You Cultivate, I Farm

“Since our last parting at Lord Thunderfire’s cave abode decades ago, Elder, your presence has grown even more impressive.”

Lu Xuan smiled, welcoming the two into the cave abode.

“Old chap, the future belongs to you young ones now.”

“After decades, I hadn’t expected young friend to have begun preparing for the Nascent Soul breakthrough.”

Patriarch Mu sighed lightly, feeling sentimental.

“You’re too kind, Elder. There’s still much I need to learn from you.”

“Here are three types of Fifth Grade Spirit Brews, namely True Sword Elixir, Green Condensation Dew, and Heart Flame Wine, all brewed personally by me. Please, Elder, taste them.”

With the arrival of the Primordial Infant True Monarch, Lu Xuan did not dare to neglect, and took out three bottles of Fifth Grade Spirit Brew.

“Thank you, young friend, for your generous hospitality.”

“This time I am indeed fortunate to have Elder Mu’s grace, to be able to enjoy three types of Fifth Grade Spirit Brew simultaneously.”

Zhang Jiuzong laughed as Lu Xuan poured him a full cup of Spirit Brew.

The three casually discussed some matters regarding the Commerce Association.

“Friend Lu, this way, please.”

Zhang Jiuzong led Lu Xuan to a secluded area.

“This is eighteen Star Fruit Seeds. The Commerce Association, after estimating the approximate maturation time of the last batch of Star Fruits, made preparations in advance and collected more Star Fruit Seeds than before.”

He took out eighteen dazzling seeds from his storage bag.

“It’s time again, I fear, to trouble Friend Lu with their cultivation.”

Lu Xuan streched out his hand to receive them: “It is my duty to contribute to the Commerce Association, no hardship at all.”

He thought for a moment.

The sixteen Star Fruits that had been collected earlier flew out and floated towards Zhang Jiuzong.

“Sixteen, does that mean the previous batch of seeds all matured successfully?!”

A trace of joy appeared on Zhang Jiuzong’s face.

“Look closer, Friend Zhang, there’s more.”

Lu Xuan smiled warmly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiuzong carefully examined the floating Star Fruits in front of him.

“Sixteen Fifth Grade Spirit Fruits, not only have they all matured successfully, but five of them are of “Good Quality.”

“Friend Lu truly deserves the title of top Spirit Plant Master from the Sword Sect competition!”

Delight was evident in Zhang Jiuzong’s expression.

Though cultivating a Fifth Rank Spirit Plant was not as difficult as forging a Fifth Grade Magic Artifact or producing Fifth Grade Elixir, it still posed a considerable challenge with a certain chance of failure.

For an Ordinary Spirit Plant Master, it would be entirely impossible to achieve complete success in cultivation, let alone cultivate extremely rare high-quality Spirit Fruits.

“Good Quality” Fifth Grade Spirit Fruits are much more effective than regular Fifth Grade Spirit Fruits, and their selling price would naturally skyrocket.

“Sixteen Star Fruits, each worth one hundred Middle Grade Spiritual Stones as reward; for each increase in quality, add another hundred Middle Grade Spiritual Stones.”

“In total, two thousand and one hundred Middle Grade Spiritual Stones; any objections, Friend Lu?”

Zhang Jiuzong asked with a smile.

Lu Xuan nodded lightly: “None at all, Lu Mou is very satisfied.”

That was the previously promised payment, which naturally raised no objections.

Even though at his current stage, two thousand odd Middle Grade Spiritual Stones was not a small sum, and what’s more, it was only supplementary, he had already obtained more valuable treasure items from the light cluster.

“Good, please have a look, Friend Lu.”

Zhang Jiuzong brought a pile of energetically brimming Middle Grade Spiritual Stones before Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan’s Spiritual Sense quickly scanned it, confirming the correct amount he stored them in his storage bag.

“Friend Zhang, you and I have known each other for many years and share a deep friendship. This time you must give me some insider information.”

He communicated to Zhang Jiuzong through a transmission.

“Elder Mu, what brings you to my cave abode?” Lu Xuan could not rest easy without understanding why a Nascent Soul True Monarch had come to his residence.

“I’m not at liberty to say, but I can promise you that it will be entirely to your benefit,” Zhang Jiuzong said solemnly.

Only then did Lu Xuan truly relax, and he returned to the courtyard with Zhang Jiuzong.

“Elder Mu, I hope you’ll forgive any oversight on my part,” he greeted the Mu Family patriarch who was quietly tasting the Spirit Brew.

“No matter, Jiuzong came here to seek you out specifically,” the Patriarch Mu paused.

“To be honest, I also have matters to discuss with you, young friend.”

“Please go ahead,” Lu Xuan said, bowing his head.

“You’ve joined the Dongxuan Sword Sect, so you must not have returned to the Liyang Region often, have you?”

“Indeed, the distance between the Sword Sect and the Liyang Region is vast, requiring passage through many realms and the Void, which hides various dangers. My strength being limited, I can only afford to come here occasionally,” Lu Xuan said, half-truthfully.

“That’s understandable,” Patriarch Mu slowly nodded.

“Once you break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, your status within the Sword Sect will rise significantly, and I guess your visits to the Liyang Region will become even rarer.”

“The Commerce Association has treated me well, and should I be fortunate enough to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, nothing significant will change,” Lu Xuan tried to reassure him.

“I will strive to come here more often to properly fulfill the duties of a guest elder,” Lu Xuan guessed the old man’s concerns and promised solemnly, his expression grave.

“That you have such intention is already commendable,” Patriarch Mu nodded in satisfaction.

“However, the Commerce Association has discussed among several families and come up with a solution that serves both purposes,” he added.

“If you successfully advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, the Commerce Association plans to establish a new branch near the Sword Sect and invites you to join that branch. What do you think?” he asked Lu Xuan with a smile.

“Invite me to join the branch?” Lu Xuan was momentarily stunned, his expression filled with confusion.

“Yes, upon your promotion to Nascent Soul, the Commerce Association intends to deepen its ties with you,” he explained.

“After establishing a branch near the Sword Sect, we hope you will help oversee it often. In return, a fixed portion of the branch’s profits will be allocated to you,” Lu Xuan nodded subconsciously and tentatively asked, “Is this Senior Instrument Spirit’s idea?”

“This is a decision made after discussions among the major families of the Commerce Association, naturally with the approval of Senior Instrument Spirit,” Patriarch Mu said gravely.

Upon learning of Lu Xuan’s exceptionally outstanding performance at the Sword Peak competition and his attainment of the Golden Core Completion Realm, the idea gradually took shape within the Commerce Association.

With Lu Xuan’s current mastery in Spirit Plant cultivation, he had already achieved a high status within the Sword Sect. If he were to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, his prospects would soar even higher.

At that point, it would no longer be him needing the Commerce Association, but rather the Commerce Association needing him.

Thus, the Commerce Association aimed to use this relationship to forge deeper bonds, even conceding some benefits to Lu Xuan to tightly bind him to their vast enterprise.

Lu Xuan bowed his head silently, contemplating the situation. The proposal from the Commerce Association was indeed beneficial to him— the so-called supervision was just a formality. If a new branch was to be established near the Sword Sect, security would not be a concern.

With the capabilities of the Commerce Association, they were indeed qualified to establish a branch near the Sword Sect. By inviting him to join them, it was, plainly speaking, an investment in him, providing him with Spiritual Seeds and Spirit Stones.

After weighing the options briefly, Lu Xuan quickly made up his mind.

“I have no objections.”