Chapter 58
The second Crimson Cloud Pine cone was plucked.
Similar top-tier quality.
Lu Xuan stored it in his storage bag, gazing at the faintly flickering white light on the Crimson Cloud Pine.
The light transformed into countless dots and surged into his body, a thought flashing through his mind.
"Harvested one Crimson Cloud Pine cone, obtained a second-grade artifact, the Red Thread Needle."
A slender red needle appeared in Lu Xuan's hand.
The needle was about three inches long, extremely lightweight, and felt like nothing between his fingers.
Lu Xuan infused a thread of spiritual power. With a mental command, with a swift whoosh, the red needle vanished from his hand in an instant.
Guided by his consciousness, he found the red needle embedded in the middle of the wall, having pierced through the thick stone wall entirely.
Under his mental control, the Red Thread Needle flew out from the stone wall, dancing around Lu Xuan at incredible speed, creating numerous crimson phantom threads around him.
"A needle-type artifact is relatively rare. This Red Thread Needle boasts exceptional concealment and speed, even faster than the Fractured Silver Blade. Coupled with its terrifying piercing ability, it's an unparalleled tool for sneak attacks."
The Red Thread Needle was too small in size. Lu Xuan first placed it inside a jade box and then into his storage bag.
"Two top-tier Crimson Cloud Pine cones, one yielded a book detailing the refining methods of dozens of common first-grade talismans, while the other produced a second-grade needle-type artifact, the Red Thread Needle."
"Indeed, a first-grade spiritual plant's rewards are much richer compared to those of no-grade items like the Luminous Firefly Grass or the Lunar Erosion Fruit."
Lu Xuan couldn't help but marvel.
With his current cultivation at the sixth level of Qi refinement, the first-grade talisman produced by the Luminous Firefly Grass was somewhat lacking in terms of techniques without grades. However, it was currently the only option available for him to gain cultivation.
Hence, until he discovered new spiritual plants that could enhance his cultivation, he still needed to cultivate a large quantity of Luminous Firefly Grass.
After harvesting two ripe Crimson Cloud Pine cones, Lu Xuan arrived in front of the Grass Puppet.
The Grass Puppet had its limbs severed by a masked cultivator last night, leaving only a massive head and a grey grass body underneath, appearing extremely peculiar.
At this moment, numerous grey withered grass strands extended from the huge grey grass tumor on its head, slowly weaving together at a place resembling an arm.
A perfect interpretation of the phrase 'resolute despite physical disability.'
However, the efficiency was lamentably slow. Lu Xuan, who usually fed it fragmented spirits, generously retrieved a spirit stone from his storage bag and stuffed it into the grass tumor on the puppet's head.
"You performed well last night. Here's a reward of a spirit stone. Once you've woven your limbs, continue guarding the spiritual field for me."
"Guarding the spiritual field! Guarding the spiritual field!"
Gathering his mind, Lu Xuan sensed the deep-rooted determination within the Grass Puppet.
"Truly an outstanding employee for a spiritual plant master..."
With the supplied spiritual energy from the spirit stone, a few more strands of grey grass extended from the grey grass tumor, albeit the speed remained sluggish.
Lu Xuan had no choice but to let it heal slowly on its own.
Just as he took a few steps away, suddenly, there was a gruff sound from under his feet, filled with effort.
"Roar~"
Lu Xuan followed the sound, only to see a Cloud-Stepping Lynx cub gracefully stepping past him with four thick paws resembling white clouds.
Its gait was elegant, its demeanor composed, and its emerald green eyes seemed disdainful towards Lu Xuan.
Having long understood its true nature, Lu Xuan chuckled upon seeing the Cloud-Stepping Lynx.
"Alright, alright, you performed quite well last night too. I'll reward you with two strips of Thorny Porcupine meat at noon."
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx seemed as if it hadn't heard, continuing its leisurely pace, while the slight quiver of the grey-white fur on its pointed ears betrayed its inner excitement.
