"Daoist Jia, I hadn't expected you to possess insect control skills!"
Jia Ren didn't conceal his Insect Control Technique from Yang Bingzhi. Along the way, he effectively used Corner Worms to eliminate other pests with high efficiency.
Even though Yang Bingzhi was an experienced pest remover, he was still amazed, his face unable to hide his envy.
"I'm truly grateful to you! The pest problem in the sixteen mu of Spirit Fields is completely gone, and I can take care of the remaining four mu myself."
The two of them were busy until near dusk. Jia Ren had collected several hundred Corner Worm Eggs and more than twenty Flying Locust Eggs, which was less than he had expected.
Yang Bingzhi had been deep in a pest crisis, on the verge of incurring heavy debts. With Jia Ren's help, the problem was largely solved in the blink of an eye, delighting him beyond his wildest expectations.
"I haven't had a chance to properly host you yet, so please don't rush off."
Helping with pest removal and hinting that the pest infestation was suspicious were both acts of kindness.
Jia Ren couldn't refuse and had to follow along.
"There are eighteen Earth Dragon Worms in total. The worms from the ground aren't very valuable."
"These are home-grown Spirit Jujubes. It's just a pity they aren't ripe yet and are all old dates. Daoist Jia, please don't disdain them."
"I only managed to borrow over thirty pounds of Green Bud Rice. I have just three Spirit Stones and five Broken Spirits. I hope Daoist Jia will accept them all."
Compared to the high cost of pest removal, Yang Bingzhi felt that what he offered was insignificant.
He had done his best and could only offer so much.
"I'll accept the other items, but there's no need for the Spirit Stones."
Jia Ren sat at the stone table, and Yang Bingzhi enthusiastically served tea and a few dried red dates.
The tea was Spiritual Tea. Yang Bingzhi had been reluctant to buy it himself, so he'd borrowed a small amount from a neighbor.
The red dates were Spirit Jujubes, unfortunately old and with little Spiritual Energy.
Jia Ren picked up a red date. It was very sweet.
"When the Spirit Jujubes are ripe, I will send some to you, Daoist friend."
Jia Ren repeatedly declined the Spirit Stones, and Yang Bingzhi, seeing he wouldn't accept them, resolved to make it up to him later.
"How many Spirit Jujubes can one tree produce?"
Jia Ren's gaze turned towards the Spirit Jujube Trees; their yellow blossoms were particularly attractive.
"If we're lucky, a tree can produce a hundred pounds. But after sharing with everyone, not much is left."
Yang Bingzhi was an honest man; he had given away the Spirit Jujubes from the trees instead of selling them for Spirit Stones.
Otherwise, by relying on the Spirit Jujube Tree, he could have earned five to ten Spirit Stones each year.
Grand Wilderness Mountain was different from the Great Wilderness Market. It had less petty scheming and more human warmth.
"Daoist Jia, stay back! Be careful of the Poison Thorn Caterpillars!"
Seeing Jia Ren approaching the Spirit Jujube Tree, Yang Bingzhi quickly held him back.
Poison Thorn Caterpillar?
Jia Ren's eyes lit up, and he began to carefully inspect the Spirit Jujube Tree.
In hidden spots among the Spirit Jujube Tree's leaves and branches, green, furry caterpillars lay, sucking sap from the spirit tree leaves as nourishment.
I didn't expect to encounter such a Spirit Insect!
It's much better than the Corner Worms!
The Insect Control Scripture contained information about Poison Thorn Caterpillars: a species inherently toxic but not particularly strong in combat.
What made them dreaded were their poisonous spines; anyone handling them carelessly could be in trouble.
A victim would experience intense pain, unbearable itching, and an inability to concentrate.
Exposure to too many poisonous spines could even be fatal to a cultivator.
The larvae were quite formidable. As adults, they transformed into Poisonous Phosphorus Moths, capable of flight and releasing poisonous phosphorus powder—a natural toxic material.
It could be said that the Poison Thorn Caterpillar's value far exceeded that of the Corner Worm.
"I almost forgot, Daoist Jia can control Spirit Insects; the Poison Thorn Caterpillar is a good choice."
"Daoist friend, activate your Spirit Qi Protective Barrier, and be absolutely sure not to touch the poisonous spines," Yang Bingzhi quickly warned, fearing Jia Ren might suffer a loss out of ignorance.
Jia Ren silently invoked the Spirit Qi Protective Barrier, and a thin layer of Spiritual Energy shield materialized by his side.
Eh, the Spirit Qi Protective Barrier has changed?!
His non-elemental Spirit Qi Protective Barrier now shone with a yellow-green light, a change resulting from his practice of the Turtle Spirit Technique.
