After resting for a while beneath the shade of the tree, I slowly stood up.
Mo Fan was lying on the grass, hands folded behind his head, staring blankly at the sky as clouds drifted past. Beside him, Mo Ling had already fallen asleep, her small chest rising and falling steadily, a faint smile lingering on her lips as if she were lost in a pleasant dream.
I bent down and lifted her carefully into my arms.
She shifted slightly, murmuring something incomprehensible, then settled again.
----
On the way back, Mo Fan walked quietly beside me, unusually subdued.
I glanced at him. "Tired?"
He shook his head, eyes still fixed on the path. "Just… thinking."
I didn't press him. Silence suited moments like this.
When we reached home, I placed Mo Ling gently onto the bed in the children's room, tucking a thin blanket around her.
Only after making sure she was comfortable did I step outside. I left mo fan beside her to keep company
I briefly spoke with Grandfather, informing him that I was heading to submit the tax grains. He nodded, reminding me not to argue unnecessarily with the chief and to keep my temper steady.
By the time I left the house, the morning had already passed its earliest hour.
When I arrived at the chief's residence, a short line had already formed. Villagers stood patiently, I joined the back of the line and waited in silence.
When it was finally my turn, I took out the grains then chief looked at me
"Standard yield," he said. "Three hundred pounds per mu."
He paused briefly, then continued in a heavier tone, "Tax is forty-five percent."
I frowned slightly but said nothing.
"The sect envoy has raised it," he explained. "The clashes with yao beasts are intensifying. Supplies are being redirected to the front lines. This increase may remain for some time."
"I understand," I replied calmly.
And handed over two hundred and seventy pounds of Jade Spirit Rice without complaint.
He started weighed them and inspected the grains with practiced efficiency.
As the chief finished recording the numbers, I spoke again.
"Chief, I have plans to expand my fields."
He looked up sharply, surprise flickering across his face.
"Go to the side room," he said after a moment. "Wait there."
I cupped my fists and followed his instruction.
The waiting room was simple just a wooden table, a few chairs, and a clay pot filled with water. I sat quietly.
After some time, the chief entered, his steps slower now. He sat down heavily and let out a long breath.
I poured him a cup of water and handed it over. He accepted it without ceremony, drank deeply, and sighed.
"Do you really intend to expand your fields?" he asked.
"Yes," I said sincerely.
He studied me for a moment before speaking again.
"Extra land is not free fortune. If you fail to cultivate it properly, debts and pressure will follow. Think carefully before you act."
"I've thought it through," I replied. "I won't take more than I can manage."
He nodded slowly.
"Which land?"
"The vacant fields near mine," I answered.
"And what do you plan to plant?"
"I have some thoughts," I said evenly, "but not immediately. I need to balance cultivation and farming. Once my cultivation stabilizes, I intend to accept missions from the Sun–Moon Spirit Sect's farming hall."
The chief's expression softened. He patted my shoulder lightly.
"Good. Steady progress is better than reckless ambition. Still... remember this. Taxes may rise again. Your surplus will shrink."
I didn't argue.
Instead, I took out several rice bags from my spirit pouch weighing more than 300 pounds in total and placed it on the ground beside the table.
The chief opened it, inspected the grains, batch by batch and nodded approvingly.
"Long, full, rich in spirit energy. You've improved your Spirit Rain Technique."
"Only slightly," I said. "Perhaps I have some talent in farming."
He chuckled softly.
"Keep it inside, don't show off"
I took them back into the spirit bag.
After that, he took out a worn map and spread it across the table.
"You have three mu directly in front of your fields," he said, tracing the area with his finger. "And five mu farther to the side, a bit removed. Both were abandoned last year. Which do you want?"
I considered it briefly.
"The three mu in front."
"Very well."
He stamped the map, then took out a jade token. With a flick of spiritual energy, my name was inscribed onto it. He handed it to me.
"Keep this Authority token safe. The land is yours to cultivate."
