Chapter 229
**Chapter 218: No Mood for It**
In Ban Shan City, smoke was rising from every household, and even the breeze at the mountainside carried the sweet aroma of fish and meat. Laughter from children echoed from the river valley all the way to the mountaintop.
Xiao Qing hummed a tune, her face beaming as she entered the temple. Kneeling on the mat, she sincerely bowed three times to the statue before standing up to tidy the temple. She chatted away as if catching up with an old friend:
“Lord Thunder God, it’s been ages since we caught so many fish!”
“We can’t eat them all! They’re planning to smoke some and save them.”
“It’s been a long time since Ban Shan City has been this happy!”
It was clear she was in high spirits, her words flowing without pause.
Xiao Qing first mentioned that no one had starved in the city for the past two months. Then she recounted how a neighbor’s child had stuffed two pieces of meat into her hands on the street—sticky, but oh so delicious.
Her chatter was a jumble, lacking a clear focus.
Zheng Fa was busy checking the points on the Divine Merit List. Over the past three days, his merit points had increased significantly, surpassing three thousand.
One reason was that he had granted the river valley three days of clear weather according to the “weather forecast” in the Divine Merit List. The other reason was that many elderly people in Ban Shan City had been on the brink of starvation for the past half month, and the fish and shrimp caught in these three days had likely saved many lives.
The combination of these factors had caused his merit points to rise even faster than when he struck people with heavenly lightning.
As he calculated, he listened to Xiao Qing’s words, feeling a sense of satisfaction swell within him.
Xiao Qing continued, “But they’re all too scared to eat too much. I heard Hong Jie say they’re planning to smoke the fish and save them, so they can last for half a year.”
Zheng Fa paused, suddenly reminded of the cured meat from his own home. The meat he had cured for the New Year could last for half a year…
Xiao Qing’s chatter continued, “They said they’d bring the first batch to you once it’s ready.”
Zheng Fa was at a loss for words. “Didn’t I say I don’t want offerings?”
“I told them that,” Xiao Qing replied, a hint of frustration in her voice. “But if they don’t bring this, what else can they offer?”
Just then, a flurry of footsteps echoed outside.
A group of over a dozen people appeared at the temple door, each carrying bamboo baskets overflowing with dried fish.
Whether they understood Zheng Fa’s preference for peace or feared Xiao Qing’s rejection, they quickly set down the baskets, bowed twice at the temple entrance, and dashed away, not giving Xiao Qing a chance to speak.
“Lord Thunder God…” Xiao Qing stared blankly at the baskets on the ground, her mouth agape. “This…”
She walked over, inspecting the dried fish in the baskets. “They brought you the biggest fish…”
“They must have sent at least thirty percent of what they caught in these three days…”
“Should I still share this with the elders?”
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before replying, “Give part of it to them. I have something I need you to do.”
“What do you need, my lord?”
“Find a few people who are familiar with the mushrooms in the mountains. I need to ask them something.”
Xiao Qing left, somewhat confused.
Zheng Fa watched her retreating figure, contemplating his plans. To gain merit points, he needed to master the remaining two types of thunder techniques and nurture the people.
While other cultivators might focus solely on immortal techniques, Zheng Fa had long realized that directly developing productivity could greatly improve the lives of these people.
He needed a substantial amount of merit points, and mastering thunder techniques was essential. However, he didn’t intend to abandon this line of thought.
He had consulted Teacher Tian in modern times, and learned that places like Ban Shan City, with their frequent rain and humidity and little sunlight, were not suitable for farming.
The foundation of Ban Shan City was too weak, making it difficult to implement any high-cost industries. As for the other areas under his control, they were even worse.
There was, however, a technique that could be adapted to local conditions—mushroom cultivation.
Mushroom cultivation wasn’t a new technology; ancient texts contained some relevant records, but the yield was extremely low.
Soon, Xiao Qing returned with a few men from the city, seasoned foragers who were well-acquainted with the types and habits of mushrooms in the mountains.
After asking a few questions, Zheng Fa instructed them to find some decaying wood with mushrooms growing on it, as well as some sawdust and straw.
Xiao Qing and the others didn’t quite understand what Lord Thunder God was planning, but they obediently followed his instructions.
Zheng Fa reflected on Teacher Tian’s words.
The main differences between ancient and modern mushroom cultivation techniques were twofold: one was the purification of mushroom strains, and the other was maintaining a sterile environment.
If these two aspects weren’t controlled well, contaminants would arise, reducing the yield of edible mushrooms.
Zheng Fa had them pack the sawdust and straw into about ten clay pots, placing them in front of the statue. This was the most basic growth medium that Teacher Tian had taught him.
He then asked Xiao Qing and the others to leave, channeling his spiritual energy along the trajectory of clouds, rain, and thunder, sending a beam of ultraviolet light toward the pots.
Of course, Ban Shan City lacked sterilization technology… but the current clouds, rain, and thunder could emit lasers!
Modern methods for purifying mushroom strains required more advanced techniques, primarily involving microscopes to select the most suitable strains.
Coincidentally, Zheng Fa had a洞虚灵眼 (dòng xū líng yǎn, a mystical eye that can see through illusions)!
Even if contaminants appeared, he could eliminate them in time.
“Once you distribute the fish, Xiao Qing, you should avoid this place in the future.”
What Zheng Fa needed to do now was to observe which growth medium yielded the best results and select the highest-yielding mushroom strains.
Xiao Qing and the others left the temple, still somewhat bewildered.
“Xiao Qing, what does Lord Thunder God want to do?”
Xiao Qing was equally puzzled. After pondering for a while, she suddenly clapped her hands and exclaimed:
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