A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

The introductory meditation method is not complicated. Xia Xun studied it repeatedly under the oil lamp three or four times, making sure that he had memorized every step and every point of attention, and finally decided to start his first attempt.

Meditation does not require specific, rigid postures. The key is inner peace and focus. Just find a comfortable and undisturbed environment.

Therefore, Xia Xun blew out the oil lamp and returned to her bedroom. Instead of adopting the difficult cross-legged sitting posture she remembered, she simply leaned against the wall and sat on the spread-out bedding.

However, the difficulties only became apparent when you actually started trying.

When he closed his eyes and tried to calm his mind, a flood of random thoughts rushed in like a tide—his daytime work, his plans for the future, even the taste of the fish soup at night; all sorts of thoughts drifted uncontrollably.

Only now did he truly understand why many spiritual traditions emphasize starting from childhood.

Adults have complex thought patterns and their emotions are difficult to settle quickly; while children's minds are relatively simple and their bodies are in the process of growth and development, making them better able to adapt to the nourishment and transformation in the early stages of magic generation, and even to some extent optimize their cultivation potential.

"Concentrate, concentrate!" Xia Xun silently chanted in his heart, trying to dispel those irrelevant thoughts, but the more he tried to suppress them, the more chaotic his thoughts became.

After trying for a long time with little progress, just as he was getting discouraged and about to give up, a sudden inspiration struck him—since he had too many distracting thoughts and couldn't forcibly clear them, why not do the opposite?

Guide and focus all your thoughts on one thing that can completely capture your mind.

Xia Xun has experienced this state of "being so focused that she forgets herself" before. She has reached a similar state of flow when she is immersed in interesting games, studying things she loves, or learning knowledge that interests her.

Meditation also needs such an "anchor point," a reference point to which one can devote all attention.

So, what should be used as the "anchor"?

Without much thought, an image naturally came to mind—the land he had personally cultivated, glowing brown in the setting sun.

It is it.

Xia Xun adjusted her breathing, no longer forcing herself not to think, but instead began to focus on constructing that familiar wasteland in the void of her consciousness, meticulously recalling every movement of wielding the hoe and turning over the soil, feeling the fulfillment and exhaustion of that pioneering spirit.

Gradually, the sounds of the outside world faded away, his physical senses became blurred, and he devoted all his attention to this work of consciousness.

It was in this peculiar, focused state of meditation that the change quietly took place.

He felt a warm, hazy power being mobilized and gathered within his body, slowly flowing, condensing, purifying, and transforming along the path guided by meditation.

Finally, as if refined through countless trials, a drop of essence fell.

"Click".

A clear, soft sound, as if a seed breaking through its shell, resonated deep within the soul.

Xia Xun slowly opened her eyes.

A strong sense of fatigue instantly swept over my body, and my mind became somewhat dizzy. This was due to the combined effects of intense mental concentration and the initial energy conversion.

However, an indescribable smile of joy also bloomed on his face at the same time.

He succeeded.

Although it was only a tiny sliver, he truly sensed that the "seed of magic," formed from the sublimation and condensation of his own life force, had been quietly planted in the "heart field" he had cultivated deep within his consciousness.

At this moment, with this crucial step, an invisible barrier seems to have been broken.

Xia Xun felt his senses had become more acute. Although still hazy, he could feel that the world around him had become more vivid and clear.

The air seemed to be filled with faint scents of different natures, and the basic elements that make up all things seemed to have vague outlines.

This is a completely new experience, like a newborn baby opening its eyes to look at the world for the first time. Although what it sees is blurry, it already knows that what is in front of it is an incredibly vast and mysterious new world.

A moment later, intense fatigue overwhelmed the excitement like a tidal wave.

Xia Xun couldn't hold on any longer, her body slumped, and she fell onto the bed. Almost the instant she touched the pillow, she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Before his consciousness completely faded, familiar interface text flashed by in the darkness:

[First year, spring, March 2nd]

Cultivation: 0

Harvesting: Level 0, lv1 (Unlocked: Spring Seed Recipe, Sap Collector Recipe)

Mining: 0

Battle: 0

Fishing: Level 0 lv1 (Unlocked: Fish Bait Crafting)

Money +0

Chapter Thirteen: Fish Selling at the Market

"Feeling refreshed, it's great to be upgraded and restored to my stats."

