Chapter 368: Arranging the Spirit Plant Pods

"Ancient Spiritual Plants," "Exquisite Blooms of the Immortal Garden," "Wondrous Tales of Spiritual Elixirs"...

Ning Zhuo carefully flipped through the books, a deep frown creasing his brow.

These weren't merely introductions to rare herbs; they were profoundly complex texts on cultivation, delving into the planting, pruning, nurturing, and seed production of countless spiritual plants.

Some rare herbs were so scarce that even the authors of these books lacked practical experience. Yet, through their solid theoretical understanding, they had conducted deep inferences.

This content was far too profound for Ning Zhuo. He would read a clear explanation in the book, yet when it came to practical application, after just a couple of steps of inference, he would find himself utterly lost.

Ning Zhuo understood the reason.

"The cultivation knowledge taught at the family academy is indeed foundational. But it's only the most basic of foundations."

"What I'm reading now is the advanced level. There's a crucial transition missing in between, making it difficult for me to grasp."

Fortunately, these secret texts contained cultivation plans for the Spirit Concealing Willow.

Only one of the books, though not specifically mentioning the Spirit Concealing Willow, contained similar spiritual flowers that offered enlightenment.

Ning Zhuo, of course, wouldn't blindly follow the texts.

The soil, water, and other materials still had to be procured from the Myriad Medicine Valley.

If someone with keen intent were to tally Ning Zhuo's purchases and present them to a Myriad Medicine Sect cultivator skilled in cultivation, it would be easy to guess that Ning Zhuo intended to cultivate the Spirit Concealing Willow.

Though Ning Zhuo couldn't comprehend the principles behind the plans, he could compare and combine the multiple cultivation methods presented in the books, and even make slight modifications.

He immediately immersed himself in the world of books, spending several hours before finalizing a plan.

He showed this plan to Sun Lingtong, who couldn't find any flaws. Sun Lingtong was also an outsider in this area.

"To be safe, I should still use the Spirit Concealing Willow to refine the final plan!"

Ning Zhuo was also worried about the possibility of a small error leading to a monumental mistake.

Ning Zhuo first prepared a jar of spiritual water and entered the storage cabin to retrieve the Spirit Concealing Willow.

He placed the Spirit Concealing Willow in a large jar, soaking its roots in the spiritual water rich in spiritual energy.

This was a method he had learned from the secret texts, useful for emergencies.

Ning Zhuo stood beneath the Spirit Concealing Willow, reaching out to pat its thick, sturdy trunk: "Spirit Concealing Willow, ah, Spirit Concealing Willow, I didn't want to use you. But these texts are truly difficult to understand. I'm afraid that the cultivation method I've refined will harm you."

"So, I must first borrow your power to help me review it."

"What I'm doing is also for your sake."

As Ning Zhuo sighed, the Spirit Concealing Willow swayed without wind, its branches gently brushing Ning Zhuo's face.

The white-clothed youth looked up at the tall willow tree, a relieved smile on his face: "I understand, you also desire a stable environment to survive in, don't you? Then let's begin."

With that, Ning Zhuo took out a meditation cushion and sat cross-legged beneath the tree.

He produced his refined plan, along with the numerous secret techniques and classics he had exchanged for, and began to comprehend.

Willow leaves detached from the branches, scattering around Ning Zhuo, the scattered points of jade light accentuating Ning Zhuo's otherworldly, immortal aura.

At the Foot of the Mountain, Training Ground.

Lin Shanshan moved like a graceful swallow, attacking Ning Zhuo.

Her palms danced, her palm wind light and unpredictable.

Ning Zhuo's gaze sharpened. He moved his feet, his body sliding like a swimming dragon, easily avoiding Lin Shanshan's palm wind. He reached Lin Shanshan's side, his fists shaking, generating whistling fist wind directly aimed at Lin Shanshan's waist and abdomen.

Seeing this, Lin Shanshan quickly turned her body, evading Ning Zhuo's attack. Then, both palms struck out together, and in an instant, palm shadows flew, surging towards Ning Zhuo like a tide.

Ning Zhuo remained calm and composed, his hands intertwined, using softness to counter hardness, defending with perfect stability.

Seeing Lin Shanshan slightly out of breath, Ning Zhuo seized the opportunity to step forward, curving his fist and thrusting hard, sending Lin Shanshan flying back.

Ning Zhuo showed no mercy, pressing forward with the momentum, a series of fierce attacks forcing Lin Shanshan to retreat repeatedly.

Ning Zhuo's breath was long and powerful, his physical strength abundant. He seized the opening that appeared in Lin Shanshan's defense during her blocking, and directly shoulder-charged.

Lin Shanshan's fists were already raised in front of her chest, but her defensive stance was still overwhelmed by a tremendous force, forcing her to retreat several large steps.

In a real confrontation, Ning Zhuo would have undoubtedly pursued the advantage in this situation, severely injuring his opponent. But this was a sparring match. Seeing Lin Shanshan's vulnerability was too great, Ning Zhuo immediately held back.

"Miss Lin, are you alright?"

Lin Shanshan's chest felt tight from the impact, and there was a fine sweat on her face, but her mood was excellent.

She looked at Ning Zhuo, her gaze burning: "Young Master Ning Zhuo, your progress is visible to the naked eye, truly remarkable. I still remember when we first sparred, you were completely on the defensive and couldn't even defend well, with constant openings."

"Now, you have shifted from defense to offense, your attacks are continuous, and even I find it difficult to cope."

