Chapter 42: Breaking New Ground

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Tu Xiaomeng and Pinecone stood shoulder to shoulder opposite Bai Xiaoyue, both watching intently.

At first, the two of them thought Bai Xiaoyue’s Paper-Talisman Daoist Art would easily activate the mattock. But things didn’t go as expected—no matter how she tried, the mattock drawn on the talisman remained unchanged, showing not the slightest sign of life.

Bai Xiaoyue’s delicate face flushed crimson. She stood there, staring at the talisman in her hand, at a loss for what to do. Then Tu Xiaomeng sighed and said,

“Sigh, I’m so disappointed! Sister Bai, I thought you’d been practicing the Paper-Talisman Daoist Art for a long time, and activating a mattock would be effortless for you. I never expected this outcome…”

Bai Xiaoyue’s cheeks burned. “Yes,” she said, “Xiaomeng, Pinecone, I’m sorry. I’ve let you down!”

Hearing the self-reproach in Bai Xiaoyue’s voice, Tu Xiaomeng realized she’d been too harsh. She quickly waved her hand and laughed, “What disappointment? Sister Bai, I was just talking nonsense—don’t take it to heart!”

Pinecone grinned as well. “That’s right, Sister Bai, we’re not disappointed.”

“Even if you’re not disappointed, what am I supposed to do now?” Bai Xiaoyue gave a rueful smile. “We’re about to go plant the field. But without a mattock, how can we break the ground? Without that, how will we sow the carrot seeds? It’s all my fault—I haven’t practiced the Paper-Talisman Daoist Art enough. I can only activate small things, and anything larger is beyond me. If only your brother Yan were here—activating a mattock would be nothing to him…”

“Big sister, I’m here.” Before she could finish, Yan Chixia’s voice came from outside.

It was truly uplifting.

“Ah, Brother Yan is here!” Tu Xiaomeng cheered instantly. “Speak of the devil, and he appears! This is wonderful!”

No sooner had she spoken than Yan Chixia strode in, full of energy.

Seeing him, Bai Xiaoyue’s face lit up with joy. “Little brother, you’ve come at just the right moment! I was trying to use the Paper-Talisman Daoist Art to activate a mattock, but I simply couldn’t do it. Now that you’re here, please activate one for us, so we can go and plant the field…”

“Yes, yes!” Before Bai Xiaoyue could finish, Tu Xiaomeng interrupted excitedly. “Brother Yan, please hurry! I want to be a farmer and plant carrots—I can’t wait!”

“Is that so?” Yan Chixia smiled. “In that case, I’ve come at exactly the right time. Xiaomeng, don’t worry—a mattock will appear right before your eyes in just a moment.”

As he spoke, he strode over to Bai Xiaoyue, picked up the brush from the table, dipped it in cinnabar ink, and swiftly drew a mattock on a talisman. Setting the brush aside, he grasped a corner of the talisman and gave it a flick. With a flash of golden light, a brand new mattock appeared.

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Quick as lightning, Yan Chixia caught the mattock and, smiling at Tu Xiaomeng, said,

“Xiaomeng, since you love farming so much, this mattock is yours.”

“Oh, this is wonderful!” Tu Xiaomeng laughed, happily accepting the mattock. Finding it a bit heavy in her hands, she turned to Pinecone with a grin. “Wielding a mattock takes strength—now’s your chance to shine as a man! Here, you take it.”

“All right.” Pinecone agreed readily, taking the mattock and examining it with delight. “Brother Yan, you’re amazing! If only I could be like you someday…”

Bai Xiaoyue encouraged him, “Don’t worry, Pinecone! If you work hard at Daoist practice, that day will surely come. Now that we have a mattock, let’s not waste any time—let’s go plant the field.”

“Let’s go!” Tu Xiaomeng bounced with excitement. “Pinecone, hurry up!”

Pinecone replied and hurried after her. Bai Xiaoyue gathered up the carrot and vegetable seeds and followed with Yan Chixia. As they walked, she smiled, “Little brother, I didn’t expect you to come today—I’m so happy!”

Yan Chixia, looking at her radiant smile, replied, “Sister, I hadn’t planned on coming today—I meant to stay at Clear Void Monastery and practice. But then I remembered you’d be planting carrots today and thought you might run into trouble, so I hurried over.”

Bai Xiaoyue nodded, “You always think ahead. I’m really grateful you came—without the mattock, planting would have been difficult…”

As they talked, they left the wooden house and stepped outside.

It was the heart of winter—outside the barrier, the world was an icy expanse, but within, grass was green and flowers bloomed.

Tu Xiaomeng and Pinecone ran to a patch of grass, standing there happily, waiting for Yan Chixia and Bai Xiaoyue to join them. As they approached, Tu Xiaomeng asked excitedly,

“Sister Bai, where shall we plant the field?”

Bai Xiaoyue didn’t answer immediately, but turned to Yan Chixia.

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“Little brother, where do you think would be best for planting?”

Yan Chixia pointed to a stretch of open grass not far ahead. “Sister, there are no trees there, and the ground is flat—a perfect spot for crops.”

“Good,” Bai Xiaoyue nodded. “Xiaomeng, we’ll plant the carrots and vegetables right there.”

Hearing this, Pinecone declared, “I’m off to break ground!” and ran over with the mattock.

Tu Xiaomeng called out, “Wait for me, Pinecone! I want to take the first swing!”

“All right!” Pinecone slowed down. “Xiaomeng, you’re in charge—you get the first turn.”

“You’re the best, Pinecone!” Tu Xiaomeng laughed. “I’m so lucky to know you!”

“Heh heh…” Pinecone chuckled. “Xiaomeng, I’m lucky to know you too! Xiaomeng, I want to be with you always, for the rest of my life!”

“Good, it’s a promise!” Tu Xiaomeng said happily. “Pinecone, for the rest of our lives—together with Sister Bai and Brother Yan—we’ll share the good times and the hard times, and live joyful, happy days together!”

As they spoke, Tu Xiaomeng and Pinecone ran to the chosen spot. Pinecone stopped, handed the mattock to Tu Xiaomeng, and said,

“Xiaomeng, you go first.”

“Okay!” Tu Xiaomeng replied, taking the mattock with delight and swinging it at the grass beneath her feet.