Upon entering the city, along the way, Lu Xuan learned from Zhou Qi and the othersâ conversation that five major Sect monks, including the Sky Sword Sect, Ten Thousand Beast Gate, and the Lingxiao Sect, were stationed in Black Star City. There were also two middle-sized Sects located near Black Star City.
With the reason of one falling bringing down the other, the two middle-sized Sects, although not powerful, threw all in, vowing to defend the last barrier in front of their sect.
A real Golden Core of Ten Thousand Beast Gate was stationed in the city, just to be safe.
âIt seems that this Black Star City is quite important, with so many sect monks stationed here.â
Lu Xuan slowly moved along the somewhat deserted wide streets and thought to himself.
A moment later, he was led to a courtyard by a loose cultivator in the city.
âBrother Lu, this will be your dwelling and cultivation place for some time. The courtyard is humble and far inferior to the Great Sects, yet I hope you will be understanding.â
This loose cultivator was in the cultivation realm of Foundation Establishment First-term, quite outstanding among loose cultivators. However, in front of Lu Xuan, who originated from the Sky Sword Sect, he felt rather awkward and spoke in a humble manner.
âItâs fine, Iâm quite satisfied.â
Lu Xuan said sincerely. He was originally a loose cultivator and the small courtyard he had in Linyang Market was far inferior to the current one. Given that this trip was meant to deal with the demonic and evil envoys, he naturally wouldnât be too picky.
When the loose cultivator heard this, he was significantly relieved and left hurriedly after dropping off a communication talisman.
Lu Xuan entered the courtyard and casually set up a simple prohibition.
The courtyard was medium-sized, with eight rooms. In addition, there was an empty Spirit Field of nearly three acres.
Lu Xuan sensed the spiritual energy in the courtyard and frowned slightly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The spiritual energy in Black Star City was much less dense and more chaotic compared to the Sky Sword Sect.
âAt least itâs better than the old Linyang Market.â
Lu Xuan thought optimistically.
Hard is it to be frugal after having lived luxuriously, this environment was somewhat uncomfortable for him, who had been used to the pure and rich spiritual energy inside the Sky Sword Sect.
âIf I plant the second-grade Water Glow Grass in this type of Spirit Field, I fear its growth cycle will be extended and it would be hard to gain higher quality mature plants.â
He picked up a handful of shallow black Spirit Soil from the empty Spirit Field and said to himself.
âThereâs no need to rush to cultivate the Water Glow Grass Spirit Seeds I brought. Iâll wait a few days to adjust.â
Lu Xuan looked at the barren Spirit Field, suppressed his inner impulse to start planting, went into a room, and began to adjust his breath to ensure that he was in the best state.
Black Star City was full of people and quite chaotic. He did not rush to take out the Void Nightmare Eye, instead, he let the Cloud Leopard out to detect the Evil Spite Qi and covered his own aura with the Clear Dragonfly Feather Robe, then entered a cultivation state.
The peaceful days did not last long.
Three days later, a talisman quickly arrived at the courtyard, making constant hooting noises from outside the prohibition, as if urging Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan drew the talisman with his Spiritual Sense, input a bit of spiritual power, and a deep voice was heard.
âFriend Lu Xuan, please carefully patrol within the formation in the next few days, together with you will beâ¦â
The voice handed a patrol mission to Lu Xuan, including patrol range, teammate information, shift time, etc.
Lu Xuan released the talisman, carefully checked all the treasures, and when he thought it was about time, he arrived at the location as per the talisman.
âCould it be Brother Lu Xuan of the Sky Sword Sect?â
When he reached a flat and wide square and was looking around, an old voice came from a few meters away.
Lu Xuan followed it and saw a thin old man waving at him, with two others standing next to him.
He came up and stood in front of those three.
âIndeed, I am. Are you all the ones who will patrol the edge of the city with me?â
âExactly, exactly.â
The thin old man showed a kind smile.
âLet me introduce you, this is Brother Qiu Changyuan from the Ten Thousand Beast Gate, and he is in the Foundation Establishment Mid-term stage. He is also the leader of our group of four people.â
The elder pointed to a young man with a cold expression next to him.
âNice to meet you, Brother Qiu.â
Lu Xuan greeted with a smile.
âNice to meet you, Junior Brother Lu.â
Qiu Changyuan responded with a smile.
âThis is Sister Meng Yue from the Lingxiao Sect, with a Foundation Establishment First-term Cultivation Level.â
The thin old man pointed to a gentle-looking woman cultivator next to him and said.
Lu Xuan nodded at the female cultivator as a form of acknowledgment, and they greeted each other.
âMy name is Sun Yun Ming. I come from a small local sect called Qingyuan Sect. I hope for Brother Luâs guidance in the future.â
âFriend Sun, you are too polite. We shall look out for each other.â
Lu Xuan replied warmly with a smile.
âFellow Daoists, as this is our first meeting and we will be working together for some time, let us introduce ourselves for a better understanding.â
Qiu Changyuan said.
âI hail from the Ten Thousand Beast Gate. I have extensive experience in fighting demon beasts and possess a few fourth-grade Spirit Beasts. Moreover, I have some decent magic artifacts.â
âMeng Yue from the Lingxiao Sect, I am adept at making charms, proficient in formations, and have entered multiple Secret Lands.â
âSun Yun Ming from the Qingyuan Sect. I do not have any particular strengths, but I am quite accomplished in a few middle-ranked formula methods. I also have an extensive understanding of the outer areas of the Black Demon Abyss.â
The skinny old man chuckled awkwardly.
âLu Xuan from the Sky Sword Sect, Iâm proficient in cultivating Spiritual Plants, know a little bit about sword techniques, and have limited experience in exploring Secret Lands and fighting enemies.â
âHowever, to better ensure my own survival, Iâve spent a lot of money preparing charms and treasures. I wonât be dragging any of you down.â
âJunior Brother Lu, you seldom explore Secret Lands and fight with demon beasts?â
Upon hearing this, Qiu Changyuan frowned slightly and asked with confusion.
âMost of the time, I stay in the sect cultivating Spiritual Plants.â
Lu Xuan answered truthfully.
âSo, your cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Mid-term Realm was achieved within the sect?â
âActually, it was.â
Lu Xuan did not conceal the fact. The majority of his spiritual power came from rewards he had received. Without having to fight or seek out opportunities, he was able to achieve the Foundation Establishment Late-term Cultivation Level smoothly.
âWhy was I given a Spirit Plant Master who only has high cultivation but does not excel in combat?â
Qiu Changyuan cast a deep look at Lu Xuan. His demeanor turned colder, not caring about Lu Xuanâs face at all, and spoke bluntly.
The moment his words fell, the faces of Sun Yun Ming and Meng Yue changed, and the atmosphere became subtle.
âI do not know why, Brother Qiu will have to ask the person in charge for that.â
Lu Xuan remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the contempt in the cold young manâs tone.
âJunior Brother Lu, donât worry. Brother Qiu meant no harm.â
âFrom what I know, among the three Daoists assigned to Brother Qiu last time, one of them was also a Spirit Plant Master who frequently stayed indoors and had little experience in combat due to luck. They encountered a mighty demon, died on the spot, and almost led to the fall of Brother Qiuâs team.â
âThatâs why Brother Qiu speaks as such.â
A fine and old voice entered Lu Xuanâs ears. It was the skinny old man who had been staying in Black Star City. He was explaining to Lu Xuan the reason behind Qiu Changyuanâs behavior.
âFriend Sun, donât worry. Regardless of how Brother Qiu sees me, it will not affect our patrol mission.â
Lu Xuan was aware of the old manâs concerns and transmitted his voice to him.