Little Uncle Lu, Do You Want Spirit Stones or Not?

Little Uncle Lu, do you want Spirit Stones or not? The newly matured Eclipse Moon Fruits were twice as many as the first batch, a full eight in total.

All eight Eclipse Moon Fruits were Good Grade. Lu Xuan carefully placed them into a special container, then, filled with anticipation, picked up the eight White Light Orbs that appeared one by one.

"Harvested one Eclipse Moon Fruit. Obtained First-grade Magic Tool Split Silver Blade (fragment)." *5 "Harvested one Eclipse Moon Fruit. Obtained First Grade Talisman Sword Qi Talisman."

"Harvested one Eclipse Moon Fruit. Obtained First-grade pill Essence Nurturing Pill."

"Harvested one Eclipse Moon Fruit. Obtained First Grade Talisman Explosive Flame Talisman."

Among the rewards from the eight light orbs, five were fragments of the First-grade Magic Tool Split Silver Blade, two produced two First Grade Talismans, and one light orb produced a single First-grade pill.

"Essence Nurturing Pill, First-grade pill. After a cultivator takes it, it can rapidly replenish Spiritual Power."

Lu Xuan carefully put away this First-grade Essence Nurturing Pill.

He had heard of this kind of pill before, but this was the first time he had owned one. It was extremely useful for Qi Refining Low Stage and Middle Stage cultivators, and was worth quite a few Spirit Stones.

"There are more and more Split Silver Blade fragments now. I already have eight."

Lu Xuan looked at the eight thin, silvery-white fragments flying around him, feeling somewhat helpless.

Suddenly, his mind stirred, and the eight fragments instantly closed together. Their edges pressed tightly against one another, forming a strange object.

"Why does it feel like a silver sword blade? It's just missing quite a few pieces."

The more Lu Xuan looked at it, the more he felt that this object had the rough shape of a sword blade.

"If it's a sword blade, does that mean that when combined, it can be used as a single Magic Tool? During battle, it could confuse the opponent, then suddenly split into many thin pieces and catch them off guard."

The more he thought about it, the more likely he felt that possibility was, and he began looking forward to the moment when all the fragments were collected.

There were still thirty Eclipse Moon Fruits left. Judging by the probability of the fragments appearing and the size of the gaps in the incomplete sword blade, there should not be much of a problem.

But the moment he thought of his card-drawing experiences in his previous life, he could no longer stay optimistic.

"Little Uncle Lu, do you want Spirit Stones or not?"

Just as Lu Xuan was worrying, he heard Zhang Xiuyuan's familiar mischievous voice from outside the courtyard.

Lu Xuan hurriedly opened the courtyard gate.

"What, you little guy have Spirit Stones to give me?"

"I don't have Spirit Stones to give you. I just have a chance that can help you earn Spirit Stones."

The sturdy, tiger-headed Zhang Xiuyuan chuckled, a trace of slyness in his eyes that did not match his age.

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Lu Xuan looked at Zhang Xiuyuan, who was hugging the Grass Puppet tightly, and a hint of curiosity rose in his heart.

"Didn't you help my family solve the Insect Pest problem a few days ago? Just today, I heard Cai Bin say that his family also had those strange worms appear. So I told him that you were especially capable. He hurried back to tell his father and mother, and he also wanted me to bring you to his house to help."

"His father is worried to death over this problem. As long as you do it like last time, Little Uncle Lu, you'll be able to earn a lot of Spirit Stones!"

"Cai Bin?"

In Lu Xuan's memory, he was a child as skinny as a monkey, often playing together with Zhang Xiuyuan. His home was two or three li away from Lu Xuan's courtyard.

Lu Xuan had once met his father, Cai Hai. He was a Qi Training Stage 3 Rogue Cultivator. They merely knew each other and had no real dealings.

"Should I go take a look?"

He hesitated inwardly, weighing whether he should go earn these Spirit Stones.

Risk? It was mainly dealing with Black Sprout Insects. With his increasingly practiced Gold Metal Swordplay, he could resolve them with ease. There was also an extremely small possibility of conflict or trouble, but with his Qi Training Stage 3 cultivation, along with Gold Metal Swordplay, various talismans, and the Split Silver Blade Magic Tool fragments, he could basically handle all kinds of unexpected situations.

Reward? Qin Ming, at Qi Training Stage 4, charged seven Spirit Stones to clear out Black Sprout Insect Larvae once. Although what I've revealed is only Qi Training Stage 2 cultivation, charging five Spirit Stones isn't too much, right?

Most importantly, he really was too poor right now! He had a great need for Spirit Stones.

The Spirit Field was too small. After planting these Spirit Plants, there was almost no empty space left. Lu Xuan really wanted to own a larger Spirit Field.

He also wanted to buy a Storage Bag. As the number of Treasures in his hands grew larger and larger, he could not possibly carry them all on him every time he went out.

Buying Unknown Spirit Seeds also required a large number of Spirit Stones.

Thinking of this, Lu Xuan no longer hesitated. Under Zhang Xiuyuan's expectant gaze, he nodded lightly.

"Lead the way."

"Alright!"

Cai Family Courtyard.

Cai Hai's wife, Li Shi, was scolding her son head-on and face-first.

