138: Fellow Daoist Shen! Save me!

Ever since the Four Seasons Cycle Formation was established, Black Ridge City has experienced the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Counting the time, it was already autumn.

The dry wind blew into the Formation, becoming much milder after being permeated by moisture.

The temperature in the mornings and evenings was very pleasant, and the perpetual scorching sun overhead was also obscured.

The outer city was a golden yellow, with thousands of ordinary people harvesting rice.

Generally speaking, ordinary markets would not sow crops like rice. For example, the Wang Family Market, the vast majority of its inhabitants, were martial artists and Loose Cultivators.

Rice could only feed ordinary people, but it was of no benefit to these individuals.

In the market, the proportion of common people was very small, so it was enough to simply purchase some ordinary grains from inland areas.

If that was still too much trouble, then they would have the people from the Pill Hall purchase some Fasting Pills; one pill would suffice for a day without eating, and a single furnace could produce thousands of them, making it very cost-effective.

However, due to local conditions, Black Ridge City could not follow the practices of other markets.

As mentioned before, unlike martial artists, Cultivators emphasize the right time, favorable geographical conditions, and harmonious human relations.

Under different environments and different terrains, Qi Refining Cultivators would exhibit corresponding performances.

Therefore, Shen Li thought of gradually improving Black Ridge City's geographical environment, which is why he allowed these ordinary people to cultivate grains.

Of course, he did not collect these grains; they were not valuable.

They were far less suitable than the essence of earth and wood left in the soil after the grains had grown.

Consider it as compensation for these ordinary people.

Most of the grains had already been harvested, leaving only dry stalks in the fields.

Walking in the outer city, Shen Li bent down and picked up a handful of dust, rubbing it in his hand.

The dust had become moist and decayed, which, from a modern perspective, meant it contained some nutrients.

However, this was normal; the Living Spring Water Vein and the Cang Hai Flower continuously provided nutrients, so it would be strange if it weren't fertile.

Currently, there was no lack of water veins. Only the earth vein needed to gradually take shape, then become compatible with the wood vein, reaching the Realm of continuous circulation and endless life.

Then the task would be complete.

At that time, they could continue to expand outwards.

Thinking of this, Shen Li felt a wave of relief.

"Young Master."

Ruo Liuli returned from outside the city, leading a team of Yuting Guards, carrying the corpse of a Yao Beast on her shoulder.

Its Realm was approximately mid-Qi Refining.

"How are things outside?"

Ruo Liuli smiled, adjusted the Yao Beast corpse, and said,

"In recent days, the Yao Beasts have been dormant, and it's been peaceful. Within five li around our Black Ridge City, there are no more Yao Beast lairs to be seen. I had to lead people to a Yao Beast lair ten li away to catch this one."

"It's not a waste of effort, just a waste of time."

Shen Li nodded. No Yao Beasts within ten li meant that Black Ridge City's scope could continue to expand by five li or even more, but as the population was still sparse, it was better not to expand rashly.

Managing it well was better than anything else.

Furthermore... this ten-li safe zone could also greatly attract many traveling Disciples.

At least in the few days since Shen Li emerged from seclusion, no fewer than a hundred Cultivators had entered Black Ridge City to rest, and no fewer than a thousand martial artists had started doing business.

Although the Black Horn Mountain Range had suffered a severe blow, fortunately, it had abundant resources, and some remaining treasures were enough to satisfy these Loose Cultivators.

Speaking of which... the people of Black Horn Mountain were thoroughly cleansed, and while others suffered greatly, he was not only unaffected, but the situation even prompted other Cultivators or martial artists to come to Black Ridge City.

For him, this was a tremendous stroke of luck.

Bidding farewell to Ruo Liuli and the others, Shen Li walked through the inner city.

He observed the growth of the Cang Hai Flower... Under the nourishment of the Living Spring Water Vein, the two complemented each other.

However, to advance further, a certain crucial item was needed.

Unfortunately... there was none.

The Different Water Carp might count as one, but as a Ninth-Grade item, the help it could provide to a heaven and earth treasure was limited.

If it were an Eighth-Grade item, it might be able to help the Cang Hai Flower and the Living Spring Water Vein become Eighth-Grade.

But it was still too early.

Returning to the backyard, he saw three young girls sitting cross-legged in front of the Creekside Vase, cultivating, while the mischievous Different Water Carp continuously sprayed water vapor.

This was not a prank, but rather to provide them with moisture, helping them cultivate.

The Spiritual Qi of the dilapidated Spiritual Vein was declining... these three girls were trying to conserve as much as possible.

Without paying too much attention, Shen Li looked towards the spiritual field again.

Chen He cut off some Blood Tai Sui and put it into a basket.

Her hands were covered in blood, like a butcher in a rainy night, occasionally wiping away sweat, the red liquid splattering on her face... making her look even more terrifying!

This liquid was blood... but not the blood of living beings, but the liquid from the Blood Tai Sui.

These liquids also had the effect of invigorating blood, and ordinary martial artists also coveted them.

But here, Chen He only watched as these Blood Tai Sui soaked into the spiritual field, making the spiritual field look even more bloody... and even more bizarre.

There was no smell of blood in the air, only a restless aura that made one feel 'masculine and invigorated' upon smelling it.

This was the effect of the Blood Tai Sui.

This item was harvested without being uprooted, like chives, able to continuously provide value.

All of Shen Li's Yuting Guards had already used the Blood Tai Sui, and this batch of Blood Tai Sui was to be sold in the market.

This batch was worth at least several thousand Spirit Stones.

After all, this item was very important to martial artists, so there was no need to worry about sales... Shen Li wanted to ruthlessly drain their wallets.

And it seemed... this was also legitimate; it was the first time Shen Li had obtained Spirit Stones by selling items.

His heart was filled with satisfaction.

In the middle of the month, after finishing his meal, Shen Li strolled through the backyard, and as he looked ahead, he frowned slightly.

He saw the three young girls still diligently cultivating.

It seemed they had reached some kind of bottleneck.

With a sudden inspiration, Shen Li quietly came to their side.

The girls were alert; upon seeing Shen Li, they quickly rose and bowed.

"Young Master."

Shen Li said calmly,

"Can't find the pulse gate?"

The three looked at each other, but Sun Xiuqing bravely said,

"Yes... I always feel like I'm just a little bit short, but it's also a matter of grinding work..."

Shen Li, as if remembering something, drew in the air.

He extracted strands of light from the invisible moonlight, condensing them into a tiny talisman seed.

"I have a method..."

After explaining the pros and cons, he saw that the three young girls did not hesitate for a moment, opening their mouths and swallowing the talisman seed.

"Only Young Master's command is like an imperial decree."

Shen Li slowly nodded, left the courtyard, and walked onto the eaves, enjoying the rare clear starry night.

He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

He unconsciously began to hum a song from his hometown.

"The vast expanse of the sky..."

Before his words faded... a figure shot into the city, Yang Dingtian's panic, and the roar of the Beast Taming Immortal Sect disturbed the sleepless city.

"Fellow Daoist!"

"Help!"

"Murder!"