The newly ripened Moon Erosion Fruits were double the number of the first batch, with as many as eight in total.
All eight Moon Erosion Fruits were of good quality. Lu Xuan carefully placed them into a designated container, eagerly picking up the eight white light clusters one by one as they appeared.
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade (Fragment)."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade (Fragment)."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade (Fragment)."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade (Fragment)."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade (Fragment)."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Talisman, Sword Qi Talisman."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Pill, Yuan Cultivating Pill."
"Harvested one Moon Erosion Fruit, obtained a First Grade Talisman, Explosion Flame Talisman."
Among the eight light cluster rewards, five were fragments of the First Grade Artifact, Silver Rift Blade, two revealed First Grade Talismans, and one yielded a First Grade Pill.
"A Yuan Cultivating Pill, a First Grade Pill, can quickly replenish spiritual power when consumed by a cultivator."
Lu Xuan carefully stowed away the single First Grade Yuan Cultivating Pill.
*He had heard about this kind of elixir before, but this was his first time owning one. It was immensely useful for low- and middle-level Qi cultivators and was worth a fair amount of spirit stones.*
"These Silver Rift Blade fragments keep increasing—they're up to eight now."
Lu Xuan looked at the eight thin silvery-white fragments circling around him, feeling slightly resigned.
Suddenly, his mind stirred, and the eight fragments instantly merged together, their edges fitting tightly to form a peculiar object.
"Why does it look like a silver sword blade? Just... with too many gaps."
*The more he observed it, the more it resembled the prototype of a sword blade.*
"If this really is a sword blade, does it mean it could serve as a standalone magic artifact when complete, confusing opponents in battle when it suddenly splits into numerous fragments for a surprise attack?"
*The more he thought about it, the more likely such a possibility seemed, and his heart filled with anticipation for the moment he'd collect all the fragments.*
There were still thirty Moon Erosion Fruits remaining. Based on the probability of fragments appearing and the size of the gaps in the incomplete blade, it didn't seem like too much of a problem.
Yet, thinking back to his past life's experience with gacha draws, *he felt his optimism waver.*
"Little Uncle Lu, you need spirit stones?"
While Lu Xuan was feeling troubled, he suddenly heard the familiar mischievous voice of Zhang Xiu Yuan outside the courtyard.
Lu Xuan quickly opened the courtyard gate.
"Hah, you little rascal, you've got spirit stones for me?"
"I don't have any spirit stones for you, but I've got a way for you to earn some!"
The tiger-headed Zhang Xiu Yuan grinned slyly, eyes twinkling with a cunning that belied his age.
"Oh? Come on, let's hear it."
Lu Xuan curiously looked at Zhang Xiu Yuan, who was clutching a Grass Puppet tightly in his arms.
"Remember a few days ago when you helped my family solve that bug infestation problem? Well, today I overheard Cai Bin saying his family's been hit with those weird bugs too. So I told him how amazing you are and how you resolved our issue. He ran off to tell his parents and asked me to bring you to his house to help."
"His dad is so worried about it! If you handle it like before, you could earn a ton of spirit stones, Little Uncle Lu!"
"Cai Bin?"
In Lu Xuan's memory, Cai Bin was a skinny, monkey-like kid who often played with Zhang Xiu Yuan. His house was two or three miles away from the courtyard.
Lu Xuan had seen Cai Bin's father, Cai Hai, before—a loose cultivator at the Third Level of Qi Cultivation. They only knew each other by face and never interacted much.
"Should I go take a look?"
*He hesitated, weighing the decision to earn those spirit stones.*
Risks? The main issue was dealing with the Black Bud Worms. Armed with his increasingly proficient Golden Sword Technique, it was easily manageable. Conflicts? Unlikely—but even if something arose, his Third Level Qi Cultivation, Golden Sword Technique, various talismans, and Silver Rift Blade fragments should cover all contingencies.
Rewards? Qin Ming, a Fourth Level Qi Cultivation practitioner, charged seven spirit stones to deal with Black Bud Worm larvae. It wouldn't be unreasonable for Lu Xuan to ask for five stones, given his displayed Qi Cultivation strength at the Second Layer.
*Most importantly, he was dirt poor right now!*
*With his ever-growing need for spirit stones, there was no room for hesitation.*
His spirit field was too small—after planting the spirit plants, there was barely any room left. He longed for a larger spirit field.
He also wanted to buy a storage bag. With his collection of treasures increasing, he couldn't keep carrying them on him whenever he went out.
Acquiring unknown spiritual seeds would also require a significant number of spirit stones.
At this thought, Lu Xuan made up his mind and nodded lightly under Zhang Xiu Yuan's expectant gaze.
"Lead the way."
"Got it!"
