12dz Chapter 12 Short-Term Work Plan
Chapter 12 Short-Term Work Plan
Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.
This year's last season of crystal shrimp production yielded 2,000 jin and 300 jin, earning Yang Changsheng 84 spirit pearls as compensation. He is getting closer and closer to being promoted to intermediate-level fisherman.
For the past three years, in addition to utilizing the vitality of the Golden Ancient Tree Mark, he has diligently studied breeding methods, compared and referenced them to figure out the most suitable water temperature and the concentration of spiritual energy after the Cloud and Rain Technique is cast, and organized the data for planning.
Then, regularly clean the silt and sediment, plant some algae that are not of high quality to improve the water quality, and study the satiety and hunger levels, which has greatly improved the aquaculture level.
Even without any special skills, one can still be considered an upper-level fisherman.
Although his spiritual cultivation level is still at the second level of Qi Refining, crawling at a snail's pace, his magical power is much more abundant than before his breakthrough. However, he has already broken through to the third level of the Nine Revolutions of the Sun and Moon Tribulation Scripture, making progress from behind to ahead, and achieving gratifying results.
"call!"
The year-end wind swept across the surface of the blue lake, carrying a biting chill.
During the fishing moratorium, the waters are quieter than usual, with only the empty lake surface reflecting the leaden sky and a few fishing boats moored silently and forlornly.
Inside the cabin, a small charcoal brazier emitted a faint heat, on which several skewers of crystal shrimp were grilled, slightly charred and emitting a fragrant aroma.
Within Bishui Lake, as long as fishermen and farmers maintain a standard output, they may privately consume some farmed seafood without facing severe penalties.
Of course, if the quantity is large, or if it is taken out to be sold for profit, one will have their cultivation level revoked and be expelled.
Although the Lu family, a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, treats people kindly, they are by no means benevolent. Fishermen and farmers are, in the end, just laborers who do not have the means of production and are only selling their labor.
Yang Changsheng sat cross-legged, his posture upright, his face delicate and handsome, his black hair simply tied into a ponytail, and he wore a plain single garment, yet he still possessed a refined and otherworldly air.
On the small table in front of him were several sheets of slightly rough Xuan paper, the ink still wet, the handwriting neat, recording short-term job information obtained from the market bulletin board and hearsay.
After purchasing the Body Refining Technique, and receiving two seasons' worth of Crystal Shrimp wages, his current savings consist of only one spirit stone and thirty-two spirit beads.
Having agreed to join the mutual aid association and updated their long-term plans, they naturally need to find ways to acquire more resources and improve their cultivation.
Otherwise, people who are not very useful will eventually be kicked out, even if they can get benefits in the early stages.
Yang Changsheng's fingertips unconsciously traced across the rough wooden board, making a soft rustling sound.
"The Ziyun Mountain Mine... spans over 600 miles, deep within the mountains. It contains mineral deposits within spiritual veins, but also harbors malevolent energy. The daily reward is seven spirit pearls, with bonuses calculated based on the amount of ore mined. Risks are borne by the individual, and injuries are not considered."
Yang Changsheng silently recited the first message in his mind, his brows furrowing slightly.
Six hundred miles is not a long distance for Qi Refining cultivators, and there are special flying boats to take them there. However, going deep into the mine is not only a harsh environment, but also prone to accidents.
Those spiritual pearls were a life-or-death gamble, and there was a high chance of encountering a tribulation cultivator on the way back, resulting in losing both life and wealth.
His path to immortality should prioritize stability and not involve taking such risks.
His gaze shifted downwards: "Three thousand miles away from Azure Lake, form a team to hunt demons in the Void Cloud Mountains. Hunt down a designated first-tier low-grade demon beast, collect its materials, which will belong to the owner. Rewards will be settled according to the quantity and quality of the prey. Those with Qi Refining Level 3 or above and those skilled in combat will be given priority. Casualties are the responsibility of the individual."
