, running a small business, selling half a kilogram a day. It’s hard to grow much in this immortal city. Those rice shops within the immortal city are all the holdings of those clans, and it’s impossible to build them into anything substantial.

 

“I’m making a small profit this month selling spirit grain in the immortal city, earning dozens of spirit stones. There’s no end to the money to be made; I need to start cultivating properly. Cultivating is the root of everything. Occasionally indulging in a meal of spirit grain won’t affect business.”

 

Su Chen chuckled.

 

He knew all along that Ah Nu wouldn’t approve. He delayed for a month, accumulating a fair amount of money, before preparing to start eating spirit grain.

 

“Alright, I’m off to cook.”

 

Ah Nu pondered a moment, observing that Su Chen seemed cheerful upon his daily outings, better than those days when they first arrived at Immortal City Zhaoge. This spirit grain business seemed to be going reasonably well, and an occasional meal of spirit grain rice wouldn’t have too much of an impact, and so she nodded.

 

A few spirit grains were cooked into a small bowl of fragrant spirit rice. The portion of the small bowl was not large, but the spiritual energy is sufficient, a great tonic, far superior to the secular ginseng and snow lotus.

 

…

 

In front of the wooden hut, Ah Nu was cooking at the stove.

 

Two bowls of spirit rice were gradually cooked, a rich aroma of spiritual energy spilling from within; the fragrant spiritual aura was incredibly enticing.

 

Su Chen set the table, waiting for dinner.

 

“Big brother, Su, what are you cooking that smells so fragrant? Could it be spirit rice? I haven’t tasted spirit rice in a long while… May I have a small taste?”

 

Suddenly, the wooden hut of Master Lu next door creaked open, and Xiao Zhang peered out in astonishment, sniffing the fragrant spirit rice aroma, swallowed, and quickly ran over, his face full of longing.

 

Ah Nu scooped a bowl of fragrant spirit rice and was about to serve it to Su Chen.

 

“You can eat, but a clear line must be drawn. This spirit rice of mine is all superior spirit rice; the investment is high! One spirit stone and a bowl of spirit rice.

 

If you eat often, seeing as you’ve got Master Lu’s backing, I’ll give you a discount; nine bowls get one free. How does that sound?”

 

Su Chen quickly protected the bowl and spoke seriously.

 

“Alright!  Big Brother Su, I will remember that!”

 

Xiao Zhang hesitated.

 

He earned very few spirit stones each month, needing to save to buy spiritual arts. He usually couldn’t afford to eat spirit grain rice at an inn in Zhaoge City; it was too expensive.

 

Getting one free bowl for each nine was already quite generous, and it couldn’t be found at this discounted price in Immortal City Zhaoge.

 

Now, smelling the bowl of spirit grain rice, his stomach rumbled uncontrollably. Unable to resist, he immediately took out a spirit stone and handed it to Su Chen, snatching the fragrant bowl of spirit grain rice that Ah Nu was serving to Su Chen.

 

Su Chen, in consideration of that spirit stone, allowed him to eat it. He instructed Ah Nu to re-cook a bowl of spirit grain rice.

 

Su Chen looked over the unremarkable Xiao Zhang and could immediately see that though this Xiao Zhang was also a cultivator, his strength was very weak. He was somewhat puzzled as to why Master Lu would take this Xiao Zhang as a junior attendant.

 

“By the way, Xiao Zhang, you’re the only one here today, so where is Master Lu?”

 

Su Chen asked strangely.

 

“He’s been finding a way to earn money, helping the City Lord’s spirit peach orchard pick spirit peach fruit. I’m staying at home cultivating.”

 

Xiao Zhang devoured the spirit grain rice while speaking.

 

“City Lord Song? Who is that?”

 

Su Chen was surprised.

 

“Mm, one of Zhaoge’s ten great clans, taking turns serving as City Lord of Immortal City Zhaoge. This time, it’s the Song Clan’s turn to serve as City Lord. When Master Lu was young, he was also a prominent figure among Zhaoge’s younger generation, with close relationships with the children of the ten great clans. The City Lord and the old master were brothers since they were young. However, City Lord Song later prospered, first becoming the master of the Song Clan and then becoming City Lord. Master Lu has remained impoverished and has become poorer and poorer. The City Lord is generous and often helps him but has never seen any improvement. The day before yesterday, City Lord Song heard that Master Lu was looking for work and asked him to help pick spirit peaches in the peach orchard, earning fifteen or so spirit stones a day.”

 

Xiao Zhang was eating spirit grain rice, speaking vaguely.

 

Su Chen recalled how Master Lu’s wife had mentioned that this Song fellow had offered Master Lu a position guarding the city gates, which would earn him a good dozen spirit stones a month. But Master Lu cared about appearances and was unwilling to guard the city gates, so he refused.

 

It turned out that this Song fellow was actually the city lord of Immortal City Zhaoge; in Immortal City Zhaoge, he was by no means an ordinary person.

 

“Sister Ah Nu, your cooking skills are truly amazing, encompassing color, aroma, and taste! It’s just too costly in spirit stones; otherwise, I’d genuinely want to come and freeload on meals every day. Alright, I won’t say more; having just had a full meal, I must hurry back to cultivate and digest the spiritual energy in this rice; it would be a waste otherwise!”

 

Xiao Zhang ravenously devoured the spirit grain rice, licking the bottom of the bowl clean, not leaving a single grain, revealing an incredibly satisfied sense of happiness.

 

Su Chen chuckled, waving his hand to send Xiao Zhang on his way to return to cultivating.

 

After Xiao Zhang left, Ah Nu cooked another bowl of spirit grain rice.

 

Su Chen and Ah Nu each ate a bowl.

 

Although there were no side dishes, this spirit grain rice was too fragrant, and not a single grain was wasted, far surpassing those delicacies from the mortal realm.

 

After eating this small bowl of spirit grain rice, Su Chen actually felt full. This was a deep sense of satisfaction he hadn’t experienced in over a year.

 

This was what cultivators should eat!

 

It contained abundant spiritual energy, truly able to bring satisfaction to those cultivating immortality.

 

The delicacies from the mortal realm, seemingly encompassing color, aroma, and taste, lacked spiritual energy and could only slightly stave off hunger but were simply unable to allow cultivators to truly feel satisfied.

 

The spirit grain was simply too expensive, requiring a single spirit stone to cook just a small bowl. Cultivators in Immortal City Zhaoge rarely had the luxury of eating it daily.

 

Su Chen finished the bowl of spirit grain rice and immediately returned to the wooden hut to sit and practice, digesting and absorbing the spiritual energy within the spirit grain rice.

 

After a little over half an hour, the spirit-grain rice was completely refined.

 

Su Chen discovered with delight.

 

The spiritual energy within this spirit grain rice was exceptionally abundant, and the spiritual energy was gentle, far more suitable for cultivators to absorb than the floating spiritual energy particles in the air. This spiritual energy, after transformation by the spirit marrow, became a greenish essence and was absorbed by his own spirit.

 

Just this single bowl of spirit grain rice almost equaled the effect of cultivating for over ten days.

 

He cultivated the Mayfly Chapter, and it would originally take nearly a decade to complete the first layer of the Qi Refining Stage, the cultivation slowing down as it progressed. If he had a daily meal of spirit grain, it would only take a year.