Chapter 47: The Old Farmer

Chapter 47: The Old Farmer

Although he hadn’t been transmigrated for long, Yu Sheng'an had already grasped the fundamental force that constituted this world.

That force was the soul.

A mage’s power stemmed from magic runes, but ultimately, it still required Soul Power as its foundation.

Abyss demons evolved through battle and devouring, but according to ancient texts and Yu Sheng'an’s observations, their true essence lay in consuming souls to enhance their strength.

However, combat and destruction seemed to allow them to vent the unstable elements within the foreign souls they absorbed.

Even so, most demons remained mad and twisted.

As for the gods, it went without saying—Divine Sparks were merely symbols of authority. To wield that authority, they needed Source Essence as fuel.

And Source Essence came from souls.

Thus, while Raymond’s ability to communicate with his abyss demon through the Life-Sharing Contract and summon it after his soul twisted due to a fiery execution might seem unbelievable, it was, in fact, understandable.

Yu Sheng'an tapped his fingers on the armrest, silently contemplating:

Perhaps Raymond’s soul hadn’t twisted at all. "Twisting" might just be a concept fabricated by mages and gods.

"Mutation" might be a more fitting term.

If he could uncover the secrets of the soul, his power might surpass even that of the gods.

Unfortunately… Yu Sheng'an glanced at Raymond’s three companions through the Divine Perspective. Their physical vitality hadn’t vanished—the vast horde of demons sustaining their lives was but a drop in the bucket.

But their souls had collapsed.

In modern medical terms, their current state could aptly be described as a "vegetative state."

Of that brutal execution, only Raymond, with Yu Sheng'an’s help, had endured. And due to some complex factors, his soul had undergone a mutation.

"The only specimen!"

Yu Sheng'an shook his head and ultimately chose to stand aside.

Half an hour later, the village’s execution pyre burned once more—this time, an elderly woman was bound to it.

Amid her wails, the shadow demon surged out of the village, cackling as it chased down the villagers fleeing in terror.

Yu Sheng'an sighed and withdrew his Divine Perspective, unwilling to watch any longer.

He had no right to condemn Raymond. Putting himself in Raymond’s shoes, he might have acted even more ruthlessly.

In fact, his own "low-food strategy" was already filthy enough. Once enacted, its destructive power would rival that of a large-scale war.

Still, he marked Raymond for close observation.

……

Three days later, Yu Sheng'an, representing the Keville Empire, escorted the Vias delegation out of Willis City.

This would be a long journey—at least half a month before they reached the Divine Kingdom on Earth of the Music Goddess, Vias.

Beyond the city walls, the desolation and vastness of this world gradually unfolded.

The roads, solidified with Earth Magic, were flanked by sprawling farmlands near the city. But as they traveled further, the fields gave way to endless forests.

Time grew tedious.

Because of this, many couldn’t understand why Yu Sheng'an had joined the delegation.

Especially Meg, the head of the Vias delegation.

As the envoy, he was well aware that the purpose of this mission was to purchase the newly developed high-yield, cold-resistant seeds from the Keville Empire.

Unfortunately, the Keville Empire clearly understood the importance of these seeds and remained unmoved no matter what price was offered.

In the end, they were only willing to sell a batch of grain.

Beyond that, the Keville Empire also decided to dispatch Ajef as an envoy to Vias to negotiate cooperation.

To be honest, if not for Ajef’s presence in the delegation, Meg would never have been satisfied with just this batch of grain. He would have found a way to stay in Willis until he secured some seeds—even if only a few.

At least that would have given him something to report to the Goddess.

Precisely because of this, he was acutely aware of Ajef’s status.

Especially after arriving, he learned that Ajef had also made a groundbreaking discovery by proving the conjecture that "Thunder Magic can be converted into Light Magic."

A figure of such stature could easily be said to rival the Three Great Gods of Magic.

Yet here he was, sitting in a carriage, traveling with the delegation—it was downright bizarre.

The envoy was merely escorting a shipment of grain. Such a trivial matter hardly warranted the involvement of someone of his stature.

