https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-247-Cooperation-Foundation-Building-Pills-Within-the-Array/12544206/
Chapter 246: Oh, a Female Cultivator
Chapter 246: Oh, a Female Cultivator
"You... did you tamper with the Qingyu branch in any way?!"
Hearing the crisp sound of cracking emanate from the jade-like branch, the gloomy youth's face turned deathly pale, and he exclaimed in shock.
This third-grade Qingyu branch had been entrusted to him by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he couldn't return it intact, he would be in big trouble.
"Junior, that's a serious accusation," a calm yet dismissive voice sounded from Lu Xuan's eyes.
"It's clear that the Yinmu insect within the Qingyu branch is constantly draining its vitality. How can you blame me for that?"
"But the crack was barely visible before. How could it have widened so much after you touched it?" the gloomy youth argued, his eyes darting suspiciously.
"It must be you... it has to be you..." he muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Fearing the repercussions of losing such a rare and precious third-grade spirit plant, he instinctively tried to shift the blame onto Lu Xuan.
"How dare you!" Lu Xuan's eyes flashed with anger, and a powerful spiritual pressure surged forth.
"Is this how you address a Foundation Establishment senior, an outer sect disciple like yourself?"
"I've already explained clearly that the reason for the Qingyu branch's rupture is the presence of a Yinmu insect within it."
"The Yinmu insect drains the spirit plant's vitality. If it had only cracked a little, do you think it would have stayed that way?" Lu Xuan questioned, his face cold.
"But it was clearly... clearly..." The gloomy youth trailed off as his eyes swept over Lu Xuan, taking in his unyielding demeanor, and the dozens of people sitting below, watching the exchange. Whatever he had been about to say died in his throat.
He had wanted to point out that the spirit plant had been intact not long ago, but as the words reached his lips, he realized the folly of that argument.
If he stated that fact, he would essentially be incriminating himself and confirming that he had falsely accused an inner sect disciple.
Damaging the Qingyu branch would only require compensation for the plant's value, something that could be easily remedied with a bit of blood and sweat.
However, falsely accusing an inner sect disciple was a far more serious matter. He would surely be punished by the Discipline Hall, which oversaw the sect's rules. The consequences could range from years of confinement to the loss of his cultivation and expulsion from the sect.
This realization helped the gloomy youth calm down considerably. He adjusted his breath, taking a few deep breaths before regaining his composure.
"Apologies, Senior Lu. This Qingyu branch is incredibly precious to me, and its sudden deterioration threw me off balance. Please forgive my momentary loss of control," he said, his tone now respectful.
"As for the Yinmu insect issue, Senior Lu, would you be able to extract the insect from the plant?" The gloomy youth still held onto a sliver of hope. While Lu Xuan had deduced the presence of the Yinmu insect, finding it was another matter entirely.
"Certainly." Lu Xuan sighed, seeing that the youth wouldn't back down without a fight. He borrowed a first-grade crossbow artifact from one of the observing cultivators.
The crossbow, with its body and string made of wood-type artifacts, held a strong attraction for the Yinmu insect.
Lu Xuan manipulated his spiritual energy to control the crossbow artifact, placing it in front of the Qingyu branch's trunk. A dense green light rose from the crossbow.
Soon, to the eager anticipation of the crowd, a small section of the Qingyu branch's trunk detached itself and fell onto the crossbow, where it continued to crawl.
A small, pitch-black hole was left in the trunk, perfectly matching the size and shape of the detached section.
"This is the Yinmu insect," Lu Xuan explained. "It can merge with the spirit plant, becoming one with it.
The Yinmu insect before us has established a deep connection with the plant, which is why extracting it caused further damage.
Lu Xuan felt no sympathy for the youth's plight. He had just arrived at the Transmission Hall to teach less than half a day ago, and the people behind the youth had already set up such a scheme for him to fall into.
If he hadn't been able to grasp the immediate state of the spirit plant and forcibly break the insect's hold, his newly established reputation as a Spirit Plant Master in the sect would have suffered a significant blow.
Although the gloomy youth was acting under someone else's orders, he had brought this upon himself.
Lu Xuan's actions had not only caused the instigator to lose a rare spirit plant but had also given the gloomy youth his just deserts.
Hmph, that Yinmu insect got a free meal out of it.
"Alright, let's continue the lesson."
Lu Xuan's gaze swept over the crowd, and the many outer sect disciples who had been whispering among themselves immediately fell silent.
The appearance of the gloomy youth was but a minor interlude, providing some interesting gossip for the disciples during their leisure time.
After him, several more cultivators stepped forward to ask Lu Xuan about various issues they were facing in their spirit plant cultivation.
Lu Xuan patiently answered each of their questions.
Only after the day's lesson ended did the crowd reluctantly depart.
Under Lu Xuan's guidance, they had gained a whole new understanding of spirit plants.
"Master Lu, I have a great interest in cultivating spirit plants," said a charming female cultivator who approached Lu Xuan before their departure. She lowered her head, her face nearly buried in her ample bosom.
"You wish to help me tend to my spirit plants?" Lu Xuan's eyes swept over her.
"Yes, I wish to help ease your burden, Master. I ask for no payment and only hope to learn from you how to cultivate spirit plants. Additionally, I can also take care of your daily chores," she offered.
The female cultivator, sensing Lu Xuan's gaze, secretly pushed out her ample bosom further, striking a rich and generous pose.
"I appreciate your kind offer, Junior," Lu Xuan replied with clear eyes and a calm tone.
"However, every spirit plant in my spirit field was planted by me and contains my countless efforts. I treat them as if they were my own children, so naturally, I wouldn't give my children to others to care for."
Lu Xuan flatly refused.
How could he let someone else take care of his spirit plants? The white light spheres harvested from mature spirit plants were his foundation in the cultivation world. If he allowed this charming female cultivator to tend to them, although it would be more relaxed, it would also mean that he wouldn't receive the extra light sphere rewards.
After all, his level of cultivation during the spirit plants' growth was also an important factor influencing the light sphere rewards.
"If you ever need my help, please feel free to find me," the female cultivator said with a hint of resignation, seeing Lu Xuan's unromantic attitude. She left behind a communication talisman and turned to leave.
"She actually wants to lay her hands on my spirit plants and prevent me from getting the light sphere rewards!" Lu Xuan coldly huffed in his mind as he watched the female cultivator's departing figure.
"Tsk, female cultivators, they only know how to slow down my farming speed."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
