42 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

Bai Fan held the moneywort in her hand, stunned by the loud commotion from the other side. Outside, a crowd started to gather, pointing at the herbal shop, and those in the know began to explain to the others. “I know what’s going on. Yesterday, a Xiu Shi bought moneywort from this shop. When he got home, he found it moldy and came back today to demand an explanation. But now, the herbal shop refuses to admit fault.” “Ah, so that’s the story.” “This herbal shop is despicable.” “I heard it's owned by the Sun family.” “Which Sun family?” “The one on the west side of Immortal City.” “Oh, they rely on the Xuanming Sect's backing.” “Exactly. Look around this street; how many herbal shops are privately owned? Only the Sun family has a shop here.” As the conversation pulled in more elements, Bai Fan realized that what she initially thought was a minor issue involved larger sect disputes. She lifted her gaze to see the anxious Xiu Shi trying to leave, his eyes darting around nervously. Finally, he muttered, “Forget it, I'll take the blame,” abandoned his spirit stones, turned, and fled into the crowd. "Sigh." The Steward sighed and instructed the apprentice, “Close the shop for today.” Bai Fan watched as the apprentice closed and barred the door, dimming the interior light. “Sorry,” Bai Fan said, feeling that her attempt to help had only escalated the situation. “It’s not your fault. I’ll go to the Sun family and clear this up,” the Steward reassured her. Bai Fan nodded, placed the moneywort back on the counter, and went to the backyard to ride her white crane back to the spiritual fields. She looked up towards Immortal City, her thoughts obscure. This outing returned to calmness until one day, the Steward arrived with two servants from the Sun family. “Miss Bai, these are household servants from the Sun family. Since the moneywort has been harvested, it's time to plant the second crop, so they’ll be staying here for a few days.” Bai Fan blinked. She had recently only needed to manage two plots of spiritual fields after the moneywort harvest and was about to enjoy a brief respite. She didn’t expect fieldwork to resume so soon. “No problem, plenty of rooms here. I only occupy one.” The two servants wore brown cotton robes with a 'Sun' character embroidered on their chests. Compared to typical wandering cultivators, their lives appeared luxurious, evident from their proud posture and disdainful expressions towards Bai Fan. Originally, Bai Fan had intended to greet them, but their contemptuous demeanor led her to inwardly mock them. “Just servants, acting so superior,” she thought. The Steward spoke with the servants for a bit before riding the white crane away. Bai Fan calculated briefly and realized it was time to water the fields, a biweekly task. As she approached the fields to cast her rain spell, the two servants began to grumble. “All this trouble over the moldy moneywort incident landed us here to plant seeds. So annoying.” “Well, we’re here now. Let’s just plant the seeds and finish quickly. I don’t want to stay here long and become a laughingstock.” Bai Fan’s ears perked up, thinking these two weren’t usually the ones planting seeds. After spreading the clouds to bring rain, Bai Fan could've taken a break. However, the servants' non-stop chatter stirred the little snake, leading it to eavesdrop too. They pretended to work while listening to the conversation. Usually, spiritual herb seeds were strictly controlled. The servants brought seeds that were meticulously counted, and any losses during harvesting were accounted for and validated by the Steward’s signature. Thus, it was hard for Bai Fan to benefit from the seeds unless the Steward secretly permitted it. The servants planted seeds openly in front of Bai Fan, knowing that without seeds, learning the technique was useless. Most who owned spiritual fields cultivated their seeds themselves, involving steps like selection, pollination, and seed formation—processes too complex for the average person. Bai Fan, having extensively studied botany, was curious about their planting techniques. She observed and memorized their methods, contemplating the possibility of buying seeds to experiment with later. “I bet the moldy moneywort was a setup by the Zhang family. Only our Suns privately cultivate spiritual fields in Immortal City. Our breeding skills are better, so our moneywort sells better. The Zhang family must’ve resorted to dirty tricks to ruin our reputation.” “That’s for the masters to worry about. We just do our job.” “I’m just mad. If not for this incident, we wouldn’t be here planting seeds.” The two servants gossiped as they