I Practice Farming While the Rest Cultivates

"I need to go harvest some light clusters from the Thunderfire Star Cave."

Lu Xuan decided to leave the Upside-Down Yin and Yang Fruit near the Eightfold Palace and first return to the Thunderfire Star Cave to check on it.

The Spirit Plants grown there were mostly of the fifth rank and below, and with so many years having passed, he estimated that many must have matured.

"Not to mention anything else, the replenishment of the Divine Wood Green Pot requires a large number of third-grade Spirit Absorbing Grass Beads."

"Also, there are a few high-rank Spirit Plants in the Abyss Star Cave that are nearly fully matured."

He activated the Zodiac Star Battle Sword Formation, entered the Giant Sword Boat, and hurried towards the Cloud Void Domain.

The Giant Sword Boat, specially crafted by the Hundred Artisans Sword Peak, was truly a seventh-grade flying treasure with the ability to traverse the Void and with extremely strong defense capabilities. He entered the Leaving Sun Area smoothly.

Thunderfire Star Cave.

Lu Xuan walked slowly amidst the sky filled with fine thunder light, taking a deep breath, feeling an innate sense of familiarity from the bottom of his heart.

Approaching the Cave Abode, just as he was about to open the Thousand Barrier Xuan Crystal Array, suddenly, three streaks of light flew towards him.

Lu Xuan remained composed, waiting for the three to approach.

Upon their arrival, he recognized their identities from their standard robes; they were patrolling cultivators from the Thunderfire Star Cave.

Among them, the one in front had reached the "Early Core Formation stage," while the other two had achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection.

"Thunderfire Star Cave guardian Chen Yin pays respect to Friend Lu."

The Core Formation young man was taken aback when he saw Lu Xuan, then seemed to recall something, and greeted him with cupped fists.

"Greetings to Senior Lu!"

The two behind him followed suit, respectfully greeting him.

"Chen Fellow Daoist is kind, and the two young friends need not be so ceremonious."

Lu Xuan said with a smile.

"Just now while patrolling the area, we noticed a cultivator approaching, and when we arrived, we did not expect it would be Friend Lu returning from the Dongxuan Sword Sect."

Chen Yin explained briefly, subtly indicating his regular patrol near the Cave Abode.

"Having stayed in the Sword Sect for many years, I've always been concerned about some of the Spirit Plants planted here, so I came back to check on them."

Lu Xuan casually said.

"By the way, I wonder if there have been any abnormalities at this Cave Abode over the years?"

"Friend Lu can be assured, the area around the Cave Abode has been closely monitored by the Thunderfire Star Cave guards and is a key patrol zone.

With us here, we wouldn't allow any petty intruders to break into your Cave Abode."

Chen Yin stated emphatically upon hearing the question.

"Furthermore, all the cultivators of the Heavenly Star Cave know that this Cave Abode belongs to you; they wouldn't dare to covet the treasures of an Inner Sect disciple of the Dongxuan Sword Sect even if they had a hundred times the courage."

He complimented without leaving any trace.

"Ha ha, it's been so many years; you've worked hard, Chen Fellow Daoist."

"Here are three bottles of Ice Marrow Spirit Brew personally brewed by Lu Mou to relieve some fatigue for the Fellow Daoists."

Lu Xuan laughed heartily, and three bottles emitting an icy chill flew towards Chen Yin.

Although the Cave Abode was protected by arrays and Grass Puppets, having the Thunderfire Star Cave defense certainly spared him some unnecessary trouble; a little Spirit Brew was nothing in comparison.

"Thank you, Friend Lu."

Chen Yin found it hard to decline and accepted the three bottles of Spirit Brew.

After they left, Lu Xuan arrived at the entrance of the Cave Abode and opened the Thousand Barrier Xuan Crystal Array.

As soon as he entered the Cave Abode, a strange laugh mixed with thunder reached his ears.

Following that, a streak of silver-white light flew towards him, and Thunder, with its green face and fangs, and a Large Drum Flesh Bump around its waist, appeared in front of Lu Xuan.

It excitedly darted around Lu Xuan, constantly slapping at the drum-like flesh bump on its waist.

Soon, from one side of the Cave Abode at the entrance to the Spirit Field, a Grass Puppet moved swiftly towards Lu Xuan on its long grassy legs.

It stopped in front of Lu Xuan, its hollow eye sockets fixating on him, and the vaguely mouth-shaped knotting of its greyish-black grass ropes seemed to curve into a smile.

Lu Xuan's spirit probed into it and could sense the excitement hidden deep within its wooden exterior.

