Chapter 11
Even though the Lunar Erosion Tree brought only a fragment of a top-grade artifact, the Fractured Silver Blade, requiring additional collection to complete, Lu Xuan remained quite content.
In the realm of cultivation, among resources of the same grade, alchemical formulas and cultivation techniques hold the highest value, followed by formations, artifacts, elixirs, and talismans. Lastly, various cultivation materials like spirit herbs, ores, and the flesh of demonic beasts.
The Lunar Erosion Tree was just a lower-grade spiritual plant. Still, even a fragment of an artifact was considered a pleasant surprise.
He watched the three silver-white thin pieces dancing around his body, eagerly anticipating the moment they would combine to form the Fractured Silver Blade.
That day, within the courtyard undisturbed by cultivators for a while, a voice echoed.
Outside the courtyard, a slightly anxious yet gentle voice called out, "Lu Xiaoge, are you home?"
Lu Xuan recognized the voice as Zhang Hong's wife.
He hadn't seen her much, only during visits to Zhang Hong's home. She was a graceful and gentle woman named Xu Wan, at the second level of Qi cultivation.
Lu Xuan opened the courtyard gate, spotting Xu Wan looking somewhat weary.
"Sister-in-law, is something the matter? Please, come in and explain."
"No need, Lu Xiaoge. There's indeed a trouble I need your help with."
Seeing Lu Xuan, Xu Wan's hurried breath eased a bit.
"I heard from Zhang that you encountered budworm larvae in your spiritual field and had to spend a considerable amount of spirit stones to get someone to handle it."
"Lately, many wandering cultivators in the northern area have faced the same pest. Despite my precautions, the spiritual plants in our field were invaded by these larvae, and by the time we discovered it, the situation had worsened significantly."
"I wanted to ask if you know any wandering cultivators nearby capable of dealing with these budworm larvae and how much they'd charge?"
Lu Xuan pondered briefly, sharing the information he knew with Xu Wan.
"I know of three: Lingyun Fairy adept in flying needle artifacts, sword cultivator Li Xu who wields silk-like sword energy, and Qin Ming, skilled in ice-based spells. Among them, Qin Ming has the lowest price, asking for seven spirit stones with some room for negotiation."
"Seven spirit stones..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Wan's eyes revealed a hint of conflict. She bit her lip, hands nervously rubbing her abdomen.
Her husband, Zhang Hong, had used up most of their savings to be better prepared. Their child's expenses were substantial. Spending seven spirit stones to address the pest meant upcoming difficulties in even affording meals.
"Thank you, Lu Xiaoge."
She ultimately decided to hire someone to remove the budworm larvae, expressing gratitude to Lu Xuan and preparing to leave.
"Wait a moment."
Lu Xuan called out to Xu Wan, who turned back. He asserted, "Sister-in-law, I've made rapid progress in a certain technique recently. I'm fairly confident I can handle the budworm larvae. Why don't I take a look first?"
Zhang Xiuyuan, who had appeared beside Lu Xuan at some point, exclaimed loudly in admiration.
Lu Xuan stood up, displaying a calm demeanor in the admiring gaze of Zhang Xiuyuan.
"Mere budworm larvae are nothing to fuss over."
"Lu Xiaoge, thank you for your hard work. Please come inside for a hot cup of tea."
Seeing Lu Xuan easily resolve the issue that had troubled her, Xu Wan relaxed and invited him in.
After sending Zhang Xiuyuan to review his cultivation knowledge, Xu Wan retrieved five spirit stones from inside.
"Lu Xiaoge, I'm truly grateful to you. Please accept these five spirit stones."
"Sister-in-law, I can't accept these. Zhang helped me a lot before, and how could I take your spirit stones?"
Lu Xuan promptly declined.
Zhang Hong had been kind to him, and knowing Xu Wan's situation, living difficultly with Zhang Xiuyuan, he couldn't accept the five spirit stones.
"No, you've helped greatly, and I must insist! Finding someone else will cost me more. Giving you only five spirit stones is already a bargain."
Despite her delicate appearance, Xu Wan was quite assertive. She was determined for Lu Xuan to take the spirit stones.
Unable to refuse, Lu Xuan had an idea.
"How about this, Sister-in-law? I won't take the spirit stones, but I won't work for free either. If you have any unknown wild spiritual seeds at home, I'd appreciate one."
He
proposed a compromise. Zhang Hong often ventured into the wilderness; perhaps he had obtained some unknown spiritual seeds.
"An unknown spiritual seed? There is one, but I don't know the species, and its vitality is dwindling."
Xu Wan thought for a moment before saying, entering the house and soon returning with a Dry seed.
The seed resembled a small sword, its surface gray-black, clearly lying there for a considerable time.
"Your brother-in-law obtained two seeds long ago. After inquiring with other wandering cultivators, none recognized the species. He tried planting one, but it never sprouted, so he abandoned it."
"As for the remaining spiritual seed, unable to trade it for something valuable, it stayed at home, losing much of its vitality over time."
"In that case, I'll gladly take this spiritual seed."
Lu Xuan smiled as he examined the slender, Dry seed.
Having received the dried spiritual seed, he didn't linger, departing amidst Xu Wan's gratitude and Zhang Xiuyuan's reluctance.
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