You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 29

Lu Xuan ultimately didn't buy those few young colorful chickens.

Though sensing an inexplicable connection, the two-and-a-half-year maturity cycle made him hesitate, reluctantly giving up.

Rearing spirit beasts, his primary goal was to obtain white orbs of light. In two and a half years, he could have matured a first-grade or even second-grade spirit beast.

Raising these chicks in that time frame seemed a bit wasteful.

Leaving the stall, he continued his leisurely stroll.

Finally, he found something worthwhile.

At a booth, he discovered an extremely rare first-grade spirit plant, the Pure Snow Lotus.

Although the Pure Snow Lotus was a first-grade item, it was exceedingly rare, and its cultivation conditions were universally acknowledged as strict among spirit plant cultivators.

Once matured, the seeds it bore could keep a cultivator clear-minded for a certain period, warding off malevolent influences. Additionally, it was a primary material for the second-grade elixir, the Spirit-Infusing Pill, which slightly enhanced the spiritual perception of qi cultivators.

Lu Xuan haggled and eventually acquired that immaculate white spirit plant for the price of seven spirit stones.

As a first-grade item, the spirit plant's price was considerably higher than the Crimson Cloud Pine and Blood Jade Ginseng, indicating the immense value of the Pure Snow Lotus.

Back in his courtyard, he placed the Pure Snow Lotus into the spiritual spring pool. Channeling his spiritual energy, he, a master of the Earth Attraction Technique, integrated the snow-white spirit plant into the spiritual soil without altering the spring's structure.

Upon successful planting, Lu Xuan focused his mental energy on the surface of the spiritual soil where the spirit plant resided.

A thought flashed through his mind.

"The cold, icy rain beats down haphazardly on the lotus..."

The reason why the Pure Snow Lotus was challenging to cultivate wasn't just the need for an environment akin to the spiritual spring; it also required nurturing with a chilly, ice-imbued spiritual rain for successful growth.

After countless applications of his Spirit Rain Technique, Lu Xuan had achieved mastery. Yet, infusing the rain with an icy touch remained a significant challenge.

He had learned basic ice elemental techniques at the outset of his training but had gradually abandoned them due to his average talent, focusing instead on perfecting his rain and fireball techniques.

Despite gaining expertise in the Earth Attraction Technique and the Golden Sword Technique from the white orbs, he hadn't received experience in ice elemental techniques.

After numerous attempts, he barely managed to release a spiritual rain imbued with a hint of ice onto the Pure Snow Lotus spirit plant.

Only after practicing for several days did the success rate of his technique slightly increase. His spiritual sense detected a subtle change occurring within the snowy white spirit plant in the spiritual spring pool.

That day, while nurturing spirit plants, a somewhat familiar voice reached Lu Xuan's courtyard.

"Friend Lu, are you at home?"

Recalling the voice's owner, Lu Xuan finally recognized him.

After establishing cooperation with the Hundred Herbs Hall, he had visited twice. Once to sell surplus Firefly Grass and the other to report the growth of the spirit plants periodically.

During these visits, he had met several spirit plant cultivators, and the voice belonged to one of them, named Lei Fei, at the third level of qi cultivation. They had exchanged a few words due to their proximity.

Lu Xuan opened the courtyard gate and welcomed them in.

At first sight, Lei Fei and another cultivator behind him, whose aura was somewhat gloomy, were seen.

"Friend Lu, this is Li Qing, a longtime friend of mine."

"This is Lu Xuan, a friend skilled in cultivating spirit plants, who has established a partnership with the Hundred Herbs Hall at such a young age."

Lei Fei introduced both to each other.

Lu Xuan greeted them and ushered the two into his house.

"Friend Lu Xuan, we've come with a proposition. Li Qing and I plan to venture into the secret realm in search of rare herbs."

After exchanging pleasantries, Lei Fei got straight to the point with Lu Xuan.

"Entering a secret realm? With our cultivation at the third level of qi, isn't it risky?" Lu Xuan inquired directly.

Secret realms, whether natural or ancient, typically held various treasures such as herbs, techniques, and artifacts. However, they often came with significant dangers like mysterious malevolent spirits or formidable monstrous beasts.

Most spirit plants and beasts required pure or specific spiritual environments to thrive, rarely found in the wild.

These discovered secret realms had attracted numerous factions from Lin Yangfang Market, as well as countless independent cultivators, all seeking a vague chance at fortune.

Major sects in the cultivation world held exclusive access to spiritual realms and even smaller pocket dimensions, avoiding the intense competition for meager resources among regular cultivators.

Seeing Lu Xuan's concern for safety, Lei Fei explained, "The Southern Departure secret realm has been explored for centuries, and most malevolent spirits and monstrous beasts inside have been cleared out. There are very few risks."

"Moreover, we plan only to explore the outer edges, minimizing potential issues, though we can't guarantee absolute safety."

"Although both of us are spirit plant cultivators, we can't settle for mediocrity. We should strive for more opportunities," Lei Fei urged.

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment before continuing, "But won't this expedition take considerable time on the way and inside the realm? Won't it delay the cultivation of spirit plants?"

"On the way, we'll use a flying vessel, taking merely a day or two for the round trip. Inside the realm might take longer, as finding the herbs isn't guaranteed. As for the impact on your cultivation, such a short absence won't have a significant effect. You can resume planting upon return," Lei Fei explained.

Lu Xuan stayed silent, inwardly scoffing, "It might not affect your spirit plants much, but it could be a different story for mine."

"Being away for a few days might seem like normal growth for spirit plants, but achieving high-quality or even top-quality plants might be challenging."

"I had hoped to cultivate a perfect quality spirit plant and see what rewards the orbs might offer!"

Lu Fei truthfully responded, "Sorry, Lei Friend, I've always focused on cultivating spirit plants, not adept in combat, and I lack talismans or artifacts. My cultivation at the third level has mostly relied on accumulated elixirs."

"So, for safety reasons, I won't join you and Li Qing in exploring the Southern Departure's secret realm."

Lu Xuan politely declined.

"Alright, I respect your decision, Lu Friend," Lei Fei said disappointedly.

Without lingering, the two departed the courtyard, intending to invite other cultivators.

"Lu Xuan is too timid and cautious, despite being at the third level of qi cultivation. He worries about danger in a realm developed for hundreds of years."

"What nonsense about delaying his spirit plant cultivation? He only grows a few Firefly Grasses; what's there to delay?"

As soon as they left, Lei Fei couldn't help complaining.

He had thought inviting a third-level cultivator would be a sure thing, but Lu Xuan's refusal left him quite frustrated.

"Alright, if he doesn't want to, we'll find others."

"Though he's cautious, he's overly so. With his approach, he'll hardly ever encounter any opportunities."

"In this life, he'll probably remain an ordinary spirit plant cultivator, at the mercy of others," Li Qing disdainfully remarked, glancing back at Lu Xuan's courtyard.

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