You Cultivate, I Farm

"As long as the hall can provide me with sufficient second and third-grade spirit species, I will wholeheartedly cultivate these spirit plants," replied Lu Xuan practically.

Drawing up expectations was easy for anyone; as long as one had access to rare and exact spirit species, dedication to cultivation was a given.

After a brief conversation, Lu Xuan excused himself and took leave.

Before departing, he bid farewell to Steward He and made his way to the freelance market.

The market now teemed with more cultivators than before. Some hurried along, fatigued expressions suggesting recent returns from the wilderness.

Various exotic materials of demonic beasts and spirit plants were displayed at stalls, showcasing many new varieties.

Lu Xuan scanned for any unknown rare spirit species while attentively eavesdropping on passing cultivators' discussions.

From their conversations, he learned that a large group of freelance cultivators who had ventured into new territories had returned to the marketplace.

"I wonder if Big Brother Zhang has returned this time?" Lu Xuan mused to himself, recalling Zhang Hong's family, who had cared for him in the past.

He had intended to buy an alchemy furnace from the Grand Bounties Pavilion for future alchemy sessions. However, upon hearing this news, he altered his route and headed to the northern area, where freelance cultivators gathered.

Since moving out from the outskirts of the northern area, Lu Xuan seldom returned.

Apart from the Zhang Hong family, whom he was familiar with, he refrained from visiting when Zhang Hong was away. Zhang Xiuyuan had visited a few times initially to play with Lu Xuan, but due to the emergence of evil influences and sporadic appearances of mutated cultivators, his actions were restricted by his mother, Xu Wan. It had been several months since they last met.

He purchased several pounds of spirit beast meat at the market and carried it to the exterior of Zhang's residence.

A knock resounded, the door cracked open, revealing Zhang Xiuyuan's face, brimming with curiosity.

"Uncle Lu, you're here?!"

"Dad! Mom! Uncle Lu's here."

The moment Zhang Xiuyuan spotted Lu Xuan, who had once partnered with him to eradicate pests, forging a profound friendship, he exclaimed in delight.

"Little Xiuyuan, you've grown so tall!"

In the few months they hadn't seen each other, Zhang Xiuyuan had shot up in height, slightly surpassing Lu Xuan's shoulders.

Smiling, Lu Xuan stepped into the courtyard and was greeted by Zhang Hong and his wife.

"It's been a while, Zhang Big Brother, Sister-in-law!"

Meeting familiar faces brought joy to Lu Xuan's heart as he cheerfully greeted them.

They reciprocated the warmth.

"Lu Brother, finally seeing you! When Xiuyuan mentioned your move, I was just talking about you. Didn't expect you'd come so soon!"

Zhang Hong grabbed Lu Xuan's arm warmly, pulling him toward the house.

"Zhang Big Brother, what happened to your hand?"

Lu Xuan noticed something unusual about Zhang Hong's arm. The sleeve revealed a visibly shrunken arm, withered and even exposing grayish-white bones.

"During this expedition into the new territory, luck wasn't on my side. Encountered a mysterious evil entity that stealthily sucked the flesh and blood from my arm when I let my guard down."

"Fortunately, I managed to survive and see you again, Lu Brother."

"Will it heal? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Lu Xuan asked with a grave expression.

"Given some time for rest, it should mostly heal. Complete recovery, however, might be challenging."

Zhang Hong replied optimistically.

Lu Xuan regretted that his recently acquired Blood Essence Pills were primarily for rapid blood recovery, with limited effect on injuries that required tissue regeneration.

"This trip to the new territory, despite severe injury, led to a breakthrough in my cultivation to the Fourth Stage of Qi Refinement."

"I had planned to show off a bit to you once we met again. Little did I know, while you've been staying in the market, your cultivation has soared faster than mine. Unconsciously, you've reached the Fourth Stage of Qi Refinement."

Sitting at the table, they sipped tea and chatted. Xu Wan and Zhang Xiuyuan were preparing food in the kitchen, while the Cloud-Stepping Lynx leisurely strolled in Zhang's spiritual field.

"The quality of spirit plants I've recently cultivated is not bad. With a certain collaboration established with the Hundred Herbs Hall, I've earned a fair amount of spirit stones."

"Previously limited by spiritual power, I couldn't cultivate too many spirit plants. But realizing my mistake, I used almost all the spirit stones to purchase elixirs that boosted my cultivation. This allowed me to break through to the Fourth Stage of Qi Refinement in a short time."

Lu Xuan casually fabricated, knowing well that whether it was the cultivation rewards brought by the white light cluster or the advancement from consuming numerous elixirs, both were external aids. He simply found a more acceptable excuse.

After a hearty meal, Lu Xuan and Zhang Hong sat in the courtyard, while Zhang Xiuyuan played with the Cloud-Stepping Lynx nearby.

The Lynx remained aloof, its icy expression devoid of emotion, yet maintaining proximity to Zhang Xiuyuan.

In the courtyard, two Lunar Erosion Trees that Lu Xuan had planted stood on either side, lush with leaves and bearing silver-white fruits resembling crescent moons, peeking through the dense foliage.

"Returning from the new territory, surviving by a whisker, I've had some different thoughts."

Zhang Hong began the conversation.

"I used to think that even if I ventured out into these territories, I wouldn't encounter danger. I always harbored fantasies about obtaining various opportunities."

"But reality always strikes. With deeper exploration of these new territories, dangers increased. I personally witnessed an entire team being massacred by an elusive evil entity, including over ten cultivators, some of whom were intermediate Qi Refinement cultivators. They were effortlessly slaughtered by a cunningly leveled evil entity."

Zhang Hong's eyes flickered with a trace of fear. Taking a deep breath, he regained composure.

"Perhaps in the future, I'll follow your path, Lu Brother, and become an honest and straightforward spirit plant cultivator, spending a peaceful life with my family."

"That would give me some time to recuperate and contemplate my future path."

Lu Xuan responded, refraining from advising Zhang Hong on what he should do. Every choice had its pros and cons.

"Zhang Big Brother, why don't you tell me about the situation in the territory? Even though I'm not keen on risking myself outside, I'd like to hear it from you."

"Sure, having more understanding of these evil entities can't hurt."

Speaking in low tones, they found themselves engulfed in a sudden gust of wind, rustling the branches of the Lunar Erosion Trees.

...

In the heart of the marketplace, the Wang family residence.

On top of a several dozen feet high building, the head of the Wang family surveyed the entire Lin Yangfang marketplace in silence.

"Chong'an, what are those two sect companions you brought doing now?"

A handsome youth, standing quietly behind him, stepped forward respectfully and inquired.

"With the assistance of two senior brothers and sisters, most of the evil influences

 and mutated cultivators in the marketplace have been cleared. However, the elusive evil entity hasn't been found yet. It's either too adept at concealment or has returned to the territory."

"You need not worry about that. Just make sure to entertain them properly."

"Once the central formation in the territory is broken, seize the opportunity to take them there. Utilize their strengths to eradicate all the evil entities within."

"Understood."

The youth responded in a deep voice.

Atop the high building, the fierce wind howled. The dark-blue robes fluttered in the wind.

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