Spirit Grass Cultivation? Soul Power Breaks Through Level 30

Spirit Grass Cultivation? Soul Power Breaks Through Level 30

Shrek's afternoon sunlight was fragmented by the Old Locust Tree's branches and leaves into mottled specks that scattered across the bluestone slabs before the wooden cabins. The exhaustion from morning training had not yet fully faded when Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were already sparring in the open space behind the courtyard, the sounds of tiger claws colliding with flames ringing out from time to time. Oscar crouched beside the fence, sowing freshly gathered herb seeds into clay pots, while Jiang Zhu sat beneath the shade, polishing her Seven-Colored Sacred Staff. The staff's seven hues flowed endlessly beneath the sunlight.

Avoiding the noisy crowd, Lin Che walked beneath the Old Locust Tree in the corner of the courtyard. The [Epic Can] awarded by the system during morning training glowed gently within his consciousness. With a swipe of his fingers through the air, an ancient clay can appeared out of nowhere in his palm. Its surface was carved with intricate cloud patterns. It possessed less of the sacredness of the previous God-Tier Can, yet carried a deeper sense of weight and accumulated history—this was the system's stage-based reward for continued growth.

"Open the Epic Can," Lin Che silently muttered.

The clay can shattered in response. No dazzling light burst forth; only a yellowed Animal Skin Scroll slowly unfurled and landed in his hand. Four ancient vermilion characters were written across its cover: Spirit Grass Cultivation Method. The ink seemed to carry the fragrance of plants, and a faint current of Life Energy flowed beneath his fingertips.

[Special skill scroll detected. Learn immediately?]

"Learn."

A stream of information instantly poured into his mind, and understanding flashed through Lin Che's eyes. This cultivation method was not merely a set of planting techniques, but a complete system for converting spirit grass energy. It extracted primordial essence from withered leaves and tender sprouts, guided it into the body through a particular Soul Power circulation method, refined away impurities with a tool, and ultimately transformed spirit grass energy into pure Soul Power. At the end of the scroll was a line of small text: "Universe-type Martial Souls can increase purification efficiency by thirty percent. Complementary ice-and-fire dual-attribute energy yields even better results."

"What a coincidence." The corner of Lin Che's mouth lifted slightly as he took two Jade Boxes from the System Space. In the box on the left lay half a dark-red leaf—the remaining leaf fragment of the Infernal Delicate Apricot he had saved while treating Jiang Zhu. A scorching aura still lingered along its edges. In the box on the right was a tender green sprout entwined with silver threads. It was an active shoot stripped from the roots of the Ghost Vine during the entrance examination; even bringing his fingers near it let him feel its faint devouring pull.

He sat cross-legged beneath the tree's shade and placed the two Jade Boxes in front of him. Following the guidance of the Spirit Grass Cultivation Method, his Soul Power circulated through specific meridians and gathered into a spiral flow of energy in his palm. The pale golden Universe Cauldron quietly appeared, hovering three inches above the Jade Boxes. Faint golden light ignited between its three legs—this was the "Spirit Nourishing Fire" recorded in the cultivation method. It could stimulate spirit grass energy without damaging its origin.

"First step, draw out the energy." With a thought from Lin Che, the spiraling Soul Power in his palm gently swept over the Infernal Delicate Apricot leaf fragment. The fragment immediately glowed red, and strands of scorching energy rose like drifting threads, steadily drawn into the Universe Cauldron. He then turned toward the Ghost Vine sprout. His Soul Power slowed abruptly, enveloping the tip with gentle force—the Ghost Vine was fierce by nature, and forcefully stimulating it would only make its energy impure.

Red and blue energy streams quickly gathered within the cauldron. The red was like flame, the blue like vines; they intertwined while remaining clearly distinct. Tang San sat on a stone bench some distance away, pretending to meditate with his eyes closed, but his Purple Demon Eyes had long since opened and took in every detail. He noticed that Lin Che's Soul Power circulation was exceptionally strange. It was neither as fierce as that of the Assault System nor as gentle as that of the support system. Instead, it carried a rhythm of endless vitality.

