Chapter 22: The Evangelizing Painting-O Soberano do Caminho de Shennong(Comandante de Prestígio Divino)

Cultivation spells require a specific target, and the proficiency gained varies depending on the type of plant. To grind proficiency for "Thriving Growth," it is best to find a plant with a short life cycle to practice on.

What Zhao Xing saw now was a plant known as "Tooth Grass."

"Under natural conditions, Tooth Grass can grow from a seedling to maturity, flowering and bearing fruit in less than a month. It is usually used as fodder for livestock, but it is rare in the south. The old Master of Agriculture’s courtyard is truly a treasure trove."

Zhao Xing immediately ran over to the Tooth Grass.

He channeled his Essence, enveloping the plants, and the "Thriving Growth" spell began to glow faintly. Immediately, the Tooth Grass grew at a pace visible to the naked eye.

[You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the Tooth Grass. The plant has progressed from the seedling stage to the growth stage. Spell proficiency +50.]
[You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the Tooth Grass. The plant has progressed from the growth stage to the maturity stage. Spell proficiency +150.]
........

His Essence was depleting rapidly, but his "Thriving Growth" proficiency was skyrocketing. In the early stages, when the spell tier is low, choosing the right target allows for incredibly fast progress. Of course, this was also related to his innate talent and comprehension; if he hadn’t consumed the Dao Embryo Pill, Zhao Xing could never have gained so much proficiency.

"Using the 'Five Elements Observation' can make this Tooth Grass grow even faster," Zhao Xing realized during the casting process.

Before his eyes, the Tooth Grass appeared in a semi-transparent state, with its internal roots and veins clearly visible. Knowing where to direct his Essence to make the grass grow faster and more smoothly—that was the purpose of the "Five Elements Observation." With this ability, it was like prescribing the right medicine for an ailment; the "Thriving Growth" spell became more effective, and the cultivation efficiency improved significantly.

A sense of emptiness washed over him, and Zhao Xing stopped casting, as his Essence had bottomed out. The plot of land in front of him was now completely covered in Tooth Grass, even spilling over into the surrounding area.

"Gulp, gulp~"

Zhao Xing drew some well water and drank deeply to soothe his fatigue, sitting by the well feeling quite satisfied.

[Thriving Growth: Novice Tier Spell]
[Progress: (3210/9999)]
[Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption and shortens the time required for a plant to reach maturity.]

"Thriving Growth has reached the third turn. It’s only halfway through the morning, and I’ve already leveled it up twice."

"Let me try this old locust tree."

Zhao Xing pointed a finger, and a golden light spiraled three times in the air before sinking into the tree. The old locust tree didn't even twitch, as if to say his current mana was nowhere near enough. The interface remained completely unresponsive.

"The old tree’s roots are deeply entrenched. Through the Five Elements Observation, I can see its growth rings and veins; it's like a solid wall of copper and iron. My meager Essence cannot help it break through its growth shackles."

Cultivation is a gradual process, and Zhao Xing was not surprised.

"I’ll just stick to cultivating the Tooth Grass. I’ll set a small goal: by the time of the Autumn Commencement Exam, I will raise 'Thriving Growth' to the ninth turn!"

..............

Time passed, and soon it was the day before the Autumn Commencement Exam. For the past six days, Zhao Xing had done nothing but lock horns with the Tooth Grass. He planted and pulled, pulled and planted; if the soil lacked nutrients, he moved to a different spot. He even utilized his time at night.

[Thriving Growth: Novice Tier Spell]
[Progress: (9010/9999)]
[Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption and shortens the time required for a plant to reach maturity.]

"Finally, the ninth turn."

Zhao Xing felt his heart lighten, but as the joy faded, deep fatigue took its place. Without caring for anything else, he found a bamboo mat in the backyard’s side room and collapsed into a deep sleep.

Xue Wenzhong came to the backyard and nodded slightly at the sight of the weeds piled everywhere and the soundly sleeping Zhao Xing. He then gestured, and a gentle breeze swirled around Zhao Xing. Though the movement was subtle, the force was significant, lifting Zhao Xing directly into the air. Without knowing it, Zhao Xing was carried by Xue Wenzhong into his own bedroom.

When he woke up again, Zhao Xing felt refreshed like never before. It was as if a gentle breeze had been blowing over him while he slept; despite the midsummer heat, he felt as if he had been sleeping in the middle of spring.

"Oof~" Stretching, Zhao Xing realized something was wrong. Wasn't he sleeping outside? How did he end up in a bed?

"It seems the teacher carried me in, but my clothes are still covered in dirt..."

Looking at the dirty mat he had created, Zhao Xing looked for something to wipe it down. When he looked up, he saw a painting hanging on the wall.

Instantly, Zhao Xing couldn't take his eyes off it.

The scroll emitted a faint light, as if possessed by magic. He walked toward the mural involuntarily, his entire soul seemingly drawn into it. On the painting, the clouds parted, greenery emerged from the earth, and countless plants sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain. The Essence that was hard to capture in reality seemed to take shape in this world, clearly visible. From deep underground came a unique frequency, like the rhythm of breathing.

"Is that... the Earth Vein?" Zhao Xing had a sudden epiphany.

Life and Essence merged in that moment; the Essence of heaven and earth united in Yin and Yang. Each plant appeared clearly before his eyes, from seedling to maturity, flowering and bearing fruit...

"Hum~"

He didn't know how much time had passed before Zhao Xing snapped out of the illusion. The painting in front of him remained just a painting, devoid of any miraculous imagery.

"So this was a 'Painting of All Things Growing,' a classic work of the Self-Nature School." Zhao Xing realized immediately. "But the artistic conception was far too powerful. How high-level must this reproduction be?"

He checked his interface, and sure enough, it was recorded:

[You have discovered the 'Painting of All Things Growing (Reproduction)' (Tier 4, Low Quality).]
[This treasure is a medium for imparting knowledge. Remaining uses: 1.]
[You have observed the 'Painting of All Things Growing (Reproduction)' (Tier 4, Low Quality). Thriving Growth has reached maximum level.]
[You have comprehended the intermediate spell 'Wild Growth'.]
[You have comprehended the novice spell 'Earth Vein Synthesis'.]

"Whoosh~"

The painting hanging on the wall suddenly burst into flames and vanished into ash in the blink of an eye.

"Huh?" Zhao Xing reached out to grab it, but it was too fast; it turned to ash in almost a second.

"The knowledge-imparting painting only had one use left, and I used it up." Zhao Xing felt a pang of guilt. A Tier 4 treasure was no common item, especially a rare "knowledge-imparting painting." How was he supposed to explain this to the old Master of Agriculture?

Just as he was pondering, the old Master's voice came from outside: "It is late, and the meal is ready. Come eat before you go."

"Yes, Teacher." Zhao Xing walked to the table with trepidation. Facing Xue Wenzhong, he said guiltily, "Teacher, when I woke up just now, I accidentally looked at a painting in your study, and it... it spontaneously combusted."

"Painting? What painting?" Xue Wenzhong squinted and glanced at Zhao Xing. "I don't know what you are talking about. Eat your food."