https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1-In-the-Quiet-Garden-a-Jade-like-Radiance-Shines/12543667/
Chapter 2: Pest Problem
Chapter 2: Pest Problem
A thought flashed through Lu Chen's mind, and he felt something peculiar happening within his body.
The usually calm and peaceful spiritual energy suddenly surged, coursing wildly through his meridians.
It took a while before the unruly spiritual energy gradually calmed down.
Lu Chen carefully sensed the changes within his body, a hint of joy appearing on his face.
His cultivation had increased significantly, equivalent to three months of arduous cultivation. He was now just a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the third layer of Qi Refining.
"It's about time my cheat showed up after coming to this world."
Lu Chen was delighted. In his previous life, both his mental and physical attributes were average, and the body he occupied in this life had similarly mediocre talent and background. Without this unexpected advantage, he wouldn't know how he would survive in the cultivation world.
Information about the white light sphere appeared in his mind, revealing all its secrets to him.
Any spiritual herb or plant that he personally cultivated and nurtured would, upon reaching maturity, grant him a white light sphere as a reward. From these spheres, he could obtain various things such as cultivation progress, artifacts, techniques, and pills.
The richness of the rewards depended on many factors: his involvement in the plant's growth, the type and grade of the spiritual herb, and its condition upon maturity, to name a few.
Only Lu Chen could see and touch the light spheres; they were invisible to others. And if he were to harvest spiritual herbs that he hadn't personally cultivated, he wouldn't receive any light sphere rewards.
"So, as long as I successfully cultivate a spiritual herb, aside from the herb itself, I'll also get a bonus reward from the light sphere?"
"That means double the harvest and double the joy!"
Lu Chen gazed at the vibrant Spirit Glow Grass and Eclipsing Moon Tree growing in the soil, imagining white light spheres flashing before him.
"My success today is due to my diligent cultivation and tireless care for my spiritual herbs," he thought with pride.
Ever since the appearance of the white light sphere, Lu Chen felt that the numerous spiritual herbs in his spirit field had undergone mysterious changes.
Lu Chen focused his mind on a Spirit Glow Grass at his feet.
A barely visible progress bar appeared above the grass, almost fully charged, indicating that the herb was about to reach full maturity.
A stream of information flowed into Lu Chen's mind.
"Recently nourished by spiritual rain, it is quite satisfied. However, its neighbor's roots are too large and long, causing it to feel a bit cramped."
What was this? A real-time status update on the spiritual herb? Lu Chen was puzzled, so he focused his attention on the Spirit Glow Grass next to it.
The progress bar for this herb was also mostly filled, and the same message flashed through his mind.
The neighboring Spirit Glow Grass was in good condition, but it, too, felt that its neighbor's roots were too extensive, encroaching on its space.
"There's not much I can do about that," Lu Chen sighed. "The spirit field is only so big. I can only apologize and ask them to make room for each other."
Whether it was the progress bar or the real-time status updates, they were both incredibly helpful to Lu Chen, allowing him to understand the needs of his spiritual herbs and make adjustments to help them grow faster and better.
Staring at the nearly full progress bar, he couldn't wait to cast the Spirit Rain technique and hasten the maturation of the Spirit Glow Grass.
However, he also understood the concept of moderation. While moderate nourishment was greatly beneficial to spiritual herbs, excessive nourishment would be akin to forcing their growth.
Even if they matured, poor quality would affect the rewards from the white light spheres.
With this in mind, Lu Chen immediately dismissed the idea of hastening the Spirit Glow Grass's maturation to obtain a light sphere reward.
As he was about to turn back to the house, something occurred to him, and he walked to the western side of the courtyard instead.
Now that he could discern the real-time status of his spiritual herbs, would the Spirit Glow Grass infested with black filaments also reveal the truth behind them?
He calmed his breath and focused his mind on the Spirit Glow Grass that was tightly wrapped in black filaments.
The progress bar for this herb wasn't much different from the previous two, also nearing completion.
A stream of information flowed into Lu Chen's mind.
"The Spirit Glow Grass infested by Black Bud Worm larvae is in a worrying state. If not dealt with promptly, its vital energy will be completely devoured by the worms, reducing it to a withered husk."
"Black Bud Worm larvae..."
Lu Chen muttered to himself, his anxiety easing slightly.
