Chapter 147: Tree Planting Secret

"Senior Sister asked me to give you this ancient text," Lu Yang said, changing the subject from his master. He then presented the cultivation insights for the Immaculate Immortal Body.

The Sixth Elder looked at the ancient text in surprise. "Xiao Yun is very thoughtful," she remarked. "To think she could find something this good."

Cultivation insights for immortal bodies were rare, and finding ones that aligned perfectly with one's own was even rarer.

The Sixth Elder smiled broadly, as if she had just acquired a long-desired book and couldn't wait to read it at home.

"Chi Qianqian's Cultivation Diary."

"Year One of Cultivation: My Master told me I possess a rare Immaculate Immortal Body, a talent found in one in a thousand. My cultivation speed far exceeds that of my peers. This is truly wonderful news! I must cultivate diligently..."

"Year Two of Cultivation: My cultivation speed is incredibly fast. While others are still at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, I've already reached Foundation Establishment. The characteristics of the Immaculate Immortal Body are also beginning to manifest. I mustn't disappoint my Master's expectations; I must continue to cultivate diligently..."

"Year Three of Cultivation: Advancing through realms feels faster than drinking water. I've reached the Golden Core stage, and it's an Immaculate Golden Core of the first grade, untouched by even a speck of dust. My Master says cultivation has no end, and I must not be complacent. I absolutely must cultivate diligently..."

"Year Seven of Cultivation: Nascent Soul stage..."

The Sixth Elder continued to turn the pages. The book chronicled the life of Chi Qianqian, a cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty, a truly grand and eventful journey. The Sixth Elder became completely engrossed until, finally, her heart skipped a beat as she turned to the very last page.

The previous page had detailed her reaching the peak of the Void Refinement stage, so the next page was surely the Integration stage. How could the Integration stage account for only a single page? Had something unforeseen happened to the author?

Suppressing her apprehension, the Sixth Elder turned to the final page.

"Year Six Hundred of Cultivation: I've finally reached the Integration stage. Since I can't reach the Tribulation Transcending stage anyway, I'm just going to relax!"

The diary ended there.

The Sixth Elder was speechless.

She rubbed her temples, trying to comprehend what she had just read.

It wasn't entirely useless, though. The cultivation journey from Foundation Establishment to Void Refinement was recorded in great detail, providing her with some valuable reference.

"Please thank Xiao Yun for her kindness on my behalf," the Sixth Elder said, smiling gently. "She oversees the Dao Seeking Sect, and even if I wanted to thank her, there's nothing here she would find impressive. However, I've heard Xiao Yun speak of your unique magical talent, saying you possess the potential to establish your own sect. How about this: I'll give you a spell book instead?" She transmitted her words to Lu Yang using her divine sense.

A vacuum field formed around the Sixth Elder, necessitating communication via divine sense.

Lu Yang readily agreed.

"However, my offensive techniques rely on the power of the immortal body, so I don't have any spells that would suit you," the Sixth Elder mused, considering what kind of spell book would be most appropriate for Lu Yang.

"Ah, yes, I'll give you a copy of the 'Tree Planting Art'."

"'Tree Planting Art'?" Lu Yang's expression turned peculiar. The name sounded so mundane. What would he do after mastering it? Cover barren mountains with trees to promote a new green development strategy within the cultivation world?

Or would his Senior Sister award him a small red flower and the title of "Little Environmental Guardian" for planting an abundance of trees?

The Sixth Elder, understanding Lu Yang's thoughts, replied, "Don't be fooled by the ordinary-sounding name. This is a spell coveted by countless spiritual plant cultivators. If you master it, you'll be able to accelerate the growth of spiritual plants, and major sects will practically venerate you."

"Consider Second Senior Brother; the only reason he's permitted to oversee the medicinal garden is because he's the most proficient at cultivating our sect's 'Tree Planting Art'."

Lu Yang considered this and realized she had a point. Mastering this spell would ensure he never had to worry about sustenance; major sects, with their extensive plantations, would undoubtedly compete for his services.

The Sixth Elder added, "In your free time, you can also practice this spell; it has the benefit of calming the mind and cultivating one's character."

