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Chapter 174: Riding on Coattails
Chapter 174: Riding on Coattails
"Time to eat!"
Lu Chen lifted the lid off the pot, releasing a cloud of white steam. In the center lay a massive, crimson crab, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
The baby Wind Falcon beside him couldn't help but swallow, its eager movements showing its anticipation.
This was the last of the Iron Claw Crabs he had been raising, and with the bountiful harvest of the past few days, Lu Chen had decided to steam it as a celebration.
He untied the Gray Grass rope, a type of grass puppet, from the crab's body and skillfully pried open its thick shell.
"Still so defiant even at the end..."
He mused at the sight of the crab's raised, dagger-like claws, even after being cooked, and proceeded to pull them off, tossing one each to the Cloud-stepping Lynx and the baby Wind Falcon.
The crab meat was succulent and the roe tender as the man and his beasts indulged in the feast.
"Cheep!"
A crisp chirp rang out, and there, landing on the ground not far away, was the extraordinarily talented Xuan Tian White Luan, its black and white eyes fixated on the crab meat and roe in Lu Chen's hand.
"Well, well, if it isn't my future benefactor!"
Lu Chen's heart leaped with joy as he plucked a bright red crab leg and tossed it in front of the descendant of the Guardian Spirit Beast.
The luan bird, with its pristine white feathers, happily spread its wings, and a spirit fruit appeared before Lu Chen.
The fruit's flesh resembled jade, shimmering with spiritual light and exuding a delicate fragrance. It was clearly no ordinary spirit fruit.
"For me?"
Lu Chen pointed at the emerald-like spirit fruit, his curiosity piqued.
The Xuan Tian Luan nodded gently, its attention already focused on the crab leg before it.
This Iron Claw Crab had been carefully nurtured by Lu Chen. During its growth, it had been provided with an abundance of food and ample opportunities to exercise its claws, resulting in firmer and more delicious meat than that of a typical Iron Claw Crab.
Lu Chen held the jade-like spirit fruit in his hand, unable to resist taking a bite.
A rush of sweet and refreshing flavor spread through his body, and he could sense a slight increase in his spiritual power after consuming the fruit.
"This effect... it's likely a third-grade spirit fruit. This luan bird must have sneaked it out to trade for the meat of my Iron Claw Crab."
Lu Chen studied the spirit fruit in his hand for a moment before storing it away in his pouch.
He also took out a piece of Crab Spirit Paste and cut it into several portions, giving one each to the Cloud-stepping Lynx, the baby Wind Falcon, and the luan bird.
The baby Wind Falcon swallowed it whole, its beak smacking as if savoring the taste, while the lynx slowly licked the bluish-white paste with its pink tongue.
"That Crab Spirit Paste is pretty good, huh?" After the luan bird finished eating, Lu Chen moved closer and asked softly.
Having interacted a few times before, the Xuan Tian Luan didn't seem to mind Lu Chen's proximity.
"Little White, although I don't know your origins, our shared love for good food has established a certain connection between us, and I'd like to think we're somewhat acquainted now."
"I don't know if there are other beasts where you live, but if there are, feel free to bring your companions over to play."
"Not to mention, my cave dwelling has no shortage of delicacies. High-quality spirit fruits, treats like the Crab Spirit Paste, and all sorts of delicious things are readily available."
"You and your companions are welcome to indulge without restraint."
Lu Chen spoke with a smile, content to have won over a future high-grade spirit beast. He didn't mind adding a few more to his circle, raising them from a young age to foster a strong bond.
And with a potential seventh-grade beast like the Xuan Tian Luan, the company it kept was sure to be extraordinary.
The snow-white luan bird tilted its head, pondering for a moment, before finally nodding in agreement.
After some preparation, he made his way to Jianmen Town.
The monster beast eyes he had collected last time had not yet been fed to the Hundred-Eyed Bizarre Tree, and he worried that leaving them in the living pouch for too long might cause some of their life force to dissipate.
Additionally, he needed to find several ingredients to prepare the medicinal concoction described in the Tai Xu Hua Long Pian.
Below the massive stone sword, Lu Xuan found the square bustling with activity. Many more stalls were set up than usual, and he wandered through them with interest, looking for anything he might need.
Among the goods on display, there was a notable increase in materials, spirit herbs, and artifacts, many of which bore traces of their dubious origins, some even stained with fresh blood.
As he browsed, he listened intently to the hushed discussions of the cultivators around him.
The group was diverse, comprising disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, wandering cultivators who had come to see the sights, and numerous family members and servants of inner and outer sect disciples who resided in the town.
"I heard that the newly discovered minor secret realm has been mostly cultivated, and many cultivators have gained tremendous opportunities from it," one cultivator whispered.
"Indeed," another replied. "Most of the second and third-grade spirit herbs and treasures currently on the market originate from that new minor secret realm."
"It's a shame that the Tianjian Sect released a limited number of slots. We didn't get a share of the pie," a third cultivator lamented.
Lu Xuan strolled casually through the stalls, gathering information on the hottest topic among cultivators: the opening of a new secret realm a thousand miles away from the sect. Many sect disciples and external cultivators had benefited greatly from it, with some even skyrocketing to fame and fortune.
Lu Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he continued to gather information.
From the cultivators' discussions, he learned that six or seven outer sect disciples had perished in the secret realm, and countless others had been injured.
"It seems my predictions were correct," Lu Xuan mused to himself. "The Foundation Establishment senior couldn't protect them the entire time, and any mishaps could lead to fatal consequences."
"A mortality rate of less than half is actually commendable, and the senior did his best. Besides, the opportunities and treasures within the new secret realm far outweigh the minimal risks involved," he continued.
"But there's still danger nonetheless. When it happens to others, it becomes a topic of casual conversation, but when it affects you personally, it could be a calamity," he thought to himself as he made his way through the square and into the alleyways, eventually arriving at the secluded courtyard.
There were no signs of any cultivators having trespassed, and the formation he had set up remained intact.
"It seems those two intimidated cultivators did their job," Lu Xuan noted as he deactivated the formation and entered the courtyard.
Although the number of spirit plants in the yard was limited, each one was a rare and exotic variety.
Third-grade Ghost-Faced Stone Mushrooms, Thorny Bones, fourth-grade Hundred-Eyed Bizarre Trees, and the soon-to-be-planted third-grade Poison Arrow Wood—all were top-quality spirit plants.
"I've been worried about the safety of my small courtyard formation in the sect, fearing that someone might try to steal these spirit plants," Lu Chen thought. "But now, with the Thousand Illusion Smoke Array, a fourth-grade formation that integrates illusion, killing, and maze arrays, I can rest assured and focus on cultivating them."
(End of Chapter)
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