Mo Fan noticed and looked up immediately, a trace of nervousness flickering across his face. Shen Yuan met his gaze and nodded slightly.
It's fine.
Mo Fan relaxed, though he stayed closer to his sister than before.
Shen Yuan reached into his spirit pouch and took out a few wrapped candies.
Mo Ling's eyes lit up instantly.
"For me?" she asked, her voice bright.
"Yes."
He handed one to each of them.
Mo Ling accepted it with both hands as if it were something precious. She didn't eat it right away, instead holding it tightly against her chest.
Mo Fan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Big Brother Shen."
They continued walking.
The village chief's office soon came into view. It was a modest courtyard with a low wooden fence. Several flowerbeds lined the front, filled with blooming plants of different colors. The air carried a faint fragrance, light and calming.
The village chief was outside, watering the plants with a wooden pot.
When he noticed them approaching, he straightened up and placed the pot down.
"Shen Yuan," he said with a mild smile. "You're out early."
"Yes, Chief."
Mo Ling immediately let go of Shen Yuan's hand and ran toward the flowers.
"Wow—so pretty!"
Mo Fan looked embarrassed. "Sorry—"
"It's fine," Shen Yuan said. "Watch her."
Mo Fan nodded quickly and followed after his sister, keeping a careful eye on her as she crouched to peer closely at the petals.
The chief gestured toward the entrance. "Come inside."
They stepped into the courtyard.
The chief sat down and poured a cup of water. "What brings you here? And who are those kids?".
Shen Yuan explained calmly—how he found the children, their father missing since yesterday, and his intention to keep them for now.
The chief sighed softly.
"Times like these…" He shook his head. "Don't worry. I'll ask around. If their father returns or if I find any news, I'll inform you."
"Thank you, Chief."
"If you need support—grain, bedding, anything—tell me."
"I will."
The chief hesitated briefly, then asked, "By the way, did you see sect envoy arrive today?"
Shen Yuan shook his head. "Not yet."
"Strange," the chief muttered. "They should be here by afternoon."
"I see."
The chief waved his hand. "That's all. You can go."
Shen Yuan bowed lightly and stepped out.
Mo Ling was still staring at the flowers, reluctant to leave.
"Come on," Mo Fan said gently. "We're going."
She pouted but followed.
---
Instead of returning home, Shen Yuan turned toward the fields.
Mo Fan noticed. "Big Brother Shen, where are we going?"
"To the farm."
Mo Ling gasped. "The big land?"
"Yes."
That alone made her smile again.
The fields stretched wide and open, rows of soil lying dormant under the sun. A light breeze passed through, carrying the scent of earth.
Mo Ling immediately ran along the narrow path between the plots, her laughter ringing out clearly.
"Slow down!" Mo Fan chased after her anxiously.
Shen Yuan stopped at the edge of his field and crouched, pressing his palm against the soil.
He closed his eyes.
The land felt… insufficient.
Jade spirit rice would grow fine here.
But Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice was different.
It required richer spiritual nourishment.
His thoughts moved quickly.
Upgrade the spirit vein—too costly for now.
Set up a spirit-gathering formation—possible, but buying materials would draw attention.
But frequent trips to the market will also attract attention.
His gaze sharpened.
I can handle bandits now… but experience still matters.
So for now we can only try the crude method…
Grinding spirit stones and mixing them into the soil.
Wasteful, but effective.
I also have the speed growth card.
This should be enough—for one mu.
He exhaled slowly.
For now, focus on farming.
"Status."
The blue panel appeared.
He navigated to the Tier-1 Farming Encyclopedia and selected basic spells.
Earth Moving Technique
Spirit Rain Technique
Sword Qi Control
"Learn."
Information poured into his mind.
Moments later, new entries appeared.
Spells:
Earth Moving Technique — Initiation (0/100)
Spirit Rain Technique — Initiation (0/100)
Sword Qi Control — Initiation (0/100)
Shen Yuan stepped into the field.
He placed both hands on the ground.
A faint yellow light emerged from his palms.
The soil trembled.
Waves rippled outward as if the land itself were breathing.
Clods of earth lifted, turned, and settled smoothly. Stones surfaced and rolled aside.
Mo Ling stopped running.
"Big Brother Shen!" she shouted. "The ground is moving!"
Mo Fan stood frozen, eyes wide.
Shen Yuan focused, guiding the flow carefully. Rows formed neatly, evenly spaced, stretching across the plot.
The yellow light faded.
A notification appeared.
Earth Moving Technique - initiation (5%)
He nodded faintly.
Next—
He retrieved jade spirit rice seeds from his pouch.
He wanted plant seeds using the spiritual energy without any physical contact.
So he gently guides spiritual energy through his fingers,
At first, the energy wavered.
The seeds fell down but he tried again.
Again.
Again.
Gradually, his control stabilized.
A new sensation formed—clarity, precision.
A new message appeared.
Spiritual Energy Control learned - Initiation (1%)
He continued without pause, planting two mu of jade spirit rice.
Leaving a section of land in the middle.
Hidden from casual view.
To plant Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice.
He planted the seeds very carefully.
By the time he completed planting all the seeds one by one his Spiritual energy control has reached the proficiency in spell mastery
The number of spiritual energy strings increased to 2 which inturn increased the speed of planting.
Mo Ling watched with her mouth open.
"WOW!!! browther look look It's like magic," she whispered.
Mo fan nodded.
Shen Yuan ignored the comment and raised his hand.
Spiritual energy gathered into rain.
Fine droplets fell evenly across the fields, soaking into the soil.
The soil absorbed them greedily.
His energy flow remained steady—his reserves barely dented.
After finishing, he straightened up. Once again checked the spell column in status panel.
Spirit Rain Technique - initiation (3%)
Then he once again checked the fields to check whether it is fully watered or not.
Satisfied, he turned back.
"Let's go home."
On the way back, Mo Ling talked nonstop.
"Big Brother Shen, can the ground always move?"
"Can we make doll house using that?"
"Will the plants grow tomorrow?"
"Can we come again with you"
"What are those...."
Shen Yuan answered calmly, one question at a time.
Mo Fan listened quietly, committing every word to memory.
By the time they reached home, the sun was already climbing higher.
Inside, Shen Yuan paused briefly.
My soul has strengthened… spiritual sense awakened early.
I can start practicing that soul cultivation art.
His thoughts were interrupted by the kids shouting.
"Big Brother Shen"