Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 152: Tree-Planting Mantra

“This is the ancient book Big Senior Sister instructed me to give you.” Lu Yang didn’t bring up his master anymore and took out the book on cultivation insights for the Immaculate Celestial Physique.

Sixth Elder was surprised. “Little Yun is really considerate; to think she found such a good thing.” There aren’t many cultivation insights for celestial physiques, and even fewer suited for me.

A wide smile spread across Sixth Elder’s visage, as if she had just found a cherished book at the bookstore and couldn’t wait to read it back home.

“The Cultivation Diary of Chi Qianqian.

“Year one of cultivation: Shifu told me that my Immaculate Celestial Physique is one in a thousand and that my cultivation speed far surpasses my peers. What great news! I must work hard in my cultivation...

“Year two of cultivation: My cultivation is really fast. Others are still at the Level Nine Qi Training Stage, while I am already at the Foundation Establishment Stage. The characteristics of the Immaculate Celestial Physique are also gradually showing themselves. I can’t disappoint Shifu. I must work hard in my cultivation...

“Year three of cultivation: Advancing through the cultivation stages is faster than drinking water. I am already at the Golden Core Stage, and I’ve even formed the Immaculate Golden Core, a first-class Golden Core unsullied by dust. Shifu said that cultivation knows no bounds and that I should not be complacent. I must work hard in my cultivation...

“Year seven of cultivation: The Nascent Soul Stage...”

Sixth Elder kept flipping through the book, engrossed in reading the life experiences of cultivator Chi Qianqian from the Great Yu Era. It could be described as grand and tumultuous. Finally, she turned to the last page, and a shiver ran through her heart.

The previous page noted that she had just reached the Apex Void Refinement Stage, so she should be at the Fusion Stage from the next page. But why is there only one page of her experience at the Fusion Stage? Could she have met with some mishap?

Sixth Elder suppressed her uneasiness and read the last page. “Year six hundred of cultivation: I have finally reached the Fusion Stage. I won’t get to the Transcendent Tribulation Stage anyway, so I’ll just give up and let it rot!”[1]

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End of diary.

Sixth Elder didn’t know what to make of it as she rubbed her temples, trying to internalize what she had just read. I can’t say that it’s completely useless. The records of her cultivation journey from the Qi Training to Void Refinement stages are very detailed and can be of some reference value to me.

“Please thank Little Yun on my behalf. Since Little Yun manages the Dao-Seeking Sect, even if I want to repay her, there’s nothing I have here that would catch her eye. I have heard Little Yun mention that your talent for spells is unique and has the potential to establish a new sect. How about this? Why don’t I give you a spell book?” Sixth Elder smiled warmly as a vacuum field had formed around Sixth Elder, only allowing communication through one’s spiritual consciousness.

Lu Yang agreed.

“However, my attack methods rely on the might of the celestial physique, so I don’t have spells suitable for you.” Sixth Elder pondered what kind of spell would be appropriate for Lu Yang. “Oh right, why don’t I give you the book on the Tree-Planting Mantra?”

“Tree Planting Mantra?” Lu Yang’s expression turned odd. This name sounds so ordinary. What can I do after mastering it? Plant trees all over desolate mountains and promote a new model of green development in the cultivation world? Or will Big Senior Sister award me with small red flowers[2] and confer me the title of “Little Environment Protector” if I plant many trees?

Sixth Elder could easily tell what Lu Yang was thinking. “Don’t underestimate this spell just because of its nondescript name. This is a spell highly coveted by countless cultivators. After mastering this spell, you can promote the growth of spirit plants, and all the large sects would even want to enshrine you.

“Look at Second Senior Brother. Why do you think he can guard the herb garden? It’s because he is the best at the Tree-Planting Mantra in our sect.”

Lu Yang contemplated for a bit and found that it did make sense. If I can master this spell, I’ll lead a life full of comfort. Since all the large sects have their own gardens and plantations, they’ll be fighting over me.

Sixth Elder added, “You may also practice this in your spare time. It can help calm your mood and is beneficial for cultivating the mind and body.

