I Practice Farming While the Rest Cultivates

Lu Xuan landed outside the Cave Abode and had just opened the Formation when a bolt of lightning rapidly rushed towards him.

As the lightning dissipated, it revealed the ghost-like enemy named Thunder, his face naturally twisted into a mocking grimace.

He excitedly beat a large drum formed by the tumors on his waist, and bursts of thunder followed one after another.

Lu Xuan threw him a few Thunderstorm Lotus Seeds and caught sight of two Grass Puppets, their slender legs stepping out and creating trailing afterimages.

Upon reaching Lu Xuan, the Grass Puppets stared intently at him with their hollow eye sockets, their thoughts filled with joy.

Immediately thereafter, Spirit Beasts such as the Rock-shell Turtle and the Fire Separation Flood Dragon, all of which had stayed inside the Cave Abode, came rushing over in a competition of sorts.

"It seems these years have treated you all well under the care of the Grass Puppets and the ghost-like enemy named Thunder."

Lu Xuan looked at the numerous robust and well-fed Spirit Beasts, his lips curving into a smile.

"How has the Cave Abode been these years?"

He turned and asked the ghost-like enemy named Thunder, who was still savoring the Thunderstorm Lotus Seeds.

"Master, when you had just left, some 'Cultivators' came to visit. Once they learned you were not here, the arrivals slowly dwindled."

"Just in recent years, a few more people appeared. They only looked around outside and did not attempt to enter the Cave Abode."

The ghost-like enemy named Thunder said in an eerie voice.

Lu Xuan nodded lightly, and just as he was about to check the Spirit Plants in the Spirit Field, he suddenly felt a presence and looked up into the sky.

"Fellow Lu, how come you didn't inform this old man when you returned to the Heavenly Star Cave?"

A cosmic river of thunderbolts swept over from the distance, the myriad tribulation thunders appearing and disappearing intermittently. The figure of a middle-aged 'Cultivator,' wearing a High Crown and exuding a commanding presence, came into view.

It was the Thunderfire True Monarch, who governs the Thunderfire Star Cave. Lu Xuan had once attended his millennium birthday.

"So it's Fellow Lei Huo. Lu Mou has just returned and planned on visiting you after handling some minor affairs in the Cave Abode."

Lu Xuan's figure flashed, and he directly ascended into the sky to greet and salute the Lord of Thunderfire Star.

"Hahaha, I have long heard that Fellow Daoist's Spirit Brew is unmatched in the Cultivation World. Instead of choosing a date, why not seize the day and ask for a few cups of your Spirit Brew right here."

The Lord of Thunderfire Star laughed heartily.

"Welcome, welcome."

Lu Xuan and the Lord of Thunderfire Star descended together.

"Young ones greet True Monarch Lu Xuan!"

Several familiar figures appeared before Lu Xuan, offering him respectful salutations.

Among them was one whom Lu Xuan knew very well, none other than Qi Wuheng Star Envoy, with whom he had many interactions.

"Please rise, fellow Daoists."

Lu Xuan said with a smile.

"Fellow Qi, it's been many years. Your Cultivation Level has become increasingly profound, and you must be close to reaching Golden Core Completion."

Lu Xuan quietly conversed with Qi Wuheng.

"Compared to you, senior, that's but a light of a firefly."

Qi Wuheng responded, clearly flattered.

While he appeared calm on the surface, his mind was overwhelmed with countless thoughts and mixed emotions.

He still remembered the first time he met Lu Xuan. Back then, Lu Xuan was merely a Foundation Establishment Perfect cultivator whose long-cared-for Spirit Bird had shown abnormalities, prompting him to seek help from Lu Xuan, a Spirit Plant Master residing in the Thunderfire Star Cave.

That encounter had led to their acquaintance.

Initially, there was a great disparity between their statuses. At that time, Qi Wuheng had already reached the Mid-term of the Nascent Soul stage and was also the Thunderfire Star Cave Envoy, wielding considerable authority within the Thunderfire Star Cave.

And Lu Xuan was merely a Loose Cultivator, having gained some fame in the Thunderfire Star Cave with his incomparable Spirit Plant Mastery.

However, Lu Xuan's rise was astoundingly swift thereafter.

First, he became a Spirit Plant Minister for the Sea Tower Commerce Association and then successfully broke through to the Core Formation Realm.

