Chapter 102: Entry into the Longevity Art (A congratulatory gift for the Silver Alliance Leader! )
Chapter 102: Entry into the Longevity Art (A congratulatory gift for the Silver Alliance Leader! )
Winter passed, spring arrived, and all things sprouted!
Inside the underground cave.
One after another, luminous pearls provided bright sources of light.
On the flat ground at the center, Fang Xi's expression was solemn, as he took out the spirit seed that had undergone multiple purifications.
This spirit seed came from the Demonic Tree. After he had purified it multiple times using the methods of the 'Longevity Art', it was now almost one with him.
He could even faintly sense a certain joyful emotion from the seed, as if it was about to break its shell.
"So many preparations have been made. . ."
"After such a long wait. . ."
Fang Xi sighed with emotion, buried the seed underground, then formed hand seals with both hands, and his magic power poured forth: "By the command of Longevity, spirit plant sprout, quick! !"
Within the ground, that drab-looking seed suddenly behaved like a greedy demon, frantically devouring Fang Xi's magic power, causing a slight cold sweat to break out on his forehead.
Just as Fang Xi thought this spirit seed intended to drain his magic power dry, a sudden surge of contentment emanated from within the spirit seed.
Snap!
Its surface cracked open, a tender green sprout emerged, pushing aside the layer of earth, and transformed into a small sapling less than two inches tall!
Upon closer inspection, this sapling bore a striking resemblance to the Demonic Tree in Black Stone City, like a black banyan tree.
"My Life-Bound Spirit Plant. . . it's done!"
Fang Xi could feel that this spirit plant was completely one with him. As it grew, strands of vital essence from plants and trees were drawn from the earth, entering his body, thus forming a mystical connection!
This connection would gradually weaken as he moved further away from his Life-Bound Spirit Plant, eventually breaking entirely!
This was also why cultivators practicing the 'Longevity Art' could not stray too far from their Life-Bound Spirit Plant!
"This feeling. . . it's truly marvelous!"
At this moment, Fang Xi could feel as if he had transformed into a plant, and a flood of insights suddenly emerged in his mind.
Like an ancient tree, experiencing the changes of the four seasons, day after day, year after year. . .
"Quick!"
He followed a certain instinctual pull, forming hand seals and chanting a spell.
Thump!
On the ground not far away, several sharp wooden spikes suddenly shot out!
These wooden spikes gleamed like fine iron, and their edges even bore barbs, making their lethality terrifying.
This was the 'Earth Thorn Art'!
A spell Fang Xi had been researching since reaching the fifth level of Qi Refinement, which he now suddenly comprehended thoroughly.
Not only had he mastered it, but when he cast it, its power seemed to have increased!
"I even feel. . . I've gained many new insights into the Binding Art as well."
Fang Xi's eyes subtly brightened: "I never imagined the 'Longevity Art' would have such benefits? No. . . perhaps the key lies with this Demonic Tree!"
The demon from the Da Liang world, having come to the cultivation world, and now absorbing spiritual energy to grow.
Fang Xi himself had no idea what form this Demonic Tree would ultimately grow into.
"But looking at this growth rate. . . it shouldn't make me wait until I'm old and dead, right?"
He gently stroked the small sapling with his finger, his face filled with joy and contentment, and his presence gained an aloof yet thriving aura.
"What should I call you from now on? The Myriad Ages Evergreen Tree? The Longevity Tree?"
As Fang Xi pondered, his expression shifted!
Through the connection with his Life-Bound Spirit Plant, he could feel the spirit plant expressing a craving for something on his person!
No, not something on his person, but rather something inside his storage bag!
Fang Xi thought for a moment, and took out two drab-looking seeds from his storage bag.
Upon seeing the seeds, the Life-Bound Spirit Plant immediately became jubilant, exuding an extremely eager emotion.
"Either do nothing, or do it to the best of your ability."
