I stared blankly at the jade slip for a long while.

  It contained all the Alchemy secrets of the Xue clan.

  To think this wretch had secretly taken it.

  He was only at Qi Refinement Stage 6—was it truly acceptable for him to be so bold?

  Baixuan, who had been alternating his gaze between the jade slip and the corpse with his mouth agape, suddenly brightened.

  “Benefactor! This is extraordinary fortune. With this secret jade slip, you need not worry about pills in the future.”

  Was that truly so?

  I looked at him with mild suspicion.

  As expected, Baixuan hastily added,

  “Well… one would still require quality alchemical tools, suitable spiritual herbs, sufficient time, and abundant practice materials… but at least there will be no shortage of formulas.”

  That much was true.

  Thinking positively, my heart began pounding wildly.

  I possessed boundless spiritual herbs that could serve as pill ingredients!

  …Though they were not yet in my hands.

  I also had spirit stones to purchase fine alchemical tools!

  …Though I had countless other uses for those spirit stones.

  Ha. Saying it aloud drained my enthusiasm.

  Still—at least time was abundant.

  Best to think positively.

  After handing the jade slip to Baixuan, I examined the Foundation Establishment Pill.

  It bore a faint teal hue.

  Perhaps because it contained Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass, it seemed to glow faintly.

  “This is clearly mid-grade,” Baixuan said confidently. “It appears all the core ingredients were included. Ancient herbs are scarce now. But Benefactor is different.”

  The fewer core ingredients used in a Foundation Establishment Pill, the higher its grade.

  A mid-grade pill offered roughly a thirty percent chance of success.

  There was a reason Core Formation and Nascent Soul old monsters coveted aged Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass.

  Thus, the pill before me held little value.

  Still, a Foundation Establishment Pill was a Foundation Establishment Pill. It might prove useful someday.

  Baixuan asked eagerly,

  “Benefactor, may I study the jade slip now?”

  Seeing him so delighted lifted my own mood.

  “Fine. Get to work.”

  Baixuan bowed deeply and headed toward the hut, beaming.

  Was he perhaps a workaholic?

  After sending him off, I glanced toward the corner of the Subspace Ring.

  The Ghost Refining Banner lay there.

  Wrapped in pale spiritual mist, it emanated a chilling aura.

  It seemed purification would take time.

  If it required so long, the ghost sealed within must be powerful indeed.

  My expectations were high.

  Still… earlier the system said my reputation had risen and I had leveled up.

  What exactly were the conditions?

  “System, how did my reputation increase?”

  [Reputation rises when the user benefits a city or sect on a large scale, or achieves deeds that cause widespread impact.

  In this case, the excellence of the Flowing Residue Formation Plate was recognized by Qingliu City’s upper echelon.]

  Ha. Was that so?

  That felt immensely satisfying.

  But… they do not know my identity.

  [Even if the name is undisclosed or misattributed, so long as the deed is clearly yours, it counts as achievement.]

  I see.

  That was fortunate.

  As someone who valued safety, being publicly known was burdensome.

  The protruding nail gets hammered down.

  Until my realm rose high enough for self-protection, I must remain inconspicuous.

  Then… how could I quietly accumulate reputation?

  If only I could master spiritual herbs quickly. I could assist Baixuan’s pill refinement.

  As I pondered, something occurred to me.

  “System, by that logic, did selling a three-thousand-year-old Seven-Leaf Immortal Spirit Grass not cause a stir?”

  The Plum Blossom Elder’s lament suggested everyone knew.

  Was that not reputation?

  […That is somewhat different. The herb’s fame derives from its own value, not the user’s accomplishment.]

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Oh?

  The stammer suggested leverage.

  I countered at once.

  “That is not so. Ancient herbs abound, but acquiring one depends on individual ability and fortune. I discovered it and cultivated it within the Subspace Ring to maximize quality.”

  The system fell silent.

  “And soon cultivators will refine it into Foundation Establishment Pills and succeed. Most will be talents from prominent clans. Will they thank the herb—or me, who sold it?”

  Perhaps sophistry, but not untrue.

  […Allow me time to consider.]

  No, no.

  I sensed weakness and pressed on.

  “The herb did not walk into the auction house by itself. I could have consumed it for my own cultivation. Instead, I yielded it for the Qingluo cultivation world. Receiving spirit stones was only fair compensation.”

  The more I spoke, the more convincing it sounded.

  Was this self-justification?

  After prolonged silence, the system offered compromise.

  […Very well. Half the achievement shall be recognized. Upon completing the remaining half, it will convert to reputation and grant a selection option.]

  Excellent!

  I had merely probed, yet gained profit.

  Suppressing my delight, I said calmly,

  “Acceptable. But in the future, recognize such matters without prompting. That is your function.”

  One must claim one’s rights.

  […Understood. Apologies.]

  For some reason, my conscience pricked slightly.

  Was this gaslighting?

  Ahem.

  ***

  After securing victory over the system, I sat upon the bench and opened the Spirit Beast Pouch.

  Baizi had been confined for days.

  —Kyuu! Kyu, kyuu!

  Released at last, Baizi leapt out indignantly.