Is he refining energy? Tang San's heart stirred. Blue Silver Grass's non-exclusive nature made him especially sensitive to plant energy. He could clearly sense the purity of the two energy streams within the cauldron; they were richer than any soul beast soul ring he had ever encountered. Recalling the way Lin Che had absorbed the Qi Condensing Grass during morning training, a bold thought emerged in his mind.

Without drawing attention, Tang San pressed his right hand against the ground. The roots of Blue Silver Grass quietly spread through the soil toward the roots of the Old Locust Tree. Following the breathing method of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he attempted to guide the life force of the surrounding vegetation into his body—if Blue Silver Grass could absorb soul ring energy, then there was no reason it could not absorb the power of natural plants.

Yet the moment he tried, Tang San frowned deeply. The energy pouring into his body was unbearably impure. It contained the vitality of plants but was mixed with the murky aura of soil and even trace toxins. Only by operating the Mysterious Heaven Skill to its limit could he barely filter out the impurities, but little energy remained afterward. By the time it reached his Dantian, more than half had dissipated. He recalled the "Martial Soul Mimicry Theory" Master had mentioned. Plant Martial Souls should naturally be compatible with plant energy, so why was it so difficult for him to absorb it?

At this point, Lin Che had reached the crucial stage of the cultivation method. The Universe Cauldron suddenly began spinning faster, its cloud patterns lighting up with golden radiance as the red and blue energy streams continually collided and merged under centrifugal force. "Second step, purification." He shouted lowly, and the Azure Water Sword left its sheath by half an inch. Azure Sword Qi poured into the cauldron. According to the cultivation method, sharp Sword Qi could cut away redundant impurities from energy, complementing the Universe Cauldron's purifying power.

Dazzling light instantly erupted from within the cauldron. Under the slicing of the Sword Qi, the red and blue streams became fine motes of light, while the impurities were burned away by the golden light at the bottom. Lin Che could clearly feel Pure Energy flowing from the cauldron into his body. His meridians felt as though they had been soaked in warm water, and cracks began to form in the Soul Power barrier that had held him at the peak of level 28.

"Now!" He operated his Soul Power and slammed it against the barrier. The Soul Power within his Dantian surged like a raging tide. At the right moment, the Universe Cauldron increased its energy output. The purified spirit grass energy transformed into a golden torrent and crashed viciously against the barrier.

Crack—

The invisible barrier shattered in response, and his Soul Power swelled like a breached flood. A system notification appeared at once:

[Soul Power breaks through level 29... Absorbing spirit grass energy... Soul Power breaks through level 30!]

Lin Che slowly withdrew his power, and the Universe Cauldron and Azure Water Sword returned at the same time. He could feel that the Soul Power inside his body was nearly twice as abundant as before, flowing with unprecedented smoothness—this was the benefit of purified energy, without the slightest sense of sluggishness. Level 30 meant that he would soon be able to absorb his third soul ring, further bringing out the advantages of his Dual Martial Souls.

"What powerful Soul Power Fluctuations!" Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's sparring came to an abrupt halt, and both looked toward Lin Che. The energy that had erupted just now was not domineering, but its purity was enough to make their hearts tremble. Oscar directly bounced over. "Lin Che, did you break through? What was that light just now?"

Tang San also stopped his attempt at absorption, his heart filled with shock and unwillingness. He could clearly sense Lin Che's Soul Power soaring from level 28 to level 30, while after working for so long, his own Soul Power had only risen from level 17 to level 18, and he had even wasted a great deal of Mysterious Heaven Skill inner power. Rather than narrowing, the gap between them was growing ever wider. He clenched his fists, his Purple Demon Eyes fixed on the Jade Boxes before Lin Che—what secret did those leaf fragments and sprouts contain?

"I just used a special cultivation method." Lin Che responded calmly as he stored the Jade Boxes in the System Space. He noticed Tang San's gaze but did not expose him—some things were useless to watch without the corresponding method.

"A special method?" Ning Rongrong approached with a cup of water in hand, curiosity shining in her eyes. As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had seen quite a few rare treasures, but she had never heard of a method that could let Soul Power break through so quickly. "Lin Che, you used spirit grass just now, didn't you? I've read records in the Sect Classics that immortal herbs can help people break through, but this is the first time I've seen someone directly convert their energy like you did."

