Cultivating with Symbiosis Panel

Previously, he had heard that it's best not to rely on Resentment Qi for the growth of Earth Emotion Fungus, as this results in better quality fungus.

However, this sudden occurrence caught him off guard, and there was no indication on his panel.

He flipped through several books and found records about Earth Emotion Fungus, but was still at a loss.

So, he decided to visit a senior sister in the sect who was also cultivating Earth Emotion Fungus without using Resentment Qi, to see how her fungus was growing.

Perhaps it would spark some inspiration.

...

The senior sister who was cultivating Earth Emotion Fungus was named Qi.

After seeing Li Ye's visiting card, she immediately invited him to visit her Cave Mansion without hesitation.

The first reason was that she knew Li Ye had cultivated the Potato Flood Dragon, which was gradually being transported outwards. The second reason was that she had benefitted from True Man Suoxing's teachings in the past.

——In fact, most Spirit Plant Masters in the sect had benefitted from True Man Suoxing's teachings. This seemed inconspicuous on ordinary days, but proved invaluable when issues arose.

"Senior Sister Qi, my visit is abrupt, and I didn't bring anything, but here is some tea from my own production. Please try it at your leisure."

Li Ye handed over a box with a smile.

Senior Sister Qi smiled back, "I imagine your tea is not ordinary Spiritual Tea. Once we finish viewing the Earth Emotion Fungus cave, enjoying tea and discussing Dao will indeed be a pleasant affair."

"Jixiang, take it and prepare it."

She tossed the tea box aside, and a brightly feathered bird immediately grabbed it with its claws, speaking in human tongue, "As you command, Master!"

The bird flapped its wings and flew into the Heavenly Dome, where a jade white palace could be faintly seen amidst the clouds and mist.

"Oh, Senior Sister, this Cloud Treasure you have created is truly magnificent."

Li Ye's tone held a touch of envy. His Cloud Treasure was just a small patch, while hers was already a grand palace.

"Junior Brother, you've only been in the sect for just a year. This Cloud Treasure requires accumulation and cannot be accomplished overnight.

It took me decades to achieve this. The clouds of other Golden Core Masters can even carry them on excursions."

Senior Sister Qi explained, then led Li Ye into her Earth Emotion Fungus cave.

This cave was more bizarre than Li Ye expected—flowing with vibrant colors, the entire cave was paved with glass, and the ground and cave walls shimmered brilliantly.

Clusters of fungus brazenly grew on the ground and walls. Instead of producing food items familiar to Li Ye, they bore fruit of Spirit Plants.

"Are these peaches?"

"Senior Sister, how can these Earth Emotion Fungus grow and bear... fruit here where there is Spiritual Qi but no nutrients?"

Despite his observation, Li Ye was still puzzled.

This was actually normal; every Spirit Plant Master's spiritual objects were unique.

Understanding these mysteries required accumulated experience and cultivation.

His mentor might be able to do it, but Li Ye was still far from that level.

When Senior Sister Qi saw Li Ye's visiting card, she understood his intentions and would have refused him had she not been willing to share her knowledge.

Since she agreed and invited Li Ye over, she was prepared to impart some of her experiences.

So she began to speak leisurely, "Have you considered that if Resentment Qi can nourish these Earth Emotion Fungus, then perhaps Wish Power could do the same?"

"Wish Power?" Li Ye was slightly taken aback.

This type of power was common in the Mortal Country within the Jianmu Grotto Heaven of the Four Seasons Sect, often associated with incense and wishes.

It was seldom used in the Cultivation Realm; Li Ye never considered it before.

"Senior Sister means that these Earth Emotion Fungus of yours grow on Wish Power?"

"No." Senior Sister Qi shook her head. "To be precise, Earth Emotion Fungus can only grow relying on either Resentment Qi or Wish Power."

"The Earth Emotion Fungus here operates on a specific kind of Wish Power."

