From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 288 Yuan Shen Yu Zhi, characteristics of spiritual plants

Baihe Mountain.

Xu Renkai came to pay his respects to Xu Fugui: "Ancestor, junior Renkai has come to greet you."

He belongs to the "Ren" generation, and according to seniority, Xu Fugui is addressed as "Tianzu".

The youngest generation in the Xu family has now reached the "Liang" generation, which embodies the virtues of "filial piety, loyalty, propriety, benevolence, wisdom, and virtue." Due to the large number of generations, if two people are of significantly different generations, they can address each other as "Ancestor" or "Elder" to show respect.

“Ren Kai, na.”

Xu Fugui nodded with a smile. He didn't have many children and grandchildren yet, but he remembered each and every one of them.

After chatting for a while, Xu Renkai got down to business: "Ancestor, I've been studying the basics of formations in the library recently, and I'm having some questions. I've finished reading the notebook you left behind. Could I refer to your subsequent notes?"

"Basics of formations?"

Xu Fugui recalled that he had studied the basics of formations many years ago and had even kept a notebook. The contents of that notebook were all stored in the library; there was no further information about it.

"You said you've been studying the basics of formations lately?"

"Yes, ancestor."

"How's your understanding coming along?"

"I'm currently on the fourth volume of the Fundamentals of Formations. The first three volumes are simpler, and I can understand them after spending some time on them, but the fourth volume is too difficult. I often spend several days without understanding even a little bit of it."

Therefore, I have come to seek guidance from the venerable master, hoping to receive instruction or consult your notes, which would allow me to learn more quickly.

Xu Renkai answered truthfully.

"..."

This answer stunned Xu Fugui.

Book 4?
He spent several years studying the first volume of "Basic Formations" before he could barely understand it, and then he wrote down those notes.

Could it be... that Xu Renkai is a genius in formations?!

Xu Fugui snapped out of his daze and quickly asked, "When did you start studying formations?"

About three months ago.

Three months, and you've got four volumes of basic formation techniques?!

"How long did it take you to understand my notebook?"

"It took about half a day. The first time I studied the basics of formations, I referred to your notes. Fortunately, I had the notes, which allowed me to better understand the principles of formations."

Half a day?!
Xu Fugui was speechless. He had spent several years studying formations and wrote a notebook that Xu Renkai had finished reading in half a day!
This is the difference between an ordinary cultivator and a genius.

Even without his notes, Xu Renkai would have figured it out on his own, it would just have taken a little longer.

His years of research only saved Xu Renkai a negligible amount of thought.

"Ren Kai."

Xu Fugui decided to tell Xu Renkai the truth.

"Ancestor, I'm here."

"There are a hundred arts in cultivation, such as alchemy, talisman, weapon, array, beast taming, puppetry, soul techniques, etc. Among them, alchemy, talisman, weapon, array are the most widely used, while the others are all unorthodox and rarely seen."

Those niche skills are just rare, not necessarily difficult.

However, among the most common alchemy, talisman, weapon, and array formations, it is well known that the way of array formations is the most profound and complex, and requires the most comprehension.

Ordinary cultivators, let alone comprehend the inheritance of formation techniques, would not understand even if an introductory book on formation techniques were placed in front of them.

Apart from you, everyone else in our Xu family is an ordinary cultivator without any talent for formations.

I spent several years studying the fundamentals of formations before I could barely understand the first volume and wrote down those notes. The others couldn't understand it either, so they didn't persist and continued on their original path of cultivation.

The contents of "Basic Formations" could only be placed in the corner of the library's bookshelf, ignored by everyone, and eventually gathered dust.

"You now possess considerable talent in this field; you've grasped the fourth volume of formations in just three months, something others can't understand. If you continue to persevere, you're sure to achieve great things."

"what?"

These words left Xu Renkai stunned.

He knew that his talent for cultivation was quite ordinary. At the age of twenty, he was only at the third level of Qi Refining. Not to mention compared to those geniuses with true spiritual roots, he was quite average even among the Xu family's group of five-element pseudo-spiritual root cultivators.

He never imagined that he would be a "genius".

This news was a huge shock to him.

"Is that so?"

Xu Renkai still couldn't believe it. He had been "ordinary" since childhood and couldn't believe that he had become a genius.

"What, you don't believe it?"

Xu Fugui smiled kindly, placing his large, simple hands on Xu Renkai's shoulders: "Cultivation is only one aspect; it doesn't represent everything. There are countless paths to immortality; perhaps you have exceptional talent in one of them."

For example, our Zhongche is just average in terms of cultivation, but he is a genius who is one in a million and extremely rare in the art of alchemy.

That is why family unity is so important.

Individual talent and ability are ultimately limited, but the power of the masses is limitless.

"You have a talent for formations, Zhongche has a talent for alchemy, and others have a talent for spiritual root cultivation. This is how the powerful Xu family was formed."

This is Xu Fugui's true thought.

With so many members in the Xu family, all sorts of geniuses are bound to emerge.

