The professors indeed stayed at the farm guarding the rice seedlings. Had it not been the harsh winter cold, they would likely have set up tents by the fields.
Xi Mufu and her group returned to the Incense Shop.
Shan Qu and the others were still marveling at the seeds sprouting instantly. Even though they were members of the Xuanmen and had broader knowledge than ordinary people, they had never witnessed anything so miraculous.
Xi Mufu, meanwhile, sought out Ji Jiu and said, “Ninth Master, I just felt a surge of energy in my body.”
But after scattering the seeds, that energy vanished. She didn’t feel any discomfort herself; she just thought she ought to inform Ji Jiu.
Ji Jiu used his divine power to examine her body and said, “There’s nothing unusual.”
Xi Mufu wasn’t surprised. That energy probably only appeared when she used the Planting Skill.
“If you feel unwell later, let me know anytime,” Ji Jiu said.
Xi Mufu nodded in agreement.
·
Three days later, the rice matured.
Xi Mufu noticed that the energy had returned. Activating the Planting Skill, she harvested the rice with a wave of her hand.
Once again, everyone was stunned by the scene.
“…I feel like I’m still dreaming,” the students silently communicated with their eyes.
Of course, compared to the marvel of harvesting with a wave of the hand, the fact that the rice had matured in just three days was even more astounding. The professors compared the yield with that of the latest rice varieties and discovered that this harvest was ten times greater.
In other words, the yield from this one square meter was ten times that of an ordinary rice field, and it had matured in just three days. Conventional early-season rice required at least over two months to mature!
“The value of this is immeasurable!” The professors’ eyes gleamed as they turned to Ji Jiu and eagerly said, “Director Ji, we’d like to use this batch of rice for research!”
They wanted to study whether the genes of the grains had changed; whether the rice could be replanted, and if it could survive. If it could, they wondered whether conventional farming methods could double the yield and speed up maturation. They also needed to conduct tests to determine whether it was safe for animals or humans to consume the rice and whether it would cause mutations…
In short, there was much to do, but they were thrilled and eager to get started immediately.
Ji Jiu said, “Approved.”
The reason for summoning the professors was precisely to conduct these studies.
Thus, the first batch of seeds was allocated accordingly.
Xi Mufu paid no attention to these trivial matters. She only needed to ensure that her body was fine and then sow the next batch of seeds.
“I feel like I have more strength now.” Over the past three days, she had been quietly observing and noticed that her physical stamina had improved. Now, after harvesting the rice, she felt even more invigorated.
Ji Jiu said, “That’s good.”
Xi Mufu smiled, her eyes curving. “Yes, I feel like this skill can enhance my physical fitness.”
Ji Jiu gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
Xi Mufu added, “I just don’t know when it will level up.”
She guessed it would be similar to Talisman-making, requiring a connection with guests from other realms to advance.
Nearby, Shan Qu stroked his whiskers and said sagely, “Your Planting Skill is remarkable. If it levels up and you can plant thousands or even tens of thousands of acres at once, we’ll no longer have to worry about food shortages. However, if that happens, we must be cautious. Other countries have been keeping a close watch on us!”
The Third Elder of Longhu Mountain narrowed his eyes and said, “Hmm.”
In recent years, Japanese Onmyoji have frequently visited Huaguo under the guise of Xuanmen exchanges, while Western psychics and vampires also watch covetously—all aiming to steal or sever spiritual fortunes. These forces have been covertly monitored and countered all along.
Xi Mufu expressed surprise, “Such things actually exist?”
As an ordinary person before, she had never heard of these secrets.
The Fifth Elder of Maoshan Sect remarked, “Fortunately, we have Director Ji.”
Under Director Ji’s leadership, the Xuanmen practitioners have consistently shielded the mundane world from these hidden dangers, leaving ordinary people unaware.
Xi Mufu instinctively glanced at Ji Jiu, feeling the man’s presence grow even more towering and majestic.
Meeting her gaze, Ji Jiu mistook her expression for fear and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, no one would dare cause trouble here.”
Xi Mufu nearly gave him a thumbs-up: So cool!
·
Over the following days, aside from occasional visits to the farm, Xi Mufu spent her time practicing drawing Protection Talismans while awaiting the arrival of the third group of inter-dimensional visitors.
Protection Talismans were far more challenging than Cleansing Talismans, yet she succeeded after just a few attempts.
Shan Qu and the two elders watched with burning envy, eager to master the skill immediately. Unfortunately, they hadn’t even succeeded with Cleansing Talismans—perhaps due to the complexity of the ancient talismanic diagrams. Despite prolonged study, they made no progress, let alone attempting the advanced Protection Talismans.
“Could it be that our aptitude is insufficient?” Shan Qu sighed deeply, staring at his latest failed Cleansing Talisman.
Yet both the Third Elder of Longhu Mountain and the Fifth Elder of Maoshan Sect possessed the highest innate talent in Xuanmen—they shouldn’t be struggling so much!
“Little Fu has extraordinary aptitude. Blessed with profound fortune and powerful spiritual energy, how could we compare?” The two elders, though over seventy, appeared as youthful as the fifty-year-old Shan Qu. Their faces softened with particular tenderness when looking at Xi Mufu, as if gazing upon a beloved granddaughter.
Shan Qu glared at them defensively: “She’s our province’s genius! She’ll surely win the championship at next spring’s Xuanmen Competition!”
Third Elder: “…”
Fifth Elder: “…”
If Little Fu participated, it would be a crushing dominance.
For a moment, both elders felt a twinge of jealousy, their eyes taunting Shan Qu: “Why not compete with us first to see who can draw a Cleansing Talisman successfully?”
Shan Qu: “…”
With his mediocre talent, how could he rival elders from major sects!
Xi Mufu smiled as she watched the three bicker like children, suddenly wishing her grandfather were still here.
Just as melancholy crept in, a neighbor called from the gate: “Little Fu, are you home?”
Although the Special Administration Bureau had relocated surrounding neighbors, after confirming the inter-dimensional visitors were constrained by rules, Ji Jiu had relaxed restrictions and permitted neighborly visits.
The neighbors weren’t surprised to see extra people at Xi Mufu’s home—the Bureau had registered the Incense Shop under the Cultural Relics Bureau’s architectural list, publicly announcing restoration work. Everyone assumed they were maintenance staff.
Of course, neighbors were initially curious about the strikingly handsome Ji Jiu, but his aloof demeanor gradually deterred further inquiries.
“I’m here!” Xi Mufu hurried into the courtyard.
Ji Jiu followed leisurely behind her.
Standing at the door was Grandma Huang, who anxiously grabbed Xi Mufu’s hand the moment she saw her: “My Hua Hua is missing. Little Mufu, you’re so skilled at fortune-telling—you must be able to divine where Hua Hua is, right?”
Xi Mufu: “…”
Hua Hua was Grandma Huang’s tabby cat, raised for over a decade. It used to frequently visit the Incense Shop to play with her, and she had grown quite fond of it. Now that Hua Hua was lost, she was deeply worried.
…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 suggesting that when a house cat goes missing, one could enlist the help of stray cats, as animals have unique ways of communicating.
The moment she put on the ring, she heard a stray cat meowing from the rooftop: “Hua Hua is old and believes something will happen to it within three days. It’s afraid of breaking Grandma Huang’s heart, so it ran off to the reservoir. You’ll never find it there.”
Xi Mufu’s heart sank. If Hua Hua passed away alone outdoors, Grandma Huang would be even more devastated!
“I know where Hua Hua is. Follow me!” She immediately took Grandma Huang’s hand and hurried toward the reservoir.