Immortal Official Song had invited a water conservancy expert from neighboring Hongfu Prefecture to serve as Minister of Works, enabling Thousand Canals’ waterways to be constructed more quickly and the water to become clearer.

This news spread rapidly throughout Thousand Canals. By the time Iron Three Ox arrived at the riverbank, everyone had already stopped work to wait.

The Chicken Delivery Team of four led the applause, and clapping resounded to the clouds from both banks.

Iron Three Ox was greatly surprised: “What is this?”

Carpenter Liu smiled: “Everyone heard that you were willing to give up the prosperous life in Hongfu Prefecture to come to our Thousand Canals Prefecture and support our waterway construction. They’re all welcoming you.”

“I’m embarrassed… actually, I didn’t have such a prosperous life…” Besides feeling shy, Iron Three Ox was deeply moved:

“The people of Thousand Canals are so warm-hearted!”

Such unity of purpose just to accomplish one task, with everyone full of enthusiasm—he had never seen such a scene in Hongfu Prefecture.

Iron Three Ox couldn’t help but wonder why people in such an impoverished place could be so joyful.

In just half a day, the more he saw, the more puzzled he became. Though the canal construction was being rushed, there were no whips or clubs. Whoever felt tired or hungry could go to the thatched shed anytime for cold tea or sour plum soup. Under such relaxed rules, surprisingly no one cut corners or slacked off—everyone willingly wielded iron shovels under the scorching sun.

When lunch was served at noon, steaming meat soup with vegetables and large white steamed buns were available in abundance—better than what wealthy farmers in Hongfu Prefecture ate.

Holding a bowl of meat soup, Iron Three Ox struck up a conversation with someone nearby:

“Working so hard, aren’t you tired?”

“Not tired. If I can earn a ‘Canal-Opening Pioneer’ badge and take home two bolts of satin to the village, it will bring honor to my ancestors and happiness to my whole family.”

Iron Three Ox was startled. He knew that Immortal Official Song had brought back a batch of silk from Hongfu Prefecture—not for his enjoyment, but to distribute to the canal workers.

“What is a Canal-Opening Pioneer?”

“It’s a medal, an honor.” The person beside him smiled honestly: “In one’s lifetime, you need something to strive for. You can’t just live to eat, work, and sleep. Life was bitter before, and we lived in confusion. Now that we can eat our fill, what else could we want?”

Iron Three Ox slowly pondered while chewing on his steamed bun, discovering that Thousand Canals was completely different from what he had imagined. Even ordinary canal workers had higher aspirations.

“Those few who use magic to lower the temperature must be cultivators with spiritual power. Do such immortal masters come to the canal site?” he quietly asked Carpenter Liu, afraid of being disrespectful.

“Of course. Not only do the immortal masters help at the canal, but Immortal Official Song also personally works in the fields.”

Iron Three Ox was shocked: “The Immortal Official works in the fields?!”

“Yes, Immortal Official Song enjoys plowing with the curved-beam plow and transplanting rice seedlings. The seedlings he plants are perfectly aligned, with each small plant at an equal distance, more precise than if measured with a ruler. When he farms, he’s meticulous and can work continuously for five hours without rest. If you speak to him then, he might not even hear you.”

Iron Three Ox murmured: “My goodness.”

Shocked throughout the entire day, Iron Three Ox couldn’t sleep on his first night in Thousand Canals.

With countless emotions in his heart, he decided to light a lamp and draw plans, pondering how to organize the Thousand Canals waterways. Before sleeping, he opened his notebook to record the day’s observations:

“…Thousand Canals is a magical place. Here you can see wind-blown sand, and also sprouting saplings. There are dry wells that yield no water, and canals are being dug. Every person living here, whether digging water channels, plowing fields, or planting trees, radiates boundless hope.

“Though Thousand Canals is poor, its people live more happily and with more dignity than those in Hongfu. With this hope and dignity, Thousand Canals will eventually surpass Hongfu.

“I’m very curious what immortal techniques Immortal Official Song possesses that could make grass grow again in Thousand Canals after three years without rain, and that could make so many people follow him selflessly and revere him from the bottom of their hearts.”

After finishing his notes, he wrote a letter, deciding to find someone to relay a message to his relatives and fellow villagers in Hongfu.

