You Cultivate, I Farm

Chapter 278: Disturbance

The middle-aged cultivator with a deep aura was named Liaofu Liao, at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm. He had attempted to break through to the Core Formation stage twice in the past but ended up in failure both times.

During his attempts to break through, he had harmed his foundation, and as he aged, his potential dwindled, leaving him with no further aspirations.

Although his cultivation level was one realm higher than Shen Ye's, Shen Ye had the advantage of youth and boundless potential. Coupled with his self-proclaimed strength not being inferior to Liaofu Liao's, Shen Ye remained unfazed even in the face of Liaofu Liao's aggression.

"Shen Junior Brother's decision to act on his own initiative is against the rules of the Sword Hall, isn't it?"

"As far as I know, the recipient of the Fourth Grade Thousand Illusions Seed is merely an inner disciple who ascended to the Foundation Establishment realm within a few years. His cultivation talent is quite ordinary. How can Junior Brother make the disciples of the Sword Hall trust him like this?"

Liaofu Liao said with a dark expression.

He had coveted the Fourth Grade Thousand Illusions Seed for a long time. He had hoped to obtain it for a talented nephew, thinking that nurturing it might greatly benefit the clan and increase the possibility of advancing to the Core Formation stage.

He had thought it was almost a sure thing, but unexpectedly, Shen Ye had intercepted it halfway and handed over the Thousand Illusions Seed to an unknown inner disciple for cultivation.

"Make all the disciples of the Sword Hall trust him?"

"Only by having Elder Murong make a decision will there be no opposition. If Senior Brother Liaofu is not convinced, he can go to Elder Murong for clarification."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator was momentarily speechless. Elder Murong, mentioned by Shen Ye, was the Core Formation senior uncle in charge of the Sword Hall. He wouldn't dare to confront the senior uncle in charge of Core Formation even if he had a hundred times more courage.

Seeing his reaction, Shen Ye's tone softened slightly, and he said calmly.

"I understand Senior Brother Liaofu's frustration. Among the disciples competing for the Fourth Grade Thousand Illusions Seed this time, one of them is Senior Brother Liaofu's nephew."

"That disciple has already cultivated several strains of Third Grade Sword Grass, which can be considered outstanding among the disciples."

"With his abilities and experience, if it weren't for the sudden emergence of that junior brother, he would have been the most hopeful candidate to obtain the Thousand Illusions Seed. It's a pity."

"As for how that junior brother distinguished himself, it's simple. While others were still complacent because they had cultivated Third Grade Sword Grass, he had already improved upon it and created a new strain of Third Grade Sword Grass."

"And he succeeded on his first attempt."

Shen Ye emphasized each word.

"Creating a new strain of Third Grade Sword Grass in one go? How is that possible?"

The middle-aged cultivator had been in the Sword Hall for decades and naturally understood the implications behind those words. His tone was full of disbelief.

He knew Shen Ye wasn't someone who exaggerated, but what he said still seemed unbelievable.

"I'll go visit Senior Uncle Murong. If I find out there's anything fishy..."

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, he brushed his sleeves and left.

---

"Hmph!"

"A mere outer sect disciple who has just entered the inner sect dares to snatch the Thousand Illusions Seed from me."

At the foot of the mountain where Lu Xuan resided, a young man with a similar appearance and temperament to Liaofu Liao stopped in front of a flowing light array, his tone full of anger.

Among the competitors for the qualification to cultivate the Thousand Illusions Seed this time, his abilities and experience were top-notch. Moreover, he had the support of a high-ranking member of the Sword Hall. He thought he had everything under control, but unexpectedly, he capsized in a ditch.

He was actually intercepted halfway by an inner sect disciple who had only recently ascended to the Foundation Establishment realm!

Upon hearing the news, he was furious and immediately sought help from his own uncle.

He didn't know what had happened in the meantime, but Liaofu Liao, who was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, returned with a gloomy face, as if he had suffered a setback.

The young cultivator dared to ask with boldness, but Liaofu Liao, who usually doted on him, only said a few words to make him give up and then remained silent with a blackened face.

Afraid of angering his uncle, he retreated with a strong sense of unwillingness.

Give up? How could that be possible?

He had coveted that Fourth Grade Thousand Illusions Seed for a long time. Once he obtained it and mastered the secrets of the Fourth Grade Sword Art, he could gain a very important position in the Sword Hall.

Not to mention, a Fourth Grade Thousand Illusions Seed cultivated by his own hands would practically belong to him.

And as for the Fourth Grade Sword Grass, it's not commonly seen throughout the entire Sect. Coupled with its innate nature as a sword, it can be used for long-term nurturing and refining. It may even become his life treasure when he reaches the Nascent Soul Realm in the future.

But now, he could only watch helplessly as the Thousand Illusions Seed fell into the hands of other disciples. With all lost, this great opportunity slipped away.

How unwilling he was to accept this.

Regarding Lu Xuan, he had already inquired thoroughly.

Having gained some fame within the inner sect, he seldom interacted or exchanged insights with others. He focused solely on cultivating spiritual plants, seemingly solving difficult problems related to spiritual plants and beasts for several senior brothers.

However, having ascended to an inner sect disciple in just a few years and with shallow cultivation, he was merely a talented junior disciple before entering the Sect, without any powerful background.

Knowing this, he felt somewhat reassured.

"Even if he has outstanding talent in the path of spiritual plants, what does it matter? Without enough confidence to support him, in the end, he can only be a stepping stone for others."

The young cultivator thought to himself.

He planned to find Lu Xuan and directly exert pressure on him, to see if he could reclaim the Thousand Illusions Seed.

"What should I call this senior brother?"

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, and a handsome young man emerged from the array, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he looked at him.

"I am Liaoyu Fang. I have long admired Senior Brother's name and specially came to pay a visit today."

The handsome cultivator smiled even more when he heard this.

"Senior Brother's timing is perfect. I am hosting two senior brothers who specialize in spiritual beasts today. Senior Brother can join us in tasting the spiritual fruits I have cultivated myself."

Lu Xuan also said with a smile.

"Tasting spiritual fruits? As a distinguished inner sect disciple of the Sky Sword Sect, why would you need to entertain just about anyone?"

Liaoyu Fang's eyes flashed with disdain at these words, and his evaluation of Lu Xuan dropped another few points.

"Please lead the way, Junior Brother Lu."

Although he felt disdain in his heart, he still maintained his composure on the surface, following Lu Xuan into the array. With the surge of spiritual energy under their feet, they swiftly flew towards the mountainside.

After a dozen breaths, the two entered a quaint courtyard.

"Liaoxiong, we've arrived. The accommodations here are simple. There are only some ordinary spiritual fruits to entertain you. Please forgive me."

Lu Xuan led Liaoyu Fang into the courtyard.

"Mm."

Liaoyu Fang softly responded, his eyes sweeping across the courtyard.

His pupils suddenly contracted.

In the small courtyard, a phoenix bird with snow-white feathers all over its body was gracefully enjoying pieces of cut spiritual fruits. Upon seeing him enter, its eyes, akin to black gems, gently glanced over, then refocused on the fruits before it.

Liaoyu Fang couldn't help but swallow involuntarily. Just as he was about to speak to Lu Xuan, a petite monkey with a body like crystal jade emerged from behind the white phoenix. It glanced at him with its ruby-red eyes before shyly lowering its head.

"...Apologies for the disturbance."

Liaoyu Fang suddenly felt an impulse to flee from this place.