Cultivators who grow spiritual grains, especially those who are only at the first level of Qi Refining, indeed don't have many Spirit Stones on them.
After all, if they were a bit more capable, they wouldn't be here growing spiritual grains.
Unless spiritual grains are grown on a large scale, like contracting a small world or something, the Spirit Stones earned are barely enough for daily cultivation.
In comparison, growing spiritual herbs, trees, and flowers is more profitable, but requires more knowledge about spiritual plants. If one is not careful, they could kill the spiritual plant, which is beyond the ability of most cultivators.
After listening to the Black-robed Middle-aged Man's words, Li Chuan said, "Actually, I don't care much for your Spirit Stones. It's just that you treated me like a thief as soon as I arrived, which made me quite unhappy."
Upon hearing this, several people hurriedly apologized.
"Senior Brother, we were wrong. Please be generous."
"Senior Brother, I spoke too loudly just now..."
"Senior Brother, all our possessions are here. Please help us..."
Li Chuan waved his hand, "Alright, considering we're fellow disciples, I'll help you this time, but..."
"But what? Please, Senior Brother, speak clearly." They all looked at Li Chuan nervously, fearing he would bring up the Spirit Stones again.
Li Chuan said, "I need to dig up a Protective Spirit Herb from here. If you agree, I'll help you solve the problem of the decline in your spiritual grains. I can't guarantee anything else, but once the spiritual rice is produced, I can ensure its quality is at least medium."
They were delighted. Medium quality would save them from losing several dozen Spirit Stones.
However, upon hearing Li Chuan mention the Protective Spirit Herb, they felt a bit uneasy. The herb was everywhere, and digging up one wouldn't affect anything. Why did Li Chuan specifically mention it?
Almost instinctively, they looked down and scanned the area, but found nothing amiss.
Their gazes even lingered on the slightly darker green Protective Spirit Herb next to Li Chuan, but they didn't consider it important.
After all, it's normal for weeds to grow a bit greener.
Soon, they gathered together. Although they didn't say anything, they could see doubt and caution in each other's eyes, wondering if Li Chuan had discovered something valuable.
However, the Gray-robed Middle-aged Man seemed to have thought of something and whispered, "This Senior Brother is probably trying to spare us embarrassment by saying he'll take a Protective Spirit Herb as an exchange. This way, we won't owe him anything."
Upon hearing this, they suddenly realized and their goodwill towards Li Chuan increased significantly.
The Black-robed Middle-aged Man immediately cupped his hands towards Li Chuan and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your generosity. Not to mention one Protective Spirit Herb, even ten or a hundred wouldn't be a problem."
He wasn't exaggerating. With such a wide field, digging up a hundred Protective Spirit Herbs wouldn't affect the spiritual field. Moreover, the Protective Spirit Herb grows quickly, as long as one doesn't constantly dig them up, they'll soon grow back.
Li Chuan nodded with satisfaction and said, "Actually, the reason your spiritual grain isn't growing well is because most of the spiritual energy is being absorbed. Without enough spiritual energy, how can the grain grow properly?"
"What? The spiritual energy is being absorbed? By what?" The group was bewildered. "We're here every day and haven't seen anything unusual!"
"That's why I said I need to dig up one of your Spirit-protecting Grasses." Li Chuan took out a spiritual hoe, squatted down, and struck the ground beside a particular Spirit-protecting Grass. Instantly, the hoe's formation enveloped the grass.
"Senior Brother, do you mean that this Spirit-protecting Grass is causing trouble? But it doesn't seem special at all?" The Black-robed Middle-aged Man spoke with a face full of doubt.
Another person said, "This Spirit-protecting Grass is so far from our spiritual fields. Can it really affect them?"
These words caused the Gray-robed Middle-aged Man's face to change.
Just a moment ago, he thought Li Chuan was digging up the Spirit-protecting Grass to set their minds at ease. Now, he realized that Li Chuan might have come for this grass from the beginning.
And indeed, he was right, though it was too late. Li Chuan moved swiftly, already pulling up the Spirit-protecting Grass.
As the soil churned, the Spirit-protecting Grass rose with extremely long roots, following Li Chuan into the air.
Its roots were as fine as hair, truly resembling strands of hair. Although sparse, they still made one's scalp tingle.
Li Chuan soared over ten meters high, and yet some of the roots remained buried in the soil.
"What kind of ghostly thing is this with such long roots?!" The owners of the spiritual fields were dumbfounded.
They had never seen roots as thin as hair before.
Generally, the more bizarre a spiritual plant or beast looks, the more dangerous it is. Instinctively, they stepped back, fearing the strange roots might suddenly entangle them and utter, "Return my life!"
Suspended in mid-air, Li Chuan was also startled by the length of the roots.
After all, theory is one thing, but practice is another. It was his first time seeing such a thing.
He formed a seal with his hands and applied a gathering technique he recalled from his mind onto the roots, and soon they began to retract automatically, rolling into a ball.
The roots continued to emerge from the ground until they stretched nearly a hundred meters before finally stopping.
Looking at Li Chuan's hand again, below the leaves of the Spirit-protecting Grass was now a clump of roots the size of a human head.
"Do you know what this thing is?" the Gray-robed Middle-aged Man asked those around him.
They all shook their heads in succession.
"No idea, never seen anything like it."
"I've never even heard of such a thing. Those roots are so thin they look like worms, it's terrifying."
"Good thing it doesn't entangle people; otherwise, with us walking over it every day, we'd be in trouble."
Thinking about treading over such a strange thing daily, they all shivered.
Li Chuan's voice came from mid-air, "This thing specifically absorbs the spiritual energy of spiritual plants. With it around, no matter what you plant, you won't have much of a harvest."
"Now that I've dug it up, you won't have any trouble growing top-quality spirit grains in the future. Most importantly, the quality of the surrounding spirit fields will be enhanced, reaching the second tier."
These words brought great joy to the owners of the spirit fields.
"Senior Brother, is this really true?" They rented these spirit fields for ten years. If the quality could reach the second tier, they'd make a significant profit.
"Why would I deceive you? At most, one year, and you'll see the results."
"Alright, since the matter is resolved, I'll be on my way."
Li Chuan didn't waste any words and left directly.
The group quickly expressed their gratitude: "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your assistance. Safe travels, Senior Brother."
However, although the Gray-robed Middle-aged Man also voiced his thanks, once Li Chuan had left, he couldn't help but say to the others, "What do you think that thing really is? Could it be some kind of valuable spirit herb?"
"That looks like a harmful spirit herb. How much could it be worth?" the Black-robed Middle-aged Man said dismissively.
"We've never heard of this thing before. No matter how valuable it is, how much could it be worth? Now our spirit grains can be harvested smoothly, and the quality of the spirit fields can be improved. We're making a big profit."
"Exactly, I was even looking for someone to rent out my spirit field before. Luckily, no one took it."
The Gray-robed Middle-aged Man still appeared uncertain: "No, I need to ask around. I think that Senior Brother came here specifically for that peculiar spirit-protecting herb."