Chapter 32: Monster Ranch

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Near the Pioneer’s Cabin in the Forgotten Forest.

At dawn, Chu Jiu had already arrived at the edge of the field, carrying a bamboo basket and accompanied by Howl, the rabbit.

Today was the perfect day to harvest the first batch of cotton.

Most of the cotton in the field had burst open, clustered in fluffy white bunches hanging from the branches, looking soft, adorable, and warmly inviting.

It should have been a joyful day of harvest, yet Howl was unusually anxious.

Although Chu Jiu had told him yesterday that he had brought back “something that could improve the soil’s fertility,” Howl was filled with worry and guilt—

What if it doesn’t work? What if the field can no longer grow vegetables? Why didn’t I notice sooner?

Troubled by these troubling thoughts, Howl’s movements were slower than usual.

When the harvest was finally complete, Howl lowered his head to sniff the soil, his body trembling violently, and his long ears quivering uncontrollably:

It’s happening! The thing I feared most is happening!

The “vitality” of the soil was draining at an alarming rate!

Though Chu Jiu couldn’t sense the soil’s change as intuitively as Howl, he received a system alert:

[Warning! Warning!]

[The soil fertility of the field is rapidly deteriorating!]

[If the host does not take effective measures, this field will become “uncultivable wasteland,” losing all agricultural value!]

“No, what I’ve done so far is nothing.”

He patted Howl’s head reassuringly, “Don’t worry. First, let’s bury the ‘special natural fertilizer’ in the soil.”

[Spirit Beast No. 2 has triggered “Growth.”]

Howl, normally restless and never idle, stood motionless in the field, his red eyes fixed unblinkingly on the earth.

But the villagers could never have imagined that, right beside Chu Jiu’s cabin, these “cherished pets” were laboring tirelessly…

By the time Chu Jiu left the village chief’s house, it was already afternoon.

As for Chu Jiu himself, he turned his steps toward Bean Village.

“Cotton can not only be made into quilts and winter clothes but can also be spun into fabric like wool to make garments.”

Chu Jiu gently stroked Capybara’s round head: “Wonderful, you really convinced them!”

Howl’s loud howls gradually softened into whimpers as the little fellow began rubbing his eyes with his paws.

Moreover, Chu Jiu had heard Marco mention that honey was a nourishing product welcomed by every trader and town alike, with small jars selling for as much as 100 copper coins.

Little Jar: “Meow?”

Chu Jiu understood the hint: “You want me to handle this?”

He knew well that in this era where seasonings were scarce and high-calorie foods rare, who wouldn’t like honey? When he first gave Aman a jar of honey, the little one was overjoyed and eager to bring it to his grandfather.

He sipped some honey water and concluded that, although this honey wasn’t as fragrant or as effective in relieving tension as the “premium honey made by bloodthirsty bees,” it was indeed sweet and delicious—far surpassing the taste of wines from Emerald Town.

“Howl howls! The soil has come back to life! We can keep planting cabbage and tomatoes, howl howl!”

Chu Jiu took a few bites of grilled fish himself, noting that though the fish were small, their flesh was tender and perfectly grilled—crispy on the outside, tender inside—truly the best grilled fish in the village.

He then took out the [Cotton Bow] and [Cotton Gin] he had prepared earlier, clearly explaining “how to separate cotton fibers from seeds,” “how to fluff the cotton,” and even the workings of the cotton gin.

Little Jar was more straightforward.

Unfortunately, these organic fertilizers did not halt the soil’s deterioration.

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…Monster Trapper?

Excited, Chu Jiu glanced at Little Jar, who had just jumped back into the pocket, ready to sleep again.

She remembered.

Inside the basket were indeed small fish, no longer than a palm, grilled until their skins were golden and crispy.

He headed straight to the village chief’s house and asked him to summon the villagers most skilled in weaving.

Note: The success of cultivation will depend on multiple factors, including plant rarity, soil fertility, lighting conditions, and the spirit beasts' favor toward the host.

Gulu nervously waved her little tentacles, hesitating before the cup for a long time, then quietly said, “Um, I don’t think I’m very hungry.”

After receiving the “Honor Zone” notification and reviewing the villagers’ skills, Chu Jiu had an idea.

The system’s red warning light kept flashing relentlessly.

But he still decided to have Cheng Yue give it a try.

Ah, Howl had also leveled up?

The old village chief and Aman nodded repeatedly in agreement, but a flicker of doubt crossed Cheng Yue’s eyes.

Would this method work? Could it save the land?

An hour passed.

This was so enchanting it hardly seemed real—if someone else had told the old chief this instead of Chu Jiu today, he probably wouldn’t have believed it.

[Congratulations, host! You have met the hidden condition “Utilizing Each Strength!”]