"Well done, you've protected the Spirit Field very well."

Lu Xuan nodded in approval.

Grass Puppet remained motionless, and the thoughts that were being transmitted turned from a flicker of excitement into a firm determination:

"Defend the Spirit Field!"

Then, without a moment's hesitation, it stepped back into the Spirit Field on its slender legs.

Lu Xuan couldn't help but smile at the sight of the Fire Separation Flood Dragon and other Spirit Beasts flying towards him from deep within the cave abode.

After calming them, he was about to enter the Spirit Field to collect the rewards from the light clusters.

Suddenly, a familiar aura appeared outside the cave, and the voice of Lei Zheng, the Thunderfire Star Cave Envoy, reached his ears.

"Friend Lu, how could you return from the Sword Sect without telling an old friend?"

Qi Wuheng said with a big laugh.

"Fellow Qi, it's been a long time, how have you been?"

Lu Xuan turned and flashed to the outside of the cave abode, welcoming Qi Wuheng in.

He guessed that it must have been Chen Yin whom he had just seen that informed the other, otherwise they wouldn't have learned so quickly of his return to the Thunderfire Star Cave.

"Thanks to your concern, all is well. But I see the aura around you growing ever stronger, far surpassing that of Qi Mou."

Qi Wuheng spoke wistfully, envy flashing in his eyes.

When he first met Lu Xuan, he had not yet broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage. It was unimaginable that, after hundreds of years, not only had Lu Xuan advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, but he had also left him far behind.

Naturally, he attributed all of this to Lu Xuan's initiation into the Dongxuan Sword Sect.

"Just a stroke of luck, merely obtained some treasure from my sect's seniors that enhances spiritual power."

Lu Xuan, already preparing for his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul, did not keep much hidden and revealed himself to be just at the level of Golden Core Completion.

"I estimate it won't take much longer for you to advance to Nascent Soul."

Qi Wuheng remarked with a complex tone of voice.

"Still a long way off, Fellow Qi. We haven't seen each other for so many years; let's drink to our hearts' content."

Lu Xuan smiled and changed the subject, leading Qi Wuheng into the courtyard.

"Friend Lu, if there is Spirit Brew and you do not invite Guo Mou, I'll have a bone to pick with you."

Following that, another aged voice came from outside the cave abode, belonging to Guo Bingqiu, who lived not too far from the cave abode. Lu Xuan had often visited him for small gatherings with other cultivators.

Then, Ye Xuanyin also arrived outside the cave abode.

One familiar face after another, having somehow received news of Lu Xuan's return, arrived from all directions.

Lu Xuan simply gathered everyone together, presenting plates of Spirit Fruit and bottles of Spirit Brew.

The group sat together, with Lu Xuan learning much news about the Liyang Region from them, while they were particularly interested in Lu Xuan's cultivation and everyday life at the Sword Sect.

"By the way, why isn't Thunder Fellow Daoist Lei Zheng here? Is he in seclusion or has he gone out to explore some Secret Land?"

Lu Xuan looked around curiously and asked.

"Thunder Fellow Daoist, he..."

Ye Xuanyin showed a reluctant expression.

"What happened to Thunder Fellow Daoist?"

Seeing her expression, Lu Xuan had an ominous premonition.

"Thunder Fellow Daoist could not find the opportunity to break through the mid-term of the Nascent Soul stage, and he was so troubled that several years ago, upon learning of a perilous secret realm on the seventh floor of the Abyss Star Cave where cultivators had obtained treasures to enhance their spiritual power, he invited a few Jindan Cultivators to explore it with him."

"He hasn't returned to the cave abode for so long without any message; it's very likely that he met with misfortune."

Guo Bingqiu said solemnly.

"Alas, let's hope that Thunder Fellow Daoist returns safely."

"How could anyone easily enter such a perilous place as the seventh layer of the Abyss Star Cave?"

Lu Xuan let out a sigh.

Even with his Linggu Transformation, he did not dare let himself enter the seventh floor lightly, yet Lei Zheng dared take such a risk.

The pair had known each other for years, and when Lu Xuan first ventured into the Ancient Medicine Garden, Lei Zheng had accompanied him. They had often met since then, and knowing that Lei Zheng might be in grave danger, Lu Xuan felt deep regret.

"There's nothing to be done, in the path of cultivation, if you don't advance, you fall back. We can only say that Thunder Fellow Daoist's fortune was not profound enough."

Guo Bingqiu sighed, and everyone present was more or less affected by the mood, falling into silence.