Today, the sky was overcast and the atmosphere was particularly oppressive.

Before anyone knew it, tiny specks of crystal began to slowly drift down from the sky, and in just a short while, the earth was covered with a layer of pure white shimmering fabric.

"It's snowing..." Looking at the snowflakes drifting outside the window, Jiang Mu was unusually inspired to write poetry.

"ah!--"

"never mind……"

Knowing he wasn't very knowledgeable, Jiang Mu decisively abandoned his plan to compose a poem.

"With this year's income, we should have no problem getting through this winter comfortably..."

Looking at the fire slime he had stuffed into the fireplace, Jiang Mu gave himself a thumbs up for his actions.

After successfully taming the rock slime, Jiang Mu had a sudden inspiration. In his spare time, he asked Dahei, Erhei, and Sanhei to find slimes of various attributes for him. Through taming potions, he successfully tamed them into livestock... no, domesticated slimes.

Moreover, Jiang Mu, that bored guy, developed all sorts of new uses for these slimes.

For example, there's the fire slime used for warmth, the wind slime used as a temporary fan, the lightning slime used as a miniature generator, the ice slime used to chill food, and the grass slime used to guard the house...

What, you're asking about water slimes?

Of course it's used for...

Ahem, just kidding.

Because of the Water Slime's unique reproductive ability, Gingerwood specially kept it in captivity, waiting until it "matured" before...

Recently, Wanmintang's newly launched "Slime Jelly" milk tea has set off a new trend in Liyue Harbor.

Who wouldn't want to hold a hot cup of milk tea in their hands on a cold winter's day?

As for the source of the slime condensate...

I don't know... (*^_^*)

What? You're asking why Jiang Mu doesn't use the refrigerator and other items provided by the system, but insists on painstakingly taming the slime himself?

Jiang Mu looked at his several temperature-controlled warehouses, cold storage rooms, and greenhouses, and tears of regret streamed down his face...

From now on, we will never build modern facilities without solving the energy problem...

………………

Cough cough...

In short, thanks to Jiang Mu and Ma Yanqiao's continuous efforts, Jiang Mu's farm has made a name for itself in the first year.

Actually, this was largely thanks to Ningguang's secret help.

Ningguang would never admit to this, even if she were beaten to death.

She only mentioned it casually during a conversation with a businessman.

"I heard that a new farm has opened in Qingce Village, and the products seem to be quite good..."

And Gan Yu would never admit that it was she who asked Lord Tianquan to help Jiang Mu's farm...

All of this seemed so normal within the context of this "behind-the-scenes operation"...

………………

However, despite Ningguang's recommendation, those merchants who initially hoped to win her favor all chose to continue cooperating with Jiang Mu after understanding the quality of his products.

After all, only a fool wouldn't do something that makes money.

Some merchants even exported crops from the ginger farm to neighboring countries like Mondstadt and Sumeru, successfully opening up local markets and receiving a warm welcome from the local people.

………………

In short, thanks to the combined effects of various external forces, Jiangmu's farm has managed to establish a firm foothold in Liyue.

As for the agreement with Ningguang?

Looking at the machines in the system space, Jiang Mu chuckled.

Bring the materials when the time comes, and turn on the machine.

With a kick of the legs, I'll be free from worldly strife!

"bite……"

Just as Jiang Mu was about to go back and catch up on some sleep, the system suddenly sent him a message.

"Urgent notice: Due to a system upgrade malfunction, the host is required to provide items."

What!

Jiang Mu was stunned.

"Is this system... malfunctioning?"

What items do you need?

At this point, he couldn't care less about anything else and hurriedly asked the system.

"Ding~"

"After system analysis, you need two types of items."

"One is called Crystalline Essence, and the other is called Extreme Cold Core."

"The Essence of Crystalline Essence and the Core of Extreme Cold?"

Jiang Mu murmured.

"I remember that the Crystal Essence can only be obtained by defeating the Ice of No Form in Dragonspine Mountain, while the Core of Extreme Cold is near the Frozen Tree..."

Wait a minute...

Jiang Mu vaguely remembers his farm...

"Warning to the host!"

The system's cold, mechanical voice sounded again.

"Upgrading the system requires wild Cryo-Trees; cultivated Cryo-Trees will cause unspeakable damage to the system."

"have to."

Jiang Mu had no choice but to give up his idea of ​​slacking off...

"Looks like I'll have to go to Mondstadt..."

Jiang Mu made up his mind and began packing his luggage.

"Hey boss, where are you going?"

Just as Jiang Mu was packing his bags and preparing to leave, Ma Yanqiao pushed open the door and came in. Seeing Jiang Mu looking like he was about to go on a long trip, he asked curiously.

"nothing……"

Jiang Mu said, "You came here because..."

"This..." Ma Yanqiao scratched his head and chuckled.

"I see that the Lantern Festival is coming up soon, so I was thinking about whether I could..."

"A request for leave?" Jiang Mu chuckled upon hearing this.

"Alright, there's not much business right now anyway, I'll go back and spend some time with my parents."

"Okay!"

After briefly explaining the recent precautions to his pet slimes, Jiang Mu returned to his house.

"System, teleport to Mondstadt."

"Okay, begin the transfer..."

………………

After a brief moment of dizziness, Jiang Mu felt a solid sensation under his feet again.

"call……"

Exhaling a puff of white breath, Jiang Mu looked at the desolate scenery before him and sighed deeply.

"System, expand the map."

Jiang Mu said softly.

"OK……"

The system unfolded a virtual electronic screen in front of Jiang Mu. Jiang Mu roughly estimated that the Formless Ice should be to his northeast.

"Here..." Jiang Mu suddenly realized that in the game, he would only have to complete a series of puzzles before he could fight the Formless Ice, but now...

As if sensing Jiang Mu's thoughts, the system explained.

"You don't need to worry. The system has planned the best route. Follow the system's guidance and you will arrive at the fastest speed."

"Alright then..." Jiang Mu nodded upon hearing this.

"Open the navigation."

"The map continues to navigate for you to confirm your location—Teyvat, specific location—Dragonridge Mountains. Destination location—Ice Hypostasis."

"Hello, Guo Degang is here online to guide you."

"Go straight for 500 meters, then turn left at the intersection..."

And so, guided by the system's unethical navigation, Jiang Mu continued his journey.

Along the way, I encountered Hilichurls and Slimes a few times.

However, unlike in the game, these "monsters" won't attack you with a "ya" sound as soon as they see you.

For example, just now, after Jiang Mu carefully went around him, Na Wuku only glanced at him before sitting down again.

This puzzled Jiang Mu.

However, he wasn't in the mood to think about that right now. With his mind focused on obtaining the Crystal Essence, he continued forward in the direction indicated by the system.

until……

"ah!"

Jiang Mu, who was passing by a frozen lake, was thinking of taking a break and catching some fish to grill and eat...

Then……

After making eye contact with the figure in the lake, Jiang Mu screamed.

At that moment, what he was thinking was...

"Ah, this lake is so big... no, the water is so white..."