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

Shortly after the pair plunged into the blood sea, the trailing cultivators materialized at the spot where they had stood moments before. One of them remarked, "It looks like Feng Zhongxin has led Zhao Hai to harvest the Blood Jade Flower. The market value of the Blood Jade Flower is soaring right now, attracting plenty of folks to gather it. Yet, that's precisely what draws more rivals to steal it away. Heading down there could spell trouble for them."

Another cultivator let out a cold snort and replied, "Wouldn't that be ideal? We get to test if Zhao Hai truly excels at poisons, and gauge his power too. Should he falter with poisons, we can deal with him outright and skip the hassle." The speaker sported a menacing visage and a burly build. Unlike the rest in their warrior garb, his attire resembled a simple sash, leaving his arms bare and revealing bronze-hued skin that gleamed like forged metal.

This man went by Wang Liang. He stood as the sole body cultivator among them, boasting solid strength but a notoriously volatile temper. Furthermore, their group's way of life mirrored that of the Ghostwind bandits closely—they pillaged and slew without mercy, and in every raid, Wang Liang struck with the utmost brutality.

The group fell silent, then each pulled out a straw hat to don before submerging into the blood sea. They swiftly descended to the depths. As Wang Liang predicted, their aim was to witness Zhao Hai's true capabilities. If he proved weak, they planned to subdue him and extract the treasure's location bit by bit.

Feng Zhongxin remained unaware of their pursuers. He guided Zhao Hai downward over a thousand meters until they touched the blood sea floor. The sight left Zhao Hai astonished: countless Blood Jade Flowers dotted the seabed. While not clustered like a grove, their numbers were impressive indeed.

Zhao Hai recognized the Blood Jade Flower well. This staple herb excelled at restoring blood Qi, finding its way into numerous elixirs. Within the Blood Slaughter Sect, vast fields grew it abundantly. The sect relied on the Blood Jade Flower for many formulas, consuming it in huge volumes.

True to its name, the Blood Jade Flower resembled a jade-carved bloom. Standing just a foot high on a single stalk, it bore seven or eight maple-like leaves. Crowning it was a vivid red blossom, dense and lustrous as if sculpted from blood-red jade. Its petals shimmered translucently, enhancing its allure.

Feng Zhongxin scanned the Blood Jade Flowers and spoke gravely, "Let's get to it. Plenty have harvested here before, but this spot might be less discovered, keeping crowds away for now. We must hurry—if too many arrive, we'll miss our chance. Worse, it could spark a fight." With that, his hands blurred, summoning a jade knife and a spacious jade box. The box could easily accommodate over thirty Blood Jade Flowers, while the knife served specifically for their careful extraction.

The Blood Jade Flower demanded unique handling—it couldn't bear direct touch. Even harvesting required tools like jade knives, a standard for many herbs. In the Blood Slaughter Sect, spells plucked them straight into space-teleportation devices, then whisked them to jade-built warehouses for long-term freshness.

For independents like Feng Zhongxin, such methods lay out of reach. Though spells could harvest them, quality suffered slightly, impacting sale prices. Thus, they proceeded with utmost caution. Feng Zhongxin balanced the jade box beneath a Blood Jade Flower, then sliced cleanly with the jade knife. The bloom dropped neatly into the box, severing from its stem, which soon withered away entirely.

Feng Zhongxin worked with impressive speed, claiming several Blood Jade Flowers in mere moments. Observing this, Zhao Hai produced his own jade box and jade knife. He knew these were essential gear for rogue cultivators herb-gathering. To avoid suspicion from Feng Zhongxin, and since crafting them posed no challenge—he could whip them up instantly—he casually revealed a jade box and jade knife in his grasp.

Emulating Feng Zhongxin's technique, Zhao Hai positioned the jade box under a Blood Jade Flower, then severed it with the jade knife, letting it tumble inside. He shifted to the next plant and repeated the process. Before long, he had amassed a substantial haul, filling the jade box to capacity.

Zhao Hai stowed the full jade box and retrieved a fresh one. He noted Feng Zhongxin doing likewise, confirming jade boxes as vital for rogue cultivators on missions. Their virtue lay in preserving herbal potency; any medicinal plant stored within retained efficacy for extended periods. This proved crucial for herbs. Moreover, jade boxes cost little, with some independents crafting their own, so every rogue cultivator carried multiples stocked with gathered remedies.

Zhao Hai's standing far surpassed that of typical rogue cultivators. Should Blood Slaughter Sect disciples learn he harvested in the blood sea like a common independent, shock would ripple through them. As members of one of the ten great sects, they embodied heavenly pride. Even the lowliest outer disciples, deathsworn, or servants represented coveted roles for which unaffiliated cultivators vied fiercely. For him to forage like a lone wanderer? Utterly inconceivable.

Yet Zhao Hai harbored no such reservations. Back in the lower realms, he had ruled an entire domain, its scale dwarfing the Blood Slaughter Sect's wildest dreams. Despite that dominion, he stayed grounded, for power and rank held no allure. Strength alone drove him, the pursuit of further breakthroughs. Thus, every task became cultivation in disguise—be it plotting against rival sects for the Blood Slaughter Sect, a heart-tempering exercise. All worldly pursuits, from intrigue to revelry, served the path of cultivation. Harvesting herbs? No disgrace for a rogue cultivator like him; it fit perfectly.

As Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin wrapped up their second jade box of Blood Jade Flowers and reached for the third, a sudden clamor echoed. Glancing upward, they spotted a throng of additional cultivators converging. Feng Zhongxin's face darkened at the sight. He flicked his wrist, materializing a long sword, and told Zhao Hai, "Brother, keep harvesting. I'll stand guard."

Zhao Hai paused briefly in surprise, then agreed with a nod. He hadn't anticipated such interruptions during a simple herb run—especially for a rogue cultivator, juggling sword and harvest in one go. Exhausting, truly. Still, he held his tongue and accelerated his gathering pace.

This drew eyes from nearby herb-pickers, who operated in small teams too—one vigilant, the rest collecting. Feng Zhongxin's stance didn't faze them, but it prompted quicker efforts all around.

Zhao Hai kept a steady expression, his hands flying with precision. In no time, he brimmed three more jade boxes. Their total haul of Blood Jade Flowers now swelled impressively. His rapid pace outstripped the other three, inevitably catching more glances from the crowd.

Undeterred, Zhao Hai pressed on, scooping every visible Blood Jade Flower. The others similarly cleared the surrounding patches, then rose. Some departed at once, but two crews fixed hostile stares on Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin.

Feng Zhongxin's expression soured, yet he brushed off the glares. Turning to Zhao Hai, he urged, "Let's move. Stay sharp." The warning came in a hushed tone, signaling his sense of their ill intent. Zhao Hai nodded, ready to depart, when a band of eight rogue herb-gatherers blocked their path. Their fierce glares left no doubt: malice guided them.

Alertness surged through Zhao Hai and Feng Zhongxin as they eyed the interlopers. Feng Zhongxin declared, "What’s your game? We're all chasing coin here, not crossing paths. Best we part ways peacefully. Fight, and it ends badly for everyone." He emphasized by shaking his long sword, which hummed softly while his aura intensified.

Feng Zhongxin pursued the sword path. Though a rogue sword cultivator couldn't match those of major sects, such experts commanded respect in the cultivation world. Their strikes packed devastating force—straightforward like the blade itself, yet refined, unyielding, and overwhelming. Defense might lag, but in raw offensive might, no one dared outrank them.