You Cultivate, I Farm

Lu Xuan knew well that relying on buying diseased spiritual plants, healing them, and then selling them would only bring in quick money, not a lasting solution.

The number of contaminated spiritual plants was limited. Once the spiritual plant cultivators became more cautious and protective, the supply of diseased spiritual plants available for purchase would gradually decrease.

When it came to their fundamental interests, the major families and forces in the market wouldn't allow malevolent forces to endanger cultivator safety or encroach upon the spiritual field's benefits.

Lu Xuan speculated they'd soon react and attempt to eradicate the disturbance caused by malevolent forces in the market.

For him, cultivating spiritual plants in peace, seizing opportunities for enlightenment, was the core focus.

As for whether his actions might draw attention or covetousness from other cultivators, Lu Xuan wasn't particularly concerned. Such abilities were commonplace among spiritual plant cultivators. Besides, compared to growing perfect-quality spiritual plants, this matter was trivial.

After waiting in the hall for half an hour, Steward He, who helped Lu Xuan purchase the diseased spiritual plants, returned to the Hundred Herbs Hall. He carried a bulging cloth bag in his hands, accompanied this time by two Qi-refining cultivators.

"This must be Fellow Daoist Lu! Your reputation precedes you. I've caught a glimpse of you from afar before, but finally, we get to meet," one of them warmly greeted Lu Xuan.

"You're quite the talented individual to cultivate perfect-quality spiritual plants at such a young age, Fellow Daoist Lu!"

Their eyes brightened upon seeing Lu Xuan, and they rushed forward, eager to converse.

"Pleasure is mine, fellow cultivators," Lu Xuan replied casually, glancing at the thin old man behind the two.

Steward He's eyes flashed with apology as he pulled Lu Xuan away from the enthusiastic cultivators and into a corner.

"I've been consistently purchasing diseased spiritual plants at low prices from the medicine garden, attracting some attention," he confessed. "I couldn't conceal it, and seeing you seemingly unconcerned, I felt it necessary to inform you. Could it affect you, young lad?"

"It won't, Old He. You're worrying too much. I didn't plan on hiding this," Lu Xuan reassured with a gentle smile.

He had no intention of concealing his activities, be it leveraging Steward He's connections to purchase diseased plants or selling the healed ones. It was impossible to hide them completely, and he comforted the remorseful elder before approaching the two spiritual plant cultivators.

"Fellow cultivators, speak your minds," he invited.

The two exchanged glances, and a slightly chubby middle-aged cultivator stepped forward.

"We learned from Steward He that Fellow Daoist Lu excels at curing diseased spiritual plants. Our garden has some infected plants, and we're hoping to invite you to help restore them," he explained. "If you agree, we'll offer satisfying compensation."

His companion added, "We're willing to entrust the second-grade spiritual plants to you. As fellow plant cultivators, we understand their value. We've invested considerable spirit stones to obtain these second-grade seeds and put immense effort into their cultivation. Selling them at your proposed price would be a waste."

"So, we thought to commission you to restore them," the companion added.

Lu Xuan pondered briefly.

"While I do possess some expertise in treating diseased spiritual plants, visiting your fields might not be suitable," he explained. "Firstly, healing is a lengthy process; I can't stay in your fields for extended periods. Secondly, my methods involve unique techniques, and it wouldn't be convenient to work in others' fields. I hope you understand."

Lu Xuan politely declined, half-jokingly considering that if he went to their fields, he'd lose immediate insight into the plants' conditions.

Hearing Lu Xuan's response, the two cultivators hesitated.

"Truthfully, the plants we need help with are second-grade. As fellow plant cultivators, we understand their value," the middle-aged man said. "We've invested significantly in these plants. Your proposed price feels inadequate."

"That's why we wish to entrust you with their care," the other added.

"I have a proposition, but it depends on your acceptance," Lu Xuan proposed. "You can entrust the plants to me, and I'll treat them in my fields. Upon successful treatment, I'll return them to you, but the price will be higher. If successful, I'll take half their matured spirit stone value; if not, I'll accept only twenty percent as compensation for my efforts."

"I'll put in my utmost effort during the treatment, but I can't guarantee success."

Lu Xuan's suggestion drew a response.

"Half their value? Isn't that excessive?" the middle-aged man's face displayed a hint of anger. "We've invested so much effort and resources in obtaining these plants. You'd only spend a short time, and there's no guarantee of success, yet you ask for half?"

Lu Xuan remained unfazed, his expression calm.

"It's up to you to decide," he said casually. "Would you sell at one-fifth of the price and secure spirit stones or gamble with half the price for a chance at normal plants?"

"Would you take the gamble?"

...

"Can an independent spiritual plant cultivator truly cure diseased spiritual plants?"

In a serene room at the Hundred Herbs Hall's backyard, Elder He Zongguang gazed at a respectful young man beside him.

The youth, handsome in appearance and at the seventh level of Qi refinement, stood respectfully by He Zongguang's side, reporting, "I inquired among several plant cultivators in the garden and checked the plants that Old He acquired. It's true."

"Interesting," He Zongguang's lips curled into a smile.

"Nephew, that independent cultivator must have mastered some technique. Should we...?" The young man raised his head, his eyes sharp as he slashed the air with his hand, but He Zongguang interrupted sharply.

"What are you thinking? Always resorting to violence, don't you understand the bigger picture?"

"A technique that enhances the recovery rate of diseased spiritual plants—how much profit could it bring to the Hundred Herbs Hall?"

"Where would we get so many contaminated plants for him to treat?"

"The crucial issue now is dealing with the malevolent forces in the market, protecting the garden from their intrusion—not fixating on the minor profit from curing a few diseased plants!" He Zongguang reprimanded.

"Yes! I understand now," the handsome cultivator replied solemnly.

"As far as I know, this independent cultivator named Lu Xuan has already shown exceptional talent in cultivating perfect-quality spiritual plants. That's crucial for us as alchemists."

"What I value more is the person himself, not just some supposed method. As long as he can bring continuous benefits to the Hundred Herbs Hall, that's all I care about."

"Find an opportunity to interact with him more. I'm only interested in one outcome—to bring him into the Hall. That's all I want."

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