You Cultivate, I Farm

The next day, Lu Xuan inspected the spiritual field, nurturing various spirit plants using low-level techniques. He watched the grass puppet slowly moving within the field.

"You haven't been wandering in the field all night, have you? Stop, stop."

The grass puppet continued its slow movement, extending its straw-like legs.

Only after Lu Xuan returned indoors did it realize, halting in its tracks with its straw head facing the spiritual field.

"I plan to go out for a bit. Would you like to come along?"

After entering the house, Lu Xuan addressed the jade-eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx lying on the ground.

"Meow..."

The lynx cub strained its voice, letting out a low cry, its eyes calm as it walked to the doorway.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan understood it was the lynx's habitual aloofness, yet deep down, it longed to accompany him.

Sure enough, as he reached out to grab its fur, the cub symbolically struggled a bit before obediently settling on Lu Xuan's shoulder.

Four snow-white clouds clasped Lu Xuan's clothes, two pointed ears perked up, while wisps of gray-white fur atop the ears swayed in the breeze.

The meat and rice for the spiritual beasts at home were running low. Lu Xuan intended to buy some from the market.

With the addition of three Red Whiskered Carps and the Cloud-Stepping Lynx on his shoulder, the consumption of spiritual beast meat and rice had increased. While he tended to their needs, he hoped for better rewards once they matured.

As for the nine mature Spirit Firefly Grass, he temporarily decided against selling them to the Hundred Herbs Hall. He stored them in a white jade box in his storage bag, intending to handle them together once their quantity increased.

Arriving at the market, Lu Xuan perused through various stalls, hoping to find unknown spiritual species and beast eggs, but luck wasn't on his side.

With a calm demeanor, he entered a shop and purchased twenty pounds of the lowest-grade spiritual rice and five pounds of demonic beast meat, totaling a dozen or so spirit stones.

After this, he had around eighty spirit stones left.

Once he stored the rice and meat in his bag, Lu Xuan was about to leave when suddenly, a huge demonic bird flapped its wings overhead.

The bird's wingspan was about thirty yards, casting a large shadow on the ground.

"That's the Wang family's third-grade demonic beast, the Iron Feathered Eagle, raised for over a hundred years. Its strength equals that of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Looks like they're returning after exploring a new secret realm."

In the market, a knowledgeable cultivator whispered.

As expected, shortly after the Iron Feathered Eagle passed, various demonic birds and flying vessels flew over the market.

Eventually, they settled in a wide plaza several hundred yards away.

Lu Xuan followed the crowd, observing from a distance.

"That's Wang Wenhong, with a high-level Qi Cultivation. Among the young talents of the Wang family, his cultivation is among the highest. Heard he was taken for training in the wilderness."

A composed young man emerged from the plaza, holding a crimson longsword emitting a faint aura.

"I wonder what experiences these Wang family cultivators had in the secret realm? They all seem solemn."

"Don't be suspicious; it's just a routine supply and rest."

Discussions among wandering cultivators filled the market, and Lu Xuan blended in, observing carefully.

Apart from the Wang family's group of returning cultivators, there were also hundreds of wandering cultivators. Many of them didn't carry storage bags, but their bulging waistbands indicated a fruitful harvest.

Each cultivator wore a tense expression, filled with suspicion, post-event anxiety, and a heavy demeanor...

Lu Xuan glanced around but didn't spot Zhang Hong. Yet, he wasn't particularly worried about Zhang's safety. After all, Zhang had returned not long ago, and the journey was distant, unlikely for him to waste time on frequent trips.

Quietly slipping out of the crowd, he thought:

"With so many cultivators returning, the market will likely have a lot of good things these days. I should keep a close watch."

Back home, he arranged the spiritual rice and demonic beast meat carefully and warned the lynx cub not to sneak into the kitchen; otherwise, it would lose its treats.

In the afternoon, Wang Shan paid a visit.

As soon as he entered, the lynx cub glared fiercely at him, emitting a low growl.

"Meow~!"

"This is a demonic beast I bought at the market a while ago. It's wild and might have disturbed Wang Daoist; I apologize for that."

Lu Xuan gently patted the lynx cub's head, signaling it to calm down, and smiled at Wang Shan.

"No problem, Brother Lu seems quite lively. Keeping such a demonic beast, though, this lynx cub seems to have rather unique eyes."

"It's just appearances, nothing extraordinary."

Lu Xuan casually remarked.

"As for keeping this little thing, it's mainly to guard the house. Besides, staying alone at home for too long can get boring; having something to accompany me is always better."

"I'm not like Brother Wang, surrounded by beauty day and night, forgetting everything."

Lu Xuan teased.

After some time apart, Wang Shan's face glowed even brighter.

"Hahaha!"

Wang Shan burst into laughter.

"I came to remind you, Little Brother Lu..."

"This time, with hundreds of wandering cultivators returning from the wilderness with various treasures, it's likely to cause envy and conflicts. They're at their most sensitive, and conflicts are prone to arise."

"In the northern area today, there have already been two fights, resulting in the deaths of three wandering cultivators."

"Besides that, there are sinister spirits lurking in the wilderness. They might sneak in with these returning cultivators. Little Brother Lu, please be more cautious."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Wang."

Lu Xuan expressed his gratitude.

Regardless of the external situation, he would remain within his courtyard, nurturing spirit plants.

If any cultivator intended to disturb his peaceful farming life, they wouldn't have an easy time.

After conversing for a bit, Wang Shan went on patrol through the streets of the northern area.

Lu Xuan sealed off his courtyard from the outside with an array.

Not long after, a soft voice sounded from outside the courtyard.

"Little Brother Lu, are you home?"

It was the concubine of Wang Shan.

Lu Xuan opened the door, and the stunning Wang's concubine stood gracefully, her loose robe unable to conceal her curvy figure. Her lowered eyes, when lifted, shimmered like ripples on water, exuding a charming aura.

"Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"

Lu Xuan inquired.

"There's something strange in my house, always making peculiar sounds. I'm afraid alone; could Little Brother Lu come over and take a look?"

Wang's concubine appeared timid, as if she were a frightened rabbit, ready to dart away at the slightest disturbance.

A peculiar smile crept onto Lu Xuan's lips.

A newlywed couple, where the husband is preoccupied with duties, and the wife encounters trouble at home, ultimately seeks the aid of a young neighbor.

Why does this plot seem so familiar?

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