Chapter 120

"Junior Brother Lu, you jest. While this Ice Chi Dragon is indeed an exotic species, ascending it to the third rank isn't an easy feat. I'm sure Junior Brother must have put in a lot of effort." Huang Yuan's tone brimmed with admiration.

He oversaw numerous creatures like anacondas, giant pythons, and different serpents, primarily aiming to help them break through to the third rank.

Achieving this wasn't simple; demonic beasts faced constraints due to their bloodlines. Breaking through was harder than for cultivators. Among these Jiaolongs and giant pythons he raised, it could take several years for one to reach the third rank when luck wasn't on their side.

Yet, in just over a month of Lu Xuan's care, one of his Ice Chi Dragons had achieved it.

As for it being an Ice Chi Dragon, that mattered little.

Among cultivators nurturing such creatures, who didn't have several exotic dragons or serpents? How come theirs hadn't ascended?

The frozen surface of the lake cracked, and the Ice Chi Dragon that had just broken through emerged, swimming freely in the lake.

At this moment, it appeared much stronger in both size and aura than before.

After a brief swim, the third-rank Ice Chi Dragon returned to the raised platform, lifting its pristine jade-like head, softly roaring towards Lu Xuan. Its voice carried affection and reluctance, seemingly bidding farewell.

Despite enduring the humiliation of being tormented by Lu Xuan while suspended in the air, it harbored no resentment. Instead, it was profoundly grateful.

It knew well that its swift ascent to the third rank was greatly due to Lu Xuan providing the most suitable meals every day.

"This little one has developed feelings because of my actions," Lu Xuan chuckled, shaking his hand towards the Ice Chi Dragon.

"Go on, we'll meet again if we get the chance."

The Ice Chi Dragon nodded heavily, swishing its tail, and dove into the Thousand Dragon Lake, disappearing from view.

"This Ice Chi Dragon remains in the Thousand Dragon Lake, but after reaching the third rank, it's beyond the control of us Qi-training cultivators. Senior disciples specializing in Foundation Establishment will handle their nurturing," explained Huang Yuan.

"Junior Brother producing a third-rank dragon is a significant achievement."

"As per regulations, while nurturing Jiaolongs and giant pythons, if a first-rank creature breaks through to the second rank, there's a reward of ten Sword Seals. If it goes from the second to the third rank, it's fifty Sword Seals."

"With the recent second-rank Crimson Armor Python you mentioned, Junior Brother gained sixty Sword Seals in one go, truly enviable even for me," Huang Yuan remarked.

"It's just good luck on my part," Lu Xuan smiled.

"Junior Brother possesses unique skills in nurturing spirit beasts. I believe you might even cultivate two or three third-rank Jiaolongs or serpents. That would surely gain recognition from the Foundation Establishment seniors. Who knows, there might be an opportunity to nurture even stronger third or fourth-rank Jiaolongs and serpents."

"When that time comes, maybe I'll have to draw some blood from them," Lu Xuan laughed heartily.

"Draw blood? Junior Brother, you're simply conducting thorough examinations to clear their obstacles to ascension, enabling these Jiaolongs and pythons to break through effortlessly," Huang Yuan interpreted Lu Xuan's action in an even more favorable light.

"Senior Brother understands me."

The two exchanged a smile, conveying everything without words.

After finishing a day's nurturing tasks, Lu Xuan found a spirit crane by the shores of the Thousand Dragon Lake to transport himself back to his abode.

Without taking a moment to rest inside, he entered the spirit field, inspecting the growth of numerous spirit plants.

Satisfied with their progress, he finally relaxed. He headed to the area cultivating Firefly Grass and started harvesting the ripe ones.

After a thorough search, Lu Xuan harvested thirty-four fully matured Firefly Grass, leaving eighty-two out of the initial two hundred.

Among the thirty-four, six were of perfect quality, while the rest were either good or upper-grade.

The appearance of thirty-four white orbs represented approximately seven years' worth of cultivation rewards. This advancement stabilized Lu Xuan's ninth-level Qi cultivation and propelled him forward significantly.

He had average talent, and the rewards were tailored to his own standards. The spiritual power he cultivated in seven years would be less than that of a genius. Therefore, he had to rely on harvesting more Firefly Grass to advance.

Apart from that, there were some first-rank elixirs, talismans, and a few first-rank martial art experience packages, which, for someone already at the ninth level of Qi cultivation like Lu Xuan, were somewhat inconsequential.

The six perfect Firefly Grass brought decent rewards. Among them were three drops of Grass Spirit Essence, two packs of first-rank Cultivation Method experience, and a manual for a first-rank metal-type sword technique.

Lu Xuan stored the harvested thirty-four Firefly Grass in a jade box and stowed it in his storage bag. Then, he proceeded to the three areas cultivating Clear Spirit Tea.

Focusing on the fragrant tea leaves, he suddenly saw a faint progress bar. Among them, five under the Clear Spirit Tea leaves had filled up.

Delighted, Lu Xuan cautiously picked the five leaves.

The tea exuded a refreshing fragrance, invigorating the senses and calming the mind.

The quality was decentthree were of good quality, and two were of upper-grade.

After harvesting the tea leaves, five faintly sparkling white orbs appeared in their original positions.

"Hehe, time to see what these orbs bring," Lu Xuan chuckled softly. He picked up each white orb in turn.

The orbs burst into countless points of light, streaming into his mind.

"Harvested one Clear Spirit Tea leaf, obtained two third-rank Cleansing Dan Pills." *2

Two round pills emitting a refreshing aroma appeared in Lu Xuan's hands.

"Harvested one Clear Spirit Tea leaf, obtained a third-rank Purification Talisman."

A talisman resembling carved white jade appeared in Lu Xuan's hand, adorned with intricate patterns, exuding a sacred and pure aura.

The rewards from the three tea leaves of good quality were as Lu Xuan expected.

"Harvested one Clear Spirit Tea leaf, obtained 'Lustrous Bone Forging Technique' (Upper)."

A thought flashed through Lu Xuan's mind, followed by a flood of body-refining information pouring into his sea of consciousness. He gained a deeper understanding of the 'Lustrous Bone Forging Technique' as if he had practiced it for years.

"Another experience package? When will I unlock the lower-level techniques?" The previously confident Lu Xuan suddenly felt less assured.

The upper-level techniques were for Qi-training stage; it was the lower-level ones that held the key to Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, indicating their importance.

"Harvested one Clear Spirit Tea leaf, obtained a second-rank spell, the Purification Mantra."

With that thought, a spell surged into Lu Xuan's mind.

"The Purification Mantra, second-rank auxiliary spell. After silently reciting this mantra, one can clear the mind, eliminating distractions and desires,

maintaining a state of calmness and desirelessness."

"In this state, one is less prone to contamination by evil spirits and can enter a state of cultivation faster, temporarily increasing cultivation speed."

"Can be cast on others."

"Eradicate desires?" Lu Xuan looked puzzled.

"Isn't that forcing oneself into a sage mode?"

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