"Tell me what you were thinking, actually calling a teenage Rogue Cultivator over to solve our family's Insect Pest problem! Do you think this is children playing house?!"

Cai Bin, only six or seven years old, was scolded by his mother until his face flushed red. Gathering his courage, he replied:

"But Xiuyuan said his Little Uncle Lu is especially amazing, with swordsmanship that's reached the realm of gods and ghosts. He wiped out all the Demon Worms in one move!"

"You believe whatever he says? Don't you use that pig brain of yours to think? A Qi Training Stage 2 Rogue Cultivator—no matter how amazing, how amazing can he be?!"

Li Shi turned her head and said to her husband, Cai Hai, who was standing beside her with his head lowered as he looked at the ground, "Dear, I think we should call my younger brother over instead. He has some connections and knows a Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivator who can solve Insect Pest problems. He'll definitely be more reliable than that Qi Training Stage 2 Rogue Cultivator in that little brat's mouth."

"Hey, you mean that so-called brother-in-law who opens his mouth and asks for ten Spirit Stones?"

The scrawny Cai Hai gave a cold laugh.

"He's slaughtering acquaintances all the way to his own brother-in-law now. Why don't you pay those ten Spirit Stones, then?"

Li Shi's lips moved a few times. "I was just worried about the family's spirit plants."

"Sigh..."

Cai Hai let out a long sigh.

"At this point, we can only try that young Rogue Cultivator."

"I went out and asked around just now. Zhang Hong's family did suffer an Insect Pest before. I heard it was resolved by a Youth, so he must be the person Cai Bin mentioned."

Cai Hai crouched down and looked at the spirit plants tightly wrapped in fine black threads, a trace of worry flashing through his eyes.

The other cultivators who could resolve Insect Pests all demanded high prices, and for him right now, that was undoubtedly a heavy burden.

He could only place his hopes on Lu Xuan, who was at Qi Training Stage 2.

Just then, a knock came from the courtyard gate.

Though Lu Xuan had heard a little of the argument outside, since he was already here, and Spirit Stones not earned were Spirit Stones wasted, he had Zhang Xiuyuan knock heavily on the courtyard gate.

The courtyard gate opened.

Cai Hai forced a smile onto his gaunt face and came out to greet them.

"Daoist Lu, thank you for making this trip. I've heard Daoist has a unique skill when it comes to resolving Insect Pests. I'll have to trouble you to take a look at my family's spirit plants in a moment."

"I wouldn't call it a unique skill. It's just that I've recently made quite some progress in a certain spell art, and it happens to counter those Black Sprout Insect Larvae."

Lu Xuan explained, then continued.

"I will certainly do my utmost to help Daoist Cai resolve the Insect Pest in a moment. However, let me say this first: Lu's fee is five Spirit Stones. No bargaining."

"Those at Qi Training Stage 4 only ask for seven Spirit Stones. How can you, someone at Qi Training Stage 2, ask for five Spirit Stones?"

Li Shi cut in from the side.

"If it is the same matter of resolving an Insect Pest, then why doesn't Your Excellency go invite that cultivator at the Qi Refining Middle Stage?" Lu Xuan replied coldly.

Li Shi naturally would not do that. She paused, then said.

"Five Spirit Stones isn't impossible, but what if you fail to resolve the Insect Pest?"

"Get back into the house!"

Cai Hai growled at Li Shi in a low voice.

"A shrew, that's all. I've made Daoist Lu laugh."

He turned his head and revealed a bitter smile.

"Whether Daoist Lu can resolve the Insect Pest or not, the five Spirit Stones will be paid in full. I only hope Daoist can do your utmost. After all, Daoist is also a Spirit Plant Master, and you know that spirit plants are our everything."

"That is only natural."

Lu Xuan said with a solemn expression.

He paid no mind at all to the words of Li Shi, who had played the villain. As long as the Spirit Stones reached his hand smoothly, that was enough.

He came before the invaded spirit plants. Calming his heart and focusing his mind, a strand of Golden Sword Qi as thin as a hair slipped out nimbly, carrying an incomparably sharp sword intent as it rushed toward those Black Sprout Insect Larvae.

After a few breaths, all the Black Sprout Insect Larvae had been cut apart by the Golden Sword Qi, falling to the ground piece by piece.

"Fortunately, I did not fail the mission."

He stood up and said to the nervous Cai Hai beside him.

Behind him, Zhang Xiuyuan secretly raised his brows at his little companion.

"See how amazing my Little Uncle Lu is?"

"Many thanks, Daoist Lu! Many thanks, Daoist Lu!"

A look of immense relief appeared on Cai Hai's face.

Not far away, the window inside the house suddenly dropped shut, and faint sobbing could be heard.

Lu Xuan put away the payment Cai Hai had given him and walked out together with Zhang Xiuyuan.

He weighed the Spirit Stones in his hand, feeling their heavy weight, then suddenly asked.

"Xiao Yuan? How about the two of us work together? You go find nearby cultivators suffering from Insect Pests, and I'll step in to resolve them. For every time I make a move, how does thirty Fragmented Spirit Stones for you sound?"

"Little Uncle Lu, last time you helped my family so much. I'll just help you find them directly. No need for Fragmented Spirit Stones."

Zhang Xiuyuan said honestly.

"That won't do. I can't let you work for nothing. It's decided!"