As expected, the professors stayed at the farm, watching over the rice. If it weren’t for the bitter winter cold, they probably would have set up tents in the fields.
Xi Mufu and her group returned to the incense shop.
Shan Qu was still marveling at how the seeds had sprouted instantly. Even though they were practitioners of the Taoist sect and more knowledgeable than ordinary people, they had never seen anything so miraculous.
Xi Mufu went to Ji Jiu and said, “Master Jiu, I just felt a surge of energy in my body.”
However, after sowing the seeds, the power disappeared. She didn’t feel any discomfort—she just thought she should inform Ji Jiu.
Ji Jiu used his divine power to check her body and said, “Nothing abnormal.”
Xi Mufu wasn’t surprised; that energy likely only appeared when she was using the planting skill.
“If anything feels off later, tell me immediately,” Ji Jiu said.
Xi Mufu nodded.
Three days later, the rice matured.
Xi Mufu felt that surge of power return. Activating the planting skill, she waved her hand and harvested the rice effortlessly.
Everyone was once again shocked.
“…I feel like I haven’t woken up yet,” the students silently exchanged glances.
Of course, while the hand-wave harvesting was impressive, the truly astonishing fact was that the rice had matured in just three days. The professors compared it to the latest rice strain and realized that this harvest was ten times greater than usual.
In other words, the yield from one square meter was ten times that of a normal paddy field, and it matured in only three days. Normally, early-maturing rice takes over two months!
“The value of this is incalculable!” The professors’ eyes lit up as they turned to Ji Jiu eagerly. “Director Ji, we want to use this batch of rice for research!”
They planned to study whether the rice’s genetics had changed, whether it could be replanted for a second harvest and survive, whether ordinary farming methods could double its yield, whether the maturation period could also be shortened, and whether it was safe for animals or humans to consume, or if it might trigger mutations…
In short, there was a lot to do, and they were excited, eager to begin immediately.
Ji Jiu: “That’s fine.”
The professors had been summoned specifically for this research.
Thus, the first batch of seeds was assigned for study.
Xi Mufu didn’t concern herself with these details. She only needed to ensure her body was fine and then sow the next batch.
“I feel like I have more strength now.” Over the past three days, she had quietly observed herself and noticed an increase in stamina. Now, after harvesting the rice, she was filled with excitement.
Ji Jiu: “That’s good.”
Xi Mufu smiled. “Yes, I think this skill can improve my physical abilities.”
Ji Jiu nodded.
Xi Mufu: “I just don’t know when it will level up.”
It probably requires establishing a connection with the otherworldly guests, like the talisman-making skill.
Shan Qu, stroking his whisk broom, remarked casually: “This planting skill is incredible. Once it levels up, if you can plant thousands or tens of thousands of acres at once, we won’t have to worry about food anymore. But we’ll need to be careful—foreigners have been keeping an eye on us!”
The three Longhu Mountain elders squinted. “Hmm.”
In recent years, onmyoji from the Eastern regions have operated in China under the guise of Taoist exchanges, and in the West, supernaturals and vampires have been eyeing things greedily. Their goal has been to steal or sever spiritual energy. For years, these threats had been monitored discreetly.
Xi Mufu was surprised. “There’s really something like that?”
As a normal person before, she had never heard of these hidden dangers.
One of the five Maoshan elders said, “Fortunately, we have Director Ji.”
These Taoist elders, under Ji Jiu’s leadership, had always blocked hidden dangers and disasters from reaching ordinary people.
Xi Mufu looked at Ji Jiu and felt his image towering even more impressively.
Ji Jiu met her gaze, assuming she was frightened. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Don’t worry. No one dares cause trouble.”
Xi Mufu couldn’t help but want to give him a thumbs-up: So cool!
In the following days, Xi Mufu occasionally visited the farm, but mostly practiced making protective charms while waiting for the third batch of otherworldly guests.
Protective charms were much more difficult than purification talismans, but after a few tries, she succeeded.
Shan Qu and the two elders were envious and wished they could learn immediately, but they hadn’t even mastered the purification talismans. Perhaps the ancient talisman diagrams were too complex—they had studied for a long time with no progress, let alone higher-level charms.
“Is it that we lack talent?” Shan Qu muttered, staring at another failed purification talisman.
Yet the three Longhu Mountain elders and five Maoshan elders were the most talented among Taoists. Learning should not be this difficult for them!
“It’s that Xi Mufu’s talent is unparalleled. She’s blessed and her fortune is strong. Naturally, we can’t compare,” said the two elders. Despite being over seventy, they looked no older than fifty and had gentle, kindly faces—especially when looking at Xi Mufu, like they were watching their own granddaughter.
Shan Qu glared at them cautiously. “This is the genius of our province! In next spring’s Taoist Grand Competition, our province will definitely win!”
The three Longhu elders: “…”
The five Maoshan elders: “…”
If Xi Mufu entered the competition, it would be a total mismatch.
For a moment, both elders felt a pang of jealousy and, with a teasing look, said, “You try first, Shan Qu. Let’s see who can draw a purification talisman first.”
Shan Qu: “…”
His talent was mediocre; there was no way he could compete with the elders of major sects!
Xi Mufu laughed at the three elders bickering like children. She suddenly thought how nice it would be if her grandfather were still around.
Just then, a neighbor called from the doorway: “Xi Mufu, are you home?”
Although the Special Administration Bureau had relocated nearby neighbors, after confirming that the otherworldly guests were restricted by rules, Ji Jiu relaxed security and allowed neighbors to visit.
When they saw extra people in Xi Mufu’s home, they weren’t surprised—because the Bureau had already listed the incense shop as a protected building under the Cultural Heritage Department for repairs, and the neighbors assumed the visitors were staff.
Of course, at first, everyone was curious about Ji Jiu, such a handsome man, but after seeing his aloof demeanor, they gradually stopped asking.
“I’m here!” Xi Mufu hurriedly came out into the yard.
Ji Jiu followed her slowly.
At the door stood Granny Huang, who anxiously grabbed Xi Mufu’s hand. “My Huahua is missing! Xi Mufu, you’re so good at fortune-telling, you can definitely find where Huahua is, right?”
Xi Mufu: “…”
Huahua was Granny Huang’s tabby cat, raised for over ten years. It used to come to the incense shop and play with her. She loved it and was worried now that it was missing.
…but she wasn’t a fortune teller!
Wait—she suddenly remembered her [Listening Ring]. Perhaps she could ask the animals for information.
She had seen videos before, showing that lost cats could be tracked with help from wild cats, as animals had their own unique communication methods.
The moment she put on the ring, she heard a wild cat on the roof meowing: “Huahua is old. It felt something would happen within three days and, not wanting Granny Huang to be sad, it went to the reservoir. You won’t find it.”
Xi Mufu’s heart skipped a beat. If Huahua died alone outside, Granny Huang would be devastated!
“I know where Huahua is. Come with me!” She immediately grabbed Granny Huang’s hand and headed toward the reservoir.