Spirit Root Growth Hormone.
This is the name given by the Agricultural Institute to the active ingredient in that green solution.
"Based on human trials, a 10.8% concentration of Spirit Root Growth Hormone solution can maximally promote the growth of the corresponding nerves," Tang Lingwu said to everyone, holding the experimental report like a secretary.
Old Man Bai sat to the side, his lips pursed, listening intently to every word.
Zheng Fa was flipping through the experimental report, slowly reading. "Extracted from the mixture of Star-Moon Sunflower and Star-Pointing Branch..."
"It acts on scar cells and provides a suitable environment for nerve growth."
"Of the ten, eight have Spirit Root nerve growth exceeding 100%, and the remaining two have growth exceeding 80%."
"..."
What about production volume?
Zheng Fa turned to Professor Tian and asked.
"The yield is very low," Professor Tian shook his head. "These two kinds of Spirit Plant are the result of great difficulty in cultivating them, and they are not high-yielding to begin with."
"Perhaps due to the age of the plant, the amount of Spirit Root Growth Hormone that can be extracted is not large."
Although somewhat disappointed, Zheng Fa wasn't too discouraged.
"The yield is low, so we can continue to cultivate new varieties," Professor Tian Zheng Fa Fachao said. "Our recruitment of graduate students this time is precisely to bring talent to the Agricultural Institute."
"This spirit medicine represents a breakthrough from zero to one."
When Zheng Fa said this, his voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.
The emergence of the Spirit Root Growth Hormone is unprecedented, both in modern times and in the Xuanwei, and it is of great significance to Zheng Fa.
Finding the Spirit Root Growth Hormone would be a victory.
As for the production capacity of this product...
He opened his doors wide and recruited so many talented people; it's not because he felt the Nursing Home was too small and wanted to come back and live there.
Zheng Fa looked around and saw the Old Man Bai's eyes fixed on him anxiously. He knew the old man was worried, but after a moment's hesitation, he still spoke:
"Go back to Team Leader Yang and conduct two more rounds of human trials, with a larger sample size, to see if there are any side effects."
The Old Man Bai paused for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he remained silent.
The experimental results were not yet available, but the entrance exam for the research institute was already looming.
Zheng Fa brought Tang Lingwu to the Capital City and looked at a junior high school.
This junior high school is one of the test sites for this exam.
The street was quiet. Three police cars were parked at the entrance, and four yellow roadblocks stood at both ends of the road.
To prevent any accidents, several martial arts students were waiting downstairs in the teaching building.
The exam was officially scheduled to start at nine o'clock, but many people arrived before seven.
These candidates included both young and old individuals.
Some stood blankly at the door, while others held reference materials and muttered to themselves.
There were also some people, whether out of carefree attitude or overconfidence, who gathered together and chatted quietly.
The scene seemed strangely familiar to Zheng Fa, and he couldn't help but turn to look at Tang Lingwu.
The image of the swirling cheongsam skirt came back to mind.
Tang Lingwu seemed to notice his gaze and looked up at him.
Suddenly, he opened his arms and stood on tiptoe.
Her skirt fluttered in the breeze.
Just like yesterday.
Although the two used Secret Method to conceal their faces, several examinees passing by on the street corner were still stunned.
Even though there are no ugly women in the Xuanwei Realm, Tang Lingwu in front of him still makes Zheng Fa involuntarily dazzled and mesmerized.
The number of places available for this exam is actually quite small.
There are only 10,000 places in total, half of which are reserved for the Agronomy Institute and the Pharmaceutical Institute.
Firstly, the main purpose of this recruitment is the cultivation and development of various spirit medicine.
Secondly, Zheng Fa had long realized that, when Spiritual Qi was relatively abundant, spiritual materials and spirit medicine were the foundation of cultivation civilization.
If we don't develop this, everything else will be hindered.
Putting aside other things, the very first kind of spirit talisman paper requires a kind of Spirit Bamboo.
