A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

"For Lady Yuyuko's sake, I must elevate my culinary skills to a higher level. For this, I need Lord Xia Xun's help!"

“…That’s it?” Xia Xun was stunned, looking at the girl who was still kneeling on the ground in disbelief.

For some ingredients, she's even considering getting married? As long as it doesn't interfere with her continuing to serve Yuyuko?

“Youmu-san,” he sighed with emotion, “you really are, your mind is full of Yuyuko-sama.”

Upon hearing this, Soul Dream blushed slightly and whispered, "Your Excellency Xia Xun is too kind. This is merely the duty of a servant."

"Alright, alright, get up first." Xia Xun rubbed his forehead. "So, Miss Youmu just wants some free ingredients to practice her cooking, right?"

“Yes, yes.” Youmu lowered her head, her ears turning slightly red. “Most of the Hakugyokurou’s funds are used for Lady Yuyuko’s food, and the rest is used to maintain the garden. I haven’t received my salary for a long time.”

She quickly looked up and added, "But please don't misunderstand, Lady Xia Xun! I just want to get the training ingredients for free. I will definitely pay for the portion that Lady Yuyuko purchased from you!"

"I agree, Miss Youmeng, please get up." Xia Xun quickly agreed and reached out to help her up again.

This time, perhaps because he agreed to the request, Youmu finally stood up, though his face still showed embarrassment at his own shamelessness.

However, when she thought of what Lady Yuyuko had said last night, a resolute light rekindled in her eyes.

Everything is for Lady Yuyuko!

Seeing her like this, Xia Xun pondered for a moment and said, "Miss Youmu, how about this: how about providing ingredients to help you with your cultivation?"

"Lord Xia Xun, please speak!" Youmu the Soul Eater instantly stood at attention, as if listening to an important command.

At this moment, Xia Xun was like a lifeline in her eyes, the only thing she could grasp for whether she could continue to follow Lady Yuyuko in the future.

“It’s just some ingredients, Miss Youmu doesn’t need to worry too much.” Xia Xun said, seeing that she still looked serious, he could only smile and say, “Then how about this: I will provide the ingredients for my training, and Miss Youmu can use them to make some dishes for me to try.”

"Also, if it's convenient, could you teach me some swordsmanship as well? No need for secret techniques or anything, just teach me some basic swordsmanship."

Youmu's eyes lit up instantly: "Leave all this to me! I will take good care of Lord Xia Xun and teach him swordsmanship with utmost care!"

Xia Xun is truly a wonderful person.

Youmu felt a warm glow in his heart; he had so considerately come up with this excuse so as not to embarrass himself.

She must repay this kindness properly!

"Then, Lord Xia Xun, when can we begin our cultivation?" Youmu looked at him, her eyes filled with eager anticipation.

“Uh…” Xia Xun paused for a moment, then pointed to the large field behind him where tender shoots were just sprouting. “This, I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a little longer.”

"Huh?!" Youmu Konpaku exclaimed in disappointment, "How could this happen?"

"However, in two days, a batch of garlic, strawberries, and cucumbers will ripen, and I can give you some then," Xia Xun added.

"That's wonderful!" The girl's worry immediately turned to joy, and she earnestly promised, "From today onwards, I will use all my free time to repay Lord Xia Xun's kindness!"

Sunlight shone on the mud-stained hair of the spirit demon, making her eyes appear clear and resolute.

“…Okay.” Xia Xun nodded.

Chapter 93: JoJo is still chasing me?!

Hakurei Shrine.

Reimu Hakurei, holding a broom, is standing in the courtyard, piercing the two people in front of her with a death ray.

"Haha, sorry Reimu." Marisa Kirisame scratched the back of her head and smiled without any remorse. "I accidentally overslept and woke up at this time, da☆ze."

"It's all Marisa's fault!" Xia Xun flicked her finger quickly and skillfully tossed the pot away.

Reimu Hakurei stared speechlessly at the two people in front of her who had agreed to come and help with the tidying up this morning, but didn't show up until almost noon.

Her gaze immediately shifted to the side, where stood a spirit youmu holding a broom, yet with a posture as imposing as one wielding a sword.

