A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

Tomorrow I'm going to the shrine. Besides giving gifts to thank them for their previous help, I also need to ask about the price of the talismans and see if I can buy more from their stock. It would be even better if I could get a discount if my favorability rating is high enough.

Thinking about the favorability rating, Xia Xun had an idea and brought up the interpersonal relationship section in the character panel.

Reimu Hakurei (Half a Star)

Hieda Akyuu (Half a Star)

Miyo Okunoda (Half a Star)

Morichika Rinnosuke (Half a Star)

Marisa Kirisame (Half a Star)

Sunny Milke (one and a half stars)

Luna Cherud (one and a half stars)

Star Saffia (one and a half stars)

Alice Margotrovid (one star)

Looking at the data, Xia Xun stroked her chin thoughtfully.

Based on his current experience, once a star is filled, the relationship can be considered that of ordinary friends, with basic trust and goodwill between them.

As for the half-stars, their relationships are probably still at the level of acquaintance or past interactions. For example, Reimu, Akyuu, Rinnosuke, and Marisa—while they've helped each other or had transactions, their friendships are still superficial.

As for those with one and a half stars, like Sunny and her friends, they are already good friends who get along well. They share food, play together, and even protect each other in times of danger.

Xia Xun vaguely remembered that in the Stardew Valley game settings, three stars were enough to invite someone to be a dance partner at the Flower Dance Festival.

Although Gensokyo does not have exactly the same festival, this at least shows that the three stars represent a very close relationship in the system's judgment, possibly reaching the level of best friends.

"I must work hard to max out Alice's favorability first!" Xia Xun clenched her fist, determined.

Not only because Alice is my savior and a mentor and friend on my magical path, but also because she herself is a beautiful, elegant, and knowledgeable magician!

Who could resist becoming good friends with such a beautiful girl?

Of course, others shouldn't be left behind either.

With Reimu's protection, Akyuu's knowledge, Rinnosuke's connections, Marisa's magic, and the three little fairies' forest guides... in Gensokyo, a place full of opportunities and dangers, having more friends means having more options.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Morning Work

Spring 3.4

At exactly six o'clock in the morning, Xia Xun's biological clock woke her up from her sleep.

He opened his eyes, looked at the faint light filtering through the cracks in the wooden window, stretched out a long yawn, and his bones made a series of crisp cracking sounds.

Good morning, a new day.

Throwing back the thin blanket and getting up, Xia Xun habitually summoned the semi-transparent character panel. As her gaze swept over the skill bar, a new line of blessings appeared below the skill descriptions:

【Blessing of the Soil lv1】

“A new blessing has appeared.” Xia Xun murmured to himself, his fingertip hovering over the line of text, trying to elicit more information, but the interface remained silent. “I wonder what the specific effects will be.”

He shook his head, no longer dwelling on it. The effects of blessings always manifest in practice, just like the previous blessings from the plants and the flowing water.

Pushing open the creaking wooden door, the cool morning air rushed in, carrying the fresh scent of earth and grass. Xia Xun took a deep breath, and her spirits lifted.

Today's main plan is clear: visit a few acquaintances, present them with thank-you gifts, and inquire about sales channels for high-quality agricultural products.

But it was still early, and there was still some time before the market opened and people began their activities.

As a qualified Stardew Valley farmer, he had long since learned to cherish every minute of his working time.

From six to nine o'clock, a full three hours, was enough for him to complete a lot of basic work.

"First, we'll water it, then chop some wood," Xia Xun thought to himself. "We're still short on materials for the scarecrow, so we need to hurry up and prepare them."

Half an hour later, he arrived at his farm.

The farmland was neatly arranged under the morning light. Xia Xun picked up the copper watering can and walked to Liu Zhizhi's three-story building.

He returned to the edge of the field, grasped the handle of the teapot, and tilted it slightly.

clamor—

The clear water flowed evenly, landing on the soft soil and quickly seeping in, leaving a dark, damp patch.

"Sure enough, watering once every three days is enough." Xia Xun verified his previous prediction as he worked.

The 18 square meters of land sown on the first day was not large, and Xia Xun completed the watering work in less than 20 minutes.

He crouched down and carefully examined the newly sprouted buds; the seedlings of the three mixed seeds had grown to a point where they were recognizable.

Two potatoes and one cauliflower, not bad.

“From now on, it’s best to use three-day intervals for sowing.” Xia Xun stood up and patted the soil off his hands. “This way, the watering time will be consistent, and it will be easier to manage.”

As for the automatic sprinkler—he glanced at the grayed-out, unlocked icon below "Farming lv1" in the skill panel and shook his head.

That thing requires copper, iron, and even gold ingots, as well as refined quartz. With his current financial resources, he can't even afford the most basic sprinkler, let alone the advanced version.

"Let's take it one step at a time." Xia Xun put away the watering can and turned to walk towards the woods at the edge of the farm.

The tree stumps left from the previous logging still stand there, with some twigs and fallen leaves scattered around. Deeper in, there is undeveloped primeval forest with tall and dense trees.

Xia Xun took out the bronze axe from his backpack and weighed it in his hand.

Although he hasn't even fully cultivated the 15 mu of land he was allocated yet, he has already begun to make long-term plans for the future farm.

Every inch of land cleared now could become a barn, livestock shed, workshop, or other functional building in the future.

