Chapter 3 Frost Armor Technique_1

After Zhang Hong left, Lu Xuan wasted no time and gathered all his belongings, preparing to head out and seek a solution for the Black Bud Worm Larvae problem.

Before leaving, he took out a small stone about the size of a fingernail and approached the Grass Puppet.

The small stone was pure white, faintly emitting spiritual power fluctuations. It was a small piece of Broken Spirit, split from a Low-Grade Spirit Stone. For a Lower Level Qi Cultivator like Lu Xuan, it was a versatile tool.

"Get a good meal and guard the house properly!"

He stuffed the small piece of Broken Spirit into the gray grass lump on the Grass Puppet's head, giving a heartfelt admonishment.

With the spiritual power supplement provided by the Broken Spirit, the Grass Puppet emitted an extremely weak spiritual light, as if it was suddenly brimming with energy.

*Although he wasn't too confident in the slow-reacting houseguard puppet, Lu Xuan didn't have any other options. He could only hope that nothing bad would happen to the Spirit Plants in his yard while he was away.*

After leaving the house, Lu Xuan quickly walked along the cobblestone road.

His residence was located in the North District of Linyang Market. The area was mostly populated by Lower-rank Qi Cultivating Monks like himself—people harboring dreams of breaking through their limits and changing their fates, all crammed into a small territory.

As for the market center, it belonged to the large families and powerful sects, a place Lu Xuan rarely visited.

*Having not stepped outside for a while, he felt slightly unaccustomed. Looking around, everything appeared both familiar and foreign.*

A deep-yellow paper bird, about half a zhang in length, carried a cultivator as it slowly glided overhead. The bird's body was covered with uneven-sized bristles, a testament to its long-term usage.

Soon after, a Multi-legged Mechanism Beast swept over Lu Xuan's head, carrying about twenty or thirty cultivators on its back.

Multi-legged Mechanism Beasts were common modes of transportation in the market. By paying a few dozen pieces of Broken Spirit, one could reach the market center in no time.

With no air-restricting formations around the market perimeter, there were many such Spirit Beasts and Flying Artifacts. Occasionally, a streak of Sword Light would flash across the higher skies.

Sword Light was created when cultivators rode Flying Swords, signifying that they were at least High-tier Qi Cultivators—an unattainable existence for someone like Lu Xuan.

*Lu Xuan couldn't help but show a trace of envy. Riding the sword across the great azure and ruling over the heavens—whether in his previous life or this one, it remained a distant dream.*

He composed himself and quickened his pace. Shortly after, he arrived at a gathering spot for cultivators in the North District.

The spot was filled with shops and stalls. Though inferior to the center in every aspect, it was more than sufficient for a Lower Level Qi Cultivator like him.

Weaving through the bustling crowd, Lu Xuan soon found a middle-aged cultivator in a corner.

The middle-aged man was also at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer. He was gaunt, with sharp cheekbones that stood out due to the lack of flesh on his face.

A pair of bushy mustaches adorned his upper lip, while his eyes darted around rapidly, scanning the cultivators passing by.

Lu Xuan knew that his surname was Huang and that he lived not far from his own residence. Huang had long been active in the gathering spot and was proficient in all kinds of insider news from the North District.

However, obtaining information from him came with a price.

Noticing Lu Xuan's gaze, the middle-aged man's mustache twitched slightly upward as he broke into a grin and greeted Lu Xuan.

"Little Friend Lu, it's been a while. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Lu Xuan returned with a smile.

"Indeed, I have something I'd like to consult with Brother Huang."

"I've heard that Brother Huang has extensive connections and is familiar with cultivators of all cultivation stages in the North District. Could you introduce a few to me?"

"I have a few specific requirements: First, cultivators must be at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. Second, they should be proficient in either destructive spells with precise control or similar Magic Artifacts."

"Finally, they must reside within the North District and be immediately reachable."

Lu Xuan spoke as he handed over a handful of Broken Spirit.

