I Practice Farming While the Rest Cultivates

645  Chapter 643: Malice

"We've arrived, Friend Lu."

"The sea area below us spans a hundred miles around; it all belongs to the cave abode of that Xing Star Envoy."

Ye Xuanyin's figure came to a halt, pointing to the dark and serene sea surface below, and spoke.

Lu Xuan extended his Spiritual Sense downward, only to feel layer upon layer of Prohibitions and Restrictions, seeming to devour his Spiritual Sense entirely.

He followed Ye Xuanyin, slowly descending.

Sensing the presence of the two, a whirlpool about a zhang wide appeared on the dark sea surface, gradually enlarging to reveal a giant turtle with a diameter of about seventy feet emerging from within.

"Fellow Ye, and this somewhat unfamiliar friend, please present your invitations."

The giant turtle had a strand of gray-white whiskers hanging down on each side of its head and spoke to Lu Xuan and Ye Xuanyin with a deep voice.

Lu Xuan hastily took out the flowing-water-like charm from his storage bag and handed it to the giant turtle.

The turtle nodded its head, a black light flashed from its shell, and a faintly dark bubble wrapped around them, slowly diving into the dark water.

The faintly dark bubble easily passed through the layers of Prohibitions and Restrictions, bringing the two toward a distant and magnificent cave abode.

"Fellow Ye, what's the story with that giant turtle we just saw? Able to speak human language, it must be at least a fifth-rank demon beast."

Within the bubble, Lu Xuan communicated with Ye Xuanyin via transmission of thoughts.

"It is said to be a remnant left by the ancestors of Xing Star Envoy, with a lifespan extending for at least a few thousand years, perhaps even ten thousand; it usually guards the Star Envoy Cave Abode."

Ye Xuanyin transmitted back.

The underwater world was thronged with vast and radiant coral reefs, and there were plants bearing fruits similar to Luminous Pearls, which made the vision at the bottom much clearer than in the shallow black water, resembling daylight.

The closer they got to the Underwater Cave Abode, the more variously shaped aquatic creatures and monsters Lu Xuan saw, some of which wielded power at the third and fourth ranks.

At the entrance of the Cave Abode, dozens of Merfolk in two lines with either innocent and beautiful or enchanting and seductive appearances, all with smiles on their faces, welcomed the many Cultivators attending the banquet.

"Ahead is Xing Kun, the Xing Star Envoy."

Ye Xuanyin passed a message to Lu Xuan, and as his voice fell, a tall middle-aged man with dark fish scales on his neck and cheeks came out to meet them at the entrance.

The Cultivator exuded an aura as deep as the sea, seemingly integrated with the entire seabed, and his every move invoked the surrounding waves to respond and vibrate.

"Fellow Ye, it has been a long time since we last met. You still carry your elegant demeanor."

"This must be Lu Xuan, the newly advanced Jindan Cultivator, right? I've heard much about your esteemed name!"

"You flatter me, Star Envoy, congratulations on your breakthrough to the Golden Core Late Stage, with Nascent Soul within sight!"

Lu Xuan greeted with a cupped fist.

"Hahaha, many thanks, friend!"

"I've heard that you possess extraordinary skills in the Path of Spiritual Plants, and my Cave Abode produces some fine water-attribute Spirit Plants. I hope to have the opportunity to exchange knowledge with you."

Xing Kun laughed aloud.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Xuan and Ye Xuanyin entered the Cave Abode.

Inside the hall, there were many Cultivators coming and going. The two found the Cave Abode Steward who received guests and each presented their gifts.

Lu Xuan offered a personally brewed Jade Wash Spirit Dew, a Fourth Grade Spirit Brew and a rather scarce variety, which was also presentable as a gift.

The hall was arranged in extreme luxury; there were already several hundred Cultivators inside, and with a brief sweep of his Spiritual Sense, Lu Xuan found no less than fifty to sixty Golden Core True People.

"Adding those who hide their cultivation level, there should be even more Nascent Soul Stage cultivators."

