Chapter 341: Spirit Pointing Technique, Enthusiasm, and Selecting Rice Seeds

Chapter 341: Spirit Pointing Technique, Enthusiasm, and Selecting Rice Seeds

September 14, 2024

"In that case, I'll start by planting the Spirit Valley."

Lu Qing immediately made his decision upon learning that the Spirit Valley could help Xiao Yan establish her foundation.

"However, Elder, how should I go about planting the Spirit Valley? I don't have any Spirit Valley seeds."

The Spirit Qi had only just begun to revive, and the world's spiritual treasures had yet to be conceived.

To cultivate the Spirit Valley, one needed seeds.

"If you don't have Spirit Valley seeds, you can cultivate them yourself; it's just a bit more troublesome.

During the Ancient Cultivation Era, there were numerous types of spirit materials, and not all of them were naturally born.

Many were also cultivated by cultivators themselves.

Does the Flamefire Sect's heritage you obtained include the Spirit Pointing Technique?"

Lu Qing searched his mind and nodded, "Yes."

Flame paused slightly, having asked casually, but he hadn't expected Lu Qing to truly know the Spirit Pointing Technique.

This made Flame even more curious about the Flamefire Sect's heritage Lu Qing had obtained. Who had left it behind, and why did it include such a technique?

However, Flame didn't inquire further but continued, "Since you know the Spirit Pointing Technique, everything will be much easier. This technique is a method to transform mortal objects into spiritual ones.

It's a process of condensing the Spirit Aura of heaven and earth and infusing it into mortal objects.

As long as the infusion is done properly, it can transform mortal objects into spiritual ones.

Go and find some high-quality rice seeds and see if you can use the Spirit Pointing Technique to transform them into Spirit Valley seeds.

According to rumors, cultivators with extremely high cultivation levels can even transform ordinary rocks into Stone Spirits.

However, even Primordial Spirit Powerhouses find it difficult to achieve such a miraculous ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

In the nearly ten thousand years of the Flamefire Sect's heritage, no such figure has appeared.

You only need to transform a small amount of Spirit Valley seeds, which shouldn't be too difficult."

As Flame explained, Lu Qing also pondered the Spirit Pointing Technique he had inherited.

The heritage he had obtained from the Flamefire Cauldron was quite extensive.

Therefore, he had only skimmed through most of it and hadn't cultivated it.

Now, after contemplating it, he realized that the Spirit Pointing Technique was indeed a method to transform mortal objects into spiritual ones, just as Flame had described.

Moreover, this technique was usually cultivated by cultivators who practiced the Wood Element Technique.

Wood represents life and vitality.

Cultivators who practiced the Wood Element Technique were much more adept at manipulating Vital Energy than others.

They were particularly skilled in cultivating Spirit Plants.

The Spirit Pointing Technique was a must-learn technique for them.

"You want high-quality rice seeds? That's simple."

Lu Qing immediately headed down the mountain, returning to the village and arriving at Zhang Grandpa's house.

As it happened, Zhang Grandpa was at home, and upon seeing Lu Qing, he was delighted.

"Lu Qing, what brings you here? Come in, come in!"

Ever since Lu Qing had returned, he had been busy with various tasks, spending most of his time at the Half-Mountain Cottage.

So, Zhang Grandpa hadn't had many opportunities to see him.

"Grandpa Zhang, I've come to ask for help from the villagers."

Lu Qing said politely after sitting down.

"What is it?"

Zhang Grandpa was taken aback, genuinely unable to imagine what Lu Qing could need help with from the villagers.

"I need some high-quality rice seeds. I'd like to ask the villagers to help gather some, and of course, I'll pay for them."

Lu Qing knew that in rural areas, villagers usually kept rice seeds, and few would purchase them elsewhere.

Fortunately, the village had recently harvested a bountiful rice crop, so every household should have rice seeds in storage.

"You're being too polite; it's just some rice seeds. Alright, I'll go around the village and let everyone know that I need rice seeds."

Zhang Grandpa agreed without hesitation, even though he didn't know why Lu Qing needed the seeds.

"Grandpa Zhang, I need the best quality seeds possible. I have an important use for them," Lu Qing emphasized.

"Don't worry; I'll make sure they give you their best seeds," Zhang Grandpa assured him, patting his chest.

"Then I'll head back to the mountain. Please let me know when the seeds are ready. I don't need much, just about ten pounds will do."

"Sure, you go ahead, and I'll have everyone gather the seeds and send them to you."