*He didn't expect to find cultivators of higher levels. Though such individuals might solve the Black Bud Worm Larvae problem faster, hiring a Qi Practicing Fifth Level cultivator would cost more than double the payment for a Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer one.*

*Additionally, the Spirit Firefly Grass had already been severely corroded. If not addressed promptly, the loss wouldn't just be one or several Spirit Firefly Grass plants. He would also miss out on the unknown rewards from the White Light Groups when the Spirit Firefly Grass matured.*

*Thus, the ever-thrifty Lu Xuan reluctantly paid so much Broken Spirit and limited his search to Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer cultivators who could be found immediately. It was all for solving the Black Bud Worm Larvae problem as quickly as possible.*

The middle-aged cultivator accepted the Broken Spirit handed over by Lu Xuan, his smile now appearing noticeably warmer and more natural.

"There are plenty of Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer cultivators in the North District, but fulfilling your other requirements narrows it down quite a bit."

"From what I know, there are only three nearby."

"First is Lingyun Fairy. Her cultivation level is comparatively higher. She possesses a Red Cloud Needle Artifact and uses it with exceptional mastery, fulfilling the requirements of high destructive power and precise control."

"Next is Brother Qin Ming, who has impressive expertise in Ice System Techniques. While his destructive power may be slightly lacking, his control is second to none."

"Lastly, there's Brother Li Xu, a sword enthusiast skilled in the Sword Qi into Silk technique. He also meets your criteria."

He revealed the addresses of the three Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer cultivators to Lu Xuan. Seeing Lu Xuan nod to signify that he remembered them, the middle-aged cultivator cheerfully suggested:

"Why don't I accompany Little Friend Lu and take you to meet these three fellow Daoists?"

"Brother Huang's kindness is acknowledged with gratitude, but I wouldn't want to impose on you further."

Lu Xuan understood that the suggestion came with added expenses. Bowing with thanks, he turned and left.

*He wasn't worried that the middle-aged cultivator would deceive him, after all, this was his livelihood. It wasn't likely he'd ruin his own business.*

...

Back in the yard.

The back of the Spirit Firefly Grass, already corroded by black threads, started to rapidly accumulate a thin layer of frost, carrying a bone-piercing chill.

Sensing the cold air rushing toward it, the Black Bud Worm Larva twisted its threads, attempting to escape from the leaves.

But its speed of escape couldn't keep up with the frost's pace, and the black threads were soon frozen alongside the thin frost layer.

The frost rapidly crystallized into hard ice and shattered with a crisp sound, breaking into small ice shards that carried the Black Bud Worm Larva with them.

A smooth, pale palm reached out and caught all the shattered ice pieces.

"Wow, Brother Qin truly lives up to his name! Using Frost Armor Technique with such mastery—I'm impressed."

Lu Xuan gazed at the Spirit Firefly Grass leaves, left unharmed beneath the frost, and half-jokingly exclaimed in admiration.

The hand belonged to a rotund cultivator who chuckled as he tucked the shattered ice pieces into his robes.

"Mission accomplished; the Black Bud Worm Larvae were eradicated without freezing the Spirit Plant leaves."

"Furthermore, I checked the surrounding Spirit Firefly Grass plants for you, and there are no signs of Black Bud Worm Larvae. You can rest assured in the coming days."

"However, I took a look around the yard, Little Friend Lu. The protective barriers around your Spirit Field are rather weak. Issues like this might recur if left unaddressed."

The rotund cultivator warned Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan waved his hand dismissively.

"I'll deal with future issues when they come. For now, the payment is..."

"Six Spirit Stones and fifty Broken Spirit—it was agreed upon beforehand."

*The value of a single Spirit Firefly Grass plant was nowhere near six Spirit Stones. The substantial payment was primarily for solving the pest issue in the Spirit Field and partly due to Qin Ming's Mid-stage Qi cultivation level.*

The rotund cultivator gave Lu Xuan a harmless-looking smile.

Lu Xuan retrieved fifty Broken Spirit, counted them twice, and then reluctantly fished out six Spirit Stones from his waistband, handing them over while averting his gaze.

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Lu."

Rotund cultivator Qin Ming accepted the Spirit Stones and left the courtyard.

*Feeling the Spirit Stones grow increasingly distant from himself, Lu Xuan was overwhelmed with heartache, muttering under his breath.*

"Swindler!"