Three thousand miles away is quite far, and it's also outside the territory ruled by the Foundation Establishment Lu family. There are many independent cultivators and small families there, constantly fighting for resources.
This risk is already very high, let alone hunting monsters?
Yang Changsheng recalled the ferocity of the demons described in the cultivation magazine he bought from a street stall, as well as his almost blank combat experience, apart from his water control technique to restrain the crystal shrimp.
He shook his head, clearly indicating that this was not an option either.
Although the power of a third-level Body Refinement cultivator is substantial, coupled with the speed boost from the Lightness Technique they have learned, theoretically they could defeat a fourth-level Qi Refinement cultivator and contend with a fifth-level Qi Refinement cultivator.
However, when facing exceptionally gifted, ferocious, and even more powerful demonic beasts than human cultivators, it's hard to say how much of this advantage can be utilized.
True magical combat isn't about how diligently you practice your spells, how skillfully you control them, or how proficiently you learn them; it's not about being powerful.
Combat awareness, psychological qualities, and adaptability all play a significant role.
Hunting demons is too risky, and although the rewards seem huge, they are like a mirage.
……
He looked through them one by one, until only the last sheet of Xuan paper remained:
"Luogang Town, Liu Family Spirit Field, 400 li from Biyue Lake, short-term spirit planter, responsible for the plowing, sowing and initial care of five mu of medium-grade spirit rice field (Jade Crystal Rice)... The payment will be settled according to the completed acreage and quality, with the estimated total reward starting from eighteen spirit pearls."
Requirements: Plenty of physical strength, proficient in the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique, and preferably with some knowledge of earth-based magic or farming. Duration: Two months.
"Luogang Town, Liu Family..." Yang Changsheng recalled fragmented information.
It was a small family that depended on the Lu family. It seemed to have only recently established itself on the edge of Biyue Lake. The family had few cultivators, the highest of whom was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. With a small number of people, it needed to recruit manpower from outside for short-term purposes.
Four hundred li away is not exactly close to Biyue Lake, but it is much safer than the previous two.
Cultivating Lingmi rice is simply a matter of physical labor, though it is slightly more strenuous than farming or fishing.
He is now at the third level of body refinement, and he has been tempering himself day and night with the "Nine Revolutions of the Sun and Moon Forging Scripture". With a single swing of his arm, he has the strength of four thousand catties!
His bones and muscles were as strong as if cast in bronze and iron, and his endurance far surpassed that of cultivators of the same level, comparable to that of demonic beasts. For him, tilling the spiritual fields was perhaps easier than controlling a bamboo pole.
"That's it," Yang Changsheng whispered, lightly tapping the line of words with his fingertip.
It's stable and safe; although the returns aren't high, they are stable and controllable.
The guaranteed income from 36 spirit orbs over two months is not bad, and with a little more effort, one might be able to earn even more.
Most importantly, he hadn't left the area ruled by the Lu family in Biyue Lake, where the environment was safe and there were no powerful cultivators, which suited him perfectly.
As for "some knowledge of earth-based techniques"? Although he did not have the advantage of being sensitive to earth spirit roots, he had not studied similar techniques.
However, with his experience in the subtle manipulation of water, he could probably fool people by concentrating water to simulate some rudimentary methods of turning over soil and loosening the ground. Not to mention, he could use his strength to fly bricks and directly dig up the ground, which would probably be acceptable to others.
"Let's settle on this for now. The year-end gathering we agreed on is approaching... I wonder if we'll have any good results."
Yang Changsheng put down the paper, grabbed a skewer of crystal shrimp, and began to enjoy it.
The aquatic products he carefully raises are all quite large. He simply grills them using the simplest method, and they quickly become bright in color, crispy on the outside, and tender and plump on the inside.
Add some salt and pepper, and it's chewy and delicious, with a subtle, nourishing flavor that leaves you wanting more.
Although he can naturally abstain from grains, he still goes to the market to spend spirit pearls to enjoy tea and wine, satisfying his appetite. Otherwise, wouldn't the long path to immortality be too boring?