Ning Zhuo smiled: "All of this is thanks to Miss Lin. Sparring with Miss Lin, I have had numerous insights into martial arts. After absorbing and learning, making adjustments, the improvement is truly instantaneous."

"However... I've recently had a feeling that my insights into martial arts have diminished significantly."

Lin Shanshan nodded and said: "This is normal."

"Firstly, the higher one cultivates martial arts, the more difficult it is to advance. You have already ascended to a certain height."

"Secondly, it's always been you and I sparring. My martial arts and fighting style are familiar to you. You are already adept at countering my moves. Therefore, to cultivate solid martial arts, after establishing a firm foundation, you must continuously challenge others."

Ning Zhuo showed a look of understanding.

"I see."

"Next, I should find other people to spar with. The insights from training will then return to how they were before."

"However, who should I choose?"

Ning Zhuo looked at Lin Shanshan: "Does Miss Lin have anyone you can recommend to me?"

"In the entire Myriad Medicine Sect, who is the strongest in close combat?"

Lin Shanshan answered without hesitation: "Of course, it's Senior Brother."

"His sword techniques are exceptionally outstanding. Young Master Ning Zhuo, with your current strength, you wouldn't last three rounds."

"But it's not convenient for Senior Brother to meet with you."

The two rested and chatted.

"By the way, have you made any progress with your cultivation matters?" Lin Shanshan proactively asked.

Ning Zhuo then said: "Speaking of that, it has to be you, Miss Lin. You have truly helped me a great deal this time."

"I have currently planned everything out and now require various materials."

Lin Shanshan's eyes lit up, and she proactively asked: "What do you need? Tell me, perhaps I can help you think of a way."

Ning Zhuo then said: "Regarding soil, I need Nine-Colored Divine Sand and Seven Treasures Spiritual Soil."

"Regarding water source, I need Starlight Spiritual Liquid."

"It would be even better if there were Ten Miles of Spring Breeze and Celestial Music."

Lin Shanshan had been listening with great interest just moments before, but with each material Ning Zhuo named, her face grew paler.

Hearing the later requests, she quickly reached out to stop Ning Zhuo from continuing: "Young Master Ning Zhuo seems to have misunderstood. These cultivation treasures are either priceless or extremely rare. Even in the core medicine fields at the bottom of our Myriad Medicine Sect valley, we only have a small amount of Five-Colored Divine Sand and Three Treasures Spiritual Soil."

"We do have some Starlight Spiritual Liquid, but the collected starlight is only from two or three stars. The truly high-grade kind requires at least thirty-six stars."

"As for Ten Miles of Spring Breeze and Celestial Music, they are simply unobtainable with money. Anyone who acquires them will treasure them. They are only brought out by high-level cultivators in some high-end auctions for bartering."

Lin Shanshan looked at Ning Zhuo, and sighed: "Young Master Ning Zhuo has just begun to learn the path of cultivation. The secret texts he has studied are of the highest caliber in our sect. It is understandable that such misunderstandings would occur."

Ning Zhuo actually knew the preciousness of these treasures; he had intentionally listed them to pave the way for his upcoming request.

He awkwardly rubbed his nose: "So that's how it is."

"In that case..." Ning Zhuo mused, "then I will proactively lower my requirements."

"Since your esteemed sect has Five-Colored Divine Sand and Three Treasures Spiritual Soil, may I ask if you could spare some for me?"

"Even if it's Starlight Spiritual Liquid that has absorbed the radiance of only two or three stars, I still need it."

"As for Ten Miles of Spring Breeze and Celestial Music, though unavailable, is it possible to have Two or Three Miles of Spring Breeze and pleasant, beautiful sounds?"

Lin Shanshan blinked: "There is indeed a possibility..."

Although these materials are still very difficult to acquire, compared to the previous requests, they suddenly seem less unacceptable.

Lin Shanshan still appeared troubled, her brow slightly furrowed.

She looked at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo gazed at her with clear eyes.

She averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact, and was about to explain the difficulties involved.

My Buddha's Heart Demon Seal!

Human Life Hanging Thread!

The next moment, Lin Shanshan said: "Ah, Young Master Ning Zhuo, I will try my best to get some for you."

"Miss Lin, to receive such assistance, I am deeply indebted." Ning Zhuo sighed, stood up, and bowed deeply.

Lin Shanshan gritted her teeth: "I can only say I'll do my best."

Ning Zhuo then said: "Miss Lin, this is my matter, yet you have always given your full support. I am willing to actively cooperate with you, and I will bear the costs as much as possible. It's not as if you're going to fund this for me, is it?"

"Alright, follow me." Lin Shanshan then led Ning Zhuo, leaving the training ground, and went around seeking out fellow disciples and sect elders to raise funds.

The specialty of the Myriad Medicine Sect was a variety of medicinal herbs. The disciples were generally skilled in cultivation.

With Lin Shanshan personally requesting and negotiating, the vast majority of the disciples, despite feeling quite troubled, ultimately lent out the precious materials, albeit reluctantly.

Ning Zhuo naturally also paid a huge amount of spirit stones and many other precious goods.

Lin Shanshan's role was absolutely crucial!

Even if Ning Zhuo had more resources, without this relationship, it would have been difficult to obtain the urgently needed items at this time. Even if he could, he would have been heavily exploited, paying a price far exceeding the normal rate.

After being alone, Ning Zhuo returned to his cave and entered the Thousand Mile Roaming Dragon.

In the spiritual plant cabin, Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and officially began construction.

(End of this chapter)

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