"It seems the process of refining impurities from the medicinal liquid still needs improvement!"
Chen Jinshu carefully reviewed the steps of her latest pill refinement.
The overall process was now familiar, with no major mistakes—only minor details needed polishing.
After swiftly cleaning the residual slag from the cauldron, she took a moment to recover her spiritual energy. The furnace's flame had cooled to the minimum temperature required for refining magnolia flowers.
Without delay, she guided another magnolia flower into the cauldron and began refining.
Half a month later.
Chen Jinshu was in her courtyard, collecting spirit eggs from the chicken coop. The locust carcasses had proven to be excellent feed—the three hens were now laying eggs with 30% higher spiritual energy concentration than before. If sold at the market, these eggs would fetch 30% more.
Previously, five eggs equaled one spirit stone. Now, two eggs could be exchanged for one stone. Her basket already held 42 eggs—worth 21 spirit stones.
"This is too profitable." Her heart raced as she calculated the potential earnings.
"A shame we've already used up half the locust carcasses."
Many clansmen had burned the remaining locusts to fertilize their fields, saving on fertilizer costs. But she couldn't compete with the farmers who had suffered heavy losses.
Soon, Third Uncle Chen Huaiyang's voice echoed from the management hall, infused with a calming spiritual resonance.
"All spirit farmers, assemble at the management hall!"
"Could the family's compensation have arrived?"
She had a good guess why he was summoning them. Since the locust plague, a heavy gloom had settled over Vulture Mountain. Even now, many farmers still carried an air of despair.
Whenever she passed dejected clansmen, their hopeless gazes weighed on her.
"I hope the family's compensation can ease their losses."
Storing the eggs in her spatial pouch, she donned her veil hat, tucked the Yin Mountain Sparrow into her sleeve, and headed to the hall.
By the time she arrived, the hall was packed with anxious farmers.
"No pushing! The compensation has arrived! Each of you will be compensated fairly based on your losses!" Chen Huaiyang's voice cut through the murmurs.
The crowd quickly formed an orderly line.
From the back, Chen Jinshu spotted three family elders inside, with Chen Huaiyang overseeing the proceedings.
Soon, all 300+ farmers had gathered—yet the spacious hall didn't feel cramped.
Every pair of eyes was fixed on the elders, brimming with fragile hope.
After a quick headcount via spiritual sense, Chen Huaiyang exchanged a glance with the other two elders and announced:
"The family was deeply grieved to learn of the locust plague. After much deliberation, we've finalized the compensation—delivered today by these two elders."
"Due to the scale of losses, we cannot fully reimburse everyone. Compensation will be 30% of expected harvest profits, and this season's taxes are waived."
Silence.
The farmers' faces twisted in dismay. A normal harvest would've earned them 100+ spirit stones. Now, 30-40 stones (or 50 for larger fields) was all they'd get.
How could this possibly cover their losses?
Seeing their disappointment, Chen Huaiyang sighed.
"Thirty percent is already substantial. This was the worst plague in years. The family is doing its best."
Chen Jinshu felt no surprise—whether from prior expectations or understanding the family's nature, her heart remained steady.
30-40 stones would barely cover new seeds. There was no additional compensation for emotional distress or the mountain's failed protection.
"Elder! My four acres were completely devoured! How am I supposed to survive on 40-50 stones?!"
"Three acres here! 30-40 stones won't even cover seeds, let alone living expenses!"
Voices of resentment rose.
Chen Huaiyang could only sigh. The elders had brought a fixed amount of stones—no matter how they split it, losses would never be fully covered.
30% + tax exemption was already generous.
One elder, however, grew impatient.
"This disaster was an accident, but you chose not to activate your defensive formations to save a few stones. Now you blame the family?"
His tone sparked quiet fury.
The family was helping, yet the farmers acted ungrateful.
But from the farmers' perspective—their livelihoods depended on those fields.
Without enough stones, how could they survive as cultivators?
Chen Huaiyang knew the elder's words were harsh but held his tongue.
"This was the elders' collective decision. Those who want compensation, step forward."
With no other choice, the farmers swallowed their bitterness and lined up. Three quarters of an hour later, the distribution was complete. Chen Huaiyang checked the ledger, relieved the task was over. Then he spotted Chen Jinshu in the crowd.
Remembering her contribution, he turned to the elders with a smile.
"Elder Wenchang, Jinshu was the one who spotted the locust swarm and alerted everyone, preventing greater losses. What reward has the family prepared for her?"
The two elders froze.
They… had forgotten.
Amidst the chaos of calculating losses, her reward had slipped their minds. Chen Jinshu's lips curled into a cold smile as she watched them fumble.
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
"Did they really forget about me?"