Living a peaceful life in the world of cultivation

"Conflict of interest?" Zhao Xiaofan seemed to understand but not quite. Most of the miscellaneous books he had read were about strange and unusual things in the world of cultivation, or cultivation experiences.

But he was naturally intelligent and quickly connected the dots to a similar incident from the past.

"For example, the last time we exterminated the demonic insects."

"Fellow cultivators are enemies. If you really take action and kill the demonic insects, you will make enemies with the cultivators who used to earn spirit stones this way."

Lu Ping nodded and gently patted Zhao Xiaofan's head. It was a good opportunity to take this chance to explain to the boy the dangers of the market.

"It's not just that, Xiao Fan. You must remember, competitors are not only enemies, but in the market, they can even be adversaries."

Chen Xiuping was born in a mortal town, but he was able to establish himself in the western district of the market by relying on his skill in planting spiritual plants. He was even able to accumulate a certain amount of spirit stones to purchase cloud and water arrays and sword qi talismans.

He has no problem cultivating ordinary spiritual plants. Even with the Moon-Closing Flower, he has the Cloud and Water Array to eliminate the impact of wind, cold, rain and snow on the cultivation environment of spiritual plants.

Chen Xiuping came from humble origins, yet his ambition surpassed that of most cultivators in the market.

Lu Ping would never believe that the Moon-Closing Flower, which the three entrusted to Chen Xiuping for cultivation, was without any external interference.

"The cultivator who was surrounded was named Chen Xiuping, a spirit plant master from the western district of the market."

"His skill in cultivating spiritual plants is recognized even by Manager Lu of the Spirit Herb Hall."

"And add a Cloud and Water Formation..."

After Lü Ping's analysis, Zhao Xiaofan's mind began to work more actively.

"So, from the beginning, the three of them were after Chen Xiuping and the Cloud and Water Formation."

Lu Ping nodded; this was the surface that most people could see.

There is also a deeper reason.

"That's not all."

"Among the onlookers, there were several spirit plant masters whose bodies still carried the scent of demonic beast flesh and blood."

"Among the spiritual plants that need to be cultivated with the flesh and blood of demonic beasts, the Crimson Blood Ginseng is the most outstanding."

"When I was at Lingcaotang, Manager Lu told me that Chen Xiuping wanted to take this opportunity to use the Crimson Blood Ginseng to get on the good side of Xiangyunlou."

"Therefore, the three cultivators on the surface were heading for the Cloud Water Formation; in secret, there were other cultivators cultivating the Crimson Blood Ginseng who did not want to see Chen Xiu successfully cultivate the Crimson Blood Ginseng."

Lu Ping's words, light yet powerful, opened a door for Zhao Xiaofan—a door to the wickedness of human nature and the dangers of the marketplace.

On ordinary days, Zhao Dashan and Xu Cui would also teach Zhao Xiaofan.

But none of them were as direct and powerful as this one.

At this moment, his little mind was gradually becoming confused as he accepted and understood this matter.

"Xiao Fan, I often hear Brother Da Shan say that you are intelligent and precocious, and your spiritual root aptitude is not bad. You are the only genius in your Zhao family."

"But this is the world of cultivation, where only those who grow up are called geniuses."

"This is a lesson Uncle Ping taught you."

After a flurry of activity, it was already getting late.

The impact Zhao Xiaofan absorbed today exceeded the teachings he usually received. Before long, he felt sleepy, returned to the wooden house, and started snoring.

In the courtyard.

All that remained were the rhubarb tree huddled in its shack, the cloud-patterned bamboo swaying in the wind and snow, and the quietly growing and developing moon-covering flower.

Lü Ping is deep in thought.

"If my situation were reversed with Chen Xiuping's..."

"With the Cloud and Water Formation, I won't be too greedy."

"The existence of the Cloud and Water Array means that the environment for cultivating spiritual plants will not be affected during the windy, snowy, and cold winter."

"All you need to do is stay safely in the courtyard and cultivate the spiritual plants."

"But Chen Xiuping not only accepted commissions from others to help cultivate the Moon-Closing Flower; he also wanted to use the Cloud and Water Array to cultivate a Crimson Blood Ginseng of superior quality to that of other cultivators, thereby getting on the good side of the Auspicious Cloud Pavilion."

"Too hasty."

