Saintess: What? He Has a Girlfriend?

How exactly is spiritual energy generated? Qi Zixiao herself couldn't explain it.

But... she knew that the elixir would release some spiritual energy, provided that the elixir absorbed the spiritual energy.

However, let's set aside for now whether it can absorb spiritual energy or not; firstly, it definitely will exhale spiritual energy, that much is certain.

So, could we ask Old Chen to investigate why the spiritual herb exhales spiritual energy, and why it exhales more than it inhales?

For example, we can use scientific methods to analyze the process involved.

Even if we don't talk about achieving the effect of artificial spiritual energy, it would be good to just understand the process of spiritual herbs 'exhaling spiritual energy' and then optimize it!

For example, we could use science and technology to analyze how to make the elixir release more spiritual energy, or improve the efficiency of releasing spiritual energy.

Thinking of this, Qi Zixiao couldn't help but ask, "Old Chen, are you interested in growing flowers and plants?"

"..."

Old Chen was taken aback.

Wow, you change the subject pretty quickly!

But he replied, "I was quite interested for a while, but I killed most of them, so I lost interest."

"I only realized it later; I often forgot to water them."

"..."

This time, it was Qi Zixiao's turn to be speechless.

Most of them died from being raised?

Fortunately, she didn't need to be afraid. At least spiritual herbs weren't so easy to kill. It was fine if they didn't transform into spiritual herbs, but once they did, their vitality would naturally increase exponentially. Even if there was a drought for a year or two, they wouldn't die.

Watering? It doesn't matter whether you water it or not.

Besides, that guy said that those modern greenhouses all have automatic irrigation devices and such, and can 'water with one click', so what's there to be afraid of?

Old Chen asked again, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"That's right..."

Qi Zixiao smiled and said, "I'd like to ask you to plant some flowers and plants."

Old Chen was dumbfounded, then waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, I'm an old man who does scientific research. At least I can still supervise some graduate students and make some contributions to the country."

"These flowers and plants... aren't they a waste of life?"

"No, you'd better find someone else."

"But... my flowers and plants can exude spiritual energy!"

"???!!!"

Old Chen was shocked. "Didn't you say that there's no spiritual energy left on Earth? Then how come there are Immortal Medicine that can release spiritual energy?!"

Qi Zixiao's eyes widened. "Immortal Medicine???"

"Old Chen, you haven't been reading those novels again lately, have you? Who told you I have Immortal Medicine?!"

What is the Immortal Medicine?

Qi Zixiao had never seen

However, anything that can be called Immortal Medicine, even if it can't be as exaggerated as bringing the dead back to life and healing bones, still has mysterious and unpredictable effects.

If an ordinary person swallowed it, they would be able to reach the Celestial Platform Realm, which is beyond the Great Ascension Stage, in no time if they didn't burst!

Only something with such amazing efficacy, and which has survived for hundreds of thousands or millions of years, can be called Immortal Medicine!

Those meager, malnourished elixirs... Immortal Medicine do I have?

No, you don't deserve it!

"Um, isn't that wrong? If it's not Immortal Medicine, why can it exhale spiritual energy?"

Old Chen slightly embarrassed. "I have indeed read some novels, such as the one by that author who is said to have an ominous old age and grow green hair all over his body."

"After all, what I'm researching has no record on Earth at all. Maybe I can find some inspiration from novels?"

Qi Zixiao couldn't help but laugh, "You can look for inspiration, but you can't just believe in anything. As for Immortal Medicine, you can't find them even if you turn the whole earth upside down!"

"Moreover, for a period of time, the Earth could indeed be said to have no spiritual energy, and it certainly doesn't now."

"As for the spiritual herbs that exhale spiritual energy... those are cultivated by myself. But the spiritual energy they exhale is barely enough to sustain their own growth, while gradually giving birth to more spiritual herbs. Do you understand what I mean?"

Old Chen frowned slightly.

"Simply put, it can achieve self-sustaining, right? But that's not quite right either. While self-sustaining, it can also generate more spiritual herbs..."

"That's not scientific!"

"According to the law of conservation of energy..."

Qi Zixiao was a bit overwhelmed. "I don't know if the law of conservation of energy is scientific or not, but I can be sure that if a spiritual herb absorbs one part of spiritual energy, it will expel two parts."

"For example... ordinary plants also need to consume oxygen to survive, but they can produce more oxygen?"

Old Chen thought about it, but still didn't quite understand.

"Plants can produce oxygen because they not only absorb oxygen, but also have chloroplasts in their mesophyll cells, where photosynthesis can take place."

After plants absorb carbon dioxide and water, they form carbohydrates and oxygen under the influence of sunlight. Carbohydrates can also supply the plant's own life activities.

