The next morning, after washing up, Zhang Guodong entered Peach Blossom Spring to begin selecting medicinal herbs. There were four criteria for selection. First, the herb must be suited to the semi-arid environment and climate of the north with its distinct seasons. Second, it must be a rare, or even non-existent, precious herb on Earth. Third, its yield must be extremely high, producing a large number of seeds. Finally, its growth cycle must be rapid in the early stages, but require sufficient spiritual energy to mature in the later stages.
This was the result of Zhang Guodong's discussion with Li Yun, Qingzhu, and Qin Lina overnight. Zhang Guodong wanted to do his part for the village, improve their living environment, and also help Fatty out—this was a good thing. However, Qin Lina said that if they only planted ordinary medicinal herbs, other villages could imitate them, and Jixing Village would have no advantage.
Having spent a lot of time in a materialistic society, Qin Lina experienced many of its darker sides, seeing how many people would stop at nothing to make money.
Jixing Village needs a long-term economic pillar, not just one or two years' worth of wealth, so the selection of medicinal herbs is very important.
Then everyone continued discussing other points. They summarized these four points in total.
The last two choices, in particular, were the most difficult. This matter was entrusted to Zhang Guodong. When Xuan Qingban went to the outside world, he brought out quite a few medicinal herb seeds, but seeds are just seeds; cultivating medicinal herbs is not as simple as just having seeds. The cultivation of many medicinal herbs requires an extremely rich spiritual energy environment and other conditions. Currently, the thirty times the spiritual energy of Peach Blossom Spring is far from meeting the standards for cultivating most medicinal herbs in the plant cultivation world.
As for relying on Qingzhu? This girl doesn't care about that. What she likes most are precious pills, magical artifacts, crystals and other treasures, just like the dragons in Western mythology, who love to collect treasures and never give them away.
Zhang Guodong can't rely on her.
Aside from Li Yun, no one knew that Zhang Guodong possessed the "Peach Blossom Spring Space," let alone imagined that it contained an extremely large number of medicinal herbs—nearly a thousand kinds! To be precise, nine hundred and ninety-eight kinds. Among them, five hundred and thirty-four kinds were from Earth, and four hundred and sixty-four kinds were from the plant cultivation world.
While Earth possesses a greater variety of medicinal herbs than the Plant Cultivation Realm, most are not as precious. This is partly due to the fact that the original Plant Cultivation practitioners primarily collected rare and valuable herbs, as ordinary herbs were of little use to them. Over time, many of these herbs have become quite valuable.
Therefore, this also affects the quantity of medicinal materials in the plant cultivation industry.
Another part actually existed in the plant cultivation community, but this part is relatively small, and plant cultivators have not investigated it clearly, so the number is insufficient and will not be discussed for the time being.
Nearly a thousand kinds of medicinal herbs! Zhang Guodong was excited just thinking about it. Most basic pills require fewer than five hundred kinds of herbs, but intermediate pills often require more than five hundred. It's clear that the higher the grade of the pill, the more complex and mysterious the required herbs and preparation methods become.
A mid-grade pill can be made entirely of common herbs. However, if one particular common herb is unavailable, the pill cannot be refined.
"I'll have to try refining intermediate-level pills another day!" Zhang Guodong thought to himself. He possessed two medicine cauldrons comparable to intermediate-level pill furnaces: one was the Medicine King Cauldron he had crafted himself, and the other was the Hundred Herbs Cauldron, imbued with talismans. These two cauldrons were extremely precious. The other cauldron was quite ordinary, merely a beginner-level cauldron gifted by the Grand Elder.
The success rate of refining intermediate-grade pills using a beginner-level pill furnace is extremely low. However, using an intermediate-level pill furnace can increase the success rate by 5%, reaching 6%. A high-level pill furnace can achieve a success rate of 30% for intermediate-grade pills, and the success rate for high-grade pills remains at 6%.
The success rate of refining pills of a given grade using a suitable alchemy furnace is generally only six percent. The success rate for some special pills is even lower.
"I still have dozens of high-level array enhancement talismans, but I don't need them to enhance a mid-level alchemy furnace to high-level right now. These high-level talismans are just too few!" He was scanning the vast herb garden, the names, medicinal properties, and growth characteristics of each herb flashing through his mind. Zhang Guodong remembered them all very clearly. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a small patch of blue-glowing plants. Their bluish-green leaves made them stand out. It was a common herb in the cultivation world, but it didn't exist on Earth, or was very rare, making it a precious herb even on Earth.
It is one of the medicinal materials used in refining basic pills and Qi-boosting pills, and the dosage is quite large. This is from the perspective of plant cultivation. If used externally for medicinal purposes, its active ingredient is an excellent antibiotic for both external and internal injuries, and it has no side effects.
