Seed of Life

After thinking it over, Chen Chuan headed for the Life Academy.

The Life Academy's tent was entirely different from the noisy tents around it.

It stood in a secluded corner, surrounded by several strange plants that gave off a faint glow.

The tent flap was translucent, and a flowing emerald glow could be seen inside.

Chen Chuan glanced at the sign. It bore only two lines of text. The first said it had been established in the year 7765 of the wizard calendar.

The second said that those with spiritual power above 15.0 could enter for an assessment.

Standing at the entrance, Chen Chuan took a deep breath and lifted the flap.

Inside the tent, a young woman in green robes sat behind a wooden desk, holding a small purple blade of grass that was pulsating.

She looked up, revealing eyes as clear as lake water. "Welcome to the Life Academy."

Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

"I'm Liya, the recruitment instructor here."

Then she noticed the black card in Chen Chuan's hand.

Liya's gaze lingered on the card for a moment before settling on Chen Chuan's face, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

"Black Wizard Seed, spiritual power 19.9. That's very good spiritual power."

She held out her hand, indicating that Chen Chuan should pass her the card.

Chen Chuan placed the black card in her palm as instructed. The twisted seed rune on its surface gave off a faint glow beneath the green-robed woman's fingertips.

Liya tapped it lightly, and the glow flowed across the card. She gave a slight nod.

"Apprentices at the Life Academy major in life studies and botany, with potion-making as a secondary subject." Liya's voice was as calm as still water.

"When you enter the academy, you'll learn to control plants, create plant puppets, and heal injuries and illnesses. If your ambition is great enough, you can even pursue so-called eternal life."

She paused.

"Of course, all of this requires powerful spiritual power to support it."

Chen Chuan noticed a hint of anticipation in Liya's eyes.

"According to the record on your black wizard apprentice card, your spiritual power has reached 19.9. That already matches the vast majority of Third-Class Wizard Apprentices."

Liya turned her gaze toward the glowing plants outside the tent.

"If you want to enter the Life Academy, the rules allow you to join directly without an assessment."

Chen Chuan followed her gaze. The plants swayed gently in the dim light, as though they were alive.

"But the Life Academy's meditation methods and magic spells depend heavily on life affinity as well as spiritual power."

"I hope you'll voluntarily take the assessment."

"The assessment is simple," Liya said. "Just place your hand on this Vine of Life, and it will automatically sense your spiritual power and life affinity."

She picked up an emerald-green vine from the desk. Tiny leaves grew along it, and it was pulsing slowly.

Thinking of the wonders of life magic, armies of plant puppets, and eternal life, Chen Chuan took a deep breath. He reached out and gently touched the vine. It felt warm and smooth as jade, as though life were flowing through it.

The vine immediately wound around his wrist, and a warm force spread up his arm and through his body. Chen Chuan felt a gentle force guiding his spiritual power slowly into the vine.

The vine's pulses gradually quickened. It turned from emerald to dark green, then finally gave off a soft golden glow.

"Very good." Liya nodded approvingly. "Your life affinity is high. That's one of the qualities the Life Academy values most."

The golden light gradually faded, and the vine released Chen Chuan's hand and returned to its original state.

"You've been accepted," Liya said with a smile.

She handed Chen Chuan a green card engraved with a vine pattern.

"This is your new apprentice card. It records your basic information and student privileges," Liya explained. "Before you enter the academy, this card serves as proof for the teleportation array, so be sure to keep it safe."

Chen Chuan took the card and felt a slight sting, as though something had been imprinted on his consciousness.

Liya's expression suddenly grew serious. "The core of the Life Academy is nurturing your own Tree of Life. It will accompany you throughout your entire career as a wizard. It is the source of your power, and also your responsibility."

"Tree of Life?" Chen Chuan asked, puzzled.

"It is the foundation of every life wizard." A mysterious glint flashed in Liya's eyes. "When you're ready, it will tell you which path is yours."

Chen Chuan tightened his grip on the card, an unprecedented sense of anticipation welling up in his heart. He knew he had made the right choice. Although this path might be more difficult than those offered by the other academies, it might also be broader.

