Chapter 37: He Zhiping’s "Conspiracy
Chapter 37: Chapter 37: He Zhiping’s "Conspiracy
Metal Spirit Root!
Tier One!
A Spirit Root, while not an absolute necessity for Cultivation, was a prerequisite for joining a Cultivation Immortal Clan, or even being accepted into an Immortal Sect. The very reason Chen Mo had failed to become a disciple of the Cyan Yang Sect back then was because he lacked a Spirit Root.
Without one, Cultivation became an agonizingly slow and grinding process. They might spend their entire lives stuck in the Qi Refining Realm; achieving Foundation Establishment would be harder than scaling the heavens!
To think it would actually happen!
A tiny Spirit Fruit had actually allowed him to awaken a Metal Spirit Root. Although it was only the lowest Low Tier at present, the fact that there was an experience bar next to his Spirit Root meant it could be upgraded just like his skills.
The awakening of his Spirit Root thrilled Chen Mo even more than his Geng Metal Finger reaching Great Success!
"What kind of seed is this exactly?"
Chen Mo looked at the small handful of Spirit Seeds beside him. Unlike the Spirit Yellow Rice Seeds which required Qi Crossing, the life force within these seeds was incredibly vibrant. As long as they were planted, they would likely bear red fruit again in less than a month.
For a moment, he found himself full of interest in the Loose Cultivator who had sold him the seeds. No! Rather, he was full of interest in the even more mysterious Tooth Cave. Chen Mo made up his mind. If he ever ran into that Loose Cultivator again, he had to find a way to coax some useful information out of him!
"Take him to the Fragrance Pavilion? That should be a good choice." Chen Mo nodded, in a great mood.
Taking advantage of the sky just beginning to pale with dawn, he began today’s Rainfall. The Spirit Yellow Rice in the Spirit Field had just sprouted, entering the phase where they needed to be watered once every two days. Later on, once summer arrived, he would have to cast the Rainfall Technique almost every single day!
Fifteen acres of Spirit Fields was no small burden for the current Chen Mo. It usually took him over an hour to cast the spell across the entire area, completely draining his body’s Spiritual Qi in the process.
Fortunately, he had kept enough Spirit Rice, and his Spiritual Sand was completely sufficient. Thus, for the sake of earning experience for his Rainfall Technique, he was willing to repeatedly overdraw his internal Spiritual Qi.
On the other side, Xiao Changhua meditated and cultivated painstakingly every day, coldly observing everything Chen Mo did. Unlike Wang Lixia, who was slightly moved by the effort, in Xiao Changhua’s eyes, the other party’s foolish behavior was exactly what ought to be done! If Chen Mo wanted to gain his protection, what did paying this little price matter?
Therefore, he would neither say thank you nor offer any form of compensation. As for whether this would delay Chen Mo’s Cultivation? That was even less of a concern for him. It was Chen Mo’s own stupidity; what did it have to do with him, Xiao Changhua?
Aside from Xiao Changhua to the south, there were three other closely neighboring Spirit Plant Cultivators around Chen Mo. One was He Zhiping to the west, the rumor-monger who had previously spread slanderous information. To the east was a middle-aged Spirit Plant Cultivator who usually only focused on tending to his own Spirit Fields. He rarely showed his face, let alone interacted with anyone.
In the more than two years since Chen Mo had arrived, he could count the number of times he had seen this eastern neighbor on one hand.
Also to the west was the only female Spirit Plant Cultivator in the vicinity, named Lan Ling. Unlike Wang Lixia, this Female Cultivator seemed to be only in her twenties or thirties. Although her Realm was only at the Qi Refining First Layer, it was said that quite a few Spirit Plant Cultivators wanted to engage in Dual Cultivation with her. Chen Mo had only exchanged passing glances with her and had never had any deep interactions.
After finishing the Rainfall, Chen Mo sat cross-legged in the center of the Spirit Field as usual, cultivating his Qi Cultivation Technique, slowly increasing its pitiful amount of experience bit by bit.
Suddenly, he sensed the sound of footsteps approaching from not far away. Startled, he quickly put away the Low Grade Spirit Stone in his palm and stood up.