Simultaneously, during photosynthesis, plants also convert light energy into stable chemical energy, which is stored within their own bodies.

"Plants do need oxygen to grow, but..."

"Etc!"

At this point, Old Chen understood, patting his forehead, which already had very little hair but now had some downy hair growing out.

"You didn't say that spiritual herbs only absorb spiritual energy; they also absorb other substances..."

"Yes." Qi Zixiao blinked.

Anyway, we don't understand those weird things, like chloroplasts, we just don't get it!

But who cares what you think? As long as you can justify it and are willing to help us take care of the elixir, that's fine, right?

Of course, the current task isn't to have him take care of the medicinal herbs, but rather to familiarize himself with the greenhouse first, and become... Greenhouse Manager?

According to Qi Zixiao's idea.

Compared to letting Old Chen come into direct contact with spiritual herbs, it would be better to let him come into contact with ordinary herbs first, and then accompany him throughout the transformation process, right?

"I think I understand what you're thinking."

So... you still don't want to?

Seeing that Old Chen wasn't particularly interested, Qi Zixiao said with some regret, "But that's true, compared to cultivating pillars of the nation, this is indeed nothing..."

To everyone's surprise, upon hearing this, Old Chen looked displeased and waved his hand, saying, "Hey!"

"That's not quite right."

Teachers who educate students and nurture them for the country are often referred to as gardeners.

"Isn't tending to elixirs also a form of gardening?"

"Since we are all gardeners, what's the difference? Is there any distinction between high and low, noble and lowly?"

"So you don't need to say anything more, I'll take this job!"

"Besides, I just don't believe it!"

"I refuse to believe that nothing can't be researched!"

Directly studying spiritual energy... Old Chen failed. He himself realized the problem; it was something he couldn't handle now.

But he really didn't believe that he couldn't figure out anything!

Spiritual energy is another story, as that's relatively high-end.

If Old Chen is currently at the elementary school level in the 'Cultivation Science System', then directly studying spiritual energy is equivalent to skipping junior high and high school courses and directly letting him study university courses.

This is too difficult.

However, if we start by studying tangible objects like elixirs, the difficulty will be significantly reduced.

At least for 'plants', the research and theories on Earth are already quite extensive.

Are they all gardeners?

Qi Zixiao blinked. "Then what about your research lab?"

"Isn't that simple? Just change the research project and find a few trustworthy students to assist you!"

"Wouldn't this make the process faster?"

Old Chen didn't take it seriously.

Qi Zixiao frowned. "I'm a little worried about ordinary people."

That makes sense.

Old Chen also realized what was happening. "This is of great importance..."

"Let's take a look first. I'll study it by myself first. If it's too difficult, I'll try to find someone to help me."

"Okay."

The two of them had reached an agreement.

Qi Zixiao then took Old Chen to the greenhouse to take a closer look and learn more about the details.

"Can these ordinary Chinese herbs really be transformed into miracle drugs?"

"It's not possible now, it takes some time. Starting before your transformation is undoubtedly a better choice, isn't it?"

"Yes! I can study some common herbs first, and then compare them one by one. Through comparative research, the results will be more straightforward."

Old Chen agreed, "Alright then, from now on I'll go to this greenhouse every day and keep a record."

"Thank you so much. By the way, shouldn't I be paying you a salary?"

"... Hey kid, do you think I look like someone who's short of money?"

Old Chen rolled his eyes. "Besides, you saved my life, and now you value me so much, letting me research things related to immortal cultivators. How could I possibly take your money?"

"Are you treating this old man like a nobody?!"

"No, no, no, I really didn't mean that."

Qi Zixiao waved her hand repeatedly. "I was just saying it offhand..."

"That's more like it!"

The two walked side by side.

Old Chen suddenly added, "By the way, so, didn't you have a girlfriend with a terminal illness? Since you've become an immortal cultivator and even managed to save me, she should be cured by now, right?"

When will you introduce me to this old man?

Qi Zixiao: "...(_`)"

"(_)..."

"╭(°A°`)╮????"

Terminal illness... and his girlfriend?

So, this guy already has a girlfriend? And he has a terminal illness?!

That guy didn't tell me?!

Qi Zixiao was immediately enraged!

But it was difficult to show, and her expression immediately turned sour.

Seeing Old Chen thought he had said something wrong and that his girlfriend was gone, so he said, "Sorry, I thought..."

"Fine."

These two words were practically spat out from between his teeth!

As expected, Old Chen would go to the greenhouse every day to record the growth of the herbs, and he would also pick a few plants each day and make a record.

The next day, feeling depressed, Qi Zixiao went to take her driver's license test.

I completed both the driving test (Course Two and Part 3) on the same day and got my license on the spot.

However... because of the presence of his 'little girlfriend,' the excitement he had felt about getting his driver's license vanished instantly.