From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 289 The Family Treasure Tree is also a Spiritual Plant!

“Ancestor, it’s not difficult to set up a regular second-order spirit gathering array for Ru’an Mountain. I’m researching how to gather a third-order spirit land area within a second-order spirit gathering array.”

Xu Renkai's tone was slightly arrogant.

This is the way of formations. Don't underestimate him just because he's only at the fifth level of Qi Refining; he can still set up a second-tier Spirit Gathering Formation.

"To gather a third-tier spiritual land within a second-tier spirit-gathering array? You can do that?"

Xu Fugui's expression was a mixture of surprise and delight.

The third-tier spiritual land is of great help to the Xu family, because the Xu family now has Xu Zhongxu, who is at the Golden Core Realm!
For the Qi Refining clansmen of the Xu family with five pseudo-spiritual roots, there is actually no difference between second-tier and third-tier spiritual lands, because what limits them is their spiritual root and cultivation level, not the concentration of spiritual energy.

However, for cultivation geniuses like Xu Zhongxu, who is at the Golden Core stage, and Xu Yiqing, who has a true spiritual root, the increased concentration of spiritual energy is of great benefit.

Xu Renkai nodded and explained the principle behind it: "The spiritual energy generated by the spiritual vein is constant. By gathering spiritual energy from a large area into a small area, the effect of a third-tier spiritual land can be created within a second-tier spiritual land."

Conversely, the concentration of spiritual energy in other areas will decrease.

It's not difficult to make a spirit-gathering array achieve this effect. According to "Fundamentals of Array Formations," a true second-tier spirit-gathering array should have this function.

I can't deduce a spirit-gathering array of this level yet, but I estimate it will take another three to five years.

He has already grasped half of the "Basic Formation Techniques" in the library.

Once he fully comprehends the "Basic Formation Techniques," setting up a second-tier Spirit Gathering Formation will be a piece of cake.

Xu Zhongxu suddenly appeared while the two were talking.

"Ren Kai, you say you can create a third-tier spiritual land in Ru'an Mountain?"

He came looking for Xu Fugui and had arrived a moment earlier. Seeing Xu Fugui and Xu Renkai talking, he did not show himself to disturb them.

With his Golden Core Realm perception, he heard Xu Renkai's words clearly.

"Um...yes, Master Xu, but we'll have to wait another three to five years. My skills are still lacking."

"No rush, three to five years is just a blink of an eye. If Ru'an Mountain has a third-tier spiritual land, I will be able to cultivate third-tier spiritual plants."

Xu Zhongxu can cultivate third-tier spiritual plants using the "Shennong Creation Technique".

However, the prerequisite for planting third-tier spiritual plants is a "third-tier spiritual land".

With a third-tier spiritual land, he can not only cultivate third-tier spiritual plants, but also cultivate immortal spiritual plants when his cultivation level is higher!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Tier 3 spiritual plant?

Upon hearing Xu Zhongxu's words, Xu Fugui realized another important role of the third-tier spiritual land.

"Ren Kai, go find Zhong Huai and get three Soul Qi Pills. Studying formations is important, but you can't neglect your cultivation. Oh, and here, take this; it contains a drop of Spirit Branch Dew."

He flipped his hand, revealing a delicate little jade bottle. Inside was a drop of spiritual nectar.

Previously, he had supplied all the spiritual dew to Xu Zhongxu. Now that Xu Zhongxu had reached the Golden Core stage, the spiritual dew was no longer sufficient for him. Therefore, Xu Fugui had kept all the spiritual dew condensed by the family's treasure tree for the past three years.

Xu Fugui learned from Xu Renkai that deduce formations is extremely mentally taxing, so if one's spiritual power is not strong enough, one cannot deduce complex formations.

Therefore, the cultivation level of a formation master is also very important.

Xu Renkai is currently at the fifth level of Qi Refining, but his cultivation level limits his ability to study formations.

"Thank you, ancestor."

Xu Renkai accepted the spiritual dew with both hands.

