Chapter 78
"It's impossible!"
When Lu Xuan made the request, He Yuntong instinctively refused. The method to condense spirit seeds was as precious within the Hundred Herbs Hall as the elixir formulas, never to be disseminated outside.
"You can choose something else. If it has to be a spirit plant, when the Hall needs to cultivate new second-grade spirit plants, I can personally grant you more cultivation qualifications."
Lu Xuan shook his head. He desired the second-grade spirit plant, but he believed that the ability to cultivate higher-grade plants would naturally come to him. Rather than being given fish, he preferred learning how to fish.
"The Hundred Herbs Hall can condense so many varieties of first and second-grade spirit seeds. I ask for just the cultivation method for one type of first-grade spirit plant; my appetite is already small."
"As for the method for the Spirit Firefly Grass seed, it's merely an addition."
"The Spirit Firefly Grass is one of the most common basic materials in the Hall, cultivated by numerous spirit plant masters. Even if I plant many, it won't significantly impact the entire market."
Lu Xuan shrugged indifferently. In truth, he valued the method to condense Spirit Firefly Grass seeds more. After all, it was only found to reward cultivation progress at the moment. To possess the method to seed it would be ideal.
"Moreover, the three Crimson Cloud Pine seeds in my possession, two of high quality and one an exceedingly rare perfect specimen among thousands."
"If Fellow Daoist He were to offer them to that disciple from the Peak Leaveshade Sect, fulfilling her spiritual pet's needs, it would surely leave a deep impression and establish a profound relationship."
"Disciple Xu from the Peak Leaveshade Sect comes from a prestigious background, both in cultivation and heritage. Building a rapport with her carries obvious benefits."
Lu Xuan's tone was persuasive.
He had not disclosed his cultivation of high-quality Crimson Cloud Pine seeds to anyone. However, after the departure of the crimson-robed girl, He Yuntong from the Hundred Herbs Hall promptly arrived, immediately aiming for the remaining seeds in Lu Xuan's possession. He quickly discerned the underlying reasons.
Hearing Lu Xuan, He Yuntong's expression fluctuated. She admitted that Lu Xuan had a point. A wandering spirit plant master, even if aware of the method to condense spirit seeds, would have extremely limited quantities of cultivated spirit plants.
And opportunities like this to please disciples of major sects might not come by again for a long time.
"Fine, I agree to your terms."
After much hesitation, she ultimately relented.
"However, you must swear an oath. Without the Hall's permission, you cannot spread the method to condense spirit seeds to the outside world. The seeded spirit plants can only be cultivated by yourself and not used for personal gain."
"That's fair."
Lu Xuan readily agreed; these two conditions meant little to him.
He Yuntong took out a piece of white paper with black patterns from her storage bag. Infusing it with spiritual energy, black lines resembling tadpoles instantly flowed on the paper. Under her mental control, they formed three lines of small black characters.
Soon after, the paper folded and transformed into a paper bird.
With a flap of its wings, it soared into the sky, disappearing within moments.
Moments later, a middle-aged alchemist followed the paper bird's path, arriving at Lu Xuan's courtyard.
"Niece He, I've brought the Transmission Jade Scroll you requested, engraved inside are methods for condensing two types of spirit seeds: Blood Jade Ginseng and the gradeless Spirit Firefly Grass."
The middle-aged alchemist handed He Yuntong a bluish-green jade scroll, bowing his head.
"Thank you, Senior Zhang, for your trouble."
He Yuntong nodded, taking the jade scroll.
The perceptive middle-aged alchemist tactfully left.
"This is a Transmission Jade Scroll, containing the methods you seek to condense spirit seeds. Simply place it on your forehead, and the relevant knowledge will transfer into your mind. After absorption, the scroll will lose its effect and self-destruct."
"After you've made your oath, the trade can proceed."
Lu Xuan vowed to abide by the oath, taking the Transmission Jade Scroll from He Yuntong and handing over the three Crimson Cloud Pine seeds.
With the deal sealed, He Yuntong didn't linger, departing with the Hall's overseer.
Entering his room, Lu Xuan carefully examined the bluish-green jade scroll, overwhelmed with emotions.
With the advancement of life realms, it became challenging for cultivators to conceive descendants or for spirit plants to proliferate.
Spirit seeds produced in the wild were rare, requiring specific conditions for mature plants to serendipitously form seeds.
Spirit plant masters, through generations of observation, trial, and error, gradually devised methods to condense seeds. This allowed for targeted and quantitative seeding, enabling mass cultivation of spirit plants.
Lu Xuan, a mere wandering cultivator, had only altered his fate after fortuitously obtaining a white orb. He hadn't systematically studied spirit plant knowledge, let alone the methods tightly held by major sects and families for condensing spirit seeds.
"This is truly the foundation for a spirit plant master."
He sighed, placing the bluish-green jade scroll against his forehead, probing inside with his consciousness.
Instantly, a torrent of information rushed into his mind like a breached river, flooding his mental sea. The jade scroll silently shattered, splitting into dozens of shards that fell to the ground.
After a while, he managed to digest and absorb the knowledge that emerged in his mind.
Methods for condensing spirit seeds, timing, techniques, and unique insights streamed through his thoughts like a passing glance.
"With the method for Spirit Firefly Grass seeds, I need not worry about finding them when I leave the market and go to new places."
Lu Xuan decided that once these hundred and twenty Spirit Firefly Grass matured, he'd retain some seeds for future needs.
As for the Blood Jade Ginseng, despite its perceived value over Spirit Firefly Grass, it was just an addition for Lu Xuan. Other first-grade spirit plants could replace it.
After absorbing the knowledge in his mind, Lu Xuan retrieved the book "Common Spirit Plants and Their Handling Methods" obtained from the crimson-robed girl.
By the dim candlelight, he meticulously perused the book.
The records of over a hundred spirit plants and their harvesting, storage methods, among other details, were immensely valuable to him at present, helping him systematically construct his understanding of spirit plants.
Various, eccentric methods of harvesting and storage broadened his horizons, captivating him.
For a while, he lost track of time, immersed in this ocean of knowledge.
On the bed, the Cloud-Stepping Lynx curled into a ball, seemingly already in deep slumber.
Yet, whenever Lu Xuan's page-turning rustled, the lynx's pointed ears, covered in tufts of gray-white fur, would twitch slightly, attentively observing his every move.
Only when midnight approached, and Lu Xuan had likely finished reading, did he close his eyes to rest. Then, the tufts of fur atop the lynx's ears naturally relaxed and stilled.
Outside, the spiritual field was blanketed in dense white mist. The Grass Puppet trod tirelessly among the ridges and furrows of the field.
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