Chapter 4: First Harvest
1019 Words
The next morning, as soon as the Mission Hall opened, Shi Yue rushed to Verdant Origin Peak.
He landed before a three-tiered structure of azure stone, easily ten zhang tall (1 zhang=3.33m). Above its imposing gates hung a plaque inscribed with three golden characters: "Mission Hall". The plaque itself pulsed with trapped starlight, clearly a magical artifact. Shi Yue knew its functions well: the first floor handled sect chores and assigned tasks to Qi Refining disciples; the second was where missions were taken and posted, rewarding Contribution Points and Spirit Stones; the third floor exchanged those hard-earned points for cultivation resources – artifacts, pills, talismans... even the coveted Foundation Establishment Pill, if one had enough points.
Inside the half-acre hall, behind a long stone counter, stood Steward Wang, his gaunt face impassive as he addressed two nervous Outer Sect disciples.
"Fine. This mission is barely complete. The spirit herbs you submitted were of mediocre quality. Five Spirit Stones deducted. Any objections?" Steward Wang stated flatly.
"None, Steward Wang, none at all," the disciples forced smiles onto their resentful faces.
"Good. Here are thirty Spirit Stones." Steward Wang placed the stones on the counter.
The disciples snatched them up and scurried away.
Shi Yue stepped forward, offering a respectful smile. "Steward Wang."
"Hmph. Save the pleasantries. Where are the items?" Steward Wang snapped coldly.
"Items? Steward Wang, you haven't assigned me this month's task yet?" Shi Yue blinked, confused.
"Didn't assign it? I told you to gather five Purple Sandalwood Flowers with ten-year medicinal age! Have you got them?" Steward Wang's voice was sharp.
"Five ten-year Purple Sandalwood Flowers? Wasn't that last month's task?" Shi Yue murmured, mostly to himself.
Steward Wang heard him anyway. His eyebrow twitched, and he shot Shi Yue a withering glare. "Have you lost your mind? Last month was ten ten-year Moonwatcher Grasses! The month ends in two days. No flowers, no Spirit Stones."
Shi Yue's brow furrowed deeply. He'd spent ten days inside that Mysterious Space, yet only one day had passed outside? Could time inside flow ten times faster?
The implications hit him like a thunderclap. If he could enter that space freely... cultivate there... his progress would explode!
Without another word to Steward Wang, Shi Yue turned and strode out of the Mission Hall, mounting his artifact and flying straight back to his dwelling.
Seated cross-legged on his stone bed, Shi Yue examined the Blue Pearl intently. If ten days inside meant only one outside, he needn't fear being trapped. He stored the earthen jar in his Storage Pouch and channeled his Magical Power into the Pearl.
A flash of blinding azure light forced his eyes shut.
When he opened them, he stood before a crude stone hut. Three acres of empty Spirit Field stretched out before him. He was back inside the Mysterious Space!
Elation surged through him. With this treasure, Foundation Establishment wasn't just a dream!
He almost sat to cultivate immediately, but his gaze lingered on the vast, empty Spirit Fields. A bold idea struck him: if time here flowed ten times faster, wouldn't Spirit Plants grow ten times faster too?
He decided to test it.
With a flick of his wrist, a Silver Hoe, as tall as a man and shimmering faintly with power – clearly a magical artifact – appeared in his hands. The violet soil of the Spirit Field was unnaturally hard; only a magical tool could break it.
Stepping into the field, Shi Yue raised the hoe high and brought it down with all his strength.
THUD.
The blade bit deep, turning over a clod of dense, violet earth. Shi Yue took a breath, raised the hoe, and struck again...
Two hours later, Shi Yue slumped beside the stone hut, gasping for air, sweat soaking his robes. One full acre of Spirit Field lay freshly tilled before him. Exhaustion warred with satisfaction on his face.
After resting and regaining some strength, he pulled a blue leather pouch from his Storage Pouch. Opening it, he scooped out a handful of small, yellow grains – Spirit Rice Seeds. He scattered them evenly across the prepared acre. When the field was fully sown, the pouch was empty.
Shi Yue began chanting an incantation. Azure light gathered around him. When the chant ended, he pointed at the field.
The azure light surged upwards, coalescing into a thick, white cloud directly over the sown acre.
"Rain!" Shi Yue commanded, sending a pulse of energy into the cloud.
The cloud churned. Raindrops, thick and heavy, poured down, drenching the entire acre.
Miraculously, as the rain fell, tiny green shoots pushed through the soil. Before Shi Yue's eyes, they grew rapidly, stretching up to a foot tall before stopping.
Shi Yue nodded, satisfied. He released the spell. The rain ceased, and the cloud vanished.
No rent. No thieves. This was perfect. Pride swelled in his chest as he looked at the field of vibrant green seedlings. The Spirit Field didn't lie. Hard work brought real harvest. With regular rain, one acre should yield over a hundred pounds of Spirit Rice. The image of mountains of gleaming grains made him smile.
If only I could leave now,he thought, gazing at the two remaining empty acres. I could go back to the Mission Hall, buy other Spirit Grain seeds...
The thought barely formed when his vision blurred. He was back in his stone dwelling.
Shi Yue stared around the familiar room, disbelief turning to pure joy. "Can I... enter freely now?"
Hesitantly, he channeled power into the Blue Pearl. Azure light flashed – he was back in the Mysterious Space. He focused on leaving. Instantly, he was back in his dwelling.
He laughed aloud. The blood acknowledgment had worked! He controlled the Pearl!
Noting the darkening sky – the Mission Hall would be closed – Shi Yue settled onto his stone bed. He began the Second Layer meditation chant of the Ethereal Art, drawing in Spiritual Energy. As a mere Second Layer Qi Refining disciple, sloth wasn't an option. Talent might be lacking, but diligence could bridge the gap. That was Shi Yue's creed.
- Writer