Protected by the Spirit Qi Protective Barrier, Jia Ren no longer worried about the poisonous spines. He boldly approached the Spirit Jujube Tree to look for Poison Thorn Caterpillar Eggs.
He collected every egg and didn't overlook the Poison Thorn Caterpillar larvae either. He controlled them on the spot, replacing the Corner Worms.
Their poisonous spines also had uses; they could serve as a special toxin.
In a short time, he had dealt with all the Poison Thorn Caterpillars on the Spirit Jujube Tree. All the eggs were taken, and the caterpillars were either brought under his control or turned into bug corpses.
I'll need to buy a Spirit Beast Bag, Jia Ren thought. It's too problematic to carry so many insects around.
"Daoist Jia, your pest removal skills are strong. You could earn quite a few Spirit Stones through pest extermination. You might want to consider it."
Earn Spirit Stones from pest removal?
A good proposal indeed!
The downside is that it might provoke the Pest Removal Team and needlessly create enemies.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I will give this matter careful consideration. We shall meet again," Jia Ren said.
Having obtained the eggs he wanted, he had no intention of lingering any longer.
Before leaving, he did not forget to caution Yang Bingzhi.
"Thank you for your assistance, Daoist Yang. When you report this matter, I hope you won't mention my name."
"If there is indeed a culprit behind this Spirit Field pestilence, Daoist Yang, you must also be cautious for your safety."
If this Spirit Field pestilence was man-made, it implied the involvement of numerous cultivators, Jia Ren mused.
The Pest Removal Team... Heavenly River Square... Perhaps even some of the Spirit Farmers were involved.
And who knew if there were even more powerful individuals pulling the strings behind the scenes?
Unless absolutely necessary, Jia Ren didn't want to rashly step into this vortex.
"Rest assured, Daoist Jia, I will be extra cautious," Yang Bingzhi replied.
Watching Jia Ren depart, Yang Bingzhi's eyes grew resolute. He headed straight for the Five Elements Sect's residence in the Great Wilderness Market.
The pest problem in his own Spirit Fields might have been solved, but many other Spirit Farmers were still deeply troubled by such infestations.
If someone doesn't want us Spirit Farmers to live, then I'll make sure those people can't go on living! he vowed silently.
Someone has to stand up and bring light to this darkness.
Back at his residence, Jia Ren thought, First, I'll prepare bait to stock up for tomorrow.
He immediately set to work.
In less than three hours, over fourteen thousand pieces of bait were freshly made. The quality was much better than the last batch.
Each piece was fragrant and of excellent quality.
Jia Ren carefully stored the bait away. Now, shall I try out the Insect Taming Technique? he mused, eagerly taking out the insect eggs.
He currently had three types of eggs: Corner Worm Eggs, Flying Locust Eggs, and Poison Thorn Caterpillar Eggs.
The Corner Worm Eggs weren't very valuable but were the most numerous. In Jia Ren's mind, their only use was to dig holes, like diligent miners.
The Flying Locust Eggs weren't bad; once they reached a sufficient number, they could be quite fearsome.
However, to achieve the desired effect, he would need millions of eggs.
A few Flying Locust Eggs were not very useful.
The Poison Thorn Caterpillar Eggs were his favorite. He prepared the necessary materials for the Spirit Contract Mark.
The Insect Taming Technique differed from the Insect Control Technique; the former focused more on cultivation and nurturing.
The Insect Control Technique, on the other hand, involved forcible control. Without sufficient expertise, there was a risk of backlash.
Jia Ren soaked the eggs in Spiritual Liquid to hasten their growth.
When the Spirit Insects hatched, he could imprint them with the Spirit Contract Mark to control them.
The Insect Taming Technique offered far greater control than the Insect Control Technique. Insects tamed this way were less likely to turn on their master, and he could control a much larger number of them.
Time to deal with the Poison Thorn Caterpillars and collect their poisonous spines, Jia Ren thought.
He activated his Spirit Qi Protective Barrier to prevent the Poisonous Spines from touching him.
He carefully stripped the Poisonous Spines from the caterpillars and collected them into porcelain bottles.
Soon, fifty Poison Thorn Caterpillars were turned into 'bald caterpillars'; Jia Ren had plucked all their spines clean.
The collected Poisonous Spines filled two small porcelain bottles.
Definitely a sneaky tool for ambushing others!
Should I find a target to test it on?
The Insect Control Scripture's description of the Poisonous Spines wasn't detailed enough for him to intuitively grasp their effects.
Jia Ren wasn't foolish enough to test them on himself.
He would have to find another target.
The one who followed and ambushed me?
He disliked both of them. However, his feelings towards Zhou Lezhi were more of an aversion; the grudge wasn't too deep.
Should I use the one who ambushed me as a test subject?