Dao of Money

Chen Ren looked over at the farm that scattered before him.

When he had gotten rid of the locust problem, the village farms had been in a miserable state—worn-out soil, trampled crops, and a thick air of defeat clinging to the land like a curse. He had assumed it would take seasons before anything would grow again. Yet now, as he gazed at the fields stretching beneath him, he could feel a difference in his bones; the current of the air changed.

The land no longer looked exhausted. The soil appeared richer, darker, as if it had drunk its fill of nourishment. Fresh sprouts pushed up through the earth, small yet resilient. Winter crops, the ones Luo Feng had planted weeks ago, had already begun to bud.

As he observed the quiet miracle of nature, Luo Feng stepped beside him. His eyes were bright, and a grin broke into his face. ”Soon, they’ll grow big,” he said with confidence. He exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp morning air. ”I can already feel it. After that, I’ll plant wheat, sorghum, and flax. And there—” He gestured to the left. ”That’s where I’ll start your spirit herb growth plsn, Sect Leader Chen.”

Chen Ren turned to him and nodded. ”And what of the spirit rice?”

Luo Feng’s smile broadened. ”Already planning a paddy for it,” he said. ”But that’ll have to wait until I reach the qi refinement realm. Right now, I can feel qi flowing into me as my connection with the land strengthens. But according to Master Yalan, I won’t be able to truly infuse my qi into the soil until I step into that realm.”

Chen Ren nodded again, taking in Luo Feng’s words.

It had been two weeks since his return to the sect. In that time, he had kept a close eye on Luo Feng, recognizing the potential hidden beneath the young farmer’s dedication. There was something different about him now—an awareness, a growing strength that came not just from effort, but from understanding.

And in cultivation, understanding was everything.

Chen Ren had introduced Luo Feng to Yalan, revealing her presence to him for the first time. She had once given a lecture on the Dao of Farming, and what she revealed that day had opened Chen Ren’s eyes—Luo Feng might just be the greatest hidden treasure of his sect.According to Yalan, cultivators who walked the Dao of Farming had a rare and invaluable ability: they could infuse their land with qi, slowly transforming ordinary soil into a place rich with spiritual energy, much like the ancestral grounds of great sects. Moreover, they could enhance the growth of crops, making them far superior in both quality and potency.

That single revelation had changed everything for Chen Ren.

First, his sect had not been established on a natural qi vein—it was merely a patch of land with decent terrain, chosen more for its location than its spiritual properties. But with Luo Feng’s talent, they could slowly create an artificial qi-rich environment.

Second, and perhaps just as crucial, Luo Feng would be able to cultivate a generous supply of spiritual ingredients. That meant alchemical materials for Chen Ren’s pill-making, but also rare herbs and grains that could enhance the food he sold. If everything went well, his stalls, and in the future, restaurants, wouldn’t just serve good food—it would serve food infused with true spiritual energy, capable of strengthening even mortal bodies.

Of course, all of this would take time.

The process was similar to photosynthesis—spiritual plants absorbed ambient qi, but some special varieties also released more qi than they consumed. Yalan had explained that by carefully cultivating such plants, Luo Feng could gradually shift the land into a place that nurtured qi instead of merely depleting it. It would be at least a year or two before they saw any real results, but even that timeframe was enough to make Chen Ren excited.

Still, there were problems.

He turned toward Luo Feng with a slight frown. ”Sorry,” he said, exhaling. ”Getting the earth aspected cultivation manual for you is taking longer than I expected. Without it, you can’t progress in your realms.”

Luo Feng shook his head, the corner of his lips lifting in an easygoing smile. ”It’s fine, Sect Leader. I’m already learning plenty just by working with the land. But once I get it… I’ll make sure this place becomes something even the guardian sects will envy. Right now, I’m just happy being able to farm like this.”

Chen Ren chuckled, but deep down, he knew Luo Feng wasn’t just talking big. Given enough time, this man might just make that dream a reality coupled with everything he himself had been doing for the sect.

He rubbed his chin. ”I understand, but the sooner you get the manual, the faster you’ll be able to grow. Right now, we don’t even have an earth aspected technique for you. And while finding a spiritual farming technique might be difficult, at the very least, I want to get you some earth-aspected martial techniques. It’s always good to know a few.”

He had already spoken to Qing He about it, but even she didn’t have much for Luo Feng. There were books on earth-aspected cultivators, detailing their abilities and theories, but no actual cultivation manuals. And that was the real problem—technique manuals weren’t things that could simply be found in bookstores. They were treasures hoarded by clans and sects, rarely making their way to the open market.

It was a frustrating situation, despite Luo Feng’s reassurances.

Chen Ren had a fw ideas on how to get his hands on one, but it would take a significant amount of money—possibly draining most of the low-grade spirit stones he had.

