Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8461: Herb-picking (1)

Shortly after the pair plunged into the blood sea, the pursuing cultivators surfaced right at their former position. One of them remarked, "It looks like Feng Zhongxin has led Zou Xiao off to harvest the Blood Jade Flower. That herb's fetching a steep price on the market lately, pulling in droves to collect it. But that's exactly why bandits will flock to steal it away. Heading down there might land them in hot water."

Someone else let out a cold huff and replied, "Wouldn't that suit us just fine? We'll get a front-row view of whether Zou Xiao truly excels at poisons, plus a gauge of his power. Should he fall short on the poison front, we can deal with him outright and skip the hassle." The speaker sported a savage visage and a burly build. Unlike the rest clad in standard warrior garb, his outfit resembled a simple sash. His bare arms gleamed with a bronzed hue, like molten copper forged into skin.

This man went by Wang Liang. Among their crew, he stood as the sole body cultivator. His prowess proved solid enough, though his mood ran hot-tempered. Plus, this bunch's way of life mirrored the Ghostwind Bandits closely—they pillaged and slew without mercy, and in every raid, Wang Liang struck the harshest blows.

No one else chimed in. Instead, they all donned their straw hats and submerged into the blood sea. Moments later, they hit the seafloor. As Wang Liang predicted, their aim was to test Zhao Hai's true might. Should he prove weak, they'd pin him down and extract the treasure's location bit by bit.

Feng Zhongxin remained oblivious to their tails. He guided Zhao Hai downward over a thousand meters until they touched the blood sea's depths. The sight left Zhao Hai wide-eyed. Countless Blood Jade Flowers dotted the area. While not clustered like a full grove, their numbers were impressive indeed.

Zhao Hai knew the Blood Jade Flower well. This staple herb excelled at restoring blood Qi, finding its way into countless pills. Back in the Blood Slaughter Sect, vast fields grew it. The sect relied on heaps of this flower for their myriad elixirs.

True to its name, the Blood Jade Flower boasted blooms resembling carved jade. Rising just a foot high on a single stalk, it sported seven or eight maple-like leaves. Crowning it all was a vivid crimson blossom, dense and lustrous as if sculpted from blood-red jade. Its see-through petals only amplified its stunning allure.

Feng Zhongxin eyed the Blood Jade Flowers and spoke gravely, "Let's get to it. Plenty have harvested here before, but this spot might be overlooked, keeping the crowds thin for now. Speed is key—if too many show up, we'll miss our chance. Worst case, fights could break out." With that, his hands flashed, summoning a jade knife and a spacious jade box. The box could easily hold over thirty Blood Jade Flowers, while the knife served precisely for their careful extraction.

The Blood Jade Flower carried a unique trait: no direct touch allowed. Even harvesting demanded tools like jade knives. Such rules were commonplace for many flora. In the Blood Slaughter Sect, spells plucked them straight into space-type storage devices, then whisked them to jade-built vaults for long-term freshness.

For outsiders like Feng Zhongxin, though, that luxury stayed out of reach. Sure, spells could snag the flowers, but they'd nick the quality somewhat. Any drop in the Blood Jade Flower's caliber meant a hit to its sale value. Hence, they handled the harvest with utmost care. Feng Zhongxin gripped the jade box in one hand, the jade knife in the other. He positioned the box beneath a Blood Jade Flower, then sliced cleanly with the knife. The bloom tumbled from its stem into the box intact. The leftover stalk shriveled away in moments.

Feng Zhongxin worked swiftly. Before long, several Blood Jade Flowers filled his box. Spotting this, Zhao Hai produced his own jade box and jade knife. He knew these were standard gear for lone cultivators herb-gathering. No way could he let Feng Zhongxin spot any slip-up. Besides, crafting such items was child's play for him—a mere thought sufficed. With a casual flip, a jade box and jade knife materialized in his grasp.

