You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 55

The Dragonvine was a third-tier spiritual plant, and Lu Xuan naturally didn't believe that a small vial of low-quality Blackline Snake blood could satisfy its growth needs.

Mainly, he wanted to observe what changes might occur in the Dragonvine after bathing it in the snake blood.

The results were somewhat satisfactory. Even though the vial of Blackline Snake blood didn't fully quench its thirst, the Dragonvine still exhibited pleasing changes, no longer appearing as withered as before.

"It looks like I'll need to find blood from higher-grade snakes with larger volumes in the future," Lu Xuan observed, gazing at the Dragonvine maintaining its black-red hue, sensing the noticeable increase in vitality within.

For the next three days, Lu Xuan remained secluded within the courtyard, dedicating all his energy to nurturing spiritual plants and tending to spiritual beasts.

The house was stocked with spiritual rice, demonic beast meat, and other common supplies, enough to sustain him for a while, eliminating worries about daily life.

Within these three days, out of the last thirty-nine Pure Snow Lotus plants, thirteen entered a fully mature state.

Among them, five were of good quality, six were superior, and two were perfect.

As cultivation brought rewards, the thirteen white orbs brought Lu Xuan thirteen rewards.

His overall cultivation advanced by two years, further solidifying his sixth-level Qi cultivation. Additionally, he gained four first-tier talismans, three skill experience packages for Earth Attraction, Wood Growth, and the Golden Sword Technique.

Finally, there were two Primordial Nourishing Pill formulas, which Lu Xuan absorbed, enhancing his theoretical knowledge of refining Primordial Nourishing Pills.

On the Crimson Cloud Pine, among the remaining four Crimson Cloud Pine seeds, two were about to enter a fully mature state.

Of course, harvesting them now was possible. However, given Lu Xuan's ability to perceive the subtle states of spiritual plants, he knew the pine seeds hadn't reached their optimal maturity.

Harvesting prematurely or too late would slightly affect the seeds' quality and consequently the rewards the white orbs would bring.

Thus, he could only pick them at the most suitable time.

Lu Xuan decided to leave two seeds for now, determined to check on them again the next morning.

As night fell, the world grew quiet.

The spiritual field lay shrouded under a thin layer of spiritual energy, seemingly entering a slumber with the night. Only the grass puppet, dragging its slender gray grass legs, patrolled between the rows of the field.

A figure, akin to drifting smoke, arrived at the formation array.

Coming to a halt, a masked cultivator, draped in night garb and obscuring their face, silently observed the thin veil of spiritual energy protecting the area.

"It should be here."

"I wonder what Daoist Zhou was thinking, a third-level Qi cultivator like that, lacking the confidence to come alone and instead spending spirit stones to hire me for a visit."

"Looks like spending too much time cultivating these spiritual plants each day, surrounded by those flora and fauna, has dulled his edge."

"But according to him, this freelance cultivation master is highly valued by the Hundred Herbs Hall, cultivating many rare spiritual herbs in this field. After dealing with him, everything here will be mine."

Several thoughts crossed the cultivator's mind as they retrieved a shimmering talisman from their storage pouch.

"To avoid alerting other cultivators and attracting the law enforcement patrols, I'll have to use this second-tier Broken Spirit Talisman."

Generally, there are three methods to break a formation array.

One is by a formation array expert proficient in its intricacies.

Secondly, through specialized talismans or artifacts to swiftly dismantle it.

Lastly, sheer force; despite the array's complexity, one forcefully penetrates it.

With his cultivation at the fifth level, breaking a first-tier formation array wasn't overly challenging using brute force. However, it would cause a significant disturbance, easily sparking attention.

Hence, the masked cultivator had no choice but to resort to the second-tier talisman.

Every formation array operates via specific spiritual energy channels. The higher the tier, the more complex and diverse these channels, often containing unique characteristics.

This second-tier talisman swiftly identified the energy flow of a first-tier or lower formation, revealing its weaknesses and facilitating easy dismantling, saving considerable time.

As the talisman's glow intensified, it seamlessly melded into the thin spiritual veil. Soon, faint wisps of spiritual energy began emerging on the rounded energy veil, moving in an enigmatic and intricate pattern.

The masked cultivator's eyes gleamed, swiftly discerning a flaw in this first-tier protective array after several breaths.

Within moments, they effortlessly passed through the array, entering the spiritual field.

In the hazy darkness, the sight was of numerous Pure Snow Lotus plants, their slender leaves shimmering like stars.

"Thirty or so mature Pure Snow Lotus plants, just these alone surpass the value of the Broken Spirit Talisman I used."

Light as a feather, the masked cultivator darted through the field towards a nearby building, scanning the various spiritual plants on both sides of the field.

Given that the target was merely a third-level Qi cultivator, they didn't pay much heed to them, focusing more on the plethora of spiritual plants within the field, already considering them theirs.

"About twenty first-tier Blood Jade Ginseng plants; they seem in good condition and should fetch a fair sum at Daoist Zhou's place. After all, he promised to only require the cultivation manual from this cultivator."

"These three plants should be the second-tier Clear Spirit Tea he mentioned. Seems he was unable to compete with this third-level freelance cultivator."

"Hmm, what's this?"

The masked cultivator slowed, their attention drawn to a particular spiritual herb.

Around two feet tall, jet-black in color, the herb stood erect in the spiritual soil, resembling a sword with faint threads of sword intent swirling within the surrounding soil.

Even without prior experience in cultivating spiritual plants, the cultivator could tell its rarity at a glance.

"And this vine, it looks like a dead snake."

From sword-like herbs to vine-like snakes and numerous Pure Snow Lotus plants, Blood Jade Ginseng, and three precious Clear Spirit Tea seedlings...

"This trip wasn't in vain at all."

The masked cultivator grinned, relishing the unexpected abundance and quality of the spiritual plants in the freelancer's field.

"After dealing with this small-time freelancer, all these will be mine."

Their pace quickened, and a short, ink-black blade appeared before them.

The blade trembled slightly, seemingly ready to thrust through the walls and pierce the target within.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, several thin grass ropes surged out from the field behind them, entwining around the masked cultivator's ankles and arms like festering lesions on bone.

The ink-black blade transformed into a streak of black light, encircling the grass ropes and slicing them into pieces.

Following the cultivator's guidance, the blade also severed the limbs made of the grass puppet's gray grass.

"It's just a straw puppet, albeit a bit more aggressive."

Relieved at having dismantled the puppet's limbs, the masked cultivator relaxed.

---------------