At six o'clock in the morning, as dawn broke, Xia Xun woke up from her bed on time.

He stretched and felt his whole body relax. The soreness and fatigue from yesterday were swept away, and he felt as refreshed as if he had just soaked in a hot spring.

The game's mechanics also apply in real life—after upgrading your skills, no matter how tired you were the day before, you'll always be at full health the next day.

He got up briskly, folded the blankets, and went to the backyard.

The wooden basin was filled with water that had just been poured from the sprinkler. It was crystal clear. Xia Xun bent down and scooped up a handful of water with both hands, splashing it on her face.

"what?"

He paused slightly the moment his fingertips touched the water's surface.

The morning water in early spring should have been icy cold, but the feeling it gave his palm was gentle and comforting, as if the water was naturally familiar with him and even carried a hint of indescribable softness.

As the water flowed across the back of my hand, I had a vague illusion of being gently supported.

"Is it the influence of magic, or the change brought about by skill upgrade?" Xia Xun straightened up, shook the water droplets off his hands, and pondered in his heart.

Compared to yesterday, he has two major changes: first, the trace of magic power he successfully condensed last night; and second, both his gathering and fishing skills have leveled up to level 1.

With this thought in mind, he summoned the character panel.

A semi-transparent interface emerges in the morning light:

Name: Xia Xun

Farm: Stardew Valley Farm

Favorite thing: Beautiful girls

Cultivation: 0

Collection: 1

Mining: 0

Battle: 0

Fishing: 1

Special Abilities: Beginner Magic, Plant Blessing Lv1, Water Blessing Lv1

"There really is!"

Xia Xun's gaze fell on the last line, and a look of surprise appeared in her eyes.

The "beginner's magic" was something he learned on his own, but the two "blessings" that suddenly appeared afterward were clearly extra rewards brought about by skill upgrades.

It seems that in reality, skill upgrades in Stardew Valley not only mean increased efficiency, but may also grant some extraordinary affinity traits.

He tried to concentrate, wanting to see the detailed descriptions of "Blessing of Plants" and "Blessing of Water," but no more text popped up on the interface; only these two names were quietly displayed.

"There are no text prompts, so I'll just have to figure it out myself," Xia Xun murmured, but she wasn't disappointed.

One thing he was certain of: these two blessings enhanced his natural affinity for plants and water, which could be considered an enhancement of his magical talent.

"Good things, all good things." He smiled, wiped his face with a cloth, and turned to go back into the house.

After a quick breakfast, Xia Xun slung an empty bamboo basket over her shoulder and headed out the door.

Today's goal is clear: go to the market in the Human Village and sell yesterday's catch.

During his three days in Gensokyo, he spent money like water. His initial investment of 1,000 mon had dwindled to less than 100 mon. If he didn't make any more money, he wouldn't be able to buy seeds to expand production, and he would even have trouble eating.

Walking briskly along the dirt road in the early morning, Xia Xun mentally sorted out the distribution of the Human Village Market.

Over the past few days, he has roughly figured out the local business landscape from villagers' casual conversations and the simple maps left by Hieda Akyuu:

The area is comparable in size to a small town, and the market is therefore divided into four sections: East, South, West, and North.

Higashi is located near Hakurei Shrine, and is surrounded by wealthy merchants and noble families. Therefore, it mainly sells high-end goods such as valuables, works of art, and magical items. The largest item shop, "Kirisame Item Shop," is located here.

Located in the heart of a residential area, with bookstores such as Suzunaan and Terakoya nearby, as well as school cultural venues, it boasts the highest foot traffic and the most diverse and abundant goods, making it the most bustling market in the neighborhood.

The West Market was located near the agricultural area where Xia Xun lived. It mainly traded grains, vegetables, and farm tools, and was the place most frequently visited by farmers.

The area adjacent to Liuzhi Village in Taipei City is home to numerous handicraft workshops, including artisan shops, woodworking shops, and textile factories, primarily producing industrial products and handmade goods.

After a brief consideration, Xia Xun decided to go to Nanshi, where there was a large flow of tourists and strong spending power, so the catch should fetch a good price.

