Preaching Painting

Cultivation spells had targets, and different plants granted different amounts of proficiency.

To grind Flourishing Growth proficiency, it was best to practice on plants with short growth cycles.

What Zhao Xing saw now was a plant called Tooth Grass.

"Under natural conditions, Tooth Grass can grow from a seedling to maturity, flower, and bear fruit in less than a month. It is usually used to feed cattle and sheep, but it is rare in the south. Old Sima Nong's courtyard really is a treasure trove."

Zhao Xing immediately ran over to the Tooth Grass.

His vital energy spilled outward and enveloped the Tooth Grass as the Flourishing Growth spell glimmered faintly.

The Tooth Grass then began growing at a visible rate.

You cast 'Flourishing Growth' on Tooth Grass. The plant advanced from the seedling stage to the growth stage. Spell proficiency +50.

You cast 'Flourishing Growth' on Tooth Grass. The plant advanced from the growth stage to the mature stage. Spell proficiency +150.

His vital energy rapidly depleted, but Flourishing Growth proficiency kept shooting upward.

The early spell ranks were not high. As long as one chose the right practice target, proficiency could rise quickly.

Of course, this was also related to talent and comprehension.

Before taking the Dao Embryo Pill, Zhao Xing could never have obtained this much proficiency.

"Using Five Elements Observation can make this Tooth Grass grow even faster." As he cast the spell, Zhao Xing faintly gained some insight.

The Tooth Grass before him appeared half-transparent, its internal roots and veins clearly revealed.

Where should his vital energy go to make the Tooth Grass grow faster and more smoothly... that was the function of Five Elements Observation!

With Five Elements Observation, it was like prescribing the right medicine for the ailment. The Flourishing Growth spell became far more effective, greatly improving cultivation efficiency.

You cast 'Flourishing Growth' on Tooth Grass. The plant advanced from the seedling stage to the growth stage. Spell proficiency +50.

You cast 'Flourishing Growth' on Tooth Grass. The plant advanced from the growth stage to the mature stage. Spell proficiency +150.

A wave of emptiness washed over him, and Zhao Xing stopped casting. His vital energy was nearly exhausted.

The plot before him was now completely carpeted in Tooth Grass, which had even spread into the neighboring area.

"Glug glug~"

Zhao Xing drew some well water and took several large gulps, easing his fatigue. Sitting beside the well, he felt thoroughly satisfied.

Flourishing Growth: Beginner Spell

Progress: (3210/9999)

Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption and shortens the time needed for plants to reach maturity.

"Flourishing Growth has reached Three Turns. Before this morning is even half over, it has risen two tiers."

"Let's try this Old Locust Tree."

Zhao Xing pointed, and Golden Light spun three times through the air before sinking into the Old Locust Tree.

The Old Locust Tree did not even tremble, as if to say that his meager magical power was not worth noticing.

The panel showed no response whatsoever.

"The Old Locust Tree is deeply rooted. Five Elements Observation lets me see the patterns of its growth rings, like copper walls and iron ramparts. With this little vital energy, I simply cannot help it break through the shackles of growth."

Cultivation had always proceeded step by step, so Zhao Xing was not surprised.

"I'd better honestly cultivate Tooth Grass. Let's set a small goal: before the Start of Autumn test, I'll first train Flourishing Growth to Nine Turns!"

Time passed, and soon it was the day before the Start of Autumn test.

For those six days, Zhao Xing did nothing but battle Tooth Grass.

He planted it, pulled it out, then planted it again. Whenever the soil lacked fertility, he changed plots.

He even made use of the nighttime.

Flourishing Growth: Beginner Spell

Progress: (9010/9999)

Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption and shortens the time needed for plants to reach maturity.

"Finally, Nine Turns."

Zhao Xing relaxed, and once his joy faded, only deep exhaustion remained.

Without bothering about anything else, he found a bamboo mat in the side room of the rear courtyard and dropped straight to sleep.

Xue Wenzhong came to the rear courtyard. Looking at the weeds piled all over the ground and the soundly sleeping Zhao Xing, he nodded slightly.

Then he beckoned, and a gentle breeze swirled around Zhao Xing.

Though the disturbance was slight, its power was not. It directly lifted Zhao Xing into the air.

Before he knew it, Xue Wenzhong had carried Zhao Xing into his own bedroom.

When Zhao Xing woke again, he felt more refreshed than ever. It was as if a gentle breeze had continuously brushed over him while he slept. Though it was the Great Heat season, he felt as though he had slept in spring.

"Whew~" After stretching, Zhao Xing realized something was wrong. Hadn't he fallen asleep outside? Why was he in a bed?

It looks like Teacher carried me in, but my clothes are still covered in mud...

Looking at the filthy cool mat he had dirtied, Zhao Xing wanted to find something to wipe it clean.

When he looked up, however, he saw a painting hanging on the wall.

In an instant, Zhao Xing could no longer tear his gaze away.

The scroll emitted a faint glow, as though it possessed magic. He unconsciously walked to the mural, as if his entire soul had been drawn inside.

The clouds and mist in the painting parted, and green life emerged from the earth. Countless plants burst through the soil like bamboo shoots after spring rain. Vital energy, impossible to grasp in reality, seemed to take on form in that world, clearly visible between heaven and earth.

A unique pulse came from underground, like breathing.

"Those are... earth veins?" Zhao Xing came to a realization.

Life and vital energy intertwined at that moment. The yin and yang of heaven-and-earth vital energy merged, and plants appeared clearly before his eyes, growing from seedlings to maturity, flowering and bearing fruit...

"Buzz~"

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xing broke free from the illusion.

The painting before him was still a painting, but its miraculous imagery was gone.

"So this is an All Things Growth Chart, a classic work of the True Self Faction." Zhao Xing immediately understood. "But its artistic conception was far too powerful. Just how high-grade was this replica?"

He checked the panel, and sure enough, there was a record:

You discovered the 'All Things Growth Chart Replica' (Lower Grade Four).

This treasure is a Preaching Painting. Remaining uses: 1.

You observed the 'All Things Growth Chart Replica' (Lower Grade Four). Flourishing Growth has reached max level.

You comprehended the intermediate spell 'Savage Growth'.

You comprehended the beginner spell 'Earth Veins Synthesis'.

"Whew~"

The painting hanging on the wall suddenly combusted, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"Eh?" Zhao Xing hurriedly reached for it, but it was too fast. In almost a second, it had burned into ashes.

The Preaching Painting only had one remaining use, and I used it up. Zhao Xing felt a little uneasy.

A Grade Four treasure was no common commodity, much less a relatively rare Preaching Painting. How was he supposed to explain this to Old Sima Nong?

Just as he pondered this, Old Sima Nong's voice came from outside. "It is getting late. The food is ready. Eat before you leave."

"Yes, Teacher." Zhao Xing nervously sat at the table. Facing Xue Wenzhong, he said guiltily, "Teacher, when I woke up just now, I accidentally saw a painting in your study, and then it spontaneously combusted."

"A painting? What painting?" Xue Wenzhong narrowed his eyes and glanced at Zhao Xing. "This old man does not know what you are talking about. Eat."