You Cultivate, I Farm

Among the remaining five mature Spirit Firefly Grass, three produced first-grade talismans—two Sword Qi talismans and one Dispel Evil talisman.

There was also a drop of Grass Spirit Essence. Lu Xuan stuffed it into the massive lump of the Grass Puppet's loyal duties.

Under the impact of abundant plant and wood spiritual energy, the Grass Puppet's huge head gradually turned green bit by bit.

Another perfect-quality Spirit Firefly Grass produced an experience packet for the Geng Metal Sword Art.

Lu Xuan absorbed it, comprehending it thoroughly, feeling his grasp and understanding of the sword art reaching an utmost level.

"A first-grade sword art at the master's level."

With a thought, a golden sword qi shot out from within Lu Xuan, swiftly darting around the courtyard, leaving afterimages in its wake.

The control and release of the sword qi were at his will. Be it speed, attack range, or destructive power, they all advanced further. Lu Xuan estimated that the Geng Metal Sword Art could surpass many second-grade techniques.

He packed the ten Spirit Firefly Grass into a jade box and continued surveying the spiritual field.

The four Blood Jade Ginseng plants left for cultivation had their stems growing increasingly plump and crimson, almost ready for harvest.

On the tangled old branches of the Clear Spirit Tea, the fine, tender green tea leaves trembled slightly in the wind. Around the Copper Bone Bamboo's soil, red and golden copper and iron shavings were scattered everywhere. After this period of nourishment, the bamboo segments had grown taller.

The misty area around the Illusory Smoke Fruit expanded a bit more, and within it, the mist-like spiritual fruits almost seemed to merge with the surrounding fog.

Every other day, the Dragonvine was irrigated with the blood of second-grade Azure Water Pythons. Under the influence of the snake blood, the dark vines were now covered in red and green patterns, occasionally wriggling slowly, resembling a colorful poisonous snake.

The Sword Grass and the Dark Marrow Fungus were nearing maturity. Lu Xuan checked the progress bar beneath the spiritual plants every day, fearing to miss the most suitable time for their harvest.

The Pure Snow Lotus bloomed alone in the spiritual spring pool. However, it was a pity that the several Red Whiskered Carps that had accompanied its growth had vanished, preventing the sight of the pure, snowy white lotus.

Looking at the empty spiritual spring pool, a sudden idea sprouted in Lu Xuan's mind.

The flesh of the beasts nurtured by the spiritual spring was incredibly tender and delicious. It seemed wasteful to only cultivate a Pure Snow Lotus there. Lu Xuan decided to make a trip to the Freelance Market and see if he could find any aquatic beasts.

Yes, preferably ones suitable for consumption.

Thinking it, he lightly moved his shoulder, and the Cloud-Stepping Lynx gracefully perched on the wall immediately leaped down, its cloud-like paws landing on Lu Xuan's clothes.

Seeing Lu Xuan glance its way, a pair of cold, emerald eyes stared back at him.

"Grass Puppet, guard the place well!"

Lu Xuan called out to the Grass Puppet nearby, whose half of the head had turned green.

The Grass Puppet, with its half-green head, slowly twisted as if responding to Lu Xuan's command. After Lu Xuan had infused several drops of Grass Spirit Essence into it, the Grass Puppet had developed simple sentience, able to better execute Lu Xuan's orders.

Lu Xuan opened the Mist Concealment Array and arrived at the Freelance Market.

After a few days, there were noticeable changes in various stalls at the market.

Lu Xuan, who had been observant, quickly noticed numerous new varieties of demonic beast materials and spirit herbs appearing on many stalls, including second-grade materials and herbs.

Approaching a bustling area, snippets of whispered discussions reached Lu Xuan's ears.

"I heard some cultivators struck it rich recently, finding a wealth of treasures in the secret realm."

"My friend said a fellow cultivator returned from the secret realm and lavished her with gifts. After a pleasant chat, the cultivator gave her a large sum of spirit stones, reportedly from a hidden stash of spirit herbs in the secret realm. They brought back dozens of first and second-grade spiritual plants."

"Not just that, two days ago, a Qi-refining cultivator found a mysterious cave within the secret realm and obtained a third-grade cultivation method that could lead to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"So envious!"

As they spoke, the many cultivators couldn't hide their envy and jealousy, wishing they could swap places with those who had found these opportunities and soar to new heights in their cultivation.

Lu Xuan remained calm amidst the crowd.

Though the new secret realm had been explored by the Wang Family, their focus was on the core areas. There were likely many overlooked places on the outskirts, granting several cultivators good opportunities.

These freelance cultivators discussing the fortunate few who found opportunities only looked at the rewards, without considering how many piles of bones lay beneath or how many cultivators had perished at the hands of demonic beasts, malevolent spirits, or even their fellow practitioners.

Suddenly, a whistling sound reached Lu Xuan's ears. Looking up, he saw a brilliant sword light streaking across the market like a rainbow, disappearing in the distance in the blink of an eye.

"The opening of the new secret realm is making the market increasingly restless. Some disciples from nearby sects are coming here to explore and gain experience."

Lu Xuan gleaned much information from the discussions around him.

He made his way to a shop specialized in selling demonic beast materials, including young beasts and monster bird eggs.

"Friend, do you have any Water Attribute young beasts for sale? Preferably ones that can be consumed?"

Lu Xuan inquired of the shop's owner.

The shopkeeper was a slender youth, warmly welcoming Lu Xuan.

"Water Attribute young beasts? We have a few species here. Are you looking for first-grade ones or non-graded ones?"

"First-grade ones, please."

Although the previously purchased Red Whiskered Carps were delicious, their grade was lower. If he were to raise them again, by the time they matured, the rewards from the white light orbs would likely be trivial. Lu Xuan was considering raising a first-grade demonic beast this time.

"We have Iron Claw Crabs that meet your requirements. They're first-grade demonic beasts. When matured, their crab roe is rich, and the meat is delicious, a true delicacy."

"However, these Iron Claw Crabs live up to their name, possessing sharp claws with intense attack capabilities. But with your mid-stage Qi refinement cultivation, you should be able to control them well if you decide to raise them yourself."

Lu Xuan nodded, gazing at the pool.

In the pool, there were seven or eight crab juveniles, each the size of a baby's head.

"This is the Iron Claw Crab, a first-grade demonic beast. Once matured, their crab roe is rich and the meat is delicious, considered a delicacy."

"However, as the name suggests, they have sharp claws and strong attack capabilities. But if you decide to raise them yourself, with your mid-stage Qi refinement cultivation, you should be able to control them well."

Lu Xuan nodded and looked into the pool. The juvenile Iron

 Claw Crabs were already the size of a baby's head, with dark green shells and bulging eyes, spinning around.

Among them, one Iron Claw Crab noticed Lu Xuan's gaze and raised its large, knife-like claws towards him, displaying a provocative demeanor.

A hint of a smile played on Lu Xuan's lips.

"I just like your unruly nature."

He turned to the slender youth and asked, "How much for each of these Iron Claw Crab juveniles?"

"Twenty-three spirit stones each."

"I'll take four. How about eighteen stones each?"

Despite his increased wealth, Lu Xuan maintained his thrifty habits and bargained hard.

After some negotiation, he finally purchased the four Iron Claw Crab juveniles at twenty spirit stones each.

"Help me pick this one."

Lu Xuan pointed to the Iron Claw Crab that had recently displayed its aggressive behavior towards him, telling the young man.

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