"Then, what about Youmu?" Reimu Hakurei asked. "Shouldn't she be serving Yuyuko in the Hakugyokurou in the Underworld?"

“Because I am now…” Upon hearing the question, the straightforward Youmu wanted to tell the truth.

Xia Xun quickly interrupted, "Miss Youmu is a swordsmanship master I invited, so she came with us."

"Hey~? You want to learn swordsmanship too?" Reimu Hakurei looked at the two of them suspiciously, then nodded as if she understood something.

After all, those who know, know the financial situation of Baiyulou.

It's not surprising that a spirit or a demon would come out to work and help support the family.

"Never mind that for now," Reimu Hakurei said, shoving the broom in her hand into Marisa Kirisame's hand. "Marisa, go and clean the yard for me."

"Xia Xun, come with me." She turned to look at Xia Xun. "Someone wants to see you."

See me? Who is it?

Xia Xun was curious, but she still followed Hakurei Reimu's footsteps and headed towards the shrine's guest rooms.

Passing through the main hall, one can see a pink-haired girl enjoying tea in the courtyard from afar.

She wore a cute bun hairstyle, a white short-sleeved shirt and a green long skirt, with a style reminiscent of the Xia Dynasty.

What is particularly striking is the calm and gentle aura she exudes.

Fellow villager!

Xia Xun's eyes lit up.

Although they were definitely not from his hometown in his original world, meeting them here and now felt incredibly heartwarming.

He couldn't help but lower his voice and ask Reimu Hakurei, "Reimu, is this the one who wants to see me? What's her name?"

Reimu Hakurei glanced at Natsumi and said, "She is the Ibaraki-sen you want to see."

Upon hearing this, Xia Xun paused in his tracks and quickly looked up in the direction of the pink-haired girl.

She is an immortal!

At that moment, he felt his heart beating faster.

At the same time, the girl drinking tea in the courtyard also noticed the newcomers and looked up at Reimu Hakurei and Natsumi.

Her gaze swept over Reimu Hakurei first, and seeing that the other was still looking lazy, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, her gaze fell on Xia Xun, sensing the aura of the Demon King Ibuki Suika emanating from him.

A touch of nostalgia stirred within her, but Ci Huaxian composed herself and looked at Xia Xun: "Hello, I am Ci Huaxian. Lingmeng told me you wanted to see me. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"And your name, does it come from the other side of the sea?"

"Yes! Greetings, Immortal!" Xia Xun nodded quickly, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he gazed at the immortal before him.

Although he didn't know exactly what a celestial being's demeanor looked like, in his opinion, the Ci Hua Xian before him was enough to describe it.

"Immortal Cihua, are you also from the other side of the sea?" Xia Xun asked impatiently.

Upon hearing this, Ci Huaxian smiled gently and shook her head: "No, I am an immortal who cultivated here. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

"No, no!" Xia Xun quickly waved his hand. "I'm already very happy to have seen the immortal, how could I be disappointed!"

Then, full of anticipation, he asked, "Um, Immortal Cihua, do you think I have the affinity for immortality? I also want to try cultivating to become an immortal."

Seeing that Xia Xun had not shown any unusual expression towards her, Ci Huaxian's last trace of tension finally dissipated completely.

Seeing his expectant expression, she nodded calmly: "Of course, immortals are meant to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts."

Ci Huaxian's expression turned serious, and she asked, "Then Xia Xun, why do you want to pursue the path of immortality?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Xun fell into deep thought.

He couldn't explain the specific reasons in a short time.

He already possesses immortality and extraordinary power—magic.

So, what meaning does immortality hold for him?

Thinking of this, Xia Xun raised his head and looked at Ci Huaxian: "Perhaps it's because of longing, yearning for the carefree and unrestrained realm of immortals."

Upon hearing this, Ci Huaxian's expression became somewhat dazed.

Her ambition to become an immortal stemmed from this very yearning and aspiration.

But unlike ordinary immortals who seek to transcend humanity, what she seeks is to be closer to humanity.

"Do you also want to surpass humanity?" Ci Huaxian couldn't help but ask.

JOJO is still chasing me?!

Xia Xun looked surprised and quickly shook her head, saying, "No, no, I think being human is actually quite nice."

