Those were Lingzhi mushrooms. Their caps were a deep, profound reddish-brown, smooth as glass mirrors, with edges slightly curled inward like polished precious jade. Their stems were thick and sturdy, enveloped in a faint, ethereal white mist. As the wind stirred, the spiritual energy drifted through the air, and when it touched her skin, it felt so revitalizing it made her want to sigh with relief.
It’s Lingzhi! It’s really Lingzhi!
Shen Qinghuan’s voice trembled. She strode forward and squatted down, her fingertips quivering as she reached out to touch one, only to be intercepted by Yuanbao, who leaped in front of her. “Ee-ee! Owner, don’t touch! Using your hands will dissipate the energy! Harvest it with your intent! Quickly, use your intent!”
Shen Qinghuan immediately pulled her hand back, closed her eyes, and silently commanded, Harvest the century-old Lingzhi.
The mushrooms shivered slightly, then floated gently from the soil, drifting toward her. As she caught them, they felt warm and smooth as jade. A surge of thick, potent spiritual energy rushed from her fingertips into her body, flooding through her limbs and bones, as if filling up the blood and vitality that had been depleted by her pregnancy.
Just then, a crisp ding rang through her mind like a celestial chime.
Congratulations, Host. First harvest of rare medicinal herbs, Century-Old Lingzhi, complete! Space Mall unlocked. Space level increased to Level 2. Black soil area doubled. Bonus: The living quarters have been fully upgraded. Reward: A custom-built, exquisite small mansion. Reward: One free lucky draw.
The ground beneath her feet began to shake violently—more intensely than when the land had first expanded. Shen Qinghuan stumbled, steadying herself against a tree as she looked back in astonishment.
The dilapidated, drafty wooden hut behind her was undergoing a radical, visible transformation. The rotting wooden beams were replaced by warm, fragrant nanmu wood; the uneven dirt floor was paved with polished white jade tiles; and the broken windows were swapped for intricately carved latticework, complete with delicate, moon-white gauze curtains.
The area of the house expanded rapidly, turning from a cramped, palm-sized shack into an elegant, refined residence with a small, private courtyard.
Shen Qinghuan’s heart almost stopped. She practically staggered forward, pushing open the wooden door inlaid with cicada and lotus patterns. The scene inside brought tears to her eyes.
Directly facing the entrance was a spacious living room furnished with a set of rosewood tables and chairs, with a delicate celadon tea set resting on the table. To the east was a bedroom, where a canopy bed draped in silk cushions stood against the wall, piled with thick, cozy quilts and soft pillows. Beside it sat an ornate dressing table complete with a bronze mirror and basic grooming tools. The room to the west had been converted into a storage space, filled with neatly arranged cabinets perfect for storing the medicinal herbs she would harvest in the future.
The courtyard held an even bigger surprise: a tributary of the spiritual spring had been diverted into a small, flowing water feature. Beside it grew several nameless spiritual herbs, their tiny, delicate white flowers swaying in the breeze, creating a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere.
This… this is real!
Shen Qinghuan reached out with trembling hands to touch the smooth white jade floor and the soft quilt on the bed. Tears gushed from her eyes. “We… we finally have a proper home!”
Yuanbao was stunned, too. It took a moment before it started leaping and dancing around the courtyard, squealing in delight. “Wow! It’s a custom-built mansion! Owner, our house has been upgraded! We don’t have to sleep on dirty blankets anymore; we can sleep on a big, soft bed!”
Just as Shen Qinghuan was soaking in the joy of moving in, that mechanical voice echoed again, reminding her of a lingering surprise.
Host, please note: The Space Mall is now online. Your lucky draw reward is pending. Please use it as soon as possible!
Shen Qinghuan gathered her senses, pushed aside her overwhelming excitement, and focused her intent on the gilded panel that had appeared before her. The words “Space Mall” glowed brilliantly, and the dense list of items below was dizzying.
Millennium Ginseng Seeds, Bone-Cleansing Pills, Space Accelerators, Protective Jade Pendants… Every single item made her heart race. In the top-right corner of the panel, a golden “Lucky Draw” button flickered with an enticing light.
She took a deep breath and clicked it.
Whoosh! A vibrant, swirling wheel of fortune appeared. The prizes were dazzling—from Millennium Fleeceflower seeds and Bone-Cleansing Pills that could fundamentally improve one’s constitution, to invisibility talismans that could protect her from assassins. Every reward was incredibly tempting.
The wheel spun frantically, becoming a blur. Shen Qinghuan clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms, praying silently, Something good for the baby… something to protect the two of us.
Yuanbao stood on its tiptoes, staring at the wheel without blinking, its little paws tightly balled into fists as it cheered, “Big prize! Big prize! May the Owner and the little owner be safe and sound!”
The wheel’s speed gradually slowed. The pointer ticked past the Bone-Cleansing Pills and skimmed over the invisibility talisman, finally settling steadily on a glowing golden square.
Congratulations, Host. You have won the Millennium Fleeceflower Seeds (a set). Bonus: Secret technique for spiritual spring water acceleration.
Ten golden seeds appeared in Shen Qinghuan’s palm. The intense spiritual energy radiating from them made her gasp, and a rush of knowledge regarding the secret technique for accelerating plant growth with spiritual spring water flooded her mind.
Millennium Fleeceflower?
Shen Qinghuan looked at the seeds in her palm, tears welling up again. She leaned down and kissed Yuanbao’s furry head, her voice filled with burning determination.
“Yuanbao, our good days are truly coming!”
Yuanbao nuzzled her cheek, chirping happily. “Yeah! The Owner is the best! We’ll get more treasures, upgrade this house into a palace, and then kill our way back to the capital to trample all those bad people under our feet!”
Shen Qinghuan threw her head back and laughed—a sound crisp, bold, and resonant that echoed long and clear over the courtyard.
She looked at the vibrant black soil, the perfectly furnished room, and the adorable Yuanbao in her arms. Finally, she looked down at her swollen abdomen. The last remnants of hesitation in her eyes faded, replaced by cold, hard resolve and a burning fighting spirit.
The glory and wealth of her past life were already nothing but smoke and clouds. As for the blood debt in the capital? She would claim it back one piece at a time, with interest.
From this day forward, I, Shen Qinghuan, have a space, a companion, a child to protect, a warm home, and infinite possibilities. It’s time to upgrade, make money, and crush the scum while raising my baby!
Hmph. I’m going to walk this path to the very end.