Chapter 162
Chapter 162
"Spending over two hundred spirit stones on the beast's eye pupils and another hundred on the insect eggs, these spirit stones really don't last," Lu Xuan sighed, holding the black armored bug egg and a jar containing the silver-threaded mantis.
"One is for cultivating the fourth-grade Hundred-Eyed Enigmatic Wood, and the other for the fourth-grade Profound Insect Vine. It's still manageable."
After purchasing the beast's eye pupils and insect eggs, he had around fourteen hundred spirit stones left. For a wandering cultivator like him, this sum was substantial, but within the Sky Sword Sect, it was insufficient.
He arrived at the spiritual field where the Profound Insect Vine was located. The vine hadn't sprouted yet, but the previously planted hidden-wing cicada eggs and spiritual seeds had almost melded together, displaying an eerie sense of harmony on the surface.
Lu Xuan chose several spots, using the perfected Earth Attraction Technique to effortlessly place the black armored bug egg onto the surface of the Profound Insect Vine's spiritual seeds.
As for the two silver-threaded mantis larvae, as soon as Lu Xuan took them out of the jar, the two creatures, seemingly sensing something, halted above the Profound Insect Vine, sniffing around continuously.
Using their white jade-like forelimbs, they dug into the spiritual soil, attempting to get closer to the Profound Insect Vine.
Unable to watch, Lu Xuan directly employed the Earth Attraction Technique, creating a direct passage for the two silver-threaded mantis larvae.
One after the other, the larvae eagerly burrowed into the passage, sticking to the spiritual seeds of the Profound Insect Vine as if glued, motionless.
"A hidden-wing cicada of the first grade, a black armored bug, and silver-threaded mantises of the second grade should suffice for the initial growth stages of the Profound Insect Vine."
After surveying the spiritual field, Lu Xuan called for a spiritual crane and headed to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.
Inside the hall, it was livelier than usual, with several dozen cultivators standing in front of a massive light screen.
Lu Xuan circumvented the light screen and went to the side, canceling the task of collecting beast's eye pupils that he had arranged earlier.
It was common for sect disciples to explore and hunt beasts while carrying out such tasks, but having this ongoing task would likely bankrupt Lu Xuan soon.
The fourteen eyes brought by the female cultivator, along with a few on the way, would be sufficient for a while in cultivating the Hundred-Eyed Enigmatic Wood.
After revoking the task, Lu Xuan noticed an increasing number of cultivators gathering in front of the massive light screen. Curious, he lightly nudged a nearby cultivator and inquired.
"Senior, why does it seem like there's more activity in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall than usual? Is something significant happening?"
"Don't you know about it?" The young cultivator turned around, somewhat surprised.
"I'm usually cultivating spiritual plants and rarely go out, so I'm not well informed about recent developments in the sect."
"I see." The young cultivator nodded, believing Lu Xuan's sincerity, and explained.
"Not long ago, about a thousand miles from the sect, a small-scale secret realm appeared. Rumor has it that some sect members obtained quite a few valuable items from that place."
"So recently, the tasks related to that secret realm have been quite popular. I heard the sect is even planning to organize some Foundation Establishment senior disciples to thoroughly explore the secret realm."
Lu Xuan suddenly realized. The newly discovered secret realm held endless possibilities and mysteries. Even back in the market, he often heard similar rumors of those who gained high-grade techniques or rare treasures from such realms.
In a new realm, the chances of obtaining opportunities and treasures were much higher than usual, explaining the excitement among the fellow sect members present.
"Do you want to go and take a look, Junior Brother? With Foundation Establishment seniors guarding, relying on the strength of the Sky Sword Sect, it's entirely possible to explore that small-scale secret realm."
The young cultivator blushed, inviting Lu Xuan.
"No, no, I still have spiritual plants in my spiritual field to harvest. I can't afford to miss the harvesting season."
Lu Xuan promptly declined. While Foundation Establishment seniors safeguarded the exploration, it meant ensuring the safety of the sect's disciples. However, venturing into a realm likely harboring third-grade or higher beasts or evil spirits carried risks.
Even with means like Jade of Purity, Concealing Spirit Robe, or Thunder Sword Pills at his disposal, Lu Xuan was confident in facing third-grade beasts, yet he harbored no inclination for unnecessary risks.
"When my cultivation improves a bit more and I accumulate a few more treasures, then I can consider going out."
Lu Xuan muttered to himself internally.
Subsequently, he calmly exited the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, summoned a spiritual crane, and had it escort him back to his cave dwelling.
After tending to all the spiritual plants in the spiritual field, Lu Xuan went to the spiritual spring and retrieved an iron-clawed crab from beneath a peculiar stone.
The reward from the fully matured iron-clawed crab had already been activated. To ensure the freshest ingredients, Lu Xuan had kept the remaining two iron-clawed crabs under the spiritual spring stone.
"Preparation! Preparation!"
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx strolled over gently, effortlessly stunning the unruly iron-clawed crab with its cloud-like thick paws before the Grass Puppet approached. Extending two gray grass ropes from its body, it securely tied up the iron-clawed crab.
Without waiting for Lu Xuan's instructions, the Wind Falcon grabbed the grass ropes and dropped the iron-clawed crab into the pot.
"You're just a grass puppet, only eating spiritual stones and grass essence, why are you so enthusiastic?"
Lu Xuan glared at the Grass Puppet, which then retreated to the spiritual field with its huge gray grass head.
"Let's eat!"
Lu Xuan lifted the lid, disregarding the rapidly billowing steam, revealing the steamed crab shell with its golden and succulent crab roe and meat inside.
"Tender, fresh, and fragrant! It's simply exquisite!"
Lu Xuan savored a piece of crab meat, unable to help but exclaim.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx and Wind Falcon beside him stared intently, seemingly urging him to hurry and prepare a piece for them.
Lu Xuan broke off a crab leg for each of them to gnaw on, allowing them to enjoy their meal. The two small creatures hugged the legs tightly, smearing their faces with oil.
"Gurgle, gurgle!"
As Lu Xuan and the two small creatures relished the delicacy, a somewhat familiar sound caught his attention.
Following the sound, Lu Xuan spotted the mysterious phoenix bird that had appeared last time, now silently reappearing in the courtyard.
"Here, have a crab leg!"
Lu Xuan tossed a leg over, and the phoenix bird gently shook its pure white feathers, nodding slightly as a sign of gratitude.
"So intelligent."
Lu Xuan sighed inwardly. Last time, due to the phoenix's abrupt appearance, he refrained from probing too much to avoid causing any displeasure. Hence, he hadn't properly investigated
its origins.
Now that it had come to the cave again, Lu Xuan was less polite.
He quietly concentrated his mind on the phoenix, receiving information that astonished him.
[Heavenly White Phoenix, in its growth stage, a third-grade spiritual beast, a protector of the Sky Sword Sect. It's a descendant of the sixth-grade Heavenly White Phoenix and has the potential to grow into a seventh-grade spiritual beast.]
"A descendant of the sect's protector... with the potential to become a seventh-grade spiritual beast... this is a massive opportunity in the making!"
Lu Xuan marveled internally. The mixed-blood Ink Scale Jiao he had seen before was already impressive, but compared to this Heavenly White Phoenix, it paled in comparison.
"Capture a spiritual beast's heart, and the first step is to capture its stomach."
"To embrace a thigh, one must start with cultivation!"
Approximately 70-80% of the recovery was complete.
---------------
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience