Chapter 1. Melancholy
"Without a spiritual root, next!"
An indifferent voice echoed through Wenlin's dream world. It was the voice of an immortal treating a mortal like nothing more than an insect. The next instant, he opened his eyes and let out a deep sigh. In his vision, faint golden rays slipped through the tiny openings in the roof.
Sighing once more, overwhelmed by melancholy, Wenlin tossed the fur blanket aside and climbed out of bed with lifeless eyes. He no longer knew what to do with his life. All of his motivation had been shattered the day before.
Walking over to the window, Wenlin pushed it open and raised his gaze toward the small golden sphere illuminating the land below. Breathing in the fresh morning air, he quietly enjoyed the fleeting moment. The cold breeze brushed against his face while his black hair swayed gently in the wind.
'The vast sky has no limits. The sun gives way to the moon. The moon gives way to the sun. Day becomes night. Night becomes day. Babies are born every day. People die every day. People become rich overnight. People lose everything overnight.'
As Wenlin recalled that old saying from his previous world, his thoughts slowly calmed alongside the cold breeze against his face.
'What's done is done.'
The immortal path was never meant for him.
Thinking of this, Wenlin raised both hands into the air and clenched his fists, as though making one final act of resistance before finally ending the struggle. A struggle he had completely lost.
Accepting his fate, Wenlin returned to the bed, folded the blanket, and placed it neatly at the head of the mattress. Soon after, he left the room.
As soon as he stepped through the doorway, he arrived directly in the kitchen. Like the rest of the house, the room was simple. A stove sat in the upper right corner, while a shelf rested in the lower one. At the center, four chairs surrounded a circular table. In the upper left corner, an iron basin filled with water leaned against the wall, while a locked door stood below it.
Walking toward the shelf with slow steps, Wenlin picked up a mug. He then went to the basin and filled it with water before heading over to the stove and placing the mug on the iron grate.
Next, he stuffed firewood into the furnace along with a bit of cotton and lit the fire using a flint striker, striking steel against stone and letting the sparks fall onto the cotton wedged between the pieces of wood.
The material quickly caught fire, producing a small flame that slowly grew stronger as the firewood fed it, raising the temperature around the stove. Above it, the water inside the mug began trembling almost immediately.
As soon as tiny bubbles started appearing, Wenlin walked over to the shelf, grabbed a few green leaves, and dropped them into the hot water. Moments later, the liquid turned a light shade of green.
Without waiting for the water to fully boil to avoid making the green tea bitter, Wenlin wrapped the mug with a cloth, removed it from the fire, and placed it on the table.
Afterward, he walked back to the shelf once more and picked up a cup along with a basket filled with steamed buns. Carrying one item in each hand, he returned to the table and set them down on the wooden surface.
Taking a seat, Wenlin poured the tea into the cup, producing a soft sound as the liquid touched the metal. Once it was filled to the brim, he stopped and reached toward one of the buns.
Taking the first bite, he tasted the salty dryness of the simple dough. Bringing the cup to his lips, he drank a mouthful of tea that, without sugar, carried a slightly sour flavor similar to water mixed with lemon. The mild acidity blended with the flour, making the meal easier to swallow.
After finishing his meal, Wenlin washed the utensils. He then walked toward the porch and sat down directly on the floor. Hugging his knees, he remained there for a long time, not knowing where he should go from there.
That empty expression was suddenly broken when white letters began appearing before his eyes. Right above his eyelashes, a floating interface slowly formed. The lifeless pupils in Wenlin's eyes instantly lit up with intense excitement.
"A system! I have a golden finger!"
Wenlin muttered as he waved his hands back and forth like a child receiving his favorite toy. Excited, he immediately read the contents written on the interface.
[Plant one acre of rice]
'Huh?'
Wenlin blinked at the words. Rubbing his eyes, he read the sentence once more.
Nothing changed.
Only that single mission remained displayed on the panel.
'A farming system?'
Wenlin's eyes dimmed once again. Before his expression could sink back into despair, he suddenly remembered the absurd systems from cultivation stories, the ones that handed out heavenly treasures in exchange for simple harvests. Thinking of that, his sadness instantly vanished, replaced by eyes filled with anticipation.
