Change jobs, pet beast!

The little black mud penguin, covered in yellow mud, followed its owner with tiny, babbling steps, its big eyes looking around, finding everything new and exciting.

Is this the home that humans live in?

So big, so tall, so strong...

Ugh... "Strong" doesn't seem to be a good word to describe "architecture," correction!

In addition...

The owner said this is just a "village," a "countryside." What does "countryside" mean...?

His tiny head was filled with huge question marks.

"Niwan, this is our nearest foothold; you can call it 'home' if you like."

Jiang Mo pushed open the door to his own courtyard. It had only been seven days, and dust was flying everywhere, making people subconsciously squint and hold their breath.

"Whoosh!"

The deep blue water snake swiftly passed by, and everything in sight immediately became clear and refreshing.

"Old Crane, I'll clean up. Go tell Uncle Duan that I've contracted a pet beast and that he shouldn't worry about it anymore. He should stay home and spend more time with the young lady."

"By the way, what's the process for farming in the village? We have half an acre of empty land in our backyard; can we use it directly?"

"Okay."

He Zhifeng put down the package and walked to the next room.

A few minutes later, slightly hurried footsteps sounded. The old crane turned back, and Duan Yi followed behind, both surprised and delighted.

"Young Master Jiang, the yard can be used for farming, but the soil quality is very poor. You may need to think of some ways to fertilize it."

Jiang Mo smiled faintly: "Farmers have the skills of 'turning sweat into dew' and 'composting techniques.' By piling it up little by little, the quality will always meet the standards."

Duan Yi smiled upon hearing this.

However, when he noticed that standing next to the Firehound was actually a mud penguin, his eyes immediately showed a hint of confusion.

Back then, he endured countless hardships in order to forge a contract with a mid-ranking rockhoof lion.

This young man, holding an extremely expensive elixir, spared no expense in saving this stranger he had just met, accompanied by an old servant whose background was unclear.

—If it has nothing to do with mediocrity, why would I make a contract with a lowly, unremarkable mud penguin? Could it be…?

"Muddy chirp!"

The little black mud penguin didn't look at Duan Yi, but instead looked at the rock hoof lion waiting outside the door.

The word "robust" is definitely the right word to describe this big guy!

Wow, those four legs are so thick! And those stone boots are so thick and heavy, they look really impressive!

Duan Yi suddenly woke up, bit his tongue lightly, and cursed himself for starting to act up after being idle for two days. Whatever the reason, was it something he should investigate and discuss?

He calmed himself down, stopped paying attention to the mud penguins, and instead took out a wooden box from his pocket and carefully placed it on the stone table in the courtyard.

"Young Master Jiang, I originally intended to search for the pet beast with you, but now it's no longer necessary."

"I feel increasingly indebted to you, and this troubles me deeply. Please accept this small token of my appreciation!"

"Uncle Duan, you're too kind."

Jiang Mo said with a smile, "We are very grateful that you brought us to Kujing Village, a place to rest and recuperate."

"That topographical survey map was a great help to us. In my opinion, we're even now, and there's no question of anyone owing anyone anything."

Duan Yi smiled wryly: "Then what about me, who spent these seven days by Butterfly Flower's bedside and inexplicably advanced to a Level 2 Trainer?"

"Going out to find medicine may have been a life-or-death ordeal, but without that pill and without Young Master Jiang's help, I, Duan, would have nothing left, neither my life nor my cultivation level."

So Duan Yi's main profession is "trainer"?

To be able to survive by putting oneself in a desperate situation is a remarkable story.

Meeting those expectant yet apprehensive eyes, Jiang Mo hesitated for a moment, unable to bring himself to refuse.

So he opened the wooden box, intending to take a look first before making a judgment.

The beechwood box is polished smooth and lined with light gray duck down.

A yellowed scroll lay horizontally, no bigger than a palm, its intricate patterns dazzling the eye.

At the center, there is another gray gemstone inlaid, with five small holes along the edge, a unique design.

[Extraordinary Formation: Deceptive Small Formation]

[Quality: One Star]

[Durability: 48%]

[Activation Effect: A thin layer of light gray mist spreads out within a small area, causing a slight blurring of the view. Living beings passing by will subconsciously perceive the scene within the array as "ordinary scenery," and it also has a weak aura-shielding effect...]

[Note: This formation is too rudimentary and cannot effectively block the erosion of detection-type powers;]

Consumes 1 copper spirit stone every six days, and reduces durability by 1 point;

When the durability drops below 10, the formation is on the verge of collapse, and the misty color may turn into a dazzling array of colors, making it very eye-catching...

[Review: This is a roadside stall strategy; you'll know how effective it is once you try it.]

Jiang Mo was suddenly moved.

It can actually be authenticated?

Just as he envisioned, the "Extraordinary Array," which is listed as one of the Four Great Inventions alongside the amazing food, is also within the scope of the panel's acceptance.

Duan Yi frankly said, "This is an heirloom left by my father. It can support a small concealment array. Aren't you going to farm? It will come in handy."

"A small array to confuse the eyes?"

The old crane glanced at the small characters in the lower right corner of the scroll, and his dim old eyes brightened a little:

"Outside, this is one of the most basic training formations that a level 2 formation master can easily access. Because the effect is simple, as long as the finished product is made, ordinary people can use it. The price in major stores is generally between 50 and 60 copper coins."

"But this is Green Crow Ridge, where there are few people and resources are not readily available. This kind of thing is bound to be a rare commodity, and its price can easily double."

"Huh? It's so cheap outside?"

Duan Yi had lived in Kujing Village since childhood and had never left Green Crow Ridge. He was severely isolated from news. Upon hearing this, he widened his eyes slightly and muttered to himself:

"My spendthrift father was wealthy for a time in his life. He bought this array diagram for a full 200 copper coins."

"But this thing consumes too many spirit stones. It burns one every six days on average, and I really can't afford it."

"Young Master Jiang and Butler He, you are both wealthy and can certainly afford it, so don't stand on ceremony with me."

"..."

Although Jiang Mo really wanted to question the phrase "rich and powerful," the words that came out of his mouth were immediately replaced with, "Thank you, Uncle Duan."

Who made this dry well village so devoid of any defensive formations? Even birds with wings can fly right over it – the bird droppings on the eaves are the best proof of that.

With this formation in place, planting the seedlings of the Jianghuo Fruit Tree in Niwan won't be so conspicuous, right?

"I'm glad you're willing to accept it." Duan Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

I wonder how expensive that pill really is.

But this secondhand array diagram is indeed the most expensive thing he can offer right now.

I'll pay back the rest slowly.

"Old Crane".

Watching Duan Yi lead the rock-hoofed lion away from his residence, Jiang Mo suddenly said:

"When you make eel soup tomorrow, make an extra portion, and I'll take it to Uncle Duan."

"Okay." He Zhifeng agreed readily without saying much.

It's only natural that he was reluctant to waste the precious medicine to save people.

But what's done is done. Duan Yi is a good kid, and having more friends means having more options. He will fully support the young master.

"This old servant will first sell off the miscellaneous spoils of war, and then buy a few new kitchen utensils and furniture. Young master, stay home and rest for a while."

"Okay, go and come back quickly."

Jiang Mo brought the mud ball into the room, sat down on the edge of the bed, and calmed down.

The Lord of Wishes has already selected the desired gift box.

[Trial Card for Level 2 Trainer "Weakness Prediction" *3, currently being distributed.]