This kind of Spirit Bamboo is extremely abundant in the Xuanwei, and it's not even worth much money.
However, it has not yet been discovered in modern times.
Therefore, Rainbow Mountain has no Talisman Dao at all.
Weapon crafting, alchemy, and formations go without saying.
With only 10,000 spots available, the competition is extremely fierce.
Not just anyone can take the exam; Team Leader Yang has already conducted one screening process over the past six months.
In short, it involved several preliminary exams, covering university-level knowledge across various subjects.
Anyone who wants to participate in this round of exams must pass at least one preliminary exam.
This is mainly because Zheng Fa does not impose age restrictions on candidates; not to mention 35, even those over 60 can take the exam if they are capable.
It was practically a nationwide exam.
There were too many applicants, so we had to conduct the selection process earlier than planned.
Even so, the number of candidates who made it to the final exam exceeded ten million.
More importantly, this exam was of such great significance that Zheng Fa could not trust anyone else.
Even though he had always cooperated well with the authorities, he didn't believe that everyone would behave themselves in the face of the temptation of cultivating immortality.
The martial arts school disciples were summoned here.
Even Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu personally came here to inspect, all for two reasons—
fair.
The exams were two months ago.
Carrying a book, the Old Man Bai set off from the Nursing Home, walked towards the back of Rainbow Mountain, stepped into the courtyard, and went into a room.
Inside the room, students of all ages sat densely packed together.
His expression went blank for a moment, as if he had returned to fifty years ago.
He walked up to the podium, briefly regained his composure, gently placed the book in his hand on the table, and smiled:
"Hello everyone."
First of all, congratulations on becoming the first cohort of graduate students at the Confederation Research Institute.
He paused, then looked at the students below the stage who stirred with a sense of pride.
"For the next two years, you will study the basics of Immortal Way at Rainbow Mountain General Hospital."
"And I am your Professor of Talisman Dao. My surname is Bai, and you can call me Teacher Bai."
Having said that, the Old Man Bai pointed to the book in front of him and laughed, "The first name on the cover of this book, < Talisman Diagram Topology >, is mine."
Silence fell over the audience below the podium.
Seeing the awe on these people's faces, the Old Man Bai suddenly added:
"Oh, by the way, I Dual-Spirit Root."
Where did Zheng Fa go?
Suddenly, Nishang Yuanjun asked Qian True Person a question, but her gaze was fixed on Senior Sister Zhang standing to the side.
Some time ago, Zheng Fa would come to see him from time to time to discuss some matters related to the three collaborations.
However, he has rarely appeared in public these past two months.
On the contrary, it was this True Person Zhang would come from time to time to show hospitality.
Senior Sister Zhang didn't hide anything. "Junior Brother is at a crucial stage in his research and really can't spare the time. I hope you can understand, Yuanjun."
Nishang Yuanjun shook her head, understanding that this True Person Zhang's identity was special, and didn't feel slighted. She was simply curious about what Zheng Fa was doing and asked:
"Research project?" The words had barely left her mouth when she realized her mistake and said, "I was being presumptuous."
Senior Sister Zhang smiled, "This matter also involves the power of Jade Pool."
"Oh?"
"If it weren't for those Spirit Plant you gave us, Yuanjun, this research would probably have taken much longer."
Nishang Yuanjun was even more curious, but she didn't say anything more, only sighing, "That's nothing."
"The cooperation hasn't even been finalized yet, but Yuanjun has already given us several Spirit Plant ahead of time. We at the Nine Mountains will forever remember this kindness."
Senior Sister Zhang said earnestly.
Qian True Person, who was standing to the side, nodded in agreement.
Nishang Yuanjun was extremely generous. Although the trade route was not completely settled, she still brought out several Spirit Plant that could repair Spirit Root, which led to a major breakthrough in the Spirit Root Modification technology of the Nine Mountains Sect.
Unexpectedly, Nishang Yuanjun smiled sheepishly, her expression somewhat dejected. "I actually had some selfish motives."
