https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-614-I-Could-Tell-at-a-Glance-That-You-re-Not-Human/12544784/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-616-The-Nine-Confucian-Scholars-Treasured-Tree/12544786/
Chapter 615: Undercurrents
Chapter 615: Undercurrents
After confirming that Zhang Zhizong was unequivocally dead, Lu Chen approached the corpse expressionlessly.
The moment Cloud-Treading Lynx collided with Zhang Zhizong, it sensed the dense demonic aura emanating from him. The ever-cautious Lu Chen immediately raised his guard to the highest level.
As soon as he detected something amiss about Zhang Zhizong, he took preemptive action, employing thunderous means to annihilate him without hesitation.
"Go and check the surroundings for any of his accomplices."
High in the sky, under Lu Chen's spiritual sense control, the Void Nightmare shuttled swiftly. It scanned the area with Lu Chen as the center but found no traces of the other three cultivators or any other cultivators nearby.
"Why are there so many cultivators who resort to pillaging and seeking undeserved gains instead of working diligently?"
"Do I really look that easy to bully just because I'm a Spirit Herbalist?"
After confirming that there were no anomalies, Lu Chen sighed inwardly and approached the headless corpse.
"Hmm? Where's the storage bag?"
A hint of surprise flashed across his face as he searched carefully but failed to find the storage bag that should have been on Zhang Zhizong's body.
"Something's not right here."
Lu Chen frowned.
It was normal for cultivators to refrain from carrying precious treasures on their persons, but they would undoubtedly have at least one storage bag with them, especially when venturing into secret realms, or they would face numerous inconveniences.
The absence of a storage bag on the corpse could only mean two things. Either Zhang Zhizong possessed a spatial treasure of an exceedingly high grade that even Lu Chen's spiritual sense couldn't detect, or his storage bag had been taken by someone else. Considering Zhang Zhizong was merely an ordinary loose cultivator in terms of cultivation, the latter possibility seemed more likely.
As these thoughts crossed Lu Chen's mind, the image of the youth with the demonic aura he had encountered at the entrance of the passage earlier surfaced in his head.
Recalling the strange feeling he had when Zhang Zhizong attacked him, he surmised that the youth was most likely involved in this matter.
"Fortunately, the corpse is still in good condition."
He thought optimistically.
The flesh and bones of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator would be considered extremely high-quality fertilizer for the exotic spirit herbs growing in his Underworld Spirit Field.
He sealed the two parts of the corpse with talismans and placed them into the Gluttonous Beast Pouch, then hurried back toward the passage entrance at top speed.
Upon his safe return to the cave abode, Lu Chen inspected the formation outside the cave and, finding no signs of tampering, breathed a sigh of relief before entering.
"This trip to the Thunder Sea has yielded quite a few unexpected gains, thanks to that well-fed exotic Thunder Ox beast."
Back inside the house, Lu Chen took stock of his harvest from this outing.
There were some ordinary spirit thunderbolts, several dozen special thunder beads formed from the condensation of dozens of dark green spirit thunderbolts, over ten drops of dark green thunder liquid, and several hundred pounds of thunder death crystals scraped from the body of the seventh-grade Thunder Ox.
More importantly, he had gained the trust of that seventh-grade Thunder Ox, which was an invaluable intangible asset.
With these thoughts in mind, he made his way to the spirit field within the cave abode and took out an Emerald Thunder Orb from his storage bag.
As his spiritual power seeped into the bead, it gradually disintegrated, transforming into a mass of dark green thunder energy, which Lu Chen controlled to permeate the Wood-attribute Blue Thunder Vine spirit seed.
With his consciousness focused on the spirit seed, he could sense that the clump of blue light had become much more vibrant under the nourishment of the dark green thunder energy, exuding a robust vitality.
"The effect is remarkable, far superior to ordinary Wood-attribute spirit thunderbolts."