Hongfu was prosperous, wealthy due to favorable weather. Though poor farmers and tenant farmers still had difficult lives there, the canal workers in Thousand Canals, despite their hard work, had plenty to eat and drink—how could this not be enticing?

The next day, he asked Carpenter Liu for an introduction and discussed with the immortal masters by the canal:

“Immortal Lady, I have several fellow villagers from my hometown who also want to come to Thousand Canals to work on the canal. Hongfu has had floods this year, fields are submerged, and the disaster relief funds allocated by the Immortal Official have been delayed. Tenant farmers can barely afford to eat. They have nothing in their villages, nothing to give up, only their strength. They don’t ask for wages, just food to eat.”

Zhou Xiao Yun readily agreed: “Just food to eat? We can decide this without bothering Senior Brother Song. Tell them to come.”

Iron Three Ox was overjoyed.

Since the two prefectural Immortal Officials had become “friendly,” the high walls between Thousand Canals and Hongfu had opened their gates, allowing passage.

Zhou Xiao Yun thought to herself, it’s just “a few fellow villagers,” probably around ten people. Thousand Canals had plenty of wasteland if nothing else.

Having a few more hands for reclamation wouldn’t be bad.

Without Song Qian Ji’s knowledge, over a hundred people from Hongfu migrated with their entire families to Thousand Canals Prefecture to begin new, better lives.

And this was just the beginning.

In the intervals, while waiting for an auspicious day to fire up the forge, Song Qian Ji continued to tend to Song Courtyard and plant new crops. His only trouble was the exposure of his cultivation level.

He needed his cultivation to control the Undying Spring in the Pure Vase, but he didn’t want to create unusual phenomena, with thunder clouds surging, drawing attention.

If he formed his Golden Core at fifteen, people would select him as the number one genius among the younger generation, surpassing Zi Ye Wen Shu, and Blue Cliff Academy would certainly lose face, possibly even attracting Xian Jian Chen.

By then, half the cultivation world would come to Thousand Canals to watch the spectacle, greatly hindering farming.

Fortunately, in his previous life, he had cultivated a technique that could conceal his realm, suppress his aura, and make others unable to discern his true depth.

Why was his “Spring Night’s Pleasant Rain” cultivation, naturally gentle, advancing so rapidly? Song Qian Ji vaguely felt something wasn’t right and looked up at the sky in confusion.

Is someone manipulating me?

After the sand storms had weakened, the sky was much cleaner than when he first arrived in Thousand Canals. The sunlight was clear and bright, and white clouds floated like willow catkins in the azure sky.

If he could truly open his Celestial Eye, he would see the gathering of fortune from all directions, transforming into thick golden light, brighter than sunlight.

After that night’s rain, the wisteria on the trellis had completely withered.

Under the scorching summer sun, lotus flowers in the large vats were in full bloom, unabashedly stretching out; crystal-clear water droplets rolled between the lotus leaves, flickering irregularly.

The wind blew the fragrance of lotus flowers throughout the courtyard.

It was a very ordinary afternoon, and it seemed that nothing more would happen.

Song Qian Ji diligently turned the soil, loosening it for two crabapple trees, enjoying the peaceful and pleasant time of farming.

Until two familiar people entered the gate—Meng He Ze ran ahead, with Ji Chen chasing behind.

Song Qian Ji put down his shovel and rose to meet them.

However, before Meng He Ze’s figure appeared, his voice arrived first: “Senior Brother Song! Great news! The southwestern canal, halfway through excavation, has revealed a small spirit stone mine—”

Song Qian Ji felt dizzy and sat down on the lounge chair, staring at him in shock, “What did you say?”

Ji Chen loudly interjected: “There’s another piece of good news. Under the eastern canal, they’ve discovered oil, the well is gushing straight up.”

Song Qian Ji instinctively clutched his small cushion, murmuring: “How is this possible? Why?”

Meng He Ze: “I thought the Zhao family’s successive Immortal Officials had used all kinds of detection methods to thoroughly examine Thousand Canals! Who knew there’d be such overlooked treasures? Senior Brother is truly blessed with good fortune!”

Good fortune? A flash of lightning crossed Song Qian Ji’s mind.