Senior Sister Zhang remained silent, only looking at Nishang Yuanjun, as if she had expected this.
"As you've probably guessed, there are some disagreements within Jade Pool regarding this matter."
Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly and said:
"It's still undecided after these past few months, we'll find out soon... I never imagined the infighting within Jade Pool would escalate to this point."
Nishang Yuanjun sighed, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you."
Qian True Person asked in surprise, "This is clearly a good thing for Jade Pool, so why is there still disagreement?"
"It's a good thing for Jade Pool, but not for some people."
After a moment of silence, Nishang Yuanjun gritted her teeth and revealed some of the truth:
" True Person Zhang, I dare say that I am willing to cooperate with your sect. Those few Spirit Plant are my token of sincerity."
"But now Jade Pool is already in chaos, and even if I wanted to, I couldn't change anything."
Senior Sister Zhang understood.
If Nishang Yuanjun cannot represent Jade Pool, then she is subtly the weakest party in the tripartite cooperation.
No wonder his posture is much more subdued than before.
It could even be said that she regarded this trade route as her lifeline.
Seeing the slightly nervous Nishang Yuanjun, Senior Sister Zhang suddenly laughed, "Junior Brother said this."
"Um?"
"My junior brother said that Yuanjun has been of great help to our Nine Mountains Sect and is a friend of our Nine Mountains Sect."
"..."
Little did the Nishang Yuanjun know that Zheng Fa had not even fully understood the inner workings of the Jade Pool before making a vague promise.
But Senior Sister Zhang understood that Zheng Fa was not acting impulsively.
In retrospect, if Jade Pool has factions, then Nishang's faction is relatively friendly to the Nine Mountains Sect.
The other side is uncertain.
Not to mention that trade routes also bring many benefits to the Nine Mountains Sect.
With the help of Senior Sister Zhang's deductions, Zheng Fa and she came up with the idea of supporting Nishang Yuanjun.
Nishang Yuanjun's expression shifted several times, then she suddenly chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I thought I was here to help you."
"Who would have thought..."
Senior Sister Zhang smiled as well.
In terms of strength, Nishang Yuanjun alone is no less than the Nine Mountains Sect.
But unfortunately, the East-West Continent Trade Route was of great significance to Jade Pool.
Since the topic had come up, Nishang Yuanjun spoke frankly, revealing something the Jade Pool disciples were unaware of. "Actually, my purpose in coming to the Eastern Continent was also to seek assistance from the Supreme Dao."
"Requesting help?"
Senior Sister Zhang was slightly startled, not expecting that the Nishang Yuanjun would even utter those two words, which meant that the situation at Jade Pool was not good.
"In truth, this is a fundamental issue concerning the foundation of Divine Way."
" Divine Way..."
"Your Nine Mountains Sect now also practices the Divine Way." Nishang Yuanjun, unaware of the secrets of the * Yellow Court Scripture *, naturally misunderstood and said, "You'll probably face this trouble in the future too."
"When we were weak, the Divine Way was naturally a ladder to heaven, but for me now, it is a prison."
"A cage?"
"Even those who cultivate the Dao Fruit to Divine Way will ultimately be bound by worldly desires," said Nishang Yuanjun, her voice tinged with a deep despair. "They cannot transcend them."
Senior Sister Zhang realized that if it weren't for the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, Junior Brother would also have been unable to escape this calamity.
She could understand the despair of Nishang Yuanjun.
Even if cultivators are initially engrossed in the speed of Divine Way cultivation, they will eventually end up as Heavenly Venerable Venerables.
Even if not, as a Dao Fruit cultivator, one is still bound by mortal constraints and rarely enjoys freedom.
"Although my Jade Pool possesses various Secret Method to suppress these desires for Incense Power offerings, it cannot escape the Divine Way."
" The Heavenly Dao that every action, whether taken or taken, is just like that."
Senior Sister Zhang shook her head.