Fang Xi murmured, and pushed the seeds towards the Demonic Tree.
The next moment.
Rustle! Rustle!
The ground near the small sapling cracked open, and root-like tendrils emerged, like tentacles, grasping the two seeds.
Then. . . they pierced into them, seemingly drawing nutrients from within the seeds!
Roots devouring roots!
Within the seeds of this Demonic Tree, there seemed to be an inherent cruel nature!
Spurred by this stimulation, the Life-Bound Spirit Plant's size began to grow rapidly.
Three inches, four inches, one foot. . .
In the blink of an eye, it had grown to over three feet tall, transforming into a lush, spiritual tree with black bark and abundant foliage!
Numerous aerial roots dangled from its green canopy, exploring and spreading outwards. . . revealing a craving for flesh and blood!
"Go back!"
Fang Xi's eyes suddenly turned cold, and he issued a command.
All the aerial roots and vines fully retracted, the Demonic Tree trembled, emitting a wronged emotion, as if crying out: "I'm hungry. . ."
"Devouring your brethren, turning them into nourishment. . . and this craving for flesh and blood!"
"You'll continue to be called the Demonic Tree then!"
"From now on, without my command, you are not allowed to attack other living creatures!"
Fang Xi issued the order.
With the 'Longevity Art' as the covenant, he and the Demonic Tree were now truly integrated, this spirit plant being an extension of himself.
Therefore, issuing commands and such was merely a matter of a single thought in his mind.
At the same time, he became even more certain of one thing.
The Demonic Tree's behavior was indeed more akin to an evil creature. . . It absolutely could not be discovered by others, otherwise, he might very well be branded a demonic cultivator!
"I hope you can be a bit more impressive, grow quickly, and at least let me achieve the Green Wood Spirit Body. . ."
"Come on, eat your meat!"
Fang Xi carried two large buckets of Taisui meat, and arrived beneath the Demonic Tree.
Swish! Swish!
One by one, aerial roots lowered themselves, piercing into the Taisui meat, seemingly sucking something dry.
A moment later, the chunks of Taisui meat dissolved into ashes and scattered. And the Demonic Tree. . . seemed to have grown a bit taller?
"Indeed. . . the growth rate of this Demonic Tree is truly astonishing!"
Fang Xi's eyes lit up.
His conjecture was correct!
Moreover, looking at the two seeds that had completely lost all their vitality, Fang Xi felt a pang of regret.
If this sapling could devour the main body of the Progenitor Demonic Tree in Black Stone City, to what extent would it instantly grow?
Perhaps his 'Wood Spirit Body' would be instantly achieved then, right?
However, with his current strength, to confront that Demonic Tree. . . it would be akin to actively delivering himself as a meal!
...
Several days later.
Inside the wine cellar.
Following the proportions in the 'Wine God's Compendium', Fang Xi buried jar after jar of spirit wine, primarily made from crimson blood spirit rice, into the cellar for sealing.
Among these, a few jars contained recipes he had personally experimented with and developed in the Green Bamboo Mountain market.
Although, from his current perspective, they were quite rudimentary, they could also be considered a form of remembrance.
After completing all this, Fang Xi went to feed the fish, then came to the spirit fields, and began sowing the seeds of crimson blood spirit rice.
When he had initially surveyed Emerald Cliff, he actually also had the intention of laying the groundwork for future spirit field cultivation.
By now, he had generally identified two suitable locations, and was preparing to open up a few more acres of spirit fields.
As Fang Xi moved, he could feel the connection with the Demonic Tree, as well as its roots continuously extending within the earth.
This tree was like another clone of his, and it was constantly absorbing the vital essence of the earth and plants, pouring it into his body, forming a kind of 'Heavenly Cycle' relationship between them.
Fang Xi walked out of the Small Cloud Rain Array, measuring the land with his steps.
Three li, four li. . .
After walking five or six li, this 'Heavenly Cycle' became faint and indistinct, making Fang Xi realize that if he walked any further, his 'Longevity Art' would inevitably fail!
