You Cultivate, I Farm

The blood-red cloud drifted by, and within moments, several initial-stage foundational cultivators from the Wang family arrived on a leaf-shaped flying artifact, having traversed from a distance in just a few breaths.

Their spiritual senses swept through the area, finding nothing amiss.

Without hesitation, the head of the Wang family pursued the direction where the blood cloud had vanished.

Though intrigued by the peculiar sword sheath that had flown out, he considered the eerie-level malevolence far more significant. 

Unless he dealt with it, they couldn't completely secure this new realm. Besides, before the malevolence fled, it had also seized a faintly luminous treasure, something they needed to retrieve.

Like a dart, the flying artifact vanished into the sky.

Half a moment later, Lu Xuan appeared beneath a giant tree several dozen yards away, his face still showing traces of lingering fear.

Upon the appearance of the blood cloud, the third-grade Pure Jade worn on his chest sent bone-chilling coldness, as if freezing half his chest, much more intense than the earlier encounter with the otherworldly skin sack.

Lu Xuan deduced that the blood-colored skull within the cloud was much stronger than the inhabited skin sack, an eerie-level malevolence comparable to a foundational cultivator.

Upon inexplicably acquiring the peculiar sword sheath drawn by the Xun-Lei Sword Pill, he immediately sensed something amiss. 

Its speed had caught him off guard, surpassing his eighth-layered Qi cultivation and his abilities. Moreover, it actively sought out the sword pill's location, clearly not an ordinary treasure.

Such tiered treasures often brought unnecessary troubles.

Thus, Lu Xuan stowed away the sheath in his storage bag the moment he obtained it, subconsciously activating the third-grade Concealing Spirit Robe, entering a brief state of invisibility, avoiding direct contact with the eerie-level skull.

Drawing out a Primordial Nourishing Pill from his storage bag, he swiftly replenished his remaining spiritual power. Orienting himself, he headed toward the outskirts of the realm.

En route, he elevated his concealed cultivation to the fifth Qi layer, presenting a Grade-Two Sword Grass to enhance his credibility, avoiding being seen as an easy target by other cultivators.

At this moment outside the realm, both cultivators and demonic beasts had vanished. Lu Xuan walked slowly through the forest, seeking traces of other cultivators.

Suddenly, two sword lights streaked from above, quickly doubling back and halting in front of Lu Xuan.

Both wore standard Daoist robes, exuding extraordinary airs.

One man and one woman— the woman was remarkably beautiful, her demeanor cold and reminiscent of a secluded orchid, while the man appeared ordinary but with exceptionally sharp eyes, akin to a sharp sword.

"Apologies for the interruption, would you mind showing us the item in your hand?" asked the cold woman, her voice carrying the same icy tone.

Lu Xuan scanned them with his spiritual sense, instantly realizing both were significantly stronger than himself. Remaining composed, he calmly replied, "Judging from your demeanor, you seem to hail from esteemed origins. Asking for another's possession so casually seems somewhat discourteous, doesn't it?"

"My abruptness was uncalled for," the woman apologized, a hint of regret in her eyes.

"I was simply astonished by the item in your possession. It's the first time I've seen someone outside possessing the unique sword plant of the Sky Sword Sect, the Sword Grass."

"Therefore, my curiosity was piqued."

Lu Xuan's expression eased slightly, his tone becoming gentler.

Since the woman knew the name of the Sword Grass, at least her words were not baseless.

"This Sword Grass was cultivated by me and not acquired from any cultivator of your esteemed sect," Lu Xuan said solemnly.

The cold woman understood his implications, smiled lightly, like a blooming orchid.

"I didn't doubt your intention, because the Sword Grass you possess differs subtly from those produced within our sect. This aspect is easy to discern."

She paused for a moment.

"Within your ancestral lineage, did any cultivator join the Sky Sword Sect?"

"None," Lu Xuan shook his head.

"I am merely an independent spiritual plant cultivator who, through a stroke of luck, obtained a seed of the Sword Grass and succeeded in its cultivation."

"I see," the woman nodded lightly, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She hadn't expected a cultivator from outside the sect to nurture the sect's inherited spiritual plant.

"It seems that you possess exceptional talent in cultivating spiritual plants," she paused briefly, continuing, "I wonder if you're interested in joining the Sky Sword Sect? If so, I can recommend you."

Lu Xuan hesitated; he held expectations about joining a sect since it could provide a safe environment rich in spiritual energy, along with high-grade spiritual plants and seeds, all of which he desperately needed.

However, the abrupt appearance of these two made it hard for him to trust them.

The cold woman noticed Lu Xuan's hesitation and smiled.

"Leaving other matters aside, within the Sky Sword Sect, there are many related variants of the Sword Grass grown. My Four-Grade Sword Peacock is actually cultivated from a common Sword Grass."

As she spoke, a green flying sword, identical in shape to the Sword Grass, rose from behind her. It swiftly rotated, emitting a resounding sword hum, dividing into hundreds of substantive sword auras resembling the display of a peacock's tail. The sword aura surged, beautifully dazzling yet concealing deadly intent.

Lu Xuan's eyes couldn't help but light up.

This so-called Sword Peacock was undeniably impressive.

Seeing Lu Xuan's interest, the cold woman smiled.

"If you enter our sect, you can directly attempt to cultivate Sword Grass of the same level or even better than the Sword Peacock."

"The Sky Sword Sect will start a new round of disciple recruitment in a few months. This is a Green Cloud Token. Each inner disciple is entitled to give one to others. With this token, when joining the Sky Sword Sect, you can bypass some tedious procedures and receive certain benefits."

A green token flew out from the woman's sleeve, drifting before Lu Xuan.

Touching the Green Cloud Token against the third-grade Pure Jade on his chest, Lu Xuan felt no abnormality.

Studying the token in his hand, he sensed something quietly forming within him.

...

Above the sky, two sword lights darted swiftly.

"Sister Su, why did you so easily give away the Green Cloud Token?" asked a sharp-eyed cultivator.

"He's just an average Qi-cultivating independent spiritual plant cultivator."

Though their cultivations were similar, the woman named Su Manman was an inner disciple of the Sky Sword Sect, boasting exceptional talent and an extraordinary identity. She was the daughter of an elder within the sect, allowing her to possess a Fourth-Grade Sword Peacock at the Qi cultivation stage.

"Zhang, you must understand that cultivating a strand of Sword Grass isn't a simple task. It requires the cultivator to possess a profound sword technique. Any error during cultivation could hinder the Sword Grass's growth. Even within our sect, many spiritual plant cultivators fail to produce it."

"Moreover, I found the quality of that independent cultivator's Sword Grass to be far superior to the average. That alone is exceptional."

"With such formidable sword art talent and a gift for spiritual plant cultivation, he's worth my token."

"This trip to this realm hasn't yielded many treasures, but perhaps, inadvertently, I've found someone of great potential."

"Master is worried about successors for the Sword Peacock, Sword Raven, and others, right? Perhaps this independent spiritual plant cultivator might bring him a pleasant surprise!"

Su Manman chuckled mischievously, a hint of mischief flickering in her eyes.

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