You Cultivate, I Farm

Upon noticing Lu Xuan's subtle hand movements, the trio exchanged knowing glances and quietly made their way to a corner of the hall.

"This youngster keeps harping on about some undisclosed secrets. Looks like he's after spirit stones. What do you both think?"

"I reckon we should give it a shot. If his method truly works, it could benefit us greatly. Cultivating the perfect Pure Snow Lotus could bring us immense gains in reputation and spirit stones."

"Moreover, if we manage to cultivate a perfect Pure Snow Lotus, it might even lead us to cultivating top-quality spiritual plants, maybe even first or second-tier ones."

"But what if what he says doesn't work? We'd be wasting our spirit stones."

"Well, since he's also a cultivator from the Hundred Herbs Hall, if we're deceived, we can always find him through the hall."

After a discreet discussion, the trio approached Lu Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, the three of us are willing to offer sixty spirit stones in exchange for your method to cultivate the perfect Pure Snow Lotus. What do you think?"

"Some methods cannot be lightly divulged. Cultivating the perfect spiritual plant involves many aspects. I hope the three of you understand."

Lu Xuan's tone gradually softened from initially keeping it as 'undisclosed secrets' to now emphasizing the carefulness required in the process.

The implication was clear: Pay up!

The three deliberated quietly in their corner before returning to Lu Xuan.

"A hundred spirit stones, that's the limit. Fellow Daoist Lu, as fellow freelance cultivators specializing in spiritual plants, we should understand how precious spirit stones are. This is the most we can gather."

The middle-aged cultivator spoke with a tinge of regret.

Lu Xuan wasn't keen on delving into the trio's financial status, yet he was aware that a hundred spirit stones were indeed a significant amount.

Perfect quality Pure Snow Lotuses didn't fetch significantly higher prices compared to others. Even with dozens of broken spirits, cultivating enough high-quality Pure Snow Lotuses to profit from a hundred spirit stones would be challenging.

"Those destined for this method, encountering the three of you here implies a deep connection. I will share the cultivation method with you."

"The principle is simple. Based on the growth needs of spiritual plants, shifting from broad-scale techniques to precise applications such as Spirit Rain Technique, Earth Attraction Technique, Wood Growth Technique, and so on, administered in a timely and appropriate manner. This is the key to their optimal growth."

"As for the timing of these precise techniques, that will be for each of you to explore."

"Ah, I see now!"

The trio suddenly grasped the concept.

"Each spiritual plant has varying needs during its growth, even if they're subtle. Accumulated over time, these differences will ultimately impact the quality upon maturity."

"By precisely cultivating these plants, we can address these issues to the fullest."

"We understand, thank you!"

Gratitude adorned their faces. Lu Xuan's method was indeed straightforward and easily understood, yet few cultivators were willing to undertake this approach.

For most cultivators, planting spiritual plants was merely a skill among many, similar to alchemy or artifact forging. Cultivation remained their foremost priority.

Soon, however, the trio realized a pressing issue.

"If we truly follow Fellow Daoist Lu's advice, won't most of our energy be spent on cultivating these plants? We won't have much time for actual cultivation."

The middle-aged cultivator looked puzzled.

"That's indeed the case."

Lu Xuan nodded.

"I recognize my average talent and the futility of my cultivation path. I've forsaken cultivation entirely, devoting all my time and energy to nurturing spiritual plants, yielding me meager results."

"As for you three, whether you wish to diligently cultivate further in your practice or aim to cultivate more high-quality plants to earn more spirit stones, that's for you to decide."

Pensive, the trio departed one by one.

Watching them leave, Lu Xuan contentedly stowed away the hundred spirit stones he had acquired.

He harbored no guilt in taking these hundred spirit stones. The method he imparted was indeed effective; refining the cultivation of spiritual plants would undoubtedly enhance their quality, thus earning more spirit stones.

However, Lu Xuan concealed the most crucial aspect: his ability to comprehend the immediate status of the plants, enabling him to adjust based on their needs.

The trio couldn't achieve this; they could only fumble along, and it was highly unlikely they could attain the perfect cultivation. Moreover, by choosing refined plant cultivation, they essentially forsook furthering their own cultivation, unlike Lu Xuan, who had the reward of the white glowing entity, granting various treasures and advancements.

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

Lu Xuan chuckled inwardly.

"In truth, I'm playing them."

"You're not just adept at cultivating plants; you're quite the expert at earning spirit stones too."

A slender elder appeared beside Lu Xuan, smiling lightly.

"Of course!"

Lu Xuan grinned.

"Three sentences, and I've made three plant cultivators spend a hundred spirit stones on me. Not bad, right?"

"Indeed, earning a hundred spirit stones is impressive. But if you were to spread your unique method, it wouldn't be worth it."

The elder, named He, seemed discontented, as if blaming Lu Xuan for leaking the method of cultivating perfect-quality spiritual plants for the sake of a trivial gain.

"Don't worry, Elder He, it's not that simple. Having the method is one thing, but executing it is another. Otherwise, with so many plant cultivators, how come only a few have discovered that refined cultivation can enhance plant quality? Yet, how many can actually produce perfect-quality plants?"

Lu Xuan remarked calmly.

The elder nodded slightly, a semblance of relief settling in.

"Come, take these three Precious Serene Tea saplings."

Following the elder, Lu Xuan entered a chamber filled with a lingering fragrance. At its center stood a wooden rack holding three pots engraved with peculiar patterns.

Inside the pots grew three saplings of Precious Serene Tea. Though merely saplings, their twisted and vigorous branches, about five inches tall, exuded an unusual contrast. Adorning these branches were three to five tender green tea leaves, delicately trembling yet exuding an incredibly strong vitality.

"These are the three second-tier Precious Serene Tea saplings."

"These aren't like the ungraded spiritual plants like Pure Snow Lotuses; their prices are much higher due to the rarity of these saplings and the preciousness of their tea leaves. You must cultivate them carefully; failure is not an option."

Elder He emphasized earnestly.

Lu Xuan nodded firmly.

"How many spirit stones for these three Precious Serene Tea saplings?"

"On the market, each Precious Serene Tea sapling fetches around thirty spirit stones. Due to their scarcity and the value of the tea leaves, they're usually unavailable for purchase. You have an agreement with the Hundred Herbs Hall; you can take these three saplings for sixty spirit stones."

The discounted price exceeded thirty percent, making Lu Xuan even more grateful for the relatively free cooperation he had established with the Hundred Herbs Hall. Additionally, he felt a deeper gratitude towards the slender elder who had introduced him to this opportunity.

There, that should be a clear and smooth rendition of the passage. Is there any specific part you'd like

me to focus on or elaborate further?

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