The King of Black Fog

The size remains the same as before, the lake has not widened, and the huge trees have not grown taller, but the life force is much more vigorous.

Each drop of water from the lake looks like the purest mountain spring water, and the silverfish that occasionally leap out are bigger and more active.

Every leaf on the huge tree is verdant, the branches are lush with vegetation, the blue wind chimes sway in the wind, and bees buzz amongst the blossoms.

Everything in sight is brimming with life, a pure and unadulterated beauty of nature.

"There are butterflies!" Li Qianxia exclaimed.

A group of butterflies, vibrant in color, danced over Bird Nest Plain, occasionally circling the wooden house that Li Changzhou had just built, out of curiosity.

"It's a pity they can't get bigger." Li Changzhou was a greedy man; never satisfied, always seeking better, and once he had better, he wanted the best.

Take Yang Qinglan as an example, she was the have, the better, and the best.

"I'm going to milk the cow. Qian Xia, go pick some vegetables, actually, let's go together." Yang Qinglan arranged.

"I'm coming too!" Li Changzhou hurriedly said.

"Aren't you practicing?" Yang Qinglan asked him, puzzled.

"Despite being 'king' and 'master' now, I'm first and foremost the child of a farmer with a deep love for the land," Li Changzhou joked.

"Yeah," Li Qianxia nodded, "my brother liked to steal sweet potatoes and corn from others' fields when he was young, then pick up twigs to roast and eat."

"Why does it seem like you were always there when we ate them?"

"No." Li Qianxia shook her head solemnly.

Yang Qinglan smiled and said, "I was born in the city, but I like to grow vegetables. I planted some flowers in foam boxes and also some chili peppers and green onions."

"Loves life! Skillful and nimble! Thrifty housekeeping! Beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal!" The farmer's child immediately affirmed.

The three of them walked and talked, arriving at the branches where the vegetables were grown.

The tomatoes grew like a small tree, its heavy red fruits hanging, and from a distance, they looked ablaze;

Cucumbers too had become like trees, with crisp, tender cucumbers hiding among the broad leaves like green maidens playing hide and seek, around fifteen or sixteen this year;

Ten purple eggplants stood together, looking every bit the knights guarding the land;

The chili peppers were mischievous children, stubbornly clinging to their mother-plant, eager to play on the ground;

The pumpkin was the young father, laughing heartily on the ground;

The corn was the aloof sister, disdainful of her twelve-year-old capricious little brother, the chili pepper;

Chinese cabbage and lettuce were lovers, nestled together, whispering the sweetest of nothings;

...

All the vegetables were breathing, each boldly displaying their life force.

Lush and leafy, one might enter and become blocked by the vines of cucumbers and green beans; when crouching down, one would be hidden by the peas and mung beans.

This was like a small vegetable world.

"Wow!" Li Qianxia exclaimed in surprise, gently touching each of the vegetables with her hand.

Yang Qinglan looked at everything before her, her eyes sparkling like fireworks blooming anew, and she couldn't help but turn to look at Li Changzhou, only to find him already snacking on a cucumber.

Seeing her looking, he hesitated for a moment, then broke off half and handed it to her.

Yang Qinglan gave him a slightly amused and exasperated look, her gaze bright and tender.

She took the green cucumber, and with a crisp snap, her white teeth bit into it, the vibrant, life-filled aroma instantly spreading in her mouth.

Li Changzhou was dumbfounded, holding the other half of the cucumber, staring blankly at Yang Qinglan.

Her eyes full of allure, her long, black hair pinned at the back of her head, revealing a pale, slender neck;

Her gently curved lips, her nearly translucent fair complexion, she stood amidst the throng of lush vegetables, basking in the sunlight and shades from above, her lips curved in a slight smile as she enjoyed the fruits and vegetables.

"What are you looking at?" Yang Qinglan asked him with a hint of reproach and curiosity, still smiling.

Li Changzhou said nothing, staring intently at her, and took a big crunchy bite of his cucumber, eating with a smile.

The thrill of breakthrough, the joy of harvest, none were as peaceful and comfortable as this moment.

He truly liked her, from the very first glance.

◇

The vegetables bought during the event grew plentifully and well, all ripening at once, far too many to eat.

Yang Qinglan decided to give them all a taste, the cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, deer, so everyone could enjoy the bounty of the harvest.

When going to feed the rabbits, she discovered they had given birth to twelve kits that resembled hairless little rodents.

Throwing vegetables to these livestock and animals, even the usually unruly geese that would dominate their territory now quietly buried their heads and ate fervently.

The dairy cow received special care, being fed corn deliberately because what the cow eats is said to influence the flavor and quality of the milk.

It was uncertain whether continuously feeding these in-game purchased vegetables would directly improve the milk's safety and taste, to the point where one might truly start nibbling on the cow itself.

Li Changzhou followed and busied himself—more like frolicking and enjoying—then climbed up the giant tree to a higher spot and sat cross-legged on a branch.

There, if one didn't listen earnestly, the commotion from Bird Nest Plain below could be ignored.

He closed his eyes, emptied his mind, and did not rush to meditate on the Thunder Map, but instead felt every detail of his body.

With a Perception of 7 points, he couldn't yet achieve the amazing feat of internal vision, so what he felt most intensely was the beating of his heart.

The beating was powerful, and with each throb, it burst forth with vigorous Life Force.

This Life Force flowed throughout his body, making it filled with immense Strength, unparalleled healing abilities, and these in turn nourished an even stronger spiritual power.

Li Changzhou had a feeling, with each depletion of his current spirit, the restored spirit became purer, stronger, and more resilient.