As for the East Market, although there are many wealthy people there, it is said that to set up a stall there, you need to have a fixed stall or shop, and it is too far away. He doesn't have that much time or capital to mess around with it now.

Without stopping, Xia Xun walked through the gradually awakening streets and alleys.

The early risers had already begun their busy day, with smoke rising from their chimneys. About half an hour later, a bustling shed area came into view.

We've arrived in Nanshi.

Although it's called a market, it's actually an open-air area made of wooden frames and thatched sheds, but it's quite large.

It was nearly seven o'clock, and the market was already bustling with people. The sounds of bargaining, hawking, and children playing blended together into a vibrant cacophony, and the warmth of life was palpable.

Xia Xun composed herself and merged into the crowd.

Instead of rushing to find a spot to set up a stall, he first went into the seafood area and stood in front of several fish stalls like an ordinary customer, silently listening to the conversations between fishermen and buyers, and memorizing the prices of various types of fish.

Spring is the breeding season for carp and crucian carp. They swim in groups into the water to spawn, so the market supply is abundant and the price is very stable.

Xia Xun quietly compared four or five stalls and got a feel for the options:

Carp costs about 12 dollars per catty, while crucian carp is slightly more expensive, at about 13 dollars per catty.

As for the stall fee, he asked a kind-looking old stall owner and learned that in Tainan, you only need to pay a fee of 30 yuan per day to the market management office to get a temporary stall, and the procedure is simple.

But Xia Xun touched the five large fish that were left in the basket, and weighed his shriveled money bag, and finally gave up the idea of ​​setting up a stall.

"The quantity is too small, it's not worth taking up a stall for it, let's just sell it directly to the vendor."

He strolled around the seafood area and spotted a kind and honest-looking old fisherman. The old man had gray hair and skin that was dark and shiny from the river wind. His hands were covered with calluses as he deftly gutted and scaled fish for his customers. His stall was clean and the fish were fresh, so business was good.

Xia Xun stepped forward and greeted him politely: "Uncle, do you buy fish? I have a few that I caught this morning, they're very fresh."

The old fisherman looked up, squinted at Xia Xun, then glanced at the few fish in his bamboo basket that were still slightly flaring their gills. He nodded, his voice hoarse but gentle: "Collect, did you catch these yourself, young man?"

"Yes, it's right here in Liu Zhiyouqin!"

"Okay, let me take a look."

The old man put down the knife, wiped his hands on his apron, picked up a carp and weighed it in his hand, then flipped it open to check its color. A look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes: "It's definitely fresh. It must have just been out of the water, right?"

He quoted a price: "Carp is 10 coins per catty, crucian carp is 11 coins. I'll take all of these. I'll pay by the weight of the whole fish, no deductions. How about that?"

Xia Xun quickly calculated in her mind: This price is 2 wen lower per catty than the retail price, but it is considered fair in the wholesale market.

Moreover, the other party did not deliberately overcharge or pick and choose the size, which was already a very favorable offer for a newcomer like him who was selling in small quantities.

“Okay, we’ll go with the price the old man quoted.” Xia Xun readily agreed.

“Call me Dongxiang Tantuman!” Beng Xiansi stretched out his arms and smiled. He deftly took out a steelyard balance and weighed the five fish one by one.

"One carp, weighing 4.1 jin, is exactly 4 jin. Three crucian carp, weighing 7.2 jin, is exactly 7 jin."

Dong Xiangtao, with a quick tap of his fingertips, lightly calculated on his abacus: "Four catties of carp, 10 coins per catty, totaling 40 coins; seven catties of crucian carp, 11 coins per catty, totaling 77 coins. A total of 117 coins."

He looked up at Xia Xun and said, "I'll round it up for you, 120 coins. If you have any more fish this fresh next time, just bring them here, and I'll still charge you the same price."

"Thank you for the copper coin. Feeling the cool touch of the metal on my fingertips, a weight was finally lifted from my heart."

120 coins wasn't much, but it was the first income he earned on his own after arriving in Gensokyo.

Finally, my wallet started to fill up; it was no longer just going out without coming in.

Although he was far from being wealthy, at least he saw the possibility of surviving and even gradually improving his life on this land.

Xia Xun carefully put the money away, turned around and disappeared into the bustling market crowd.

Chapter Fourteen: The Fairy's Gift