Most importantly, it meets all the conditions. It also boasts high yields and rapid initial growth. Under conditions of ten times the spiritual energy, it can be harvested in just one month; in the outside world, it would take ten months to mature. However, its maturation period is very long, reaching up to twenty years. This allows for better seed control and the preservation of its advantages.
Most remarkably, this medicinal herb emits a beautiful blue fluorescence at night. It can also be sold as an ornamental plant.
"Luckily, I dug up every medicinal herb I saw back then, and didn't let go of this ordinary herb in the world of plant cultivation. Now that it's in the outside world, it's actually a treasure!"
In fact, there are several other medicinal herbs that can replace star grass, and their medicinal properties are no less than those of star grass, and they are cheaper.
"I'll choose you!" Zhang Guodong decided immediately. Finding a suitable one from nearly a thousand kinds of medicinal herbs was a brain-intensive and time-consuming task, and more than five days had passed in the process.
Zhang Guodong breathed a sigh of relief.
"Guodong, lunch is ready!" Li Yun's voice came from downstairs after only a short while outside Taoyuan. Looking down, it was indeed noon, lunchtime.
"Come down right away!" Zhang Guodong replied.
Zhang Guodong quickly came downstairs. He was surprised to see the dining table set up in the courtyard. Eating under a parasol was indeed a good option.
Qin Lina was also there, helping to serve dishes to the table.
"Why did you decide to eat outdoors today?" Zhang Guodong asked curiously.
“It’s nice outside, the air is fresh, and there’s plenty of light, isn’t that good?” Li Yun said matter-of-factly.
That's true.
Eating in the room feels like a habit. But stepping outside, with the sun overhead and a cool breeze, definitely feels more spacious and bright.
Zhang Guodong didn't care much about these things. Eating outside was better, to avoid disturbing that cultivation fanatic. Everyone didn't need to be so careful.
"Hey, it seems like there's too much food today? Can the four of us finish it?" Zhang Guodong's mouth was watering as he looked at the table, which was almost full, but Qingzhu said there were still some dishes that hadn't been served yet.
"Hehe, today's a special day!" Qingzhu chuckled, looking quite mysterious. "Sister Na, please sit down. Let Li Yun go and get busy!"
"What special day? You said it was a special day last time too, to celebrate making a new vegetarian dish. The time before that, you said it was to celebrate being tired from growing vegetables, and the time before that," Zhang Guodong teased her.
Qingzhu's words are generally not to be listened to. Otherwise, they'll infuriate Zhang Guodong. She always makes excuses for herself, or uses Xuan Qinghui as a shield, which infuriates Zhang Guodong.
However, men and women are different, so one wouldn't dare to bite like that. Otherwise, some people might interpret it as flirtation.
"It's my first time doing this, of course it's special! Otherwise, go ask Sister Qingbo, I've never done anything like this before!" Qingzhu's special day was exposed, but she refused to admit she was wrong. She said indignantly, "Then I won't do anything anymore, I'll let Li Yun do everything!"
A cunning look!
"Sure, I don't mind. If we don't do these things, everyone can save on meals. What a huge watermelon, tsk tsk," Zhang Guodong shook his head and sighed.
Big watermelon!
It was about the two watermelons Li Yun had picked from Peach Blossom Spring. Ever since they'd tasted them once, the women had been longing for them. However, without Zhang Guodong's permission, Li Yun dared not pick anything again after each cultivation session, fearing a spanking from Zhang Guodong.
However, she kept her own portion well hidden, occasionally sneaking bites. Envious, Qingzhu was prepared to reluctantly use star stones to buy some. Star stones were common lighting materials in the plant cultivation world, extremely cheap, but Qingzhu used them to fool Li Yun, only to be caught by Zhang Guodong, who grabbed a handful. Having ruined her plans, Qingzhu hated Zhang Guodong even more, wishing she could pounce on him and bite him.
"This person is truly despicable!" Qingzhu's eyes darted around, and she immediately threatened.
Zhang Guodong's face stiffened, and he glared at her fiercely. He couldn't just say things like that! Then he noticed Qin Lina's gaze was somewhat ambiguous. Qin Lina now knew that Li Yun was Zhang Guodong's girlfriend. These men are all womanizers. Not a single one of them is good!
Zhang Guodong said, "You little brat, all you do is cause trouble. Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of threats. Alright, alright, I was just joking. Telling on others is something only little kids do!"
"Pfft!" Qin Lina chuckled. Qingzhu's face flushed adorably, and she glared at Zhang Guodong resentfully, then glanced at her own chest and sighed. "Qin Lina said.
Zhang Guodong looked at her in surprise, then smiled and said, "Go ahead and say it. We're old neighbors, why be so polite?"
Indeed, Qin Lina's presence instantly brought life to Peach Blossom Spring. If it were just Li Yun and the others, the place would feel quite lonely.
Having neighbors like that is great!