“Yaoye has learned the Tree-Planting Mantra quite well. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask her.”

Lu Yang accepted the book and thanked Sixth Elder before leaving her cave abode with Tao Yaoye. After departing, the two resumed breathing.

Tao Yaoye suggested, “Since it’s still early, why don’t we just study at my place? I can also teach you if necessary.”

Lu Yang nodded.

~~~

The Tree-Planting Mantra was a difficult wood-type spell that used one’s spirit energy to promote the growth of spirit plants. The barrier to entry was high; achieving minor success was challenging, and it was all the more so for perfecting it with major success.

To begin, one first required a calm mind to enter a state similar to the oneness of heaven and human. In this state, one would comprehend and perceive plants and align with their growth patterns, allowing them to flourish naturally yet swiftly.

“When you start out, it’s best to use ordinary seeds. Our spirit energy can easily let seeds grow into trees. The legendary cultivation genius could even make the tree, flower, and fruit grow in one go during their first attempt.

“Willow trees are attuned to human nature and are thus the most ideal for practicing the Tree-Planting Mantra. Senior Brother Lu, this is a willow seed. Hold on to it properly, close your eyes, and see if you can resonate with it.” Tao Yaoye passed a piece of willow fluff to Lu Yang.

He followed the instructions recorded in the Tree-Planting Mantra and combined that with Tao Yaoye’s tips as he earnestly tried to comprehend with his heart.

A gentle breeze brushed past his face, blowing across the lawn. The rays from the sunlight were not overly intense, bathing people in a very comfortable sensation.

Lu Yang gradually emptied his mind, feeling himself drifting between heaven and earth and faintly grasping the life vein patterns of the willow seed.

Sensing the changes in Lu Yang, Tao Yaoye was astonished. It took me three days just to achieve this step, and Shifu already praised my comprehension ability for being exceptional even throughout history.

Yet Senior Brother Lu did it in just an hour!

“I’ve long heard that Senior Brother Lu’s talent in spells is top-tier, even surpassing his swordsmanship, but I didn’t think it was to such a degree. No wonder Big Senior Sister guides him personally. With a talent like his, probably no one else can teach him,” Tao Yaoye mumbled to herself.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy overheard Tao Yaoye’s murmurs and agreed wholeheartedly. Exactly! Even I can’t teach him.

At this moment, Lu Yang gained an epiphany. He placed the willow fluff on the ground, pointed at it, and used his own spirit energy as the growing impetus for the willow fluff.

“Grow!” Lu Yang shouted.

Quite some time passed, but nothing happened.

Tao Yaoye reminded softly, “Umm, Senior Brother Lu, usually when planting trees, people bury the seeds in the ground.”

“That makes sense.” Lu Yang picked up the willow seed and activated the spell “Shrinking Earth,” immediately shrinking into the earth.

Tao Yaoye’s eyes widened. Senior Brother Lu also knows the Earth Escape Spell, one of the Five-Element Escape Spells?

The Earth Escape Spell was the most convenient among the Five-Element Escape Spells and was an excellent choice for attacking, fleeing, and hiding. Tao Yaoye wanted to learn the Earth Escape Spell, but it was too difficult for her, so she eventually gave up.

“But why does Senior Brother Lu’s Earth Escape Spell seem different from the one I learned?” Tao Yaoye mused out loud.

Just then, she saw a willow tree spring up from the ground.

“Successful on the first try?!” Tao Yaoye exclaimed. I wasted four willow seeds before finally succeeding.

“Hmm?” Tao Yaoye rubbed her eyes, thinking that her eyes must be playing tricks on her—the willow tree shot up from the ground with two Lu Yangs hanging from both ends of the tree.

Lu Yang dangled from the tree in utter despondence as if his heart had turned to ashes, swaying back and forth.

Where on earth did I go wrong this time? Why did the tree grow two of me when I only planted one willow seed?

1. The “bailan” movement in China is where people decide to give up and just leave things be. It’s also sometimes known as quiet quitting. ☜

2. It is somewhat of a culture to gift small red flowers to reward someone, such as in schools. ☜