Do You Think I'm Really Lying Flat?

Seeing the small gesture Lu Xuan made with his hand, the three men understood each other without words. They exchanged glances and went to a corner of the hall.

"This Youth keeps claiming it's some secret that cannot be passed on. Anyone can see he just wants Spirit Stones. What do you two think?"

"I think we can give it a try. If the method he mentioned really works, we'll benefit greatly. If we can truly grow Perfect Grade Spirit Firefly Grass, we'll make a killing in both reputation and Spirit Stones.

"Besides, since he can cultivate Perfect Grade Spirit Firefly Grass, there's a chance he can cultivate Perfect Grade First Grade or even Second Grade Spirit Plants."

"I'm just afraid his method won't work, and we'll waste our Spirit Stones for nothing."

"Anyway, he's also a Spirit Plant Master of Hundred Herbs Hall. If we're cheated, we can still find him through the Hall."

The three discussed in hushed voices for a while before returning to Lu Xuan.

"Daoist Lu, the three of us plan to offer sixty Spirit Stones in exchange for your method of cultivating Perfect Grade Spirit Firefly Grass. What do you think?"

"Methods cannot be passed on lightly. The method of cultivating Perfect Grade Spirit Plants involves many things. I hope the three Daoists can understand."

Lu Xuan's tone gradually softened, changing from the initial "secret that cannot be passed on" to the current "methods cannot be passed on lightly."

The meaning he revealed was crystal clear: Pay more! The three returned to the corner and argued in low voices before finally coming back to Lu Xuan.

"One hundred Spirit Stones. Not a single stone more. Daoist Lu, you and we are both Rogue Cultivator Spirit Plant Masters. You should understand better than anyone how hard it is to acquire Spirit Stones. This is already the most we can scrape together."

The dark-skinned Middle-aged Cultivator spoke with a pained expression.

Lu Xuan had no interest in finding out how much wealth the three possessed, but he knew that one hundred Spirit Stones was no small sum.

After all, compared with Spirit Firefly Grass of other grades, the price of Perfect Grade Spirit Firefly Grass did not increase by much—only several dozen Fragmented Spirit Stones at most. They had no idea how much Common or high-quality Spirit Firefly Grass they would have to grow to earn one hundred Spirit Stones.

"Methods are passed on to those with fate. Since I happened to meet the three Daoists here, it shows that our affinity runs deep. I'll tell you the cultivation method now."

"The principle is very simple. Based on a Spirit Plant's growth needs, change from broad, large-scale spellcasting to precise spellcasting. For example, when using the Spirit Rain Technique, Earth Guidance Art, Wood Genesis Art, and so on, apply them to the Spirit Plants with just the right degree of precision. Only then can they achieve the best growth."

"As for the timing of precise spellcasting, you'll have to explore that yourselves."

"So that's how it is!"

The three suddenly understood.

"Every Spirit Plant has different needs during its growth. Even the tiniest differences, when accumulated, will ultimately affect its quality upon maturity."

"And precise cultivation of Spirit Plants can resolve these problems to the greatest extent."

"Daoist, I understand now!"

The three wore grateful expressions. Lu Xuan's method was indeed very simple—one hint was enough for them to grasp it—but not many Spirit Plant Masters were willing to do this.

After all, for the vast majority of cultivators, growing Spirit Plants was merely a cultivation skill, no different from Alchemy or Artifact Refining. Cultivation was what mattered most.

Sure enough, the three soon realized the problem.

"If we really do as Daoist Lu says, wouldn't most of our energy be spent cultivating Spirit Plants, leaving us with no time to cultivate?"

The dark-skinned Middle-aged Cultivator asked in confusion.

"That's right."

Lu Xuan nodded.

"I know my aptitude is Common and that I have no hope of advancing in cultivation, so I gave up on cultivation and devoted all my time and energy to cultivating Spirit Plants. That's how I managed to achieve these tiny, insignificant results."

"As for the three Daoists, whether you want to cultivate diligently and advance your cultivation, or cultivate more high-quality Spirit Plants and earn more Spirit Stones, that will depend on your own choices."