After Lu Qing left, Zhang Grandpa pondered for a moment.

He first instructed his daughter-in-law to prepare the best rice seeds they had, then he left the house and headed to the other villagers' homes.

The first place he went to was the home of an old friend.

"Old Wang, Old Wang, are you home?

"Who's there?" A young man stepped out of the house at the sound of the shout, and upon seeing Zhang Grandpa, his expression turned respectful. "It's Zhang Grandpa, is it? My grandpa is at home. Please come in."

Zhang Grandpa entered and sat down, "Where's your grandpa?"

"He's taking a nap in the inner room. I'll go call him right now."

Before long, an old man, around the same age as Zhang Grandpa, emerged from the inner room, still looking a bit drowsy. "Old Zhang, it's rare for you to visit. What brings you here?"

"Can't I just come over to chat on a hot day like this?" Zhang Grandpa chuckled.

Old Wang glared, not believing a word of it.

After all these years, he knew the old man's temperament well.

"Hehe, I won't beat around the bush with you. To be honest, Lu Qing came to see me earlier."

"Lu Qing came to see you? For what reason?"

Old Wang's face turned solemn.

Logically, since Lu Qing lived next door to Old Zhang, it wasn't unusual for him to visit.

But since Old Zhang had brought it up, it was clearly no ordinary matter.

"Lu Qing said he wants to collect some high-quality rice seeds for a significant purpose.

He wants to ask the villagers if anyone has good seeds, as he plans to buy some.

I recall that your family's rice harvest this year was one of the best in the village.

Do you have any rice seeds left?"

"Of course, I've kept quite a few. Several families in the village have agreed to exchange seeds with me.

Even my in-laws wanted some seeds, so I set aside two bags."

Hearing Zhang Grandpa praise his rice harvest, Old Wang beamed with pride.

But soon, a puzzled look appeared on his face, "But why does Lu Qing need rice seeds? Does he plan to start farming?"

"I don't know either, but Lu Qing is a man with grand ambitions. If he wants rice seeds, it must be for an important reason.

It's rare for him to ask, so we can't let him down."

"Of course, if Lu Qing needs our help, how can we refuse? I'll have Xiao Qiu take both bags of rice seeds to your place right away."

Xiao Qiu was Old Wang's youngest son, the same youth who had greeted Zhang Grandpa earlier.

"Take all of them? Won't you keep some for yourself? What will you tell your in-laws?" Zhang Grandpa's eyes widened.

"Compared to helping Lu Qing, this is nothing. At most, I'll keep some rice for eating and plant lower-quality seeds next year.

I'll just explain the situation to my in-laws, and it'll be fine."

Old Wang waved off the concern.

As for the other villagers, he believed that if they knew Lu Qing wanted the seeds, they wouldn't object either.

"Alright, if you've got it figured out, that's good. Have Xiao Qiu bring the seeds to my place. I still need to visit other villagers who grew rice this year, and we'll deliver everything to the Half-Mountain Cottage together."

In the following time, Zhang Grandpa visited every household in the village that had grown rice this year.

Upon learning that Lu Qing needed the seeds, everyone readily offered their best rice seeds, gathering them at Zhang Grandpa's house.

Then, they prepared to deliver them to the Half-Mountain Cottage together.

"Old Zhang, Old Zhang!"

Just as Zhang Grandpa and the others were about to head to the cottage, an elderly man, not much younger than Zhang Grandpa, rushed in from outside.

"Are you taking rice seeds to the cottage?"

"Yes, what's the matter, Old Lin? I thought your family didn't plant rice this year?" Zhang Grandpa asked, puzzled.

"We didn't plant rice, but we grew wheat last year. Why don't you ask Lu Qing if he wants wheat seeds?"

"Wheat seeds?" Zhang Grandpa hesitated. "Lu Qing didn't mention that. He only asked for rice seeds."

"How can you be sure he doesn't need them? What if Lu Qing also wants wheat seeds?" Old Lin asked earnestly.

Someone couldn't help but tease him, seeing his serious demeanor, "Old Lin, you're always so stingy that even passing roosters fear you'll pluck their feathers.

Why are you being so generous this time, eager to give away your wheat seeds?"

"What nonsense! Chen, you're the stingy one. I can't be more stingy than you.

You say I want to pluck rooster feathers, but you don't even spare chicken droppings! Don't think others don't know. Last time your field lacked fertility, and someone saw you sneaking off to steal chicken manure from the neighbor's coop to make fertilizer!"

