Chapter 152: Tree Planting Formula

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Two: The Mantra of Arboriculture

"This is an ancient text the Eldest Senior Sister asked me to give to you." Lu Yang ceased mentioning their master, pulling out the cultivation insights of the Stainless Celestial Body.

The Sixth Elder looked at the ancient manual in surprise: "Xiao Yun is quite thoughtful, to have managed to find such a marvelous thing."

Cultivation insights regarding the Celestial Body were scarce, and those that aligned perfectly with her own were fewer still.

The Sixth Elder smiled joyfully, like someone who had purchased a book of their heart's desire, eager to read it upon returning home.

"First year of cultivation: Master told me that I am a one-in-a-thousand Stainless Celestial Body, and my cultivation speed far exceeds that of my peers. This is truly wonderful news, I must cultivate diligently..."

"Second year of cultivation: The speed of cultivation is truly so fast. While others are only at the ninth layer of Qi Condensation, I have already established my Foundation. The characteristics of the Stainless Celestial Body are also gradually manifesting. I cannot fail my master's expectations, I must cultivate diligently..."

"Third year of cultivation: Advancing through realms is quicker than drinking water. I am already at the Golden Core stage, and it is a Stainless Core among the first-grade Golden Cores, unstained by a single speck of dust. Master says there is no end to cultivation and one must not slacken. I must cultivate diligently..."

"Seventh year of cultivation: Nascent Soul stage..."

The Sixth Elder turned the pages continuously. The book recorded the life experiences of Chi Qianqian, a cultivator from the Great Yu era, which could be described as grand and magnificent. The Sixth Elder was entirely immersed in it, until finally, she flipped to the last page, and her heart trembled.

The preceding page had only reached the peak of the Void Refining stage; the following page would surely be the Body Integration stage. Why was there only a single page for the experiences of the Body Integration stage? Could the other party have met with some misfortune?

Suppressing the unease in her heart, the Sixth Elder turned to the final page.

"Six hundredth year of cultivation: Finally reached the Body Integration stage. Since I cannot reach the Tribulation Transmutation stage anyway, time to slack off!"

The diary ended.

The Sixth Elder: "..."

She rubbed the space between her eyebrows, wondering what kind of nonsense she had just read.

Yet it could not be said to be entirely useless; the cultivation journey from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Void Refining stage was recorded in great detail, serving as a decent reference for her.

"Thank Xiao Yun for her kindness on my behalf. Xiao Yun manages the Asking Dao Sect, so even if I wished to express my gratitude, there is nothing here that would catch her eye. I have heard Xiao Yun mention that your talent for spells is unique, possessing the capital to establish your own school. How about this, I shall grant you a volume of spells, what do you say?" The Sixth Elder smiled gently, transmitting her voice to Lu Yang through her divine sense.

A vacuum domain had formed around the Sixth Elder, allowing communication only through divine sense.

Lu Yang accepted.

"However, my offensive methods rely on the might of the Celestial Body; there are no spells suited for you." The Sixth Elder fell into contemplation, considering what kind of spell volume would be best to give Lu Yang.

"Right, let me give you a volume of 'The Mantra of Arboriculture'."

"The Mantra of Arboriculture?" Lu Yang's expression turned peculiar. This name sounded entirely ordinary. What was he to do after mastering it? Plant trees all over the barren mountains to promote a new pattern of green development in the cultivation world?

Or perhaps, if he planted enough trees, the Eldest Senior Sister would award him a little red flower and bestow upon him the title of 'Little Environmental Guardian'?

How could the Sixth Elder not understand what Lu Yang was thinking: "Do not look down on this spell for its ordinary name. This is a spell that countless spiritual plant cultivators yearn to obtain. If you cultivate it successfully, you can accelerate the growth of spiritual plants, and grand sects will revere you."

"Look at your Second Senior Brother. Why can he guard the medicine garden? It is precisely because he is the person in our sect who has cultivated 'The Mantra of Arboriculture' to the highest degree."

Lu Yang reflected upon it and felt it made sense. If one mastered this spell well, they would never worry about food and drink for a lifetime; grand sects all possessed their own plantations and would scramble to employ you.

The Sixth Elder added: "In your leisure time, you may also cultivate this spell; it can calm the mind and nurture your character."

