The first thing Liu Fei noticed was the smell. Earthy, damp, and uncomfortably pungent, as if a compost bin had been left out in the sun for far too long. It wasn't the sterile tang of disinfectant she was used to in her laboratory—no, this was unfiltered countryside chaos, complete with the distant caw of some unholy avian creature. She groaned and sat up, the rough texture of coarse linen scraping her skin.
"Host activation detected!" a cheerful, metallic voice chimed in her head, nearly causing her to topple back onto the equally rough mattress. "Welcome, Host Liu Fei, to the Loving Farmstead System. You have been chosen for an unparalleled opportunity to transform this spirit farm into the envy of the Six Realms!"
Liu Fei froze, her gaze darting around the room. She wasn't in her apartment. Gone were the comfortable shelves stuffed with botany books and her beloved potted plants. Instead, a crumbling wooden ceiling sagged ominously above her. Sunlight filtered through large gaps, highlighting the oppressive sense of decay.
Her mind raced. "What… where am I?" she muttered, her voice hoarse.
"The Six Realms, specifically the Mortal Realm," the system chirped. "You've been generously transmigrated into the body of the previous owner of this fine establishment! Congratulations!"
"Generously…?" Liu Fei's eyes narrowed. She shuffled to the edge of the bed, peering at the dirt floor below. Her bare feet met the uneven ground, and the shock of the cold earth sent a shiver up her spine. "I'm in a… farm?"
"Indeed, Host! This is the illustrious Loving Farmstead, where spirit beasts flourish and magical crops thrive… under proper management, of course."
Liu Fei's exploration of the farm confirmed the system's sarcasm. The fencing leaned at odd angles, precariously held together by rotting twine. The fields were overrun with weeds so robust they looked ready to fight back if challenged. A decrepit coop sat nearby, its inhabitants—spirit chickens—emitting a faint, unsettling glow as they pecked aimlessly at the ground.
"This place is… a disaster," she said aloud.
The system buzzed. "Host, as the esteemed owner of this farm, your primary mission is to revive it. Failure will result in… system malfunction."
"System malfunction?" she repeated, her tone dripping with suspicion. "And what exactly does that mean?"
"You don't want to know," the system replied cryptically, its chirpy tone unwavering. "But let's focus on the positive! Your first mission is simple: Clear the southern field and plant low-grade spirit herbs. Reward: 10 Spirit Points and a basic farming tool upgrade."
Liu Fei rubbed her temples. The words "low-grade spirit herbs" felt surreal. "Fine. Where are the tools?"
"Excellent question, Host! Please inspect the barn… if you dare."
The barn stood on the verge of collapse, each creak of its warped beams threatening to send it tumbling down. Inside, Liu Fei found what could generously be described as "tools": a rusted hoe, a bent rake, and a shovel that looked more decorative than functional.
"These are… pitiful," she declared, hefting the hoe and testing its weight. It squeaked in protest. "How am I supposed to farm with this junk?"
"Tools will improve as the farm progresses," the system chimed. "Spirit Points earned from missions can be used to upgrade these tools, unlock new seeds, or even expand your farm's capacity!"
Before she could retort, a new voice broke her train of thought. "Well, well. What do we have here?"
An elderly man approached, leaning heavily on a cane. His simple robes and straw hat were a sharp contrast to the bright, mystical aura of the spirit beasts roaming in the distance. His sharp eyes scanned her and then the farm, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and pity.
"Old Farmer Zhu," the system whispered helpfully. "Alignment: Neutral-Good. Skeptical but knowledgeable."
"You're the new owner?" Zhu asked, his tone skeptical enough to match the system's description.
Liu Fei nodded, gripping the squeaky hoe like a lifeline. "That's right. I… inherited this place."
"Hmph." Zhu tapped his cane against the ground, eyeing the weeds with disdain. "Inherited a pile of trouble is what you did. This farm hasn't seen a decent harvest since Old Liu passed."
"Old Liu?"
"Your grandfather, I'm guessing," Zhu replied. "Poor soul. Worked himself to death trying to save this place. And now you're here to… what? Watch it crumble?"
"Actually," Liu Fei began, clutching the hoe with an air of determination she didn't entirely feel, "I'm going to fix it."
Zhu's skeptical gaze lingered on her for a moment before he grunted and turned away. "Fools and their dreams," he muttered.
As Liu Fei began surveying the fields, the system pinged again. "Host, remember: Spirit farming isn't just about planting crops. The Six Realms operate on balance. Low-grade spirit herbs, for instance, cleanse the soil of residual malevolent energy. Beasts and crops will flourish only when harmony is restored."
"Residual energy?" Liu Fei echoed, kneeling to inspect the weed-covered soil. Her scientist instincts kicked in. "What am I supposed to do, purify it?"
"Exactly, Host! But worry not, basic spirit herb seeds will absorb and neutralize it. While they don't offer high profits, these beginner-level plants are foundational for stabilizing the farm's ecosystem."
"And the weeds?"
"Pull them out," the system replied bluntly. "Manually."
Her shoulders sagged. "Of course."
It was nearing sunset when Widow Lin arrived, her bright demeanor an odd contrast to the desolation surrounding the farm. She swept into the yard with an air of authority, a basket of seeds in one hand and a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Liu Fei, was it? I brought you some seeds," Lin said, setting the basket down. "Old ones, mind you, but they might still grow."
"Thank you," Liu Fei said, genuinely touched. "I'll… do my best."
Lin waved a dismissive hand. "Your best? Sweet girl, your best needs to be better than that. Spirit farming isn't for the faint-hearted." Her grin widened. "But I'll be watching."
As Lin left, Zhu reappeared, standing near the edge of the field. He said nothing, but his gaze held a flicker of interest as Liu Fei knelt to examine the seeds.
"You'll need more than enthusiasm," Zhu muttered. "Let's see if you've got what it takes."
The system pinged cheerfully in her mind. "Host, it's time to make your dramatic vow."
"My… what?"
"Your vow, of course! Every hero makes a vow at sunset!"
Rolling her eyes but indulging, Liu Fei raised the squeaky hoe like a battle flag, facing the overgrown fields. "I'll make you thrive again," she declared. The setting sun bathed the scene in warm hues, painting her determination in shades of gold.
The system's response was immediate. "Achievement unlocked: Optimistic Beginner! Reward: +1 Spirit Point."
Liu Fei sighed, lowering the hoe. "This is going to be a long journey, isn't it?"
"Absolutely," the system replied, unhelpfully gleeful.