Translator: 549690339
âWhereâ¦where have you been all these years?â
âEver since you came back from that new Secret Land, we havenât seen you. I thought something might have happened to you.â
The thin old man trembled slightly. He had always treated Lu Xuan like a nephew. His sudden disappearance at the time greatly upset him.
âOld He, I was noticed by a disciple from a great sect in the Secret Land. I had an opportunity to join the sect, but there was an unexpected attack by a Demon Envoy. To avoid the turmoil of the Wang Family, I rushed to the sect,â Lu Xuan said, a hint of guilt in his voice.
He sensed the strong concern in the old manâs tone. Sensing a fluctuation, he turned to the thin old man and said, âOld He, letâs find somewhere else to catch up. Itâs too noisy here.â
âThatâs him! He purposely brought a spiritual plant to make trouble in the Hundred Herbs Hall! Get him out of here!â
The arrogant middle-aged cultivator approached the hall, accompanied by two high-tier Qi cultivators.
Hearing Lu Xuanâs words, he immediately realized that he was being teased. Angry and embarrassed, he beckoned the two high-tier Qi cultivators who were maintaining order in the Hundred Herbs Hall.
Lu Xuan looked at the two men rushing towards him and coldly snorted.
His spiritual energy surged. He shot a white, chilling sword Qi from his fingertips.
The sword Qi swirled around the two high-tier Qi cultivators and the middle- aged man. Instantly, they felt countless tiny ice-cold sword Qi piercing their skin and into their flesh and blood.
The chill enveloped them, as if their bodies were frozen stiff. Unable to move, a thin layer of frost appeared on their skin and hair.
But colder than their blood and flesh were their hearts. Having lived in the market for decades, they knew their stuff. The chill in their sea of consciousness made it clear what Lu Xuanâs action meant.
A single, simple sword Qi had immobilized two high-tier Qi cultivators. It meant that Lu Xuanâs understanding of the sword Dao and cultivation level were far beyond theirs.
There was only one possibility: the young and handsome man before them was a Foundation Establishment cultivator!
With this thought, fear and shock filled their eyes.
âIâm merely teaching you a lesson. Resolve it yourselves,â Lu Xuan casually said. He then left the Hundred Herbs Hall with Old He.
The sword Qi he casually released was the Winter Snow Sword Intent from the Four Seasons Sword Decree. With exquisite control, he froze their vital energy. They would need specific elixirs or charms to resolve it, or else it would leave lingering issues.
As the manager of the Hundred Herbs Hall, the thin old man had a sizable residence in the central area of the market.
âLu Xuan, have you reached the Foundation Establishment stage?â
Old He took a few deep breaths before asking tentatively.
He knew the true strength of the two guards. Only a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment realm could defeat them with such ease.
âYes, I am now a high-level Foundation Establishment expert.â
âWhat do you think? Isnât it a surprise?â
Before the thin old man, Lu Xuan palpably regained some of his youthful antics, grinning and playfully asking.
âEven at the Foundation Establishment, you are still as immature as ever.â
His behavior made the thin old man feel much closer to him, like old times. He couldnât help but laugh and scold,
âBut, this surprise of yours is beyond ordinary. Itâs so big that this old manâs heart can barely take it.â
The elder patted his chest, speaking.
He simply couldnât fathom that the once down-and-out, impoverished Qi Practitioner Intermediate Level small loose cultivator had become a lofty Foundation Establishment expert.
The contrast between the two was just too great.
One should know, âBai Cao Tangâ, as one of the major powers in Linyang Market, the Alchemy Master with the highest cultivation level was also at the Foundation Establishment realm.
Is it possible that this out-of-tune youngster in front of him is actually on par with the Bai Cao Tang Alchemy Master that he usually looks up to?
Seeing the thin and haggard elder unable to compose himself for a long time, Lu Xuan let out a light laugh.
âOld He, do you still remember the events after you introduced me to the Bai Cao Tang and established a cooperative relationship?â
âAt that time, somehow, I suddenly found that I had a good talent for cultivating spiritual plants, as if I could naturally feel the vitality of the Spiritual Plant.â
Lu Xuan lost himself in his memories.
The lean elder nodded in agreement, he had a deep impression of these matters.
Batch after batch of Spirit Firefly Grass brought by Lu Xuan had increasingly higher quality, he took the initiative to establish a relatively free mode of cooperation between Lu Xuan and Bai Cao Tang,
Later on, Lu Xuan even cultivated Perfect Quality Spirit Firefly Grass, and when a demon envoy invaded the market, causing a large amount of Spiritual Plants to be contaminated, he stepped in to save those diseased Spiritual Plants, both of them benefited greatly from this.
Back then, he had received a lot of praise in Bai Cao Tang for recommending Lu Xuan.
âLater on, in the Secret Land, I met a cultivator from a Great Sect. He found out that I had cultivated a unique Spiritual Plant in the sect and gave me an opportunity to join the sect. I took this opportunity to enter the sect and step by step arrived where I am now.â
Lu Xuan continued to speak.
â It has been hard on you these years.â
The lean elder spoke with a heavy tone, imagining the countless hardships and dangers that Lu Xuan must have encountered on his journey from an unbacked loose cultivator to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in just under ten years.
âIt wasnât hard.â Lu Xuan shook his head in denial.
âIt was just day and night of hard cultivation, persistently nurturing spiritual plants, all in order to exchange for elixirs that could help improve my cultivation level, and then I luckily broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm.â
He described himself as very hardworking and diligent.
However, the lean elder felt that he was playing down his troubles, trivializing the difficulties he encountered, and kept sighing incessantly.
His sighing made Lu Xuan even doubt himself a bit.
The two of them kept talking about the past, laughing heartily when they got excited, or sighing with emotion.
Half a day later, seeing that it was getting late, Lu Xuan stood up to say goodbye to the lean elder.
âOld He, Iâm out on sect duty this time, and I was worried about you, so I came to visit. Now, itâs time forme to leave.â
âHere are a few small gifts, which should be useful for you or your descendants.â
âThis spirit fruit can improve oneâs constitution. However, its medicinal strength is too strong; you, Old He, being at the Qi Practitioner Intermediate Level, cannot consume too much at once.â
âThis bead, named Explosion Bead, can instantly burst out a large area of scorching flames. If there is any danger, it can be directly thrown.â
âAnd there is this charm, named Spirit Cleansing Talisman, if you encounter a demon envoy, it can purify and disperse it. Itâs highly damaging to even a Sneaky Level Evil Invasion.â
âLastly, this token is the Azure Cloud Order. Holding this order can save a lot of trouble when applying to join the Sky Sword Sect, and increase the chances of success.â
âIf there are any talented individuals among your descendants, they can take this token and go to the Sky Sword Sect.â
As Lu Xuan spoke, a red bead, a white jade-like talisman, a spirit fruit wrapped in countless jade layers, and a light azure token floated towards the lean elder.