You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 139

Soon, the three gathered together.

"I observed the growth of the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches. From the looks of it, there doesn't seem to be anything abnormal," Yan Ping, an unassuming figure, spoke in a solemn tone.

"Indeed, there's no sign of pest infestation at all," Lu Xuan nodded in agreement.

"Does the Zhang family's spiritual plant garden have protective formations outside?" Yao, the senior sister, inquired of Zhang Yutang.

"Well... it's not quite feasible," the white-haired elder shook his head. "The marshland holds hundreds of these Water Marsh Spirit Peaches across several acres. Low-grade protective formations can't cover such a vast area."

"Even with higher-grade formations, considering the Zhang family's resources and power, it's challenging to set up that level of defense."

"Moreover, these Spirit Peaches grow in a unique environment, connected by marshes and lakes, making it impossible to block various kinds of pests."

"Hence, within the garden, we've only set up simple mechanisms to ward off cultivators or water beasts. On regular days, Zhang family cultivators patrol the area."

"That's the extent of the protection for the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches," the white-haired elder explained. Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan and the others nodded, indicating their understanding.

"Does the Zhang family have any live unusual insects in their possession?" Lu Xuan asked Zhang Yutang.

The elder summoned a mid-level Qi cultivator and inquired but shook his head negatively. "All discovered insects were dealt with on the spot. None were left alive."

"If you wish to capture a live insect, Lu friend, you can let Cheng Ning take you around the spiritual plant garden. He frequents the area and knows which regions are more likely to harbor such insects."

"That would be helpful," Lu Xuan said to Yao and then, led by a handsome young man, ventured deep into the peach grove.

"Lu elder, are we aiming to capture a live unusual insect now?" Zhang Cheng Ning, the young man, asked curiously along the way.

"Yes, since we can't discern much from the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches, it's best to capture a live insect to see if we can learn something," Lu Xuan replied in a gentle tone.

Of course, his main goal wasn't just that. Capturing the insect was a means to understand it better, potentially enabling them to formulate targeted responses through observation.

"This area is highly likely to conceal those strange insects," Zhang Cheng Ning pointed ahead as they reached the heart of the peach grove.

Lu Xuan nodded and approached one Water Marsh Spirit Peach. Its leaves swayed gently, resembling ripples on water. He extended his spiritual sense, carefully searching the branches and leaves.

After a while, there was no movement. Lu Xuan shifted his attention to another Spirit Peach.

Suddenly, a branch of the peach attacked him like a snake. He swiftly used his power, ensnaring it with verdant energy resembling vines.

"It looks like this. No wonder it's hard to detect," he noted as the strange insect struggled. While attached to the peach tree, it blended seamlessly, only revealing itself when it tried to attack.

A red light immobilized the insect on the peach branch.

"Where do these insects devour the Spirit Peaches?" Lu Xuan asked Cheng Ning.

"I remember the branches on the trees hosting these insects were hollow, so they likely consume the peach branches," Cheng Ning replied.

"Alright." Lu Xuan cut a small piece of the branch and placed it near the insect's mouth.

Under the effect of the red needle, the insect struggled but eventually calmed down. Its patterns subtly changed. If not for the needle, it might have appeared as if the insect had escaped.

"Lu elder, what's the purpose of feeding this strange insect Spirit Peach branches?" Cheng Ning asked.

"Know thy enemy to conquer. Only by understanding the creature's habits and state can we devise the right approach," Lu Xuan replied casually, focused on the peach branch in front of the insect.

Soon, the branch gradually disappeared from sight, yet Lu Xuan was no longer concerned about its vanishing ability.

His focus on the insect intensified, and suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind.

"Simulated Pattern Insect, a first-grade strange insect, with low breeding capabilities. Its eggs parasitize on spiritual plants. When hatched, the larvae feed on the plant's branches and leaves. During growth, they slowly mimic the form of the parasitized plant, making them extremely difficult to detect."

"They mimic the form of the parasitized plant during their growth? That's intriguing," Lu Xuan marveled at the peculiarity of the insect.

"Parasitizing the Water Marsh Spirit Peach, they adopt the form of the peach branches. If they parasitize other spiritual plants, they'll likely take on the respective plant's form."

"Truly becoming the shape of their host."

Holding the nearly lifeless simulated insect, Lu Xuan, led by Cheng Ning, returned to the group.

Yao, Yan Ping, and the Zhang family cultivators huddled together, quietly discussing matters.

On the damp ground lay several simulated insects, resembling Water Marsh Spirit Peach branches at first glance.

"Lu junior brother, you're back. Any discoveries?" Yao inquired.

"We captured a strange insect, but nothing else new," Lu Xuan replied, concealing the information he'd learned, not directly disclosing it to Yao and Yan Ping.

"We also managed to capture a few, which took quite some effort."

"These creatures indeed have strong concealment abilities, making it challenging to address the issue at its root."

"The primary concern now is identifying the species of these creatures, understanding their details, and thereby finding easier ways to locate or eradicate them," the elegant woman stated calmly.

Lu Xuan and Yan Ping nodded in agreement.

"These creatures seem capable of disguising themselves as plants. Maybe that could be a breakthrough," Lu Xuan suddenly spoke.

Although he had the information about the simulated insects' species and their way of life, he hadn't yet figured out how to solve the issue they posed.

He wasn't rushing to divulge the information about the insects to Yao and Yan Ping. It seemed that the pest problem in the Zhang family wasn't as straightforward as it appeared on the surface.

"Simulated Pattern Insects have low breeding abilities. It should be hard for them to gather in large numbers. Yet in this area of the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches, there are clearly numerous simulated insects present."

"So, are these numerous insects naturally occurring or artificially induced?" Lu Xuan pondered silently. To solve the pest problem, they had to start with the Water Marsh Spirit Peach infested by the simulated insects.

"We should find an opportunity to dig out a tree parasitized by these insects. That might reveal the specifics of the problem and how to solve it."

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