My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 185 Inquiry
"We should inquire, but not too directly," Chen Mu said thoughtfully.

The underground market is quite secretive, and the items traded there are all somewhat shady. You have to be careful when investigating to avoid attracting trouble.

"Let's talk about the tricks of growing yellow sprout rice for a few days first, and then we can subtly hint at it once we've gotten to know each other better," Chen Mu had a plan in mind.

The cost of completing the Armor-Soul Fusion has indeed increased significantly, but there are still nine white jade coins left. There's no need to exchange them for money immediately.

"Stay calm," Chen Mu told himself.

When you're in an unfamiliar place, staying calm is the most important thing.

"I also need to find out the details of the cultivation of the unity of spirit and soul." Chen Mu rubbed his skin, which exuded a faint chill.

I always feel like my training isn't quite right.

……

"Let's wait another three to five months." On the square table, Old Hao put down the bowl of yellow sprout rice that he had finished eating.

He pulled out a pipe from his waistband, lit it, squinted, and thought for a moment before saying, "The Lower Monastery, the Scripture Hall, holds a grand sermon every six months."

“A sermon lasts for half a month, and everyone can attend for free.”

"From the unity of spirit and soul, all the way to sensing spiritual light."

"Although it's just a general explanation, it should basically answer your questions."

"If you're lucky, you might even get a chance to ask a question alone," Old Hao said, exhaling a puff of fragrant white smoke.

Chen Mu narrowed his eyes.

I'll definitely go check it out when this opportunity comes.

Old Hao glanced at Chen Mu and subtly hinted, "Of course, if you have money, you can go to the Scripture Academy anytime."

"You can buy secret techniques and ask someone to teach you how to overcome cultivation obstacles there."

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow. A paid knowledge service in another world?

"What price? Is it reliable?"

"The Scripture Transmission Institute has been doing these things for years, what's so unbelievable about it?" Old Hao rolled his eyes.

"As for the price, it's hard to say. The Secret Jade Tablet has a clear price, but the price varies depending on the lecturer, the content of the teaching, and the teaching method when seeking guidance on the key points of cultivation."

Mr. Hao then gave him a few more examples.

Chen Mu was completely stunned.

Is this kind of educational philosophy...trendy?
This is almost identical to the training institutions of my previous life.

He thought it was a master-apprentice teaching model.

"Even a master-disciple relationship requires a formal apprenticeship ceremony," Old Hao said, looking at Chen Mu with a puzzled expression. "Where does one impart cultivation experience for free?"

"Just like if I teach you how to grow yellow rice, and you do a good job, the school will also give me money."

"This is equivalent to the House of Commons paying for your teachers."

Old Hao looked at Chen Mu with an expression that said, "How can you not understand this?"

Chen Mu felt extremely uncomfortable under their gaze.

I feel like an ignorant country bumpkin.

He immediately thought of his origins: an isolated island overseas. Although the island was excessively large, it was indeed a remote and desolate place.

Isn't he just an ignorant bumpkin?

Chen Mu couldn't help but smile wryly.

"The lower academy is quite serious and responsible in transmitting scriptures," Old Hao said, squinting. "Of course, all of this is on the premise that you have enough white jade money."

Chen Mu shook his head helplessly: "If I had money, I wouldn't be here toiling away in the fields."

He immediately stopped talking and instead began asking about farming techniques, explaining all the questions that had accumulated over the past period.

……

After seeing Old Hao off, Chen Mu looked at the gray wall's proficiency level.

Planting: 7416/10000/Tier 1;
"Can asking for help and learning also increase proficiency?"

"very nice."

Then he looked at the Cloud Mirage Armor Technique. Since its advancement, the breathing method of the Armor Technique has been adjusted again.

Even subtle changes occur in the body's muscle structure, the way it exerts force, and its walking, sitting, and lying habits.

This makes the cultivation of spirit armor techniques increasingly automated.

However, the rate at which proficiency increases has been halved.

"Earth's spiritual energy?"

They came to Yunzhou on a white shuttle.

The closer you get to Yunzhou, the faster your proficiency will increase.

Once you take over the lower courtyard of Chicken Coop Road, even if you do nothing, you can gain 48 points every day just by breathing.

So the question is, what's so special about Yunzhou, or rather, the lower courtyard of Jilongdao?
Earth's spiritual energy!

