The rooster's crow shattered the fragile quiet of dawn, its triumphant call loud enough to wake the dead—or, in Liu Fei's case, a very grumpy transmigrated farm girl. She groaned, her muscles aching from yesterday's excursion into the forest and the late-night task of tending to Yan Mo's wounds.
"I swear," she muttered, sitting up from her makeshift bed on the hard wooden floor, "one of these days, I'm eating that rooster."
The system's cheerful chime greeted her as if to mock her irritation.
"Host energy levels: 62%. Optimal performance for farm work requires a minimum of 75%. Recommendation: Consume high-calorie sustenance."
Liu Fei glanced toward the meager remnants of bread on her kitchen table and scowled. "Sustenance, huh? What's next? Hunt down a Spirit Chicken and beg for its eggs?"
"Host may consider taming spirit beasts for sustainable food resources," the system replied, unfazed by her sarcasm.
"I was joking," she muttered, pushing herself to her feet. Her stomach growled in protest, but with no other options, she grabbed the rusty hoe leaning against the wall and trudged outside to face another day.
The southern field stretched out before her, bathed in the soft light of morning. Despite her efforts, the soil still looked weary, a patchwork of stubborn weeds and rocky outcrops that seemed determined to thwart her progress. Liu Fei sighed, gripping the hoe with renewed determination.
"System," she said aloud, her voice breaking the morning's stillness, "what's the next step to getting this farm up and running?"
The translucent interface flickered into view, displaying a list of objectives:
Clear southern field completely: 40% progress achieved.
Cultivate Spirit Rice: Requires 10 Spirit Points to unlock seed access.
Construct a basic irrigation system: Requires 2 Spirit Coins and materials.
"Host's current funds: 26 Spirit Points, 4 Spirit Coins," the system added helpfully.
Liu Fei frowned. "I can barely scrape by, and now I need coins and points for everything? What happened to good old elbow grease?"
"Host's manual labor contributes to progress. However, optimal results require strategic resource allocation," the system replied, its tone as patronizing as ever.
She huffed but resumed her work, the repetitive swing of the hoe providing a rhythm to her thoughts. Each strike unearthed stubborn roots, and each patch of cleared soil felt like a minor victory. Her mind wandered to her modern life—air conditioning, supermarkets, and instant noodles. She never thought she'd miss such mundane conveniences.
By mid-morning, her hands were blistered, and her arms ached from the relentless work. The field looked slightly better, though it still had a long way to go. Liu Fei finally dropped the hoe, sighing as she sank onto an overturned barrel for a break.
The Suncrest Herbs in her satchel caught her eye. Widow Lin had asked for them yesterday, and Liu Fei had promised to deliver them. She stood, brushing dirt from her clothes. "Might as well get that out of the way."
The village lay just beyond the hillcrest, a quaint cluster of thatched roofs and cobblestone paths nestled in a lush valley. Liu Fei's first impression was one of charm: the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the distant laughter of children playing in the square.
But as she descended into the village, she felt the weight of curious eyes following her. Whispers carried on the breeze, snippets of gossip reaching her ears.
"Is that the new farmer?"
"Looks scrawny. Can she even lift a hoe?"
"I heard she talks to herself. Strange one, that."
Liu Fei straightened her spine, lifting her chin defiantly as she strode toward Widow Lin's home. "Let them talk," she muttered under her breath. "I'm here to work, not win a popularity contest."
Widow Lin's home was a cozy little cottage at the edge of the village, its garden overrun with wildflowers and vines. The older woman greeted Liu Fei warmly, her face breaking into a wide smile as she opened the door.
"Ah, Liu-guniang! You've brought the herbs! Wonderful!"
Liu Fei handed over the satchel with a small smile. "Three bundles of Suncrest Herb, as requested."
Widow Lin inspected the herbs with practiced care, her eyes lighting up with approval. "You've done well. These will fetch a good price at the apothecary. Let me get your payment."
As Widow Lin disappeared inside, Liu Fei glanced around the cottage. The interior was cluttered but homely, with dried herbs hanging from the ceiling and jars of various tinctures lining the shelves. It reminded her of something out of a fairy tale.
Widow Lin returned with a small pouch jingling with coins. "Here you go, dear. Eight Spirit Points and two Spirit Coins, as promised."
Liu Fei's eyes widened slightly as she took the pouch. "Thank you, Widow Lin. This… really helps."
"You've earned it," the widow said with a kind smile. "And if you're ever in need of advice—or just a warm meal—don't hesitate to stop by."
Liu Fei's stomach growled audibly at the mention of food, earning a chuckle from Widow Lin. "I'll keep that in mind," Liu Fei said, feeling a flicker of warmth at the older woman's kindness.
As Liu Fei made her way back through the village, her spirits lifted slightly, she encountered a less welcoming presence. A burly man with arms like tree trunks and a scowl to match stepped into her path, flanked by two equally surly companions.
"You're the new farmer, eh?" the man said, his voice a low rumble.
Liu Fei blinked, gripping her satchel tightly. "That's right. Who's asking?"
The man crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over her critically. "Name's Chen Guang. My fields border yours. Heard you've been poking around the forest."
"Just collecting herbs," Liu Fei replied evenly.
Chen Guang's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of trouble, girl. This village doesn't need any more problems."
Liu Fei held her ground, her pulse quickening. "I'm just here to do my work."
"See that it stays that way," he said before turning on his heel, his companions trailing behind him.
As they disappeared around a corner, Liu Fei let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Host," the system chimed, "potential adversary detected. Recommendation: Avoid unnecessary confrontation."
"Gee, thanks for the tip," Liu Fei muttered. She squared her shoulders and resumed her walk back to the farm, her resolve hardening.
Back at the farm, Liu Fei set the coins on the table, staring at them as if willing them to multiply. It wasn't much, but it was a start. And for the first time since arriving in this strange world, she felt a flicker of hope.
"One step at a time," she murmured, reaching for her hoe. "Let's see what tomorrow brings."
The system chimed approvingly. "Host's progress noted. Current funds: 26 Spirit Points, 4 Spirit Coins. Next objective: Cultivate Spirit Rice."
Liu Fei smirked. "Right after I take a nap."
And for the first time in days, she felt like she might actually sleep well.