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Chapter 18: A Threat (To Be Continued)
Chapter 18: A Threat (To Be Continued)
"Brother Lu, what do you think of this spirit herb field?"
In a spacious courtyard, Lu Chen strolled slowly, carefully observing his surroundings. A young cultivator with a scar on his face followed closely behind, matching his pace.
The young man bent slightly, forcing a enthusiastic smile. "The previous owner of this courtyard was a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. He ventured out on an exploration trip and never returned. His descendants mortgaged the property, and our broker firm acquired it for rent."
"This spirit herb field before you is nearly an acre in size, rich in spiritual energy. The courtyard is located next to a loose cultivator's market, with guards from the market town patrolling the area, ensuring a high level of safety."
"And over there is a chicken coop enchanted by the previous owner with stability, clarity, and soundproofing runes, making it ideal for raising spirit beasts and birds."
"It's indeed quite nice, but I still need to consider it," Lu Chen replied calmly.
Over the past few days, he had taken the time to view several spirit herb fields through a broker.
These fields were several times larger than his current one, with much denser spiritual energy and various convenient features.
One particular courtyard even had a spirit spring within its acre-large spirit herb field, which greatly tempted Lu Chen. However, upon inquiring about the rent, he was quickly brought back to reality.
Even the cheapest of the fields he had seen would cost forty spirit stones per month in rent, and the one with the spirit spring would cost sixty spirit stones per month, with a minimum rental period of six months.
Lu Chen, who had recently gone from poverty to modest wealth, now had a net worth of nearly three hundred spirit stones. This sudden affluence had inflated his sense of financial freedom.
But now he realized that his wealth was insufficient when it came to more significant expenses, and he would need to accumulate more.
With that thought, Lu Chen turned to the scarred broker and said, "I'll go back and think about it. If I'm interested, I'll come find you."
With that, he turned and left.
As Lu Chen's figure disappeared into the distance, the scarred broker couldn't help but scoff. "What a joke! A small loose cultivator at the second layer of Qi Refining thinks he can rent this kind of spirit herb field? Delusional!"
"Wasting my time!"
Lu Chen frowned slightly. Having broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining some time ago, his senses had become much sharper. He faintly heard the disparaging words of the scarred young cultivator.
A wry smile played on his lips as he brushed off the broker's condescending attitude. He quietly added the man to his mental blacklist, resolving never to seek his services for viewing spirit herb fields again.
"Hmm, I used to think I was too poor to even spare a shattered spirit stone to feed my Grass Puppet," Lu Chen mused to himself. "Now that I have nearly three hundred spirit stones, I can afford to feed it one... no, even two spirit stones at a time!"
"But why do I still feel so poor?" he wondered.
"I guess I'll have to keep working hard to earn more spirit stones," he concluded.
After a few days of rest, Zhang Hong ventured into the wilderness secret realm again, while Zhang Xiuyuan had already settled into a working routine.
The two continued their collaboration, with Zhang Xiuyuan finding loose cultivators plagued by insect pests, and Lu Chen offering his services to eradicate them.
With each successful job, Lu Chen's understanding of the Glowing Metal Sword Technique deepened, and his reputation among the loose cultivators in the northern district grew. His work was efficient, thorough, and affordable.
Initially, Zhang Xiuyuan had to actively seek out clients, but now they came to them, sometimes even forming a small queue.
On this day, Lu Chen collected five spirit stones from a grateful loose cultivator and bid him farewell outside a dilapidated courtyard.
"Fellow cultivator Lu, what a coincidence to run into you here," a gentle voice sounded beside him.
"It's no coincidence at all. You were clearly waiting for me!" Lu Chen muttered under his breath.
"Ah, Brother Lu. It's been a while. Your cultivation has improved significantly; you are truly an exemplary loose cultivator," Qin Ming said.
"You flatter me," Lu Chen responded. "And I, too, am surprised to see your progress. I remember when you were just a second-layer Qi Refining loose cultivator, needing my help to get rid of pests. Now, you've become proficient enough to handle them on your own."
Qin Ming sighed, "Indeed, I never expected that the insignificant Qi Refining cultivator I once knew would one day master such exquisite sword techniques and become my competitor."
"It's just luck; I still have a long way to go compared to Brother Qin," Lu Chen said humbly, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.
"It all started with that pest problem. After that incident, I was determined to protect my spirit herb field from future infestations. So, I spent all my savings to acquire a sword technique."
"With dedicated cultivation over the months, and perhaps a hint of innate talent for the sword, I've achieved what I have today."
"However, due to my low cultivation base, I can only use the sword technique a few times a day, which is why I'm only able to earn a meager amount of spirit stones."
Lu Chen had anticipated encounters like this, especially with Qin Ming, a fourth-layer Qi Refining cultivator who was one of the busiest pest exterminators in the northern district. Their paths were bound to cross, given their similar lines of work.
Lu Chen calmly explained his situation, emphasizing his low cultivation level and modest earnings, intending to convey that he wasn't a threat to Qin Ming's business.
"I see," Qin Ming nodded slightly. "Nevertheless, Brother Lu, at your young age, you should focus on cultivating. It's best to stay out of pest problems."
Qin Ming's smile turned slightly menacing as he continued, "Consider this friendly advice, but also a warning."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Qin. I know what I need to do," Lu Chen replied nonchalantly, then turned and walked away with Zhang Xiuyuan in tow.
As they walked away, Lu Chen could feel Qin Ming's gaze on his back.
"There are so many loose cultivators in the northern district. Why did I feel the need to threaten him when I already downplayed my abilities and earnings?" Lu Chen thought bitterly. "I've shown him respect, and yet he persists. It's infuriating!"
Suddenly, Lu Chen paused in his tracks, a realization hitting him.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He stopped and turned to Zhang Xiuyuan, a serious look on his face.
"Little Yuan, I need your help with something," he said.
"Go to one of your friends who had a pest problem and ask them if they invited a plump, middle-stage Qi Refining cultivator specializing in ice-type spells," Lu Chen instructed.
"If they did, find out exactly how he dealt with the black budworm larvae after eradicating the infestation."
"You're young, so people won't be as guarded around you. They'll tell you the details. I'll wait for you outside, so don't worry about your safety."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Zhang Xiuyuan nodded firmly, his lips pressed into a thin line.
The two arrived at the home of one of Zhang Xiuyuan's friends, a loose cultivator. Zhang Xiuyuan called out, and soon, they were invited in by a boy of the same age.
Lu Chen waited outside, his hands clutching a few talismans, ready for any eventuality.
(End of Chapter)
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