You Cultivate, I Farm

Three individuals gazed at the lovingly reunited Ink Scaled Jiao family, feeling an unspoken sense of disharmony.

"Alright, you two nephews, this time it's up to you to solve the Ink Scaled Jiao's loss of appetite."

"Especially you, Lu nephew, your achievements in the path of spirit plants and beasts are truly remarkable, broadening my horizons," said the middle-aged Confucian scholar, his eyes filled with admiration as he addressed Lu Xuan.

"You're too kind, Master Uncle," Lu Xuan replied modestly, bowing slightly.

"Lu nephew, for resolving a significant issue for me, I've decided to gift you a spirit seed. I acquired it during an exploration, but as I rarely cultivate spirit plants, I'm unsure of its exact classification. Based on the vitality within the seed, it's likely a third-grade spirit plant."

"It's been sitting idle with me; I'd rather it be of use to you," the middle-aged scholar said, retrieving a spirit seed from his storage pouch and handing it to Lu Xuan.

"Thank you, Master Uncle. I'll make sure to cultivate it diligently," Lu Xuan responded, taking the seed and examining its surface.

About the size of a fist, the seed appeared to be composed of layered thin jade-like pieces, translucent and emitting a faint warmth when held in his palm.

Recalling the third-grade spirit plants recorded in the Register of Spiritual Flora at the Temple, Lu Xuan couldn't match the seed's form to any listed variety. However, this was actually a good sign; the plants listed were either common or exclusively exchangeable with Sword Seals.

This indicated that the seed wasn't one of the commonly listed third-grade spirit plants and wouldn't require an additional exchange using Sword Seals.

Expressing his gratitude once more, Lu Xuan left the island along with Huang Yuan.

"Lu junior brother, you've gained quite a lot this time: the blood essence of a third-grade Ink Scaled Jiao and a rare third-grade spirit seed," Huang Yuan remarked cheerfully during their journey, lacking any trace of envy in his tone.

After all, the successful resolution of the Ink Scaled Jiao's loss of appetite was solely Lu Xuan's merit, deserving of such rewards. As for himself, he could boast before the Foundation Establishment cultivator Yang Qingfeng.

"Oh, Lu junior brother, regarding the fact that the Ink Scaled Jiao harbors the refined bloodline of the Clear Sublime Chi Dragon, please refrain from spreading it," Huang Yuan added.

Lu Xuan nodded in agreement; it would tarnish their reputation if news of the crossbreeding between the dragon raised by the Foundation Establishment cultivator and the foreign Chi Dragon were to spread.

Although the potential of the hybrid Ink Scaled Jiao was greater, it was still a matter hard to articulate.

The two parted ways, and Lu Xuan summoned a spiritual crane to take him back to his cave.

As soon as he opened the courtyard gate, the Wind Falcon fledgling greeted Lu Xuan as usual, landing on his head and causing a noticeable indentation.

"Chirp, chirp!"

The Wind Falcon chirped happily, but when it turned its head, it came face-to-face with a white, towering spiritual crane stationed outside the gate, sent from afar to escort Lu Xuan.

The chirping stopped abruptly.

Rolling off Lu Xuan's back, the Wind Falcon stared at him with an expectant gaze.

"Are you hiding another bird from me?"

Lu Xuan concentrated his mind, sensing the Wind Falcon's thoughts, quickly explaining, "No, this crane is just a spiritual beast friend of mine who escorted me back considering the long journey."

"You're making me sick," the Wind Falcon retorted, its two pale blue legs bearing its rotund body, as it moved toward the Cloud-Treading Lynx with anticipation.

The Cloud-Treading Lynx, with its emerald eyes, seemed nonchalant, almost accustomed to these occurrences.

After a while, both the Wind Falcon and the Cloud-Treading Lynx swallowed the last dried demon beast meat in unison and let out satisfied burps.

Enthralled by the delicacy, the Wind Falcon trotted after Lu Xuan once again, while the seemingly indifferent Cloud-Treading Lynx also roamed around, but always centered around Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan arrived at the spirit field and retrieved the layered jade-wrapped spirit seed.

Using the Earth Drawing technique, the spirit soil subtly transformed, creating a small circular pit, perfectly fitting the spirit seed.

With focused consciousness, information about the seed flooded Lu Xuan's mind.

["Jade Scale Fruit, a third-grade spirit plant, rich in spiritual energy. Can be consumed directly to enhance a cultivator's or demonic beast's constitution. Also suitable for refining third-grade or higher body-refining elixirs."]

["Typically grows in areas with jade stone deposits; the presence of jade influences the fruit's growth."]

["Jade enhances the land while nurturing plants."]

"A third-grade spirit plant, the Jade Scale Fruit, capable of improving one's constitution. Impressive," Lu Xuan remarked.

"The growth method is somewhat similar to the Copper Bone Bamboo, which requires nurturing by copper or iron ores, while the Jade Scale Fruit needs the influence and nourishment of jade stone energy."

Lu Xuan sighed as he rummaged in his storage pouch and retrieved two white jade boxes.

Made of spiritual jade but lacking a grade, these boxes contained minimal spiritual energy. Due to his habit of stockpiling matured spirit plants, he had quite a few of these white jade boxes.

"Though lacking in grade, they're still jade stone deposits and should suffice for the initial growth phase of the Jade Scale Fruit."

With the ease of a second-grade spiritual artifact, Lu Xuan effortlessly opened the white jade box and scattered the fragments around the Jade Scale Fruit seed.

Sensing with spiritual awareness, Lu Xuan could faintly perceive the layers of scales within the spirit soil gradually unfurling in imperceptible movements.

After planting the third-grade Jade Scale Fruit, Lu Xuan surveyed the spirit field.

The third-grade Dragon Vine had matured; its dark vines, thick as a wrist, coiled menacingly, resembling a venomous snake lurking in the spirit field.

Lu Xuan retrieved two bottles of third-grade Dragon Jiao blood, acquired during his recent expedition.

One bottle contained the blood spilled when the Dual-Headed Dragon ascended with a new head, while the other was extracted to test the existence of the refined Clear Sublime Chi Dragon bloodline within the Ink Scaled Jiao.

"A happy dilemma, not sure which third-grade Dragon Jiao blood to use for watering the Dragon Vine," Lu Xuan mused for a moment. Ultimately, he chose the Ink Scaled Jiao's blood since it contained the refined Clear Sublime Chi Dragon bloodline, which was more valuable than the Dual-Headed Dragon's blood.

Droplets of dark-green blood dripped onto the Dragon Vine, absorbed swiftly by the vines.

Soon, the vines began to move slowly, occasionally emitting a faint light, imbuing the ominous vines with a serene and natural aura.

"I've used abundant second-grade Emerald Python blood for cultivation before arriving at the Sky Sword Sect. I even resorted to private means to acquire nearly twenty rare Dragon and Python blood samples."

"And now, I

've brought third-grade Ink Scaled Jiao and Dual-Headed Dragon blood for you."

"If, after maturing, you fail to reach a superior quality, it would discredit all my diligent efforts in nurturing you," Lu Xuan reflected, gazing at the gradually calming Dragon Vine.

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