You've already caught the embroidered ball, and you still say it's not my husband?

We arrived at a corner of the riverbed.

The area is covered with aquatic plants and abundant vegetation. Because of the reed beds above, a large area of ​​reeds blocks the sunlight, making the underwater area dark and the water temperature icy.

This is also the crocodile's lair, where it spends most of its time in hiding, so there are few fish and shrimp around.

"Boss, this is the treasure that Little Crocodile was talking about."

The crocodile, with its massive body, lay prone on the bottom of the water, raising its short paws to point at a lotus flower on the mud in front of it.

This lotus plant has no flower buds or seeds, only four leaves that are already yellowed and mostly withered...

Isn't this just an ordinary lotus flower?

In artificially cultivated water tanks and ponds, there are as many lotus flowers as you want, and their appearance and quality are much better than the one in front of you!

But the crocodile said that this lotus flower was a treasure?

Could it be that they're trying to fool Lu Xuan?

"wrong!"

One cannot judge a book by its cover. Lu Xuan keenly sensed something amiss: "How could there be lotus flowers in water nearly ten feet deep?"

Lotus flowers are not delicate plants, but they do have certain requirements for their growing environment.

The lotus root system absorbs nutrients by burying itself in the mud at the bottom of the water, while the lotus leaves need to grow above the water surface to receive sunlight and carry out photosynthesis in order to grow normally.

This requires that the distance from the bottom of the water to the surface cannot be too far, at most two to three meters!

but!

This lotus flower grows at the bottom of a river more than 30 meters deep!

It may look ordinary, but it is actually extraordinary!

"This is a...spiritual plant!"

Lu Xuan's expression shifted slightly.

In this world filled with demons and monsters, nature also possesses some rare and precious treasures.

Some plants absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon over a long period of time. Over the years, their fruits, stems, leaves, and roots contain extremely abundant spiritual energy and have certain magical effects. For example, ginseng that is a hundred years old and snow lotus that is a thousand years old can all be called "spiritual plants".

These spiritual plants may develop sentience and transform from plants into spirits... If they are consumed by other animals, those animals may also gain intelligence as a result.

Bao Bulu was originally a donkey raised by a farmer. Because of its stubborn temperament, it was sold to a butcher by the farmer. When it was about to be slaughtered, its strong survival instinct made it kick the butcher unconscious and bite through the reins to escape into the deep mountains and forests.

While living in the mountains, it accidentally swallowed a spiritual herb, which awakened its intelligence and transformed it into a demon. Several years later, it met Lu Xuan and became Lu Xuan's mount...

"Little crocodile, are you really going to give me this lotus flower?"

Lu Xuan flashed and instantly teleported to the side of the lotus flower.

"Waaah, that's right, I gave it all to you." The crocodile nodded with a bitter face, then added through tears, "I've already eaten the lotus seeds, but there are still lotus roots growing underneath..."

Several years ago, a crocodile ate the lotus seeds and has been guarding this place ever since, quietly waiting for the lotus roots to mature.

At this time, most of the lotus leaves of this lotus plant have withered and turned yellow, which is a sign that the lotus root is ripe!

The crocodile originally planned to wait until the lotus leaves were completely withered and the lotus roots were fully ripe before digging them out and savoring them.

Unfortunately, it ran into a fat catfish while out foraging for food this morning and almost died, but then it was very lucky to meet Lu Xuan.

It was timid and afraid of being killed by Lu Xuan, so it reluctantly offered up the treasure...

Since it was Crocodile's kind offer, how could Lu Xuan refuse?

Thanks!

He raised his hand and made a hand seal, manipulating the Startling Phoenix Blade to loosen the mud around him. Then he reached out and grabbed the stem, slowly pulling up the lotus flower.

Splash!

There's a huge bunch of lotus roots underneath, with thirteen sections in total, weighing over ten pounds!

Lu Xuan blew a breath, and water flowed out, washing away the mud from the lotus root. The lotus root was as white as mutton fat jade, a sight to behold!

He broke off a section, and the lotus root fibers were long and white, with a rich, moist texture inside. He popped it into his mouth, and it was sweet and crunchy, both nutritious and delicious!

"This lotus root is really good!"

Lu Xuan smiled in amazement.

Unlike demon cores, spiritual plants (spiritual lotus roots) can not be normally consumed and absorbed by humans. The abundant spiritual power contained in spiritual lotus roots can assist in cultivation and is very beneficial to cultivators.

