You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 393: The Spirit Soil of Dark Decay

Moments later, as Lu Xuan and others searched the dark red passage, the Demon Ghost Vine quietly emerged from the dark red spirit soil and returned to the folds of Lu Xuan's robe.

Adorning the grey vines were eighteen deep cyan spirit seeds, resembling tiny fingers.

"Not bad, not bad, you've done well. Once we leave this blessed land, I'll reward you with some spirit fruits to taste," Lu Xuan whispered in praise to the Demon Ghost Vine.

The vine's keen sensitivity to the aura of spirit seeds made it unsurprising for it to locate the Thousand Tendril Hand seeds in the area. However, what was remarkable was its ability to bring back all the spirit seeds intact without Lu Xuan's presence.

Holding its favorite food within, yet resisting the immense temptation and honestly handing them all over to Lu Xuan, it deserved nothing less than praise.

"Eighteen Thousand Tendril Hand seeds, even if they can only form a simple formation, are quite impressive," Lu Xuan mused, following the group deeper into the dark red passage.

"What's this?"

In the dim light, a late-stage Foundation Establishment fellow disciple caught a long, thin black and red insect that swiftly flew out from the shadows, exclaiming in surprise.

The black and red insect seemed to have been pulled out from a pile of rotten flesh, making one's stomach churn at the sight. It emitted a dense, yin energy, constantly spewing a sinister and filthy breath towards the cultivator.

Fortunately, it wasn't particularly strong, with power ranging from complete Qi cultivation to early Foundation Establishment, and was easily dealt with by the late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple.

However, their sheer number was overwhelming and troublesome.

Lu Xuan noticed these black and red flesh insects were emerging from a patch of dark black spirit soil, which faintly carried the scent of decaying flesh.

As he passed the dark spirit soil, his keen spiritual sense detected changes in the yin energy. His palm turned into a translucent jade color, covered with a thick layer of spiritual power, and he caught one of the black and red insects that attempted to ambush him.

Before crushing it, he forcefully injected a stream of spiritual power to glean detailed information about the creature.

【Flesh-eating worm, a third-grade insect, prefers to dwell within the flesh of dark decay, nourished by the blood and flesh aura in the spirit soil. It has a strong possessive desire, likes to devour the spirit seeds within the dark decay flesh, and can be refined into a special Gu insect.】

【The spirit soil of dark decay, ordinary spirit soil transformed under the influence of powerful blood and flesh energy over many years into this special kind. Forbidden and rich in blood and flesh spiritual power, it can be used to cultivate certain special spirit plants.】

【Normal spirit plants growing in the spirit soil of dark decay are likely to mutate over time due to the influence of the blood and flesh spiritual power within, potentially causing the plants to develop flesh-like parts.】

"Spirit Soil of Dark Decay?"

Lu Xuan looked at the dark spirit soil at his feet, intrigued.

He squatted down to observe the soil closely.

Thanks to the continuous nurturing of the divine scripture, his spiritual sense had improved rapidly, allowing him to keenly perceive the sinister blood and flesh power lurking deep within what seemed like dry, decaying flesh soil. The longer he stayed close to the spirit soil, the itchier his calves became, as if tiny flesh buds were trying to push through his skin.

"Containing blood and flesh spiritual power... This spirit soil of dark decay does indeed possess some peculiar traits."

"However, with the presence of these petty flesh-eating worms, it's unlikely any other spirit plants could grow here."

A layer of faint spiritual light appeared on Lu Xuan's legs, sweeping away the sinister aura cleanly.

"What is it, Junior Brother Lu? Did you find something?" A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator, curious, approached after seeing Lu Xuan remain still for so long.

"This patch of soil is somewhat unusual. I couldn't help but take a closer look," Lu Xuan casually fabricated.

"Oh? This dark soil is actually spirit soil? No wonder it breeds those strange demonic insects."

The middle-aged cultivator leaned in closer.

Lu Xuan stepped aside, not minding the middle-aged cultivator's actions.

With his expertise in spirit plants, he could only recognize the sinister nature of the dark decay flesh through external help. He doubted this late-stage Foundation Establishment fellow disciple could discern anything significant.

"Since when did you take an interest in spirit soil, Junior Brother Li?"

As Huo Lin'er noticed the commotion from Lu Xuan's direction, she hurried over, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Just taking a look, just a look."

Upon seeing a true disciple intervening, the middle-aged cultivator's curiosity vanished, and he left sullenly.

"Junior Brother Lu

, are you interested in this peculiar spirit soil?" Huo Lin'er inquired with curiosity.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Huo, for your righteous words," Lu Xuan expressed his gratitude with a fist salute to the fiery youth.

"Returning to Senior Brother, I am indeed interested in this special spirit soil. I wish to take some back to the sect for research and experimentation."

"If Junior Brother Lu is interested, then take all the spirit soil back with you," the youth declared with an undeniable air of authority.

"Would that be appropriate?"

After all, the large-scale exploration of the blessed land by cultivators organized by Core Formation elders meant that various treasures discovered within couldn't be claimed at will and had to be reported to the sect.

"I do have that authority," Huo Lin'er stated calmly.

"Besides, Junior Brother, your contributions in opening this blessed land are probably even greater than those of us three true disciples. Some spirit soil, especially of such a peculiar and sinister nature, clearly no treasure, only interests a fellow disciple devoted to spirit plants like yourself."

"So, even if you were to take all this peculiar spirit soil, the Core Formation uncle would have no objections."

Throughout the process of opening this blessed land, Lu Xuan initially stood out in the sect for his research on mutated spirit plants, leading far ahead of other spirit plant masters.

Invited to the blessed land, he used his knowledge of mutated spirit plants to exchange for many valuable species from other sects. He discovered the location of the Parasitic Yin Thread, allowing the Sky Sword Sect to advance faster in the exploration than other sects, thereby acquiring a vast amount of cultivation resources.

Moreover, when many Sky Sword Sect cultivators encountered mutated spirit plants capable of forming arrays against enemies, it was Lu Xuan who proposed a solution, easily resolving a major problem.

Throughout the opening of the blessed land, Lu Xuan indeed made significant contributions.

"Then I won't be polite."

Lu Xuan took out a large capacity container from his storage bag, swept all the spirit soil of dark decay into it, then sealed it with spirit-banishing and demon-expelling talismans before placing it back in the storage bag.

Passing fellow disciples glanced at the scene but ignored it, hurrying on their way.

"However, I must remind you, Junior Brother Lu, this spirit soil appears extremely sinister. If you intend to experiment with it, be careful not to let it assimilate and contaminate the other normal spirit plants you grow, causing them to mutate into something else," Huo Lin'er advised, her youthful face stern.

"Thank you for the kind warning, Senior Brother Huo. I will certainly prevent such a situation from occurring," Lu Xuan said, smiling innocently.

"As long as I use this spirit soil to cultivate underworld spirit plants, there's no need to worry about contamination or mutation of other spirit plants," he silently added in his heart.