…
At Cai's Courtyard.
Cai Hai's wife, Mrs. Li, was angrily scolding her son.
"What were you thinking, bringing in some loose cultivator barely in his teens to deal with our bug problem?! Do you think this is child's play?!"
The six- or seven-year-old Cai Bin blushed red under his mother's harsh words, mustering his courage to argue:
"But Xiu Yuan said Little Uncle Lu is amazing, with unmatched swordsmanship! He wiped out all the demon insects in an instant!"
"You believe everything he says? Use your pig brain for a second. How powerful can a loose cultivator at the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation really be?!"
Mrs. Li turned to her husband, Cai Hai, who was staring at the ground, and snapped:
"Husband, I suggest we call my brother. He has connections and can find a middle-stage Qi cultivator to resolve this bug issue—that's far more reliable than this loose cultivator child!"
"Oh, you mean your so-called little brother who demands ten spirit stones for every little thing he does?"
Thin and scraggly Cai Hai sneered coldly.
"Bleeding us dry even with family relations—why don't you pay the ten spirit stones for him this time?"
Mrs. Li opened her mouth but closed it again without retort. "I'm just worried about our spirit plants," she muttered.
"Ugh..."
Cai Hai let out a long sigh.
"At this point, we'll just have to try that young loose cultivator."
"I asked around earlier. Apparently, it's true Zhang Hong's family had a bug problem that was resolved by some young man. It seems it's the very person Cai Bin was talking about."
Cai Hai squatted and looked closely at the spirit plants tightly entangled with thin black threads. A trace of concern flashed in his eyes.
Hiring other cultivators to handle a bug infestation would be too costly—a significant burden for him right now.
His only hope lay with Lu Xuan, a Second Level Qi Cultivator.
Just then, there was a knock at the courtyard door.
Although Lu Xuan could hear part of the argument inside, he had come this far and firmly believed there was no reason to pass up an easy payday. He signaled Zhang Xiu Yuan to knock resoundingly on the gate.
The gate opened.
On Cai Hai's gaunt face appeared an unnatural smile as he stepped out to greet them.
"Friend Lu, thank you for coming all this way. I heard you have a unique talent for dealing with infestations. I'll have to trouble you to take a look at our spirit plants shortly."
"Not at all a unique talent," Lu Xuan replied modestly. "I've just made some recent progress in a particular technique, and it happens to counteract the Black Bud Worm larvae effectively."
He added, "I'll do my utmost to resolve this infestation, but I must clarify upfront—my price is five spirit stones, no negotiations."
"A Fourth Layer Qi Practitioner only charges seven spirit stones. Why should someone at the Second Layer ask for five?" Mrs. Li interjected sharply.
"If you want, feel free to hire that middle-stage Qi practitioner," Lu Xuan retorted frostily.
Mrs. Li hesitated, then said, "Fine, five spirit stones are acceptable, but what if you fail to solve the problem?"
"Get back inside!"
Cai Hai snarled at her with a low growl.
"Don't mind my wife—she's just a loudmouth. Please forgive us, Friend Lu," Cai Hai said, forcing a bitter smile.
"Whether or not you solve the problem, the five spirit stones will be paid in full. I just ask that you do your utmost, as we spirit plant masters know how vital our crops are."
"Of course," Lu Xuan said, his expression solemn.
*He paid no attention to Mrs. Li's abrasive remarks. As long as the spirit stones were paid, nothing else mattered.*
He approached the infested spirit plants and focused his concentration. A fine strand of golden sword qi emerged like a thread, carrying an unmatched cutting intent as it swirled toward the Black Bud Worm larvae.
In just a few breaths, the golden sword qi diced through the larvae, severing them into countless pieces that fell to the ground.
"Task accomplished," he said, standing up and turning to Cai Hai, whose tense face instantly relaxed.
In the background, Zhang Xiu Yuan smirked and gave his little buddy a wink.
"See? My Little Uncle Lu's amazing, isn't he?"
"Thank you, Friend Lu! Truly, thank you!"
Relief washed over Cai Hai's face.
From inside the house, a window closed with a soft click, and muffled sobbing could faintly be heard.
Lu Xuan pocketed the payment from Cai Hai and left the courtyard alongside Zhang Xiu Yuan.
Jiggling the spirit stones in his hand, feeling their reassuring weight, he suddenly asked, "Xiu Yuan, how about we team up? You scout out cultivators in neighboring areas with pest problems, and I'll handle the rest. For every job, I'll give you thirty Broken Spirits."
"Little Uncle Lu, you helped my family so much last time! I'll just help you find new clients for free," Zhang Xiu Yuan replied with his usual grin.
"That won't do! You can't work for nothing. It's settled!" Lu Xuan exclaimed.