Lin Che looked at Ning Rongrong. Ever since the Spirit Hall incident, this girl had become far less spoiled and arrogant. At this moment, her eyes were filled only with a sincere thirst for knowledge. "More or less. Spirit grass needs a specific cultivation method to bring out its greatest effect." He did not fully conceal the truth, since he might need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's help in the future.

"A cultivation method?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and she pressed on, "Is it related to soil and Soul Power affinity? Our sect's Medicine Hall has also grown spirit grass, but the energy we harvest is always very thin." She recalled what the sect elders had said: the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had an enormous demand for support-type rare treasures. If they could master this cultivation method, the benefit to the sect would be immeasurable.

Lin Che pondered for a moment before saying, "Soil is only the foundation. The key lies in the method of energy guidance. Different spirit grasses have different attributes and need to be stimulated with corresponding Soul Power frequencies. Forcing their growth will only damage their origin." He did not explain the specifics of the Spirit Grass Cultivation Method, but he had revealed the central principle—already a considerable concession.

Ning Rongrong was extremely intelligent and immediately understood the deeper meaning. She solemnly bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Lin Che. I'll remember this favor. If you ever need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, just say the word." She knew that Lin Che had become enemies with Spirit Hall, and as one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might be able to support him.

Lin Che nodded slightly, accepting her goodwill. He could feel that after this exchange, his ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had grown closer—undoubtedly an important bargaining chip for his future path against Spirit Hall.

Jiang Zhu also walked over. Her Seven-Colored Sacred Staff trembled faintly, as though responding to the lingering spirit grass energy in the air. "Can your cultivation method be used on healing-type spirit grass?" she asked. "If it can enhance the effects of healing spirit grass, the team will be able to recover faster after getting injured."

"In theory, it can," Lin Che said. "Healing-type spirit grass requires a gentler guiding method. Once I thoroughly understand the cultivation method, perhaps I can develop an improved version suited for you."

While everyone gathered around Lin Che to discuss it, Tang San returned to the wooden cabin alone. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he operated the Mysterious Heaven Skill to digest the meager energy he had absorbed, yet his heart remained unsettled for a long time. Lin Che's breakthrough made him realize that he could not rely solely on the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Master's theories. He had to find a more efficient way to improve. He thought of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record his father had left behind. Could it contain a method for absorbing plant energy?

As the sun set, Shrek Academy was dyed gold. Lin Che stood beside the fence, gazing in the direction of distant Suotuo City. On the system panel, the light point of the [Immortal Herb Coordinate Fragment] had brightened somewhat. Level 30 Soul Power gave him greater confidence in his next opportunity, while the appearance of the Spirit Grass Cultivation Method undoubtedly provided him with an entirely new way to make use of immortal herbs.

Deep within the distant forest, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan put away the Crystal Ball, his expression grave. "His Majesty the Pope, Lin Che has broken through to level 30. He used some kind of spirit grass cultivation method, and even the Universe Cauldron can assist in purification. That kid probably has more opportunities than we imagined."

Bibi Dong was silent for a moment at the other end of the Crystal Ball, her voice icy. "A spirit grass cultivation method? It seems he's hiding quite a few secrets. Have Ghost Douluo accelerate his actions. He must be dealt with before he absorbs his third soul ring. Also, investigate the origin of that cultivation method. It may be connected to the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes."

"Yes, His Majesty the Pope." Yue Guan bowed in response, and his figure immediately vanished into the depths of the forest.

In front of the wooden cabins, Flender's voice suddenly rang out. "Have you all rested enough? The afternoon Soul Power Competition begins now!"

Lin Che turned and looked over. Flender stood in the open space, with several white lines drawn behind him, clearly marking out the arena. Dai Mubai and the others immediately rubbed their hands in anticipation. Tang San also emerged from the wooden cabin, Fighting Spirit flashing through his eyes—even if the gap in Soul Power had widened, he still had to prove himself through skill.

The corner of Lin Che's mouth lifted slightly as the Universe Cauldron quietly appeared in his palm. Level 30 Soul Power was just right for testing his skills in the competition. What he did not know was that a conspiracy against Shrek had already begun to unfold in the shadows.