Chen Chuan carefully put away the green card and was about to leave when Liya called out to him.

He stopped and turned to look at her.

"Don't exchange your Black Wizard Seed badge for the resources the guide mentioned earlier. They're of no use to you." Liya pointed to the black badge hanging at his waist.

"Why?" Chen Chuan asked, unconsciously touching the badge at his waist.

"As I just said, everyone has to plant a Tree of Life, but it isn't given to you out of thin air. You need a Life Seed. Only when you have a Seed of Life can you cultivate the Life Academy's Tree of Life Meditation Method," Liya said.

"I see." Understanding dawned on Chen Chuan. His fingers brushed the twisted rune on the Black Wizard Seed badge. "So the value of this badge lies in exchanging it for a Life Seed?"

Liya said, "Yes. When the time comes, exchange this badge directly for a Life Seed, and you can start cultivating right away."

Chen Chuan nodded, took off the black badge, and gripped it tightly. The twisted rune on its surface grew slightly warm against his palm, as though responding to his touch.

"Remember," Liya said, her voice growing especially solemn, "a Life Seed is no ordinary item. It is connected to the essence of your life. Once exchanged, it cannot be reversed. You must be certain you're willing to walk this path."

Seeing the seriousness in Liya's eyes, Chen Chuan said solemnly, "I'm certain."

"Very good." Liya nodded in satisfaction. "Since you've made your choice, I can tell you a secret in advance."

She lowered her voice. "I have an Activated Seed of Life obtained from a miniature plant plane. I can exchange it directly with you, but the nature of this seed is unknown. If you make any progress researching it, remember to share your findings with me."

Chen Chuan held the black badge, feeling its warmth against his palm. The little badge seemed to contain some peculiar power, filling him with both anticipation and unease. The Tree of Life, plant puppets, the path to eternal life—these words circled in his mind, each representing limitless possibilities.

"An Activated Seed of Life?" Chen Chuan repeated, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "How is it different from an ordinary seed?"

Liya's expression grew even more mysterious. She looked around and, after making sure they were alone in the tent, leaned closer.

"This seed isn't an ordinary plant seed. Many Seeds of Life need to be nourished with spiritual power from within the body in their early stages, but this one is unusually active. It can nourish itself without the aid of spiritual power."

"Nourish itself?" Chen Chuan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Liya's tone grew serious. "This seed came from a miniature plant plane. It was a trophy obtained by a friend of mine. You can give it careful consideration."

Chen Chuan was silent for a moment, then asked, "What will happen if I choose this seed?"

A complex light flickered in Liya's eyes. "No one knows the exact answer. The path of a wizard is about exploring the unknown. It's up to you whether you're willing to try."

"I'm willing to try," Chen Chuan said after a moment's thought.

Liya smiled in satisfaction. "I knew you'd say that." She took an exquisite little box from inside her robes. "The seed is in here. Remember, once you open it, there's no going back."

Chen Chuan took the little box and felt a slight vibration, as though something inside were pulsing. He took a deep breath and opened it.

A fist-sized seed lay quietly inside the box. It was dark green, with intricate patterns on its surface that seemed to glow faintly. As Chen Chuan watched it, the seed suddenly moved, as though responding to his gaze.

Liya smiled. "Now, all you need to do is implant this seed in your body."

"Implant it in my body?" Chen Chuan asked in surprise.

"Yes," Liya explained. "Every Seed of Life needs to fuse with its owner and become part of their body. Only then can you truly master its power."

Chen Chuan hesitated, then nodded firmly. He carefully picked up the seed, feeling the warmth and power it gave off.

"Are you ready?" Liya asked.

Chen Chuan nodded and placed the seed on the back of his left hand. It immediately fused into his skin and disappeared.

A warm current spread from the back of his hand through his body, and Chen Chuan felt his body changing. Green patterns appeared on his skin, like the veins of a plant. His senses grew sharper, and he could feel the presence of life around him.