Plant-and-Wood Sacred Body

Half a year flowed away like running water. In a stone chamber in the mountains behind the Seven Mysteries Sect, Jing Wen slowly brought his cultivation session to a close.

The spiritual energy swirling around him gradually sank into his body. He opened his eyes, a brilliant gleam shifting within them before settling into the stillness of a deep pool. Feeling the spiritual power surging through his meridians, he lifted the corners of his lips.

"Qi refining tenth layer. At last."

Over the past six months, with Han Li supplying him with a steady stream of pills, he had devoted almost all his time to cultivation. When he gradually developed a tolerance to the Yellow Dragon Pills, he had Han Li switch to refining Golden Marrow Pills, ensuring his cultivation continued to advance.

Jing Wen rose and stretched. His seventeen-year-old body was tall and slender, its muscular contours made smoother and stronger by the nourishment of spiritual power.

He pushed open the stone chamber's door, and the morning sunlight spilled across his face.

"It's time to see the real Cultivation World."

Had he still been at the qi refining seventh layer, as he was six months ago, he would never have dared venture rashly into a Market-in the Cultivation World, where the strong devoured the weak, a low cultivation level was like a child carrying gold through a bustling marketplace. Disaster could strike at any moment.

After all, on this path that defied the heavens, weakness itself was the most unforgivable original sin.

The shouts of Seven Mysteries Sect disciples drilling rose from the training grounds. Compared with six months ago, their voices now carried greater confidence-naturally, this had much to do with the Wild Wolf Gang's destruction.

Although Venerable Golden Light had lost his Storage Bag, a cultivator at the qi refining third layer needed only a handful of Basic Spells to overawe everyone in this mortal martial world.

Under Venerable Golden Light's leadership, the Seven Mysteries Sect had successfully wiped out the Wild Wolf Gang.

Over the past six months, the amount of medicinal herbs gathered had doubled, and the disciples' spirits had been completely renewed.

Jing Wen drew a deep breath of clear mountain air, feeling the spiritual power within him, far more substantial than it had been six months ago.

Cultivation at the qi refining tenth layer placed him among the very best in the mortal world. Even in the true lands of cultivation, it was enough to make most petty villains shrink back.

He glanced down at the Storage Bag at his waist and brushed it lightly with his fingertips-

The Small Sword Talisman Treasure lay quietly inside. Its sword energy was contained, yet a faint, piercing sharpness still seeped through.

This was what gave Jing Wen the confidence to venture out alone.

At the far end of the mountain path, Han Li's figure gradually emerged from the thin mist.

Today was another scheduled pill delivery. The unremarkable wooden box in his arms held the second stalk of millennium spirit medicine he had grown using the little bottle's green liquid.

Although this was no longer their first transaction, his heart remained taut as a drawn bowstring.

"Senior, I've come as agreed." Han Li bowed, his voice so steady that not a ripple could be heard.

Jing Wen's gaze swept over him before settling on the wooden box he guarded so closely. "It seems... your fortunate encounter was truly extraordinary."

His tone carried a faint hint of probing curiosity.

Han Li offered the wooden box with both hands. "Thanks to your blessings, Senior, I was fortunate enough to find another stalk of millennium spirit medicine in the mountains."

The instant the lid opened, Jin Guang shimmered. A crystalline medicinal herb lay within, its roots coiled like dragons. An unusual fragrance spread, making even the surrounding spiritual energy tremble.

"The second one..." Jing Wen closed the lid with a crisp sound. Suddenly, he raised his eyes, his gaze stabbing like an awl into Han Li's.

"An earthly treasure like this is something ordinary cultivators might search for their entire lives without finding a trace. Yet you've obtained two in just a few months-do you know what that means?"

Cold sweat instantly broke out along Han Li's back. The mountain breeze swept past, sending a bone-piercing chill through him.

Han Li forcibly suppressed the towering waves in his heart and let just the right amount of confusion surface on his face. His tone held a hint of uncertainty. "I can't explain why my luck has been so good either. Perhaps... some of your good fortune has rubbed off on me, Senior?"

Jing Wen did not answer immediately. His eyes simply remained fixed on him.

The air congealed as though frozen. Even the wind seemed to stop in its tracks.