With a new direction in life, Wenlin immediately headed toward his uncle's house.
After running for nearly twenty minutes, sweat already covered his skin, making it glisten beneath the sunlight. His mouth hung slightly open as he breathed heavily, both hands pressed against a wooden door.
After catching part of his breath, he knocked on it.
Knock! Knock!
After the two knocks, Wenlin lowered his hand and waited silently.
It did not take long.
Creak!
The door opened with a groan, revealing a man in his forties. His black hair had already begun mixing with a few white strands. Though he was not old yet, his face carried heavy eye bags and tired eyes. He wore a simple one-piece blue robe.
"Wenlin?"
Upon seeing the young man, the man blinked in surprise. The next instant, he raised a finger and flicked Wenlin on the forehead.
"Hey..."
Wenlin wanted to complain, especially after noticing the man's lips curling into an amused smile.
"It's good to see you're alright, kid. I thought you wouldn't show your face for at least seven days after what happened yesterday. Still, I'm glad you managed to get over the shock of reality."
"I know how to accept things." Wenlin shook his head helplessly.
"Uncle Hanlin, I came here to claim the land registered under my name..."
He stopped midway after seeing tears suddenly falling from Hanlin's face.
"You finally grew up and started thinking about your future. That reality check was worth it. We of the Lin family are great farmers. The best in the village! Welcome aboard, kid! May the God of Agriculture bless your harvest!"
Hanlin wiped away his tears with his sleeve before asking:
"So, what are you planning to plant?"
"Rice."
Wenlin answered without hiding his displeasure at his second uncle's exaggerated reaction.
"Good choice. If you take proper care of the land, you'll harvest an excellent crop in three or four months." Hanlin praised with satisfaction.
Wenlin nodded before pointing behind the man.
"Can you give me my land now?"
"You're really that eager to start working?" Hanlin asked teasingly.
"Yes. I want to start as soon as possible."
Wenlin answered firmly. Every now and then, his eyes drifted toward the floating interface, becoming increasingly eager to complete the mission.
"Idiot."
Hanlin's face darkened immediately.
Chapter 2. Farming
"What do you think farming is? Before you even begin planting, you already need to prepare the soil with fertilizer. After that, you'll still have to pull out every weed that appears. And it doesn't stop there. Every single day, you'll need to water the rice. Farming isn't easy. Everything fresh you eat for lunch and dinner exists because of the hard work of farmers."
Hanlin gave Wenlin a stern lecture.
Hearing all that, Wenlin felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. Everything his uncle said was true. Until that moment, he had been so excited that he had forgotten the most important thing.
Planting crops was not some fairy tale. This was reality.
Even if the system was exactly what he imagined, he would still need to work the land with his own hands.
'I don't care! I'll work hard to change my fate!'
With determination filling his eyes, Wenlin cupped his hands respectfully and said:
"Thank you for the advice, Uncle Hanlin."
"You're welcome." Hanlin's expression softened again.
"Since you understand, follow me."
Hanlin closed the door behind him and began walking down the mountain alongside Wenlin.
Along the way, Wenlin observed the scenery around him. Aside from the numerous wooden houses forming a small village across the sloped terrain, countless green bamboo stalks spread throughout the mountain.
After descending more than a hundred steps, the bamboo forest gradually gave way to a vast farming area filled with crops.
Some fields were green, while others carried a yellowish hue from the wheat plantations. Even so, the most eye-catching sight was the enormous waterfall at the edge of the mountain, separating the bamboo forest from the agricultural land.
The sound of water crashing against the rocks and the crystal-clear view of the distant waterfall brought Wenlin an indescribable sense of peace. At that moment, he felt that even without the system, he could still recover from his depression simply by gazing at such beautiful scenery.
'Water always flows forward no matter what happens. Even if its path is blocked, it will sink into the earth. And if it still cannot move forward, then it will join with more water and shatter the barrier like a torrent.'
After coming up with that saying for himself, Wenlin decided he would live like water: always moving forward without ever looking back.
