Chapter 69: Farming, Must Farm
Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Farming, Must Farm
Lou Xiaotian was furious but dared not say a word. He still had to step forward and help Lu Wu pick the fruit.
The fingernail-sized things were incredibly difficult to pick.
To keep them intact, Lou Xiaotian had to hang his entire body off the sheer cliff.
The others quickly came to help as well.
With many hands making light work, they quickly filled a large basket with Jumping Fruits.
Among demon beasts, the Jumping Fruits were relatively docile, but even a docile creature has its limits.
Especially when these human Cultivators were frantically harvesting its descendants right before its eyes. These shameless Cultivators had even plucked its leaves bald!
Plants want to look pretty, too!
The Jumping Fruit was enraged.
This species earned its name from its method of attack: its fruits would detach from the branches and hop toward the enemy.
PATTER PATTER PATTER. It sounded like rain on banana leaves.
A deluge of purple-black fruits fell from the sky, exploding as they hit their heads.
A cloud of toxic smoke billowed out.
The Jumping Fruit’s vines, which snaked along the stone wall, lashed out like whips toward the people on the cliff.
They dodged with graceful ease.
To them, this attack was mere child’s play. It was nothing for them to continue picking fruits while dodging.
This blatant show of disrespect utterly infuriated the Jumping Fruit.
Countless vines shot out, blotting out the sky as they descended.
The vines formed a cage, closing in on the group.
A flash of sword light swept out, severing the vines.
Just as Qin Zhan was feeling pleased with himself, he realized the vines were just a feint. Their true target was Lu Wu, who stood below.
"Boss Lu, watch out!"
These demon beasts were too cunning. As Qin Zhan shouted his warning, he rushed over to help.
Just as Lu Wu prepared to dodge the overwhelming wave of vines, she heard a series of beastly roars.
With roars of tigers and cries of dragons, the powerful auras of demon beasts flooded the area as enormous beasts appeared one by one at Lu Wu’s side.
They shielded Lu Wu beneath their wings. The vines, which had been surging forward, suddenly froze in mid-air.
If the Jumping Fruit had eyes, they would be filled with confusion.
’We’re supposed to be brethren, yet you’re roaring at me for a human?’
The Jumping Fruit was deeply hurt.
But it knew that discretion was the better part of valor. With so many demon beasts present, it stood no chance of winning.
Its vines went limp, hanging listlessly from the cliff as it resigned itself to its fate.
Even as the humans continued to take whatever they wanted, the Jumping Fruit didn’t resist anymore.
Its virtue was lost, but so be it.
Protected by the swarm of demon beasts, Lu Wu’s harvesting went smoothly.
Lu Wu, now relying on the might of the beasts, bid farewell to Xiao Hua and headed back toward the stone tablet.
By now, it was dusk.
Seated on the back of the Gale Eagle, Lu Wu soared incredibly close to the dome of the sky.
She watched the vibrant clouds stream past, listened to the idle chatter of Qin Zhan and the others, and opened her system panel.
The system had notified her of the mission’s completion long ago, but she hadn’t had a chance to check it until now.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission. Your cultivation has been raised to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.]
[Congratulations, Host. You have earned one lottery draw.]
A warm current washed through her body, leaving Lu Wu feeling wonderfully refreshed.
Just one more mission and she could break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. A Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage could be said to have truly begun their journey on the long path to immortality.
Then, the world would truly open up before her.
Lu Wu’s heart soared at the thought, and she couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes.
She lay on the Gale Eagle’s back, admiring the boundless sunset, and casually opened the lottery page.
She rubbed her fingers together for good luck and tapped the button.
’Come on, Lady Luck... spin!’
The wheel spun, moving too fast for Lu Wu to predict what prize she would get.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a Blessed Land Cave Heaven.]
[Note: This Blessed Land Cave Heaven is a Basic Cave Heaven. It can be upgraded by feeding it Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.]
Lu Wu’s face lit up when she saw the reward.
’Anyone who’s read a cultivation novel has dreamed of having a Blessed Land Cave Heaven for storage and farming. It’s just... this system description feels a lot like it’s trying to get me to spend.’
As for feeding it Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Lu Wu decided not to think about it for the time being.
The journey back was still long, so Lu Wu let her consciousness sink into the new space.
The space within the Grotto Heaven was about the size of two basketball courts, just as vast as she had imagined.
The only thing was, the soil was completely bare—not even a single weed could be seen.
Crouching down, she crumbled the soil between her fingers. It was rich, black earth. The moist dirt pulsed with immense Spiritual Power. Near the boundary of the space, a small stream flowed.
The source of the stream disappeared into a boundless mist, an area Lu Wu couldn’t reach yet, as if it marked the edge of the world.
’This place is perfect for growing Spirit Plants and Medicinal Materials. I could even raise living creatures here.’
In the Green Origin Realm, most Cultivators treated their Pocket World Blessed Lands like a second world to be nurtured and developed.
She’d heard that the Pocket World Blessed Lands of the truly mighty were practically independent worlds of their own.
With the experiences of those who came before her, Lu Wu wasn’t going in completely blind, but she planned to forge her own path.
’For any food business to grow big and strong, you eventually have to control your raw materials at the source.’
’And what’s more organic and healthy than growing and selling your own products?’
’Farming. I have to start a farm!’
Lu Wu decided to build a complex, integrated farm in this Grotto Heaven. She would plant crops and raise livestock and poultry. She would work hard to expand the Grotto Heaven until it could contain every ingredient she could possibly need.
’In the future, whatever ingredients her customers wanted, she could pull out a fresh one just like that.’
’Talk about five-star service, right?’
However, she wasn’t prepared for that at the moment. Developing the Grotto Heaven would have to wait until she was out of here.
After wandering around and finding nothing else of interest, Lu Wu withdrew her consciousness from the Grotto Heaven.
Along the way back, some of the demon beasts peeled off from the group.
They were all eagerly awaiting the next day.
Huohuo snuggled into the crook of Lu Wu’s neck. Lu Wu slept soundly once again that night, while the three outside didn’t bother standing watch, instead huddling together for warmth as they slept.
’In this Secret Realm, Boss Lu can do whatever she wants.’
’Anyone foolish enough to cross Boss Lu wouldn’t even need us to lift a finger; the demon beasts would tear them to shreds.’
’Those demon beasts are so "concerned" for Lu Wu’s safety. Even after leaving, they still left a few of their kin behind to stand guard.’
Having been demoted from a useful tool to a mere freeloader, Qin Zhan was gradually coming to terms with it.
After a full night’s sleep, Lu Wu felt refreshed and energized.
It was still early. After washing up, Lu Wu took out her One World Communication and scrolled for a bit, discovering that everyone on the outside was eagerly awaiting their return.
Some people were already posting high-priced offers to buy materials from the Secret Realm.
Lu Wu wasn’t particularly interested.
After the other three woke up, Lu Wu started her work for the day. Even without a mission looming over her, her preparations were as meticulous as ever.
She used her Glazed Fire to sterilize the Jumping Fruits at a high temperature.
Placing the Jumping Fruits one by one into a large basin, Lu Wu considered them for a moment. She decided to try a different recipe today.
Unlike fruits such as mango, whose refreshing sweetness can enrich the flavor profile of a dish.
Jumping Fruits were different. They were so sour they would make your mouth pucker and water.
’I have no intention of ruining my own brand.’
She poured all the fruits into a pot, added honey, and began to simmer them.
That’s right—she was going to make jam.
Even the sourest of ingredients could have their flavor transformed through further processing. Lu Wu was confident, but the process itself wasn’t exactly pleasant.