You Cultivate, I Farm

"Senior Lu, how do you find this spiritual field?"

In a spacious courtyard, Lu Xuan walked slowly, carefully observing the surroundings.

A young cultivator at the Qi cultivation stage, with a scar on his face, followed him, mirroring his every step.

The young man slightly bent forward, squeezing out a warm smile.

"The previous owner of this courtyard was a mid-level Qi cultivator. He went out exploring once and hasn't returned for a long time. His descendants mortgaged it, and our shop took it over for rent."

"The spiritual field here covers nearly an acre, rich in spiritual energy. The courtyard is beside the freelance market, patrolled by guards from the town. It's quite secure."

"And that chicken coop over there, the former owner inscribed runes for purification, stability, and soundproofing. It's suitable for nurturing spiritual beasts and birds."

"It's indeed nice, but I need to consider it."

Lu Xuan replied calmly.

These past few days, he managed to find some spare time to inspect a few spiritual fields through the shopkeeper.

These fields were multiple times larger than his current one, with denser spiritual energy and various conveniences.

Among them was a courtyard with not just a sizable spiritual field but also a spiritual spring!

This stirred Lu Xuan's heart, but after inquiring about the rent, he was swiftly brought back to reality.

Even the cheapest among the inspected fields demanded forty spirit stones per month. The one with the spiritual spring required sixty spirit stones monthly, with rent payments no less than every six months.

Lu Xuan, who had recently come into wealth, possessed close to three hundred spirit stones, which inflated his sense of worth.

However, he now realized that this meager amount wouldn't suffice when he truly needed it. He'd have to accumulate for a while longer.

With this in mind, Lu Xuan turned to the scar-faced shopkeeper.

"I'll need to think it over. If I'm interested, I'll come find you later."

With that said, he turned and left.

Once Lu Xuan's figure grew distant, the scar-faced shopkeeper couldn't help but spit out disdainfully.

"What's with this guy? A second-level Qi cultivator from a small sect wants to rent a spiritual field like this? Foolish dreams!"

"What a waste of my time!"

Lu Xuan slightly furrowed his brow. His cultivation had reached the third level of Qi refinement for some time now, heightening his senses. He faintly heard the scar-faced young cultivator's words.

He smirked, unconcerned about the shopkeeper's flattery-turned-contemptuous attitude, but discreetly put him on his blacklist, vowing never to seek his help in finding spiritual fields again.

"Ah, I used to think I was too poor, couldn't even spare a broken spirit for the straw puppet."

"Now, with nearly three hundred spirit stones, I can feed the straw puppet... No, not just one, maybe two."

"But why do I still feel so poor?"

Such a thought arose in his mind.

"I need to work hard to earn more spirit stones."

After a few days' rest, Zhang Hong would venture back into the wilderness. Zhang Xiu Yuan had already entered a working state these days.

They continued their cooperation: Zhang Xiu Yuan found freelance cultivators facing pest problems, and Lu Xuan dealt with the pests.

With increased practice, his understanding of the Golden Sword Technique deepened. Coupled with his efficient pest control and reasonable pricing, he gained some reputation among the freelance cultivators in the North District.

Previously, Zhang Xiu Yuan had to actively seek clients. Now, they came knocking on their door, sometimes even forming queues when crowded.

On this day, Lu Xuan received five spirit stones from a grateful freelance cultivator and walked out of a dilapidated courtyard.

"Lu, what a coincidence meeting you here."

A gentle voice echoed near him.

Lu Xuan turned to see a chubby cultivator at the corner, smiling at them.

"Coincidence? In such a vast North District, how could it be a coincidence? Clearly, you were waiting for me!"

Lu Xuan thought cynically but smiled in return.

"Oh, it's Daoist Qin. Long time no see. Your cultivation has grown deeper, truly a role model among us freelancers."

"Flattery aside, it's quite surprising to see Lu, who a few months ago needed my help with pest control, now capable of handling it easily himself."

Qin Ming sighed. He hadn't anticipated that the once insignificant Qi cultivator would become his competition with exceptional sword skills.

"Just fortunate. Compared to Senior Qin, I'm still far behind."

Lu Xuan's eyes held a hint of reminiscence.

"It all started with that pest problem. Since then, to prevent pests from harming the plants in the spiritual fields, I made a firm decision and used all my wealth to purchase a sword technique."

"After months of hard practice, perhaps coupled with a bit of innate talent in swordsmanship, I achieved what I have today."

"However, due to my lower cultivation, I can only use the sword technique two or three times a day, resulting in earning only a meager amount of spirit stones."

Anticipating conflicts of interest, Lu Xuan had already foreseen encounters with other pest-solving cultivators, especially someone like Qin Ming, a fourth-level Qi cultivator, who had the most business in the North District.

He narrated a prepared response, stating his low cultivation and the mere intention of earning some spirit stones for personal use, implying he wouldn't vie for Qin Ming's business.

"I see."

Qin Ming nodded slightly.

"However, Junior Lu, at your young age, focus on cultivation. It's better to steer clear of pest problems."

Qin Ming smiled gently, his words both advisory and threatening.

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Qin. I have a clear understanding of what to do."

Lu Xuan replied calmly, then tugged at Zhang Xiu Yuan and walked away.

During their stroll, he sensed an obscure gaze fixed on his back.

"So many freelance cultivators in the North District, I clearly stated I'd only earn a few spirit stones. What's the deal with Qin Ming's persistent pursuit?"

He grumbled within. He had already shown weakness, yet Qin Ming continued to press on, igniting a sense of frustration in him.

Suddenly, he halted, a thought striking him. Lu Xuan stopped in his tracks, grabbing Zhang Xiu Yuan beside him.

"Little Yuan, Uncle Lu has something for you to do."

"Go to the house of your acquaintance facing pest issues, ask if they invited a chubby Qi cultivator skilled in ice techniques after solving the pest problem."

"If it's him, find out specifically how he dealt with the budworm larvae after eliminating the pests."

"You're young; others won't be wary of you. They'll share detailed information. I'll be outside, ensuring your safety."

Seeing Lu Xuan's serious expression, the responsible Zhang Xiu Yuan understood the gravity of the situation, nodding firmly.

The two arrived at the residence Zhang Xiu Yuan mentioned. He called out from outside, and upon invitation from a teenager of the same age, entered the courtyard.

Lu Xuan held several talismans, quietly awaiting his return.

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