"If only I could go to the upper courtyard of Jilong Mountain." Chen Mu sat in the courtyard, gazing absently at the verdant mountain range shrouded in mist in the east.

The upper courtyard of Jilong Road is nestled amidst the misty mountains.

"Is it because of the lack of earth elemental energy that his appetite has increased so much?" Chen Mu realized.

"Unfortunately..." He's just an outsider who's recently joined the Lower House. There's no way he'll go to the Upper House.

They cannot even leave the Lower Court Basin plain without permission.

"Take your time practicing." Chen Mu shrugged.

……

Time flies.

Chen Mu spends most of his time in the yellow sprout rice field every day, carefully weeding and tending to each and every yellow sprout rice plant.

This thing is truly peculiar; in just one month, it grew to the height of a person.

The trunk is as thick as a child's arm and as tough as hardwood.

The leaves are broad and large, with a bright green color that resembles a jade carving.

"This isn't growing rice, it's practically growing small fruit trees." Chen Mu shook his head, but also breathed a sigh of relief.

The two most crucial months for the seedlings to germinate and mature have passed, and the yellow sprout rice is basically guaranteed to be mature.

Although subsequent watering, fertilizing, weeding, and protection are still not simple tasks.

Even the slightest mistake will result in reduced production.

But at least the plants survived.

……

Evening, inside the courtyard of Aishan.

"You actually have a knack for farming," Old Hao said with a complicated expression.

I might be able to get the rewards from the Scripture Transmission Academy. But I guess I'll lose the commission from reselling treasures.

Over the past two or three months, the other outsiders who came here at the same time as Chen Mu have all sold some of their personal belongings.

In a region, the top people usually possess rare items.

Even on remote islands overseas, what ends up in the hands of the elite are still valuable treasures.

Those who resold the goods made a lot of money, which made him and Fatty Monk extremely envious.

Unfortunately... Old Hao glanced helplessly at Chen Mu.

This guy is too down-to-earth; all he does is farm. Seeing others' cultivation levels advance by leaps and bounds, doesn't he feel even a little bit anxious?
wrong!

How did such an honest man master the Armor Soul and travel across the ocean?
Old Hao's heart skipped a beat.

There must be something wrong here!

Old Hao frowned deeply and stared at Chen Mu, looking him up and down.

Reflecting on the past few months of contact, and observing Chen Mu's behavior again.

Old Hao's face immediately turned extremely gloomy.

"This person..."

"That guy is fucking lucky!"

"That's definitely the case!" Old Hao said with certainty.

Otherwise, an honest person who doesn't compete with the world would never have gotten to where he is today without exceptional luck!

Old Hao looked at Chen Mu with a complicated expression.

"How about we take him with us next time we go to the gambling ship? Maybe we can get some luck with him?" Old Hao's eyes lit up.

"Forget it, there aren't many honest people like this left. We can't let them lead us astray," Old Hao sighed.

Honest man Chen Mu felt uncomfortable being stared at by honest man Hao Lao.

What is this old man thinking?

Never mind, we've gotten to know each other pretty well over this time, it's time to find out about the underground market.

Thinking of this, Chen Mu casually remarked, "I heard that besides Tongtianfang, there's also a market town around here?"

“There is one.” Old Hao glanced at Chen Mu: “The one from Tongtianfang is genuine, but the price…”

Old Hao curled his lip at Chen Mu.

Chen Mu nodded to indicate that he understood. The purchase price is low, so the selling price is high.

"There's also an underground market. It holds a gathering every two weeks. But it's a mixed bag, and trouble can easily happen inside."

Chen Mu nodded. This was in line with the norm for ghost markets. Who would buy or sell in a place like this if there were no problem?

"Why are you asking this?" Old Hao looked at Chen Mu strangely.

"These are just some things I don't need anymore. I'm wondering where I can exchange them for some money?" Chen Mu looked at the calming pills in the Five Ghosts Bag.

Baicao Pavilion sells thirty pieces for one white jade coin. The purchase price is definitely not that high. It's better to sell them in the underground market.

There are thousands of Armored Soul Warriors within the entire basin plain. Giving them three to five more can quickly convert them into cash.

Chen Mu pondered how to make money safely.

Old Hao looked at Chen Mu with an expression of unspeakable surprise.

"After all this time, the commission is back?!"

What an unexpected surprise!
(End of this chapter)