A single drop of the Spirit Branch Dew contains the equivalent of thousands of spirit stones. This is little for Xu Zhongxu, but for Xu Renkai, who is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, the spiritual power it contains is too vast for him to absorb.

"This Spirit Branch Dew contains a vast amount of spiritual power. You should wait until the late stage of Qi Refining before using it."

Xu Fugui was eager to help Xu Renkai improve his cultivation, but he almost overlooked the fact that Xu Renkai's cultivation level of only the fifth level of Qi Refining was not suitable for using the Spirit Branch Dew.

"I got it."

Xu Renkai nodded, then took his leave. His next focus in cultivation was to improve his cultivation level and use the "Meditation Soul Refining Technique" to enhance his spiritual power.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Grandpa, I have something important to discuss with you."

Xu Zhongxu's purpose in coming here was to discuss the matter of "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi".

"What's the important matter?"

"I used a secret technique to break the seal on that jade slip containing the cultivation method that was sealed by soul magic."

As Xu Zhongxu spoke, he took out a jade slip containing the cultivation technique.

"Oh? What technique?"

Xu Fugui took the jade slip containing the cultivation method and scanned it with his divine sense. The words "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi" (元神御植) clearly appeared on the jade slip.

“Grandpa, you can find out about this secret technique by using your divine sense to explore it.”

Xu Fugui probed the cultivation technique jade slip with his divine sense.

The contents of the "Primordial Spirit Planting" technique appeared word by word in his sea of ​​consciousness.

This feeling was similar to when he consumed the Enlightenment Fruit, but neither was as powerful.

After consuming the empowerment fruit, the cultivation technique was automatically infused into the sea of ​​consciousness, as if it were engraved in the mind and could never be forgotten.

Using one's divine sense to examine the cultivation technique jade slip is like "reading a book," requiring one to read it word by word with one's divine sense.

After a while, Xu Fugui glanced through it and said, "What a miraculous secret technique! With this technique, our Xu family has gained another great asset."

He couldn't help but get excited; the Xu family lacked such a secret method.

Despite the fact that the Xu family can now be considered a Golden Core family, their family foundation is still very weak.

The Xu family has only been around for a little over a hundred years, and has occupied Ru'an Mountain for less than a century. Most of the spiritual plants there haven't even reached maturity yet. Apart from Xu Zhongche's alchemy skills, the family has no other source of income.

Most of the pills refined by Xu Zhongche were for the Xu family's own use.

The Xu family members all rely on Mount Ru'an, a second-tier spiritual land, to improve their cultivation.

Without sufficient spirit stone income, there are no spirit stones to purchase magic weapons or spiritual artifacts. The vast majority of Xu family members, even those at the Foundation Establishment stage, do not possess any valuable treasures to protect themselves.

"Yuan Shen Yu Zhi" allows one to use their natal spiritual plant instead of a spiritual weapon, which is even more powerful than an ordinary spiritual weapon.

“Grandpa, there’s a big problem… This Primordial Spirit Controlling Plants technique is a secret family art of the Xiang family.”

Seeing Xu Fugui's agitated expression, Xu Zhongxu quickly interrupted him.

"The Xiang family's secret martial arts?"

"Yes, the Xiang family is famous for the fact that every member of the Xiang family has a natal spiritual plant."

The Golden Core cultivator I met, Xiang Zhiye, was known in the outside world as Peach Blossom Cultivator. I witnessed him and another member of the Xiang family fight, and their actions were almost identical to those described by Yuan Shen Yuzhi.

Therefore, this secret method of controlling plants with one's primordial spirit can be definitively traced back to the Xiang family.

"This……"

Xu Fugui was stunned, never expecting that such a powerful secret technique would have such an origin.

He knew what kind of power the Xiang family wielded.

The Xu family previously knew very little about outside forces, still due to a lack of resources and foundation. So in recent years, they have deliberately sought out all sorts of information from the outside world, whether it be family power or strange tales, all of which fall within their scope of inquiry.

In the world of cultivation, if you want to do well and avoid offending other forces, it is essential to understand these forces.