There are geniuses in spiritual roots, geniuses in alchemy and formations, and in the future there will be geniuses in talismans, weapon crafting and many other fields.

"Ancestor, I understand now."

Xu Renkai said thoughtfully.

"Haha, you're still young, no need to think about these things. Now, just unleash your talents and delve into the art of formations."

Xu Fugui chuckled. Xu Renkai was only twenty years old this year, very young. There are some things that are difficult to truly understand without sufficient experience.

"Considering your talent in formations, you don't need to handle some of the family's miscellaneous tasks anymore, but you can still receive the family's benefits. I'll tell Zhonghuai that from now on, you can receive a family allowance of ten spirit stones per month, and all other benefits will remain the same."

And in the library, you can access the entire "Fundamentals of Formations" anytime; it's no longer limited to the first half of the book in the Qi Refining Hall.

"Thank you, Ancestor!"

This was an unexpected bonus for Xu Renkai. He had only come to ask about some difficult points in formations, but he did not expect to learn that he was a genius in the art of formations and to enjoy special care from his family.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Time flies like an arrow; the days and months pass swiftly.

Time passes unconsciously.

After achieving the Golden Core stage, Xu Zhongxu comprehended the "Shennong Creation Technique" and studied the secret methods for breaking seals in the "Thousand Methods of Soul Path," hoping to break the seal on the jade slip of the technique as soon as possible.

Upon learning of his talent for array formations, Xu Renkai devoted himself even more diligently to studying the art of array formations.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Ru'an Mountain.

Inside the secluded room.

Xu Zhongxu sat cross-legged, with a jade slip floating in front of him.

This jade slip is the very one containing the cultivation technique sealed with soul magic.

After three years, he finally learned the secret method to break the seal on the soul technique.

"I don't know who the owner of this cultivation technique jade slip is, but their cultivation level is below the Golden Core realm, which is why I, with only one Golden Core stage, have a chance to decipher it," Xu Zhongxu thought to himself.

If the owner of the cultivation technique jade slip had a higher cultivation level than him, he certainly wouldn't be able to decipher it with his current level of mastery.

"start!"

He formed hand seals, and a bright light shone between his brows. Star-like points of divine soul power surged from his sea of ​​consciousness and entered the cultivation technique jade slip.

This spiritual power is very slight and gentle.

The jade slip containing the soul technique seal is very fragile; it will self-destruct if forcibly probed by divine sense, so Xu Zhongxu is very careful.

He guessed that the sealed technique must be some kind of extremely precious family secret, otherwise they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to preserve it using a soul-spelling secret method.

Three full days later.

"Om~~"

The soul technique seal on the jade slip was finally broken, and it shone with brilliant light.

On the jade slip, the originally blurry characters were now clearly visible: "Primordial Spirit Imperial Planting".

Xu Zhongxu used his divine sense to examine the jade slip, and immediately a large amount of cultivation techniques flooded into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"The Primordial Spirit controls the plant, using its own soul as nourishment and its body as soil to refine its natal spiritual plant, thus gaining control over the spiritual plant..."

This natal spiritual plant is equivalent to a natal magic treasure for cultivators, and can enhance them in many ways.

Daily training, magical battles, innate talents and traits...

The higher the grade of the spiritual plant, the greater its benefit to the cultivator.

After a long time, Xu Zhongxu digested all the contents of the secret technique in his sea of ​​consciousness.

"The Primordial Spirit Controlling Plants is indeed a rather mysterious secret technique. Based on its described effects, it seems to be a secret technique of the Xiang family, one of the five great families."

Back when Xu Zhongxu was in the Wilderness Mountains, he followed Xiang Zhiye and witnessed Xiang Zhiye and Xiang Chunying take action.

Although he didn't know the name of the Xiang family's ancestral secret method, according to the description in "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi", it seemed to be a method of the Xiang family.

"This cultivation technique jade slip was obtained from the Desolate Marsh Mountains. I also remember that the storage bag it contained came from a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Baiyue Immortal Dynasty. So it's possible that the person killed the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Xiang family, which is why we obtained the cultivation technique jade slip."

The Xiang family is most famous for its natal spiritual plants; this "Primordial Spirit Plant Control" technique is likely their family's unique skill.

Xu Zhongxu guessed the origin of "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi".

Now that they know it's the Xiang family's secret technique, will the Xu family use or practice this secret method?
Xu Zhongxu hesitated.

To practice or not to practice?

Training is risky; if the Xiang family finds out, they will definitely see you as an enemy.

Not going to practice?

Such a powerful secret technique is too good to pass up; it would be a shame not to learn it.

After learning about the "Primordial Spirit Planting Technique," Xu Zhongxu realized just how powerful this secret method was, no wonder it made the Xiang family one of the five most famous families in Zhennan Prefecture.

After practicing this secret method, each cultivator can choose a spiritual plant and refine it into their own natal spiritual plant.

