Cheng Xiaofan's method for improving rice seeds was actually very simple: using the spiritual energy in the Shennong space to alter the rice's genes.
After placing the rice seeds into the space, Cheng Xiaofan flickered and entered it as well.
Once inside, he immediately used his willpower to activate the space's spiritual energy and filtered the two large sacks of rice seeds.
Cheng Xiaofan then filtered the seeds with spiritual energy two more times.
After three such filtrations, the genes of these japonica rice had undergone a qualitative change, meeting the standards Cheng Xiaofan had set in his mind.
Once finished, he temporarily stored the rice seeds in the space and came out.
At this point, Po Tianying already knew Cheng Xiaofan was heading to White Python Lake and immediately flew to his side.
"Jee—"
Amidst Po Tianying's long cry, Cheng Xiaofan appeared above White Python Lake.
As he had expected, Ye Shisan was bare-chested, bent over, and working diligently.
This time, Ye Shisan was not clearing land or planting vegetables, but was constantly moving bricks out of a hole in the mountainside.
Clearly, it was a kiln specifically for firing bricks.
Cheng Xiaofan was truly speechless; this Ye Shisan simply couldn't rest, diligently refining bricks here.
Po Tianying carried Cheng Xiaofan, circling slowly in the air.
Even from a considerable distance, Cheng Xiaofan noticed that the bricks Ye Shisan was firing were unusual.
In the sunlight, the red bricks piled there gleamed, as if they were refined molten gold.
"Old Ye—" Cheng Xiaofan picked up the carton of delicacies and leaped from Po Tianying's back, descending.
When Ye Shisan looked up, Cheng Xiaofan had already landed before him.
He couldn't help but exclaim with joy, "Ah, Mr. Cheng is here!"
Cheng Xiaofan replied, "Yes, it's been a while since I've seen you, so I came specifically to visit!"
He walked over, picked up a brick, and asked, "Old Ye, when did you change careers and open a brick factory?"
Ye Shisan chuckled, "I've never fired bricks before; this is something I figured out."
Cheng Xiaofan continuously examined the brick in his hand, saying, "These bricks are too beautiful. I can tell you're using red soil rich in iron to fire them."
"These bricks are very sturdy and possess a considerable degree of vitrification, something not all brick makers can achieve."
Ye Shisan smiled, "Mainly, this soil is very suitable for making bricks. Normal brick factories would find it difficult to find such soil."
He gestured towards the mountainside ahead, "I originally intended to clear a patch of land to plant some vegetables, but when I removed the topsoil, all that was underneath was this red soil."
"This soil is acidic, highly viscous, and rich in iron. Bricks made from this soil will not easily weather, no matter how many years pass."
"Since I was idle, why not dig out this soil, refine it into bricks, and use them to build some houses here in the future!"
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but say with a wry smile, "Firing bricks is hard and tiring work; you can really endure hardship!"
"Just building a brick kiln is something most people can't handle!"
Ye Shisan chuckled honestly, "It's fine, I'm used to hardship. Besides, I have the burrowing mice helping me, so these are trivial matters!"
Hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan was truly moved by his diligence.
The red bricks were neatly stacked by Ye Shisan.
These bricks were very rare, not only because of their excellent quality, but also because houses built with them would be warm in winter and cool in summer.
Furthermore, Ye Shisan was an earth element cultivator, and Cheng Xiaofan could tell he had incorporated his cultivation techniques into refining these bricks.
These bricks possessed a certain spiritual aggregation property.
Spiritual aggregation property, meaning the ability to absorb some of the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, yin, yang, and the five elements into the bricks.
Houses built with these bricks would keep people from falling ill and also have a certain health-preserving effect.
"Old Ye, come, let's go inside and sit for a while!" Cheng Xiaofan took his calloused hand and said with a smile.
Ye Shisan quickly agreed, "Okay, let's go inside and sit!"
Inside the bamboo villa, Cheng Xiaofan opened the carton and said, "Old Ye, these are a series of gourmet products recently developed by Zhuxi Village. My Goddess Bai specially packed a box for you as tea snacks!"
Ye Shisan chuckled, "It's too much. How can I eat so much? Later, I'll share half with those nine burrowing mice to taste!"
Cheng Xiaofan knew he had developed deep affection for the burrowing mice and didn't say anything further.
"Mr. Cheng, please sit for a moment, I'll boil water for tea!"
Ye Shisan started a fire to boil water and said, "Usually, when I'm alone, I rarely boil water. When I'm thirsty, I just scoop some water from the缸 with a gourd ladle and that takes care of it."
"The golden tea you gave me, I usually just chew a couple of leaves!"
Cheng Xiaofan shook his head upon hearing this and said, "Old Ye, you can't do that anymore. Don't just busy yourself with cultivation; you should also learn to enjoy life."
"It seems I need to find you a companion!"
Ye Shisan was startled and stammered, "Mr. Cheng, please don't scare me. Look at my rough appearance, I'm not worthy of marrying a woman!"
Cheng Xiaofan immediately replied, "Old Ye, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean your rough appearance makes you unworthy of marrying a woman?"
"The people of Zhuxi Village are all down-to-earth villagers. Which man doesn't want to marry a woman?"
"I say, don't make things difficult for yourself. Leave this matter to me!"
Ye Shisan chuckled, "No, no, I'm used to being alone. If there was a woman around, I'm afraid I couldn't handle it!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled, "You still need someone to cook and do laundry for you!"
Ye Shisan shook his head again and politely refused, "I really don't need that. I have hands and feet, and since childhood, I've been used to doing things myself!"
"Mr. Cheng, to be honest, I feel like I was born to be someone who lives in seclusion!"
"I am very grateful to Mr. Cheng for providing me with such a tranquil environment. Moreover, with the companionship of those burrowing mice, I am already very happy!"
From his desolate tone, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't say anything more.
While they were talking, Ye Shisan had finished boiling water. He first brewed a cup of golden tea for Cheng Xiaofan and then for himself.
Ye Shisan took a sip of tea and added, "Those burrowing mice are all very intelligent. Sometimes, when I'm bored, I teach them to play chess, and who knew these little sprites could learn so quickly."
"Every night, I enjoy playing Gomoku with them under the moonlight and starlight. It's a pleasure that ordinary people cannot experience!"