"That's right. When we were weak, Attendant Deity. Now we should also be subject to such constraints, but... we are ultimately unwilling."
Senior Sister Zhang nodded.
This is only natural.
The Xuanwei Immortal Way has always been about diminishing what is lacking and replenishing what is excessive.
The Divine Way, however, is rare; it takes from the surplus to make up for the deficiency—it almost turns Divine Way practitioners into mortal servants.
It's alright when the cultivator is weak.
True Immortal like Nishang Yuanjun would naturally find it difficult to tolerate.
"In truth, if it were only that, my Jade Pool wouldn't be embroiled in internal strife," said Nishang Yuanjun. "But the cultivators of the Divine Way are constantly teetering on the brink of Self-Loss."
Senior Sister Zhang looked at Nishang Yuanjun with curiosity, seemingly finding her quite normal.
"My Jade Pool has been able to stand for so many years, naturally it has its own Secret Method, which are stronger than those of ordinary Divine Way cultivators."
"But it's still inevitable that people will take advantage of us."
Senior Sister Zhang narrowed her eyes. " Thunderclap Temple?"
Nishang Yuanjun nodded gently.
"My Jade Pool currently has two True Immortal residing in this world, one is myself, and the other is a celestial maiden."
"A celestial maiden?"
"A celestial maiden," Nishang Yuanjun whispered, "So, her title is the Hundred Flowers Heavenly Maiden..."
"So that's how it is?" Senior Sister Zhang felt increasingly puzzled.
"Now she calls herself... the Blissful Heavenly Maiden."
" The Blissful Heavenly Maiden?"
Zheng Fa walked out of the courtyard and looked at Mu Qingyan and Gu Chang, who were making preparations, with some curiosity:
What does this title mean?
Senior Sister Zhang's expression was also somewhat strange. "According to Nishang Yuanjun, this was changed by her followers themselves."
"..."
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment, but immediately understood. "There's something wrong with her followers?"
"Yes, it is said that Thunderclap Temple used some kind of bewitching method to make all beings united, and even transformed the Hundred Flowers Heavenly Maiden into the Blissful Heavenly Maiden. From then on, the Blissful Heavenly Maiden implicitly revered Thunderclap Temple."
"These three collaborations are precisely what she opposes."
Zheng Fa felt a toothache after hearing this.
Is this even possible?
Zheng Fa understood; this was a Self-Loss.
But what's so insidious about Thunderclap Temple is that, by leveraging the power of Incense Power, they managed to drastically change the personality of a Dao Fruit cultivator from the bottom up...
This is extremely difficult; even Zheng Fa couldn't understand how it was done.
No wonder Nishang Yuanjun was so desperate about Divine Way Method.
Actually, Zheng Fa hadn't really taken the idea that Divine Way was a prison to heart.
Divine Way is a relatively rigid system, and Nishang Yuanjun is actually a beneficiary of this system.
You can't just become powerful and then think this thing is bad; it's like eating from a bowl and then cursing it later.
But upon hearing of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden's fate, Zheng Fa felt lingering fear and was quite puzzled:
Thunderclap Temple is up to Supreme Dao things, what is Taishangdao doing?
He shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and asked again, "Having gone through such a tribulation, is the Blissful Heavenly Maiden perhaps more powerful than the Nishang Yuanjun?"
"At first there wasn't, but with Thunderclap Temple behind her, Nishang Yuanjun couldn't think of anything else," Senior Sister Zhang explained. "But now, Nishang Yuanjun is indeed in a weak position."
"Um?"
"The followers of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden are now extremely fanatical. According to the Nishang Yuanjun, the Blissful Heavenly Maiden seems to possess some special spirit medicine that can immerse all her followers in a state of Jile."
"..."
"With the help of Thunderclap Temple, the power of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden has grown even stronger. If it weren't for the fact that she couldn't escape the clutches of the Jade Pool Water Mother... the Jade Pool would probably have been turned upside down long ago."