With that silent declaration in his heart, Wenlin continued following his uncle until they stopped in front of a plot of land covered in weeds. Hanlin then turned around and looked at him seriously.
"This land will belong to you from today onward. The entire process of preparing the soil will be completely your responsibility. I won't help you because I also need to take care of my own acres. But if handling everything alone becomes too difficult, you can ask some of your cousins to help."
Hanlin warned in a serious tone.
"I understand." Wenlin nodded.
"You can get the tools from the warehouse. Once you're done, you can also collect the rice seeds."
After seeing the young man nod again, Hanlin continued giving a few more instructions. Only after confirming once more that Wenlin understood everything did he nod in satisfaction and leave to begin his own work.
Now alone, Wenlin began examining his land. He did not know the exact size of the plot, but he could roughly estimate that it was around one acre.
Like the mountain itself, the ground sloped slightly downward. The difference was that terraces had been built along the hillside to retain moisture in the soil.
One interesting detail for Wenlin was that, because this was a supernatural world, special types of earth were mixed into the regular soil around the terraces. This kept the entire structure firm and intact regardless of heavy rain or floods rushing down the mountain.
The only downside was that crops grown in this kind of soil tended to be slightly less soft than normal. Even so, that hardly mattered to people living on a mountain who could not afford to rebuild the terraces every time a storm destroyed their fields. Not to mention the constant risk of losing the entire harvest.
'Time to work.'
With a smile on his lips, Wenlin left his acre behind and headed toward the Lin family's warehouse.
In the village where he lived, it was common for families to use their surname as the primary clan identifier. Among them, four families dominated the region: Lin, Yue, Yao, and Hu.
'Following traditional naming conventions, my name would be Lin Wen.'
Finishing his thoughts, Wenlin soon arrived at an enormous wooden platform suspended several meters above the ground and stretching nearly two hundred meters in length. The structure was far from small. After shifting his gaze from the upper section to the entrance below, he stepped through the doorway.
Inside the warehouse, various farming tools were scattered around the corners alongside several sealed sacks piled up in storage. Picking up a hoe, Wenlin rested it on his shoulders and returned to his field.
He then climbed to the highest terrace and began his battle against the weeds. With firm movements, he brought down the hoe's handle, driving the blade into the soil until it reached the roots of the invasive plants.
Tsh! Tsh!
With every strike, dust burst into the air alongside green chunks violently torn from the ground. Without stopping, Wenlin continued repeating the same motions.
At some point, when the sun reached the highest point in the sky, his clothes were already completely stuck to his body. Drops of sweat formed beneath his chin before continuously dripping onto the earth.
Drip! Drip!
With exhaustion piling up, Wenlin finally stopped to rest. It was far from a pleasant break. The sun was unbearably intense, and the heat radiating from above felt as though it were roasting his hair.
Getting back to his feet, Wenlin decided to return home and come back later. After arriving, he drank several mouthfuls of lukewarm water.
Over the next few minutes, he lit the fire and began preparing a simple pot of rice seasoned with nothing but salt.
While the rice cooked, he cleaned a pheasant. Before the harsh reality of lacking spiritual roots shattered his dreams, Wenlin used to work as one of the village's hunters to survive while also preparing himself for the possibility of joining an immortal cultivation sect. His skills with the bow and arrow, as well as his knife handling and cutting techniques, ranked among the best of the younger generation.
Recalling those days, Wenlin revealed a faint smile.
After finishing cleaning the pheasant, Wenlin placed it into another pot to cook. For seasoning, he added coriander, garlic, salt, and a few green herbs. That was everything his current wealth allowed him to use.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, both dishes finally finished cooking, releasing a light yet delicious fragrance into the air. Quietly salivating, Wenlin prepared the table and arranged the dishes. After clasping his hands together in gratitude for the meal, he began eating.
The taste was not particularly impressive, and the pheasant soup was slightly spicy. Even so, it did not matter. Mixed together with the rice, the meal became completely acceptable and, strangely enough, delicious.
After devouring all the food, Wenlin cleaned the kitchen and returned to work.