"This is the greatest flaw of the Longevity Art: not being able to stray too far from one's Life-Bound Spirit Plant. . . I can't even travel between worlds?"
"However, I remember that the Progenitor Demonic Tree in Black Stone City should have the ability to move. . . It's just that it would be very troublesome."
"This is a good line of thought, at least I won't be trapped and die in one place."
Fang Xi turned and walked back, lost in thought.
"Fellow Daoist Fang!"
Just then, a figure approached, surprisingly it was the elegant Feng Man Lou!
"Fellow Daoist Feng!"
Fang Xi cupped his hands in greeting: "Is there something I can help you with?"
Feng Man Lou's face was etched with the marks of travel and hardship, and a hint of sorrow lingered on his features: "I just received news that the Mo family's Old Ancestor. . . has passed away!"
"What?"
Fang Xi outwardly showed surprise, but inwardly sighed with satisfaction, having outlived an enemy.
The Mo family's Old Ancestor originally had a few more years to live, but after being heavily injured by him, his vitality was greatly depleted, which naturally shortened his lifespan.
Although the limit of a Qi Refinement cultivator's lifespan is around two jiazi, or about one hundred and twenty years old, very, very few could actually live to that point, because cultivators constantly engage in combat and inevitably get injured, which greatly depletes their vitality and shortens their lifespan.
Only cultivators who practiced wood-attribute cultivation methods and were skilled in nurturing their health, could perhaps live a bit longer than other cultivators.
"I still need to attend the funeral. Fellow Daoist Fang?"
Fang Xi refused indifferently: "I am not familiar with the Mo family, so I shall respectfully decline. . ."
"Alas. . ."
Feng Man Lou did not insist, only sighed, and departed on his own.
He thought of Mo Qing Yu, that arrogant youth who, relying on his family background, had always been overbearing and domineering, making quite a few enemies.
Now that the Mo family's Old Ancestor had perished, it was likely their status would plummet.
At that time, who knew how many people would seize the opportunity to kick them while they were down!
...
Underground cave.
Fang Xi gazed at the roughly ten-foot-tall Demonic Tree, a hint of emotion in his voice: "In this world. . . is there truly no one who can achieve eternal life?"
Having outlived the Mo family's Old Ancestor today, and with the Feng family's Old Ancestor likely not far behind, it indeed filled Fang Xi with some emotion.
As usual, he cut off large chunks of Taisui meat, allowing the Demonic Tree to feast to its heart's content.
After feeding the sapling, Fang Xi sat cross-legged beneath the tree, circulating the 'Longevity Art', absorbing the vital essence of plants and trees, to temper his acquired spirit body.
This was a task requiring persistent effort, even the lowest-grade 'Green Wood Spirit Body', would take a century to achieve!
Furthermore, its requirements for spirit plants and spirit veins were quite high.
Only Fang Xi, by taking an unconventional path, found this peculiar spirit root, the Demonic Tree, which could be considered bypassing the normal hurdles.
At this moment, as he cultivated, from the Demonic Tree's canopy, an aerial root even lowered itself, piercing into Fang Xi's back.
"Hmm? This is. . ."
Fang Xi opened his eyes, seeing this scene, he almost thought he had transmigrated again, turning into some red-eyed, elderly patient known for a folding fan. . .
But the next moment, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of comfort.
Blood-qi!
A stream of exceedingly pure blood-qi, accompanied by the Demonic Tree's aerial root, poured into his body.
Fang Xi gazed at his hands, and suddenly felt his entire body overflowing with a certain vital life force, even seemingly returning to his peak physical condition of seventeen or eighteen years old!
"The Demonic Tree absorbs the essence of flesh and blood, then nourishes me in return?"
"There doesn't seem to be any mention of this in the 'Longevity Art'? So, is this a unique characteristic of the Demonic Tree itself?"
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