The fact that he possessed a Low Grade Spirit Stone had to be kept strictly secret. Once other Spirit Plant Cultivators found out, it would likely invite covetousness and trigger unnecessary trouble! A Spirit Plant Cultivator possessing a Low Grade Spirit Stone? The matter itself was simply too shocking.
Chen Mo got a clear look at the newcomer. It was none other than He Zhiping, the man who had previously been taught a lesson by Wang Lixia. Over the past two years, the two were nothing more than nodding acquaintances and had never interacted. What could be the reason for his unprompted visit now?
"Fellow Daoist Chen, it’s been a while. Your complexion looks a bit rosier," He Zhiping greeted.
Following the previous incident, Chen Mo actually had a poor impression of him, which was why he had never taken the initiative to seek him out over the past two years. What was the point of associating with someone who loved to gossip behind people’s backs?
"Fellow Daoist He, what is the matter?"
"I’ve come to seek your wisdom." He Zhiping took a step forward, mysteriously raising his right fist and extending it, gesturing for Chen Mo to hold out his hand.
"Seek my wisdom?" Chen Mo remained unmoved, showing absolutely no intention of reaching out to receive anything.
"This bit of Spirit Rice is a small token of my regard. You can use it to make Spirit Porridge; it will quickly restore your depleted Spiritual Qi." He Zhiping stepped forward again, forcefully stuffing the handful of Spirit Rice he was holding into Chen Mo’s hand.
Seeing him accept it, He Zhiping raised an eyebrow, a smug expression appearing on his face. This was Spirit Rice! How many Spirit Plant Cultivators were willing to part with it to eat? Surely this handful of Spirit Rice was enough to buy him off!
As for Chen Mo, upon getting a clear look at the items in his hand, he couldn’t help but frown. This little? It wasn’t even enough for a single bowl of Spirit Porridge! What exactly was this guy scheming?
"Fellow Daoist He, please speak your mind."
"I would like to ask for your advice regarding helping others cast Rainfall..."
"Apologies, but my current workload is already my limit." Chen Mo cupped his hands. He absolutely wasn’t going to help this guy with Rainfall. If it were anyone else, it might be a different story, since he could gain experience either way. But there was no way he would help a person like this!
"No, no, no. I, He, only wish to ask how you broached the subject and persuaded them?"
Chen Mo frowned and asked in return, "Who do you want to cast Rainfall for?"
"Ahem, ahem." He Zhiping coughed twice and looked toward the west.
With just this single movement, Chen Mo instantly guessed what the man was thinking! This guy wanted to pursue the only Female Cultivator in the vicinity—Lan Ling.
"Just tell her directly. It will either work or it won’t."
"But I’ve heard that others have already tried, and it seems they were all rejected by Fellow Daoist Lan." He Zhiping’s expression looked troubled. The reason he had dragged this out and hadn’t approached her yet was out of fear of being rejected. Once he left a bad impression on her, any hopes of Dual Cultivation would likely fall through entirely.
"There’s no other way. Believe me or don’t, it’s up to you." After saying that, Chen Mo stuffed that small handful of Spirit Rice into his Dou and resumed his seated cultivation.
Beside him, He Zhiping took a deep breath, angrily clenched his fists, then stomped his foot and walked away.
He thought, "This brat really doesn’t know what’s good for him!"
He Zhiping rolled his eyes, a plan already forming in his mind. "I have to find an opportunity to teach this brat a lesson!" he resolved inwardly.
Chen Mo did not possess mind-reading abilities, but he could see that ugly expression clearly. He made sure to keep an extra eye out when it came to people who liked to gossip behind others’ backs.
As for the Female Cultivator the other party had mentioned? He had seen her too. In terms of looks, she was truly average; she couldn’t even compare to the Female Cultivators at the Fragrance Pavilion. However, female Spirit Plant Cultivators were simply far too rare! No matter how plain their appearance, there would be no shortage of neighboring Spirit Plant Cultivators fiercely competing to pursue them.
...
Spring passed and summer arrived.
The Spirit Fields at the foot of Purple Cloud Peak were a sea of green. On this day, He Zhiping finally found his opportunity!