You Cultivate, I Farm

Returning home, Lu Xuan retrieved the almost withered spiritual seed from his pocket and examined it closely.

The withered seed, long and sword-like, bore a gray-black hue. Perhaps due to waning vitality, it appeared somewhat shriveled.

Although Xu Wan had informed Lu Xuan that she and Zhang Hong had once attempted to plant another identical seed but without success, Lu Xuan was confident.

After all, successfully cultivating this withered seed would grant him immediate insights into its subtle requirements through its current state. He could pinpoint deficiencies and rectify them, greatly increasing the chances of successful cultivation.

Without hesitation, Lu Xuan found a small patch of vacant land in the spiritual field and activated the Earth Attraction Technique. A faint crack appeared in the spiritual soil, just enough to accommodate the withered seed.

After burying the withered seed, Lu Xuan continued to channel the Earth Attraction Technique, gathering the faint spiritual energy in the spiritual field towards the seed.

Having absorbed several energy packets, the Earth Attraction Technique had undergone a qualitative change. It not only altered the terrain within a localized area but could also slightly manipulate the flow of spiritual energy within the spiritual field.

Once the weak spiritual energy fused into the soil around the seed, Lu Xuan's consciousness gathered apprehensively around the withered seed.

A thought flashed in his mind.

"Sword Grass, a second-grade spiritual seed, akin to a sharp blade when matured, resilient and keen, a natural material for forging flying swords."

"Sensing its imminent desiccation, how about a generous shower of spiritual rain!"

Digesting this thought, Lu Xuan was elated.

As he expected, after planting this withered seed, not only did he understand the corresponding information for its cultivation, but he also had a clear picture of the seed's detailed requirements.

He immediately circulated the spiritual energy within him, and above the withered seed, a misty moisture materialized instantly, followed by delicate strands of spiritual rain that dripped and melded into the soil.

The Sword Grass seed, parched for so long, greedily absorbed the spiritual rain.

After a round of spiritual rain, Lu Xuan inspected the Sword Grass seed, only to find it still in a withered state.

"More, I need more water."

"Just one second-grade seed, and my cultivation at the third level of Qi refinement can't satisfy you?"

Lu Xuan sneered. Proficient in the technique of spiritual rain, he conjured another round almost instantly.

"More, I need more!"

With a cold snort, Lu Xuan thought, "Watch me drown you!"

...

After seventeen rounds of spiritual rain, Lu Xuan clenched his teeth tightly and once again circulated the spiritual energy within him.

Above the Sword Grass seed, spiritual energy surged for a moment, then dissipated quickly, not a single drop of spiritual rain descended.

"It's gone, truly nothing left."

He staggered to his feet, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, spots dancing before his eyes.

This was the adverse effect of excessive use of spiritual energy. Despite stabilizing at the third level of Qi refinement, his cultivation couldn't endure such continuous usage of energy.

Focusing on the Sword Grass seed again, he shivered and quickly distanced himself.

However, despite the refinement from numerous rounds of spiritual rain, he sensed the seed was much fuller, brimming with vitality.

For the next two days, Lu Xuan, aside from basic care for the other plants, centered all his attention on this second-grade Sword Grass seed.

Having performed countless rounds of spiritual rain, the immediate state of the seed finally changed.

"Sword Grass, a second-grade spiritual plant, requires a certain amount of spiritual energy during cultivation. Besides, it also needs sword qi stimulation for growth."

"Requiring sword qi stimulation, truly deserving of a second-grade spiritual plant. The distinct requirements must have been the main reason for Brother Zhang and their failures. After all, spiritual seeds are generally delicate. Who would think to use sword qi to stimulate them?"

Lu Xuan suddenly realized, understanding the cause of Zhang Hong and others' failures. He was even more grateful for his ability to grasp the immediate state of cultivation.

As for the sword qi, he had the readily available Golden Sword Technique.

Activating his inner spiritual power, Lu Xuan controlled a faint golden sword qi that deftly emerged from his fingers, pierced through the spiritual field's soil, and struck the Sword Grass seed.

In an instant, Lu Xuan seemed to hear a faint sword resonance from the soil, followed by the infiltration of the golden sword qi into the seed, leaving a shallow golden pattern on its surface.

Repeating this process, he imprinted three golden sword qi marks on the seed. Satisfied that it was adequate, he ceased.

Only after the golden marks faded from the seed's surface could he use fresh sword qi to nurture it.

"Finally, successful cultivation, entering the growth phase."

"I wonder what rewards a second-grade spiritual plant can bring"

Through his spiritual perception, Lu Xuan felt the subtle changes in the Sword Grass seed, breathing a sigh of relief.

He increasingly understood the importance of grasping the immediate state of cultivation.

"Perhaps, I could visit the market or the stalls of wandering cultivators to find some unknown spiritual seeds?"

"Although wild spiritual plants are scarce in the wilderness, they aren't nonexistent."

"Naturally cultivated spiritual plants have a probability of appearing and can also be seized from other cultivators or beasts. Not to mention those peculiar secret realms, where anything could emerge without surprise."

"Perhaps other cultivators also hold some unknown seeds. For them, without knowledge of the seed's species, it's challenging to assess its value or cultivate it successfully."

"But I'm different. I can discern the cultivation conditions. As long as I can fulfill them, the likelihood of success is high, and I'll also gain orb rewards."

The more Lu Xuan thought, the more he found this method feasible. However, considering his dwindling supply of spiritual stones, he soon regained his composure.

"Seeking unknown seeds ultimately amounts to gambling. Even though I have a higher chance of success, it's not a certainty. Moreover, I don't have enough spiritual stones to take the risk."

After all, purchasing wild seeds couldn't guarantee successful cultivation, nor could he ascertain their grade. If he bought first or second-grade seeds, it would be acceptable, but if he acquired lower-grade ones, it might result in losses.

"I'll wait for Brother Zhang and the group exploring the secret realms to return. The seeds from the realms have a more assured grade, and there'll likely be a wider variety available in circulation."

Lu Xuan recalled that during his usual strolls in the market, he rarely spotted stalls selling wild spiritual seeds. Even if they did, they were mostly well-known species. The trace of unknown seeds was almost nonexistent.

He decided to go with the flow, accumulate more knowledge on spiritual cultivation, and keep an eye out at the market. If he encountered unknown seeds and had enough spiritual stones, he would try to acquire them.

For now, the plants in his courtyard were of utmost importance.

Twenty Firefly Grasses were thriving remarkably well. Their leaves, nourished by the spiritual rain, lazily extended, emitting faint glimmers resembling twinkling stars under the sunlight.

The Crimson Cloud Pine had grown about two inches taller. Its tree branches, adorned with fine red needles, looked like a hedgehog covered in crimson spines

under the stimulation of the Fireball Technique.

Meanwhile, the Lunar Erosion Tree had entered a rapid maturation phase.

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