Upon hearing this, Ci Huaxian looked at Xia Xun more closely and was surprised to find that he had spoken from the heart.

In an instant, her feelings for Xia Xun increased dramatically.

After all, as an immortal who seeks to be closer to humanity, she greatly admires this mindset.

“Very good.” Ci Huaxian smiled and agreed. “Then, I will try to guide you in the cultivation of an immortal.”

They actually agreed!

Xia Xun was surprised to hear this, not expecting that he had so easily gained the approval of the immortal.

His face lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed and said, "Disciple Xia Xun greets Master!"

Ci Huaxian dodged to the side, raised her hand to support him, and said, "I am just an immortal who is still cultivating, and I am not qualified to take on disciples."

"All I did was to guide you on the path of immortal cultivation as a fellow practitioner."

“Well… this student greets the teacher.” Xia Xun thought for a moment and bowed respectfully again.

Upon hearing this, Ci Huaxian glanced at Xia Xun, but this time she did not avoid him.

Seeing that the two had finished talking, Reimu Hakurei immediately said, "Alright, now that you two know each other, there's nothing more for me to do."

She turned to look at Xia Xun and asked, "But are you really going to pursue immortal cultivation? That's very arduous."

"Not only do you have to stay away from the world and be free from desires, but the process of cultivation is also very difficult. The only benefit is probably that you live a little longer and then continue to suffer more hardships in cultivation."

In front of Ibaraki-sensei, Reimu Hakurei relentlessly and wildly slandered the immortal's path of cultivation.

Upon hearing this, Ibaraki-sen's expression, which had been quite pleasant, suddenly darkened, and she glared angrily at the rice-eating shrine maiden who was so greedy for rice.

Boom!

With a crisp sound, Reimu Hakurei covered her head and crouched down in defense.

Ci Huaxian withdrew her hand, let out a long sigh, and looked at Xia Xun, whose expression was slightly hesitant because of Ling Meng's words. She sighed gently, "There is no need to worry. Since you do not pursue surpassing humans, you do not need to engage in the ascetic cultivation of immortals aimed at achieving longevity."

"If you only aspire to the spiritual realm of immortals, then you can focus on spiritual cultivation."

With a solemn expression, she slowly explained the path she was pursuing: "The immortal path I seek is called being one with the Way of Heaven. Its core lies in standing on the side of humanity and walking with goodness."

"Specifically, it means doing good deeds and eliminating evil."

Chapter Ninety-Four: A Day of Logging

Goodbye, teacher.

At 2 PM, after lunch, Xia Xun bowed and bid farewell to his immortal teacher, Ci Huaxian.

The entire morning, aside from helping clean the Hakurei Shrine, he spent the rest of the time listening to Ibaraki-sen explain the path of immortal cultivation.

The true meaning of being in harmony with the Way of Heaven is to stand on the side of humanity and do good deeds.

In simpler terms, it means establishing correct values ​​to stabilize one's mind and guide others towards goodness and eliminate evil.

This concept resonated deeply with Xia Xun's own beliefs, which is why he grasped it quickly and made rapid progress in his cultivation of the Spirit Refining Method taught by Ci Huaxian, earning the praise of his teacher.

That's why, with a diligent new love like Natsumi as a contrast, Ibaraki Kasen found her old flame, Hakurei Reimu, increasingly unpleasant to look at.

Whenever she saw Reimu slacking off, she couldn't help but step forward and give her a lecture, until Reimu felt like her soul was about to fly out of her body and complained endlessly.

"Hmm, Xia Xun, you learn very quickly." Ci Huaxian nodded with satisfaction, and then instructed, "The focus of your cultivation from now on is to practice and experience in the mortal world."

"Remember to persevere. I will check your homework when I have time."

"Yes, teacher," Xia Xun replied respectfully, performing the disciple's salute.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, Xia Xun had already sensed from Ci Huaxian's words and actions that this teacher was indeed a true immortal who upheld the Way of Goodness and protected and saved people.

Xia Xun felt deep respect for such a person, who was also his mentor.

Seeing Natsumi's humble and polite demeanor, and glancing at the shrine maiden beside her who was yawning and looking nonchalant, Ibaraki-doji couldn't help but raise her hand and lightly tap Hakurei Reimu's head.