The Xu family not only inquired about these matters, but they also had books in their library that recorded these miscellaneous items.

Xu Fugui knew about the five major families, and he knew about the Prince of Xiaoyao and the Prince of Zhennan.

As one of the five major families, the Xiang family is definitely not one that the Xu family can afford to offend.

However, the effects of the "Primordial Spirit Plant Control" technique were too powerful, and he was unwilling to waste it. "Zhongxu, have you seen the Xiang family members make a move? Are the characteristics of this secret technique obvious?"

"Grandpa, the natal spirit plant is very different from ordinary wood-type magic; its combat power is too strong. The characteristics are very obvious; anyone who knows the Xiang family can tell at a glance."

Unless... unless one refines their natal spiritual plant but doesn't reveal it, and still uses ordinary spells.

As long as one doesn't outwardly display their natal spiritual plant, it's impossible to tell they've practiced the Primordial Spirit Plant Control Technique.

Xu Zhongxu understood Xu Fugui's meaning; he had also thought of this.

"So, as long as I keep a low profile and don't reveal my natal spiritual plant, I won't be discovered?"

"That's it."

Xu Zhongxu nodded.

"..."

Xu Fugui fell into deep thought.

While it's possible to hide one's natal spiritual plant from being discovered, there are always risks involved.

The natal spiritual plant has powerful effects, and it will definitely be used in case of danger; otherwise, there would be no point in practicing this secret technique. However, this is a family secret technique of the Xiang family, and it is the kind that is easily recognized.

Xu Fugui felt that the Xiang family was definitely not so generous as to allow others to practice their family's secret techniques.

Their Xu family's "Thousand Methods of Soul Path" is also an extremely precious Golden Core cultivation technique. The difference is that the source of the "Thousand Methods of Soul Path" is the family's treasure tree, which is unknown to the outside world. Moreover, no one in their Xu family can master all of the "Thousand Methods of Soul Path".

"Yes, we have to use it!"

After pondering for a long time, Xu Fugui nodded.

The Yuan Shen Yu Zi Secret Technique is extremely important to the Xu family, as it can solve many of their problems.

"But there must be limits, and we must be careful. If the Xiang family finds out, the consequences will be severe."

This was his "compromise" idea.

This secret technique was used within a small circle of the Xu family, and not widely practiced by members of the clan.

“Grandpa, that’s what I think too. This Primordial Spirit Plant Control Technique is a perfect match for our Shennong Creation Technique, we can’t give it up. The higher the grade of the natal spiritual plant, the stronger the effect of the Primordial Spirit Plant Control Technique.”

Ideally, one should refine third-tier spiritual plants or immortal spiritual plants into one's natal spiritual plant.

Our family doesn't even have any Tier 3 spiritual plants right now. Tier 2 spiritual plants do have some effect, but they don't help much.

To maintain secrecy, our family will not refine second-tier spiritual plants.

Once Ren Kai creates a Tier 3 spiritual land, I will cultivate Tier 3 spiritual plants, and then impart the skill of controlling plants to specific members of the clan through primordial spirit cultivation. As long as everyone doesn't manifest their natal spiritual plants in the outside world, they won't be exposed.

All of this combined should be enough to maintain secrecy.

This was Xu Zhongxu's suggestion.

Xu Fugui nodded and said, "That's right. As long as we can get through this period of development, and as our Xu family becomes stronger and stronger, even if we are accidentally exposed in the future, the Xiang family won't have to fight us."

"At worst, we can pay a price to return this secret technique to them."

Different levels of ability will lead to different results when faced with the same problem.

The Xu family is now secretly practicing the Xiang family's secret techniques. If discovered by the Xiang family, they will likely suffer heavy casualties, and there is even a possibility of their clan being wiped out. The Xiang family will likely slaughter all the Xu family cultivators, leaving only children and ordinary people without cultivation, to ensure that their secret techniques will not be passed down again.