However, Lu Xuan's current cultivation level is quite high, approaching the peak of the fourth rank. Even if he eats all ten catties of spirit lotus root, the improvement he gains will be relatively limited, less than half of the reward for completing a purple order...

"We can leave some for my older sister, brother-in-law, and Tongtong."

Lu Xuan felt he didn't need to keep it all to himself.

He was never stingy with his family. He let his older sister and the others eat some lotus root to nourish their blood and prolong their lives, which was good enough!

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away..."

Lu Xuan agreed to Su Qingwan's request to return to the Su residence for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

He is the nominal son-in-law of the Su family. It would be a bit unreasonable for him to go back empty-handed.

Master Su and Su Qingwan might not care, but Madam Su, who was clamoring to skin him alive, would probably not give him a good look and might even use the opportunity to scold Lu Xuan for not knowing the rules...

Fortunately, we have this precious spiritual lotus root!

Let that fierce mother-in-law have a bite too, and then tell her a few things about how lotus root can beautify the skin, slow down aging, etc., maybe she won't be so fierce anymore...

"Thank you so much, little crocodile! You've really helped me a lot!"

Lu Xuan expressed his sincere gratitude, then removed all the spirit lotus roots and stored them in his storage ring.

"Oh, you're welcome. I'm just glad you're happy."

The little crocodile said "You're welcome" while being reluctant to waste the four withered lotus leaves left behind by Lu Xuan after he took the spirit lotus root. It ate them with tears in its eyes.

They dared not swallow it, fearing it would spill out of their ruptured stomach.

"..."

Why did Lu Xuan feel like a robber who broke into someone's house and stole their things?

"Cough cough, don't cry, I won't take your money for nothing."

He immediately raised his hand and placed his palm on the crocodile's back.

The Great Heavenly Medical Technique is activated!

In an instant, an immense and extremely rich life force emerged from his palm and flowed into the crocodile's body...

A truly miraculous scene unfolded!

The crocodile's damaged stomach was nourished and repaired by this powerful life force, and the large gash in its abdomen was gradually healing. Even the half of its tail that had been bitten off and swallowed by the fat catfish was slowly growing back at a speed visible to the naked eye!

One inch, one foot, one zhang...

Until it fully grows out!

"alright."

Lu Xuan withdrew his hand and received the healing reward.

[Treatment successful, cultivation points +99]

The crocodile remained rooted to the spot, its two football-sized eyes wide open.

It looked down at its dissected abdomen, which was now smooth as ever, without a single mark, and it felt no pain whatsoever!

It tried to flick its tail again, and with a loud crash, a small artificial hill at the bottom of the water was swept away!

"This...this..."

It was so shocked that it couldn't speak.

It was severely injured, but Lu Xuan was able to heal it completely with his great supernatural powers!

"Waaaaah."

The little crocodile cried again.

This time, it wasn't sadness or grievance, nor was it fear or terror; it was tears of joy!

"Thank you so much for saving my life, sir! Little Crocodile thanks you. May you amass wealth in every direction and never die..."

Looking at the crocodile before him, who was weeping with gratitude, Lu Xuan suddenly asked, "Would you be willing to acknowledge me as your master?"

The crocodile hesitated for a moment, then quickly nodded, "Yes, little crocodile is willing!"

Lu Xuan was too strong, instantly killing a sixth-rank fat catfish. The crocodile dared not refuse.

Lu Xuan didn't take its spiritual lotus root for nothing; he healed it, which was quite good for it.

It seems like it's a good deal to have such a master!

The next moment, a golden mark appeared on Lu Xuan's palm and he pressed it onto the crocodile's head.

"Accept it."

"Yes, Master!"

The Beast Contract Seal disappeared into the crocodile's head, merging with its body and soul...

Contract successful!

Lu Xuan was able to clearly sense the crocodile's physical condition.

[Species]: Saltwater crocodile

[Gender]: Female

Age: 10

[Cultivation Level]: Rank 7 (Peak)

……

Monsters typically live much longer than humans, with many powerful monsters able to live for thousands of years...

Despite its intimidatingly large size, this crocodile is actually quite young and female. If it were a human, it would probably be a young girl of about ten years old.

No wonder he cries so easily...

"Let me give you a name."

Lu Xuan wanted to name it, and after a little thought, he came up with an idea.

"You love to cry, little pearl, so from now on we'll call you Pearl."