"The child Yao Ye has learned 'The Mantra of Arboriculture' quite well. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask her."

Lu Yang accepted the manual, thanked the Sixth Elder, and left the Sixth Elder's cave dwelling alongside Tao Yao Ye.

Upon stepping outside, the two resumed breathing.

"The day is still early, why not study at my place? I can teach you as well," Tao Yao Ye suggested.

Lu Yang felt that would be fine.

The Mantra of Arboriculture was a highly difficult wood-attribute spell that utilized one's own spiritual energy to promote the growth of spiritual plants. It was difficult to initiate, difficult to achieve minor mastery, and even more difficult to attain great mastery.

To initiate the Mantra of Arboriculture, one first had to keep their mind as still as an ancient well, entering a state akin to the unity of heaven and man, to commune with the spiritual plant, understand the spiritual plant, and conform to the laws of its growth, allowing it to develop rapidly and naturally.

"For the first cultivation, using mundane seeds is most appropriate. Our spiritual energy can easily cause a seed to grow into a tree. Legends say that a cultivation genius can even achieve growth, blossoming, and fruiting on their very first attempt, the entire process flowing seamlessly in one breath."

"Willow trees possess human nature and are most suited for practicing the Mantra of Arboriculture. This is a single willow seed. Take it, Brother Lu, close your eyes, and see if you can achieve resonance with it." Tao Yao Ye handed Lu Yang a piece of willow catkin.

Lu Yang followed the method recorded in the Mantra of Arboriculture, combined it with Tao Yao Ye's cultivation insights, and concentrated his mind to perceive it.

A gentle breeze brushed against his face, sweeping across the lawn. The sunlight was not intense, offering a deeply comfortable sensation.

Lu Yang gradually emptied his mind. He felt himself drifting between heaven and earth, vaguely grasping the life lines of the willow catkin.

Sensing Lu Yang's anomaly, Tao Yao Ye's expression filled with astonishment. Back then, it had taken her three days to reach this step, and her master had praised her perceptive ability as being remarkable even in history.

Yet Brother Lu had achieved it in a mere half an hour!

"I have long heard that Brother Lu's talent in Daoist arts is exceptional, perhaps even more brilliant than his swordsmanship."

But Tao Yao Ye had not expected Lu Yang's talent in Daoist arts to be high to such an extent.

"No wonder he is taught personally by the Eldest Senior Sister. With this kind of talent, anyone else would likely be unable to teach him."

Hearing Tao Yao Ye muttering to herself, the Immortal Fairy agreed deeply. Indeed, even this Immortal could not teach him.

By now, Lu Yang had gained a new comprehension of the Mantra of Arboriculture. He placed the willow catkin upon the ground, pressed a finger against it, and used his own spiritual energy as the driving force for its growth.

"Grow!" Lu Yang shouted loudly.

After a long while, nothing happened.

Tao Yao Ye weakly reminded him from the side: "Well, Brother Lu, when everyone plants a tree, they usually choose to bury the seed in the soil."

"Makes sense."

Lu Yang picked up the willow seed, circulated the spell 'Earth Shrinkage', and with a whoosh, shrank into the soil.

Tao Yao Ye's beautiful eyes widened. She had not expected Brother Lu to also know the Earth Evasion method from the Five Elements Evasion arts?

The Earth Evasion method was the most convenient among the Five Elements Evasion arts; whether for attacking, fleeing, or hiding, it was an excellent choice.

Tao Yao Ye had wanted to learn the Earth Evasion method, but the difficulty of learning was too great, and she could never grasp it, so she had eventually let it drop.

"But why does it feel like Brother Lu's Earth Evasion method is somewhat different from what I studied?"

Just as Tao Yao Ye was murmuring to herself, she saw a willow tree rise abruptly from the ground.

"A success on the very first try?!" Tao Yao Ye cried out in surprise. When she was cultivating, she had ruined four willow seeds before succeeding.

"Hmm?" Tao Yao Ye rubbed her eyes, thinking she had misseen.

The willow tree rose high into the air, and from both ends of the tree, two Brother Lus were hanging.

Lu Yang hung upon the willow tree with a heart as cold as ashes, swaying back and forth.

Where did the practice go wrong this time? Why is it that when I plant a single willow seed, two of me grow out from the tree?