Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Land God’s Request and Incense Offerings
Senior Sister Liu took Li Ye to a place that turned out to be a divine temple!
To be precise, it was a Land God Temple located at the edge of a town at the foot of the mountain. They entered discreetly from behind the temple and arrived at a quiet chamber.
An elderly man with a kind face was already waiting there.
He wore a round-collared robe and an official hat, and had a Mountain and River Pendant engraved with the scenery of the town around his waist—a typical outfit of the Land God!
Li Ye felt a bit dazed.
Although he had seen Nascent Souls and deity-sealed Divine Turtles before, this was his first time encountering the Earth Spirit.
Compared to the two previous beings with a casual demeanor, this Earth Spirit exuded a distinct aura of authority.
"Oh! It’s Junior Brother Li," said the Earth Spirit, smiling at Li Ye:
"Don’t be alarmed, Junior Brother. I simply lacked insight on the Immortal Dao, so I borrowed the sect’s power to follow the Divine Path."
"After being conferred, I remember my worldly name, which coincidentally is also Li—if Junior Brother is willing, you may call me Senior Brother Li."
He waved casually, and with a flash of brilliance, round wooden stools and stone tables emerged from the ground, laden with delicacies.
He warmly invited, "Come, sit quickly."
Speaking, he glanced at the slightly uneasy young man beside him, "Zhao He, you have something of an immortal fate; hurry and urge those lazy guys, why haven’t they brought the wine yet?
Inside the temple, go quickly."
"Yes!"
Zhao He, relieved, promptly accepted and went off.
Today’s events were quite overwhelming for him.
The Land God, whom he used to bow to, appeared before him, hosting two Immortals—he could talk about this for days!
After Zhao He left, Li Ye spoke first, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I truly have many things I can’t understand; since we’re fellow disciples, let’s not stand on ceremony with Junior Brother.
What exactly is needed from me? Just tell me directly."
God knows the anxiety in his heart upon seeing this table of delicacies and hearing about the wine.
Having become accustomed to straightforwardness in the Cultivation Realm, he instinctively resisted the idea of discussing business over drinks.
Senior Sister Liu and the Earth Spirit exchanged glances.
The latter spoke, "Junior Brother... Alas, do you know that although we manage this mortal town, we are truly in urgent need of treasures from the outside Cultivation Realm?
Spirit Plants, Spirit Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, we are very much lacking.
Take the Spring Wheat for instance, although the sect distributes it equally, having more is always better.
Therefore, we wish to collaborate with you, Junior Brother. We can also offer some unique items nurtured by incense merit in this area of the Cultivation Realm."
He looked aside.
Senior Sister Liu immediately took out a pouch from her Storage Pouch, resembling incense ashes, and said, "This is Gray Wishing Dust, a special treasure formed from mortal wishes for smooth seasons and harmonic weather and incense gathering.
Just scatter a handful in the field, and don’t worry about pests harming the crops; it also accelerates growth.
We have a lot here, and no one wants it."
The incense ashes emitted a faint gray glow, clearly distinguishable grain by grain.
"Ah."
"Such an item should be good, why does no one want it then?" Li Ye was puzzled.
Accelerating growth and immunity to pests—only these two effects are magical. It would undoubtedly fetch a high price if sold for Spirit Stones, how could no one want it?
The Earth Spirit smiled awkwardly, "Because this item can only be used within our sect.
Heavenly River City, along with the entire Mortal World, is bound to the sect’s Qi Fortune; other cultivators naturally cannot use it.
Alas, not hiding from you, Junior Brother, the other towns collaborate with Spirit Plant Masters, Pill Masters, and Artifact Refiners; the effects of their produced items far exceed ours! So naturally, we can’t sell them."
"..."
So even the Land God needs sponsorship?
But Li Ye felt even more helpless, "Senior Brother said you want Spring Wheat, but I haven’t kept any now; the crops I have grown aren’t really suitable, so how can we trade with Senior Brother?"
To say one doesn’t want it is certainly a lie, but he can’t let it affect his plans. How many crops can his field even grow? How many people can it support, and what can be exchanged?
"This is simple."
"Actually, all products from Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts cultivated externally are treasures to mortals.
Junior Brother just needs to plant some, and periodically we can trade."
"These Gray Wishing Dust are just the basic incense path products, there are more miraculous items; here is a booklet, Junior Brother have a look before deciding!"
The Earth Spirit clearly wanted to sign a long-term supply contract with Li Ye. Taking a booklet from his robe pocket, he handed it over; Li Ye reluctantly took it and flipped through it seriously.
It’s undeniable that there were indeed some interesting items inside.
The Gray Wishing Dust was just the most basic product, there were even things like Stove King Crystal, Incense Lamp Candle Rat, Shining Hua Fragrant Oil... etc., a series of items produced by the incense fire divine path.
These are all related to farming and cultivation.
Some can cause Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts to mutate, or learn special divine techniques; some can alter the yield from Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts, even some can nurture and evolve into mythical spiritual objects from folk legends.
For instance, nurturing ordinary woods from seedlings into "Unity Wood," for "Biyi Bird" habitation.
—Of course, these were all listed towards the end of the booklet, seemingly more like painting cakes, looking good but practically difficult to accomplish.
Moreover, only the effects were described without any illustrations, which made Li Ye somewhat skeptical.
Li Ye was interested only in a special item named Fox Fur Gourd. According to the introduction, this was made using the divine technique "Pot Skill" and the fur of the Incense Spirit Fox.
"Eternal sun and moon within the gourd."
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, can this item store living beings?"
He pointed to the booklet; the Fox Fur Gourd was no larger than a palm.
The Earth Spirit’s eyes lit up, stroking his beard, he said:
"Naturally it can."
"The combination of the fur of the Incense Spirit Fox and the gourd makes the incense burner, which can store living beings inside, even accommodating cultivators for rest."
"Before Junior Brother obtains a Grotto Heaven Treasure, this item is the most suitable storage magical artifact; certain special Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts could be carried personally, definitely a great object!"
Li Ye chuckled silently.
This Senior Brother Li truly wants to pitch.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem impossible to cooperate.
He could supply some essence from his Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts to Pill Masters or Artifact Refiners, or sell part of it, and send another portion here to earn enough incense merit for exchanging the unique treasures of the incense fire divine path.
In this cycle, both Low-Tier and High-Tier items can be absorbed, ensuring no waste occurs, better supporting his cultivation progress.
So he asked directly:
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, what is most needed right now?"
"How can one quickly acquire enough incense to exchange for the fur of the Incense Spirit Fox and the divine technique imprint of ’Pot Skill’?"
Senior Sister Liu and the Earth Spirit looked at each other, their eyes filled with excitement and joy.
Finally, someone agreed! It wasn’t easy.