Even if he were representing the Keville Empire in state negotiations with the Goddess, he could have simply teleported there. Why waste time on the road?

Meg couldn’t make sense of it.

Little did he know, Yu Sheng’an simply couldn’t locate Vias.

Yes, the reason was that absurd.

Among the teleportation coordinates marked by the former God of Contracts, Tang En, there happened to be none for the Music Goddess’s Divine Kingdom on Earth.

Yu Sheng’an also had no users nearby to provide coordinates—how could he teleport there?

Even if he teleported to the nearest location, he would still need to dispatch a large number of demons to search for it. And if that accidentally provoked the Music Goddess’s suspicion, things could turn ugly.

Since it was such a hassle either way, he might as well just travel with the delegation.

Having attendants to serve him, guides to lead the way, and people to vouch for his identity—how convenient!

Yu Sheng’an could take this opportunity to practice magic while gathering information about the Music Goddess.

"Mr. Meg, I’ve heard that in your country, music reigns supreme. As long as one composes beautiful music, even a commoner can earn noble status. Is that true?"

Inside the carriage, Yu Sheng’an asked Meg with a smile.

"Mr. Ajef, the world praises you as the wisest of mages. I never expected you to believe such rumors!"

"Oh? How so?"

"Music is such an elegant art—how could commoners possibly compose it?"

Yu Sheng’an was taken aback. "But what if a commoner truly did compose something remarkable? Has there never been a single example in Vias’s history?"

"Well… historically, there have been a few. Indeed, there were those with extraordinary talent who, despite never having studied music, could create beautiful compositions. However, such individuals weren’t immediately granted noble titles. Instead, they were exceptionally admitted to the Music Academy for study. Only after their achievements and contributions were assessed would it be decided whether to grant them noble status."

"Oh, I see."

Yu Sheng’an nodded, his eyes glinting.

The Music Goddess was no fool, after all!

No wonder the outside world spread the saying, "All else is inferior, only music is supreme." It was likely a smokescreen she had orchestrated.

Still, as a deity who wielded the authority of music, she clearly placed great importance on it!

I wonder if the few pieces I prepared from Blue Star will catch her ear?

Also, my Contract Godhood derives its power from language and writing.

Then what does the Music Godhood use as its medium?

Lyrics?

Or melody?

Yu Sheng'an let out a sigh and glanced out the window. Unbeknownst to him, the delegation had passed by a vast stretch of farmland.

Despite the chilly autumn winds and the withering of all things, the fields were lush and green.

The delightful sight prompted Yu Sheng'an to instinctively call out, "Stop!"

The delegation came to a halt at once.

Under the bewildered gazes of the others, Yu Sheng'an stepped down from the carriage and surveyed the roadside fields, which were filled with broad-leaf winter mallow.

The thick leaves swayed gently in the cold wind.

By the roadside, an old farmer leaned on his iron plow, eyeing him and the convoy with a mix of surprise and unease.

Yu Sheng'an asked, "Old sir, is all this yours?"

The farmer flustered and waved his hands repeatedly. "N-no, no, my lord! It's all unclaimed wasteland. I just planted a bit haphazardly."

Yu Sheng'an smiled reassuringly. "Don’t be afraid, old sir. I was just asking. Aren’t you worried about wild beasts charging out from the woods while you’re reclaiming this land?"

A hint of pride flashed across the old man’s face. "Not at all! Many folks in our village have learned magic and Battle Aura from the internet. They’re quite formidable! The beasts in these woods have all been chased off—they wouldn’t dare come out now."

"That’s truly impressive!" Yu Sheng'an nodded, then added, "After this batch of broad-leaf winter mallow is harvested, don’t plant it again. It’s not cold-resistant. When the weather turns colder, it won’t grow well."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Yu Sheng'an waved his hand and climbed back into the carriage.

The convoy then set off again, slowly moving away.

The old farmer watched the departing procession and, as if possessed, called out to a soldier, "Young man, may I ask—who is that young lord? He seems to know a thing or two about winter mallow!"