Continuing my exploration along the riverbank, I kept walking until a steep cliff face rose sharply before me.
Lush green vines covered its surface, marking the end of this valley.
I paused and looked back.
The cave I had taken shelter in on my way here had shrunk to a tiny, almost unrecognizable black dot in my field of vision, disappearing into the cliff’s shadow.
The distance covered was not short, giving me a new perspective on this seemingly small valley: it was far more vast and deep than it had appeared at first glance.
“This place…
it’s actually quite large,” I murmured softly.
My voice sounded remarkably clear in the valley’s gentle breeze, carrying a hint of awe at my new discovery.
Turning around, I retraced my steps.
My gait was much more composed than when I had first emerged from the cave.
My jade-white Dragon Tail swayed gently behind me, helping me maintain my balance and sweeping aside the occasional blade of grass that dared to poke onto the path.
My gaze was once again drawn to the river that divided the valley.
At a certain point, the river surface seemed a bit wider, and the current flowed more gently.
My eyes fell upon the center of the river, where several rocks of various sizes lay scattered.
Their surfaces were smooth, clearly worn down by years of the river’s flow.
They were arranged somewhat haphazardly, the distances between them not equal, yet they happened to form a broken path that could just barely be crossed by stepping from one to the other.
More importantly, on the tops and sides of several of the stones, faint signs of wear were visible, contrasting with the surrounding moss-covered portions.
“This looks…
like it was left by someone passing through.” My ice-blue eyes gleamed slightly as I made this judgment.
The discovery gave me a surge of energy.
Human traces, even if just old signs of passage, meant this valley wasn’t an absolute “no-man’s land.” Perhaps people had once been active here, or there might even be a nearby village.
The desire to cross the river and study the Jade-Needle Rice grew stronger.
I walked to the start of those “stepping stones” but didn’t immediately step onto them.
Instead, I bounced lightly in place, testing the state of this new body.
It was light, agile, and full of spring, far surpassing my physical abilities as an ordinary human.
This gave me more confidence in crossing the river.
I rolled up my pant legs and took a deep breath.
Sighting the first flat stone that broke the water’s surface, I stood on tiptoe, leaped lightly, and landed steadily upon it.
The stone was cool to the touch and carried the mist of water, but it was very stable.
After a slight shift in my center of gravity, my Dragon Tail rose unconsciously, acting as a natural balance bar.
Then came the second stone, then the third…
The distances between the stones were not difficult for me.
My body’s coordination was excellent, as if I were naturally adept at moving through complex terrain.
Even when a small hop was needed, it was completed with easy grace.
The water flowed gently beneath my feet, occasionally washing over the lower stones, dampening my shoes and bringing a cool sensation.
With a few leaps, I had already arrived safely on the opposite bank.
Stepping onto the soft, moist riverbank, I glanced back at the trail of stones, my curiosity about the “predecessor” who had left this mark growing stronger.
Patting the tiny water droplets that had splashed onto my robes, I walked straight toward the “Riverside Jade-Needle Rice” swaying in the wind.
They grew on a relatively open, sun-drenched gentle slope by the river, where the soil was dark brown and appeared quite fertile.
Getting closer for a better look, I saw that these rice plants were unlike any paddy or upland rice I knew.
The stalks were of moderate height, not entirely green but rather possessing a jade-like, translucent white texture, tough and straight.
The leaves were long and slender with smooth edges, and the veins were a faint gold.
Most striking were the drooping rice panicles, truly living up to their name.
Each grain was as slender as a needle, and their husks were not the usual golden or pale yellow but a translucent, warm jade-white, with a hint of an ice-blue glow at the tips.
The grains were arranged with a balanced spacing, looking as if they were truly carved from jade under the sunlight, yet still bursting with the fullness of life.
I reached out and gently touched a rice panicle with my fingertips.
A cool, supple sensation met my touch, and at the same time, a faint, rhythmic ripple of “vitality” flowed from my fingertips into my senses.
This ripple resonated subtly with the calm power within my body, making me feel deeply comfortable.
“So this is Jade-Needle Rice…” I murmured, my ice-blue eyes focused on observing every detail.
“System, can you provide a more detailed analysis of the planting requirements?
For example, the sowing period, growth period, water and fertilizer needs, and possible diseases?”
[ Deeply scanning and analyzing the target sample ‘Riverside Jade-Needle Rice’…
Please maintain contact, Host.
] The System’s voice rang out.
I kept my fingertips in contact with the rice panicle and waited patiently.
Meanwhile, I also began to examine the environment around this gentle slope, thinking about what preparations I would need if I wanted to try planting here.
My notebook and pen were once again retrieved from the “System Space” (it seemed I could take them out and put them away with a mere thought, which was extremely convenient), ready to record the new information given by the System, as well as my own observations and thoughts.
From crossing the river to observing the crop, the entire process was natural and fluid.
The investigative instinct of an agricultural student and Shu’s innate affinity and responsibility toward plants had achieved a wonderful unity within this body.
The previous confusion and loneliness seemed to be temporarily washed away in this exploration focused on concrete matters.
The most important thing right now was to understand this crop, then try to establish a connection with it and complete the System’s guided task.
The valley wind blew past, bringing the rustling sound of Jade-Needle Rice panicles rubbing against each other, like nature’s whisper.