It should be known that only Golden Core cultivators can possess their own natal magic weapon.

The "Primordial Spirit Plant Control" allows Foundation Establishment cultivators and even Qi Refining cultivators to possess a natal spiritual plant similar to a "natal magic weapon".

A natal spiritual plant can aid in cultivation or assist in combat, and has many uses similar to a natal magic weapon.

This is related to the type of spiritual plant associated with one's destiny.

"The effectiveness of a natal spiritual plant depends entirely on its grade."

If a Qi Refining cultivator with a pseudo-spiritual root of five elements refines a third-tier spiritual plant as their natal spiritual plant, they can even break through the limitations of spiritual roots and easily advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"If a Foundation Establishment cultivator can refine a celestial plant possessing immortal energy as their natal spiritual plant, their chances of advancing to the Golden Core stage will greatly increase."

"According to the records of Yuan Shen Yu Zhi, spiritual plants with immortal aura can regenerate for hundreds or even thousands of years and may very well evolve into intelligent plant fairies."

If a plant fairy becomes your natal spirit plant, it's like gaining an absolutely loyal partner with whom you share a soul connection..."

This is the highest level recorded in the secret method of "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi".

Plant fairies, absolutely loyal partners... This was beyond Xu Zhongxu's comprehension.

However, he even felt that this was only the highest level that Yuan Shen Yu Zhi could reach in the Golden Core Realm. Above that was the Nascent Soul Realm, which was beyond his imagination. Therefore, the secret method of Yuan Shen Yu Zhi did not have any higher-level content.

Even if it exists, it's beyond his level of understanding.

"My 'Shennong Creation Technique' complements the Primordial Spirit's Plant Control Technique to some extent."

Xu Zhongxu thought of his family's Golden Elixir Cultivation Technique, "Shennong's Creation Technique".

Only after he broke through to the Golden Core Realm did he understand the wonder of the "Shennong Creation Technique".

This dual-elemental wood and earth technique isn't particularly effective in combat. It was Xu Zhongxu's own extraordinary talent that allowed him to demonstrate his ability to fight beyond his level even when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage.

The Shennong Creation Technique is not good at combat, but it has a miraculous effect in cultivating spiritual plants, which can rival the creation of heaven and earth.

Accelerating the growth and development of spirit plants, helping them to propagate and multiply, and curing their diseases and injuries are just the most basic steps.

When Xu Zhongxu reached the Golden Core Realm, his "Shennong Creation Technique" could bring spiritual plants back to life. As long as they weren't reduced to ashes, even withered plants could be easily revived by him.

Even a leaf from an unknown plant can be cultivated into a complete plant.

Furthermore, the most miraculous effect of the Shennong Creation Technique lies in cultivating immortal spiritual plants!

Indeed, its effects are similar to those of the "Spiritual Plant Transformation Secret Method" of the Ruan family in the Wilderness Mountains.

To be precise, the "Shennong Creation Technique" is of a higher grade.

The "Secret Method of Transforming Spiritual Plants" is just one application of the "Shennong Creation Technique".

With Xu Zhongxu's current skill level, he is not capable of transforming a spiritual plant into a celestial spiritual plant. At most, he can use the "Shennong Creation Technique" in conjunction with the content in the spiritual plant encyclopedia to cultivate and nurture third-tier spiritual plants.

He estimated that if he wanted to cultivate immortal spiritual plants using cultivation techniques, he would have to wait until he reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm at the very least.

"This 'Primordial Spirit Plant Control' technique is perfect for my Xu family; we can't let it go to waste."

With that thought in mind, Xu Zhongxu took the jade slip and went to find Xu Fugui.

The decision on how to deal with this secret technique is up to his grandfather.

It concerns the future development of the Xu family, yet it also harbors hidden dangers; deciding what to do is a difficult problem.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Baihe Mountain.

Xu Fugui was watching Xu Renkai improve the spirit-gathering array in the Hundred Valleys Mountain spiritual land.

The spirit-gathering array in Baihe Mountain is the most basic kind, with a small range and weak spiritual energy.

Xu Renkai has been studying formations for three years and has already achieved some success.

“Array plates purchased from outside are inanimate objects. Setting up an array according to an array plate will have the weakest effect. To bring out the true effect of an array, it is necessary to adapt to local conditions, as the arrays in each location are different.”

Based on his three years of study and understanding, Xu Renkai rearranged the Spirit Gathering Array according to the characteristics of Baihe Mountain.

After the spirit-gathering array was set up, the area of ​​the Hundred Valleys Mountain spiritual land expanded three times, and the concentration of spiritual energy increased by 20%.

"Haha, this is the advantage of having a formation master in the clan. His value cannot be measured in spirit stones. Ren Kai, keep up the good work and set up a spirit gathering formation for Ru'an Mountain as well."

Xu Fugui said with a smile.

The spiritual land of Ru'an Mountain does not have a spirit-gathering array; it is entirely due to the high quality of the spiritual land itself.

(End of this chapter)