"Yaoye has learned this 'Tree Planting Art' quite well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her."

Lu Yang accepted the cultivation method, thanked the Sixth Elder, and then left the elder's cave dwelling with Tao Yaoye.

Once outside, both of them could breathe freely again.

"It's still early," Tao Yaoye suggested. "You can study here with me; I can also teach you."

Lu Yang thought that was a good idea.

The 'Tree Planting Art' was a challenging wood-elemental spell that used one's spiritual energy to accelerate the growth of spiritual plants. It was notoriously difficult to begin, even harder to achieve minor proficiency, and immensely challenging to master.

To begin practicing the 'Tree Planting Art', one first needed a mind as tranquil as an ancient well, entering a state akin to the unity of heaven and man. This allowed one to perceive, understand, and align with the natural growth patterns of spiritual plants, thereby causing them to flourish rapidly.

"For your initial practice, ordinary seeds are most suitable. Our spiritual energy can easily make seeds sprout into trees. It's even said that legendary cultivation geniuses can, on their very first attempt, cause a seed to grow, flower, and bear fruit, completing the entire process in a single, fluid motion."

"Willows are quite perceptive and are ideal for practicing the 'Tree Planting Art'," Tao Yaoye explained, handing Lu Yang a willow catkin. "Here's a willow seed, Senior Brother Lu. Hold it, close your eyes, and see if you can achieve resonance with it."

Lu Yang followed the method outlined in the 'Tree Planting Art', incorporating Tao Yaoye's cultivation insights, and focused his mind on perception.

A gentle breeze brushed his face as it swept across the lawn. The sunlight was soft, creating a wonderfully comfortable sensation.

Lu Yang gradually cleared his mind. He felt himself drifting between heaven and earth, faintly grasping the life patterns within the willow catkin.

Tao Yaoye sensed something unusual about Lu Yang, her expression one of surprise. It had taken her three full days to reach this level of perception, and her Master had even praised her ability as historically remarkable.

Yet Senior Brother Lu achieved it in just half an hour!

"I've long heard that Senior Brother Lu's talent for spiritual arts is unparalleled, even more profound than his sword mastery."

But Tao Yaoye had not anticipated Lu Yang's spiritual talent to be quite so extraordinary.

"No wonder Senior Sister personally oversees his training. With talent like this, perhaps no one else could teach him."

The Immortal Fairy, overhearing Tao Yaoye's murmurs, heartily agreed. *Indeed*, she thought, *even I can't teach him.*

At that moment, Lu Yang gained a new insight into the 'Tree Planting Art'. He placed the willow catkin on the ground, pointed a finger at it, and channeled his spiritual energy as the driving force for its growth.

"Grow!" Lu Yang exclaimed.

A long moment passed, yet nothing happened.

Tao Yaoye, standing nearby, offered a meek reminder: "Um, Senior Brother Lu, people generally choose to bury seeds in the soil when planting trees."

"That makes sense."

Lu Yang picked up the willow seed, activated the "Earth Shrinking" spell, and with a whoosh, burrowed into the soil.

Tao Yaoye's eyes widened in disbelief. Could Senior Brother Lu truly possess the Earth Evasion technique, one of the Five Elements Evasion arts?

Among the Five Elements Evasion techniques, Earth Evasion was the most versatile, proving an excellent choice for offense, escape, or concealment.

Tao Yaoye had always wanted to learn Earth Evasion herself, but its difficulty was too high, and she had eventually given up, unable to master it.

"But why does Senior Brother Lu's Earth Evasion technique feel different from what I attempted to learn?"

As Tao Yaoye mumbled to herself, she watched a willow tree suddenly erupt from the ground.

"He succeeded on the first try?!" Tao Yaoye exclaimed in astonishment. She herself had ruined four willow seeds before finally succeeding during her own practice.

"Hm?" Tao Yaoye rubbed her eyes, wondering if she had seen incorrectly.

As the willow tree shot up from the ground, two Senior Brothers Lu were dangling from its branches.

Lu Yang hung from the willow tree, swinging back and forth, utterly despondent.

"Where did I go wrong this time?" he wondered. "Why did I plant a single willow seed, only for two of me to sprout from the tree?"