Afterwards, his advances were unstoppable. His cultivation stabilized and rose, his Spirit Plant Mastery becoming renowned throughout the Liyang Region.

Ultimately, he was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Dongxuan Sword Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple, rising meteorically to become a Primordial Infant True Monarch.

"About a hundred years ago, I advanced from the mid-term of the Nascent Soul stage to almost reaching the Golden Core Completion,"

"Such a pace of cultivation wouldn't be considered particularly slow, even among the large sects."

"However, compared to True Monarch Lu Xuan, I truly seem lackluster."

Qi Wuheng was filled with myriad emotions.

The once cautious and meticulous Spirit Plant Master Loose Cultivator had grown to a point where even the Lord of Thunderfire Star would actively seek his favor.

Lu Xuan arranged an additional courtyard for Qi Wuheng and a few others, asking him to help entertain several other Star Envoys, while he himself accompanied the Lord of Thunderfire Star.

"Last time, I thank you, Fellow Lei Huo, for coming to participate in my Nascent Soul celebration ceremony,"

Lu Xuan raised his cup and said.

"It was only right,"

"Fellow Lu has many connections with the Heavenly Star Cave, especially the Thunderfire Star Cave. Advancing to the Nascent Soul is a significant event; naturally, I came to congratulate my fellow."

The Lord of Thunderfire Star said amicably.

His Cultivation Level was a minor realm higher than Lu Xuan's, yet he spoke with great politeness.

Although Lu Xuan had just advanced to the Nascent Soul, he was from the Dongxuan Sword Sect, a man of respected status, and had been highly valued by the Sword Sect even during his Condensing Pill Realm, let alone now as a Primordial Infant True Monarch.

The two chatted idly for a while when another Star Master, who had acquainted with Lu Xuan on several occasions, hurried over upon hearing the news.

"Being early doesn't match the convenience of being timely. Fellow Lu, since our last meeting, I didn't expect to see you advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm,"

A middle-aged cultivator with a Deep Yellow Jade Belt tied around his waist appeared outside the cave abode.

"Lu Xuan pays respects to Wutu True Monarch."

Lu Xuan laughed as he welcomed the Wutu Star Owner inside.

He hadn't expected his return to the Heavenly Star Cave would draw proactive visits from two Star Masters.

"Wutu Fellow, please."

He poured a full cup of Green Condensation Dew for the Wutu Star Master.

"By the way, Fellow Lu, these years, Wutu Star Cave has accumulated some Genkun Wutu Soil, suitable for cultivating various high-rank Spirit Plants. I wonder if you need some?"

During a tasting of Spirit Brew, the Wutu Star Master actively inquired.

"Genkun Wutu Soil, such a rare Spirit Soil, is irresistible to every Spirit Plant Master, including Lu Mou,"

"The more Genkun Wutu Soil you have, the better, as much as you can spare,"

Lu Xuan earnestly said.

"Alright, then I will send it over to Fellow Lu in a few days."

The Wutu Star Master said with a smile.

After sitting a little while longer, the two stood up to leave.

Qi Wuheng and others followed closely, leaving the cave abode with their own Star Master.

Lu Xuan watched their figures disappear into the endless thunder light.

Turning around to enter the cave abode, he was intending to carefully inspect the multitude of Spirit Plants in the Spirit Field when a familiar voice resounded from outside.

"Guo Bingqiu pays respects to True Monarch Lu Xuan!"

His Divine Sense swept over, and a refined-looking elderly man was standing respectfully at the entrance.

It was indeed Guo Bingqiu, who had a certain friendship with Lu Xuan, with their cave abodes not far from each other and frequents visits between them.

He looked much healthier than before, seemingly largely recovered from the severe injuries inflicted by the demonic forces.

However, his Cultivation Level hadn't visibly improved, still being in the Golden Core Late Stage Realm.

"Fellow Guo, long time no see."

Just as Guo Bingqiu thought that Lu Xuan would refuse to meet, a familiar figure quietly appeared before him.

"Met True Monarch Lu Xuan."

Feeling the profound and ocean-like aura emanating from Lu Xuan, the rumors of his advancement to the Nascent Soul were finally confirmed. Guo Bingqiu secretly adjusted his breathing and bowed deeply again, respectfully making his salutation.