Chapter 30 Cultivating Immortality Starts from Taking a Concubine?_1

After Lei Fei and the others left, Lu Xuan closed the courtyard gate tightly.

As for their invitation to explore the Secret Land together, *he felt no emotional fluctuation in his heart.*

Going to a Secret Land was nothing more than seeking that faint and illusive opportunity. But these so-called opportunities would naturally appear as long as he cultivated Spirit Plants diligently.

The higher the quality of the Spirit Plants he cultivated, the more valuable the treasures he obtained. It was entirely possible that a single Light Cluster reward from planting a Spirit Plant could surpass the gains from a trip to the so-called Southern Secret Realm.

Moreover, venturing into the wilderness, even with a well-planned route and a Secret Land that had been explored for centuries, by no means guaranteed safety.

Demon Beasts, Demon Envoys, murder for treasure, treachery among companions—these unexpected dangers could mostly be avoided just by staying home.

Lu Xuan remained in his courtyard with an attitude akin to "guard the Spirit Field and unite the realm, let the seasons cycle as they may."

A few days later, a voice came from outside the courtyard gate—it was his neighbor, Wang Shan.

"Brother Lu, open the gate, I have a wedding invitation for you."

When Lu Xuan opened the gate, he saw Wang Shan holding a bright red invitation, his face glowing with satisfaction and brimming with happiness.

"Fellow Daoist Wang looks so pleased—what's the good news?"

Lu Xuan asked curiously.

"I recently took a concubine. In a few days, I'll host a gathering with family and friends to celebrate—come share a cup of wine."

Wang Shan said with a laugh.

"Alright, I'll certainly be there."

Lu Xuan nodded in agreement.

"So, Fellow Wang, have you truly changed your ways? Given up on your old flames at the pleasure houses?"

"Heh, even if I miss them later, I can still go for a friendly night chat."

Wang Shan's face displayed an ambiguous smile, as though recalling something.

"Having a main dish and a dessert on the side—they don't conflict."

"This concubine of mine was bought from the black market. She's mainly to take care of household matters—she won't restrict me."

He spoke with great confidence.

"Black market?"

"That's right. I assume you've heard of it, Brother Lu. Recently, I visited and saw female cultivators up for sale. These women are top-notch in looks, physique, talent, and even cultivation level. I spent less than a thousand Spirit Stones to purchase a Third Layer of Qi Cultivation female cultivator. If you're interested, you should check it out."

"It's said these female cultivators undergo special training, studying the Unity Sect's Yin-Yang techniques. During intimacy, spiritual power interchanges, mutually nourishing each other. Progress in cultivation can even surpass solitary cultivation."

Wang Shan earnestly recommended it to Lu Xuan.

"Haha, if I get the chance, I might take a look."

Lu Xuan chuckled lightly, casually brushing it off.

After Wang Shan left, he retreated back into his courtyard.

*He wasn't particularly interested in those female cultivators Wang Shan mentioned, but the black market itself did pique his curiosity.*

Lu Xuan had heard about the black market in Linyang Market before. It was located on the other side of the market, in a concealed area only open during certain specific times.

The market housed numerous shady cultivators, along with their similarly illicit treasures.

Previously, Lu Xuan had considered the black market as the best place to search for Unknown Spiritual Seeds. However, his low cultivation level had left him lacking confidence, so the plan was shelved indefinitely.

"I'll wait until one or two more batches of Spirit Plants mature—then it might be worth a visit."

Among the new Spirit Plants he had recently sown, the Spirit Firefly Grass, though of No Grade, had the advantage of high quantity. With a better spiritual energy environment and meticulous cultivation since seeding, Lu Xuan was confident that once they matured, *his strength would soar rapidly.*

Additionally, the Red Cloud Pine was entering the fruiting stage, and the Sword Grass was growing robustly. These First and Second Grade Spirit Plants gave Lu Xuan even greater expectations.

