You Cultivate, I Farm

"I just want to peacefully tend to my fields. Why disrupt my life?" Lu Xuan had this indifferent approach after obtaining the unique aura of the spiritual field.

He no longer sought every possible means to compete for vague opportunities amidst countless wandering cultivators.

Hence, he declined Zhang Hong and the Hundred Herbs Hall's invitation to explore the realm.

Usually, he remained amiable but rarely ventured outside.

When Wang Shan fell under malevolent influence, potentially disturbing Lu Xuan's tranquil life, he felt compelled to take proactive measures.

"So, who should I report Wang Shan to?"

"It must be someone significantly stronger than him yet not closely associated."

After pondering for a while, Lu Xuan recalled an incident where Wang Shan had vehemently criticized a superior while drinking together.

He had considered using his connection with the Hundred Herbs Hall, but eventually refrained. After all, his recent collaboration with them held little weight, and he didn't know any influential figures. His only acquaintance, Steward He, held a modest position.

"Another point to note is to conceal my identity well, lest it backfires on me instead of successfully reporting him."

With a target for his report in mind, Lu Xuan discreetly gathered information and began preparations.

At Lin Yangfang Market, in the northern district's Enforcement Hall, a vast structure sprawled across more than ten acres. Inside, spiritual energy abounded, hosting a variety of exotic flora.

Sitting at a table, Ling Peng flipped through a tome on refining artifacts.

He preferred solitude and intentionally chose an office in the Enforcement Hall's vicinity, with a window overlooking a lush spiritual tree, finding solace in its view to relax his eyes.

One of the high-level Qi cultivators in the Enforcement Hall, Ling Peng mostly presided within unless there was a large-scale malevolent invasion.

Suddenly, he murmured in surprise as a shield covered in gray-black scales flashed out from a storage pouch, swirling around him.

Simultaneously, a golden stream of light, arrow-like, shot into the room the moment the gray-black shield appeared.

"Ding!"

Contrary to Ling Peng's expectations, the golden light didn't head toward him. Instead, it pierced into the ceiling beam, lingering persistently.

"Who dares to audaciously attack an Enforcement Hall cultivator?"

Ling Peng's expression turned slightly furious as the shield autonomously swirled around him, channeling his spiritual power to its maximum.

Several breaths passed without any external commotion.

With a perplexed expression, Ling Peng gazed at the golden sword energy lingering on the ceiling beam.

"This sword energy has persisted for so long. It suggests the cultivator behind possesses exceptional mastery in swordsmanship."

Sighing, Ling Peng noticed a palm-sized white paper nailed to the beam by the golden sword energy.

Dispelling the golden sword energy, he controlled the paper using telekinesis and brought it before him.

The paper bore two lines of deliberately crooked handwriting.

"Wang Shan might be contaminated by malevolence, and Tang Xiaodong responsible for patrols likely deliberately covers it up."

Ling Peng quietly read the lines.

A dark red flame suddenly appeared beneath the paper, slightly singeing it.

"Is this information true or a prank?"

"I remember Wang Shan as a mid-level Qi cultivator in our hall, at the fifth stage of Qi cultivation. If even he's tainted by malevolence, trouble might brew in the Enforcement Hall."

"The likelihood of this being a prank is too low."

Contemplating the faint traces of the golden sword energy on the beam, Ling Peng deduced:

"The cultivator behind this sword energy acted silently, undetectable even by my high-level Qi perception until it neared. The lingering sword energy, fierce in momentum, yet leaving only faint traces."

"It indicates at least a decade of immersion in swordsmanship, mastering a high level of sword energy, likely at the high-level Qi cultivation stage. After all, for a mid-level Qi cultivator to possess such swordsmanship is quite challenging."

"Therefore, I need to investigate and keep an eye on both of them."

Ling Peng made a decision in secret.

Bounding onto a crimson flying sword nearby, he circled around the Enforcement Hall, finding no suspicious individuals.

Meanwhile, not far away on a cobblestone path, Lu Xuan strolled leisurely. Soon, a powerful spiritual sense swept over him.

With the help of his concealment technique, Lu Xuan only revealed his cultivation at the third stage of Qi refinement. The spiritual sense found nothing amiss and dissipated swiftly.

Walking at a steady pace, Lu Xuan displayed no hint of panic.

"With the proficiency of the Golden Sword Technique at the mastery level, the high-level Qi cultivator, likely associated with Wang Shan, will seriously consider my warning. At least, they'll be more cautious about Wang Shan."

"As for Tang Xiaodong, who greedily took my spirit stones, I'll trip him up a bit. When the opportunity arises, I'll confront him only after my strength surpasses his."

Lu Xuan reviewed his reporting actions.

With his concealment technique, he silently approached the target cultivator, deployed the Golden Sword Technique at its mastery level to convey the warning, masqueraded as a third-stage Qi cultivator to evade potential scrutiny.

"Now, let's see if it yields results."

At this point, whether Wang Shan's malevolent contamination had been discovered or not, Lu Xuan could only adapt and observe how the situation unfolded.

"Firefly Grass, Crimson Cloud Pine, Sword Grass, mature quickly."

Returning to the courtyard, Lu Xuan gazed at dozens of nearly mature Firefly Grass, five Crimson Cloud Pines growing larger and darker, and the Sword Grass standing tall like blades. It brought him a sense of reassurance.

"As long as these spiritual plants mature, I'll accumulate strength continuously. If Wang Shan's malevolence poses a threat, I'll handle it myself."

At the edge of the Spirit Spring Pool, a Cloud-Stepping Lynx unearthed an odd insect from somewhere.

Dropping the insect, it caused a commotion among the three Red Whiskered Carps vying for it. Swiftly, a pair of white feet darted, retrieving the insect and grasping one of the carps by its whiskers.

"You're not supposed to catch fish, aren't you obedient? Want a spanking?"

Seeing this, Lu Xuan couldn't resist playfully patting the Lynx's pointed ears.

With a nonchalant gaze, the Lynx released the Red Whiskered Carp back into the pool, then moved aside, manipulating the nearly lifeless insect in the furrow of the spiritual field.

Worried about upsetting it with his earlier action, Lu Xuan concentrated on it.

"Meow~ Master touched me again today~"

"This little guy..."

Lu Xuan chuckled silently, realizing the Lynx caught the carp to attract his attention, even if it meant getting scolded.

Suddenly struck by an idea, he approached the Grass Puppet patrolling the spiritual field.

The Grass Puppet trod the same path, slowly circling the field.

"After absorbing the essence of the grass spirit, the Grass Puppet changed significantly, even showing some signs of sentience. I wonder what its immediate state is."

Curious, Lu Xuan focused his mind on the gray-black body of the Grass Puppet.

"Guard the spiritual field!"

"Guard the spiritual field!"

"Guard the spiritual field!"

...

Repeated phrases echoed in Lu Xuan's mind throughout the day.

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