You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 372: Bizarre Spiritual Plants

"Oh? Brother Lu, what do you mean by that? Can cultivation levels even be fake?"

The middle-aged scholar looked puzzled.

"Cultivation levels are indeed real, but the difference between mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators can be significant," Lu Xuan gently shook his head.

"Brother Yang should know me quite well. I spend my days with spiritual plants and rarely leave the sect, not to mention venturing into secret realms or hunting demonic beasts."

Yang Qingfeng nodded in agreement.

He had known Lu Xuan for many years, and their encounters were always related to spiritual plants and beasts. Whenever he invited Lu Xuan to explore a secret realm, Lu Xuan politely declined.

Yang Qingfeng knew well that Lu Xuan's expertise in cultivating spiritual plants was profound, rivaling even those of mid to late Foundation Establishment or even true disciples within the sect.

"I have some talent in cultivating spiritual plants, and I love this craft deeply. Over the years, I've earned quite a few spirit stones and Sword Commands."

"However, the spirit stones and Sword Commands I've earned were mostly spent on elixirs to enhance my spiritual power, leaving me with little."

"However, this method has its pros and cons. The advantage is a rapid increase in cultivation level, but the downside is the lack of mastery in several techniques and not having a single decent magical instrument or talisman. That's why I say I have the cultivation level but lack the substance."

"If I were to face an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, I might not even be his match."

Lu Xuan, without a hint of embarrassment, crafted a rather reasonable excuse for himself.

"If you're not good at combat, then you can only rely on your cultivation level to suppress your opponent," the middle-aged scholar pondered for a moment before speaking diplomatically.

"That's why I don't venture out much, all due to a bit of self-awareness."

"However, it's quite nice to stay in the sect. Having a stable environment to cultivate spiritual plants satisfies me greatly."

"After breaking through to mid-Foundation Establishment, the spiritual liquid in my dantian has increased significantly, which is perfect for cultivating higher-grade and more numerous spiritual plants," Lu Xuan smiled.

Yang Qingfeng mistook his smile for a bitter one and consoled him:

"Indeed, many outer disciples in the sect can't break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Those lucky enough to advance often remain at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Brother Lu, by making further progress to mid-Foundation Establishment, you have already surpassed many of your peers."

"No matter how you achieved your breakthrough, your cultivation and spiritual power are genuine. It will be much easier for you to practice techniques and compete for treasures in the future."

"Haha, let's talk about the future later. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to encounter many opportunities."

"Brother, let's go see those Ink-Scale Flood Dragons."

Lu Xuan suggested.

The two arrived at the edge of the island, where Yang Qingfeng summoned the playful family of Ink-Scale Flood Dragons from afar.

Lu Xuan watched the harmonious family of Ink-Scale Flood Dragons with a mysterious smile on his face.

Then, he took out a blood-drawing tool, the Red Thread Needle, from his storage bag. With a thought, a tiny red light instantly penetrated the relaxed belly of an Ink-Scale Flood Dragon.

"This mixed-blood Ink-Scale Flood Dragon indeed looks extraordinary."

While drawing blood from the Flood Dragon mixed with the exquisite Chi Dragon bloodline, Lu Xuan noticed its uniqueness.

As the Ink-Scale Flood Dragon continued to grow, the essence of the exquisite Chi Dragon within it gradually awakened, enveloping the Flood Dragon in a faint aura of clarity. Any mundane evil or filth that approached would likely be purified directly by it.

"Such excellent blood must be put to good use. When the time is right, it can be used to cultivate a fifth-grade Blood Woe Flower."

Lu Xuan thought to himself, allowing the jade bottle to collect blood for a few more breaths, thereby extracting a little over half a bottle more.

This amount of blood was negligible for the large mixed-blood Ink-Scale Flood Dragon, and Yang Qingfeng, standing by, did not notice Lu Xuan's subtle action.

After drawing blood from all the Flood Dragons and Chi Dragons, Lu Xuan stayed on the island and exchanged insights on beast taming and cultivation experiences with Yang Qingfeng.

Returning to his cave dwelling, Lu Xuan was about to activate the Flowing Light Formation when he paused.

A bizarrely shaped insect floated in front of him.

The odd insect was short and stout, with a head that occupied most of its body, featuring a huge eye that stared unblinkingly at Lu Xuan.

In less than a moment, two

figures arrived together.

One had an ethereal aura, with one black and one white pupil, while the other wore a robe woven from numerous thin insects, appearing somewhat dull and reticent.

They were two true disciples Lu Xuan knew: Ge Pu, who raised the Yin-Yang Kun Fish, and Zhong Jingshan, skilled in insect taming.

"Brother Lu, I left a message talisman for you. When you didn't respond, I had Brother Zhong leave a lookout outside your cave dwelling. As soon as you returned, we both knew immediately," Ge Pu explained the situation to Lu Xuan.

"Please, come inside," Lu Xuan welcomed the two into his dwelling and served them spiritual fruits and tea.

Zhong Jingshan looked around expressionlessly, clearly searching for a particular Heart-Eating Poison Insect with a unique constitution. Sensing something, the larva suddenly emerged and scurried to Lu Xuan's feet.

It seemed to smell something, turned its head towards Zhong Jingshan, and sniffed in his direction but remained by Lu Xuan's side.

The larva had been equally nurtured by both, but with Lu Xuan, it could easily neutralize ingested poisons and toxins, far more comfortably than in the Bug Valley.

"Brother Zhong, the larva is doing quite well here, without any life-threatening conditions," Lu Xuan voluntarily explained, not worried that Zhong Jingshan would take the larva back.

As expected, Zhong Jingshan nodded, indicating he was reassured.

"You've taken good care of it."

He probably understood the unique constitution of the Heart-Eating Poison Insect larva. Unable to sustain the larva's life amid various adverse reactions, he had no choice but to entrust it to Lu Xuan, hoping for a miracle.

Now, seeing the larva thriving, he was relieved and had no further concerns.

"Brother Lu, the taste of your brewed spirit sap is truly unique. I must ask you for a jug later," Ge Pu said after sipping the Hundred-Fruit Spirit Sap.

"Both of you, take a jug of Hundred-Fruit Spirit Sap with you when you leave. I still have some here," Lu Xuan quickly offered.

Ge Pu thanked him, then solemnly took out a spiritual plant from his storage bag.

The plant was bizarre in shape, with roots of varying lengths wriggling like limbs. The trunk featured cracks of different sizes, all edged with sharp serrations. The extending branches flailed in the air, attempting to pierce through the spiritual energy barrier Ge Pu casually erected and hit him directly.

"Brother Lu, you are skilled in the way of spiritual plants. What do you think of this plant?" he asked, holding the odd plant towards Lu Xuan.

"It's quite bizarre. Its vitality is extremely strong, and it has such aggressive attack power, as if it's not a plant but a demonic beast," Lu Xuan furrowed his brows and slowly said.