Over the following days, that became his routine: waking up early, working beneath the sun the entire day, sleeping with aching muscles, then returning again the next morning.
All that effort paid off when Wenlin finally saw his land completely brown and free of weeds.
Letting out a sigh of relief, he headed to the warehouse to collect fertilizer and prepare for planting. During those preparation days, his clothes became thoroughly soaked with the strong smell of cow manure. At first, since he was not used to it, he found it disgusting. However, little by little, he began adapting to life in the fields.
After completing all the preparations over the course of seven days, Wenlin finally planted the rice across the farming terraces.
The instant he finished, the interface that had remained motionless the entire week finally changed.
And it was not just the interface.
Wenlin felt his five senses strengthen instantly.
[Mission completed! Ding! You obtained +10 Perception]
[Mission updated]
[For the next few months, water the rice, care for the soil, and remove the weeds]
Chapter 3. Hunt
"Finally!"
Wenlin wanted to jump for joy, but he felt that would be embarrassing for a sixteen-year-old boy. Holding back his excitement, he quickly read the next mission.
'Is this really a farming system?'
Still unsure, he decided to simply continue completing the tasks. After all, they were not difficult, and they were also things he genuinely wanted to do. After experiencing all that hard work firsthand, Wenlin wanted to see results.
As he mentally planned out the next few months, he began examining the changes brought by the increase in Perception.
The first thing he noticed was that the colors around him seemed sharper. His sense of smell could now clearly distinguish the scent of fresh air from the odor of dried manure. As for his hearing, the sounds around him had become much clearer. He could effortlessly shift his focus between the singing birds above the mountain and the distant sounds of other farmers weeding their fields.
"Incredible!"
Wenlin's eyes shone with excitement. At that moment, he felt the urge to run home, grab his bow and arrows, and test his new accuracy. Unfortunately, that idea would have to wait for now.
Realizing it was already late, Wenlin headed to the warehouse, grabbed two watering cans, one in each hand, and walked toward the waterfall. After filling both containers with water, he returned to his field and began watering the small holes where he had planted the rice seeds. Since the seeds were still fresh, he only poured small amounts of water to nourish the soil.
After finishing, Wenlin raised his eyes toward the night sky. Countless stars dotted the darkness, while a silver moon rested at the center of the heavens, silently illuminating the world below.
Breathing in the pleasant scent of the early night, Wenlin returned home with a smile on his face. Preparing dinner for the evening, which consisted of nothing more than rice and vegetables, he ate until his hunger was satisfied.
While washing his bowl, a yawn escaped his mouth. His eyelids heavy with sleepiness, he finished cleaning the dishes and headed to bed.
The moment he pulled the blanket over his body, a warm sensation immediately enveloped him.
That alone was enough to make him fall asleep.
The next day, with the morning light brushing against his eyelids, Wenlin slowly woke from his sleep. Upon opening his eyes, he felt far more refreshed than he had the previous night. Throwing the blanket aside, he got up and put on a white robe.
Shortly afterward, he drank some tea for breakfast and stepped onto the porch.
Standing by the doorway, Wenlin found himself remembering the previous week. Shaking his head in disapproval, he pushed those negative thoughts aside and walked toward the corner of the porch, where he picked up a bow and slung it over his shoulders. He then placed several arrows into a leather pouch attached to his waist. On the opposite side, he hung the sheath of a dagger. Finally, he strapped a basket onto his back using two cords layered over his shoulders alongside the bow strap.
With everything ready, Wenlin decided to go hunting that day. After all, the next few days would be relatively calm in the fields before he needed to add more fertilizer to the soil.
Quietly humming to himself, Wenlin descended Bright Mountain. After crossing the vast farming area at the foot of the mountain, he arrived at a flat region surrounded by tall trees. Their dense canopies blocked most of the sunlight, creating deep shadows and leaving the air damp and heavy with a scent similar to rain.
Thanks to his increased Perception, Wenlin felt that scent flow easily into his nostrils. It was not unpleasant. In fact, it was far better than the constant smell of manure from the fields.