worked, revealing insider information. Bai Fan sighed, realizing it was a market rivalry, with one side failing to improve their quality and choosing to tarnish their competitors' reputation instead. After learning their methods, Bai Fan retreated to her room for meditation. Taking a sip of spirit wine, her energy surged, and her cheeks flushed. While spirit wine didn’t significantly boost cultivation, it purified and solidified one’s spiritual power, making one’s foundation more robust. Many couldn’t afford even a jar and relied on gradual refinement. Bai Fan, unknowingly benefiting from this, found her spiritual power denser, albeit without noticeable growth in cultivation. One sip of spirit wine required a whole night to process. By dawn, the servants had planted half the seeds. Bai Fan summoned the white crane and departed, considering visiting He Yiman again. Perhaps this time, their paths would cross. Arriving at the herbal shop, she saw the apprentice dozing at the counter—an indication of poor business. “Ah, Miss Bai, you’re in Immortal City today.” “Yes, there’s not much happening in the fields.” Bai Fan couldn’t help but inquire, “Is business bad today?” The apprentice shook their head, sighing, “Since that incident, business has suffered. Look at the shop across the street; it’s thriving.” Bai Fan stepped outside and noted the opposing herbal shop with a 'Zhang' character on its sign. “So that’s the Zhang family's shop,” she thought, observing her shop's 'Sun' sign. Indeed, the two families were rivals. However, she had to head to the bookstore. After bidding the apprentice farewell, she left. At the familiar pavilion, there was no sign of anyone she knew, filling her with regret. It seemed He Yiman had really left Immortal City. As Bai Fan aimlessly flipped through books, her thoughts were scattered. She pondered her unusual behavior, wondering why she was so concerned about someone unrelated to her. He Yiman, despite being a mortal, excelled in many ways compared to her—a vast, innate disparity. Suddenly, she stumbled upon a book discussing plant cultivation techniques, suggesting grafting methods, though the specifics were unclear. “Why didn’t I think of grafting? Growing two crops a year wastes so much time. Imagine grafting long-cycle spiritual herbs onto short-cycle ones; I’d make a fortune! No more constant watering.” Thrilled by the idea, Bai Fan left the book unfinished and rushed back to the herbal shop. Bursting into the shop, panting, she grabbed the apprentice and asked, “Where’s the Steward?” The perplexed apprentice could only reply, “He’s still at the Sun family residence.” Bai Fan mulled it over and decided she had to act on this; after all, it was a faster way to make money, and even if the Sun family found out, they wouldn’t object. "How do I get to the Sun family’s place?" "To the west side of Immortal City." Before the words were fully out, Bai Fan was already gone. Her excellent physical condition was an asset, allowing her to run tens of kilometers without tiring. Immortal City was vast, though it was a floating island. Its expansive area supported a population of over a million, making it no small city. Weaving through the bustling streets, Bai Fan finally arrived at the Sun family’s gate, gasping in awe. It didn’t look like a mansion but rather a palace of mortals. As she reached out to knock, the stone lions by the gate roared at her, forbidding her from entry. Feeling quite indignant at being stopped by mere stones, Bai Fan stood there when suddenly the Sun family’s gate opened, revealing an elderly steward. "Who dares to intrude on the Sun estate?" "It’s me," Bai Fan replied. The Chief Steward scrutinized her but didn’t recognize her, frowning. "Who are you? If you’re here to cause trouble, leave quickly, or the Sun family will not treat you kindly." Bai Fan dusted herself off, tidying her hair. "I’m from the Sun family’s spiritual field estate, here to see the Steward of the herbal shop." "What business do you have with him?" the Chief Steward asked, his demeanor softening since she claimed to be from their estate. "I have matters concerning the spiritual field to discuss with him." "If you have something to say, you can tell me, and I'll relay the message," he offered. Bai Fan shook her head, unwilling to share her idea with an unfamiliar person. What if he stole her idea and took the credit? She was counting on this to earn more spirit stones. Seeing her reluctance, the Chief Steward didn't press her and opened the gate. "Follow me inside, then." "Oh," Bai Fan replied, a bit hesitant but followed nonetheless. As soon as she entered, the gate automatically shut behind her with a loud thud, nearly startling