https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-152-Red-Flame-Copper-Consummate-Qi-Refinement/12543988/
Chapter 151: The Mystical Insect Vine
Chapter 151: The Mystical Insect Vine
There weren't many spiritual herb varieties listed in the jade catalog. There were around fifty types of third-grade herbs and only about twenty types of fourth-grade herbs, which was less than half the number of third-grade herbs.
However, these were all rare and exotic species in the cultivation world, and as such, they could only be exchanged for with sword seals.
Lu Chen quickly scanned through the catalog and noticed that the cultivation difficulty of the third and fourth-grade spiritual herbs was significantly higher than that of the first and second-grade ones.
They required all sorts of conditions to be met. In terms of spiritual energy alone, the requirements for concentration and purity were on a whole other level. In fact, quite a few spiritual herbs needed special spiritual environments.
Additionally, there were peculiar requirements regarding the spiritual soil, cultivation methods, and more.
"Brother Lu, do you plan to cultivate a fourth-grade spiritual herb?" The old farmer cultivator asked in disbelief as he noticed Lu Chen's gaze lingering on the section about fourth-grade spiritual herbs.
"Just looking," Lu Chen replied. "With my current level of expertise in herbology, I'm not yet capable of cultivating a fourth-grade spiritual herb."
"So, you're just making preparations and slowly accumulating the necessary conditions for cultivating a fourth-grade spiritual herb." The old farmer cultivator said.
Of the twenty or so types of fourth-grade spiritual herbs in the jade catalog, some of the illustrations were dim, indicating that while the Agricultural Temple could refine the corresponding spirit seeds, they needed time and couldn't immediately provide them.
"Fourth-grade: Earthfire Heart Lotus..."
In the jade catalog, a fiery red lotus slowly rotated. The lotus's root was a pale red, as if composed of countless irregular red crystals. Its leaves were a fiery red, with veins that seemed to flow with molten lava.
"This Earthfire Heart Lotus is extremely difficult to cultivate," the old farmer cultivator informed Lu Chen. "It's said that it needs to be planted in extremely hot lava, and there are other conditions as well. Even a Master like Uncle Zhuji might not be able to cultivate it successfully."
"Thank you for the reminder, Brother," Lu Chen said. After learning that it needed to be planted in hot lava, his interest waned considerably. With his current cave abode's conditions, he couldn't meet the lotus's growth requirements.
He continued browsing and his gaze landed on a spiritual herb with a peculiar appearance.
At first glance, the herb seemed to be pieced together from the bodies of many bizarre insects. It was odd yet harmonious, with a strange sense of beauty.
"This is the Mystical Insect Vine, a fourth-grade spiritual herb. It seems to have a great relationship with various exotic insects, but I'm not sure of the specifics," the old farmer cultivator explained.
Lu Chen nodded and browsed through the catalog from start to finish, gradually eliminating the options with illuminated illustrations.
"My cave abode's environment is still lacking," he thought to himself. "I can't meet the growth conditions for most fourth-grade spiritual herbs."
His gaze finally settled on the strangely shaped Mystical Insect Vine.
"Only the Mystical Insect Vine seems easier to cultivate. With the Insect Scripture in my possession, I have a deep understanding of demonic insects and can cultivate the corresponding insects according to the vine's needs."
While the Mystical Insect Vine had a somewhat bizarre form, it was nothing compared to the Thornbone and Hundred-Eyed Spectral Wood, which were underworld spiritual herbs found in Jianmen Town.
With that thought, he no longer hesitated and pointed at the illustration floating in the air. "Brother, how many sword seals are required for this Mystical Insect Vine?"
"Are you sure, Brother Lu? The conditions for cultivating this Mystical Insect Vine are extremely complex," the old farmer cultivator reminded him with a friendly tone.
"It's fine. I can slowly figure it out through experimentation. As for the exotic insects, I can collect them gradually," Lu Chen replied with a smile, his tone casual as if he didn't plan to plant the vine immediately.
"That's a bit pricey..." Lu Chen thought to himself, recalling that exchanging the third-grade Spirit Sword Gourd herb had cost him ninety sword seals. Now, this fourth-grade Mystical Insect Vine required over two hundred.
However, he was also aware that the spirit herbs offered by the sect were already at internal prices. Reluctantly, he took out the required number of sword seals and handed them over to the old farmer cultivator.
"I'll just have to wait for it to mature and hope for a good light sphere reward," he said to himself.
The rewards from the second-grade spirit herbs, such as the Dark Marrow and Clear Wondrous Spirit Tea, were already quite impressive, and Lu Chen was even more excited about the potential of the fourth-grade Mystical Insect Vine.
"Be careful, Brother Lu," the old farmer cultivator said as he saw Lu Chen's determination to exchange for the Mystical Insect Vine. Without further persuasion, he quickly retrieved a delicate wooden box from the inner hall.
Lu Chen opened the box and found a withered spirit herb the size of an egg.
The surface of the spirit herb was uneven, with different colors and shapes, as if it were composed of many mixed insect eggs. Within it, he could sense a rich vitality.
"Thank you, Brother," Lu Chen said, placing the Mystical Insect Vine spirit herb into his storage bag before bidding farewell to the old farmer cultivator.
Upon returning to his cave abode, the spiritual crane that had carried him before continued to refuse any payment for its services. Lu Chen couldn't persuade it otherwise, so he eventually gave up.
"Looks like those spiritual cranes have come to an agreement, and I can continue hitching free rides," he thought with a smile.
Lu Chen opened the array, and as the white mist dissipated, he pushed open the courtyard door.
The baby wind falcon and the cloud-walking lynx greeted him enthusiastically as always.
After playing with the two cubs for a while, Lu Chen made his way to the spirit herb field, eager to plant the new herb.
He found an empty spot and cast the Earth-Drawing Technique, causing the spirit soil to quietly transform. A round hole, slightly larger than an egg, appeared on the ground.
He took out the Mystical Insect Vine and placed it into the hole.
Then, he carefully controlled the spirit soil to bury the spirit herb just enough so that it was covered.
Lu Chen focused his mind on the Mystical Insect Vine spirit herb embedded in the soil.
In an instant, a thought flashed through his mind.
【Mystical Insect Vine, a fourth-grade spirit plant. Once mature, it can increase the probability of demonic insects advancing to the fifth-grade, and it can also be used to refine certain high-grade pills.】
【During cultivation, it exists in a symbiotic state with certain insects. The insects attach themselves to the Mystical Insect Vine, providing it with nutrients for growth, while the vine secretes a special spiritual substance that promotes the development of the demonic insects.】
【As the demonic insects mature and break free from the vine's body, their discarded shells remain, becoming a part of the spirit plant.】
【I, the Vine, adore little insects the most.】
"It looks like I need to find some insects that molt and place their eggs on the Mystical Insect Vine to hatch. That way, they can grow together," Lu Chen mused.
"There are quite a few insects like that, such as cicadas, mantises, and locusts," he continued, recalling the various related demonic insects mentioned in the Insect Scripture.
"If the demonic insects and the Mystical Insect Vine grow together, does that mean I won't have to spend much effort raising the insects? And once they mature, I can directly obtain light sphere rewards?" Lu Chen's eyes lit up as he realized the special benefit of choosing this particular spirit herb.
However, as he didn't have any corresponding insect eggs on hand, Lu Chen cast the Spirit Rain Technique to maintain the vitality of the Mystical Insect Vine spirit herb.
To promote its growth, he would need to find insect eggs that could parasitize the spirit herb, allowing them to develop together.
(End of Chapter)
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