Lu Xuan spoke firmly, leaving Zhang Xiu Yuan no room to argue.
He didn't want to spend a significant amount of time searching for No-Organization Spirit Plant Masters affected by insect infestations, so he assigned this task to Zhang Xiu Yuan, offering him a small reward in return.
Zhang Xiu Yuan had no choice but to accept the arrangement.
At the thought of finding a cultivator whose spirit plants had been attacked by demon insects and being able to earn thirty Broken Spirits, he couldn't help but feel joyous, his imagination running wild.
"But there's something we need to clarify: the cultivators you find must be limited to the North District, and I can help no more than three No-Organization Spirit Plant Masters solve infestations each day."
Lu Xuan added.
His main focus currently remained on cultivating the Spirit Plants in his own yard. If he were to prioritize earning a few Spirit Stones at the expense of optimal growth conditions for his plants, that would be a losing proposition.
He was quite clear on his priorities.
Another consideration was that he was only displaying the cultivation level of Qi Cultivation Second Layer. If he frequently utilized the Golden Sword Technique, it might expose his true cultivation level.
Over the next ten days or so, with Zhang Xiu Yuan actively searching, Lu Xuan ended up going out almost daily to address the infestations.
Due to the worsening infestations and the risk of recurring attacks, he nearly always had to employ the Golden Sword Technique three times during each outing.
Each time he assisted, Zhang Xiu Yuan earned thirty Broken Spirits, while he took away four Spirit Stones and seventy Broken Spirits. Over the course of those ten days, combined with previous savings, Lu Xuan now had amassed wealth amounting to around two hundred Spirit Stones.
During this time, the landlord of his yard collected rent, which amounted to thirty Spirit Stones.
Additionally, he harvested eleven Moon Erosion Fruits, with nineteen remaining.
All of them were of good quality, including five Silver Edge fragments, three First Grade Qi Cultivation Pills, and three First Grade Talismans.
The incomplete Slivered Silver Blade, with the addition of these five fragments, appeared somewhat more intact now, with only a few small gaps remaining.
Because storing Moon Erosion Fruits was straightforward, Lu Xuan wasn't in a rush to sell them. Instead, he planned to collect them all and sell them to Uncle He of Bai Cao Tang once they fully matured.
Aside from the soon-to-mature Moon Erosion Tree, the other three Spirit Plants in his Spirit Field were thriving.
The Spirit Firefly Grass's growth cycle had already reached its midpoint, and in another month or so, he could harvest it again. The Red Cloud Pine hadn't seen significant changes, except that it had visibly grown taller.
As for the Sword Grass, under the daily nurturing of the Golden Sword Technique's golden Sword Qi, it gradually sprouted into a slender black blade-like grass stalk.
Standing upright, its tip pointed toward the sky, a faint trace of Sword Intent lingered among its leaves.
...
"Come on, time to divide the earnings. Here's your reward for today."
On a small pathway of green stone, Lu Xuan pulled out ninety Broken Spirits and handed them to Zhang Xiu Yuan.
"Thank you, Little Uncle Lu!"
Zhang Xiu Yuan grinned sheepishly as he expertly accepted the Broken Spirits and carefully tucked them into his clothing.
The duo had just visited three No-Organization Spirit Plants Masters today, and Lu Xuan had successfully resolved their issues. Now, it was time to split the profits.
"They're back, the first group of cultivators who ventured into the Secret Land have returned!"
A commotion broke out just ahead, and Lu Xuan faintly caught bits of conversation; it seemed that the loose cultivators organized by the Wang Family to explore the wilderness had sent back their first batch today.
Having never been to that opportunity- and risk-laden wilderness, Lu Xuan felt a spark of curiosity about the new Secret Land, so he headed over with Zhang Xiu Yuan.
"I heard the new Secret Land has several layers of powerful formations protecting it. The Wang Family's Array Master successfully broke two formations, uncovering plenty of rare Spirit Plants, heavenly treasures, and even high-grade magical instruments and methods!"
"Damn, I'm so jealous. I regret not signing up to go with them!"
"If I had gone, maybe I'd have gotten lucky and risen through the ranks—possibly even reaching Foundation Establishment or Core Formation cultivator status!"
"Exactly, I can't help but wish I could swap places with them!"
The crowd buzzed with chatter, envy evident as they spoke of the immense spoils brought back by the returning cultivators.
*Lu Xuan remained calm and collected. Large rewards from the Secret Land were inevitable; otherwise, why would a prominent family like the Wang Family in Linyang Market invest so many resources and manpower to excavate it?*
*Of course, the lion's share of the bounty would go to the Wang Family, with the rest split among powerful cultivators. Loose cultivators—the largest group by number—might get mere scraps, if that.*
*And who knows how many people not only failed to gain any rewards but instead lost their lives, their bodies abandoned and their spirits scattered.*
Beside him, Zhang Xiu Yuan listened to the cultivators' discussions, his thoughts drifting to his long-absent father. His emotions turned tense and urgent, prompting him to quickly bid Lu Xuan farewell before rushing home at full speed.
Lu Xuan walked leisurely along the path back to his residence.
News of the returning cultivators from the newly excavated Secret Land spread rapidly, igniting excitement across the North District of the market. The air seemed charged with a restless energy.
Passing by a loose cultivator's residence, Lu Xuan heard heart-wrenching cries of sorrow.
Through the open gate, he saw a weary-looking loose cultivator cradling an urn of ashes. A woman sobbed uncontrollably before him, her grief unmistakable.
Lu Xuan recognized this household somewhat. The male cultivator, a middle-aged man surnamed Xiong, with a cultivation level at the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation, had signed up to join this round of Secret Land excavation.
The outcome was clear.
Scenes like this were ones Lu Xuan had witnessed or overheard more times than he could count on his way back.
*"The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Ordinary cultivators who wish to advance further can only strive to seize every possible opportunity, despite the danger of losing their lives and their spiritual existence. They must fight hard for their chances regardless."*
*"Cultivation is difficult, so very difficult."*
*"Thankfully, I have that special Spirit Field. I don't need to scramble for fleeting opportunities at the risk of grave injury. I can quietly focus on tending my field instead."*
Lu Xuan felt all the more grateful for his unique white Light Cluster and became even more determined not to venture out recklessly.
In the following days, he stayed home, diligently cultivating Spirit Plants.
Zhang Xiu Yuan didn't come to find him during this time. Lu Xuan knew he was preoccupied with worries for his father. On the rare occasions he saw him, Zhang Xiu Yuan looked utterly drained. Although Xu Wan maintained an outward appearance of calm, her visibly thinner face betrayed the turmoil within.
"Father!"
One afternoon, while Lu Xuan was using the Spirit Rain Technique to water his Spirit Plants in the yard, he heard a joyous shout.
He smiled faintly and opened the yard door.
Sure enough, Zhang Hong—disheveled and travel-weary—strode toward his home, his arms laden with bulging bags, his face beaming with joy. He had clearly gained much from the trip.
Noticing Lu Xuan, he nodded in acknowledgment from afar and smiled warmly.
Lu Xuan offered a smile in return, watching as Zhang Hong embraced his wife and children with heartfelt laughter before entering his home.
Lu Xuan didn't go over to join the celebration. Zhang Hong had just returned from the wilderness carrying his spoils from the Secret Land. At this sensitive time, people were on edge, mistrustful, and ready to defend their gains. Calling it a tense atmosphere wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Although mutual trust existed between them, rashly approaching now might create unnecessary suspicion or resistance.
Half a day later, Zhang Hong himself came to visit Lu Xuan.