However, if it were the Xu family several hundred years from now, with more than a dozen Golden Core cultivators and late-stage Golden Core experts, the Xiang family would only negotiate with the Xu family to have them destroy the secret technique and stop cultivating and spreading it.

If the Xu family grows stronger than the Xiang family, then the Xiang family will have no choice but to swallow their pride and endure it. By then, the Xu family might no longer care about the "Primordial Spirit Planting" secret technique, and they will certainly have more powerful cultivation methods.

In short, what the Xu family lacks most right now is time to develop.

Despite the lack of various resources, they will not give up on the "Primordial Spirit Plant Control" secret method.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Ru'an Mountain.

The seclusion room.

"Phoenix Feather Flower, appear!"

Xu Zhongxu stretched out his hand, and a magnificent flower, resembling phoenix feathers, emerged from his palm.

He spent two months refining the Phoenix Feather Flower into his natal spiritual plant.

When he broke through to the Golden Core Realm, he refined it as a golden core opportunity.

Although it is also "refining", this kind of refining is different from the refining of natal spiritual plants.

Xu Zhongxu now feels as if the immortal spiritual plant, the Phoenix Feather Flower, is growing inside his body; his body and his golden core are the soil and nutrients for the Phoenix Feather Flower.

"The characteristic I gained from the Phoenix Feather Flower is wind control!"

Xu Zhongxu refined the Phoenix Feather Flower, but he did not refine it in the direction of a magic weapon for combat.

The fact that "Primordial Spirit Plant Control" cannot be exposed means that he will not be able to reveal his natal spiritual plant to the outside world in the future. Therefore, he tends to acquire some of the spiritual plant characteristics of the Phoenix Feather Flower.

The natal spiritual plant has many uses. In addition to being a magical artifact or treasure for combat, it also has various effects that assist in cultivation. Depending on one's choices, there can be different "emphases".

Xu Zhongxu's acquired trait is "Wind Control," which can enhance his flight speed.

He couldn't wait to try it out in the outside world, so he flew out of his secluded room and took to the air.

"Hey~~"

It transformed into a blur, leaving a straight "line" in the air.

"Wow, what a powerful boost."

The surrounding air seemed to offer him no resistance, and he moved with incredible speed, like a bird in the wind.

"It's 50% faster than before! And that's without manifesting my natal spirit plant."

Xu Zhongxu thought to himself.

He can manifest a phoenix feather flower, which condenses into a pair of phoenix wings behind him, resembling a magical artifact, greatly increasing his speed once again. If he manifests his natal spiritual plant, his speed can be more than twice as fast as before.

"Let's go to Baihe Mountain."

He couldn't wait to go to Baihe Mountain to share the news with Xu Fugui.

The secret of "Yuan Shen Yu Zhi" is currently known only to the two of them.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Baihe Mountain.

Upon learning of the enhancement that the natal spiritual plant brought to Xu Zhongxu, Xu Fugui was filled with envy: "As expected of the Xiang family's secret technique, it's amazing. The effects of the natal spiritual plant are diverse, and even if it's not refined into a magic weapon for combat, it still provides such great benefits."

"Yes, with this speed, even if I encounter someone I can't defeat in the future, I can escape."

Xu Zhongxu smiled, then seemed to remember something: "Grandpa, what kind of third-tier spiritual plant do you want to refine? We can cultivate it once we have a third-tier spiritual land. Or, we can buy a third-tier spiritual plant from somewhere else."

Ordinary third-tier spiritual plants, depending on their rarity and quality, are worth anywhere from one thousand to several thousand spirit stones.

"No rush, there's no need to buy me spirit plants."

Xu Fugui shook his head.

Over the years, he has been very frugal with resources in the Xu family. He has a long lifespan and is not good at fighting, so there is no need for him to improve his cultivation level so quickly.

Just then, Xu Fugui had a flash of inspiration and thought of something.

That was a secret that belonged only to him, and no one in the Xu family knew about it.

Within the body's inner space lies the family's treasure tree!
If the family's treasure tree is also considered a spiritual plant, can it be refined into a natal spiritual plant?

(End of this chapter)