Chapter 142
"Haha, Junior Brother Lu, you're too cautious. Just a cultivator from a small family, yet you used several second-grade myriad sword talismans," Yao Qing chuckled.
"No choice. When it comes to safeguarding your life, a few talismans aren't much," Lu Xuan replied wryly.
"Moreover, the Wanjia cultivator could control a strange toad, highly toxic and capable of blending into its surroundings. Hence, I had to employ the myriad sword talismans with wide-range attacks," Lu Xuan continued, without showing any sign of the numerous second-grade talismans in his storage pouch.
He retrieved items from the cultivator's pouch, seamlessly transferring them into his own. Yao Qing and Yan Ping observed quietly, with no intention of taking a share.
Although they hurried over upon sensing the disturbance, Lu Xuan had handled the situation alone, making them ineligible for any spoils. Moreover, as a cultivator from a minor family, the value of the treasures on the cultivator wasn't enticing.
After a brief handling, the trio resumed clearing the spurious worms in the spiritual plantation. Yan Ping tracked the worms, while Lu Xuan and Yao Qing exterminated the discovered pests and patrolled the perimeter.
Following this failed ambush, no foolish cultivators came to reclaim the mimicry insects parasitizing the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches.
Two days later, a thorough inspection ensured no more mimicry insects infested the spiritual plants.
Regarding the Zhang family, thanks to Lu Xuan's unexpected aid against a formidable enemy, they swiftly overcame the Wanjia on another small island. Some Wanjia cultivators perished, some fled, leaving their assets to the Zhang family.
"Senior Sister Yao, Senior Brothers, thanks for helping resolve the infestation in the Water Marsh Spirit Peaches," Zhang Yutang, the family head, expressed.
"These are some small specialties: frozen spirit fish and candied Water Marsh Spirit Peaches. Take these back to Sky Sword Sect and savor," he added, looking a bit more aged but spirited.
He presented each of them an exquisite gift box, which they hesitantly accepted.
Yao Qing summoned a third-grade shuttle-shaped flying vessel. Lu Xuan leaped aboard, surrounded by a thin layer of spiritual energy shielding them inside.
Swoosh! The vessel ascended into the sky, dwindling Zhang's figures below.
"Zhang family head is quite generous," observed Yan Ping, opening the gift box. Inside lay a bag of candied peaches, an unknown delicacy weighing several pounds, and a flat box enveloped in ice, housing two frozen fish emitting a chilling aura.
Lastly, a small bag contained five hundred spirit stones, one for each of them.
"Five hundred spirit stones could buy two superior second-grade artifacts. For a small family like Zhang's, this is quite an investment," Lu Xuan remarked, marveling at the contents.
"Part of these stones is payment for the infestation issue, but primarily, it's hush money for us. The infestation was an inside job. Although a few individuals were involved, if our senior uncle discovered it, he might strip the Zhang family of its rights to cultivate Water Marsh Spirit Peaches. That would be catastrophic for them," Yao Qing explained, matter-of-factly.
Within half an hour, they returned to the sect.
"Junior Brothers, thanks to Junior Brother Lu detecting the mimicry worms and finding the solution, and Senior Brother Yan's repeated spellcasting efforts, we've resolved the infestation. Here are forty sword marks each, as your reward for this task," Yao Qing presented them before bidding farewell.
Lu Xuan accepted his share without much fuss. Though the forty sword marks were slightly less valuable than the five hundred spirit stones gifted by the Zhang family, earning forty in just a few days was commendable.
Lu Xuan instructed Yao Qing to park the flying vessel near his cave, saving a spirit stone used to rent a spirit crane. After bidding goodbye, he arrived at his cave's entrance, opened the mist-concealing array, and pushed the door.
A plump bird charged at Lu Xuan, landing atop his head with a loud smack.
Despite its powerful approach, it wasn't as heavy as expected, imparting a soft, cushiony sensation.
"In just a few days, how did you get even fatter? How will you carry me through the Qing Ming like this?" Lu Xuan exclaimed, surprised. Though the Wind Falcon had grown taller, now standing at four feet, its lateral growth was more apparent, almost becoming a sphere.
"Chirp chirp!" the Wind Falcon chirped, seemingly protesting Lu Xuan's words.
"Ao~" A shadow streaked past, and the Cloud-Stepping Lynx directly pulled the Wind Falcon down midair, landing on Lu Xuan's shoulder, its faint roar lingering.
The Wind Falcon wasn't ready to give up, circling Lu Xuan's head in search of an opening.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx, with its emerald eyes, lazily watched the Wind Falcon's antics.
Whenever the Wind Falcon got close, the lynx extended its thick paw like a cloud, bluntly knocking the Wind Falcon down.
"Look at you, shiny and plump. You've eaten quite a bit these days," Lu Xuan sighed, feeling a sense of unease. He hurried to the kitchen and found the monster meat he'd left for the two was completely devoured.
He imagined the Cloud-Stepping Lynx and Wind Falcon recklessly indulging in the monster meat after his departure until they couldn't eat anymore.
"No food for three days as punishment!" Lu Xuan sternly ordered.
The Cloud-Stepping Lynx's green pupils narrowed, displaying an indifferent demeanor. Meanwhile, the Wind Falcon's small head, in stark contrast to its rotund body, restlessly turned, occasionally emitting sharp chirps.
Having disciplined the Wind Falcon and the Cloud-Stepping Lynx, Lu Xuan returned to his room.
He retrieved all the belongings of the assailant who attacked him and arranged them on the table.
"A first-grade artifact, a first-grade elixir, less than a hundred spirit stones, but the most valuable might be this 'Insect Compendium,'" Lu Xuan gently caressed the antique cover depicting a grotesque multi-headed, multi-limbed, multi-winged insect, resembling a mismatched amalgamation of various breeds. Its appearance was eerily bizarre.
The title 'Insect Compendium' in blood-red at the top right corner seemed to drip like fresh blood.
Lu Xuan slowly opened the book, meticulously reading its contents.
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