Chapter 130: Fierce Flame Fruit
Chapter 130: Fierce Flame Fruit
"Brother Xu is too kind, I was just lucky."
"Moreover, there were unexpected factors in the previous cultivation of the Sword Grass, and it's uncertain if it can be successfully cultivated again."
Lu Chen humbly replied.
"There's no doubt about it if it's Brother Lu. You must have a profound understanding of spirit herbs," the elderly monk said with a smile. Lu Chen's visits to the Agricultural Temple had left a deep impression on him, especially with his purchases of second-rate Luminous Timber and Silverlocust trees, and his later exchange of a third-rate Sword Gourd using his Sword Seal.
"I must also thank Brother Xu for his help with the Sword Grass." Lu Chen expressed his gratitude.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lu Chen bade farewell and returned to his cave abode.
Back in his room, he took out two Sword Grass spirit seeds from his storage bag and placed them on the table.
"To obtain two Sword Grass spirit seeds without spending a single sword seal, that Master of the Agricultural Temple is quite generous," he thought to himself.
He intended to cultivate these seeds with great care, aiming to improve their quality and thus enhance his standing in the eyes of the Agricultural Temple's master. Once he became an inner disciple, he would be eligible to cultivate a large number of Sword Grass plants.
Lu Chen made his way to the spirit herb field and chose an empty area. Using the Earth Drawing Technique, he planted the two Sword Grass spirit seeds separately.
[Sword Grass: A second-rate spirit herb that matures into a blade-like form. It is sharp and hard, naturally forming a sword that can be used directly or refined into a flying sword.]
After planting the seeds, Lu Chen focused his mind on them, and a stream of information flashed through his mind.
With a slight movement of his heart, a golden sword qi as thin as a hair drifted out from his body like a swimming fish, penetrating the shallow spirit soil and seeping into the Sword Grass spirit seed.
He then repeated the process with the second Sword Grass spirit seed, infusing it with a delicate thread of metal sword qi.
With the planting of these two Sword Grass spirit seeds, the number of high-grade spirit herbs in the spirit herb field had increased, requiring more time and spiritual energy for their cultivation.
However, Lu Chen found joy in this process and inspected the spirit herb field multiple times a day to ensure the healthy growth of the various spirit herbs.
He continued his task of raising the giant dragons and pythons in Thousand Dragon Lake. During this period, two first-rate giant pythons, known as Yi Fen, broke through to the second rate, earning Lu Chen a reward of twenty sword seals.
Among the remaining dragons, the second-rate two-headed dragon, now fed a sufficient and appropriate amount of demon beast meat, often ventured out with the other dragons and pythons to fight for territory, providing ample exercise. This regular exercise greatly increased the likelihood of it advancing to the third rate.
Riding on a spiritual crane, Lu Chen arrived at the Office of Miscellaneous Affairs.
Under the massive light screen, various task information flashed by, and many outer disciples waited below to select suitable tasks.
"Brother Lu, I didn't expect to run into you here." Just as Lu Chen was raising his head to gather information from the light screen, a familiar, steady voice sounded from nearby.
Turning toward the voice, he saw Xu Shaozhe smiling at him.
"It's Brother Xu," Lu Chen said as he walked over with a smile.
"Brother Lu, have you found a task to your liking?" Xu Shaozhe asked curiously, his face firm and resolute.
"Not yet," Lu Chen replied with a smile and a slight shake of his head.
Xu Shaozhe pondered for a moment upon seeing this.
"Why don't you join me in accepting a task? The task location is in a loose cultivator city outside the sect, where an evil presence has been detected. We need three to five people to go and eliminate it."
"Currently, we have three people accepting this task, and if Brother Lu joins us, our chances of success will be even higher."
Xu Shaozhe extended the invitation.
"Leaving the sect to eliminate an evil presence?
"Is that so? Then I won't force you, Brother Lu." Xu Shaozhe's expression remained unchanged, and seeing Lu Chen's firm refusal, he didn't press the issue further.
After Xu Shaozhe left, Lu Chen turned his attention to the myriad of task information displayed on the light screen.
According to Xu Shaozhe, there would be at least three people going to eliminate the evil presence, minimizing the risk and ensuring safety. However, Lu Chen preferred to stay within the sect, so he declined without hesitation.
Having already undertaken the long-term task of raising the dragon-like demon beasts in Thousand Dragon Lake, along with the numerous spirit herbs in his spirit herb field that required his attention, Lu Chen decided to forgo any tasks that would take up too much of his time.
After sifting through the options, he finally settled on a task involving the treatment of a spirit herb's illness.
"Fierce Flame Fruit Treatment Task. A cultivated Fierce Flame Fruit is experiencing abnormal growth, and a fellow disciple skilled in cultivating spirit herbs is needed to identify and resolve the issue."
"Task reward: thirty sword seals."
"Fierce Flame Fruit... if I remember correctly, it should be a second-rate spirit herb. The fruit it bears is rich in spiritual energy and not only tastes wonderful but also slightly enhances the cultivator's spiritual power."
Lu Chen recalled the information about the Fierce Flame Fruit and, without hesitation, used his spiritual sense to select the task on the light screen.
Instantly, the task transformed into a faint stream of light that flowed into Lu Chen's mind.
Following the instructions from the light, he found a spiritual crane outside the Office of Miscellaneous Affairs.
"Head to the Northern Peak," he instructed the crane.
The massive spiritual crane soared into the sky, carrying Lu Chen on its back as it flapped its wings powerfully, speeding toward the destination he had mentioned.
Soon, the crane landed on a towering peak.
Lu Chen fed it a spirit stone and then, according to the task information, began to navigate through the peaks.
This peak was much livelier than the one where Lu Chen's cave abode was located. Courtyards and pavilions were scattered everywhere, and disciples of the sect could often be seen riding on spiritual birds or flying with magical artifacts.
After winding his way through the peaks, Lu Chen arrived at a graceful and elegant courtyard.
"Senior sister, are you home? I'm here regarding the Fierce Flame Fruit task," Lu Chen called out gently as he knocked lightly on the wooden door.
"Coming, coming!"
A crisp voice rang out, and soon the door opened to reveal a female cultivator with a round face and a charming smile, dressed in apricot-yellow robes. "Please come in, junior brother. You may call me Senior Sister Chen, and what should I call you?"
"You can call me Junior Brother Lu," Lu Chen replied as he followed her inside.
"May I ask where the Fierce Flame Fruit is? I'd like to take a look first," Lu Chen said.
The courtyard was filled with all sorts of flowers and plants, and Lu Chen noticed that most of them were spirit fruits. It seemed that Senior Sister Chen had a particular fondness for them.
"Junior Brother Lu, don't worry. First, please have some of the spirit fruits I've cultivated," Senior Sister Chen said politely, leading Lu Chen into the main hall and soon returning with several dishes of spirit fruits, which she placed before Lu Chen.
Lu Chen thanked her and quietly sat down, popping a spirit fruit into his mouth.
Each spirit fruit had its unique flavor—some crisp, some sweet—satisfying Lu Chen's taste buds immensely.
(End of Chapter)
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