You Cultivate, I Farm

The Sino-Nong Hall was situated on a vast, open plain, occupying quite a large area.

Lu Xuan stepped into the central hall, which was relatively quiet, with just over ten cultivators of high Qi refinement levels present.

Glancing around, Lu Xuan made his way to a mahogany counter not far from him.

Behind the counter, a junior disciple of the Sky Sword Sect was engrossed in a tattered book, reading with avid interest.

The cultivator from the sect had an ordinary appearance, with tanned skin, exuding the air of an old farmer who had toiled in the fields for years, simple yet approachable.

"Excuse me," Lu Xuan approached softly.

"What inquiries do you have, junior brother?" The farmer-cultivator closed the book, smiling.

"I'm Lu Xuan, one of the newest outer disciples. I usually tend to various plants and spiritual beasts. However, I'm uncertain about the cultivation methods within the sect, so I've come to seek specific guidance," Lu Xuan explained.

"So, Lu Junior Brother, just call me Senior Brother Guo."

Senior Brother Guo stood up, offering a courteous salute, to which Lu Xuan hurriedly responded.

"Before joining the sect, what level of spiritual plants have you cultivated? If your experience is shallow, it's better to proceed gradually and avoid rushing to cultivate high-level plants," Senior Brother Guo advised.

"If you're experienced, it's simpler. You can directly recommend the types of plants to cultivate," he continued.

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment.

"I've cultivated numerous ungraded spiritual plants, several first-grade ones with decent quality upon maturity. Additionally, I'm currently nurturing two second-grade plants, showing promising growth," Lu Xuan didn't disclose his full expertise, concealing the fact that he had cultivated second-grade Sword Grass and Dark Marrow Fungus, and was in the process of nurturing a third-grade plant.

Even with this information, it was evident he had considerable experience in cultivating spiritual plants.

"If you're inclined towards such experiences, I'd suggest skipping ungraded plants and starting directly with first or second-grade ones," Senior Brother Guo suggested. 

"Also, since you've recently entered the sect, your token probably lacks the sword seal, right?"

Lu Xuan nodded in agreement.

"In that case, there are certain types of plants you won't be able to cultivate within the sect."

"The plants provided within the Sino-Nong Hall are divided into three categories: some can be directly purchased with spirit stones, priced slightly lower than the market outside the sect, but high-grade plants are hard to come by."

"Another type requires the expenditure of the sword seal, and these plants, in terms of grade and rarity, surpass the first category."

"The last type, apart from needing the sword seal, has additional requirements based on the buyer's identity, status, and contributions within the sect," Senior Brother Guo detailed the conditions for acquiring internal sect plants.

"I see," Lu Xuan nodded in understanding. The higher the rarity or exclusivity within the sect, the lower the likelihood of circulating outside.

Satisfied with securing second-grade plants, he smiled and addressed Senior Brother Guo. "Then I'll select a couple that can be purchased with spirit stones. Please recommend a few."

"It's my duty," Senior Brother Guo said as he took out two jade books from under the counter and placed them in front of Lu Xuan.

"These jade books, one lists first-grade plants available for purchase with spirit stones, while the other records second-grade plants."

"The patterns on the jade books indicate the availability of the plants. Bright means they're currently available, while dim means they're not available at the moment but recorded for future reference," Senior Brother Guo explained.

Lu Xuan opened the first-grade jade book. It listed over a hundred commonly seen first-grade spiritual plants, including the Blood Jade Ginseng and Crimson Cloud Pine he had previously cultivated. However, the Pure Snow Lotus wasn't there. He wondered if it required the sword seal or if it was unavailable within the sect.

About twenty to thirty patterns were bright, vividly displaying the spiritual plants before him. He quickly perused them before turning to the book detailing second-grade plants.

The variety of second-grade plants was halved, with only around fifty listed, and fewer than twenty patterns were bright. Lu Xuan memorized them, comparing silently in his mind.

In his spiritual field, he currently had two hundred ungraded Firefly Grasses, mainly for cultivation rewards, twenty-eight first-grade Blood Jade Ginsengs nurtured from his own seed, and three second-grade Clear Spirit Teas, five Copper Bone Bamboos, one Dragonvine, and one Illusory Smoke Fruit.

As his cultivation reached the higher Qi refinement levels, the rewards from lower-grade plants became less appealing. He decided to eliminate the first-grade jade book.

Regarding second-grade plants, he intended to choose only two as a transitional phase. After careful consideration, he finally made his selections: two specimens each of Flowing Light Wood and Yin Locust Tree.

Flowing Light Wood's bark and leaves could be used in the crafting of certain types of talismans, serving multiple purposes.

As for The Yin Locust Tree, it aided in cultivating extremely Yin-based techniques and served as a material for corresponding elixirs.

Moreover, with the passing years, a hundred-year-old Yin Locust Tree could nurture Yin Spirits, while a thousand-year-old one could be used to refine high-grade artifacts, a rare treasure in the eyes of Ghost Cultivators.

Indeed, The Yin Locust Tree was the first time Lu Xuan had encountered a time-dependent spiritual plant. 

Previously, the plants he cultivated matured within three months to a year and lost their effectiveness after maturation. In contrast, The Yin Locust Tree had no specific maturity deadline; the longer it grew, the more valuable it became.

Curious about the rewards for cultivating this type of plant, Lu Xuan closed the jade book, smiling as he addressed Senior Brother Guo.

"I'll take two specimens each of Flowing Light Wood and The Yin Locust Tree. Could you assist me with that, Senior Brother Guo?"

"Certainly, Junior Brother Lu, please wait a moment."

Senior Brother Guo entered the inner hall of Sino-Nong, returning shortly with a jade dish carrying two specimens of Flowing Light Wood seeds and a black cloth bag containing two young Yin Locust plants. The Yin Locust Tree needed to be kept in a shaded environment to avoid losing its essence.

"Please take a look, Junior Brother Lu."

Lu Xuan carefully examined the two Flowing Light Wood seeds in the jade dish; they were not small, oval-shaped, with intricate natural patterns on the surface, emitting spiritual light that subtly changed the patterns.

He then opened the black cloth bag and quickly glanced inside.

There were two saplings about a foot tall, enveloped in black spiritual soil, giving off an eerie Yin aura.

"May I ask, Senior Brother, the prices for these Flowing Light Wood seeds and The Yin Locust saplings?" Lu Xuan inquired.

"The Flowing Light Wood is fifty-five spirit stones per seed, and the Yin Locust Tree is sixty spirit stones per sapling. These are the set prices within the Sino-Nong Hall, cheaper than outside, and thus not negotiable. I hope Junior Brother Lu understands," Senior Brother Guo mentioned, noticing Lu Xuan's potential bargaining skill.

Lu Xuan restrained his words about bargaining, retrieved two hundred and thirty spirit stones, and handed them to Senior Brother Guo.

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