https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-121-Wind-Falcon-Nurturing-the-Sword-Gourd/12543904/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-Nurturing-the-Ultimate-Sword-Qi/12543908/
Chapter 122: The Mystery of the Sword Grass
Chapter 122: The Mystery of the Sword Grass
"The Sword-Nurturing Gourd is an extremely rare third-grade spirit herb with offensive capabilities," Lu Chen marveled.
It was uncommon to come across spirit herbs that excelled in attack. Typically, spirit herbs were used primarily for pill refining, direct consumption to boost one's spiritual energy and purify evil influences, or healing. A small minority could also be used as materials for talisman and artifact forging.
"Senior, may I ask how many Sword Seals are required to exchange for a Sword-Nurturing Gourd spirit herb?" Lu Chen inquired of the elderly monk.
"Ninety Sword Seals," came the reply.
Lu Chen nodded thoughtfully. Even in the bustling markets of Linyang Fangshi, only a handful of third-grade spirit herbs were available at Wanbao Tower, each priced at no less than two to three hundred spirit stones.
And those were the more common varieties. A rare spirit herb like the Sword-Nurturing Gourd would easily fetch over five hundred spirit stones, if not more.
This was one of the perks of being affiliated with a major sect. With enough Sword Seals, one could acquire all sorts of high-grade and rare spirit herbs.
Lu Chen produced ninety Sword Seals and handed them over to the elderly monk. Soon after, the monk emerged from the inner hall and presented Lu Chen with a Sword-Nurturing Gourd spirit herb.
The spirit herb was a pale green, slender, and about an inch and a half long. At first glance, one might mistake it for a miniature sword.
"Thank you, Senior," Lu Chen said as he carefully took the seed and stored it away.
"By the way, Senior, before I joined the sect, I heard rumors of a highly mysterious and powerful spirit herb cultivated by the sect, known as the Sword Grass. However, I didn't see any mention of it in these jade catalogs," Lu Chen asked curiously.
"Ah, Sword Grass... That's something you can't obtain merely with Sword Seals, as there are also requirements regarding one's identity. Only inner disciples are qualified to cultivate it," the elderly monk explained.
"Despite being only a second-grade spirit herb, its cultivation difficulty surpasses that of ordinary third-grade spirit herbs, and its rarity goes without saying. Moreover, Sword Grass is intimately tied to many sect secrets. Being a natural sword in itself, it has, over generations, been cultivated by the sect's swordsmanship practitioners and spirit herb masters, giving rise to third and fourth-grade spirit herbs like the Sword Peacock and Sword Crow. Its importance is evident."
"Although you are skilled in spirit herb cultivation, Junior, and have already started cultivating the third-grade Sword-Nurturing Gourd, you will still need to wait some time before you can cultivate Sword Grass. Only after becoming an inner disciple will you be eligible," the elderly monk continued.
Having worked in the Agricultural Hall for many years, the monk was well-versed in the matter of Sword Grass, even if he didn't qualify to cultivate it himself.
Lu Chen hesitated, considering whether to reveal that he had already successfully cultivated a Sword Grass plant. After much deliberation, he decided to be truthful.
Disclosing his achievement would significantly enhance the value of his identity as a spirit herb master, earning him better spirit fields and spirit herbs.
Furthermore, by doing so, he might receive the white light group as a generous reward, along with additional cultivation resources and treasures.
This part could remain hidden, and he would only need to maintain his persona as a spirit herb master in his daily interactions.
"To be honest, Senior, before I joined the sect, I chanced upon a Sword Grass seed in a small market town. After some experimentation and exploration, I surprisingly discovered a method to cultivate it, and I successfully grew a Sword Grass plant," Lu Chen confessed in a low voice.
"Are you jesting, Junior? It's one thing to come across a Sword Grass spirit herb by chance, although it is rare for them to end up in the hands of outsiders. But to then figure out how to cultivate it?" The elderly monk looked incredulous, as if he had just heard something utterly unbelievable.
"Here, Senior, take a look. Is this not Sword Grass?"
The monk grunted softly, picking up the black Sword Grass from the table and examining it closely, occasionally tapping it gently with his finger to infuse it with spiritual energy.
"Although there are subtle differences from the ones I've seen before, it is indeed a Sword Grass without a doubt."
"And it's of superior quality?!"
The elderly monk exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Lu Chen, his brow furrowing.
The young man before him had somehow managed to cultivate a superior quality Sword Grass on his own!
He had some understanding of the method to cultivate Sword Grass, which could be summed up in a simple phrase: nurture and cultivate it with sword qi.
However, knowing this was easy, but executing it was extremely challenging. That simple phrase concealed many complex requirements.
Firstly, one needed to be a highly accomplished cultivator in the path of the sword, capable of meticulously controlling sword qi to meet the Sword Grass's unique needs.
Secondly, one had to be an experienced spirit herb cultivator, able to provide the Sword Grass with the appropriate sword qi at each stage of its growth, depending on its condition.
After all, the Sword Grass's body strength varied at each stage, and its demand for sword qi fluctuated constantly.
If the sword qi provided was too strong or excessive, it could damage the Sword Grass. Conversely, if the sword qi was too weak or insufficient, it would affect the quality of the Sword Grass and might even result in a malformed plant.
Yet, Lu Chen had somehow fulfilled these two immensely difficult conditions even before joining the Sky Sword Sect.
This caused the elderly monk to reevaluate his opinion of Lu Chen, and his tone inadvertently carried a hint of respect.
"I never expected Brother Lu to also be a genius spirit herb cultivator, figuring out how to cultivate Sword Grass on your own."
"With your talent, you will surely be valued by the elders and entrusted with important tasks. Don't forget about me, your senior brother, when that happens."
"Senior brother is too kind. I was just lucky," Lu Chen replied with a smile.
"Brother Lu, I will report your achievement of cultivating Sword Grass immediately.
However, the Sect Master is currently in closed-door meditation in the inner sect, so it might take a few days for the news to reach him. May I ask where your residence is located so that I can inform you once there's an update?" The elderly monk asked enthusiastically, eager to forge a connection with Lu Chen.
After all, anyone capable of cultivating such a rare and precious spirit herb on their own was destined for a bright future.
"Thank you, senior brother," Lu Chen replied, providing the location of his cave abode. Then, he took the Spirit-Nurturing Gourd spirit herb and left the Hall of Agriculture.
Outside the hall, he chose a tall and majestic spirit crane to carry him back to his abode.
The spirit crane flew swiftly, and in no time, they arrived at Lu Chen's abode, hovering above it.
Lu Chen jumped down lightly, paid the spirit crane with a spirit stone, and then opened the formation to enter the courtyard.
"I'm back," Lu Chen announced.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx pretended to have just heard him and gracefully strolled out of the house, its pair of emerald green eyes gazing indifferently at Lu Chen.
"Meow..."
It let out a low growl, indicating that it had heard him clearly, with a hint of displeasure in its tone.
Lu Chen tugged at the tuft of grayish-white fur on the tip of its ear and took out the Wind Falcon egg from his storage bag, placing it carefully on the ground.
"This is a new addition to our family. Remember not to bully it," Lu Chen instructed, looking at the lynx, which resembled a large cat.
He had seen plenty of videos of wild cats hunting birds in his past life, so he was giving the Cloud-Stepping Lynx a warning in advance.
(End of Chapter)
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