Chapter 22: The Transmission of Doctrine through Painting
Cultivation spells target different plants, and each plant provides different levels of proficiency when practiced upon. To improve proficiency in Flourishing Growth, it is best to practice on plants with short growth cycles.
What Zhao Xing now sees is a plant called Toothgrass.
"Toothgrass can mature from seedling to full bloom in less than a month under natural conditions. It is usually used to feed cattle and sheep, but it's rare in the south. The old agriculturalist's courtyard is indeed a treasure trove."
Zhao Xing immediately runs to the Toothgrass.
With his qi enveloping the Toothgrass, the Flourishing Growth spell slightly glows.
Subsequently, the Toothgrass visibly grows at a rapid pace.
[You apply 'Flourishing Growth' on Toothgrass, moving it from seedling to growth phase, spell proficiency +50]
[You apply 'Flourishing Growth' on Toothgrass, advancing it from growth to mature phase, spell proficiency +150]
While his qi rapidly depletes, the proficiency in Flourishing Growth sharply increases.
Early stage spells are not highly ranked; choosing the right practice target can lead to swift proficiency gains.
Of course, this also depends on innate talent and understanding.
If it weren't for consuming the Dao Embryo Pill earlier, Zhao Xing wouldn't have gained so much proficiency.
"Using the Five Elements to observe, I can make this Toothgrass grow even faster." During the casting process, Zhao Xing gains some insights.
The Toothgrass appears semi-transparent before him, its inner roots and veins clearly visible.
Where his qi flows, the Toothgrass grows faster and more smoothly... This is the effect of observing through the Five Elements!
With 'Five Elements Perception,' it's like finding the right remedy, making the Flourishing Growth spell more effective and improving cultivation efficiency.
[You apply 'Flourishing Growth' on Toothgrass, advancing it from seedling to growth phase, spell proficiency +50]
[You apply 'Flourishing Growth' on Toothgrass, advancing it from growth to mature phase, spell proficiency +150]
Feeling empty, Zhao Xing stops casting as his qi is depleted.
The ground before him is now fully covered with Toothgrass, even spilling over to the sides.
"Glug glug~"
Zhao Xing drinks a few gulps of well water to ease his fatigue, sitting by the well quite satisfied.
[Flourishing Growth: Beginner-level spell]
[Progress: (3210/9999)]
[Effect: Speeds up nutrient absorption, shortens the plant maturation time.]
"Flourishing Growth has reached tier three, and it's only noon."
"Let's try this old locust tree."
Zhao Xing points his finger, and a golden light swirls through the air, entering the old locust tree.
The locust tree does not even shake, indicating his magical power is hardly sufficient.
The interface shows no reaction.
"The old locust tree is deep-rooted, and observing through the Five Elements reveals its annual rings and veins, like an impenetrable wall. My qi is simply not enough to help it break through its growth constraints."
Cultivation is always a step-by-step process, and Zhao Xing is not surprised.
"Better stick to honestly cultivating Toothgrass, set a small goal: before the Autumn Minor Exam, advance Flourishing Growth to tier nine!"
Time passes quickly, and it's the day before the Autumn Minor Exam.
For the past six days, Zhao Xing did nothing but engage with the Toothgrass.
Planting and replanting, switching spots when the soil is depleted.
He even used the nighttime.
[Flourishing Growth: Beginner-level spell]
[Progress: (9010/9999)]
"Finally at tier nine."
A wave of relief washes over Zhao Xing, followed by deep fatigue.
Without much care, he finds a bamboo mat in the backyard room and falls asleep.
Xue Wenzhong arrives in the backyard, looking at the scattered weeds and the deeply sleeping Zhao Xing, nodding slightly.
Then he stretches out his hand, and a gentle breeze spirals from Zhao Xing's side.
Though quiet, the power is substantial, lifting Zhao Xing into the air.
Unknowingly, Zhao Xing is carried to his own bedroom by Xue Wenzhong.
Upon waking, Zhao Xing feels unprecedentedly refreshed; it felt as if a gentle breeze had been blowing on him the whole time he slept, making him feel like he was sleeping in spring despite the hot summer days.
"Uh~" Stretching lazily, Zhao Xing realizes something is amiss. Wasn't he sleeping outside? How did he end up in a bed?
"It looks like the teacher carried me in, but my clothes are still covered in mud..."
Looking at the dirtied cool mat, Zhao Xing seeks something to clean it.
But as he looks up, he spots a painting on the wall.
Instantly, Zhao Xing's gaze is fixed, unable to look away.
The painting emits a faint light, as if magical, drawing him closer as if absorbing his soul.
Clouds part in the painting, the earth bursts with green, and numerous plants shoot up like bamboo after rain, forming tangible qi in this world, clearly visible.
From beneath, unique frequencies emerge, akin to breathing.
"Is that... the Earth's pulse?" Zhao Xing gains an understanding.
Life and qi intermingle at this moment, yin and yang of the world's qi blend, and plants vividly transition from seedlings to maturity before his eyes, blooming and bearing fruit...
"Hum~"
It's uncertain how much time passes before Zhao Xing snaps out of the vision.
The painting remains a painting, yet its miraculous aspect has vanished.
"So, this is a 'Diagram of All Things Growing,' a classic from my sect. But the artistic conception is too profound; how high-grade is this replica?"
Checking his panel, indeed there is a record:
[You discovered 'Diagram of All Things Growing Replica' (Fourth Tier Lower Grade)]
[This treasure is for transmission of teachings, remaining uses: 1]
[You observed 'Diagram of All Things Growing Replica' (Fourth Tier Lower Grade), 'Flourishing Growth' has reached full level.]
[You comprehend the intermediate spell 'Savage Growth.']
[You comprehend the beginner spell 'Earth Pulse Integration.']
"Huh~"
The painting on the wall suddenly ignites by itself, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
"Eh?" Zhao Xing quickly tries to grab it, but it burns to ash almost instantly.
"The transmission painting's remaining uses were just 1, and I've used it up." Zhao Xing feels somewhat uneasy.
A fourth-tier treasure is not commonly found, especially a rare 'transmission painting'; how to explain this to the old agriculturalist?
As he ponders, the old agriculturalist's voice comes from outside: "It's getting late, dinner is ready, eat before you go."
"Yes, teacher." Sitting at the dinner table, Zhao Xing nervously says, "Teacher, I just got up and accidentally saw a painting in your study, then it ignited by itself."
"Painting? What painting?" Xue Wenzhong narrows his eyes, glancing at Zhao Xing, "I don't know what you're talking about, let's eat."
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