Han Li felt an invisible pressure bearing down on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Cold sweat slid from his forehead down his temples.

He silently calculated: Two stalks of millennium spirit medicine in succession really are too conspicuous. I must leave longer intervals in the future. I can't be this reckless again...

Just as even his fingertips began to grow cold, Jing Wen suddenly gave a low chuckle, breaking the deadlock. "Don't be nervous.

"When I first met you, I sensed something unusual about you. I simply hadn't figured out what it was."

Han Li's heart leaped into his throat, and his fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Has he discovered the Little Green Bottle's secret?

He secretly activated the Evergreen Technique. Spiritual power began circulating quietly within his dantian as he prepared to flee at any moment.

Jing Wen slowly stood and paced around Han Li, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's. "Now I can finally be certain-

"You possess the legendary 'plant-and-wood sacred body.'"

"The plant... plant-and-wood sacred body?" Han Li's pupils contracted slightly. The unfamiliar term blanked his mind, leaving him unable to react for a moment.

"An innate spirit body recorded in ancient texts." A rare trace of excitement entered Jing Wen's voice, and even his speech quickened.

"Those with this constitution can sense the spiritual energy of plants far more keenly than ordinary people. They can easily locate rare spirit medicine, and even achieve twice the results with half the effort when refining pills."

Han Li instantly breathed easier inside-Thank goodness, it isn't about the Little Green Bottle!

He lowered his eyes, concealing his relief. When he looked up again, his face was filled with bewilderment, and his voice carried uncertainty. "Senior, you mean... I can find these medicinal herbs because of my special constitution?"

Jing Wen nodded slowly, gently rubbing the edge of the wooden box with his fingertips. "Exactly. Without such a constitution, how could you find two stalks of millennium spirit medicine in such a short time?

"Good fortune like this cannot possibly be explained by the word 'luck.'"

He looked up at Han Li, an inscrutable undertone entering his voice. "When I asked you to find spirit medicine before, I was actually testing you.

"I never imagined you really possessed the plant-and-wood sacred body."

Secretly rejoicing at this unexpected turn, Han Li hurried to follow his lead. "So that's how it is... I never gave it much thought before. I simply assumed I was a little luckier than others."

Jing Wen suddenly stepped forward and patted his shoulder. The warmth of his palm conveyed unmistakable friendliness. "Han Li, to tell you the truth, I have quite a few good things.

"Before, I didn't think you were qualified to trade with me.

"Besides, Mo Juren's stock of medicinal herbs was limited to begin with. I imagine you've nearly exhausted it by now."

Han Li immediately began calculating, but deliberately showed a little shame on his face. He started to speak, then hesitated. "You're right, Senior. I really have..."

"But things are different now." Jing Wen interrupted him outright, his eyes startlingly bright. "Now that I've confirmed you possess the plant-and-wood sacred body, you're qualified to engage in more substantial transactions with me."

Warm sunlight spread over the stone table in the courtyard and fell upon Han Li, but he had no attention to spare for its warmth. His mind was in turmoil.

His previous transaction with Jing Wen was still unfinished, and he still owed him many pills. Jing Wen always waits until one transaction is complete before proposing another. Why is he in such a hurry this time? he wondered, then relaxed again. Still, this saves me quite a bit of trouble. It's exactly what I wanted.

Han Li had now reached the qi refining sixth layer, but obtaining the subsequent portions of the Evergreen Technique had become a problem.

Suddenly, Jing Wen's sleeve stirred. With a flick of his wrist, a streak of azure light flared, darted out like lightning, and hovered steadily in the air between them.

It was a small azure sword, three inches long. Its blade was lustrous as white jade, its surface glowing faintly as though ripples of water flowed across it. A cold aura spread from the blade, seemingly cooling even the surrounding air.

"Watch closely." Jing Wen's voice carried a measure of authority. He formed a sword seal with his fingers, and the flying sword immediately hummed, rapidly expanding in the wind. In the blink of an eye, it became a three-foot azure blade, its sharpness fully revealed.

His fingertips moved slightly, and the azure blade shot out like an azure dragon, weaving nimbly through the courtyard and tracing brilliant paths. Wherever its edge passed, it sliced the air with a piercing hiss. Before its movement could even be seen clearly, a block of granite thirty feet away split with a crack, its cut surfaces smooth as mirrors.