Now that he knew the origin of the black filaments, things would be much easier. At least he wouldn't be floundering around like a headless fly, clueless about how to address the problem.
The name sounded vaguely familiar, and he hurried back into the house to retrieve a thick book.
Common Harmful Demon Insects and Their Solutions.
The book recorded over a hundred types of demon insects that could potentially harm spiritual herbs during cultivation, along with the original author's suggestions on how to deal with them.
Lu Chen flipped through the pages until he found detailed information about the Black Bud Worm.
"Black Bud Worm: The adult worm is as thick as a little finger and moves swiftly like the wind. It loves to devour the leaves and branches of spiritual herbs."
"When it lays eggs, it will stay on the spiritual herb. After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the vital energy of the herb. Once the herb's vital energy is depleted, the worms will leave and search for a new host."
"Solution: Requires a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refining with proficiency in offensive spells to handle safely."
"The eggs and larvae are difficult for low-level Qi Refining cultivators to detect unless they have keen spiritual senses."
"Due to the small size of the larvae and their intimate connection with the spiritual herb, it is easy to harm the herb while trying to get rid of the worms. Therefore, one must have a profound understanding and exquisite control over specific spells to address this problem effectively."
Lu Chen closed the book and fell into deep thought.
"To avoid damaging the Spirit Glow Grass infested with larvae, the spell used must satisfy two conditions."
"First, it must have sufficient destructive power, and second, the area of effect must be controllable."
Due to his humble background and low cultivation level—only at the second layer of Qi Refining—Lu Chen had only mastered two low-level spells so far.
One was the Spirit Rain technique, primarily used for nurturing spiritual herbs, and the other was the Fireball technique, which he also used for self-defense.
However, he was far from proficient in either of these spells, lacking the skill to manipulate them with precision.
Moreover, neither of these spells seemed particularly suited for dealing with the Black Bud Worm larvae.
In its initial stages, the Spirit Rain technique could only nourish spiritual herbs. Lu Chen estimated that if he used this spell, the Black Bud Worm larvae would not only be unharmed, but they might even become more energetic...
As for the Fireball technique, while it had enough destructive power, casting it would result in the destruction of both the Spirit Glow Grass and the larvae.
"It seems I have no choice but to seek help in the market town. Better to spend some money and solve the problem," he thought. "At least now I know what I'm dealing with, so I can be more efficient in my approach."
As the knocking sounded, a loud voice called out from outside the courtyard.
Immediately after, a grayish-black grass rope slithered over from a corner of the yard, gently tapping Lu Chen's knee.
It was the grass puppet he had left in the courtyard, alerting him to an intruder approaching the spirit field.
"They've been standing outside for a while now, greeting you, and you only alert me now? If they had malicious intentions and robbed the house, you might not have even reacted in time," Lu Chen said, rubbing his forehead as the grass rope retracted.
The voice was familiar, belonging to one of the few cultivators Lu Chen had come to know since his arrival in this world.
"Coming! Brother Zhang!" Lu Chen replied, making his way to the courtyard door and opening it.
A tall, stout cultivator with a honest face stepped into the yard.
His name was Zhang Hong, a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refining. He lived next door to Lu Chen, had a second layer Qi Refining partner, and was raising a child around six or seven years old. When Lu Chen had first arrived, Zhang Hong had given him much guidance, helping him avoid many pitfalls.
"Brother Zhang, please come inside for a cup of hot tea," Lu Chen invited, leading Zhang Hong into the house.
Zhang Hong turned to glance at the lush Spirit Glow Grass and Eclipsing Moon Trees growing along the cobblestone path, nodding in approval.
"Brother Lu, you've taken excellent care of these two spiritual plants. It seems you'll have a good harvest soon."
"It's nothing compared to the spiritual plants in your spirit field, Brother Zhang," Lu Chen humbly replied.
After seating Zhang Hong, Lu Chen prepared a cup of hot tea for him.
In the tea bowl, two or three tender green tea leaves floated and spun endlessly.
Zhang Hong didn't mind. He understood Lu Chen's cultivation level and background, and to be offered a cup of tea with spiritual tea leaves was already a great courtesy.
"As expected of Clear Rain Tea. Drinking it feels like a gentle rain nourishing the soul. Only in your home, Brother Lu, do I get to savor such a fine cup," Zhang Hong praised.