Yes, there was a problem with his fortune. Could someone be visiting the temple behind his back?

He rose and shot out of Song Courtyard like a shadow. Meng He Ze and Ji Chen cried out in surprise and hurriedly followed.

Song Qian Ji climbed the high steps, broke the lock, and pushed open the temple doors with one hand.

Inside, the hall was dim, with a layer of dust on the doors and windows. There was no statue of him, but the golden statues of previous Immortal Officials and the Blue Cliff Sect’s Master and elders remained, emanating a sense of lonely neglect.

Without the perpetually burning incense offerings, the golden statues had lost their luster. The initial awe-inspiring pressure had long dissipated.

When you worship them, they are deities. When you don’t worship them, they are mere objects.

Meng He Ze and Ji Chen pursued with all their might, entering the hall shortly after, only to see Song Qian Ji gazing up at the divine statues with a dazed expression.

The enormous statues, expressionless, looked down upon the tiny human figures.

Ji Chen worriedly asked: “Senior Brother Song, what’s wrong?”

Why wasn’t Senior Brother happy to celebrate, but instead ran to the temple?

Song Qian Ji met their puzzled expressions and thought to himself since we’re already here, it would indeed be odd not to do something. He waved his hand:

“So much gold sitting here wasted. Melt it down!”

Completely cutting off the path of fortune enhancement, eliminating future trouble.

Meng He Ze suddenly became excited: “Such boldness!”

He had initially only thought of locking the temple doors, but Brother Song, with a smile and wave of his hand, destroyed the divine status. The former pinnacle of power, Thousand Canals’ rulers would no longer be elevated above others.

“I’ll do it myself,” Meng He Ze said.

Song Qian Ji gave him a strange look—young people were so energetic, even happy about such work.

Since the temple wasn’t the problem, what exactly was wrong?

Who is working against me behind the scenes?

…

On a dark and windy night.

Tree shadows swayed as two figures met in a dark alley.

One person lowered his voice and asked: “I heard there’s a shortage of goods lately? My second uncle’s family really wants to request one, he’s been talking about it for three days.”

The other person’s voice was even lower: “Brother, with our friendship, even if they’re scarce, there’s one for you.”

After speaking, he took out a small silk package from his bosom, unwrapping it layer by layer to reveal something palm-sized inside.

As the moon emerged from the clouds for an instant, it illuminated the faces of Carpenter Liu and Iron Three Ox.

Iron Three Ox held the object in his hands, marveling: “This carving, this spirit, truly one breath could bring it to life. Only you could create such a thing. It’s just—” he turned it over to examine it, “too small, this is too small!”

Carpenter Liu urgently said: “You think it’s too small? This is a forbidden item, we can’t openly produce them!”

“Yes, yes!” Iron Three Ox nodded, rewrapping the silk carefully and hurriedly thanking him.

The object briefly appeared in the bright moonlight—a painted wooden carving of Song Qian Ji, with distinct hair strands, lifelike and vivid.

Iron Three Ox tucked away the forbidden item and hurried off with his head down.

Seeing this, Carpenter Liu sighed with satisfaction.

Everything in Thousand Canals was good, except that worshipping the Immortal Official’s image had to be done like a thief.

Previously, people went to worship at the temple, praying for their peace, happiness, and health. Now, hiding clay or wooden statues in their own homes, they prayed for his cultivation to improve and for him to live a long life. Only if Thousand Canals Prefecture never changed its Immortal Official would the lives of future generations continue to improve.

…

While the canal construction proceeded with full enthusiasm, saplings, and crops, having drunk their fill of rain and bathed in sunlight, grew wildly.

Thousand Canals’ summer was no longer silent, finally filled with cicada songs, insect chirps, and bird calls.

Young people grew taller day by day. They ran under the bright sun, passed through dense forests, lit bonfires to roast meat, and recklessly spent their youth.

Song Qian Ji labored in the fields, struggling to hide and suppress his cultivation. He felt deeply helpless, knowing that when he could no longer contain it, the Tribulation Lightning for both Golden Core formation and Nascent Soul formation would likely strike simultaneously.

Without notice, the heat subsided, cool winds secretly rose, and the fields changed from fresh green to clear golden yellow.

Thousand Canals’ bountiful autumn was about to arrive.