her. "Follow me this way," the Chief Steward directed. Clad in a black cotton robe with the same 'Sun' emblem as the two servants, the Chief Steward's attire marked his higher status. Inside, the Sun residence wasn’t as lavish as its exterior suggested. Along the way, Bai Fan saw many servants in brown outfits; only the Chief Steward wore black, indicating his notable position. After navigating through several courtyards, they finally stopped outside a large courtyard bustling with servants, signaling that the Young Master Sun was inside. It was Bai Fan’s first time witnessing such a genuine estate; the Qingxu Sect, despite being a clan-based sect, followed sect traditions and often looked out of place. This Sun family, on the other hand, represented a true cultivation family, with assets in the cultivation realm as an independent household. "Uncle Qin, is that you?" called a clear, youthful voice from inside, prompting Bai Fan to look curiously. "Yes, Young Master, it’s me," the Chief Steward replied. "Are you bringing someone in?" "Someone from the spiritual field estate is here to see the Steward." "Oh, let them in then." The Chief Steward turned to Bai Fan and softly instructed, "Follow me to see the Young Master." Bai Fan, a bit baffled, followed him in. Entering the room, a strong scent of medicine greeted them, masked by thick incense, though Bai Fan’s sharp sense of smell was not deceived. A seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy sat in the main seat. His features were delicate and feminine, reminiscent of a reborn Lin Daiyu. His sharp chin made even Bai Fan feel her own face looked broad in comparison. Despite the hot weather, he was wrapped in thick clothing. “Miss Bai,” greeted the Steward, curious why Bai Fan had come to find him. The young master also observed Bai Fan with interest. Seeing her youthful appearance, he asked, “Are you from the spiritual field estate?” Bai Fan, unsure of how to respond to this small child, was helped by the Steward, who explained, “She’s from the spiritual field estate, responsible for watering the fields—a menial task. She’s not an official worker of the Sun family.“ “Oh, I see. How much does she earn monthly?” “Three spirit stones a month, Young Master,” replied the Steward. Annoyed at the question, Bai Fan fidgeted, thinking that this child probably wasn’t the main Young Master. Why was he asking about her wages? Did he intend to reduce them? She already thought three spirit stones a month was too little; any less and she couldn't survive. “Only three spirit stones?” The Young Master's voice echoed disbelief. The Steward, slightly embarrassed, explained, “Costs are tight on the spiritual field estate. After the costs of cultivation and other expenses, there’s barely anything left, so the watering job only pays three spirit stones. Several workers have quit because the wages are too low.” Hearing this, Bai Fan realized how underpaid her job was. She had only taken the job out of desperation, not realizing she was being exploited. Remembering how she had worked tirelessly until nightfall, it was no wonder no one else had stayed. “That’s how it is. But three spirit stones is too low. Raise her wages to thirty,” the Young Master casually decreed, almost causing Bai Fan to leap with joy at the tenfold increase. “Yes, Young Master,” the Steward replied, relieved yet anxious, fearing the Young Master might think he had been embezzling. Lost in a daydream of increased wages, Bai Fan calculated that thirty spirit stones a month would mean 360 a year, equivalent to one spirit stone a day. Pulled back to reality by the Young Master’s next words, “You came to see the Steward—what do you wish to discuss?” The youth’s kind voice made one feel close to him. Bai Fan remembered her purpose. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I recently witnessed our herbal shop being falsely accused of selling moldy moneywort. This made me wonder why moneywort and other spiritual herbs are so hard to cultivate. Moneywort, though having a yearly double-harvest cycle, is already considered fast-growing. Other herbs taking several years or even decades to mature means high costs and long growth periods. Not to mention the risk of unsold stock and reputational damage from false accusations.” The Young Master and the Steward both smiled, knowing that lengthy growth periods of spiritual herbs were a widely recognized challenge in the cultivation world, even unsolvable by Nascent Soul cultivators. They doubtlessly questioned what ideas this young girl could bring, though they didn’t expect it to make any real difference. Bai Fan noticed their skeptical smiles, but she furrowed her brow, confident that