"When they feel that Wish Power can outweigh their craving for Resentment Qi, they abandon Resentment Qi and choose Wish Power to aid their growth."

"Let me clarify further, the Wish Power here comes from a Spirit Beast."

"Historically, the Wish Power of Spirit Beasts and Spiritual Insects is purer than ours in the Human Race and more suitable for the growth of Earth Emotion Fungus."

This insight from Senior Sister Qi suddenly made everything clear to Li Ye.

In the current Cultivation Realm, Resentment Qi and Wish Power are considered the two sides of the same power, representing opposing forces of Yin and Yang—Resentment and Wish, the same yet different.

This meant that the Earth Emotion Fungus had accepted the "Wish Power" of the Bamboo Wood Ants, thus abandoning Resentment Qi.

Senior Sister Qi noted Li Ye's contemplative expression and narrowed her eyes to ask, "Judging by your look, does it seem like the Earth Emotion Fungus might have undergone such a mutation as well?

I should inform you that Wish Power ascends, while Resentment Qi descends. You should be aware of what could happen if the upward force isn't properly managed.

It's against sect rules for Foundation Establishment cultivators to rear Gods."

——Indeed, such a rule exists, clearly written in the sect's prohibitions.

The existence of this rule in the Four Seasons Sect means that there must have been some unfavorable incidents involving Foundation Establishment cultivators rearing Gods in the past.

In fact, Li Ye hadn't considered this at all.

But now, upon Senior Sister Qi's reminder, he recalled the numerous Bamboo Wood Ants that had begun to develop basic spiritual intelligence, alongside the purportedly divine temple-like structures...

Could it be that those creatures were genuinely worshiping the Earth Emotion Fungus as a "Fungus God"?

The thought sent a shiver down his spine—it seemed possible, considering the Bamboo Wood Ant's nest was composed of countless ant bodies, suggestive of a sacrificial practice.

His expression grew serious.

With an apologetic tone, he addressed the senior sister, "I just thought of something. Thank you for clarifying. I'll visit again to express my gratitude once the matter is resolved!"

With those words, he activated a golden light beneath his feet.

In an instant, he vanished from Senior Sister Qi's Four Seasons Hall, using the Teleportation Array to return to his Cave Mansion and head towards the Bamboo Wood Ants' nest.

Previously, he hadn't considered this, but now observing the Bamboo Wood Ants' nest, it was clear that the Earth Emotion Fungus was being worshiped.

He could faintly sense a special kind of power being transferred from the Bamboo Wood Ants to the Earth Emotion Fungus.

"Fungus God."

"I never imagined you'd managed to create such a thing."

Li Ye hesitated.

The number of Bamboo Wood Ants was overwhelming.

With their unyielding nature, forming nests from their bodies reminiscent of sacrificial acts, over time they could potentially nurture the Earth Emotion Fungus into a "Fungus God."

The logic was easy to follow.

The Earth Emotion Fungus provided them with food; for most Spirit Beasts and Spiritual Insects, anything that provides food is regarded as a god.

Even within this Cave Mansion, other Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts were offering their Wish Power to Li Ye, which is why he hadn't initially noticed the presence of Wish Power.

The most straightforward method was to nip the problem in the bud—simply relocate the fungus.

Yet this approach had its risks.

The Bamboo Wood Ants might find something else to worship, or possibly cultivate their own fungus, a practice they were traditionally adept at.

Guidance was better than obstruction.

"I should consider how best to utilize this Wish Power and report to the sect about potentially cultivating a 'Fungus God.'

The sect's primary use of Wish Power is within the Jianmu Grotto Heaven. Since I need to promote the Potato Flood Dragon at Huiya Marketplace, I might as well take the chance to visit Heavenly River City and observe."

After contemplating carefully, Li Ye made a decision.

He wondered why there was no word from Su Ya?

It had been several days already. Could it be that they had discovered immense wealth and decided to return to inherit the Marketplace management, forsaking cultivation?