Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Aqua led the way, his steps unusually brisk as he guided the group toward a stream Ace had always assumed was just a decorative feature.

But the moment they arrived, Ace was met with a bizarre sight.

Fishes leaped from the water in synchronized arcs, diving back down only to jump again moments later—like performers in some aquatic acrobatics show.

His brows twitched. "…Why aren't they swimming? Why are they being so—athletic?"

Aqua's face, inexplicably, flushed a deep red. He gave a deliberate cough, trying to maintain his composure.

"Well… this was the best I could get from my trades with the Spirit Chickens." His throat bobbed as he gulped.

Inside, however, his thoughts were far less composed—

[I already did the best I could! But master isn't satisfied... There's no way I'm gonna get a spirit pork even if I ask now, would I?]

Before Ace could comment, Lily, who had been quietly observing, decided to speak up in Aqua's defense.

"Master, Aqua is telling the truth. These fish… well, they might not look the part, but they're already good enough compared to a Spirit Chicken."

Aqua's eyes widened in disbelief.

[Lady Lily is speaking up for me? Wah—I misunderstood you all along! Goddess Lily, i worship you.]

Ace, on the other hand, nearly burst out laughing. His amusement only seemed to deepen as he studied Aqua's hopeful yet nervous expression.

"Well, if that's true, then let's give Aqua a reward." He leaned forward slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Give him a Spirit Pig to dine on."

Aqua froze for a second then, his body jerked in sheer shock.

"R-REALLY?!"

His voice cracked slightly from the sheer overwhelming joy. He hadn't felt this happy in so long; well, not since the very first time he tasted a fish.

[Ah, and here I thought Master knew how terrible these fish tasted! I'm saved!]

Just as he was still reeling from this unexpected stroke of luck, a voice interrupted the moment.

— "So, Master… do I get a name now?"

The girl who had remained silent this entire time finally spoke again.

Yet before Ace could reply, the moment got were interrupted by another calling.

"Master!" Shan Yifeng's urgent tone cut through the air.

Ace turned, his brows furrowing. Without hesitation, he shifted his focus, stepping away from the shimmering waters.

Lily, who had been examining a budding spirit herb nearby, looked up in surprise as he grabbed her wrist lightly.

"Let's go."

She didn't question it, simply nodding as they both vanished from the system space in a flash.

Behind them, Aqua blinked in confusion, still holding a half-eaten spirit mango. He sighed, shaking his head.

"So he just left… but when will I get my pig."

Next to him, The divine hoe began to brawl her eyes out.

— "Master didn't give me a name."

________

Outside, he found himself face-to-face with Hua Tiger and an unfamiliar woman standing beside him.

Hua Tiger gestured toward her. "This is Hua Lesy, another elder from the Hua family."

The woman's eyes flickered with interest as she studied Ace. A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.

"I didn't expect Master Zhi to be this handsome," she said, her voice carrying a playful lilt.

Ace raised a brow at Hua Lesy's remark but didn't respond directly to the blatant flirting.

Instead, he offered a neutral smile—neither encouraging nor outright rejecting her words.

Hua Lesy chuckled, unfazed. "Master Zhi, I must say, the Spirit Vegetables we acquired from you have been quite a marvel. Even our most seasoned cultivators have noted a significant boost in their energy recovery. It's rare to find such quality."

Hua Tiger nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The effects are purer than most spirit-enhanced foods on the market. The difference is noticeable, even among our younger disciples."

Ace remained composed instead, he shifted the conversation smoothly. "I assume this means you're interested in another trade?"

Lesy's lips curled into a smile. "That depends… Are you offering?"

"I want to sell some of my spirit pigs. Is the Hua family willing to digest the spirit pig market?", Ace said with a smirk, his lips curling up a little.

Hua Tiger cleared his throat. "Master Zhi, are you really willing to sell us some Spirit Pigs?"

Ace nodded. "Yes. In exchange for spirit herbs."

At that moment, Lily, who had remained silent so far, took the initiative to list the required herbs. Her voice was calm and steady, detailing each one without hesitation.

Lesy's gaze sharpened at the list. The playful air around her faded slightly as she studied Ace again.

"These are all Grade 1 herbs…" She tapped a finger against her chin.

Lesy's eyes gleamed with interest as she leaned slightly forward. "Master Zhi, are you an Alchemist?"

Ace met her gaze calmly. "I am."

She tapped a finger against her chin, as if considering something. "Then… would you be willing to lend your skills to the Hua family?"

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Ace didn't answer immediately. He studied her expression, noting the curiosity beneath her composed demeanor.

Ace's fingers lightly tapped against his arm as he considered Hua Lesy's proposal.

He had admitted to being an Alchemist without much thought, but now, faced with her expectant gaze, he realized the weight of the revelation.

Hua Tiger, standing beside her, looked visibly unsettled. His brows furrowed as he turned to her with a hushed urgency.

"Lesy, are you out of your mind?" His voice was low, controlled, but laced with caution. "Do you realize what you're asking? Master Zhi has no obligation to help us—your words might offend him."

Lesy, however, didn't seem the least bit flustered. She simply smiled, her sharp eyes watching Ace carefully, as if measuring his every reaction.

"I don't believe Master Zhi is so easily offended, are you?" she asked smoothly, tilting her head.

Ace didn't answer right away. His gaze flickered between the two of them before he exhaled softly.

"It's not a matter of offense," he finally said, his tone unreadable. "It's a matter of whether it benefits me."

Lesy's smile widened slightly. "Then tell us—what would make it worth your while?"

Ace didn't respond immediately. His mind wandered to the Xiao family. Once his home, well, not his, his predecessor's home. Was there anyone in that family worth saving? Yes. There's lots, but does it concern him?

He still remembered Xiao Wuzi's words during the Tournament of Dragon and Phoenix. That old man had not been lying, what he had said, it was a real genuine threat.

Even if he wasn't originally from this world, instinct told him that letting his guard down would be a mistake. The Xiao family aside, this Xiao Wuzi was the real time bomb.

The Hua family, on the other hand…

They weren't perfect, but they were influential, and more importantly, they didn't see him as an enemy.

If anything, they were trying to win his favor.

Well he already owed them a big favor, especially when Hua Hua was the deterrent on why Xiao Wuzi hadn't come for his head yet.

His fingers ceased tapping. He glanced at Lily, who remained silent beside him, patiently waiting. Then, he looked back at Lesy.

"I might be interested," he admitted, "but it depends on what you're offering in return."

Tiger let out a breath, visibly relieved that Ace wasn't offended. Lesy, however, looked delighted, as if this was exactly the response she had expected.

"Then let's talk details," she said, eyes glinting. "I'm sure we can come to an agreement."