"
The village chief of Daocun revealed a somewhat embarrassed expression. Fortunately, Yusuo noticed they had been hungry the entire day, so after a few brief words, he urged everyone to start eating, sparing the Daocun village chief from prolonged embarrassment.
Considering their long journey had likely left them famished, Yusuo had prepared hearty dishes and plain white rice. This left the Daocun village chief and the others too engrossed in their meal to lift their heads.
"So delicious, incredibly delicious."
"I never thought meat could be cooked like this."
"I used to dislike mushrooms, but this mushroom and wild chicken soup is too delicious. The mushrooms are tender and fragrant, and the wild chicken meat is firm and succulent. I've never had such a tasty soup."
"And this stewed meat..."
"While everyone hastily exchanged a few words during the meal, they quickly lowered their heads to eat. Gradually, all communication ceased, and their focus was solely on the meal.
After a satisfying feast, everyone's stomachs were round and none remained hungry.
Even the Shaman Chiefs, who had enjoyed several meals in Yucun, found themselves quite full, reluctantly gazing at the delectable dishes on the table, wishing for a few more stomachs.
"Lord Yusuo, I tried having my people cook the food using your methods, but no matter how we do it, it never tastes as delicious as yours," sighed the Shaman Chief.
Yusuo replied, "Cooking is an art. If you truly want to make delicious food, you'll need to learn culinary skills from our village chef."
Surprisingly, Yusuo noted that the culinary skills in Yucun were improving.
Although cultivators sustained themselves through breathing in spiritual energy or consuming food rich in it, the allure of mundane delicacies was hard to resist.
Yusuo suspected that his cultivation progress might be slow because he ate too much.
...
After the meal, Yusuo and the visitors from the Eastern Plain briefly discussed their respective interests in trade. The Eastern Plain showed keen interest in salt, food, and various novel items they had never seen before. In contrast, Yusuo was particularly interested in seeds, various ores, and herbs that were either absent or rare in their region.
Different interests were expressed by the Northern Wilderness villages and various Barbarian tribes, and preliminary discussions hinted at a willingness to trade.
"Rest well tonight, and we can discuss the details tomorrow."
After the conversation, Yusuo suggested that everyone rest, with a more in-depth discussion scheduled for the next day.
...
After concluding the welcome banquet, Yusuo finally relaxed, went home to freshen up, and laid down. Luyan entered his room and found him calculating something with his legs crossed on the bed. Yusuo's fair thighs swayed enticingly in front of him, causing his eyes to inadvertently heat up.
Yusuo noticed Luyan entering but didn't register the change in his gaze. He spoke, "We've had a fruitful day; all those villages are eager to trade with us."
As Luyan walked over, having just taken a bath and still carrying a hint of moisture, Yusuo could sense the dampness. He looked up at him.
Upon raising his head, Luyan saw Yusuo lying on the bed. His eyes were bright, filled with the reflection of himself. It was unbelievably beautiful, captivating him for a moment. He couldn't resist the urge to lower his head for a closer look, but Yusuo's outstretched hand blocked his view.
Sensing Luyan's sudden lowering of his head, Yusuo's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly extended his hand to cover Luyan's shoulder, preventing him from lowering his head.
Anxiety crept into his voice as Yusuo asked, "What are you doing?"
Luyan's strange actions, as if he intended to lower his head for a kiss, made Yusuo feel uneasy. He pushed Luyan and said, "Don't talk nonsense; get up quickly."
Being pushed, Luyan had no choice but to stand up, fearing Yusuo might get angry again.
Yusuo sighed, sat up, and looked at Luyan seriously. "The kind of words you used just now, don't say them to men in the future, understand?"
Luyan questioned, "Why?"
Yusuo explained, "Those are words of endearment, suitable for expressing affection to your future partner."
Luyan asked, "Words of endearment?"
Yusuo had to explain what endearments were, their appropriate occasions, and whom to address them to. However, the more Luyan listened, the brighter his eyes became, as if he had opened the door to a new world.
