Chapter 73
"As long as the hall can provide me with sufficient second and third-grade spirit species, I will wholeheartedly cultivate these spirit plants," replied Lu Xuan practically.
Drawing up expectations was easy for anyone; as long as one had access to rare and exact spirit species, dedication to cultivation was a given.
After a brief conversation, Lu Xuan excused himself and took leave.
Before departing, he bid farewell to Steward He and made his way to the freelance market.
The market now teemed with more cultivators than before. Some hurried along, fatigued expressions suggesting recent returns from the wilderness.
Various exotic materials of demonic beasts and spirit plants were displayed at stalls, showcasing many new varieties.
Lu Xuan scanned for any unknown rare spirit species while attentively eavesdropping on passing cultivators' discussions.
From their conversations, he learned that a large group of freelance cultivators who had ventured into new territories had returned to the marketplace.
"I wonder if Big Brother Zhang has returned this time?" Lu Xuan mused to himself, recalling Zhang Hong's family, who had cared for him in the past.
He had intended to buy an alchemy furnace from the Grand Bounties Pavilion for future alchemy sessions. However, upon hearing this news, he altered his route and headed to the northern area, where freelance cultivators gathered.
Since moving out from the outskirts of the northern area, Lu Xuan seldom returned.
Apart from the Zhang Hong family, whom he was familiar with, he refrained from visiting when Zhang Hong was away. Zhang Xiuyuan had visited a few times initially to play with Lu Xuan, but due to the emergence of evil influences and sporadic appearances of mutated cultivators, his actions were restricted by his mother, Xu Wan. It had been several months since they last met.
He purchased several pounds of spirit beast meat at the market and carried it to the exterior of Zhang's residence.
A knock resounded, the door cracked open, revealing Zhang Xiuyuan's face, brimming with curiosity.
"Uncle Lu, you're here?!"
"Dad! Mom! Uncle Lu's here."
The moment Zhang Xiuyuan spotted Lu Xuan, who had once partnered with him to eradicate pests, forging a profound friendship, he exclaimed in delight.
"Little Xiuyuan, you've grown so tall!"
In the few months they hadn't seen each other, Zhang Xiuyuan had shot up in height, slightly surpassing Lu Xuan's shoulders.
Smiling, Lu Xuan stepped into the courtyard and was greeted by Zhang Hong and his wife.
"It's been a while, Zhang Big Brother, Sister-in-law!"
Meeting familiar faces brought joy to Lu Xuan's heart as he cheerfully greeted them.
"I used to think that even if I ventured out into these territories, I wouldn't encounter danger. I always harbored fantasies about obtaining various opportunities."
"But reality always strikes. With deeper exploration of these new territories, dangers increased. I personally witnessed an entire team being massacred by an elusive evil entity, including over ten cultivators, some of whom were intermediate Qi Refinement cultivators. They were effortlessly slaughtered by a cunningly leveled evil entity."
Zhang Hong's eyes flickered with a trace of fear. Taking a deep breath, he regained composure.
"Perhaps in the future, I'll follow your path, Lu Brother, and become an honest and straightforward spirit plant cultivator, spending a peaceful life with my family."
"That would give me some time to recuperate and contemplate my future path."
Lu Xuan responded, refraining from advising Zhang Hong on what he should do. Every choice had its pros and cons.
"Zhang Big Brother, why don't you tell me about the situation in the territory? Even though I'm not keen on risking myself outside, I'd like to hear it from you."
"Sure, having more understanding of these evil entities can't hurt."
Speaking in low tones, they found themselves engulfed in a sudden gust of wind, rustling the branches of the Lunar Erosion Trees.
...
In the heart of the marketplace, the Wang family residence.
On top of a several dozen feet high building, the head of the Wang family surveyed the entire Lin Yangfang marketplace in silence.
"Chong'an, what are those two sect companions you brought doing now?"
A handsome youth, standing quietly behind him, stepped forward respectfully and inquired.
"With the assistance of two senior brothers and sisters, most of the evil influences
and mutated cultivators in the marketplace have been cleared. However, the elusive evil entity hasn't been found yet. It's either too adept at concealment or has returned to the territory."
"You need not worry about that. Just make sure to entertain them properly."
"Once the central formation in the territory is broken, seize the opportunity to take them there. Utilize their strengths to eradicate all the evil entities within."
"Understood."
The youth responded in a deep voice.
Atop the high building, the fierce wind howled. The dark-blue robes fluttered in the wind.
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