Cultivation spells have specific targets, and different plants yield varying levels of proficiency. To brush up on the proficiency of 【茁壮成长】, it's best to find a plant with a short growth cycle to practice on. What Zhao Xing currently sees is a plant called 【齿子草】.
“Under natural conditions, 【齿子草】 can grow from seedling to maturity, flowering and bearing fruit in less than a month. It is usually used to feed cattle and sheep, but it is rare in the south. The old Agricultural Affairs Bureau's yard is truly a treasure trove.”
Zhao Xing immediately ran over to the 【齿子草】.
Vital Qi radiated outward, enveloping the 【齿子草】, and the 【茁壮成长】 spell began to glow faintly.
Following that, the 【齿子草】 grew at a visibly rapid pace.
【You cast ‘茁壮成长’ on 【齿子草】, the plant has entered its growth phase from the seedling stage, spell proficiency +50】
【You cast ‘茁壮成长’ on 【齿子草】, the plant has entered its mature phase from the growth stage, spell proficiency +150】
Vital Qi was rapidly depleting, but the proficiency of 【茁壮成长】 was steadily increasing. The initial spell tier was not high, and with the right target, proficiency could rise quickly. Of course, this was also related to talent and comprehension. If he hadn't consumed the Dao Embryo Pill earlier, Zhao Xing wouldn't have gained so much proficiency.
“Using the Five Elements to observe the plants can make this 【齿子草】 grow even faster.” During the casting process, Zhao Xing had a faint realization.
Before him, the 【齿子草】 appeared in a semi-transparent manner, its internal root and stem structure clearly visible. Where the vital Qi flowed, it allowed the 【齿子草】 to grow faster and more smoothly... this was the effect of the Five Elements observation!
With the ‘Five Elements observation’, it was akin to prescribing the right medicine; the effect of the 【茁壮成长】 spell was more precise, and the cultivation efficiency was greatly enhanced.
【You cast ‘茁壮成长’ on 【齿子草】, the plant has entered its growth phase from the seedling stage, spell proficiency +50】
【You cast ‘茁壮成长’ on 【齿子草】, the plant has entered its mature phase from the growth stage, spell proficiency +150】
A wave of emptiness washed over him, and Zhao Xing stopped casting, as his vital Qi had run dry.
The area before him was now completely covered with 【齿子草】, even spilling over to the sides.
“Gurgle gurgle~”
Zhao Xing took a few gulps of well water to relieve his fatigue and sat by the well, feeling quite satisfied.
【茁壮成长: Beginner Spell】
【Progress: (3210/9999)】
【Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption, shortens the maturation time of plants.】
“【茁壮成长】 has reached the third transformation; it’s only halfway through the morning, and I’ve already climbed two tiers.”
“Let’s try this old locust tree.”
Zhao Xing pointed at it, and golden light spun three times in the air before entering the old locust tree.
The old locust tree didn’t even tremble, indicating that his current level of power was insufficient. The panel showed no response either.
“The old locust tree has deep roots; the Five Elements observation can see its growth rings, like a copper wall and iron bastion. My current vital Qi cannot help it break through its growth shackles.”
Cultivation is inherently a gradual process, and Zhao Xing was not surprised.
“Better to honestly cultivate the 【齿子草】, set a small goal, and before the autumn assessment, I’ll practice 【茁壮成长】 to the ninth transformation!”
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day before the autumn assessment.
For the past six days, Zhao Xing had done nothing but focus on the 【齿子草】. He planted and uprooted, and when the soil was insufficient, he would change locations. He even utilized the nighttime hours.
【茁壮成长: Beginner Spell】
【Progress: (9010/9999)】
【Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption, shortens the maturation time of plants.】
“Finally reached the ninth transformation.”
Zhao Xing felt a sense of relief, but the joy was quickly replaced by deep fatigue.
Without caring much, he found a bamboo mat in the back courtyard's side room and collapsed onto it to sleep.
Xue Wenzhong arrived in the back courtyard, looking at the piles of weeds and the soundly sleeping Zhao Xing, nodding slightly.
Then he waved his hand, and a gentle breeze swirled around Zhao Xing.
Though the movement was small, the force was considerable, lifting Zhao Xing directly.
Unbeknownst to him, Zhao Xing was carried into his own bedroom by Xue Wenzhong.
When he awoke again, Zhao Xing felt an unprecedented sense of refreshment. It was as if a gentle breeze had been blowing while he slept; despite it being the height of summer, he felt as if he were sleeping in spring.
“Ugh~” Stretching, Zhao Xing sensed something was off. Wasn’t he sleeping outside? How did he end up in bed?
“It seems the teacher carried me in, but my clothes are still covered in dirt…”
Looking at the dirty bamboo mat he had made a mess of, Zhao Xing wanted to find something to wipe it down.
As he looked up, he saw a painting hanging on the wall.
In an instant, Zhao Xing's gaze was glued to it.
The painting emitted a faint glow, as if it had some magical power, and he unconsciously walked up to the mural, feeling as though his entire soul was being drawn into it.
In the painting, clouds and mist parted, and the earth sprouted greenery. Countless plants seemed to burst forth like bamboo shoots after a rain, and the vital Qi that was difficult to capture in reality took shape in this realm, clearly visible.
A unique frequency resonated from beneath the ground, akin to breathing.
“Is that... the earth's veins?” Zhao Xing realized.
Life and vital Qi merged at this moment, the vital Qi of heaven and earth harmonizing in yin and yang, and one plant after another presented themselves clearly before him, from seedlings to maturity, flowering and bearing fruit...
“Buzz~”
He didn’t know how long it had been, but Zhao Xing finally broke free from this illusion.
The painting before him was still a painting, but the magical imagery had vanished.
“So this is a ‘万物生长图’, a classic work of my sect.” Zhao Xing immediately realized. “But the artistic conception is incredibly strong; it must be a high-grade copy?”
Looking at the panel, there was indeed a record:
【You have discovered ‘万物生长图拓本’ (Fourth Tier Lower Grade)】
【This treasure is a work of Dao transmission, remaining uses: 1】
【You have observed ‘万物生长图拓本’ (Fourth Tier Lower Grade), 【茁壮成长】 has reached maximum level.】
【You have comprehended the intermediate spell ‘野蛮生长’.】
【You have comprehended the beginner spell ‘地脉综元’.】
“Whew~”
The painting hanging on the wall suddenly ignited spontaneously, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
“Eh?” Zhao Xing hurriedly reached out to grab it, but the speed was too fast; it burned to ashes in almost a second.
“The remaining uses of the Dao transmission painting are only 1, and I’ve used it up.” Zhao Xing felt a bit uneasy.
A fourth-tier treasure is not something ordinary; moreover, it’s a relatively rare ‘Dao transmission painting’. How should he explain this to the old Agricultural Affairs Bureau?
Just as he was pondering, the voice of the old Agricultural Affairs Bureau came from outside: “It’s getting late; the meal is ready. Eat before you leave.”
“Yes, teacher.” Zhao Xing nervously approached the dining table. Facing Xue Wenzhong, he felt a bit guilty and said, “Teacher, I just woke up and accidentally saw a painting in your study, and then it spontaneously ignited.”
“Painting? What painting?” Xue Wenzhong squinted his eyes and glanced at Zhao Xing, “I don’t know what you’re talking about; eat.”
(End of Chapter)