"I didn't say anything wrong," Luyan asserted.
Confused, Yusuo pushed Luyan away. "Don't talk nonsense; move away quickly."
Being pushed, Luyan had to stand up. Yusuo exhaled, then sat up, looking at Luyan seriously. "Don't say those kinds of words in the future. They're words of endearment, meant for expressing affection. I like your eyes," Luyan declared.
"..."
"Yusuo was unexpectedly silenced by Luyan's twisted reasoning.
Just when he thought Luyan was dense, he failed to notice the gleam in Luyan's eyes. As Yusuo prepared to correct him, Luyan suddenly turned to business. 'How do you plan to negotiate prices with them tomorrow?' he asked.
'Tomorrow?'
'Yes, the acceptable prices vary among the villages in the Eastern Plain.'
'That's true.'
Yusuo didn't realize the topic shift and was soon engrossed in discussing the next day's negotiations with Luyan.
As Yusuo spoke, Luyan's eyes sparkled with interest, gradually deepening. He stared, enchanted by Yusuo's beautiful eyes.
Indeed, they were quite beautiful.
While Yusuo, engrossed in conversation, didn't notice Luyan's changing gaze, the System Spirit did. However, being just a system entity, it found Luyan's peculiar look towards Yusuo's eyes odd but didn't dwell on it.
...
The next day, Yusuo rose before dawn. After meditating on Deer God Mountain for an hour, he discussed the visit of the villages from the Eastern Plain with Qingze. Once he reported the current situation of Yucun, he returned to the village.
Qingze watched him leave in haste for a moment before collecting his thoughts.
The little bipedal creatures, always busy with trade, seemingly fascinated Qingze. Under their bustling activity, Yucun grew each day, transforming from its impoverished past.
Now, having connected with the Eastern mountains, these bipeds were unlikely to confine themselves to Yucun for long. They would soon venture farther, although not all distant places were necessarily safe.
Yusuo, fixated on connecting with the East, might be unaware of the lurking dangers. Once he witnessed them, regret might follow.
Yet, given Yusuo's Foundation Establishment, he held considerable power among humans. Perhaps, he wouldn't be afraid.
Whatever the case, Qingze, a guardian to the human villages below, understood he couldn't hinder these events. Safeguarding the people, who might aspire to escape this small domain in the future, would be the duty of others. If not Yusuo, it would eventually be someone else.
Perhaps, the ancient god Bai Ze assigned it to protect this village, foreseeing various possibilities, considering the god's ability to glimpse the future.
Qingze sat on a large stone, contemplating this for a while before deciding to cease overthinking, closing its eyes to rest.
...
Unaware of Qingze's thoughts after he left, Yusuo returned to the village. The leaders of various villages had risen and awaited him in the meeting hall. After exchanging pleasantries, Yusuo took them on a tour of the village before heading to the trading market.
Daylight revealed Yucun in a different light compared to the night. The richness of the village, seen in broad daylight, astonished the leaders even more than the previous night.
'The Great Ji Village is already known for its expertise in rice cultivation, but their rice harvest doesn't match Yucun's,' remarked one leader.
'Not just that, other crops they grow don't compare to Yucun's quality.'
'These crops in Yucun are exceptionally thriving!'
This time, the leaders rode in a carriage towards the trading market, driven by the Yucun villager from the previous day. Upon hearing the conversation between the leaders and the old witch doctor, he couldn't help but proudly interject, 'The reason these crops thrive is because of Lord Yusuo.'
The leaders were surprised. Was it all because of Yusuo?
'Young man, explain.'
'Because all these fields have Spirit-Gathering Arrays.'
Spirit-Gathering Arrays?
They had never heard of such a thing.
'They're a kind of formation that can gather spiritual energy from heaven and earth. I don't understand the specifics, but Lord Yusuo does. With these, crops receive spiritual irrigation, resulting in exceptional growth and abundant harvests every year.'
The leaders were amazed. Consistent bountiful harvests every year were truly extraordinary, something even the Great Ji Village couldn't achieve.