Without losing momentum, the flying sword abruptly changed direction and severed a nearby pine as thick as the mouth of a bowl with a swish. Its crown crashed to the ground with a boom, sending dust flying and shaking the earth.

Watching this, Han Li's pupils abruptly contracted, and his breathing quickened. Such power... surpassed his very understanding of "strength"! The divine weapons martial artists risked their lives to seize were nothing but children's toys before this flying sword, unable to withstand a single blow.

"Want to try?" Jing Wen offered the flying sword to Han Li.

Han Li hurriedly accepted it with both hands. The moment he touched the blade, a chill spread through his fingertips. More wondrous still, the sword trembled slightly, as though responding to his touch, making his heart skip.

He silently recited the simple incantation Jing Wen had taught him and slowly infused a thread of spiritual power into it. The next instant, the flying sword blazed with dazzling azure light and let out a clear, ringing hum that lifted the spirit.

"Go!" Imitating Jing Wen, Han Li pointed with his sword fingers. The flying sword shot away with a whistle. Although his control was unpracticed and its course somewhat crooked, it still struck a nearby boulder accurately-a stone the size of a millstone instantly split in two, its cut clean and level.

The recoil numbed his arm, but he paid it no attention. His mind was filled with shock: This is the true power of a magical artifact! It's stronger than any weapon I've ever seen!

He tried directing it with a thought, and the flying sword immediately wobbled back into his hand. Holding it again, he felt an inexplicable new connection with the blade. As spiritual light flowed across it, it seemed to have become part of his body.

"Well? Are you satisfied?" Jing Wen stood with his hands behind his back, the smile in his eyes deepening as he watched Han Li's reaction.

Han Li drew a deep breath and forcibly restrained his excitement. His tone was solemn. "This sword... is truly a divine treasure."

Running his fingertips over the blade and sensing the spiritual power within it, he looked up and asked, "How much are you asking for it, Senior?"

Jing Wen's eyes were fathomless. Rather than answer directly, he asked, "How much do you think it's worth?"

After a brief pause, he added, "But understand this: the value of this flying sword is far beyond that of the Basic Spells from last time."

Han Li's heart tightened, and his fingertips instinctively gripped the hem of his robe.

The previous transaction for the Basic Spells had cost him 100 bottles of pills.

This flying sword was clearly more precious.

After a moment of silence, he ventured, "Senior, I'm willing to offer one hundred and twenty bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills. Would that price..."

Jing Wen slowly shook his head, sweeping his gaze over him. His tone was calm but decisive. "You possess the plant-and-wood sacred body. From now on, we'll change how we trade-no pills, only millennium spirit medicine."

He calculated privately: The pills I have now are enough to support my breakthrough to the qi refining thirteenth layer.

Millennium spirit medicine was different, however. Its value was far beyond that of pills; even golden core cultivators had to treat it seriously.

As for Yellow Dragon Pills and Golden Marrow Pills, which were meant for qi refining stage cultivators, they were no longer of much use to him.

Seeing Jing Wen shake his head, Han Li immediately assumed his offer was too low and began to panic.

He quickly calculated: At the usual exchange rate, 120 bottles of Yellow Dragon Pills would equal about six stalks of millennium spirit medicine. Perhaps adding another would satisfy Jing Wen.

Steadying himself, he spoke again with earnestness in his voice. "One hundred and twenty bottles of pills would convert to roughly six stalks of millennium spirit medicine.

"I'm willing to add another and exchange seven stalks of millennium spirit medicine for this flying sword. Would that be acceptable, Senior?"

Watching his cautious expression, Jing Wen's lips curved into a faint smile. "Well, since you've offered... seven it is."

With a light sweep of his sleeve, the flying sword settled steadily back into Han Li's palm. "Consider it the beginning of a good connection."

Han Li brushed his fingertips along the Azure Leaf Sword's blade. Its cool touch filled his heart with delight, but the thought of his Evergreen Technique being stuck at the qi refining sixth layer brought a fresh measure of anxiety.

