Are these earth burrowers here to joke around, appreciating the scenery of Bai Mang Lake? They likely have a unique understanding of poetry and the distant horizons.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled at the earth burrowers and said, "Earth burrowers, a small bamboo boat is docked at Bai Mang Lake. Hurry there and wait for us. We'll arrive shortly!"
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
...
The earth burrowers nodded, their forms flashing like lightning as they disappeared into the woods.
"These earth burrowers move so fast!" Bai Yiling exclaimed in astonishment.
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "These earth burrowers are masters of earth遁术 (earth evasion technique). Once they burrow into the ground, they can reach Bai Mang Lake in minutes!"
"However, while the speed of earth burrowers is terrifyingly fast, it has distance limitations, unlike the aerial overlord, Skybreaking Eagle, which can undertake long-distance raids!"
Speaking of which, Cheng Xiaofan called out, "Skybreaking Eagle!"
"Chirp—"
"Woof woof!"
This eagle and dog had already arrived upon sensing the spiritual connection.
The ten white geese also followed suit, not daring to fall behind.
With the boost from the energy pills, the white geese had long since grown to the size of adult geese.
"Xiaofan, I'll sit in front of you this time!" Bai Yiling said with a smile.
Cheng Xiaofan nodded upon hearing this, smiling, "Alright, if you feel better sitting in front, then sit in front!"
Bai Yiling immediately sat in front of Cheng Xiaofan.
This allowed Cheng Xiaofan to gain an advantage. To ensure her safety, he had ample reason to hold her in his embrace.
If she were behind, she could hold his waist.
Sitting in front was different; it was Cheng Xiaofan's turn to hold her.
Just as Skybreaking Eagle took flight, Bai Yiling even nestled closer into his embrace.
Holding her warm, soft body filled his arms, which made Cheng Xiaofan a little excited, especially the intoxicating fragrance emanating from her.
Cheng Xiaofan thought to himself, did Bai Yiling intentionally want me to hold her?
This close embrace made him both a little intoxicated and a little overwhelmed.
A blush spread across Bai Yiling's face.
Why is this guy like this?
Are all men like this?
"Chirp—"
With a clear, resonant cry from Skybreaking Eagle, they were already flying in the sky.
Ten geese, like ten beautiful white swans, flew alongside them.
This time, the mischievous one didn't land on Skybreaking Eagle. It directly sat on a goose, its head held high in an arrogant manner, its doggy face exuding utter pride.
Every now and then, it would let out a "woof."
Master, you're riding an evil eagle, but this canine master is riding a noble, unparalleled white swan!
As the old saying goes: comparing yourself to a dog will kill you with anger!
This is a matter of taste.
Cheng Xiaofan naturally didn't bother arguing with this dog.
More than ten minutes later, Skybreaking Eagle, carrying Cheng Xiaofan and Bai Yiling, slowly landed on the boat.
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
...
As soon as Cheng Xiaofan and Bai Yiling set foot on the boat, the ten fiery red earth burrowers swarmed out from the cabin and frolicked in front of them.
Their intention was clear: "We arrived faster than you!"
"This is what we call lightning action!"
Cheng Xiaofan didn't have time to listen to the earth burrowers' boasting and told them, "Follow me!"
Not far ahead was the farming room, and behind the farming room was an artificially constructed terraced mountain.
As soon as Cheng Xiaofan discovered the farming room, he had seen the terraced mountain behind it.
If you didn't look closely, this mountain looked no different from any other.
The only difference was that the trees on this mountain were relatively sparse, scattered here and there, with quite a bit of tall grass, half a person's height.
When he first arrived, Cheng Xiaofan had only glanced at it casually, not paying much attention. Later, when he returned, he discovered something peculiar.
He saw that the mountain was carved with numerous circular terraces.
Each terrace was built with large stones, all of the same size, and constructed quite smoothly. It was evident that whoever built these terraces had invested considerable effort.
This didn't require much imagination. The people who built these terraces must have been the soldiers of Eastern Wu who lived here in seclusion.
This terraced mountain perfectly complemented the farming room.
What crops the Eastern Wu soldiers planted on this terraced mountain was now impossible to verify.
However, in Cheng Xiaofan's opinion, since the ancestors had put so much effort into it, and he had discovered it, he couldn't just abandon it.
He had to restore it to its original state.
Regardless, many things could be planted on it.
If he couldn't make good use of such excellent resources before him, how could he be considered a successor of Shennong!
Cheng Xiaofan, along with nine earth burrowers, quickly ascended to the summit of the terraced mountain.
At the top, they unexpectedly discovered an octagonal pavilion with a stone table and stone benches, seemingly for rest.
On one of the pavilion's pillars, several characters were carved: "Built in the fourteenth year of Yuanzong."
Yuanzong was the posthumous title of Sun Hao, the last ruler of Eastern Wu. He reigned for sixteen years before being destroyed by the Western Jin.
From the year carved here, it could be seen that the soldiers of Eastern Wu had sent people to reclaim land here even before the fall of the Wu kingdom.
In the early years of Sun Hao's reign, he had implemented benevolent policies. Later, he indulged in drinking and debauchery, became obsessed with killing, and grew corrupt and tyrannical, earning a notorious reputation that alarmed all of China and even instilled fear in Emperor Wu of Jin.
It was likely that the soldiers of Eastern Wu at that time had realized that with such a ruler, their kingdom would eventually fall to Western Jin. Therefore, they had sent a portion of their people to relocate their families to the Bai Mang Lake area in the virgin forest to begin cultivating the land.
At that time, it was unknown how their ancestors had found this place.
With this thought, Cheng Xiaofan stopped pondering and focused on the immediate task: restoring the terraced fields to their original appearance as quickly as possible.
Then he could plant more crops here.
"Earth burrowers, it's up to you now!"
Cheng Xiaofan gestured to the entire terraced mountain and said, "You must do your best to reclaim all the terraces on this mountain."
"Of course, I won't give you a time limit, and don't overwork yourselves!"
It would be a waste not to utilize these free laborers!
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
"Squeak!"
...
Master, no problem, leave the terraced fields on this entire mountain to us nine brothers.
We earth burrowers are best at this kind of work. However, to replenish our energy frequently, could you let us have some energy pills?
With energy pills, our drive will be even greater!
With energy pills, we can turn barren mountains into green fields and change the sky and the sun!
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan was greatly concerned. Were these nine earth burrowers aiming for the energy pills by helping him reclaim the barren mountain?
However, what these elder rats said seemed to have some logic.
If you want a horse to run fast, you must feed it grass, right?
"Alright, I have a bottle of energy pills here. You can eat them slowly yourselves!" Cheng Xiaofan immediately took out a bottle of energy pills from his person and handed it to one of the earth burrowers.
That bottle contained at least a hundred pills.
Upon seeing the energy pills, Mischief and Skybreaking Eagle's eyes turned green!