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Chapter 29: Invitation
Chapter 29: Invitation
In the end, Lu Chen couldn't bring himself to purchase those young and colorful chickens.
Despite sensing a strange connection, the two and a half year maturation period was a deterrent, forcing him to reluctantly walk away.
His primary goal in raising spirit beasts was to obtain the white orbs of light, and in that time, he could nurture a first-rate or even second-rate spirit beast to maturity.
It would be a waste to spend that time raising these chicks.
He left the stall and continued browsing.
Eventually, his persistence paid off, and he made a significant discovery.
At one booth, he came across an extremely rare first-rate spirit seed, the Pure Snow Lotus.
Despite being ranked as a first-rate plant, the Pure Snow Lotus was exceptionally rare and known for its demanding cultivation requirements, even among Spirit Herbalists.
The lotus seeds that matured produced beans that could help cultivators maintain their clarity of mind and prevent corruption by evil spirits. They were also a key ingredient in the second-rate pill, the Spirit-Infused Pill, which could slightly enhance a cultivator's spiritual sense.
Lu Chen haggled and eventually purchased the pristine white spirit seed for seven spirit stones.
Even among first-rate items, the spirit seed was significantly more expensive than the Scarlet Cloud Pine and Blood Jade Ginseng, testaments to the value of the Pure Snow Lotus.
Upon returning to his courtyard, he placed the Pure Snow Lotus spirit seed into the spirit spring pond. With his adept control of the Earth Drawing Technique, he infused his spiritual power without altering the structure of the spring, seamlessly embedding the seed into the spirit soil.
After successfully planting it, Lu Chen focused his mental energy on the shallow layer of spirit soil where the seed lay.
A thought flashed through his mind.
"Cold, icy rain patters randomly on the lotus..."
The reason why the Pure Snow Lotus was challenging to cultivate was that aside from requiring an environment similar to a spirit spring, it also needed to be nourished by spiritual rain imbued with icy energy to grow properly.
Lu Chen's Spirit Rain Technique had reached a masterful level after countless repetitions.
However, infusing it with icy energy remained a difficult task.
He had learned basic ice-elemental spells when he first started his cultivation journey, but due to his average talent, he gradually gave up and focused on refining his Spirit Rain Technique and Fireball Technique.
Later, when he obtained the Earth Drawing Technique and the Metal-Enhancing Sword Technique from the white orbs of light, he didn't receive any ice-elemental spell packages.
After numerous attempts, he barely managed to release a Spirit Rain Technique laced with traces of icy energy, showering it over the Pure Snow Lotus seed.
It took him several days of continuous practice before he could increase the success rate of releasing the technique, and his spiritual sense detected subtle changes occurring within the white spirit seed in the spirit spring pond.
One day, as Lu Chen was cultivating his spirit plants, a somewhat familiar voice called out from outside the courtyard.
"Friend Lu, are you home?"
Lu Chen racked his brains before finally recalling who the voice belonged to.
After reaching a self-sufficient cooperation agreement with Hundred Herbs Hall, he had visited twice—once to sell his surplus Luminous Grass and once to provide a regular report on the growth of his spirit plants.
During those visits, he had met several Spirit Herbalists, and the owner of the voice was one of them—Lei Fei, a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refinement with whom Lu Chen had exchanged a few extra words due to their proximity.
Lu Chen opened the courtyard door and greeted his guest.
He immediately recognized Lei Fei and the person standing behind him, a cultivator with a somewhat gloomy aura.
"Greetings, Friend Lu. This is Li Qing, a longtime friend of mine."
"And this is Friend Lu Chen. Despite his young age, he has a talent for cultivating spirit plants and has already established a cooperative relationship with Hundred Herbs Hall."
Lei Fei took the initiative to introduce both parties.
Lu Chen greeted them courteously and invited them into the house.
"Friend Lu Chen, we have come to you with a request," Lei Fei said, getting straight to the point after some pleasantries. "Li Qing and I plan to invite you to join us in entering the South Departure Secret Realm to search for spirit herbs."
"Enter the Secret Realm? With our cultivation at merely the third layer of Qi Refinement, won't that be extremely dangerous?
The vast majority of spirit beasts and plants require a pure or special spiritual energy environment to grow, and their silhouettes are rarely seen in the ordinary wilderness.
As for those ancient secret realms left behind from antiquity, each time they open, countless rare treasures appear, attracting countless cultivators like moths to a flame, eager to find that fleeting opportunity.
For example, the recently discovered secret realm had drawn the attention of numerous large and small forces within Lin Yang Fang City, as well as countless solitary cultivators, all seeking that elusive chance.
The major sects in the cultivation world usually occupy their own blessed lands or even derive their own small worlds, unlike ordinary cultivators who have to fight tooth and nail for meager resources.
Noting Lu Chen's concern for safety, Lei Fei explained, "The South Departure Secret Realm has been explored for hundreds of years, and most of the sinister influences and demons within have been cleared out. It's rare to encounter any dangers there."
"Moreover, we only plan to venture into the outer reaches of the secret realm and won't go too deep. While I can't guarantee absolute safety, there shouldn't be any major issues."
"The two of us are spirit herbalists, but that doesn't mean we should settle for mediocrity. We should still strive for more." He persuaded Lu Chen.
Lu Chen pondered for a moment before asking, "Won't this trip to the secret realm take up a lot of time, both in travel and exploration? Won't that hinder the cultivation of our spirit plants?"
"We have flying boats and magical artifacts for transportation, so the journey there and back will only take a day or two. We might spend more time in the secret realm itself, as we can't be sure of finding spiritual herbs immediately."
"As for hindering the growth of our spirit plants, such a short time shouldn't have much of an impact. We can just continue cultivating them when we return."
Lu Chen remained silent, but inwardly, he scoffed.
"It might not affect your spirit plants much, but it will definitely affect mine."
"Being away for a few days might seem negligible, but I doubt the spirit plants will grow into good or even superior quality during that time."
"I was hoping to cultivate a perfect spirit plant and see what light orbs I'd get as a reward!"
Lei Fei replied honestly.
"I apologize, Lei Daoist, but I've always focused my energy on cultivating spirit plants. I'm not skilled in combat, nor do I have any magical artifacts or talismans for protection. My current cultivation base at the third layer of Qi Refinement is only due to consuming a lot of pills."
"So, for safety's sake, I won't be joining you in exploring the South Departure Secret Realm." Lu Chen politely refused.
"Alright, I respect your decision, Lu Daoist." Lei Fei, having faced rejection, could only agree reluctantly.
The two didn't stay much longer and soon left the courtyard, intending to invite other cultivators.
"This Lu Chen is overly cautious and timid," Lei Fei grumbled as soon as they stepped out. "He's at the third layer of Qi Refinement, yet he's still worried about dangers in a secret realm that's been explored for hundreds of years."
"And he's concerned about it hindering his spirit plant cultivation. What's the big deal? He's just growing some Luminous Grass."
No sooner had they left than Lei Fei began to complain. He had initially thought that inviting a cultivator at the third layer of Qi Refinement would be a sure thing, but Lu Chen's refusal had left him frustrated.
"Alright, if he doesn't want to go, we'll just invite someone else."
"He's too cautious for his own good. With this attitude, it'll be hard for him to seize opportunities."
"He'll spend his life as an ordinary spirit herbalist, at the mercy of others." Li Qing glanced back at Lu Chen's courtyard, a hint of disdain in his tone.
(End of Chapter)
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