Zhao Hai copied Feng Zhongxin's method, sliding the jade box under a Blood Jade Flower. A quick cut with the jade knife sent the bloom dropping neatly inside. He shifted to the next plant and repeated the process. In no time, he'd gathered a hefty bunch. His jade box soon brimmed full.

Zhao Hai stowed the full jade box away and grabbed a fresh one. He'd seen Feng Zhongxin do likewise. Clearly, jade boxes were must-haves for solo cultivators on missions. Their secret lay in locking in the herbs' potency—no fade over short spans, no matter the plant. That preservation was crucial for any medicinal haul. And jade boxes came cheap; some independents even crafted their own. Thus, every rogue cultivator stocked plenty, brimming with gathered remedies.

Zhao Hai's standing far outshone that of loose cultivators. Word of him scavenging herbs in the blood sea like some common stray would floor Blood Slaughter Sect disciples. As part of one of the ten mighty sects, they viewed themselves as heaven's chosen. Even the lowliest outer disciples, deathsworn, or servants there outranked what hordes of independents vied for. For him to forage like a rogue? Utterly mind-blowing.

Truth be told, such notions never crossed Zhao Hai's mind. Down in the lower realms, he'd ruled an entire domain—vaster than the Blood Slaughter Sect could dream. Yet lordship hadn't swollen his ego. Power and rank weren't his chase; raw strength was, pushing ever onward. So every task became training in his eyes. Brainstorming tactics against rival sects for the Blood Slaughter Sect? That counted as heart-tempering cultivation too. Schemes, plots, merry feasts—all fed the path to growth. Picking herbs held no shame; as a rogue cultivator now, doing a rogue's duties felt entirely fitting.

Right as Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin wrapped up their second jade box of Blood Jade Flowers and reached for a third, a clamor erupted. They glanced skyward to find fresh crowds of cultivators closing in. Feng Zhongxin's face darkened at the sight. He flicked his wrist, drawing a long sword. Turning to Zhao Hai, he said, "Brother, keep harvesting. I'll stand guard."

Zhao Hai paused briefly, then gave a nod. Picking herbs turning into a skirmish? Unbelievable for a lone cultivator's outing. Juggled sword in one hand, harvest in the other—grueling stuff. Still, he held his tongue and quickened his pace.

This stirred the other foragers nearby. They operated in small teams too, one watching while the rest gathered. Feng Zhongxin's stance didn't faze them, but it spurred their own haste.

Zhao Hai kept a steady face, though his hands flew. Soon, three more jade boxes overflowed under his efforts. Their total haul of Blood Jade Flowers now looked bountiful. His blistering speed outpaced the trio nearby, drawing sharp eyes from the rivals.

Yet Zhao Hai paid it no heed. He darted about, snatching every visible Blood Jade Flower. The others had nearly cleared their patches too. They rose then—some bolting off at once, but two crews fixed hostile glares on Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin.

Feng Zhongxin's expression soured, but he brushed off the stares. Facing Zhao Hai, he murmured, "Time to move. Stay sharp." The warning came hushed, signaling his sense of their ill intent. Zhao Hai assented and turned to go. That's when a band of eight herb-pickers blocked their path—fellow independents, all glaring daggers. Malice radiated from them clear as day.

Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin tensed up instantly. They eyed the interlopers, and Feng Zhongxin declared, "What's your game? We're all chasing coin here, not crossing paths. Best we part ways clean. Push to blows, and nobody wins." As he finished, he shook his long sword, drawing a faint buzz from the blade while his presence surged fiercer.

Feng Zhongxin practiced sword cultivation. As a rogue, he couldn't match the elites from grand sects, but in the wider world of cultivation, sword cultivators were forces folks steered clear of. Their strikes packed devastating punch. Simple as the blade they wielded, yet that purity made assaults direct, unyielding, overwhelming. Defense might lag for them, but in raw offensive might, none dared top their claim to supremacy.