Although a debt of seven stalks of millennium spirit medicine was heavy, he had long since reached the point where one more debt could not weigh him down. His most pressing need was to fill the gap in his cultivation technique.

"Senior," Han Li said after several seconds of silence, finally resolving to speak. His voice was cautious. "Might you have... a cultivation technique suitable for me?"

Jing Wen raised an eyebrow slightly. Having reached the qi refining tenth layer, he was more than capable of dealing with Han Li. With his ample stock of pills as well, there was no need to deliberately suppress Han Li's cultivation progress any longer.

His gaze settled on Han Li's face, his expression hovering between a smile and no smile. He said slowly, "You practice the Evergreen Technique, don't you? It doesn't have only six layers. The complete technique has a full thirteen."

He paused, a probing look entering his eyes, and asked directly, "How do you intend to trade with me for the subsequent portions?"

Han Li's heart sank, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. Jing Wen actually knew not only the name of the technique he practiced, but even its total number of layers!

He drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his shock. He feigned calm, but his voice still trembled slightly. "I've... never traded for a cultivation technique before. I don't know the going prices."

Jing Wen chuckled softly, his black robe stirring in the mountain breeze.

"The first three layers of the Evergreen Technique merely draw spiritual energy into the body. Only at layers four through six do you truly cross the threshold." He turned and gazed at Han Li.

"Since you've broken through to the fourth layer, you should know that the middle and early stages are as different as clouds and mud."

Han Li nodded emphatically. He still vividly remembered the qualitative transformation of his spiritual power when he broke through to the fourth layer-it had changed from a trickling stream into a surging river. Whether in casting speed or spell power, he was entirely different from his early-stage self.

"The seventh layer marks late qi refining." Jing Wen's voice abruptly deepened. "The gap between the late and middle stages is even greater than before.

"And perfecting all thirteen layers of the Evergreen Technique leads directly to the threshold of the Great Dao."

He looked at Han Li, his eyes full of meaning. "Now do you understand the value of the subsequent portions?"

A fine sweat instantly broke out on Han Li's palms.

According to Jing Wen, every layer beyond the seventh represented an even greater leap.

He hesitated, then tentatively held up five fingers. "Would five... five stalks of millennium spirit medicine be enough?"

Jing Wen did not answer directly. Instead, he abruptly changed tack and asked, "Suppose a cultivator at the qi refining seventh layer has no magical artifact and uses only Basic Spells;

"While another cultivator at the qi refining sixth layer holds the Azure Leaf Sword you just received.

"If those two fought, what do you think their chances would be?"

Han Li froze briefly. After carefully considering the flying sword's power, he answered uncertainly, "Perhaps... fifty-fifty?"

"Correct." Jing Wen nodded slowly, a trace of approval entering his eyes.

"Then what if a cultivator at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining fought a Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator holding the flying sword?" "What about a qi refining ninth-layer cultivator against that Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator with the sword?" "And further still, what would happen if a Qi Refining Thirteenth Layer cultivator faced that Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator with the sword?"

Jing Wen posed three questions in succession, his tone mild but his logic indisputable. "Naturally, the one with higher cultivation would have a better chance of winning," Han Li answered almost without thinking.

A meaningful smile curved Jing Wen's lips. "So you see, cultivation is the foundation.

"No matter how sharp a magical artifact is, it remains an external possession. Without cultivation to support it, even the strongest magical artifact cannot unleash its full power."

As though struck by lightning, Han Li instantly understood-Jing Wen was openly reminding him that the cultivation technique was worth far more than the flying sword. He needed to increase his offer.

He stole a glance at Jing Wen's expression and calculated rapidly: The flying sword cost seven stalks. The technique can only be more expensive. Gritting his teeth, he declared fiercely, "Eight stalks of millennium spirit medicine!"

The words startled even him as soon as they left his mouth. Combined with the seven stalks for the flying sword, that made fifteen stalks of millennium spirit medicine!

At the Little Green Bottle's maturation rate, that meant committing nearly two years of future production.

If he included the pills he still owed, it would take two and a half years to repay everything, even if he stopped cultivating and devoted all his efforts to growing the herbs.

Jing Wen fell silent for a moment, as though weighing the offer, then suddenly broke into a smile. His tone was light. "Since you've volunteered that price, it's settled."