"This shows the formidable strength and profound foundation of Heavenly Star Cave. Despite excluding those in closed-door cultivation and those traveling, they could still invite so many Golden Core Real People to a celebratory banquet."

Lu Xuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Among the Jindan Cultivators present, he only knew a handful who had come to congratulate him initially. This was indeed a good opportunity to get acquainted with many others under the introduction of Ye Xuanyin.

"This must be Friend Lu from Thunder Fire Asterism Cave?"

While he was in the corner, tasting Spiritual Fruit Spiritual Tea by himself, two Jindan Cultivators approached him.

"It is indeed I. May I know who you both are...?"

Lu Xuan said with a smile and a thoughtful expression.

"I am Hermit Yu Lin. I heard that Friend Lu is fond of Cultivating Spiritual Plants, and I happen to have a bit of talent in the path of spiritual plants. I would love to exchange some insights with you if there's a chance."

A female cultivator wearing emerald green clothes spoke softly. Her robe exuded a rich fragrance of grass and trees, giving off a fresh and natural vibe.

In her hair, a fresh and delicate flower sprouted, its petals still carrying clear dewdrops that gently swayed with the female cultivator's movements. Full of vitality and flowing with spiritual energy, it must be a remarkable treasure item.

"I've seen Fellow Daoist. May I ask where you reside? If there's a chance, I would like to visit."

On hearing this, Lu Xuan felt a surge of interest. It was quite rare to meet a Condensing Pill Realm cultivator who loved planting Spiritual Plants; certainly, they were worth getting to know.

"Green Wood Star Cave. Friend Lu is welcome anytime."

The flower in Hermit Yu Lin's hair trembled nonstop as she spoke with a smile.

She pointed at the silent young man beside her and said softly:

"This is Friend Wang Suihuai. He excels at nurturing various Spirit Beasts and is naturally gifted with the ability to communicate with all kinds of Spirit Beasts. In a way, our paths converge. We've long admired the name of Friend Lu and came together to get acquainted with you."

The young man looked somewhat unkempt, with a chaotic aura about him as if many Demon Beast scents were mixed together. His cheeks were covered with dense patterns, resembling a confluence of countless beast motifs.

He seemed to seldom speak, but when he looked at Lu Xuan, he squeezed out a friendly yet slightly stiff smile.

"I've seen Wang Fellow Daoist."

Lu Xuan bowed in greeting.

The three of them gathered together, and he exchanged experiences in Cultivating Spiritual Plants with Hermit Yu Lin. They each very much benefited from the other's knowledge.

Before long, the banquet officially started. Xing Kun gave a brief speech and various delicacies were served. Creatures that flew in the sky, ran on the land, and swam in the water—all of them rare Demon Beast Meat were presented, coupled with exceptionally skilled cooking, Lu Xuan indulged heartily, thoroughly enjoying the feast.

In between tasting the deliciousness, Merfolk, Clam people, and others took turns performing. The scale was impressive, and the content was rich—it truly was the ultimate audiovisual feast.

"Hmm?"

As Lu Xuan was enjoying the delicacies and watching the performances, he suddenly felt a gaze on him. His spiritual sense was sharp, and he detected a faint malice within that gaze—like sizing up a delicious treat, greedy and highly aggressive.

His spiritual sense swept carelessly around him, yet he found nothing unusual; the malicious gaze had withdrawn without a trace.

In a corner, a cultivator who looked like a mountain of flesh sat on the ground, savoring a Demon Beast bone in his hand. Suddenly, a strange crack appeared on his palm, and a tentacle-like grey-black tongue slowly extended, licking the edges of the crack.

"Is this really the taste of Tai Sui's Meat?"

The Roushan Cultivator covered the crack subtly and asked quietly in his heart.

"It can't be fake. Moreover, it looks like it hasn't been fully digested. If we ate him, it would be almost as good as tasting Tai Sui's Meat ourselves."

"Ah?! I can't take it anymore! I want to eat it! Right now!"

The grey-black tongue exuded thick black saliva, appearing unable to contain itself. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om