The three pondered his words before leaving one after another.

Lu Xuan watched their departing backs, contentedly placing the one hundred Spirit Stones he had obtained into his Storage Bag.

He accepted those one hundred Spirit Stones with a clear conscience, without the slightest trace of guilt.

The method he had told the three was indeed effective. After cultivating Spirit Plants with greater precision, the quality of the plants they grew would certainly improve to some degree, allowing them to earn more Spirit Stones.

However, Lu Xuan had concealed the most important point: he could grasp and understand a Spirit Plant's current condition, adjusting his care at any moment according to its needs.

The three could not do that. They could only explore bit by bit and make rough estimates. Unable to cultivate their plants perfectly, they would naturally find it difficult to obtain Perfect Grade Spirit Plants.

What was more, after choosing to cultivate Spirit Plants with such precision, they would essentially be giving up on cultivation. They were not like Lu Xuan, who had the rewards from the White Light Orb and could obtain all kinds of treasures and cultivation.

"Do you think I'm really lying flat?"

Lu Xuan chuckled inwardly.

"Actually, I'm working myself to death just to leave you behind."

"Young man, not only are you skilled at growing Spirit Plants, you're also quite capable of earning Spirit Stones."

The Gaunt Old Man had appeared beside Lu Xuan at some point and spoke with a soft laugh.

"Of course!"

Lu Xuan laughed proudly.

"Three sentences were enough to make three Spirit Plant Masters spend one hundred Spirit Stones on me. How was that?"

"Being able to earn one hundred Spirit Stones is indeed not bad, but if you spread your unique method, it will be a case of losing more than you gain."

Manager He's tone held a trace of displeasure, as though he blamed Lu Xuan for leaking the method of cultivating Perfect Grade Spirit Plants for a trifling profit.

"Manager He, don't worry. It isn't that simple. The method is the method, but whether someone can actually carry it out is another matter.

"Otherwise, with so many Spirit Plant Masters, how could no one have discovered that precise cultivation could improve Spirit Plant quality? Yet look at how many Spirit Plant Masters can actually grow Perfect Grade Spirit Plants."

Lu Xuan spoke indifferently.

The Gaunt Old Man nodded, somewhat reassured.

"Come over and take away those three Tea Tree Seedlings of Clear and Wonderful Spirit Tea."

Lu Xuan followed the old man into a side room. Fragrant scents lingered throughout the room. In the center stood a wooden rack bearing three flowerpots decorated with strange patterns.

Inside the flowerpots grew three Tea Tree Seedlings.

The tea saplings were about five inches tall. Though they were only seedlings, their trunks were gnarled and intertwined, sturdy and powerful, creating a strange contrast.

Three to five tender green tea leaves grew from each trunk. They trembled slightly, seemingly too delicate to withstand the wind, yet they also radiated an extraordinarily strong vitality.

"These are the three Second Grade Tea Tree Seedlings of Clear and Wonderful Spirit Tea."

"They aren't Spirit Plants without a grade like Spirit Firefly Grass. They're much more expensive. You must cultivate them carefully and cannot afford to fail."

Manager He earnestly warned Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan nodded heavily.

"How many Spirit Stones do the three Tea Tree Seedlings of Clear and Wonderful Spirit Tea require?"

"On the market, Clear and Wonderful Spirit Tea Seedlings generally appear at thirty Spirit Stones per plant. Moreover, because the saplings are scarce and the tea leaves are precious, they're usually available at a price but not in supply."

"You have an agreement with Hundred Herbs Hall, so you can obtain them at a lower price. Take the three tea saplings for sixty Spirit Stones."

The price had been reduced by more than thirty percent at once. Lu Xuan felt even more fortunate that he had established such a relatively free cooperation model with Hundred Herbs Hall. At the same time, he felt even more grateful to the Gaunt Old Man, who had introduced him.

Here's yesterday's extra chapter. I timidly ask for monthly tickets, recommendations, and, most importantly, continued readership. I'll do my best to release three chapters on Tuesday. Everyone, please be sure to read through to the final page of the latest chapter. I'm deeply grateful! Orz