Thinking that it was about time for breakfast, he set off toward the small canteen.

Today happened to be the fifteenth, the day each month when the food was at its best. As usual, it was finally time to receive the spirit rice again.

At the thought of the delicious spirit rice, Brian Carter couldn’t help but smile, like a ray of sunlight suddenly breaking through the gloomy sky above, blooming brilliantly in an instant.

Chapter Two: The Bird That Sticks Its Neck Out Gets Shot

Mount Zhongnan rises eight hundred zhang high, towering into the clouds. In the Huangzhou region, it is one of the tallest mountains; above the mountainside, clouds swirl year-round, making it look like a fairyland from afar. In days past, the Sword Sect’s founder Mr. Bolton traveled here, saw the elegant peaks and abundant spiritual energy, and was delighted. He drew his sword and sliced off the mountain’s tip, using it as a foundation to establish his sect.

Recalling that year, that sword that severed the peak—how sharp and awe-inspiring it must have been!

The Zhongnan Sword Sect is divided into inner and outer quarters, one above and one below. The inner quarters are at the very summit, while the outer quarters are relatively lower. According to the mountain’s features, large areas were cleared to build separate courtyards, providing residences for outer disciples and accommodations for guests.

Idle people, however, are not qualified to live inside.

In a hollow on the northwest outskirts of the outer quarters, a row of low stone houses serves as the living quarters for the menial workers. The small canteen is right next to them, also built from large blue stones.

Stepping out of the outer quarters, to the right of the main gate stands a stone pillar three zhang tall, plastered with many advertisements and notices.

Out of habit, Brian Carter stopped to take a look—he was literate, having taught himself:

“Seeking an experienced gardener for the Inner Mountain’s Misty Valley. Requirement: full level three proficiency in the ‘Five Elements Planting Manual.’ Must be able to manage century-old medicinal herbs. Room and board included. Monthly salary: one hundred jin of spirit rice. Rare opportunity, apply quickly…”

“Eight mu of lower-grade spirit fields available in Nanguo, excellent soil and stable yield. Owner is entering closed-door cultivation and has no time to manage. Now specially for rent, price negotiable. Interested parties, please come to Inner Gate Sword House No. 17 for details…”

“Core disciple Eric Grant, due to cultivation needs, is seeking a sword attendant. Female, under twenty, good appearance. Compensation negotiable…”

There were many such notices. Brian Carter read them with great interest. Although he himself didn’t qualify for any of the positions, reading them in his spare time was a kind of entertainment. He could also pick up some market information that might be useful in the future. Soon, he spotted a Sword Sect announcement and couldn’t help but pay attention—

“Storms are rising again in Huangzhou. The Tiandu Sect is stirring, intent on expanding southward. Their wolfish ambitions are well known. If anyone discovers spies or scouts, please report promptly to the Sword Sect guard. A generous reward will be given…”

A generous reward?

The boy’s eyes lit up at once, but he had no idea what kind of group the Tiandu Sect was, nor where to find any spies.

“Heh, looks like I really am too unrealistic, always daydreaming…”

He shook his head, trying to shake off these impractical thoughts. Eating was still the most important thing.

There were no seats to eat inside the small canteen. People would collect their food and either return to their rooms or eat nearby in the open.

Today was the fifteenth, and as usual, everyone could receive three liang of spirit rice.

—Spirit rice is a special kind of rice, far superior to ordinary rice. Each grain is about the size of a peanut, oval-shaped with slightly pointed ends, milky white in color, and surrounded by several rings of swirling light—truly captivating.

Mature spirit rice doesn’t need to be cooked; it’s eaten raw, one grain at a time, with a satisfying texture. It not only fills the stomach but also allows one to absorb the spiritual energy within—a double benefit. As an extremely important cultivation resource, spirit rice holds a crucial position. Once it was developed and cultivated on a large scale, it quickly became the currency of the martial world, a universally accepted medium of exchange.

Nowadays, all the major martial sects are racking their brains to open up spirit fields and grow spirit rice. To some extent, the size of a sect’s spirit fields is a measure of its strength.

However, only land near spiritual veins can become spirit fields—the closer, the more fertile; land far from spiritual veins can only grow ordinary crops.

Mount Zhongnan has spiritual veins, so many suitable areas on the mountain have been turned into spirit fields. Some of these fields are given out as rewards and become private property, but most are leased to disciples to manage, with a certain amount of rent collected each year. Whether the lessee farms the land themselves or hires help is a personal choice.

For ordinary people, spirit rice is unaffordable; they live mainly on regular grains. Working as a menial at the Zhongnan Sword Sect, being able to receive three liang of spirit rice on the fifteenth of each month is quite a good benefit. Even if one can’t bear to eat it, it can be saved up and sold or traded for other things.

Brian Carter entered the Zhongnan Sword Sect as a menial at age fifteen. In three years, he had saved up a total of ten jin of spirit rice. Each month, he would only eat a few grains to satisfy his cravings, saving the rest. Bit by bit, he managed to accumulate ten jin.

He had a dream: to save up thirty jin, so he could exchange it for a basic martial arts cultivation manual.