The problem with growing spirit crops was not growing them.
It was explaining them.
Lin Chen stood at the edge of the mountain path with a small cart loaded with neatly wrapped vegetables. Each bundle pulsed faintly with spiritual light, like they were proud of themselves.
Zhao Feng eyed the cart nervously. "Master… are we sure this is legal?"
Lin Chen nodded. "If it isn't, we'll become pioneers."
> Sect Business Venture: Initiated
Risk Level: Questionable
---
The town market froze the moment they arrived.
Vendors stopped shouting.
Customers stopped bargaining.
One elderly cultivator squinted at the cart. "Those… aren't weapons?"
"No," Lin Chen replied politely. "Vegetables."
The man leaned closer.
The vegetables hummed.
"…Aggressive vegetables."
Lin Chen smiled. "They're very motivated."
---
A merchant approached cautiously.
"I'll buy one," he said, pointing at a glowing radish. "For… research."
Lin Chen nodded. "Five spirit stones."
The merchant choked. "For a radish?"
"This one," Lin Chen said calmly, "can help with Qi circulation."
The merchant hesitated—then bought it.
Five minutes later, the merchant ran back.
"Give me three more."
> Transaction Successful:
Spirit Stones +15
Zhao Feng nearly cried.
"We're rich again!"
Lin Chen corrected him. "We are temporarily solvent."
---
Unfortunately, success attracted attention.
A robed cultivator with a sharp gaze stepped forward.
"This is fraud," he declared. "You're selling disguised spiritual herbs."
Lin Chen bowed politely. "No disguise involved."
The cultivator scoffed. "Then prove it."
Lin Chen picked up a cabbage.
"Eat it," he said.
The man hesitated.
The cabbage glowed slightly brighter.
"…Why does it feel judgmental?" the cultivator asked.
Lin Chen shrugged. "It's been through a lot."
The man took a bite.
His aura surged.
> Cultivator Breakthrough:
Qi Refinement 2 → 3
Silence fell over the market.
The man stared at the cabbage in his hand.
"…I apologize."
Lin Chen nodded graciously. "Apology accepted."
---
By the end of the day, the cart was empty.
Zhao Feng hugged the coin pouch like a newborn.
> Sect Funds:
Spirit Stones: 47
Li Yue smiled. "We can buy better tools now."
Su Ming asked seriously, "Should we invest in more farming?"
Lin Chen paused thoughtfully.
"…Yes," he said. "But with supervision."
> Cultivation Feedback:
Qi Refinement Mid 5 → Late 5
He exhaled, satisfied.
---
On the way back, they passed a group of cultivators whispering excitedly.
"That's the sect that grows spirit vegetables."
"I heard their radishes can break bottlenecks."
"They say their Sect Master negotiated prices with a carrot."
Lin Chen nearly stumbled.
> Sect Reputation Update:
Azure Cloud Sect: Feared (Minor) → Weird but Respected
Lin Chen sighed.
"This is getting out of hand."
Su Ming smiled. "Master, people respect strength."
"And produce," Zhao Feng added.
Back at the sect, Lin Chen placed the spirit stones into storage and sat on his throne.
"One step at a time," he murmured. "No rushing."
Outside, the crops swayed proudly.
Inside, the system chimed.
> New Alert:
Unusual Lifeform Evolution Detected (Low Risk)
Location: Farm**
Lin Chen closed his eyes.
"…I knew we should've talked less to them."