When it comes to cultivating immortality, it naturally starts with upgrading the herb garden.

The islands of Wandaobo, each brimming with spiritual energy, shine like countless stars.

In this corner of the starry sky, there is a small island that is noticeably smaller, as if it has been cut off by a sword, with a sudden break in the surrounding area.

The seawater crashed against the cliffs of the small island, making a crisp sound.

The island is called Cliff Island, and there is a bustling market town on the island, with its most prosperous central alley.

A shop called "Danfa Dajia" quietly closed its doors.

After tidying up the shop, Song Chen headed towards the residential area at the end of the north alley.

"Is the door closed?"

Just as he arrived at his doorstep, a monk dressed in a gray robe stood in front of his house.

"Um."

"Since you're closing your shop, I'll defer your rent for a month. I'll pay next month's rent along with this month's. If you can't pay, then get out of Huanbei City."

Song Chen dared not breathe loudly, responding in a low voice, with an unpleasant smile always on his face.

Only when the gray-robed cultivator had gone far away did he turn his gaze away. Just as he was about to enter the room, a man with a full beard poked Song Chen on the shoulder from behind.

It was Zhou Ming, the neighbor who ran a real estate agency. He glanced at Song Chen's worried face and smiled:

"Song Chen, your shop is closed, how are you going to pay the rent?"

"How about I lend you some so you can get through this first? Otherwise, with your Qi Refining level only at the second stage, you're likely in grave danger once you leave Huanbei!"

"A 50% interest rate is very low."

loan?

It might be a way out. If Song Chen really had no other choice, he might take the money. But there's still a month left, and it's not time to gamble everything.

He forced a smile and replied, "If it really doesn't work out, we'll see."

After saying that, he waved his hand and closed the courtyard gate.

Zhou Ming smiled, shook his head, and then left.

Song Chen stared at the spiderwebs on the eaves, the drafty windows, and the blood-stained corners of the walls. He slammed his fist on the table, so angry that he wanted to smash the house to pieces, but he couldn't do that.

The situation outside was worse than imagined. Even within the city, it was not absolutely safe, let alone in the lawless wilderness.

If someone at the second level of Qi Refining dares to venture out into the wilderness alone, it's like lighting a lamp in a toilet—they'll be in trouble.

Although the Lower Sword Sect's acquisition of these ten spirit stones was a bit of a rip-off, to a certain extent, it could at least guarantee personal safety.

When it comes to personal safety, Song Chen naturally thinks of Blue Star before he transmigrated. Although he was a miserable beast of burden there, at least the living environment was excellent and there was no danger to his life.

Arriving in this world of cultivation, rich in spiritual energy, one is not far from being destitute.

Although the Lower Sword Sect is not well-known in the vast Eastern Continent, it is one of the top sects in the East Sea.

The bustling Huanbei City is one of the markets under the jurisdiction of the Xiajian Sect. In Wandaobo, which is surrounded by islands, there are many such markets, all used to attract independent cultivators and inject fresh blood into the sect.

Originally, the person in question lived here with their parents and ran a small alchemy shop, and they lived a decent life.

However, just last month, a cave dwelling of a peak Qi Refining cultivator suddenly appeared on the neighboring Wind Crane Island, attracting countless people to flock there.

The original owner's parents were no exception; the two of them, with their pig brains, conspired to try and get a share of the pie by relying on their mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation.

"Xiao Chen! Dad'll be right back!"

"Xiao Chen! Mom has to bring you back a big bottle of Qi Gathering Pills!"

As a result, they disappeared without a trace. More than a month later, the original owner received news that both of them had died and their bodies could not be found.

Upon learning this, the original owner of the body was devastated and actually committed suicide by crashing into a wall, which gave Song Chen the opportunity to transmigrate.

Having lost both parents and lacking money and resources, he was forced to close his shop in exchange for an extension of the rent payment due to a month's arrears.

All I can say is that the bebuffs are maxed out, it's absolutely amazing.

However, as is customary, this is also the time when one's cheat codes are activated.

Sure enough, a screen of light appeared in Song Chen's field of vision.

【Route 1】

[Herbal Garden lv0 (Upgradeable)]

[lv1: Function: Blocks the aroma of spiritual herbs, increases herb growth speed by 10%, and increases the probability of ordinary herbs transforming into spiritual herbs by 10%]

[Upgrade Requirements: One low-grade spirit stone, cultivate land, dredge irrigation ditches, and plant ten medicinal herbs (achieved)]

【Route Two】

[Herbal Garden Lv0]

[lv1: Function: Blocks the aroma of spiritual herbs; increases the probability of herbs transforming into spiritual herbs by 20%]

[Upgrade Requirements: One low-grade spirit stone, cultivate the land, dredge the irrigation ditches, and cultivate a medicinal herb into a spirit herb]

【Route 3】

......

