Chapter 39: This Batch is of Good Quality
Chapter 39: This Batch is of Good Quality
The two parties reached an agreement, and the stall owners, including Lu Xuan, made a vow before handing over eighty spirit stones and fifty shattered spirits to obtain that spirit seed with wisps of smoke.
With the transaction complete and his pockets full, Lu Xuan was in high spirits as he made his way to the Hundred Herb Hall.
From a distance, He GuanShi could be seen rushing out to greet him.
"You rascal, what brings you here today?"
"I heard that a mutated cultivator caused several casualties in the loose cultivator's market. Did you run into any trouble?" He GuanShi asked, grabbing Lu Xuan and leading him into the hall. Only then did he relax a little.
"Unfortunately, I did encounter it, but I escaped in time and wasn't affected," Lu Xuan replied.
"I don't know if I should say you're lucky or not. It's rare for you to come out, and then you stumble upon such danger. Thankfully, you weren't hurt," the thin, elderly man sighed.
"In a short period, the city has become extremely unstable. Cultivators are dying everywhere, and shadows of evil lurk around every corner," Lu Xuan added.
"I think you should become a full-time Spirit Herbologist for the Hall. With high-level Qi cultivators protecting you, you won't have to worry about such incidents happening again," He GuanShi suggested again, inviting Lu Xuan to join the Hundred Herb Hall and be protected by its senior cultivators.
Lu Xuan understood his concern for his safety, but he was reluctant to be beholden to others and restricted in his actions due to the sensitive nature of spirit fields and herbs.
"He GuanShi, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm afraid I'm too used to my lazy, free-spirited ways and can't handle being restricted. I'd rather stay in my own yard," Lu Xuan politely declined.
"Anyway, I usually don't go out. I just want to stay at home and grow spirit herbs, which should avoid most dangerous situations," he added.
"Fine, then suit yourself. Did you come here because the Spirit Glowgrass has entered the maturity stage?" He GuanShi asked, seeing that Lu Xuan had made up his mind and no longer trying to persuade him.
"That's right. There are already thirteen mature Spirit Glowgrass plants. Why don't you take a look and assess their quality, Elder?" Lu Xuan said with a light laugh.
"From your self-satisfied look, I assume the quality is quite good. Let me see them," He GuanShi said, his curiosity piqued by Lu Xuan's expression.
With a thought, Lu Xuan retrieved thirteen Spirit Glowgrass plants from his storage bag, letting them float before He GuanShi.
"Top-quality Spirit Glowgrass," He GuanShi assessed the first few plants.
"Still top-quality," he continued.
"Wait, is this...perfect quality?" He GuanShi's eyes widened in surprise as he examined one particular plant.
He quickly composed himself and focused on the remaining Spirit Glowgrass.
"This one is of good quality," he assessed.
"Top-quality again," he said, impressed.
"Another perfect quality?" He GuanShi's initial shock turned into a numb calmness as he encountered yet another perfectly-quality herb.
"This batch is of very good quality," he concluded.
"I never expected you to be able to cultivate perfect-quality Spirit Glowgrass. I'm quite surprised," he added, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications.
Out of the thirteen Spirit Glowgrass plants, four were of perfect quality. He GuanShi couldn't help but think of the seasoned, experienced spirit herbologists in the Hundred Herb Hall, who might not even be able to guarantee such a probability.
Moreover, this was achieved in Lu Xuan's spirit field, which had less rich and pure spiritual energy than the Hall's. If Lu Xuan had used the Hall's spirit field, the chances of cultivating perfect-quality Spirit Glowgrass would have been even higher.
At this thought, He GuanShi sighed deeply. Initially, he had invited Lu Xuan to join the Hall out of concern for his safety. Now, he regretted that the Hundred Herb Hall couldn't claim such a talented spirit herbologist as their own.
"Now, let's settle the accounts! The purchase price remains the same as before. For good quality Spirit Glowgrass, it's three spirit stones and fifty shattered spirits per plant. For superior quality, we'll add twenty shattered spirits, and for perfect quality, it's four spirit stones each."
"In total... forty-eight spirit stones and seventy shattered spirits."
Lu Xuan calculated in his head, confirming the amount, and accepted the spirit stones from the thin, elderly man.
With this transaction, his wealth surpassed a hundred spirit stones once again, and he now had over a hundred and twenty spirit stones in his possession.
Although the Hundred Herb Hall had offered Lu Xuan the Spirit Glowgrass seeds at a price slightly lower than the market rate for spirit seeds, according to their agreement, the purchase price for mature spiritual plants would be the regular market price.
The reason Hundred Herb Hall provided spirit seeds to Lu Xuan and other spirit planters at a lower price was to gain priority access to the mature spiritual plants.
In other words, they sacrificed some profits from the spirit seeds to gain a directed, stable, and better-quality source of spiritual plants.
"If the quality of the Spirit Glowgrass you bring in the future remains this high, I can put in a good word for you in front of the Young Mistress. I'll even help you apply for other first-rate or even second-rate spirit seeds."
He Guanshi looked at Lu Xuan and said solemnly.
"Second-rate spirit seeds?" Lu Xuan's tone carried a hint of surprise. The last time he visited, due to the newly established cooperative relationship and his lack of impressive achievements, the young female cultivator from the Hundred Herb Hall had been somewhat distrustful and had only provided him with a hundred Spirit Glowgrass seeds and twenty Blood Jade Ginseng spirit seeds.
"The quality is definitely guaranteed. As for the rest, I'll trouble you, Elder. I'll bring you a packet of spirit tea leaves another day to express my gratitude." Lu Xuan said to the thin, elderly man with sincerity.
"That's not necessary. If you can grow high-quality spiritual plants for the Hall, I, as the recommender, will naturally benefit as well." He Guanshi replied with a smile.
After selling the Spirit Glowgrass, Lu Xuan did not linger and immediately made his way back home, staying vigilant and alert during the journey.
Upon arriving home, he closed the courtyard gate and activated the formation. He then took out a Exorcism Talisman from his storage bag.
With a burst of spiritual energy, a pure white light appeared and scanned Lu Xuan, but there was no reaction.
Only then did Lu Xuan truly relax. He let the Cloud-Stepping Lynx, which had been quietly perched on his shoulder, down.
"Today, we have your little fellow to thank for the reminder. You did well. I'll give you two extra strips of Spinefish jerky as a reward later." Lu Xuan said as he gently stroked the two small tufts of fur on the Cloud-Stepping Lynx's ears.
At the loose cultivator's market, if it hadn't been for the Cloud-Stepping Lynx's emerald green eyes detecting the anomaly, Lu Xuan might have been injured despite having artifacts and numerous talismans with him.
Thinking of this, he gently stroked the Cloud-Stepping Lynx's ear tufts and spoke softly.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx, with its emerald green eyes, glanced mildly at Lu Xuan, allowing him to ruffle its head.
"Roar~ Jerky! My favorite jerky~" Lu Xuan imagined he could see a lively and adorable soul inside the lynx's proud and aloof body, stomping its four fluffy cloud-like paws in excitement.
But as soon as he thought of the Cloud-Stepping Lynx's coarse and rough roar, the little figure inside vanished immediately.
"Roar~"
Feeling the cessation of movement on its head, the emerald-eyed Cloud-Stepping Lynx softly let out a low roar.
(End of Chapter)
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