With slow steps, he advanced through the forest while using his sense of smell to analyze the environment around him. Before long, he noticed a scent different from the others.
Interested but naturally cautious, Wenlin began approaching without pressing too heavily against the leaves scattered across the ground. Moving carefully between the trees, he soon discovered an area covered in tall grass. The scent was coming from there.
Leaving the basket on the ground and lying down behind a tree trunk, Wenlin carefully looked toward the grass and clearly spotted a long white body hidden among the vegetation.
"A snake."
Wenlin's eyes lit up.
With extreme caution, while still lying down, he removed the bow from his shoulders and extended his left hand toward the pouch at his waist, pulling out an arrow. Positioning it against the bowstring, he slowly drew it back.
Without blinking, calm like a true hunter, Wenlin focused his black eyes on the white shape hidden within the grass. After imagining several possibilities and calculating the snake's potential movements if he missed, he released the arrow.
At the same instant, he had already drawn another arrow while watching a blur slice through the air, producing a buzzing sound similar to a rushing gust of wind.
The arrow rapidly closed the distance to its target.
The snake, which had been patiently waiting for prey, suddenly shuddered. Without even looking back, it instinctively tried to coil its body in defense.
Rip!
There was no time.
Before it could complete the motion, something violently struck its tail. The impact tore through the scales and ripped apart the flesh. Unable to completely pierce the creature's body, the arrow remained lodged there.
Still alive, the snake tried to slither away.
However, that thought lasted only an instant.
Another impact struck it.
Then another.
Unable to resist any longer, the snake lost consciousness and died. Three arrows remained embedded in its body.
After killing the prey without much difficulty, Wenlin was surprised.
His current accuracy at twenty meters was practically flawless. He was ninety-nine percent certain he could hit his target.
"Increased Perception is terrifying."
Wenlin could not hide his smile. Rising from the ground, he walked over to the tall grass and pushed aside the sharp leaves to avoid accidentally touching the snake's mouth. After clearing space between the vegetation, he grabbed the creature's body and pulled it out from the grass. Carrying the snake in his hands, he walked over to the basket and tossed the carcass inside.
Picking up the basket once more, Wenlin continued hunting.
It had been an extremely productive day. Thanks to his enhanced sense of smell, he managed to catch five rabbits, three pheasants, and two snakes. Larger animals were ignored since he had no way to carry them alone.
Returning to Bright Village near noon, Wenlin did not head toward his own home. Instead, he made his way to the Yao Family's shop located at the center of the village.
Upon arriving, he saw a two-story building covered in red wood. Without hesitation, he entered the establishment.
The moment he stepped through the door, he walked directly to the counter, where he found a woman with black hair, dark eyes tinged with faint shades of red, and bronze skin. Her face was beautiful, but those unusual eyes gave her a slightly intimidating appearance.
"Jingyao, aside from one pheasant and one rabbit, check how much the rest are worth."
Recognizing the young woman, Wenlin did not bother acting formally. Setting the basket down on the wooden counter, he waited calmly.
"So you finally decided to crawl out of your hole?"
Jingyao looked Wenlin up and down. Soon after, she glanced toward the basket and became surprised.
Those animals were not rare, but capturing them without traps was not easy. Observing the wounds caused by arrows, she immediately deduced that Wenlin had hunted them all personally. Most impressive of all, the blood had not fully coagulated yet, indicating that the prey had been killed that very morning.
"You really woke up on the right side of the bed today, huh? Felt good? Did you manage to vent your frustration?"
She asked curiously.
Wenlin rolled his eyes.
"Cut it out. Just hearing that gives me goosebumps. I didn't kill them for fun, I did it because I needed to. Just tell me how much these eight prey animals are worth."
"These two white snakes with purple blood are worth four silver coins. The two pheasants are worth one silver coin. As for the five rabbits, they're worth fifty copper coins."
Jingyao finished the calculations quickly.
Wenlin did not argue with the prices. Rabbits were cheap because they reproduced too quickly. Pheasants were slightly harder to find, so they were worth more. As for the snakes, their purple blood greatly increased their value.
"Do you sell plant ash here?"