In the regular market, one spirit stone could buy ten pounds of spirit rice.
A single acre of spirit farmland yielded about 1,000 pounds of spirit rice annually. To purchase that amount, one would need 100 spirit stones.
With five acres under cultivation, the annual yield would be 5,000 pounds, requiring 500 spirit stones to purchase.
Given this exorbitant cost, only cultivators from wealthy families or sect disciples could afford to eat spirit rice daily.
For someone like He Song, a Spirit Planter, even the rice he grew was beyond his budget.
Of course, this was because He Song was a Spirit Planter under the Spirit Herb Pavilion, meaning the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market took a 70% cut of his harvest. If he had cultivated independently, he might have earned more, but the barriers to doing so were immense.
To cultivate independently, one needed:
A piece of land rich in spiritual energy.
Strength to fend off wandering cultivators or demonic beast threats.
Willingness to face the increased dangers of working outside the market's protective jurisdiction.
For a cultivator with limited resources and cultivation, independent farming was almost a death sentence.
That was why He Song chose to become a Spirit Planter under the Spirit Herb Pavilion.
While the market took a high percentage of the yield, the arrangement provided unparalleled safety and ensured he wouldn't be bullied or extorted within Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
Simply donning the uniform of a Spirit Planter affiliated with the Spirit Herb Pavilion marked He Song as one of the market's own, granting him protection and a sense of belonging.
After sowing the spirit rice seeds, He Song changed into his Spirit Planter uniform.
Satisfied that there were no pressing matters in the farmland, he made his way toward the inner market.
Becoming a Spirit Planter under the Spirit Herb Pavilion instantly elevated He Song's status.
No longer was he a lowly, unaffiliated Qi Refinement cultivator. Now, he was officially under the market's protection, with an affiliation to one of its prominent organizations.
Though it seemed like a minor change, the effects were immediate.
On the way back from his farmlands, familiar faces began greeting him warmly. He Song, recalling the mannerisms of his predecessor, responded politely to each one.
When He Song reached his doorstep and was about to unlock the door, the house next to his opened.
A young cultivator with a burly frame, a menacing glare, and a palpable killing intent stepped out.
At first, the man paid no attention to He Song. But after a casual glance at He Song's attire, his eyes narrowed with recognition.
He scrutinized He Song for a moment before speaking:
"I am Lin Cong. I don't believe we've met before. Are you new to the area?"
Seeing the uniform exclusive to market personnel, Lin Cong's gaze betrayed a hint of surprise.
Such uniforms weren't something just anyone could wear.
In Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, it was best to stay far away from those wearing them.
Why? Because if any conflict arose, the market authorities would invariably side with their own.
A small dispute could easily escalate into a life-threatening ordeal.
Thus, despite He Song being only at the first level of Qi Refinement Realm, Lin Cong showed no sign of underestimating him.
"So, it's Daoist Lin. I am He Song. I've been living here for about a month but tend to stay indoors and keep to myself. I apologize for the lack of interaction," He Song replied with a polite bow and a smile.
As Lin Cong greeted him, He Song knew better than to be dismissive.
Lin Cong's imposing frame, coiled muscles, and suffocating aura of malice were enough to make He Song's chest tighten. The spiritual pressure emanating from Lin Cong was intense.
What a fearsome man, He Song thought, inwardly startled.
Lin Cong's eyes lingered on He Song's uniform.
"Judging by your attire, it seems you work within the market?"
When He Song stopped to respond, Lin Cong's demeanor softened, and he asked with a friendly tone.
"I've just joined the Spirit Herb Pavilion today as one of its subordinate Spirit Planters," He Song replied with a nod.
A Spirit Planter under the Spirit Herb Pavilion indeed counted as part of the market's internal personnel. Most cultivators in the market wouldn't dare to trouble someone with such an affiliation. However, compared to those in the Enforcement Squad, who held the power of life and death over wandering cultivators, a Spirit Planter's status was relatively modest.
"Oh? Congratulations, congratulations. Daoist Friend, you're quite fortunate," Lin Cong remarked, his tone genuinely congratulatory, and a hint of envy flickered in his eyes.
Although Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market wasn't large, it was guarded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. That cultivator was a representative sent by Azure Cliff Immortal City, which in turn was under the jurisdiction of the Vast Earth Sect, a Golden Core sect.
The current Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed at Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market was a disciple of the Vast Earth Sect.
By joining the Spirit Herb Pavilion under Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market's protection, He Song indirectly aligned himself with the backing of a Golden Core sect.
Although this association didn't provide much tangible advantage, the name alone was enough to deter many.
Who would dare provoke even a peripheral affiliate of a Golden Core sect?
"Daoist Friend flatters me. My becoming a Spirit Planter was pure luck and doesn't compare to your achievements," He Song replied modestly, noticing Lin Cong's envious expression.
This reaction reassured He Song that learning Spirit Rain Technique and Spirit Arrow Technique before joining the Spirit Herb Pavilion was the right move. His decision to become a Spirit Planter was far better than remaining an ordinary wandering cultivator.
From Lin Cong's bearing, it was clear he wasn't someone to trifle with. Yet, even he showed envy upon hearing He Song's new identity. It was unlikely that an ordinary wandering cultivator would even have the opportunity to join as a Spirit Planter.
He Song couldn't help but feel that his predecessor's luck had been quite remarkable.
"Ah, Daoist Friend jests," Lin Cong said with a slight shake of his head. "As a wandering cultivator, I can only team up with others to hunt demonic beasts, then sell their carcasses for spirit stones. Compared to you, safe within the market's protection, my line of work is far more perilous."
Lin Cong's envy faded as he continued, but halfway through, he seemed to recall something. After glancing at the sky, he said, "I have urgent business to attend to. I'll visit you another day. For now, I must take my leave."
With a polite bow, Lin Cong didn't wait for He Song's response and shot off like a leopard.
Watching Lin Cong's swift departure, He Song, who had intended to exchange more pleasantries, was left momentarily stunned.
This Lin Cong, He Song thought, is truly a man who lives life on the edge.
Hunting demonic beasts with a team likely earned him a fair number of spirit stones.
However, it was evident that most of Lin Cong's earnings were invested in his cultivation. Otherwise, he wouldn't have such a dense and oppressive aura. His strength clearly surpassed that of the average wandering cultivator.
Despite Lin Cong's potential wealth, He Song felt no desire to follow the same path.
Lin Cong was right about one thing: the dangers of such work were immense.
Facing a high-level demonic beast might only require running faster than one's teammates.
The real fear lay in the possibility of betrayal by one's own team or being targeted by stronger cultivators intent on looting.
In such situations, no amount of spirit stones could save one's life—they would simply become someone else's spoils.