As he thought over his options, he suddenly felt movement to his left. His senses sharpened, instincts kicking in—only to relax a moment later when he recognized the massive figure approaching.

A large wolf padded toward them, its fur dark as the evening shadows, and its teal eyes locked ahead. On its back, sprawled in a completely unbothered manner, was Zi Wen. Rather than sitting properly, the man had made himself comfortable, stretching his large limbs out lazily across Little Yuze’s body as though he had just woken from a nap.

As the wolf came to a stop, Zi Wen cracked one eye open and glanced at Chen Ren before smoothly rolling off. He landed lightly on his feet and gave a small bow in greeting.

Chen Ren nodded at it. ”Were you in the forest all day again?”

Zi Wen grinned, brushing dirt off his sleeves. ”Of course. And just now, I reached the third star of the body forging realm.”

Chen Ren raised a brow. ”Oh?”

Zi Wen stretched, rolling his shoulders. ”Training with Little Yuze these past few weeks made me realize I was walking the wrong path all along. If I hadn’t corrected my methods, I’d have been stuck at the first star for who knows how long.”

Like Luo Feng, Zi Wen had changed a lot. And it wasn’t just his cultivation—his entire… mood had shifted. He remembered how the man had been when they first met. Hollow-eyed, drowning in self-doubt and looking like he had given up on the world—but now, he looked far more energetic.

He stood straighter, his eyes had regained their sharpness, and for the first time since joining the sect, he had even spoken about regaining his ambition.

Watching him, Chen Ren couldn’t help but reflect on how important it was to have a path in life. When someone found a road they could walk—one where their efforts bore fruit—life seemed just a little bit better. A little bit brighter.

He nodded at Zi Wen and turned his gaze to the wolf standing beside him. ”Little Yuze looks even bigger now.”

The massive beast who seemed to be growing every week, now sat with his tongue lolling out, looking more like an oversized dog than a scary spirit beast.

Zi Wen chuckled. ”He is, a bit. With my connection, I believe he’s going to keep growing with me. Right now, he’s at Tier 1, but in the future, I’m pretty sure he’ll be able to reach the higher tiers once I do.”

Chen Ren nodded in approval. ”And how’s the task I gave you going?”

At that, Zi Wen straightened slightly and sighed. ”Harder than I expected.” He tugged the ends of his hair in the back. ”Like you told me, I’m trying to form bonds with more beasts, but it’s been tough. Little Yuze might’ve been special… or maybe it was just easier because he was a pup.

”I tried bonding with a nest of uyah hawks and even found a ione ironhide boar, but no luck. The boar got aggressive, so I had to put it down—but at least Little Yuze had a good meal.”

”And Whiskey?]

Zi Wen let out a short laugh. ”Oh, he acts friendly enough, but he’s got no interest in forming a bond with me.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Chen Ren shrugged. ”Well, Yalan did say lunaris are solitary creatures. Maybe that’s why.” Then, shaking his head, he added, ”That little beast is more interested in alcohol than anything else anyway.”

Zi Wen huffed. ”You’re not wrong. I swear, the only time he looks truly happy is when he gets his paws on a jar of moonshine. I’ll still try. Defending the sect with tamed beasts is an interesting idea, and I’d love to help out.”

“That’d be great.” Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, he asked, ”You came here just to report your gains?”

Zi Wen suddenly froze, his expression shifting. ”No… I had more to talk about. I almost forgot.” He sucked in a breath before hurriedly continuing, ”Feiyu’s looking for you. Apparently, Elder Qing He and he managed to make a breakthrough with that artifact you called a ‘gun.’ They were trying to find you to give you a demonstration.”

Chen Ren’s face changed completely. ”You should have told me that first!”

Without waiting for another word, he surged lightning through his legs, and in the next instant, he was gone. The ground beneath him crackled as he blurred past the farmlands, buildings, and villagers, moving at record speed toward the heart of the village.

His destination: the third building he had claimed—one that he had converted into a forge and alchemical workshop.

As soon as he stepped inside, a pungent, acrid scent hit him, a mix of burnt metal, sulfur, and something distinctly chemical. He barely noticed it as he strode deeper inside, reaching the hallway that had essentially become a makeshift testing room/

Qing He and Feiyu were both there, deep in discussion, their voices animated. The room, however, was an absolute mess. Failed prototypes of guns, cartridges, and bullet casings were scattered everywhere, some neatly stacked, others tossed aside haphazardly. On the far side of the room, protective containers housed failed samples of the gunpowder—or rather, ”explosive powder,” as Qing He was now calling it.

Thanks to all the experimentation, there had been more than a dozen explosions in just the past week. Thankfully, they had been testing things out in the open, behind the building—otherwise, the entire workshop might have gone up in flames by now.

Chen Ren took in the chaotic scene, his pulse quickening in anticipation. ”Alright,” he said, stepping forward. ”Show me what you’ve got.”