Hearing Jing Wen agree, Han Li's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. But when he thought again of the weight of fifteen stalks of millennium spirit medicine, his face fell, and he spoke earnestly. "It's just... with so much millennium spirit medicine, I truly don't know when I'll be able to gather it all..."

Their surroundings instantly fell silent. Only the mountain wind rustling through the leaves remained, making the atmosphere even heavier.

Jing Wen simply watched him in silence, his gaze like a searchlight that seemed intent on penetrating his disguise.

Cold sweat slid down Han Li's back beneath his robes. He hurriedly added, "Rest assured, Senior! Even if I must exhaust every ounce of strength, I'll find a way to obtain them. I would never dare deceive you!"

"That resolve is enough." Jing Wen spoke unhurriedly, his tone softening. "You can repay the spirit medicine gradually. I won't rush you."

No sooner had he finished than a calculating gleam flashed in his eyes. "However, you'll have to swear a heart-demon oath."

Han Li's heart tightened, but he also secretly relaxed-as long as there was no deadline pressing him, the Little Green Bottle's abilities would always leave him room to maneuver. He immediately straightened and declared solemnly, "I, Han Li, swear upon my heart demon that I will do everything in my power to repay Senior Jing Wen fifteen stalks of millennium spirit medicine as quickly as possible. If I violate this oath, may my cultivation never advance another inch!"

The instant the oath was spoken, he clearly felt an invisible restraint wind around his mind-this was the power of a heart-demon oath. Once violated, it would breed a heart demon within his Dao heart. At best, his cultivation would stagnate; at worst, an Extraterrestrial Demon would invade him, reducing him to a Demon Creature.

But he had his own calculations: "As quickly as possible," not "within a set deadline." That will reassure Jing Wen while leaving me room to cultivate. It's no loss.

Jing Wen caught the subtle shifts in his eyes but deliberately left the slight leeway in his wording unexposed. He merely nodded in satisfaction. "Good."

With a beckoning gesture, Jing Wen took half of a yellowed, thread-bound ancient book from his Storage Bag. Its page edges bore worn marks of age-it was precisely the Evergreen Technique manual Mo Juren had left behind.

"This contains the seventh and eighth layers of the Evergreen Technique. Take it and cultivate for now. After some time, I'll give you the portions beyond the eighth layer."

Jing Wen's expression remained composed as he spoke and handed the technique to Han Li.

In truth, although Jing Wen possessed several complete qi refining stage cultivation techniques, he did not have the complete Evergreen Technique.

He planned to hunt down a copy during his visit to the Market.

As Han Li accepted it with both hands, his fingertips trembled slightly with excitement.

"Thank you for imparting the Dao, Senior!" He bowed deeply, then carefully tucked the manual close to his body, treating it as reverently as a peerless treasure.

Obtaining these subsequent portions was like finding a direction forward in the darkness. His path of cultivation finally had a clear guide.

Although burdened with an enormous debt of fifteen stalks of millennium spirit medicine, Han Li's mind was clearer than ever-this transaction was more than worth it.

Jing Wen waved a hand, his tone as bland as though discussing the weather. "It's merely a fair exchange. Each of us gets what he needs. There's no need for thanks."

He paused slightly, his gaze still as placid as an ancient well, but his tone subtly grew heavier when he reached the crucial point. "You need only remember the 'heart-demon oath' you swore that day. That will be enough."

Han Li nodded firmly, then turned toward the mountain path.

He deliberately slowed his steps so that his departing figure would look as composed as ever. Yet his hands hidden in his sleeves could not help curling into fists, and a barely concealed lightness lingered in his stride-

With the subsequent portions of the technique, he would finally no longer be stuck marking time at the qi refining sixth layer.

Only after that azure-clad figure had vanished completely at the end of the mountain path, with not even a corner of his robe visible, did the composure on Jing Wen's face slowly fade.

An icy curve formed at the corner of his mouth. His voice was as soft as the passing mountain wind, yet carried undisguised calculation. "Plant-and-wood sacred body?

"Heh heh!

"Han Li, do you know it has another, more fitting name-"

He paused, amusement flashing in his eyes, and uttered four words: "Beast-of-burden sacred body."