  “Alright, alright. My fault. Circumstances intervened. Go take a stroll.”

  He chirped and dashed about happily.

  Then I turned to the pouch again.

  Infusing spiritual power, I released the spirit butterfly.

  It staggered weakly into the air before settling on the ground, staring at me fearfully.

  [New spirit beast detected. Register in Yun Xian Garden?]

  Hm. Would registration automatically bind it?

  [No. Registration increases affinity and reverence, depending on rank. Subjugation must still be performed separately.]

  Still advantageous.

  [Registration complete. Current manageable spirit butterflies: 1.]

  Upon registration, the butterfly lifted its antennae sharply.

  Though I had never observed a butterfly’s expression, it seemed bewildered.

  “You have only recently lost your former master. I will not force you. Rest here for now.”

  Creatures like this were best kept as hidden trump cards.

  Time would suffice.

  The butterfly met my gaze—then suddenly rose into the air.

  It began emitting fragrance and fluttering in a dance.

  …Was it acting cute?

  Desperation colored its movements.

  I asked,

  “Do you wish to become my spirit beast?”

  It flickered its antennae frantically and landed upon my hand.

  Seeking reliance the moment it entered the Subspace Ring.

  A spirit beast that recognized opportunity. Admirable.

  I immediately produced a standard spirit beast contract.

  The binding proceeded smoothly.

  As for a name—

  Its iridescent wings resembled peach blossoms.

  “From now on, you shall be called Peach.”

  Baizi, playing with the Jade Ear Rabbit, bounded over.

  Perhaps sensing a junior.

  Watching them roam freely, the system alarm chimed.

  Time within the Subspace Ring was ending.

  Two hours felt too short.

  The spiritual energy generated by the Ghost Refining Banner would be better used to extend duration.

  ‘System, use the recently added magical artifacts and souls to increase residence time rather than expand space.’

  […Understood.]

  The reply seemed curt.

  Offended?

  Irrelevant.

  What I required was efficiency and experience, not affection.

  I sat cross-legged and cultivated.

  Being a corner room, spiritual energy flowed abundantly.

  Thus ended the first day in the dormitory quarters of the Spiritual Agriculture Pavilion.

  ***

  Dawn broke.

  Work resumed today.

  After collecting a Bigu Pill from the dining hall, I headed directly to the Pavilion.

  While enjoying free tea in the Seventh Department, Senior Brother Yang Dongwu rushed in.

  “Junior Brother Xuanyuan! Have you heard? A major assignment is coming today.”

  I blinked.

  “A major assignment? I know nothing.”

  “I have no idea what it is. Surely they will not increase our workload or deploy us elsewhere?”

  Unease crept in.

  “Surely not. We are already busy beyond measure. If they demand more, that would be inhuman.”

  He remained anxious.

  “When have those above been human…”

  Hm. Hard to refute.

  “Let us not worry prematurely. We will know soon enough.”

  I possessed the ultimate stratagem—run away.

  If necessary, I could pack seeds and saplings into the storage ring and flee.

  Previously impossible due to capacity limits, but now feasible.

  Though dangerous—better to acquire legally if possible.

  Soon, all Seventh Department officials arrived.

  Their faces were dark.

  It seemed I alone lacked information.

  I must visit the Plum Blossom Elder soon.

  At that moment, the Pavilion Master appeared.

  “Today, there is an important announcement. One that will overturn our entire method of spiritual agriculture.”

  His expression was radiant.

  Perhaps not bad news.

  From the back, sipping tea, I listened.

  Free tea truly tasted best.

  “The city’s upper echelon has successfully developed an excellent Formation Plate. It releases measured quantities of water at fixed intervals. One plate can manage up to five majigi of spiritual fields.”

  I nearly spat my tea.

  Already commercialized?

  They must have driven every formation master relentlessly.

  After a stunned pause, the officials cheered.

  “So no more endless complaints about water shortage?”

  “Spiritual rice yield will increase! Farmers’ burdens will lessen!”

  “Yield may not rise, but efficiency will.”

  “With freed time, quality will improve.”

  The Pavilion Master stroked his beard proudly.

  “Indeed. A truly revolutionary innovation. To operate formations thus—no ordinary thought.”

  Amid the praise, I stood awkwardly.

  All I had done was recall Earth’s sprinklers.

  Was that so groundbreaking?

  “The price is set at five mid-grade spirit stones. For tenant farmers, installment payments of three low-grade spirit stones per month.”

  …Installments?

  I had an ominous premonition.

  “Your task is to learn its usage and travel the fields to sell it. The more sold, the better.”

  Why did the Pavilion Master avoid our eyes?

  “It may be somewhat troublesome, but it benefits agriculture. I ask your cooperation.”

  A sigh escaped me.

  I had become a door-to-door salesman!

  As murmurs rose, he added,

  “Thirty percent commission per plate. Teams of three. The top-selling team shall receive tremendous rewards and honor. Form your teams.”

  Tremendous rewards?

  Honor?

  In teams of three, I would not stand out alone.

  My mouth watered.

  I met the eyes of Senior Brothers Ling Xuan and Yang Dongwu.

  Let us claim Sales Team of the Year!