[Received recipe for “Beginner’s Monster Ranch” x1]

Hmm… Gulu and Howl both grew through “work,” but Little Jar, who arrived earliest, showed no sign of growth whatsoever.

With a “ding,” the system finally issued a new prompt—

In any case, successful growth is a good thing!

“I think that if someone skilled in weaving, who knows how to comb wool and turn it into clothes or socks, is involved, they will surely discover how to make cotton fabric.”

[Local residents cannot perceive the spirit beasts’ labor.]

Chu Jiu did not take the old village chief’s offer of help too seriously.

“Besides, weaving cotton fabric is more convenient than using fine linen and cheaper than wool.”

“We know you can catch big fish in the forest; these fish are smaller than those you catch, but… but my grilled small fish—no exaggeration—is definitely the tastiest grilled fish in the village.”

Every child would have cozy clothes to wear, no longer wrapped in rough linen or coveting wool garments only traders could afford.

Chu Jiu assigned the task of building the monster ranch to Gulu.

She straightened her chest, first looking at the old village chief, then at Chu Jiu: “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

Howl’s eyes suddenly brightened. He dropped to all fours, flattening almost to the ground, his little nose twitching rapidly, sniffing the soil.

Seeing the various items Chu Jiu brought and recalling the skills he shared, Howl knew his earlier worries had been too lighthearted.

Soon, they plunged their roots one by one into the soil, beginning their instinctive work: eat more, produce more.

[Congratulations, host! You have activated the special active skill “Monster Trapper!”]

Howl immediately followed through.

Chu Jiu asked, “Besides sleeping, is there anything else you want to do? Like gathering materials…”

Cheng Yue slowly opened her eyes wider, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, instinctively covering her mouth.

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But the meaning behind her words was enough to stir the hearts of those present.

Moreover, perhaps it was just psychological, but Howl’s fur seemed smoother than before, and his body slightly larger?

Although even after this slight growth, he was still a small rabbit easily held in one hand…

As Howl moved, the system popped up a notification:

However, neither Little Jar nor Gulu showed much interest in these foods.

Howl had stopped whimpering but was still speechless, only nodding repeatedly, his ears twitching wildly.

Chu Jiu smiled with eyes curved in delight: “Good! That’s great!”

Then Chu Jiu took out the [Fluffed Cotton]: “Processing cotton like this makes it suitable for filling clothes and quilts.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yue slowly lowered her hands, first clutching the apron’s edge tightly on her lap, then gradually relaxing.

“But never sell the raw cotton directly; you won’t earn much that way.”

[Recipe usage requirements: 1000 Development Points, 50 Hay, 50 Wood, 10 Rope, 1 Spirit Beast]

Fearing he spoke too fast, Chu Jiu took out a charcoal pencil to sketch a diagram.

Chu Jiu said, “This cotton should be enough to make quilts and winter clothes for others—just as I said, stuff the cotton inside the clothing.”

The old village chief naturally understood Chu Jiu’s plan and Cheng Yue’s hesitation, encouraging her: “Xiao Yue, you are the best weaver in our village. I believe you are the only one who can do this.”

Chu Jiu also told the chief that the quilts he “sold” to everyone earlier were mainly filled with this [Fluffed Cotton].

Chu Jiu once worried that if villagers saw Howl farming or Gulu building houses, they might panic. The system explained:

Local residents cannot detect the spirit beasts’ work.

Chu Jiu’s words were simple and sincere.

But... until today, it was the first time he had ever seen cotton.

Why would a capybara make a “dang-dang-dang” sound...?

For Howl and the others, this was also a form of protection.

[Dynamic notification from “Honor Zone—Bean Village”:]

Chu Jiu knew this meant “I don’t like it and don’t want to eat it.”

Capybara raised his two stubby little hands to his mouth, eyes curved happily: “Dang dang!”

Chu Jiu’s eyelid twitched but remained calm.

After saying this, the little guy closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

At this point, Chu Jiu took out [Freshly Picked Seed Cotton] and gestured: “See, cotton picked freshly from the field looks like this.”

Were the two elders here to find him? Perhaps to exchange a fish or something?

Even Aman loudly said, “Yes, Sister Cheng Yue! You weave so well and fast, and you can even make patterns. Everyone in our village knows it!”

He looked earnestly at Cheng Yue: “Regarding weaving, I’ve only heard a little about skins and furs; I’ve never even spun a single thread.”

*

Although Chu Jiu knew Cheng Yue was the best weaver in Bean Village, the old village chief had to be the one to handle this.

Discovering how to make cotton fabric and produce soft, comfortable clothes was such an important matter.

At that moment, the system’s prompt sounded again:

In spring, villagers can be arranged to try planting cotton; this crop is likely to be more popular than soybeans.