19 Spiritual Rice (1/2)
Fang Yuan was still unaware that the gears of a great conspiracy had started turning
Quite the opposite, the current Fang Yuan's heart was filled with ecstatic joy.
”This is…”
The moment he entered the paddy field, he was struck by a flash of red.
The entire vermillion jade paddy went through a complete change. All of the grains were large and full, almost to the point of bursting out of their shells, and they gave off a slight spicy fragrance, as though as they were spices, enticing one's appetites.
”The Vermillion Jade Rice is fully grown!”
Fang Yuan instantly burst out in happiness
”Keke!”
”Keke!”
The Flower Fox Ferret was also elated and really wanted to leap forward to help itself to the rice.
Thankfully after this period of training, it finally understood that this spiritual rice was the same as Jade Crystal Rice, and had to first have their shells removed, before being steamed, only then one would be able to taste an unparalleled taste. Otherwise, it would just be wasting a treasure.
Thus, the ferret still maintained its self control, simply staring at Fang Yuan from afar.
”Mhmm, let's harvest it first!”
After that, Fang Yuan returned to his house, retrieved a sickle and other tools, before starting to harvest the rice carefully.
The good thing was that he had already broken through the Rest Gate, hence his stamina was great, surpassing that of an ordinary man, and his magical energy levels were high, thus there was confidence in every motion. With a few swings of the blade, the stalks of Vermillion Jade Rice fell in an organised manner.
From one side, the Flower Fox Ferret saw the scene unfolding before him, licking his claws, but still not daring to go forward to help out.
It was very aware that its future happiness depended on this paddy field. If anything it did scr*wed things up, wouldn't it just cry itself to death?
”Ok we're done, help me move these seedlings back.”
Fang Yuan tied up the Vermillion Jade Rice seedlings into bundles, at the same time tossing over the Flower Fox Ferret's share, ”Careful!”
After harvesting, the next step would be drying, threshing, deshelling...
When the final step was completed, he gazed upon the shiny red Vermillion Jade Rice, and couldn't help but break into a smile.
The Vermillion Jade Rice in front of him was about the size of a fingernail, sparkled like jade, with a blazing red line that ran through the center, and brought about a spicy fragrance to one's nose.
”This harvest has yielded around 50 pounds, of which we have to keep half for planting…”
On the other side, Fang Yuan piled up the grains with their shells intact in the storeroom. After keeping them properly, he let out a sigh of relief, and looked at the remaining Vermillion Jade Rice, rubbing his hands impatiently, ”I'll be the one to taste this spiritual rice…”
From the side, the Flower Fox Ferret had been staring at the Vermillion Jade Rice until it started drooling, but it still did not dare to make a move. Instead, it turned around to munch on a good portion of the husks, rubbing its belly with a look of satisfaction on its face.
”So obedient!”
This series of actions by the ferret did not escape Fang Yuan, and he couldn't help but comment.
Although rice husks were usually used to feed livestock in villages, they could not compare to the husks of spiritual rice. These husks probably had many more times the nutrition and elemental energy of Crystal Jade Rice.
”But… if you're eating so much now, do you still have the space for the cooked Vermillion Jade Rice later?”
Fang Yuan said while rapping the Flower Fox Ferret's little head.
The white ferret rolled its eyes, bared its claws, and stared with a strong desire in its eyes, as though as it could eat everything regardless of the amount.
”Really...I can't deal with you!”
After a long guffaw, Fang Yuan went to draw some water from the spring, and added a steamer basket, placing 1 pound of Vermillion Jade Rice inside.
”This Vermillion Jade Rice is a spiritual plant, so I'd better take care when cooking it. Let's start by steaming it…”
Stuffing the rice straw underneath the furnace, Fang Yuan looked as blazing red light lit up the entire room, which made it seem like the entire kitchen was on fire. On top of that, the fragrance emanating from the steamer made the both of them salivate profusely.
The rice straws were from a spiritual plant, but now it was being used as fuel for a fire. If this was seen by members of Spirit Returning Sect, they would lament about how wasteful Fang Yuan was.
However, to Fang Yuan, wasn't using rice straw to cook rice the proper thing to do?
Moreover, combining these two things could possibly draw out some special benefits too.
”Next time I'll use the rice husks to raise a batch of chickens and duck, then I'll have a complete spiritual feast. That would be really living the life!”
In his heart, there was still that little idea.
As the rice straw burnt easily, hence he had to keep adding more continuously. Once the last bundle turned into fire and vanished, a fragrance 10 times stronger than before filled the entire kitchen.
”The Vermillion Jade Rice is ready!”
Fang Yuan opened the steamer basket, which released a large amount of red gas into the air. The water vapour added onto the bright glow from the Vermillion Jade Rice, which had all turned completely red, like a cloud of fire.
Inside the steamer basket, all of the rice had developed nicely, turning into the size of normal crystal rice. After they absorbed more water vapour, each grain appeared fuller than ever, with a slight hint of fire burning within.
”Keke! Keke!”
Leaping up, the Flower Fox Ferret seemed very impatient.
”Haha...How could your share be any less! Here, eat!”
Fang Yuan took out chopsticks and bowls, giving the Flower Fox Ferret a full bowl, and an identical serving for himself too.
With rice fragrance swirling around him, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva before sending the Vermillion Jade Rice into his mouth.
”Woo…”
In that instant, his pupils dilated.
The Vermillion Jade Rice melted upon contact with his mouth, stimulating his taste receptors like a stream of magma with a dense, fragrant spicy tinge.
This sort of spicy feeling, coupled with the rice's original texture, turned into the best meal. There was no need for any dishes to go with it.
When he finally swallowed the rice, this stream flowed straight into his stomach, immediately turning into icy.
Such spicy rice actually turned into an icy stream after reaching the stomach?
This sensation made it seem like he was inside a dream world. It was as though as after getting steamed for a good half a day inside the kitchen, Fang Yuan went to take a refreshing cold water shower. His whole body felt extremely comfortable, and every inch of his skin felt they were renewed.