https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-647-The-Willow-of-the-Pure-Bottle/12544826/
Chapter 646: Avert Danger
Chapter 646: Avert Danger
"I have a clue, but whether it will work or not depends on you, Fellow Daoist Xing," Lu Chen said with a smile.
"Please enlighten me," Xing Yanran said.
"The Dustlight Grass, as its name suggests, requires an abundance of spiritual light during its growth. Given the arrangement around the spirit plant, Fellow Daoist Xing should be aware of this characteristic." Lu Chen explained.
"However, the amount of spiritual light required varies at different stages of the plant's growth. Now, during this special period of its blooming, it needs several times more spiritual light than before."
"The depths of the Dark Water are naturally lacking in light, and the sources of light you've placed aren't strong enough. As a result, the spirit plant isn't getting enough nourishment, and it's showing signs of weakening."
"Simply put, we just need to add a large amount of spiritual light to shine upon the Dustlight Grass, and that should resolve the issue." Lu Chen spoke with calm confidence, his expression relaxed as he elaborated.
"I see," Xing Yanran nodded, causing the spiritual power around her to stir. Several golden pearls flew out from her storage pouch, shining brightly and illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.
Stimulated by the intense light, the specks of light within the Dustlight Grass's leaves quickened their pace, and soon the entire plant appeared brighter than before, its vitality noticeably reviving.
"I didn't expect to solve this problem so easily," Xing Yanran marveled as she gazed at the noticeably improved Dustlight Grass.
However, she was also aware that "easy" was a relative term. If not for Lu Chen's direct insight into the problem, she might never have found a solution on her own.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, your expertise in spirit plants far surpasses the rumors," she said, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at him.
The two disciples of the Li Yang Dao Zong nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for helping me solve such a big problem. After the banquet, I'll express my gratitude properly," Xing Yanran said.
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Xing," Lu Chen politely declined.
As the four of them returned to the banquet hall, the feast gradually came to an end after half a day. The cave mansion steward presented each Core Formation cultivator with an exquisite jade box.
After he left, the Core Formation cultivators nearby, including Lu Chen, swept their spiritual sense through the boxes.
"A fourth-grade spirit fish, probably a specialty of the Black Water Star Cave," one of them commented.
"I have fourth-grade demon beast meat here as well," another cultivator added.
"Hmm?" Lu Chen's spiritual sense probed the box, confusion furrowing his brow. He couldn't see what was inside the box, but his spiritual sense told him that it definitely wasn't fourth-grade demon beast meat.
Inside was a strange spirit seed, and from its aura, it seemed to be a fifth-grade one at that.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, is your jade box also filled with fourth-grade demon beast meat?" a Core Formation cultivator sitting several meters away asked curiously.
"Yes," Lu Chen replied casually, discreetly storing the jade box in his pouch.
"Among the Core Formation cultivators, everyone else received fourth-grade demon beast meat or other treasures of the same rank. Only my jade box contained a fifth-grade spirit seed, which must be related to my help with the Dustlight Grass," he mused.
"The daughter of the Star Envoy of the Xing family is indeed generous, befitting her background in a major sect," one of the nearby cultivators commented.
"I only offered some advice and guidance, and she gave me a fifth-grade spirit seed in return," Lu Chen said.
"There's a significant difference in value between fourth-grade and fifth-grade treasures. Her gift certainly shows her appreciation," another cultivator remarked.
Lu Chen was extremely pleased with this reward. All he could think about was returning to his cave abode to retrieve the spirit seed and discover its origins.
"Based on its aura, it should be a fifth-grade water-attributed spirit plant. I'll only be able to identify its specific variety once I'm back at the cave abode," he thought.
"Is there a cultivator trying to spy on me with their qi?"
Alarm bells rang in Lu Chen's mind. The Qingfeng Feather Garment was capable of obscuring one's qi and veiling it from divination techniques, so this reaction indicated that someone was indeed attempting to secretly observe him.
"Could this be related to the malicious intent I felt at the start of the banquet?"
The faint sense of ill will that had appeared at the beginning of the feast immediately sprang to his mind.
"It seems there's someone who bears me ill will."
He mused silently to himself.
"Should I confront them directly or find an opportunity to avoid them?"
"If it comes to a confrontation, I do have quite a few fifth-grade treasures on me, but I've only recently advanced to the Golden Core stage. Aside from those treasures, my abilities are only average compared to others at the same stage."
"If the opponent is only at the early Golden Core stage, then with the treasures I possess and my strength, which is no weaker than that of cultivators at the same stage, I should be able to handle it alone."
"But what if there's more than one of them, or if their cultivation base is at the mid Golden Core stage or higher? That would be troublesome."
His thoughts raced, but he quickly made a decision.
"For now, I'll avoid them. Once I have more high-level spirit plants mature and acquire more treasures and abilities, I'll deal with them then."
"Now that their intentions are clear, as long as I remain vigilant and strengthen my capabilities, I should be able to get through this safely."
Lu Chen thought to himself.
"Land friend Lu, what are your plans after the banquet? Are you going to explore the Black Water Star Cave, buy some unique spirit elixirs, or return to Lei Huo Star Cave with the rest of us?"
As Lu Chen pondered, Ye Xuan Yin, one of the Golden Core cultivators from Lei Huo Star Cave, spoke up.
"To be honest, I'm not that interested in those spirit elixirs. It's a rare opportunity to have made the acquaintance of so many powerful cultivators. I think it would be best to return to Lei Huo Star Cave with all of you, and along the way, I can seek guidance on my cultivation issues."
"The next time I have the chance to come over, I'll make sure to explore Black Water Star Cave properly."
Initially, Lu Chen had planned to wander around the depths of the Black Water after the banquet to experience the unique customs and scenery of the Black Water Star Cave.
However, upon realizing that a cultivator had ill intentions towards him, he immediately changed his mind.
"After leaving the Star Envoy's abode, if I were to act alone, it would be easy for that hidden cultivator to launch an attack. But if I travel with these Golden Core cultivators, that hidden cultivator will have to reconsider their plans."
"When there's a bigger fish to fry, you stick to them like glue. That's emergency risk aversion 101."
"As for the unique spirit elixirs of the Black Water Star Cave, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
"Not to mention, if I really wanted to, I could always acquire them through the Hailou Commerce Guild."
Lu Chen understood the importance of prioritizing his safety. For now, navigating this immediate danger was the most crucial concern.
He stayed close to the five Golden Core cultivators from Lei Huo Star Cave, occasionally asking questions and feigning a respectful and attentive demeanor.
After they emerged from the depths of the Black Water, the group flew towards the Lei Huo Star Cave.
Soon after, the spiritual energy fluctuations of the Qingfeng Feather Garment beneath his clothes gradually subsided, and the tingling sensation on his skin disappeared, indicating that the threat had passed.
"Looks like they've given up."
"But I'll keep this in mind, and one day, I'll settle the score."
Lu Chen's expression remained unchanged, but he felt a sense of relief wash over him.
(End of Chapter)
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