Did Yang Bingzhi not want to fulfill his promise? It's no wonder Jia Ren was skeptical. People's hearts change easily, and there are too many instances where promises of bright futures end up being nothing but empty words. A High-Grade Magical Artifact was definitely a huge fortune for Yang Bingzhi, and giving such a precious treasure to someone else would certainly be painful. Empty promises and giving away wealth are not the same: one involves no loss; the other is like cutting flesh from one's own body. In a world where morals have decayed, there are too few who are willing to keep their word.
No more thoughts, it's time to buy Spirit Rice.
"Master Jia has arrived; you're here to buy Spirit Rice."
"Just the usual price! One Fragmented Spirit Stone per catty."
Jia Ren had just removed pests for Uncle Wubao, the Spirit Farmer, whom he knew very well.
"Why does he get it so cheap when he buys it?!"
The Loose Cultivators who had just completed their purchase of Spirit Rice were angry. They risked robbery to come to the Great Wilderness Market in hopes of buying low-priced Spirit Rice, only to find prices had increased, and there were even limits on how much they could buy. The many Loose Cultivators who wanted to be middlemen, buying rice in the Grand Wilderness Mountain and selling it at high prices in the Great Wilderness Market, were displeased. Why should Jia Ren be able to buy Spirit Rice at the normal price? They first glared at Jia Ren, furious, then turned their heads to stare at Uncle Wubao.
"If you're willing to help us remove pests, the Spirit Farmers would also sell you low-priced Spirit Rice!"
"Daoist Jia did not take advantage of our plight to raise prices; the Spirit Farmers are not ungrateful people!"
"Want to make trouble? Forget about buying even a little bit of Spirit Rice."
As more and more Spirit Farmers who heard the commotion gathered, they were much more united in purpose than the Loose Cultivators. The Loose Cultivators looking to cause trouble could only slink away in defeat.
"It's not easy for Spirit Farmers to earn Spirit Stones, so we need to let you earn some too." Buying Spirit Rice at a fair price was good, but Jia Ren didn't want to benefit too much from it.
"Rest assured, Daoist Jia, we've got clear vision!"
"Yang Bingzhi's mind is certainly not that sharp!"
"We understand some things very clearly."
The Spirit Farmers were no fools; they were already well aware of Yang Bingzhi's capabilities. Be it discovering the insect disaster was man-made or the loans of Spirit Stones from Heavenly River Square, neither were things Yang Bingzhi could have achieved. The two incidents had a great impact on the Spirit Farmers, not to mention that Jia Ren was willing to remove pests for them at a fair price. No matter what, the Spirit Farmers were not willing to make an extra profit off Jia Ren.
"The Spirit Rice is from our collective stockpiles; we can gather a little over three thousand catties at most."
"Even if we take it to the Great Wilderness Market to sell, we have no complaints."
The new rice hadn't matured yet. The Spirit Rice available was from the inventory of over a hundred households, totaling a little more than three thousand catties. Buying at one Fragmented Spirit Stone per catty and selling at three Fragmented Spirits in the Great Wilderness Market should pose no problem. Slightly more than three thousand catties of Green Bud Rice could earn at least six hundred Spirit Stones.
"No need, five hundred catties will suffice." Jia Ren had no intention of being a middleman, as traveling back and forth to the Great Wilderness Market was too risky. Five hundred catties of Spirit Rice would fill the two storage bags he had on hand. The remaining storage bag was needed for magical artifacts, elixirs, poison packs, and other miscellaneous items, so it couldn't hold any more Spirit Rice. A stock of over five hundred catties could last at least half a year. If the trouble couldn't be settled in half a year, another solution would be necessary. Moreover, in half a year, the new rice harvest would have long been on the market.
"That'll be fifty Spirit Stones total."
Jia Ren paid promptly for the Spirit Rice he acquired, receiving over five hundred and thirty catties of relatively superior quality. He got the best quality Spirit Rice at a low price, and even more in quantity. The goodwill he had unwittingly shown had finally brought him some reward. In this world, there are still some people who hold fast to their inherent goodness.