her idea could revolutionize the current cultivation of spiritual herbs, especially benefiting independent cultivators. “I thought, what if we grafted long-cycle spiritual herbs onto moneywort? What if these multi-year or decades-long herbs could be converted into yearly double-harvests?” Her eyes sparkled at the thought of such an innovation. In her years within the cultivation world, she understood the critical nature of resources, typically monopolized by major sects. Those who fared poorly turned to banditry, like the water bandits she once encountered. The monopolization lay in the rarity and lengthy growth periods of spiritual herbs. Solving this would alleviate many issues. “Grafting?” the Young Master asked, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. Though it sounded promising, they didn’t grasp what Bai Fan meant by grafting. Excited, Bai Fan dashed outside, returning with two potted plants in hand. “Grafting involves transferring a branch from one plant to another. For example, cutting a branch from this plant and merging it onto another. This way, the grafted part will produce the other plant’s flowers.” The Young Master blinked, watching Bai Fan manipulate the plants, finally catching on. “Can it really survive like that?” “Of course, though success rates vary,” Bai Fan affirmed enthusiastically. "So you're saying it's not guaranteed to succeed 100% of the time?" "Yes." Bai Fan scratched her head, realizing she hadn't considered the survival rate before. But if she didn't try, nothing would change. The Steward shook his head and said, "I think this method is impractical because the costs of grafting are too high. Even if it's only a small branch, if the success rate is too low, we could end up losing money. The current expenses at the spiritual field estate are already high, so meddling with this could result in significant losses." Hearing this disheartened Bai Fan. Guarding the spiritual fields every day was terribly boring, and apart from practicing cultivation at night, she had nothing to do during the day. At that moment, Young Master Sun seemed to be pondering something. Finally, he turned to the Steward and said, "I think we should give it a try. The long growth period of spiritual herbs is what makes them so costly. If we can reduce that period, it would naturally lower the cost and make the herbs more affordable." His confident words lifted Bai Fan’s spirits. She thought, finally, someone shared her vision. "Look at moneywort. Its short growth period means it's always in demand at harvest time, so we never have excess stock. This keeps the estate funded, and the workers’ wages wouldn’t be so low." The Steward was fundamentally conservative. The Sun family had honed their herb cultivation methods over generations, following the tried-and-true techniques of their ancestors. He worried that if they started experimenting, they could face substantial losses. "But Young Master—" "Don’t worry. I’ll speak to my Grandfather about this. You and this young lady will manage it. Report any progress back to me." "Yes, Young Master." As Bai Fan followed the Steward out of the Sun estate, she felt like she was dreaming. Not only had her wages increased, but she was also entrusted with significant authority. She was no longer just a field waterer but could now engage in research and development. She wasn't just planting vegetables; she was cultivating spiritual herbs! Thinking back to how the Qingxu Sect sought alliance with higher sects for resources, and how they vied for the Zhu Fruit at Wan Feng Tai, she realized the potential impact of her work. The prospect of possibly changing the cultivation world filled her with excitement. The Steward, meanwhile, wore a worried expression. He wasn't thinking about future success but about the resources that would be consumed in the process—resources that could be converted into spirit stones. Bai Fan walked with a light step, nearly humming with joy. With thirty spirit stones a month, compared to the three Lian Sheng once gave her, she felt life’s best moments weren’t about food and clothing but about payday. Upon reaching the herbal shop, the Steward sighed and said, "I'll come to the spiritual field estate tomorrow. You go back today and make a list of all the things you need. I'll prepare them." "Okay, thank you, Steward. I'll have everything written down and ready for you." ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered me with nutrient solutions~ Thanks to the little angels who watered [nutrient solutions]: NameDisaster 10 bottles; MingJing 5 bottles; Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter Home Computer Version Bookshelf Novels Full List Popular Novels