Chapter 21: Digging a Tunnel

Li Xuan and Bai Wen hurried back to Bai Wen's Courtyard.

After pushing open the door, Li Xuan quickly took out a Flower Pot, planted the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover, and poured in some diluted green liquid to keep it lively, since a Lucky Four-Leaf Clover out of soil wilts a bit.

The previously wilted Lucky Four-Leaf Clover absorbed the green liquid and instantly perked up, but showed no other change—just more vigor and a healthier appearance.

Li Xuan was puzzled, because the green liquid just poured out could boost other plants by a decade of cultivation, yet the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover changed nothing.

But Li Xuan didn't mind; he thought a Heavenly Material Earth Treasure with special abilities must differ from ordinary plants.

It was still Li Xuan's first time encountering a plant that could increase Luck Value, so he was full of curiosity about the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover.

After settling the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover, Li Xuan finally began to examine the Heavenly Material Earth Treasure.

The Lucky Four-Leaf Clover lived up to its name: only four leaves, together about the size of a palm, looking just like ordinary weed, not at all eye‑catching.

It was just a glance Li Xuan gave in the Flower Sea; otherwise he would have missed this Heavenly Material Earth Treasure.

Moreover, Liu Lao Gui planted this Lucky Four-Leaf Clover at the edge of the Flower Sea, likely treating it as ordinary weed; perhaps because it grew at the border, Liu Lao Gui didn't uproot it.

At that moment, Bai Wen came to Li Xuan's side.

"Xuan Ge'er, you gave me a fright just now, but tell me, does this grass have any special ability?" Bai Wen was too curious, so he came over to ask Li Xuan about the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover.

Li Xuan stealing a flower in the Flower Sea would be understandable to Bai Wen; after all, stealing an orchid to plant in his own Flower Sea is reasonable, just unethical.

But you sneaky dog stealing a weed that others discarded is baffling; since nobody wanted it, you taking it is a bit unreasonable.

"Isn't this four‑leaf grass nice enough to display in my Courtyard? By the way, Bai Wen, after we continue touring the Flower Sea, I'll leave this grass in your Courtyard and bring it back tonight." Li Xuan didn't satisfy Bai Wen's curiosity, shifting the topic and saying little more about the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover, since even he didn't know how to explain Luck Value.

Seeing Li Xuan's reluctance to explain, Bai Wen stopped probing; after all, everyone has secrets, and digging too deep into one's boss's secrets can get you fired, and Bai Wen didn't want to lose his job.

Next, taking advantage of daylight, Bai Wen led Li Xuan to tour the Flower Seas tended by about a dozen Flower Slaves, covering nearly one‑fifth of the Huahai Beiqu.

Li Xuan didn't know if it was luck or that the Flower Slaves weren't patrolling the Flower Sea lately, but they weren't noticed by anyone while touring.

Until sunset, Li Xuan and Bai Wen arrived at Bai Wen's Courtyard, took the Lucky Four-Leaf Clover, and returned to Li Xuan's Courtyard.

Back in his Courtyard, Li Xuan cradled the four‑leaf grass, closed the gate, and went straight down to the basement.

He placed the four‑leaf grass beside the Kongming Grass, as one of Li Xuan's collectibles.

After arranging the four‑leaf grass, Li Xuan picked up a Charcoal Pen and began recording today's visited Flower Seas on a wooden board, compiling a map of the Huahai Beiqu.

Once he confirmed the map had no errors, Li Xuan finally relaxed.

Li Xuan isn't a supermind; on the way back he feared forgetting today's Flower Sea map, staying on edge and unable to relax.

After a short rest, Li Xuan took a seed bag from the Void Pearl.

That was Li Xuan's harvest for the day.

Twelve seeds of rare plants, one seed of a Heavenly Material Earth Treasure.

Li Xuan trekked through more than ten Flower Seas today to gather these few precious plants, and the seeds are of decent quality. He mixed these seeds with his previous ones and tossed them into the Void Pearl; once he has his own herb garden, he can cultivate them himself.

After organizing everything, Li Xuan sat at the table, stared at the Flower Sea before him, and began to contemplate.

His place lies at the very north of the Flower Sea; everyone else's Flower Seas are within the Sea.

However, the North District is flat with no chance to look outward, so Li Xuan hasn't seen what lies beyond the Flower Sea.

Nevertheless, Li Xuan is not one to give up easily.

"Sigh, north of my Mao Cao Wu lies a great mountain; carving a tunnel out of the mountain is far too hard unless there's a plant good at digging holes, but there isn't one now. I won't overthink it, let's just do it." Li Xuan sighed helplessly, then grabbed his tools and began working.

After sorting his thoughts, Li Xuan went to the north wall of the basement and removed a brick with his tools.

In no time, a cavity large enough for Li Xuan to walk through was completed.

He took a stick and forcefully thrust it into the space behind the wall.

It could be inserted, proving there's soil inside!

Li Xuan's eyes lit up; the soil layer behind the wall was thick, likely allowing him to dig far outward, which would be convenient for his work.

Li Xuan grabbed a pickaxe head and kept digging, shoveling the earth into the Void Pearl, to be discarded tomorrow.

Thus, Li Xuan dug for over three hours, creating a cavity one and a half meters high and five meters deep.

He didn't dare to dig further, fearing collapse, so he stopped.

Back on the surface, Li Xuan brushed the mud off himself and lay on a pile of straw.

"Next I'll need some bricks and wood, otherwise the place will collapse easily." Li Xuan said helplessly while lying on the straw pile, gazing at the stars.

Then Li Xuan exchanged points for boxed meals, ate until full, and, still on the straw pile, fell asleep after a short while.

…

At first light the next morning, when the first sunbeam struck Li Xuan's face, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Xuan Ge'er, Xuan Ge'er, I'm back." Bai Wen shouted outside Li Xuan's Courtyard early that morning.

Putting other things aside, Bai Wen's enthusiasm for his guide work remains abundant.

"Bai Wen, are you familiar with the East District and South District? Today I not only want to tour the Flower Sea but also think about buying some timber." Li Xuan frowned slightly and said to Bai Wen.

"If it's timber… let's go to the East District; the wood there is cheaper." Bai Wen thought for a moment and told Li Xuan.

"Alright, then we'll go to the East District!" Li Xuan nodded in agreement.

Then Li Xuan and Bai Wen walked side by side out of the Courtyard.

Sorry, dear readers, I glanced back and was too drowsy; I made many typos, rewrote it, and sincerely apologize to you all…

(End of Chapter)