【Route 1】

[Alchemy Room lv0]

[Level 1: Function: Increases the success rate of first-grade pills in the Qi Refining Realm by 10%, and the success rate of second-grade pills by 5%]

[Upgrade Requirements: Two low-grade spirit stones, learn the "Elementary Alchemy Technique," and successfully refine one Crimson Flame Pill]

【Route Two】

......

[Other buildings will unlock as your cultivation level increases]

wdf!

What is this?

hang!

Before Song Chen could figure it out, many memories appeared out of thin air in his mind, all explaining how to use the system and its functions.

In short, this system allows you to upgrade the corresponding building by meeting certain conditions, thereby gaining the corresponding abilities.

Moreover, buildings have more than one upgrade path; as long as you have different materials or meet different conditions, you can upgrade in different directions.

For example, the currently upgradable herb garden building requires land reclamation, irrigation canal dredging, and planting of medicinal herbs.

Whether others can meet these conditions is unknown, but Song Chen can definitely meet them.

The original owner's family ran an alchemy workshop, and his father had already created a sizable medicinal herb field in the backyard to save costs.

At this time, there are dozens of medicinal herbs in the herb field, so the conditions for [Route One] have naturally been met long ago.

As for spirit stones, it's no exaggeration to say...

Song Chen actually had one!

Only one available!

This is no way.

The family's savings were all squandered by those two kids, leaving nothing.

Song Chen found this spirit stone under the counter table while tidying up the shop!

That's all the wealth he had!

The upgraded herb field in Route 1 gains the following benefits: herb growth rate increased by 10%, and the probability of ordinary herbs transforming into spiritual herbs increased by 10%.

It's actually very easy to understand.

Ordinary herbs can only be used to refine mortal pills, as they lack any spiritual energy and have little effect on cultivators.

Only spiritual herbs can be used to refine elixirs, which can be used to improve cultivation and strengthen the body's foundation; they are excellent resources.

Unfortunately, spiritual herbs are very difficult to cultivate without seeds. They must be placed in an environment with extremely rich spiritual energy for even a very low probability of producing one.

If a special spirit-gathering formation is set up, the probability might be increased.

Afterwards, Song Chen turned his attention to the upgrade path of the [Medicine Garden].

Route 1 is very balanced, with improved herb growth rate and evolution probability.

Both routes two and three are very specialized; the second route focuses on evolution probability, while the third route focuses on growth rate.

Other routes are not being considered because the materials are too remote and the results are mediocre.

If he could choose, Song Chen would choose [Route Two].

There's no other reason than that the 20% transformation is incredibly appealing.

But how could Song Chen possibly meet the requirements for cultivating a spiritual herb right now?

My father planted them for many years, but never managed to grow a single one.

How could Song Chen possibly produce one in such a short time?

He shook his head and regretfully chose Route 1.

However, Route 1 isn't bad either; the 10% growth acceleration allows herbs to mature faster.

upgrade!

With Song Chen's will, the spirit stone in his hand disappeared, and at the same time, the upgrade conditions and effects of lv2 [Dantian] appeared before his eyes.

【Route 1】

[Medicinal Herb Garden Lv2: Functions: Pest control, masking the fragrance of spiritual herbs, increasing growth rate by 20%, and increasing the probability of transforming into spiritual herbs by 20%]

[Upgrade Requirements: 50 low-grade spirit stones, 5 drops of herbal insect-repelling liquid, 5 spirit-gathering talismans]

【Route Two】

[Medicinal Herb Garden Lv2: Functions: Pest control, shields the fragrance of spiritual herbs, increases growth rate by 10%, increases the probability of transforming spiritual herbs by 20%, produces one Myriad Red Herb per day]

[Upgrade Requirements: Fifty low-grade spirit stones, five drops of Hundred Herbs Insect Remedy, and one Myriad Poison Insect.]

【Route 3】

......

How can a level 2 herb field produce Myriad Reds?

In the memories of the original owner, her father had said that this spiritual herb could be used to make a detoxifying pill that was even more effective than an antidote pill, and that it was a relatively rare spiritual herb.

Even if it's only for one year, it can still be sold for twelve low-grade spirit stones outside.

Before Song Chen could even look to the future, a fragrant aroma wafted from the backyard, its scent extraordinary and intoxicating.

"What is this?"

Song Chen followed the scent, sensing something in his heart, but he was hesitant to believe it.

He was overjoyed at just one glance at the medicinal herb field.

In the herb garden in the backyard, a faint purple hue appeared among dozens of herbs.

It was a spiritual herb with three broad leaves, and atop the leaves was a purple flower bud.

Song Chen recognized it as a Purple Dream Sprout, with the leaves representing its age; three leaves meant it was three years old.

On the market, it would be worth... twenty-five spirit stones.