Chapter 96: Raising Fish and Growing Vegetables

Lu Ran had never imagined that he would ever have the chance to tend so many plants of such exalted rank. Even now, he could not begin to guess just how extraordinary they truly were. He really had no experience at all.

"Hey, what do you think of Master’s vegetable patch? Work hard, all of you. By tonight, everyone will be able to taste the vegetables from this garden!"

Huan Yue said this with a bright laugh.

When she and Ruofeng first came here, they had been no different from them, utterly overwhelmed by the sight. Their eyes had nearly popped out of their heads.

But now they were completely used to it. After all, their master harvested vegetables here every single day and served them to them.

Day after day... they ate until even such things felt ordinary, as though they were nothing more than vegetables.

Hearing this, Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran both found it hard to believe.

"Wait, Senior Sister, what did you just say?"

"We’re eating these tonight?"

They were exactly like Ruofeng and Huan Yue had once been, eyes practically falling to the ground and impossible to pick back up.

"Of course. By then, you can eat whatever you like!"

With that, Huan Yue walked into the vegetable plot and picked several tomatoes.

"Master, can we have tomato and egg stir-fry?"

Seeing her lively, lovely manner, Zhu Xiaoyuan could not help but smile. "Of course. You really should learn properly from your Sister Ruofeng."

"Got it, Master! I’ll go study hard with Sister Ruofeng in a moment!"

Huan Yue said with a grin, then headed to the kitchen.

Long Ruxuan and Lu Ran were both stunned. They had thought this was just a joke—how could anyone possibly eat such a supreme spiritual medicine?

But now it seemed to be real.

"No need to be too surprised. Things are just like this here at Master’s place," Ruofeng said considerately.

Hearing that, the two of them could not help but laugh.

They exchanged a look, and hope shone in both their eyes.

How eagerly they looked forward to dinner!

Just thinking about dishes made from such supreme sacred medicine made their mouths water. They could not even imagine what it would taste like...

"All right, Lu Ran. Come over here quickly. Since you want to learn planting, I’ll first teach you the first step: loosening the soil!"

"You mustn’t think loosening the soil is easy, something anyone can do. It is indeed simple in principle, but to loosen the earth just right still takes skill!"

With that, Zhu Xiaoyuan brought down the hoe in one clean stroke.

Everyone’s expressions changed at once.

When Zhu Xiaoyuan swung the hoe, they actually saw the sky above tremble.

Yet such a mighty hoe, once it struck the ground, appeared utterly ordinary, as though nothing had happened at all.

The entire vegetable plot, hit by that tool carrying boundless power, suffered no damage whatsoever and remained perfectly calm.

"Watch carefully. Never underestimate this step. Loosening the soil and tilling the field are the most fundamental matters of all. No matter what you plan to plant in the future, it all depends on the earth. The quality of your soil determines the rank of your crops."

Zhu Xiaoyuan instructed the people before him with great care.

"And this is only the first step. The later tasks of watering, fertilizing, management, and care are none of them simple. You must learn them properly."

Lu Ran watched Zhu Xiaoyuan’s movements with great seriousness, committing every word to heart.

Though Zhu Xiaoyuan’s words seemed simple, to Lu Ran they were like the grand principle of heaven and earth itself, able to shatter all restraints and let him see the vast world anew.

The very first time Zhu Xiaoyuan swung the hoe, he had already etched that movement firmly into his mind.

"I will keep Master’s every motion forever in my heart. I will also keep striving because of what you have said."

Lu Ran bowed deeply to Zhu Xiaoyuan.

"I promise you, Master, I will study hard and strive to set foot on the path of becoming a true planting expert as soon as possible."

After speaking, he straightened with resolute eyes.

Zhu Xiaoyuan was very pleased with his disciple’s declaration.

He reached out and handed the hoe in his hand to Lu Ran.

"This hoe is yours now. From now on, this vegetable plot will also be under your care."

Lu Ran was trembling all over.

He had known from the very beginning that this hoe was a treasure even more formidable than a quasi-immortal weapon.

And now his master was giving such a treasure to him so casually?

Was he really going to be able, one day, to use such a treasure to farm?

Lu Ran nearly fainted from excitement.

Ruofeng simply smiled.

The current Lu Ran was just like she had once been, but now they had all received their chance.

Long Ruxuan was also full of anticipation.

"Come on, it’s your turn. I’ll take you over there now."

Seeing Long Ruxuan, Zhu Xiaoyuan led him toward the pond at one side.

Long Ruxuan hurried after him, and Ruofeng did as well.

Now Lu Ran was curious again. He wanted to know just how his master would teach Long Ruxuan the art of raising fish.

As soon as they reached the edge of the pond, Long Ruxuan felt the shattered dragon soul within him roaring wildly.

His heart was filled with eager expectation.

"In this pond I keep some koi. Fish raising is a delicate task too. By observing them in our daily lives, we can find both enjoyment and gain."

After saying this, Zhu Xiaoyuan cast the fish feed in his hand into the water.

At once, a school of goldfish rushed to compete for the feed he had thrown out.

"Raising fish is actually very simple. We just need to learn how to feed them."

Everyone’s eyes were fixed tightly on the pond.

It was clearly nothing more than an ordinary little pond, yet it seemed like a vast ocean.

Zhu Xiaoyuan stood high above, casting one star after another into that ocean.

And the koi swimming within the pond instantly transformed into divine dragons, swallowing those stars from the ocean in the blink of an eye.

Dragon cries rang out again and again; the pond seemed to boil, yet at the same time remained incomparably serene.

Soon enough, the feed had been eaten up, and the small pond returned once more to stillness.

"What Master feeds in this pond is..."

Ruofeng’s eyes were fixed in a daze as she murmured softly to herself.

When Zhu Xiaoyuan usually fed the fish, Ruofeng had not thought much of it. But seeing it up close today, she finally realized that the goldfish in this pond were each and every one terrifying beings.

Ferocious beyond measure, their aura soaring to the heavens!

In fact, Ruofeng could faintly feel that if Zhu Xiaoyuan had not been beside them, the whole group might already have died just now.