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Chapter 596: I Refuse to Work for Anyone
Chapter 596: I Refuse to Work for Anyone
"Senior Qi is too kind. I am flattered by your praise," Lu Chen quickly stood up and replied humbly.
"Ever since I embarked on the path of cultivation, I've developed a deep interest in nurturing spirit herbs and beasts. My passion has led me to neglect my own training at times."
"To deepen my knowledge, I've spent countless hours searching for rare tomes and cultivating a wide array of spirit herbs while tending to an assortment of spirit beasts. It is through this combination of theory and practice that I've gained a wealth of experience." Lu Chen's response held a mixture of truth and exaggeration.
"Hahaha! Your dedication is admirable, no wonder you possess such remarkable skills with spirit herbs and beasts, young Lu," Qi Wuhedg boomed with laughter, and Lei Zheng, standing beside him, looked at Lu Chen with newfound admiration in his eyes.
Most cultivators embarked on the path of cultivation to increase their strength and gain a glimpse into the Great Dao. During their journey, they might learn one or several cultivation techniques, but rarely out of passion; it was usually a means to an end.
"By the way, young Lu, you've done me a great service today, and I must express my gratitude appropriately," Qi Wuhedg said. "Is there anything you desire as a reward? Spirit stones, pills, or perhaps a magical artifact? Name it, and I'll see what I can do. I do have a few items suitable for a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like yourself."
Lu Chen smiled but remained silent.
'This senior is being too modest,' he thought to himself. 'I'm sure the fifth and sixth-grade treasures he possesses far outnumber mine.'
"Senior Qi, your kindness is overwhelming, but it was a mere trifle," Lu Chen said humbly. "I couldn't possibly accept such a grand reward for a simple task."
Qi Wuhedg's expression turned slightly somber as he said, "Then perhaps we can come to an alternative arrangement. I insist on expressing my gratitude, but instead of a direct reward, I can offer you something else. If I come across any high-grade spirit herbs, I will sell them to you first, or at the very least, inform you about their whereabouts."
Lu Chen knew that a minor matter like this wouldn't prompt a Nascent Soul cultivator like Qi Wuhedg to bestow a fifth-grade treasure upon him. However, Lu Chen had little interest in pills or artifacts suited for the Foundation Establishment stage, so he proposed this compromise. Given Qi Wuhedg's mid-stage Core Formation cultivation and his status as the Mars Cave Star Envoy, Lu Chen believed he would have access to information about high-grade spirit herbs.
"As of now, I don't have any high-grade spirit herbs on hand, but rest assured, if I do come across any, you will be the first to know," Qi Wuhedg assured him. "And should I receive any news about their whereabouts, I will inform you immediately."
"Thank you, Senior Qi!" Lu Chen's heart leaped with joy, and he quickly expressed his gratitude to the elegant cultivator.
Spirit herbs were invaluable to Lu Chen, far more precious than ordinary treasures. Having a promise from a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator increased his chances of obtaining high-grade spirit herbs significantly.
"Young Lu, you truly are a spirit herb master through and through," Qi Wuhedg nodded in appreciation. He had never met anyone who would turn down an offer of treasure from a Core Formation cultivator, all for the slim chance of obtaining a high-grade spirit herb.
Lu Chen's face lit up with a shy smile upon hearing Qi Wuhedg's words.
After some pleasantries, Qi Wuhedg suddenly remembered something and turned to Lu Chen. "Young Lu, there's another Star Envoy in one of the neighboring star caves who has reached the early Core Formation stage. He cultivates a wide array of spirit herbs and has been seeking an experienced spirit herb master to tend to them. Would you be interested in such an opportunity?"
"Are you asking if I'd be willing to go to his cave and take care of his spirit herbs?" Lu Chen asked, puzzled.
"Yes, it's outside of the Mars Cave, and given your exceptional beast-controlling abilities, I'm sure your skills with spirit herbs are even more impressive," Qi Wuhedg replied. "What do you say?"
Lu Chen pondered for a moment before raising his head and answering, "I apologize, Senior Qi, but I must decline. My cave is filled with countless spirit herbs that require constant attention and the application of basic nurturing techniques. They also have peculiar and demanding requirements. If I were to be away for an extended period, it might hinder their growth. Therefore, I'm afraid I cannot accept your offer at this time."
When he had first joined the sect, he took on numerous tasks of cultivating spirit herbs and raising spirit beasts to earn sword seals and obtain spirit seeds. However, as his cultivation improved and his status within the sect rose, he changed the way he accepted these tasks.
Instead of taking on assigned missions to tend to fellow disciples' caves or the sect's medicinal gardens, he now had Golden Core and True Transmission disciples actively seeking him out to cultivate their spirit herbs.
If he were to go to Qi Wuhedg's cave and help cultivate his spirit herbs, he expected that they would be at least third or fourth-grade, maybe even fifth-grade. The cultivation cycle for such herbs was long, often lasting several years or even a decade, and upon maturity, there would be no light sphere rewards, only basic compensation.
Spending a significant amount of time for such meager pay was not a profitable proposition for Lu Chen at his current stage.
'There's no way I'm going to work for anyone else,' he thought to himself. 'If they really want me to cultivate their spirit herbs, they'll have to bring the spirit seeds to me.'
Only then could he earn a cultivation fee while simultaneously earning mysterious and unknown light sphere rewards.
"Senior Brother or any other Star Envoys, if you come across any strange, high-grade spirit seeds and don't know how to cultivate them, feel free to bring them to me, and I'll give it a try." Lu Chen said confidently.
He had no qualms about displaying his talent for spirit herbs and beasts in front of others, as this talent posed little threat to most cultivators and did not infringe upon their interests. Instead, it often brought him additional benefits.
"Very well, I'll keep an eye out for any opportunities that might benefit you, Young Lu," Qi Wuhedg nodded in agreement.
As the sky began to darken, Lu Chen and Lei Zheng bid their farewells and took their leave.
"Your talent for spirit herbs and beasts is truly admirable, Brother Lu," Lei Zheng transmitted his voice to Lu Chen as they flew back to their caves, his bird-like spirit beast flying alongside him.
"It's a side path that distracts from my cultivation. It's nothing compared to your diligent training, Brother Lei," Lu Chen replied, his clothes fluttering in the wind as he stood proudly on the broad back of his plump bird.
"To earn the recognition of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator like Star Envoy Qi is equivalent to years of hard work," Lei Zheng said, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.
"Brother Lu, if I understand correctly, you're open to cultivating spirit herbs for others?" he continued.
"Indeed, Brother Lei. If you have any high-grade spirit seeds, there's no need to rush to cultivate them yourself. I can do it for you," Lu Chen said, a smile playing on his lips.
"The higher the grade and the rarer the variety, the better. It will satisfy my curiosity," he added.
"With our friendship, I can even offer you a discount after a successful cultivation."
"Certainly, I'll come to you if the opportunity arises," Lei Zheng agreed.
"Brother Lu, until we meet again," Lei Zheng said, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes as he cupped his hands in farewell. The thunderous wings on his back created afterimages in the air, and with a booming sound, he disappeared from view.
"It seems he has something in mind," Lu Chen thought to himself, a mysterious smile playing on his lips as he watched Lei Zheng's disappearing figure. "It would be better to send them over. The fees are reasonable, and the quality of the spirit herbs is excellent. Where else could you find such a skilled spirit herb master?"
(End of Chapter)
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