Chen Xiuping was too impatient; he wanted to become a big fat man in one bite.

You should know that taking too big a step can easily lead to injury.

"That did give me a heads-up."

"Haste makes waste; farming steadily and peacefully is the right way."

Lu Ping silently became wary and focused his mind on the spiritual soil and the spiritual plant that was silently growing and developing.

The growth of the *Bambusa textilis* and *Bambusa yunnanensis* is progressing steadily.

Even the Iron Sword Orchid...

"Yes, the iron sword orchid is almost ripe."

The north wind whipped up heavy snow, rampaging through the darkness, while the cold moonlight shone on the thick layer of snow covering the sacred land.

The five leaves of the Iron Sword Orchid are as hard as iron forged through countless hammerings, and as sharp as a sword that has been honed, unstoppable.

The gray-green iron sword orchid, now standing in the wind and snow of a cold night, is beginning to gather a shimmering white spiritual light on its body, like a blade being drawn from its sheath.

As the shimmering white light converges, the growth of the Iron Sword Orchid gradually approaches maturity.

[One Tier 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Plant, Iron Sword Orchid, of excellent quality, has been harvested. Reward: Tier 1 High-Grade Magic Weapon, Mystic Iron Flying Sword.]

[One Tier 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Plant, Iron Sword Orchid, of excellent quality, has been harvested. Reward: Tier 1 High-Grade Magic Weapon, Mystic Iron Flying Sword.]

"hiss."

The reward was so generous that even Lü Ping gasped in surprise, trying to suppress his excitement and elation.

[The Xuan Tie Flying Sword is a first-grade superior magic weapon, forged entirely from top-quality Xuan Tie with a small amount of refined gold. After being tempered in the furnace, its blade was further refined with the juice of the Iron Sword Orchid, making its destructive power unstoppable.]

The Xuan Tie Flying Sword is about three feet long and about three fingers wide. The blade is straight, and the edge has a cold, gray-green light. There is a faint light flowing around the whole body, revealing a cold and sharp feeling.

Lu Ping gently stroked the sword. The sharp edge of the Xuan Tie Flying Sword cut open the flesh of his finger, and blood dripped down drop by drop.

The sharpness of the Xuan Tie Flying Sword still surprised Lü Ping.

He had taken a first-grade high-quality elixir, Blood Ginseng Pill, which tempered his flesh, bones, meridians, and skin, making his physical strength surpass that of others.

Even so, just by lightly stroking the blade, the skin and flesh of my fingers were cut open.

Lu Ping estimated that even a demon beast known for its physical strength would have its bones broken and die on the spot if it were hit by a Xuan Tie flying sword.

I wonder if the first-tier mid-grade talisman on my body, the Green Wood Protective Talisman, can withstand the attack of the Xuan Tie Flying Sword.

The spiritual energy within Lü Ping's body flowed like a stream through his meridians, activating a perfect-level object manipulation technique.

The Xuan Tie Flying Sword instantly transformed into a streak of gray-green light, swirling and turning within the courtyard. A faint sound of air being torn apart could be heard, waking up Big Yellow, who was fast asleep in the shack.

Da Huang was terrified by the power of the Xuan Tie Flying Sword and immediately whimpered, clinging tightly to Lü Ping's leg.

Given that it already has the size of an adult water buffalo, this action looks somewhat comical.

After a rudimentary attempt at controlling the sword, Lü Ping retrieved the Xuan Tie Flying Sword, suppressing his lingering hunger and desire to avoid attracting too much attention.

The forging of flying swords emphasizes the sharpness and speed of the weapon, highlighting a swift and deadly strike.

Obviously.

Whether for sharp, deadly strikes or for swift, controlled flight, the Xuan Tie Flying Sword is a superior flying sword.

Acquiring the Xuan Tie Flying Sword greatly enhanced Lü Ping's offensive capabilities, ensuring he wouldn't be powerless after running out of talismans.

As for the Cloud Bamboo Sword, it'll just continue to gather dust in the storage bag. The Xuan Tie Flying Sword is just too tempting.

Within the spiritual land, there is also an Iron Sword Orchid, which is almost ripe.

Lu Ping paced back and forth uncomfortably, clearly filled with anticipation.

[One Tier 1 Mid-Grade Spirit Plant, Iron Sword Orchid, has been harvested. Perfect condition. Tier 1 reward...]