“Stardew Valley Farm is more than just farming.” Xia Xun gripped the axe handle tightly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

He chose a birch tree as thick as a bowl, adjusted his breathing, and swung the axe.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The rhythmic sound of chopping wood echoed through the forest at dawn. The bronze axes, with their sharp blades, sank deep into the tree trunks with each strike, sending wood chips flying.

Thanks to the subtle improvement of her physique from the magic seeds and the abundant energy replenished by the Silver Star Strawberries yesterday, Xia Xun felt that her stamina was much stronger than when she first arrived.

It took more than 20 minutes of continuous axe swinging before my arm started to feel noticeably sore and swollen.

thunderous roar—

With a sickening cracking sound, the tree slowly tilted before crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and fallen leaves.

Xia Xun wiped the sweat from his forehead, stepped forward, and skillfully used an axe to dismantle the tree trunk.

[Timber +14]

[Sap +7]

Oak species +1

System notifications sounded one after another, and the materials were automatically loaded into the backpack.

Xia Xun didn't stop, took a sip of water, and walked towards the next tree.

Time passed amidst the repetitive sounds of logging. The sun gradually rose higher, the light in the forest became brighter, and the birdsong grew louder.

8:50 a.m.

Under Xia Xun's relentless hacking, the sixth tree finally let out a mournful cry and crashed to the ground.

[Timber +16]

[Sap +8]

Maple Tree Species +2

Xia Xun let out a long sigh of relief, propped the axe on the ground, and raised his hand to wipe the sweat that was sliding down his cheeks with his sleeve.

He glanced at the time displayed in his consciousness: 8:52 AM.

"It's time to go back," Xia Xun muttered to herself.

Looking back, the small area that was once densely wooded has now become open, with the stumps of six large trees neatly arranged and scattered with small branches and leaves.

Looking at the open space he had personally cleared, Xia Xun felt a strong sense of accomplishment.

“One day,” he said, his gaze sweeping across the distant, sprawling forest, “I will conquer this forest and build a truly magnificent Stardew Valley farm that is truly mine.”

He took out the half-finished Coke from his backpack and downed it in one gulp with a bold gesture.

"belch--"

Xia Xun wiped her mouth and put the empty bottle back into her backpack.

After packing up, Xia Xun shouldered his axe and set off on the path back home.

The morning sun was warm and shone evenly over the fields and villages.

In the surrounding fields, many villagers were already busy weeding, fertilizing, and checking on the growth of crops.

Groups of young children chased and played on the ridges of the fields. Some used simple fishing nets to catch fish in the ditches, while others went barefoot to catch shrimp in the mud. Their clear laughter drifted on the wind.

This scene caused Xia Xun to pause slightly.

He recalled his childhood, when he had such carefree summers in the countryside near his grandfather's house.

That was indeed a wonderful time.

“However…” Xia Xun stepped aside, letting a group of children covered in mud who ran past him, and thought to himself, “Don’t these kids go to school?”

A childhood spent playing wildly in the fields all day long, without homework or studying, wouldn't be good!

Back at the cabin, Xia Xun's first action was to fetch water for a bath. Then she changed into clean clothes.

When you're going to visit someone later, dressing neatly is the most basic etiquette.

After tidying up, Xia Xun went to the corner of the living room and opened the wooden box.

The 36 storage compartments are now completely full.

Inside were almost all of his belongings: potatoes, strawberries, cauliflower, and other agricultural products harvested yesterday; dandelions, mushrooms, berries, and other items gathered in the magic forest; timber, sap, and tree seeds obtained from felling trees; and some miscellaneous stones, fibers, and wild grass seeds.

"We need to organize this." Xia Xun looked at the crowded boxes and began to count the amount of wood.

After the morning's felling, plus his previous stock, he now has a total of 127 logs.

"That's enough to make two new boxes."

On a whim, he brought up the creation interface and selected the "wooden box" icon.

[Wooden Crate: 50 Wood]

A faint light flashed, and the quantity of wood decreased by 100, revealing two brand-new wooden crates on the floor in front of him.

Now he has three identical 36-slot storage boxes.

Next, it's time to categorize and organize.

Xia Xun first kept the most important things on her person:

A bronze hoe, a bronze sickle, a bronze axe, a bronze water jug, and a bronze pickaxe—this five-piece farmer's set is his livelihood. Unlike in the game, the human world is not absolutely safe, and he has heard that there are petty thieves. He would never dare to let these tools leave his side.

The amulet given by Reimu Hakurei—a life-saving item for critical moments, which must be carried with you at all times.

23 stones - a throwing weapon, very useful.

These items took up some space in his backpack, but it was all within his budget.

Then he began to organize the three wooden crates.

最初的舊木箱被定爲“倉庫一號”，專門存放各種基礎材料和雜物：木材27根、樹液35份、樹種8顆、纖維42，油燈1等等。

The first newly made wooden box was a "food box," specifically for storing food items: 1 ton of rapeseed oil, 13 tonnes of rice, 20 potatoes, 1 head of silver cauliflower, etc.

The newly made second wooden box is a "sales box" containing farm produce and gathered items that Xia Xun will later give away as gifts and sell.

Categorized and organized in an orderly manner.

Looking at the much tidier storage system after the tidying up, Xia Xun nodded in satisfaction.

Then his gaze fell on the wooden crates that had just been filled with agricultural products.

Bend over, grab both sides of the box with your hands, and lift it up forcefully—

The wooden crate popped up with a thud, but its weight was so light that it surprised him for a moment.