Chapter 17: Six-Year Summary
Ling Yi did not rush to peruse the "Basic Meditation Techniques" nestled in his arms. After all, during what seemed like a casual glance when he first got it, he had already memorized it.
In the cheerful company of Ah Huang and Meow Meow, Ling Yi began his inspection of Shanhai Village.
Compared to six years ago when Ling Yi was just born, Shanhai Village looked drastically different.
Aside from the ubiquitous Blue Silver Grass, which had increased a hundredfold more than in previous years, the courtyards of every household in the village had been expanded.
Additionally, the farmland west of the village had grown several times in size, and neat plots of fields had appeared on the east and south sides as well.
Under the leadership of the Ling and Zhang families, using methods such as exchange and trade, each household’s fields in the village were reorganized into new areas. Through unified labor, they had reclaimed a significant amount of wasteland, transforming it into fertile fields.
With ten to twenty people swinging hoes and plows together, an acre of land could be tilled in a remarkably short time.
Today, they tilled for the Wang family in the east; tomorrow, they would sow for the Ling family in the south; and the day after, they would harvest for the Li family in the east. The villagers of Shanhai Village suddenly realized that through such coordinated labor, not only did their personal plot areas genuinely increase, but the efficiency of farming and harvesting had also noticeably improved.
This was visibly evident at harvest time, as grain filled their storage barns.
Moreover, led by Zhang Dahe, several ponds of varying sizes had emerged alongside the meandering stream sections drawn by the Changlin River to the southeast of the village.
Nowadays, beneath the eaves of every household in Shanhai Village, strings of smoked, soy-colored salted fish hung.
Once unheard-of meat and fish, scarcely encountered throughout the year, were no longer out of reach.
Like other families, the homes of Ling Yi and the Zhang family were no less well-off, only doing even better.
"Xiao Yi, come over and eat later at our place!"
“No, Aunt Qing, I'll be having lunch at my uncle's place—”
“Little Yi, come have dinner at your uncle's home—”
“No, Fifth Uncle, I'm heading over to my eldest uncle's for lunch—”
...
Walking down the path, Ling Yi greeted the aunts and uncles from the village, fully utilizing his charming looks and sweet talk, becoming a favorite wherever he went.
Amidst the sharp cries of cicadas hidden in the treetops, Ling Yi sauntered to the east end of the village, arriving at his cherished retreat of the past two years.
By Zhang's family lotus pond stood a large green stone.
Ling Yi lay back, eyes closed, basking in the blazing golden sunlight as serenity washed over him.
On the nearby black earth, Meow Meow and Ah Huang lay on either side, their heads resting on their front paws, inching closer to Ling Yi's stone.
Within the sea of his spirit, Ling Yi's mental power surged, meticulously organizing the details about himself, the Ling family, the Zhang family, and even the broader Shanhai Village.
Over the past six years, apart from the initial year, Ling Yi had habitually reflected on everything around him, ensuring he understood everything thoroughly each year, each month, and even each day.
Ling Yi
Age: Six years, two months, and twenty-one days
Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass
Inborn Aptitude: Half level innate soul power
Background: Farmer
Above are Ling Yi's current data tags—simple, straightforward, one might even say a crude whiteboard presentation.
At first glance, anyone would shake their head, dismissing the notion that such conditions would amount to success in this lifetime.
Social climbing?
You're overthinking it; keep dreaming!
However, in Ling Yi's view, although he doesn't possess the typical 'golden fingers' of conventional transmigrators, he does have his own unique advantages.
And, he has three of them!
The first, and most common, is reincarnation—his mental acuity surpasses that of ordinary people.
Thanks to the soul of an adult being nurtured anew in the womb, Ling Yi's soul matured as he was born and grew, leaving his mental prowess far superior to both his peers and even adults like Ling Xiaoshan and Zhang Dahe.
And this was when Ling Yi was just two or three years old.
The second of Ling Yi's advantages stems from the novels, anime, and films he consumed in his past life—his knowledge of cultivation philosophies, realms, and imaginative concepts.
In his previous mundane, magic-less world, these notions were mere flights of fancy. But now that Ling Yi finds himself in a once-fanciful world, these concepts and ideas have potential for real realization.
Just as Ling Yi had appraised before, these are priceless treasures!
Ling Yi discovered his third unique advantage thanks to Yan Bin. It was the current existence of Qian Xunji, known as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall!
Two years ago, in Douluo Calendar year 2595, the Spirit Hall made a grand announcement across the continent. The Elder Judge, Qian Daoliu, had achieved a soul power level of ninety-nine, marking him as the strongest being below the gods!
Through the years, the Elder Judge of the Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu, and the Clear Sky Sect's leader, Tang Chen, have been heralded as the two towering figures in the world of spirit masters. They both reached level ninety-nine almost simultaneously two years back, coming closest to godhood!
Of course, these two significant figures currently have nothing to do with Ling Yi. In the original timeline and storyline that Ling Yi knows, they are mere background characters, serving as mentoring figures for those destined by fate, both on the righteous and opposing sides.
Mentioning these two major players is mainly to mark the current timeframe.
With these two background figures still active on Douluo Continent, it indicates that the present timeline is at least several decades away from the storyline's beginning that Ling Yi is familiar with!
While this situation lacks some of the foresight and premonition advantages, it grants Ling Yi several decades for development!
Time is, indeed, Ling Yi's third unique advantage!
"Although I have poor qualifications, humble origins, and lack any support like sign-in bonuses, lotteries, or other cheats, the opportunity of having decades of head start may still allow me to gain sufficient strength and status before the storyline begins, allowing me to vie for opportunities meant for the chosen ones of fate," thought Ling Yi, as he began to assess his current situation.
With a thought, the bare and rudimentary status panel before him started to grow richer in content.
Firstly, his name, age, spirit, and qualifications remained unchanged, but several new entries appeared following these four traits.
Body/Spirit: One hundred twenty-eight jin of strength.
Mind/Spirit: Second-tier deep sleep, tranquil and peaceful thoughts, spiritual perception.
Skills: "Crystal Meditation Technique 2.0", "Feline Breathing Method", "Basic Physical Exercises"—Cat Form, Dog Form, "Three Farmer’s Postures"—Hoe's Swing, Sickle's Swing, Ax's Swing, "Basic Meditation Technique".
Techniques: Slingshot, Hypnosis, Staff Technique, Knife Technique, Axe Technique.
Pets: Ah Huang, Meow Meow.
Above are the fruits of Ling Yi's labor over these six years since he was born.
Compared to the ordinary white panel he started with, surely he can now boast of a commendable green rating?
This concludes the summary of his personal achievements. Next, we turn to the family's situation.
The Ling family, consisting of six direct descendants from Grandfather Ling Changqing to Ling Yi and his younger brother Ling Shan.
They possess 150 acres of fertile land, over 200 domesticated wild chickens, 60 wild rabbits, three ewes purchased at the market last year, 22 silver soul coins, and over 100 copper soul coins.
Seventeen relatives within three generations, with nearly a hundred extended family members.
Additionally, the maternal Zhang family also owns over 100 acres of land, seven lotus ponds of approximately an acre, two water buffaloes, and an unspecified amount of coins.
Overall, compared to six years ago when both families only had around 50 acres of land each and not much else, their situation has greatly improved.
Family Standing: Wealthy Farmers.
(End of Chapter)