" Jade Pool Water Mother?"
"The founders of Jade Pool were at least Golden Immortal in cultivation."
Zheng Fa pondered the news brought by Senior Sister Zhang.
The Divine Way, simply put, requires believers to have faith in you.
Believers aren't stupid; they expect some benefit from believing in you, at least they should be able to ask for happiness, well-being, and a peaceful and prosperous life.
Traditional Divine Way monks, including Zheng Fa, were relatively honest: they genuinely wanted to bring benefits to believers.
But the Blissful Heavenly Maiden is bugged.
That " spirit medicine " sounds rather shady.
And it actually worked!
It might even be the most powerful fighting style...
"Junior brother? How should we deal with this?"
Zheng Fa knew what his senior sister was asking.
No wonder Nishang Yuanjun listened to Supreme Dao so much; she came as soon as the Patriarch Xuanding sent the message.
Clearly, there was no other way, so they wanted to seek help from the Supreme Dao.
Now that she has realized the value of the East-West Continent Trade Route, especially its value to her, she is so excited that she even took the initiative to offer him spirit medicine as a gesture of goodwill.
"Cooperation is necessary..." Zheng Fa thought it over, becoming even more wary of Thunderclap Temple. "This 'spy' would be valuable in the Western Continent."
To be honest, if Jade Pool were to be destroyed by Thunderclap Temple, then the Hundred Immortals Alliance would be the one directly facing Thunderclap Temple.
It's better to let Jade Pool take the blame.
"That Divine Way Method..." Senior Sister Zhang frowned, "No wonder it's declining."
The flaws of the Divine Way Method were fully exposed in the matter of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden.
Jade Pool is the leader of the Divine Way Method, and since their True Immortal are all like this, one can imagine how difficult it is for other Divine Way cultivators to cultivate.
"Senior Sister," Zheng Fa said softly, looking at Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan who were approaching, and noticing the excitement on Gu Chang's face, "Starting with the < Yellow Court Scripture >, we have embarked on a new path that has never been seen before."
" Divine Way Method, or Yang Spirit, Dharma Body, even the Celestial River Method... which one is without problems?"
Senior Sister Zhang understood what Zheng Fa meant.
If it weren't for these problems, the Nine Mountains Sect probably wouldn't be what it is today.
"The reform of the Xuanwei Divine Way Method may begin with my Nine Mountains Sect." Zheng Fa pointed a finger at Gu Chang, "... starting with him."
" Gu Chang, are you ready?"
Gu Chang stood before Zheng Fa.
Mu Qingyan handed him a bottle of Spirit Root Growth Hormone.
Gu Chang opened the bottle, drank the solution in one gulp, knelt on the ground, and bowed his head in silence.
Zheng Fa smiled gently, stretched out his palm, and placed it on Gu Chang's head.
Lightning flashed.
Ten days later, in the Nine Mountains Realm, the Sun-Moon Bell suddenly rang out.
In the heavens and on the earth, countless beings looked up.
A Golden Crow pulls a divine chariot, upon which sits a purple-clad deity, the Sun-Moon Bell in his hand trembling slightly.
This divine being was naturally Zheng Fa's Yang Spirit Body.
As the bell tolled, Zheng Fa pointed to the Sun-Moon Bell, his voice even louder than the one that had just resounded throughout the heavens and earth:
"From this day forward, the Nine Mountains Realm shall have Mortal-Shedding Spirit-Washing Pool!"
As soon as he finished speaking, ten thousand thunderbolts fell from the Sun-Moon Bell, condensing into a Thunder Pool!
Some disciples of the Nine Mountains naturally remembered that this Thunder Pool was originally Divine Ability of the Sun-Moon Bell, whose power could even suppress the Spirit Transformation.
But now, for some unknown reason, this Thunder Pool has fallen into the boundary.
It was also called the Mortal-Shedding Spirit-Washing Pool by the Sect Leader.
(End of this chapter)