Lu Chen was overjoyed at the sight and couldn't help but rejoice. With these Emerald Spirit Lightning, the seventh-grade Wood-attribute Blue Thunder Vine would surely take root and sprout in no time.
"Coupled with those even more potent Emerald Lightning Liquids, at least I won't have to worry about any issues arising during the early and middle stages of the spirit herb's growth."
Through his spiritual sense, Lu Chen could feel the satisfaction emanating from the Thunder Burst Lotus and Purple Thunder Fruits, among other Lightning-attribute spirit plants, as they absorbed the essence of the Thunder Death Crystals.
A sense of satisfaction spread across his face as he witnessed the vibrant vitality of his spirit plants.
Upon his return from Thunder Sea, Lu Chen quickly resumed his usual farming routine. Each day, he would make rounds in his spirit fields, tirelessly casting nurturing spells like Spirit Rain and Wood Birth. He meticulously monitored the growth of each spirit plant, striving to meet their every need to ensure their optimal development.
In addition to his agricultural endeavors, Lu Chen tended to the numerous spirit beasts residing in his cave abode, practiced the Divine Derivative Scripture and Eye of Falsehood Dispel cultivation techniques, refined his two fifth-grade sword manuals, and occasionally refined pills to sell for spirit stones.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, over a month had passed.
One day, as he was inspecting his spirit fields, a familiar voice echoed from outside his cave abode.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, are you in your abode?"
The voice belonged to Lei Zheng, his tone solemn and one that Lu Chen had grown accustomed to.
Lu Chen hurriedly made his way to greet his guest.
"Fellow Daoist Lei, it's been a while. How have you been?" Lu Chen asked warmly as he opened the formation, welcoming Lei Zheng into his home.
"I'm doing well," Lei Zheng replied, a faint smile breaking through his usually stern countenance. "I happened to be passing by your abode and thought I'd pay you a visit."
The two men entered the courtyard, and Lu Chen promptly offered his guest spirit fruits and tea. They sat down and engaged in casual conversation.
"It seems like your collection of spirit plants has grown even more, Fellow Daoist Lu," Lei Zheng remarked, his eyes scanning the lush greenery veiled in mist.
"As a spirit herbalist, I can't help but indulge in my passion for spirit plants," Lu Chen replied with a smile. "After settling down in Thunderfire Planet, I've been scouring far and wide for rare spirit seeds."
"How's the protective formation outside your abode?" Lei Zheng suddenly asked, his expression turning serious.
"It's quite formidable," Lu Chen answered. "Considering these spirit plants are practically my entire fortune, I've taken extra precautions. The formation should be able to ward off petty thieves and prevent any beast or insect from intruding into my fields and harming my plants."
Lu Chen deliberately downplayed the strength of his two fifth-grade formations, not revealing that even multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators in the early stages would struggle to breach them in a short time. While he trusted Lei Zheng, having worked with him during their trip to the Thunder Sea, he wasn't quite ready to disclose the full extent of his defensive measures.
"What brings about this question, Fellow Daoist Lei?" Lu Chen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"You've been focused on cultivating your spirit plants here in your abode, so you might not be aware of the recent unusual incidents in Thunderfire Planet," Lei Zheng explained.
"There have been reports of evil cultivators or demonic beings infiltrating the abodes of solitary cultivators and subjecting them to cruel and brutal deaths. Their souls are said to be missing, leaving behind only scraps of their physical remains," Lei Zheng continued, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
"That's truly horrifying," Lu Chen replied, his expression turning grim as he listened to the grim fate that had befallen his fellow cultivators.
"Therefore, I advise you to be extra cautious during this period, Fellow Daoist Lu. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with evil cultivators or demonic beings," Lei Zheng warned, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"Thank you for the heads-up, Fellow Daoist Lei," Lu Chen said, his expression sincere. Lei Zheng's thoughtful reminder only reinforced Lu Chen's trust in him.
(End of Chapter)
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