As he strode toward them, both Qing He and Feiyu turned to look at him. Qing He was the first to speak, clicking her tongue. ”You’re late, kid. My old bones don’t like waiting.”

Chen Ren scoffed. ”I came as soon as I was informed. And you’re not an old lsdy—you can run faster than me.”

Qing He snorted but said nothing, only crossing her arms as Feiyu shifted the gun in his hands. Chen Ren’s eyes twinkled as he caught sight of it, curiosity overtaking him.

”I heard you wanted to give me a demonstration,” he said.

Feiyu nodded. ”I’ve been making good progress, and I believe this gun will work well now.”

As he spoke, he adjusted his grip, spinning the gun slightly in his hands before passing it over. Chen Ren took it, feeling the weight immediately—heavier than he would have liked, a bit bulky and large, but otherwise exactly what he had envisioned.

The design reminded him of a Colt M1911, though slightly larger, with an elongated barrel and a more reinforced grip. The cartridge was of similar size, making it clear that Feiyu had successfully replicated the chambering system. But what caught Chen Ren’s attention most were the runes inscribed all over the weapon. Qing He had etched them into both the outer shell and the inner workings, enhancing durability, self-cleaning, and stabilization.

The bullets on the nearby table were just as detailed, each one bearing inscriptions for piercing power, explosive impact, or other enhancements. Chen Ren almost shuddered as he realized the sheer potential of firearms in a world where magic could amplify their destructive power.

After thoroughly inspecting the gun, he turned back to Feiyu and Qing He. ”You sure this won’t blow up in my hand like last time?”

Feiyu, looking slightly offended, straightened. ”No. We’ve made sure the inscriptions will protect the one firing the bullet.”

Qing He smirked. ”We’ll know for sure when we take it outside for a demonstration. And even if it explodes, it’s not like you’d die.”

”I’d still get injured.”

Qing He waved a hand dismissively. ”I’ll protect you. Just like last time.”

Chen Ren glanced at her, remembering the last time a gun had exploded in his hands. It was four days back and his memory was vivid—the moment he pulled the trigger something had gone wrong, and the entire thing ruptured in a blast of flames and shrapnel. Qing He’s ridiculous speed, possibly a movement technique, pulled him back just in time and if not, he’d have lost more than some burnt fabric. Even the thought sent a shudder through his body.

Shaking off the thought, he exhaled and said, ”Let’s go outside then. I can’t wait.”

Moving carefully through the mess of blueprints, shattered metal parts, and leftover powder stains, the trio moved toward the backdoor. As they stepped out, they entered a small training area—a cleared-out space with training dummies positioned at different distances.

Chen Ren had bigger plans for this spot. Eventually, it would become a designated gun training area, but for now, it was just a place for testing prototypes and making sure nobody lost their limbs in the process.

Qing He crossed her arms, smirking. ”So, what are you waiting for?”

Chen Ren stretched his neck and moved his wrists in circles. ”I’m starting.”

Walking forward, he stopped at a red line drawn into the dirt, marking the shooting position. He took a deep breath, gripping the gun firmly as he raised it toward the central dummy and froze.

It wasn’t hesitation due to inexperience—he had fired guns before, on Earth, during hunting trips and even during earlier experiments. No, this was different. This wasn’t just a normal firearm; it was something altered, enhanced and made deadlier.

Qing He had been refining the explosive powder relentlessly, pushing its limits with the knowledge he had provided her from Earth, as well as what she had gleaned from ancient alchemical texts. He had no doubt that the weapon would work. The real question was: would it work too well?

With one last deep breath, he steadied his stance, aligning his shot. He trusted Qing He. He trusted Feiyu.

Click.

The trigger squeezed.

And in an instant, the gun roared to life. A violent explosion of force surged through his arm as the bullet tore through the air. The force almost pushed him back, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm. The bullet shot through the air like a streak of light, slicing through the wind with a sharp whistle.

Then—boom!

The impact struck dead center on the dummy, sending a deep, resounding sound through the courtyard. Dust and splinters exploded outward from the sheer force of the shot, and for a moment, it was silent.

Chen Ren tensed, waiting for something to go wrong—the bullet to shatter uselessly, the gun to explode in his grip, or even some unexpected backlash from the inscriptions. But nothing happened. No fiery explosions, no misfires. The weapon had worked.

His eyes flicked to the dummy, the bullet lodged cleanly in its center. Then, a grin split his face.

He turned to Qing He and Feiyu, excitement bubbling in his chest. ”We did it.” His voice came out breathless, then stronger. ”The demonstration is successful!”

Feiyu let out an exhilarated laugh. ”It actually worked! No misfire, no explosion—nothing! Whoa!”

Qing He smirked, crossing her arms. ”Hah, of course it worked. What, you think I’d let you lose a limb over this?”

Chen Ren huffed a laugh, still staring at the gun in his hand. It worked.

***

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