Chapter 129
The Sword-Nurturing gourd had sprouted a small, tender green tendril.
The tendril wound itself around the worn-out first-grade flying sword, climbing upwards. As for the flying sword, under the nourishment of the gourd's spiritual seed, its sword intent had vanished, transforming into an ordinary strip of iron.
"Could serve as a gourd frame."
Lu Xuan propped up the discarded flying sword, facilitating the growth of the Sword-Nurturing gourd's tendrils.
From his storage pouch, he fetched three second-hand first-grade flying swords, placing them around the gourd to satisfy its need for sword intent in its growth.
Then, he approached the three-grade Dragon Whisker Grass. Having absorbed the blood of various dragon species, its growth had accelerated. Its pitch-black tendrils resembled a thick, poisonous snake.
"What flavor today? How about this!"
Lu Xuan took out a small white jade bottle from his storage pouch containing the blood of the double-headed dragon.
The blood held a considerable ferocity, and when poured onto the tendrils, the Dragon Whisker Grass became noticeably more aggressive.
He tended to the Illusory Smoke Fruit, guided the patterns on the branches of the Light Wood Tree, checked on the Yin Locust Tree inside the cave, gave some iron ore powder extracted by iron-clawed crabs to the Copper Bone Bamboo, and separated the entangled Blood Jade Ginseng.
After a bustling session, Lu Xuan finally arrived in front of the remaining fifty Pure Snow Lotus plants.
He used these Pure Snow Lotuses to condense spiritual seeds, so upon maturity, he didn't immediately harvest them. Instead, following the methods recorded by the Hundred Herbs Hall, he guided the Pure Snow Lotuses to produce seeds.
At the tip of the slender leaves, the embryonic form of the seeds was visible. Each Pure Snow Lotus had condensed around a dozen spiritual seeds. Once they reached a certain stage, these seeds needed to be harvested and specially treated and stored.
Back in his cave, Lu Xuan reverted to his previous routine.
He went to Thousand Dragon Lake daily, tending to the numerous dragons that he had trained to be obedient. The rest of the time, he cultivated spiritual plants and cared for spiritual beasts.
One day, he sensed unusual movement outside his courtyard. Stepping out, he found a voice transmission talisman suspended in mid-air, trembling slightly, awaiting his touch.
"Junior Brother Lu, I'm Xia Chen from the Agricultural Hall. Senior Brother Shen Ye, the head of the hall, has arrived and is quite interested upon hearing about your ability to independently cultivate Sword Grass. He requests your presence."
A familiar voice emanated from the transmission talisman, belonging to the elderly-looking cultivator who brought him the good news.
"Senior Brother Shen Ye..."
Being in charge of the main hall of the Sky Sword Sect, Shen Ye's cultivation was undoubtedly advanced. He also managed the distribution of various spiritual species in the sect, holding significant power and authority.
Such a prominent figure showing interest in his Sword Grass made Lu Xuan feel a tad anxious about meeting someone of such stature, despite being only at the ninth stage of Qi cultivation.
Adjusting his mindset, Lu Xuan followed Xia Chen into the Agricultural Hall.
"Junior Brother Lu, you're here. Hurry, come with me to meet Senior Brother Shen."
Xia Chen, the elderly cultivator, caught sight of Lu Xuan and hurriedly ushered him towards the inner hall.
Through Xia Chen, Lu Xuan learned that Shen Ye had reached the later stage of Foundation Establishment, managing the Agricultural Hall with profound expertise in spiritual plant cultivation. Additionally, he was renowned as a formidable sword cultivator.
Soon, they arrived at a quaint and serene room.
Seated in the center was a cultivator with a gentle demeanor, a deep black sword box resting on his legs, attracting attention.
"Senior Brother Shen, this is Junior Brother Lu Xuan, who cultivated the Sword Grass."
The gentle cultivator raised his head, casting a glance at Lu Xuan. It felt like a faint sword intent swept over him, prompting Lu Xuan to quickly bow in respect.
"Junior Brother Lu Xuan pays respects to Senior Brother Shen Ye!"
"Indeed, a hero emerging at a young age, independently cultivating the fundamental spiritual plant of the Sky Sword Sect, Sword Grass."
Shen Ye smiled and addressed Lu Xuan.
"To cultivate Sword Grass requires a profound level in swordsmanship. Show me your proficient sword technique."
"Alright."
Lu Xuan understood that Shen Ye intended to judge the authenticity of his cultivation of Sword Grass through his swordsmanship. With a thought, a golden sword qi shot out from within him.
The sword qi moved with remarkable flexibility and longevity.
"A grandmaster-level sword technique! No wonder you can easily cultivate Sword Grass on your own."
Shen Ye's face showed a hint of surprise.
"Although it's just a first-grade Golden Sword Technique, reaching this grandmaster level indicates excellent talent in swordsmanship. Coupled with diligent practice, achieving such a high level is commendable."
"Senior Brother exaggerates. Junior Brother Lu Xuan dare not claim such praise."
Lu Xuan replied with a hint of trepidation, choosing not to elaborate further.
"What exceptional talent in swordsmanship, what diligent practice, it's all nonsense. I've merely accumulated enough experience with this sword technique!" He thought to himself.
Confirming Lu Xuan's ability in swordsmanship, Shen Ye then proceeded to inquire about the details of cultivating Sword Grass.
How to nourish and stimulate Sword Grass with sword qi, how to gauge the balance, the changes in Sword Grass at each stage...
Lu Xuan remained composed. While his mastery of sword techniques might be lacking, his cultivation of Sword Grass was undeniable. His meticulous cultivation methods allowed him to know each stage of Sword Grass growth like the back of his hand, answering Shen Ye's questions effortlessly.
Shen Ye's smile grew more pronounced as he nodded continuously.
"Excellent. Regarding your cultivation of Sword Grass, I'm already ninety percent convinced. The remaining ten percent is merely due to not witnessing it firsthand."
"In accordance with the sect's rules, only inner disciples can plant Sword Grass. However, you have not only come into contact prematurely but even succeeded in cultivation."
He pondered briefly.
"Here's the deal. To ensure authenticity, I personally provide you with two Sword Grass spiritual seeds, and once they mature, the Sword Grass will be yours."
"If you can successfully cultivate both, the sect will make an exception and accept you as an inner disciple, aiding you in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."
"From what I've learned about your cultivation talent before coming here, it's just average. It might take no less than ten years to reach the completion stage of Qi cultivation, let alone the higher threshold from Qi completion to the Foundation Establishment stage."
"However, for the second-grade Sword Grass to mature, it will take roughly one to two years. If you confirm successful cultivation, with little difference in quality from the previous plant, I will introduce you to the ranks of cultivating and refining improved Sword Grass. It will undoubtedly benefit you greatly."
Shen Ye promised Lu Xuan.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen!"
Lu Xuan hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Receiving two free Sword Grass spiritual seeds, and the potential benefits upon successful cultivation, made Lu Xuan feel immensely fortunate. Not a moment of
hesitation undermined his respect for the white light cluster.
"These are two Sword Grass spiritual seeds, along with a messaging talisman. If you have urgent matters, you can contact me directly."
As his words faded, the gentle cultivator's figure vanished from the room, leaving two slender, sword-like grey-black spiritual seeds and a white jade talisman in front of Lu Xuan.
"Being valued by Senior Brother Shen Ye and receiving Sword Grass spiritual seeds for free, Junior Brother Lu Xuan is truly blessed."
Seeing this, the elderly cultivator in the corner couldn't help but show a tinge of envy on his face.
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