Jia Ren paid the Spirit Stones readily, thinking of helping another family with pest removal. As the situation worsened, the Insect Tamer Masters hired by the Spirit Farmers could no longer continue pest removal. They also had to organize mountain patrols to prevent Loose Cultivators from stealing and damaging the Spirit Rice, leaving them unable to address the pest infestation. The capable must do more work, and Jia Ren did his best to minimize the losses for the Spirit Farmers.
After Jia Ren dealt with the pest issue in twenty acres of Spirit Field, the sky grew dark. He turned down the Spirit Farmer's offer to stay overnight. The Spirit Farmers know I was the one who discovered the insect disaster. I might become known to the forces behind it, or even become a target myself, so I have to be cautious.
Tomorrow, I will not come. Safety is the most important!
"Daoist Jia, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"It is said that you are looking for Turtle Demon Beasts. The Ming brothers told me that their family has raised a few Spirit Turtles."
"Pick a time, and they will trade with you."
Turtle Demon Beasts? Finally, some news! Upon hearing the words "Ming Family," Jia Ren's heart tightened, and his gaze shifted towards the Spirit Farmer. Ever since I suspected Ming Wu of harboring ulterior motives, I stopped selling Bug Corpses to them and cut off all contact. Seeing that I'm not taking the bait, are they trying to lure me to their place? The Ming Family has a lake for raising Spirit Fish; it's indeed possible for them to have Turtle Demon Beasts. I'm seeking Turtle Demon Beasts to make Turtle Spirit Ointment, in pursuit of longevity. If there's a risk to my life, it's better not to go.
"Tomorrow morning at Five Heads Mountain, be sure to be there."
Jia Ren gave the Spirit Farmer a deep look. If my assumptions are correct, this person is leaking my information to the Ming Family. He didn't want to startle the snake and risk being ambushed on his return, so it was best to delay if possible.
"Good, being able to help Daoist Jia is my fortune."
"Don't forget to help me get rid of the pests tomorrow."
Jia Ren agreed with a smile, feigning compliance, before finally leaving with a laugh. Before he left, he cast a special glance at Yang Bingzhi's residence, where the lights were still on. He did not go over but turned and walked away.
If it is fated, it will happen; if not, do not force it. If I get it, I am fortunate; if I lose it, it is my fate.
Just as Jia Ren had walked only a few steps, he saw an old Daoist with hair half black and half white, parted distinctly in the middle, striding towards him.
"Insect Tamer Master? Are you practicing the Insect Control Scripture?"
"I didn't expect Senior Brother to have taken on a new disciple?"
The newcomer looked at Jia Ren, perhaps having seen his Spirit Beast Bag or sensed the Spirit Insects he controlled through some special means. For a moment, Jia Ren felt like a viper was eyeing him, and his whole body went stiff.
Wind Control Skill!
Without hesitation, he instinctively used the Wind Control Skill to quickly put distance between himself and the old Daoist. Keeping away from this person was the only way to ensure safety.
"What fast speed!"
"Interesting!"
"Relax, I'm not here for you!"
"We'll meet again someday."
The old Daoist had a kind face, as if Jia Ren's earlier unease had been a misconception. Standing tens of meters away, Jia Ren watched the old Daoist walk further away before he finally let out a sigh of relief. That Yin Yang Senior Daoist is definitely a powerhouse, at least at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement. He probably isn't a cultivator from the Five Elements Sect. Why would such a strong person come to the Grand Wilderness Mountain?
Just as Jia Ren was about to leave, he noticed the old Daoist heading towards Yang Bingzhi's residence.
Yang Bingzhi?! He's here for Yang Bingzhi! The insect disaster in the Grand Wilderness Mountain, the Insect Tamer Master... it's as if there's an invisible thread connecting everything. As the one who foiled their plan and also received a reward from the Five Elements Sect, how could the forces behind the scenes let Yang Bingzhi off? Retaliation was inevitable! The reward from the Five Elements Sect was like roasting Yang Bingzhi over a fire.
Should I warn him? After hesitating for a moment, Jia Ren took out a Sound Transmission Talisman, activated it, and sent it flying towards Yang Bingzhi's residence.
"Don't mess up my plans, or I won't show any consideration for Senior Brother's reputation!"
The Sound Transmission Talisman was crushed by a giant Spiritual Power hand, and the old Daoist strode rapidly towards Yang Bingzhi's residence. If a Ninth Level of Qi Refinement powerhouse wants to kill someone, no one can stop them.