At these words, Old Lin jumped up, pointing and cursing at the old man who had mocked him.

"Moreover, Lu Qing's request can't be trivial.

If you don't help, I won't give you a single grain!"

Lu Qing was destined for greatness, and if he needed seeds, it must be for a grand purpose.

Even if it meant emptying my house, I'd be more than happy to help!"

The elder named Chen, embarrassed by Old Lin's public exposure of his shortcomings, struggled to maintain his composure.

Just as he was about to retort, Grandpa Zhang coughed.

"Enough, enough. You're all grown-ups, and here you are arguing like children. Don't you worry about the kids laughing at us?

Old Lin, I'm not sure if Lu Qing needs wheat seeds or not. Why don't you come with us and ask him yourself?"

"Sure, I'll go ask Lu Qing myself. I feel that if he needs seeds, he should need wheat seeds too," Old Lin immediately replied.

After this brief interlude, the group finally set off.

Each family carried their own rice seeds, heading towards Lu Qing's Half-Mountain Cottage.

Many, fearing they didn't have enough, also brought along two bags of rice.

During the climb, someone whispered to Elder Chen, "Old Chen, why provoke Old Devil Chen? You know how sharp his tongue is; you're just asking for trouble."

"Hmph, do I look scared to you?" Elder Chen retorted.

"I know you and Old Devil Chen don't get along, but he's been suffering from a leg ailment lately, and he's barely able to get out of bed.

It was Lu Qing's spell that healed him.

You're trying to help Lu Qing, but he's not going to rush to your aid anytime soon!"

Elder Chen fell silent.

In truth, he felt a bit regretful.

It's just that they hadn't been on good terms for decades, and he had unconsciously wanted to taunt him.

Who knew the old devil would react so fiercely?

Many villagers joined the climb.

Upon hearing Grandpa Zhang's words, those with rice seeds at home brought them out, and together, they delivered them to the cottage.

So, when the villagers arrived at the cottage, carrying large and small loads, even Lu Qing was left in awe.

"Lu Qing, everyone has brought their rice seeds. Take a look and choose whichever ones you like!"

Grandpa Zhang was the first to place his rice seeds before Lu Qing.

Lu Qing snapped back to reality, looking at the nearly a thousand pounds of rice and seeds before him, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Grandpa Zhang, didn't you tell them I only needed about ten pounds of seeds? I can't use this many."

The most crucial factor was his limited cultivation; with so many seeds, he couldn't possibly infuse them all with his power.

"I did tell them, but since they heard you wanted to select good seeds, and no one knew what your criteria were, they brought them all for you to choose from," Grandpa Zhang explained.

Lu Qing: ...

But seeing the smiles on the villagers' faces, he understood they were just trying to help.

Touched by their kindness, he smiled back.

"Then I'm truly grateful to all of you."

"No need for thanks, it's the least we can do."

"Yes, if it weren't for your spell, Lu Qing, the village might have run out of vegetables by now."

"It's just a few seeds, not worth much."

The villagers chimed in.

"Alright, Lu Qing, take a look and see if these seeds are what you're looking for," Grandpa Zhang said at that moment.

"Okay."

Lu Qing knew that being overly sentimental at this point would only hurt the villagers' enthusiasm.

So, he stopped declining and opened the bags of rice they had brought, carefully selecting the seeds.

Lu Qing's method of choosing seeds wasn't just about their external appearance or fullness.

Instead, he directly sensed the innate energy and vitality within the seeds, a more intuitive approach.

Thus, he focused his mind and channeled a green glow into his hand, gently caressing the seeds.

This green glow was a manifestation of the Spirit Infusion Technique.

As Grandpa Zhang went around the village collecting rice seeds for Lu Qing, Lu Qing took the opportunity to activate his extraordinary ability and began cultivating and comprehending the Spirit Infusion Technique.

In no time, he had mastered this technique.

This process left 'Flame' in awe once again.

While the Spirit Infusion Technique might not be considered an extremely profound spell, almost every cultivator who practiced Wood Element techniques could learn it.

Yet, Lu Qing had perfected it in such a short time.

His comprehension and talent for spells were truly unparalleled in his experience.

As Lu Qing's green glow covered the seeds in the bag, he effortlessly distinguished the ones with the most innate energy and vitality.

With a slight thought, the plump seeds rose from the bag and slowly fell into a finely woven bamboo basket he had prepared beforehand.

This magical scene left all the villagers speechless.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end