"At home, my wife doesn't allow it, so it's dull," Zhang Hong said, savoring the tea's effects with closed eyes. He shook his head, thinking of the restrictions at home, and couldn't help but pat his thigh.
"Can't be helped. My wife has to prepare for Little Yuan's future, so she's very frugal," Zhang Hong explained.
"That's true," Lu Chen sighed in response.
"Sometimes, I'm quite envious of you, Brother Lu. You're alone, with no pressure to provide for a family," Zhang Hong said.
"You can live as you please. No need to argue over trivial matters, worry about daily necessities, or fret over your child's health and growth. You don't have to consider what cultivation techniques to teach them or which sect they'll enter in the future," Zhang Hong continued.
"How carefree!"
"If Brother Zhang were truly in my shoes, you'd probably long for a wife, children, and a warm bed to come home to," Lu Chen said with a smile.
"You're quite the insightful young man, Brother Lu," Zhang Hong remarked, his words carrying a hint of emotion. He quickly changed the subject with a laugh.
"I came here today to tell you about something I heard."
"Through another source, I learned that the Wang Clan in the market town has obtained information about a secret realm. Since the realm is located in a distant wilderness, they plan to recruit several hundred to a thousand cultivators at the second layer of Qi Refining and above to explore and develop it in the coming days," Zhang Hong explained.
"I wanted to see if you're interested. If you are, you can prepare in advance."
"Explore a secret realm?" Lu Chen pondered, deep in thought.
"I plan to go and take a look. Although there are risks involved, the rewards are often proportional to those risks. Staying here in the market town, cultivating spiritual plants, barely sustains our daily expenses," Zhang Hong said.
"As for you, Brother Lu, I personally suggest you go and take a look. After all, there will be Wang Clan cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage leading the expedition. With their presence, we're less likely to encounter powerful beasts and monsters," Zhang Hong advised.
"Most importantly, Brother Lu, you're still young. While being a spirit herbologist is stable, the resources you can obtain are limited, and your strength improves slowly. The longer you spend cultivating plants, the more your ambition will be eroded away," Zhang Hong added.
Zhang Hong looked at Lu Chen, who was deep in thought, and continued, "I suggest you go, Brother Lu. While there is some risk, it's within manageable limits, and the appearance of a new secret realm often signifies great rewards. Even if we only get a small share, it will take a long time to fully utilize it."
If it had been before, Lu Chen might have considered agreeing.
But now, with the appearance of the white light spheres, that slight possibility had vanished.
Venturing out was primarily to obtain cultivation resources, which could then be exchanged for pills, techniques, and artifacts upon returning. However, he could obtain all of that by simply staying at home and cultivating his spiritual plants!
It was safer, more profitable, and much more enjoyable!
Lu Chen pretended to ponder for a moment, his expression conflicted, before finally raising his head and apologetically replying, "Brother Zhang, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I'm a cautious person by nature, and with my low cultivation level and lack of proficient techniques, I fear I might not return if I go on such an expedition."
"So, I'd like to stay here, guarding this small spirit field of mine, and quietly cultivate my spiritual plants."
"As for the future, we'll just have to wait and see."
Seeing Lu Chen's determination, Zhang Hong sighed, "Your decision isn't wrong either. While exploring the secret realm isn't overly dangerous, it doesn't mean there's no risk at all. Even a small oversight could cost the lives of cultivators like us at the Qi Refining stage."
"However, I have no choice but to take this risk. I can't let Little Yuan grow up practicing some random, inferior cultivation technique like his father," Zhang Hong said.
The two fell silent for a moment. After sitting for a while, Zhang Hong stood up to take his leave, asking Lu Chen to look after his child from time to time.
Lu Chen nodded in agreement and saw Zhang Hong out, closing the courtyard door behind him.
"With the appearance of the white light spheres, I must avoid putting myself in dangerous situations as much as possible," Lu Chen thought to himself.
"Unless I have a hundred percent certainty... No, a hundred percent certainty is the same as zero certainty. Unless I have absolute certainty, I must not recklessly venture out on adventures," he decided.
Lu Chen gazed at the Spirit Glow Grass and Eclipsing Moon Trees along the cobblestone path, feeling invigorated.
(End of Chapter)
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