You Cultivate, I Farm

Lu Xuan spoke firmly, leaving no room for Zhang Xiu Yuan to argue.

He didn't want to spend a lot of time searching for scattered spiritual plant cultivators affected by pests, so he assigned this task to Zhang Xiu Yuan, providing some compensation in return.

Reluctantly, Zhang Xiu Yuan accepted.

The thought of earning thirty broken spirits by finding a practitioner attacked by demonic insects made him uncontrollably happy, his mind racing with excitement.

"But there are conditions. The cultivators you find must be limited to the northern district, and I can only assist a maximum of three scattered spiritual plant cultivators per day," Lu Xuan added.

His primary focus was on the spiritual plants in his own yard. If he jeopardized their growth for a few spirit stones, it wouldn't be worth it.

He had his priorities straight.

Another factor was his current display of only second-level cultivation. Frequent use of the Golden Sword Technique might expose his true abilities.

Over the next ten days, as Zhang Xiu Yuan diligently searched, Lu Xuan almost daily went out to help with pest problems.

As the pest situation worsened and repeated attacks loomed, he had to employ the Golden Sword Technique nearly every time.

For each intervention, he gave Zhang Xiu Yuan thirty broken spirits, while he himself gained seventy broken spirits in four spiritual stones. With previous accumulations, Lu Xuan now possessed around two hundred spiritual stones.

During this period, the landlord collected rent once, receiving thirty spiritual stones.

Additionally, he harvested eleven Lunar Erosion Fruits, leaving nineteen remaining.

All were of excellent quality, including five fractured silver blade fragments, three first-grade Elemental Refinement Pills, and three first-grade talismans.

With the addition of these five fractured silver blade fragments, the incomplete blade seemed somewhat more whole, with just a few minor gaps.

As the Lunar Erosion Fruits had simple storage requirements, Lu Xuan didn't rush to sell them, choosing instead to gather them until they were all ripe before selling them to the Hundred Herbs Hall steward.

Apart from the Lunar Erosion Tree about to reach maturity, the other three types of spiritual plants in the spiritual field were growing exceptionally well.

The Firefly Grass had passed its halfway growth point; in a little over a month, it would be ready for harvest again. The changes in the Crimson Cloud Pine were not drastic; it had merely noticeably grown taller.

As for the Sword Grass, nurtured daily by the golden sword qi of the Golden Sword Technique, it slowly grew a black, sword-like grass.

Standing tall and straight, its tip pointed to the sky, a faint hint of sword intent lingering on its leaves.

...

"Come, here's your share of the spiritual stones, your reward for today."

On the cobblestone path, Lu Xuan handed ninety broken spirits to Zhang Xiu Yuan.

"Thank you, Little Lu!" Zhang Xiu Yuan grinned foolishly, skillfully tucking the broken spirits into his clothes.

They had just resolved issues for three scattered practitioners today, and now was the time to divide the earnings.

"Return! The first batch of cultivators who opened the new realm has returned!"

Not far ahead, a sudden commotion arose. Lu Xuan faintly caught snippets of conversation; it seemed like the scattered practitioners organized by the Wang family for the wilderness expedition had returned, the first group arriving today.

He hadn't been to that perilous yet promising new realm and was somewhat curious, so he moved closer with Zhang Xiu Yuan.

"I heard the new realm has powerful formations. The Wang family's formation experts broke through two formations, finding numerous rare spiritual plants, treasures, and even high-grade artifacts and techniques!"

"Darn it, I'm so envious! Regret not signing up to go with them!"

"If I had gone, I might have gained immense opportunities, soaring to the sky, even becoming a Foundation Establishment or Nascent Soul cultivator!"

"Yeah, I wish I could've taken their place!"

The crowd buzzed with envy at the enormous gains the returning practitioners had from the realm.

But Lu Xuan remained calm. Enormous gains in such realms were expected; otherwise, the prominent Wang family wouldn't invest so much manpower and resources into exploration.

However, the lion's share would go to the Wang family, while powerful cultivators would claim the rest. As for the numerous scattered practitioners, getting any benefit would be considered fortunate.

He couldn't help but wonder how many might not gain anything and, worse, lose their lives in the process.

Passing by a scattered practitioner's residence, Lu Xuan heard mournful cries. Through the open gates, he saw a weary-looking practitioner holding an urn, a grieving woman beside him.

Lu Xuan was familiar with this household. The man, surnamed Xiong, was a middle-aged cultivator at the third qi-refining level who had participated in the realm exploration.

The outcome was evident.

He'd witnessed such scenes countless times along the way.

"The path of cultivation is arduous and lengthy. Ordinary cultivators striving for advancement must seize every possible opportunity, even risking their lives. It's tough, really tough!"

"Thankfully, I have that special spiritual field. I can peacefully cultivate without risking life and limb for uncertain chances."

Lu Xuan felt even more grateful for his unique white sphere, strengthening his resolve to avoid unnecessary risks.

For the next few days, he stayed quietly at home, nurturing his spiritual plants.

Zhang Xiu Yuan hadn't visited during this time. Lu Xuan knew he worried about his long-unseen father. When he did catch glimpses of Zhang Xiu Yuan, the man seemed dispirited. As for Xu Wan, although she outwardly appeared composed, her visibly thinner face betrayed her inner worries.

"Dad!"

One afternoon, while using the Spirit Rain Technique to water the plants in his yard, Lu Xuan heard an exuberant shout.

He smiled slightly and opened the gate.

Sure enough, Zhang Hong, disheveled and dusty, hurriedly approached with bulging pockets, his face creased with joy, clearly a sign of a fruitful return from the wilderness.

Seeing Lu Xuan, he nodded from a distance, smiling broadly, then happily entered his home, embracing his family.

Lu Xuan didn't join the gathering. Zhang Hong had returned from the realm with his gains, and this sensitive moment demanded caution. Any hasty movement might raise suspicion or resistance, despite their mutual trust.

After half a day, Zhang Hong came to visit on his own.

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