After tending to the Grass Puppet and the Cloud-Stepping Lynx, Lu Xuan threw a handful of spirit rice into the Spirit Spring pool. Three Red-Whiskered Carps scrambled for it, creating ripples on the water's surface, causing the Pure Snow Lotus with its snow-white petals to sway gently amidst the ripples.
Taking advantage of the lingering mist, Lu Xuan began his day as a spiritual plant master.
Adjusting the range and volume of the Spirit Rain technique based on each plant's needs, ensuring they received adequate nourishment.
Additionally, he separated a Blood Jade Ginseng entangled with another onea single Blood Jade Ginseng was surrounded by eight, all entwined together.
"Dealing with eight Blood Jade Ginseng simultaneously. I'd dub you the king among the ginsengs."
Carefully isolating them with his spiritual power, Lu Xuan prevented the central ginseng from being sapped dry by the other eight.
He also performed a sword technique on the Sword Grass, allowing it to be nurtured by sword qi.
The smoke generated by the Phantom Mist Fruit increased, impervious to his consciousness, forcing him to grope around slowly, attempting to gather his consciousness, eventually locating its position.
For those in rapid growth, he applied a Wood Growth technique to hasten their maturation.
Simple yet tedious, busy yet fulfilling.
By the time he finished everything, almost half a day had passed. Lu Xuan returned to the eaves, looking at the numerous thriving spiritual plants in the field. Wiping off the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, he wore a satisfied smile.
He appeared every bit the spiritual plant enthusiast, completely contrasting his recent actions of defeating two mid-level Qi cultivators not long ago.
After a brief rest, Lu Xuan decided to visit the freelance market, hoping to find a good second-grade defensive formation and the blood of snake-type demonic beasts.
He also planned to stop by the Hundred Herbs Hall to see the aftermath following the death of the Zhou family's spiritual plant master.
Adjusting his aura concealment technique, he displayed the cultivation of a fourth-level Qi refinement practitioner on the surface, intending to avoid unnecessary trouble.
When he had first leased this spiritual field, he had shown himself as a third-level Qi cultivator. In less than a year, he had broken through to the fourth level of Qi refinement. Although his cultivation advancement within the realm of freelance cultivators could be considered rapid, it still fell within the realm of reason.
As for his cultivation at the sixth level of Qi refinement, he dared not expose it.
The gap between the third and fourth levels of Qi refinement was vastly different from that between the third and sixth levels. Any discerning person would immediately detect a significant issue, inviting scrutiny and covetousness from other cultivators.
Inside the Hundred Herbs Hall, everything seemed normal, and the death of the Zhou family's spiritual plant master didn't cause much commotion.
There were only a few casual mentions heard from the herbalists handling medicines.
This was understandable. Despite the patrol of enforcers from the law hall, it was still challenging to prevent mysterious deaths among
cultivators, especially in the outskirts of the city, where a mix of people and practitioners existed. One never knew when a familiar cultivator would vanish or die for no apparent reason.
Moreover, just like Lu Xuan, the Zhou family's spiritual plant master had followed the second mode of collaboration with the Hundred Herbs Hall, not receiving their protection. Hence, it was difficult for the herbalists at the hall to sympathize or worry about their own safety.
After sitting for a while, Steward He emerged.
"Lu lad, back so soon to hand over the Luminous Firefly Grass?"
"Not this time. I wanted to buy something from the market. Passed by the hall and thought I'd check in with you."
"I plan to sell the remaining Luminous Firefly Grass once they've all matured. But I might want to take more Luminous Firefly Grass seeds from you next time."
"A hundred plants of Luminous Firefly Grass aren't enough for you? With your meager spiritual power, can you handle more?"
Lu Xuan smiled but didn't reply, raising the teacup to his lips for a sip.
Seeing his demeanor, the slender old man made a guess and swept his spiritual awareness over Lu Xuan's body, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
"You've reached the fourth level of Qi refinement?"
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