Three days later, Lu Xuan attended the banquet at the restaurant mentioned on Wang Shan's wedding invitation, along with a fellow cultivator neighbor who liked Spiritual Wine.

The cultivator's surname was Wu; he was fond of small sips of wine and had become somewhat acquainted with Lu Xuan since the latter moved in.

Because this was a concubine-taking ceremony, they hadn't followed the formal wedding procedures.

Lu Xuan asked Cultivator Wu about the customary gift value, steeled himself against the expense, and resolved to reclaim the Spirit Stones by eating his fill at the banquet.

"Thank you all, friends and fellow Daoists, for coming to celebrate. I toast to everyone here."

Midway through the feast, Wang Shan, clad in a brilliant red robe, spoke with visible excitement on his face.

Lu Xuan finally caught sight of the concubine Wang Shan had taken.

Dressed in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, her skin was smooth as jade, her features beautiful, and her figure graceful. Even in such loose-fitting attire, the curvature of her figure was evident. Beneath her left eye lay a small black mole, adding a touch of allure to her charms.

"This Wang Shan—marrying a concubine has him utterly enthralled. From the looks of him, he's been nourishing himself thoroughly these past days; even his cultivation level seems to have advanced."

Once Wang Shan left, Cultivator Wu set down his wine cup, sighing with a faint tone of envy. Lu Xuan caught hints of bitterness in his words.

"That concubine of Fellow Wang's came from the black market. Wouldn't you consider taking a look there too? Bringing one home—a pear tree towering over a young hibiscus?"

Lu Xuan teased from the side.

"He's a patrol guard leader—he has plenty of Spirit Stones to spend. I'm not as extravagant; I wouldn't part with hundreds or thousands of Spirit Stones so easily."

Cultivator Wu replied despondently.

After this little interlude, Lu Xuan returned to his peaceful and simple daily routine.

Every day, he checked on the Red-Bearded Carp in the Spiritual Spring, feeding them Spirit Rice or Strange Worms. Then, he used his not-yet-finely-honed Ice System Technique to nourish the Pure Snow Lotus. Similarly, he would intermittently set fire to the Red Cloud Pine and electrocute the Sword Grass.

Perhaps spurred by Wang Shan's concubine-taking, *he grew more proactive in separating the Blood Jade Ginseng plants attempting to intertwine,* ensuring they wouldn't even take the first step.

He spent the rest of his free time cultivating techniques, practicing the formula methods he had learned, and studying the Yuan Cultivating Pill prescription he'd obtained earlier.

Occasionally, he would stroll through the Loose Cultivation Market, searching for Unknown Spiritual Seeds, Spirit Beast Eggs, or young beasts with which he felt an affinity.

One day, just as he stepped out of his courtyard gate, he encountered Wang Shan's concubine.

"Greetings, Daoist Lu."

She carried large bundles of Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Beast Meat, tilting her body slightly as she bowed.

"Greetings, sister-in-law. Just came back from a big shopping trip at the market?"

Lu Xuan asked casually.

"Yes, I bought some tonic Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Beast Meat. My husband has been exhausting himself with cultivation, so I'm preparing to nourish him."

Lady Wang's voice was soft and sweet as she replied, her face lightly blushing. Her glistening eyes seemed to move with charm, and even the mole beneath her eye seemed alive.

*"Trained to perfection—from every gesture to every word, she radiates allure. I bet it's not Wang Shan being nourished—it's probably her doing the real replenishing,"* Lu Xuan silently mocked, keeping his expression composed.

"Big Brother Wang truly overworks himself, toiling day and night. He does deserve some proper nourishment."

After exchanging a few perfunctory remarks, Lu Xuan found an excuse to leave.

As Lady Wang passed by him with small, deliberate steps, she left behind a trail of perfume that wafted into Lu Xuan's nose.

"Achoo!"

Overwhelmed by the cloying scent, Lu Xuan couldn't help but sneeze.