"I'd also like to grow some medicinal herbs and vegetables. I'd like to stay here long-term, but I've never grown medicinal herbs before. So I'd like to ask for your help," Qin Lina said somewhat shyly.
The woman was poised and elegant, yet her captivating gaze still lingered.
"You're going to live here long-term? Are you giving up your job in the provincial capital?" Zhang Guodong asked in surprise. "Of course, if it's just about growing medicinal herbs, this is just..."
"Sister Na, are you staying here long-term too? That's great! We'll have company from now on!" Qingzhu interjected. "Don't worry, I'll help you with planting medicinal herbs. I'm very good at it!"
Zhang Guodong smiled helplessly at Qin Lina and said, "Yes, Qingzhu is indeed very familiar with some medicinal herbs. With her help, there won't be any problems!"
"Actually, working in the provincial capital is too stressful for most people. Settling down here is not bad. I've already selected the medicinal herbs, and my income won't be worse than in the city!"
"Thank you!" Qin Lina said earnestly. Her gaze towards Zhang Guodong seemed much more fervent.
"Hehe, no need to thank me. From now on, we'll be neighbors and look after each other!" Zhang Guodong chuckled dryly and said, forcing a smile.
"Have the medicinal herbs been selected? What are they?" Qingzhu interrupted the conversation and asked instead.
"Star Grass!" Zhang Guodong exclaimed. "After thinking for a long time, this is the only suitable herb. Sales shouldn't be a problem. The price will be high too. A mu (unit of land area) can easily earn 10,000 yuan a year if planted normally; with good yields, 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, or even 40,000 yuan per mu, should be achievable."
"Oh," Qingzhu said, losing interest upon hearing it was just ordinary medicinal herbs. What was ordinary to her was quite mysterious to outsiders.
"So high?!" Qin Lina exclaimed in surprise. Her annual income, including the income she earned during those unbearable days, was only around 100,000 to 200,000 yuan.
The produce dug out of the land yielded an income of thirty to forty thousand yuan per mu (approximately 0.16 acres), which was indeed quite high. Zhang Guodong currently had seven mu of vacant land, two mu of which were designated for construction in case his parents came to stay. Two mu was quite a large area, almost half again as large as Taoyuan Courtyard. The remaining five mu were farmland, and Qin Lina had three mu of land.
"The quality of medicinal herbs is directly related to their growth. Naturally, the price will vary. Qingzhu has the most experience in this area, and there is no problem for them to grow high-quality medicinal herbs!" Zhang Guodong said vaguely.
Qin Li had no idea that high quality meant a high price. Upon seeing the green bamboo, Qingzhu immediately nodded affirmatively, seemingly quite proud.
This further solidified Qin Lina's resolve to settle down. An income of 100,000 yuan a year would be more than enough for her. She was a person who could adapt to any situation. She had been working since she was twenty, and now her younger siblings were all well-educated, and the family's financial situation had greatly improved. She wanted a peaceful place of her own.
The existence of Li Yun, Ge Zhu, and Xuan Qinghui gradually stirred strange thoughts in Qin Lina. These three women were breathtakingly beautiful.
The little things she'd encountered during this time had instilled a sense of mystery in Qin Lina. These three women, and Zhang Guodong, all seemed to be extraordinary. Deep down, each of them harbored a longing for such an ideal environment and circle, which Qin Lina greatly appreciated. This led her to want to get closer to them and decide to settle down.
Now, this idea is completely settled!
As they were chatting, Xuan Qingban unexpectedly came out to eat as well, which surprised Zhang Guodong. Wasn't this woman supposed to be otherworldly and detached from worldly affairs?
We ate outdoors, surrounded by Jimei (a local beauty), and the meal was quite good.
After dinner, Li Yun, Qingzhu, and Qin Lina went to clear the dishes. From the kitchen came Li Yun's surprised voice: "Sister Na, look at your skin now! It's so much better than before!"
"Oh, really? Really?"
"Of course. See for yourself!"
"Wow, it's true! I haven't been using any makeup, but my skin has actually gotten better!"
"That's normal. Although Zhang Guodong is a bad and hateful kid, the fruits and vegetables he brings back are things that others can't get their hands on. The spiritual energy inside them is extremely nutritious!"
Zhang Guodong's face darkened immediately. Was that some kind of compliment? However, he also felt a little worried; if Qin Lina spent too much time with Qingzhu and Li Yun, she might start to suspect something.
Plant cultivators are incredibly mysterious beings. They cannot be revealed to ordinary people.
"Hurry up and wash the dishes, stop talking so much. Help Lina with the field-making later," Zhang Guodong called out to the kitchen. Lina? The way he called her sounded a little ambiguous. Qin Lina, the person involved, felt a jolt in her heart.
Zhang Guodong had never called her that intimately before.
By the way: It's only the last two days of this month, wow, time really flies. Just a slight sigh.
The second update will be released later.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com