CHAPTER 118: 118 SPRING PLANTING

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This time we saved another labor, and the pace has become even faster.

At night, neither of them practiced martial arts but focused on practicing the Earth Element Technique and used Divine Sense to sow seeds.

I have to say, this is truly a good form of exercise, and Yuanyuan feels she’s close to a breakthrough.

The two began with Yuanyuan’s land. When there’s no Spiritual Power, Yuanyuan uses Spiritual Spring Water. Like this, they worked through the night without rest and managed to cultivate over ten acres.

Having breakfast together, "It’ll get faster and faster. You’re already very skilled now."

"Yes, I also want to finish planting quickly."

"Take it slow, there’s no rush. If it’s too fast, people might become suspicious."

After breakfast, Tan Shaoting returned to his field and started using his little donkey to help with farming.

In the morning, Yuanyuan provided two servings of rice with toppings, so he didn’t come by at noon.

In the evening, they continued using their superpowers, and one week later, they planted one hundred acres, fifty each.

Tonight, Yuanyuan said she’s not practicing martial arts—she just wanted to sleep.

Tan Shaoting didn’t follow suit; he was meditating and cultivating in the neighboring room.

The next day, they began digging ridges for sweet potatoes, which is perfect for using the Earth Element Technique.

The sweet potato sprouts had just started to appear, and they would need some time before they could be planted.

So they weren’t in a hurry, spending time planting vegetables in the yard since both needed to eat. Although there were many vegetables in the space, relying solely on its stock wouldn’t suffice.

"Let’s use plastic sheeting. It keeps the temperature right and preserves moisture."

The whole day was spent planting two rows of chives and some beans.

Eggplants, cucumbers, and tomatoes were started directly as seedlings by Yuanyuan, to be planted later when they’re ready.

"Mr. Tan, should we cut and directly plant these potato chunks? Will the germination rate be high?" Yuanyuan felt uncertain about planting large quantities as opposed to only a few previously.

"That’s how it’s done, and the germination rate is fine."

Yuanyuan nodded in agreement. Since that’s the case, let’s give it a try.

They cut several large basins of potatoes and soaked them in diluted Spiritual Spring Water, planning to create ridges tonight, lay plastic sheeting tomorrow, and plant the day after.

"Should we plant the potatoes by the water pit?"

Tan Shaoting nodded, having no objections, recognizing that Yuanyuan had more experience in farming.

Actually, building ridges for potatoes and sweet potatoes is similar. Since they were close to water, they first made a ridge groove, then watered it, and covered the sides of the groove with soil.

In one evening, they managed to cultivate four acres. The next day was dedicated to laying plastic sheeting.

At night, they continued working on potato ridges. During the day, they laid the sheeting. On the third night, Yuanyuan did nothing but sleep.

She felt like she was about to break through, but even drinking more Spiritual Spring Water couldn’t achieve it.

Tan Shaoting felt the same way, suddenly realizing maybe it’s the Heavenly Dao’s suppression at work here.

In the morning, they had breakfast together. "I can’t break through either; there’s nothing wrong with my mindset. I think this might be the limit of our cultivation."

Yuanyuan was taken aback for a moment but didn’t have any strong attachments to the idea. Although she felt close to a breakthrough, it didn’t happen, and she’s alright with it.

Besides, she’s already very satisfied, as this experience is quite fantastical to her.

She nodded, "This is already great.

If not for meeting you, I wouldn’t have had such an experience."

Tan Shaoting was very pleased with Yuanyuan’s mindset.

Today, they focused on planting potatoes. As Yuanyuan worked on puncturing the plastic sheeting at the front, Tan Shaoting placed potato chunks in the soil at the back before covering them with earth.

By noon, Yuanyuan’s legs felt sore from squatting.

They only managed one acre in the morning, but that was already quite swift. Both were disciplined and didn’t slack off.

The corn Yuanyuan planted on the first day had already sprouted, though it’s been windy and quite dry.

"Mr. Tan, do you think we should water the corn at night?"

"Sure, the water level in the big water pit has dropped quite a bit."

"Then let’s water it, or else it’ll just evaporate anyway. Better to help the corn seedlings grow well."

So they paused the potato ridge work and began watering at night.

If tired, they’d drink Spiritual Spring Water. Watering those one hundred acres took three nights. They also finished planting potatoes in the ridges dug a few days ago.

"Mr. Tan, let’s plant all potatoes here and all sweet potatoes over there on your side."

"Whatever you say."

They worked straight through to early June, finally finishing planting on those two hundred acres.

Even though for nearly two months they faced sun and wind daily, thanks to the Spiritual Spring Water, neither of them became tan or thin, and Yuanyuan even grew taller.

Yuanyuan, now eleven years old, stands at 1.5 meters, marking quite a change. Her features aren’t stunning but exude a certain approachable charm.

Next to Tan Shaoting’s one hundred acres is about ten acres of wasteland. They watched as Yuanyuan’s neighbor’s family worked on their land, not wanting to stand out too much, so they began to tidy up those ten acres.

"What should we plant?"

Yuanyuan was indecisive, "Soybeans maybe, they’re probably more drought-resistant?" She wasn’t sure.

"Alright."

The two donkeys worked together plowing the land pretty quickly. In a week, they planted soybeans on those ten acres.

Yuanyuan’s thinking was, even if soybeans don’t yield, the bean stalks are good fodder for the little donkeys and sheep, better than wild grass.

By late June, there hadn’t been any rain. The neighbors planted sweet potatoes and had to fetch water from the big pit daily—no choice as both potatoes and sweet potatoes need watering at planting.

Seeing Yuanyuan’s potato seedlings under the plastic sheeting thriving, they were truly envious.

No one expected that these two young ones could plant two hundred acres? If they hadn’t witnessed it, they wouldn’t believe it.

Ma Changshun also completed planting his land and now drove his donkey cart around the farm.

He arrived at Yuanyuan’s field, amazed at the lush greenery.

"Are you two working nights?"

Tan Shaoting smiled and nodded, "Yes, we planted earlier and had two little donkeys, which made the process much faster."

"This land is pretty good near the water pit. Those seedlings look sturdier than anyone else’s."

Yuanyuan smiled. That excuse was great, truly a divine intervention.

"Xiao Tan, why did you cover both potatoes and sweet potatoes with plastic sheeting?"

"It makes weeding easier and helps conserve moisture. I’m not entirely sure—it was just an experiment, but it seems to have worked."

For such matters, Tan Shaoting took the reins, and Yuanyuan wouldn’t respond.