I accepted it and bowed lightly.
"Thank you, Chief."
Then I left his office.
On the way home, my thoughts turned restless.
Surplus grains could be traded. Beast-repelling powder was necessary. An array formation plate is also needed for future development.
Should I also start learning formations?
With the system's memory assistance, knowledge accumulation was no longer a problem—only resources and opportunity were.
Perhaps the trading hall in town was worth checking.
As I walked along the dirt path, a familiar figure came into view ahead.
Old Han.
His back was slightly hunched, sleeves rolled up, boots caked with dried mud. His breathing was heavier than usual, and there were faint dark circles beneath his eyes—clear signs of long hours spent in the fields.
"Uncle Han," I greeted.
He looked up, surprise flashing across his weathered face before it softened into a smile. "Ah, Shen Yuan. Finished your work already?"
"Just wrapped things up," I said, falling into step beside him.
He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and chuckled dryly. "These old bones don't listen anymore. The land never gets easier, does it?"
"Only people do," I replied lightly.
He laughed, then glanced sideways at me. "So? How's your farming going lately?" His tone lowered slightly. "Any luck with those… experiments of yours?"
I shook my head. "No major changes. Same as before."
Old Han sighed, neither disappointed nor surprised. "That's how it is. If spirit arrays were so easy, everyone would be a master."
He paused, then said, "A few of us are heading to the market in two days. Thought I'd ask if you were coming along."
"Not this time," I replied after a brief pause. "Maybe the next batch. I've got some things to settle here first."
He nodded in understanding. "Fair enough."
We walked in silence for a few more steps. Then I stopped and reached into my spirit pouch, pulling out a cloth sack. I placed it into his hands.
He stiffened slightly. "What's this?"
"Spirit grains," I said simply. "About fifty pounds."
His eyes widened. "That's too much"
"Consider it rent," I cut in gently. "For the array plate."
He frowned. "But you said the experiment didn't work."
"It didn't fail either," I replied calmly. "The yield improved. That's worth something."
Old Han looked down at the sack, fingers tightening around the fabric. For a moment, he didn't speak.
Finally, he let out a slow breath.
He hesitated once more, pride and necessity warring on his face, before finally nodding. "Then I won't refuse."
His voice was low, but sincere. "Thank you."
We exchanged a final nod.
"Take care on the road," he said.
"You too," I replied.
We parted ways him toward the outer fields, me toward home both carrying a little less weight than before.
When I returned home.
"Big brother Shen is back!" Mo Ling cheerfully welcomed me.
Grandfather was sitting near the table, slowly sipping water. He looked up as I entered, his sharp eyes immediately searching my expression.
"It's done," I said before he could ask. "The tax grains have been submitted."
His shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly. "Good. Any trouble?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary," I replied. "The rate's higher, but it was expected."
He nodded slowly. "These times… stability is a luxury."
I went into kitchen took cook some food.
Then we ate lunch together.
The children laughed over small things who ate faster, who stole whose meat, whose bowl was fuller. By the time they were done, both of them leaned back, rubbing their bellies with exaggerated satisfaction.
Laughter filling the room.
Grandfather watched them with a rare, gentle smile.
After the table was cleared, I turned to him. "I'm going to cultivate for a while. If it's not urgent, please don't disturb me."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. I'll keep an eye on the house."
"I'll prepare dinner first," I added.
I moved back into the kitchen, working quickly and efficiently. The food was simple but nourishing, enough for all of them. Once everything was ready, I arranged it neatly and left clear instructions.
"Just heat it up," I said. "Don't wait for me if I'm late."
"I know," Grandfather replied. "Focus on your cultivation."
With that settled, I returned to my room.
Closing the door behind me, the noise of the house faded into a quiet stillness.
Only then did I sit down and let my breathing slow, preparing my mind for the next step.
I sat on the bed, exhaled slowly, and opened the system panel.
My gaze drifted to the rewards section.
Verdant Dew * 7