71: Chapter 71 Master and Disciple

Saturday morning, Secret Base.

Chen Zhen sat cross-legged in the center of the Spirit Gathering Array, twenty-five Hetian jade seeds emitting a warm, gentle light.

Three pots of spiritual plants surrounded him.

Mint, pothos, and a new pot of soul-calming grass, the seeds of which he had requested from the old man last week, had just sprouted.

He opened his eyes and glanced at the system panel:

[Qi Refining Stage 3: 112 / 1200]

Spirit Gathering Array + spiritual plant synergy + [Spiritual Resonance], the cultivation efficiency was three times that of the normal state.

But he wasn't here to Cultivate today.

He took out the pot of soul-calming grass seedlings and observed them in his palm.

The tender green leaves were only the size of a fingernail, with a faint, elusive golden edge.

This was a trace of Spiritual Qi infiltration.

Through [Internal Vision], there was already an extremely weak flow of Spiritual Qi within the seedlings, like a newborn baby's first breath.

[soul-calming grass seedling (Mortal Grade)]

[Growth Progress: 7 days / Maturity Period 60 days]

[Current Status: Healthy, low Spiritual Qi affinity]

[Suggestion: Daily Spiritual Nourishment can shorten the maturity period and improve quality]

Sixty days.

Too long.

He needed it to be faster.

After thinking for a moment, he took out the star core fragment and placed it next to the seedlings.

The 99.9% dark blue light flickered on and off.

The trace amount of Stellar Energy emitted by the fragment intertwined with the spiritual energy field of the Spirit Gathering Array, forming a miniature "dual-source field."

The leaves of the seedlings trembled slightly.

In [Internal Vision], the flow rate of Spiritual Qi within them clearly accelerated, and those tiny "plant meridians" began to extend and branch out, as if injected with a catalyst.

[soul-calming grass seedling status updated]

[Affected by Stellar Energy, growth speed +50%, Spiritual Qi affinity increased]

[Current growth progress: 7 days / Maturity Period 40 days]

Fifty days shortened to forty days.

Effective.

But it wasn't enough.

Chen Zhen thought for a moment, took a Mint leaf from the Storage Space, crushed it, mixed it into a paste using the Water Condensation Spell, and carefully applied it to the roots of the soul-calming grass seedlings.

[Spiritual Plant Mint Extract]

[Effect: Provides pure Spiritual Qi, stimulates root development]

[soul-calming grass seedling growth speed +20%, current maturity period: 32 days]

Thirty-two days.

Still long.

He stared at the seedlings for a few seconds and suddenly had a new idea.

He activated [Spiritual Resonance], synchronizing the rotation rhythm of the Dantian spiritual bead with the flow of Spiritual Qi within the seedlings.

Then, he separated a wisp of extremely fine Spiritual Qi, injected it slowly along the "meridians" of the seedlings, and guided that Spiritual Qi to circulate along the route of the Microcosmic Orbit.

The seedlings trembled violently, and a faint golden halo appeared on the leaves.

It lasted for three seconds, then the halo slowly faded away.

[Spiritual Qi guidance successful]

[soul-calming grass seedling gains temporary status: 'Microcosmic Orbit Circulation']

[Growth speed +100%, Spiritual Qi affinity greatly increased]

[Current maturity period: 16 days]

Sixteen days.

Chen Zhen nodded with satisfaction.

This was the method a spiritual planter should have.

[Planting Introductory Experience +30]

[Planting Introductory: 82 / 100 → 112 / 100]

[Skill Dimension (Planting) branch upgraded to Lv.2]

He was stunned for a moment and summoned the system panel.

[Planting Lv.2 (12 / 300)]

[Unlock ability: [Spiritual Plant Cultivation] can actively design the growth direction of spiritual plants, directionally enhancing specific attributes]

Directional cultivation.

This ability was more valuable than simple acceleration.

He looked at the pot of soul-calming grass seedlings.

Directional cultivation... If he could make it grow more soul-calming components, or fuse it with the refreshing effect of Mint, perhaps he could Cultivate a new variety of spiritual plant.

He noted down this idea to try later when the seedlings grew up.

Ten o'clock in the morning, Bookstore.

Grandpa Wu was sunbathing at the entrance. Seeing Chen Zhen, he waved, "You're here? I have something for you."

Chen Zhen took a kraft paper envelope and opened it.

Inside was a letter from Engineer Zhou, along with several photos.

The photos were close-ups of several plants.

The leaves were slender with serrated edges, and small yellow flowers bloomed at the tips. Beside them, it was marked in red ink: "Northern slope of East Mountain, suspected wild soul-calming grass, approximately three years old."

The letter read:

"Little Chen, last time you said you wanted wild spiritual plant samples, I went to East Mountain for a tour and found these few on the northern slope. Three-year-old wild soul-calming grass, the quality should be better than artificially cultivated ones. If you have time, go dig them up yourself, the location is attached. Be careful, that place is a bit dangerous. — Zhou"

Chen Zhen looked at the photos, his eyes brightening.

Wild three-year-old soul-calming grass.

If transplanted back and directionally improved using the Spiritual Plant Cultivation ability, he might be able to Cultivate a top-grade spiritual plant.

He put away the letter and said to Grandpa Wu, "Grandpa Wu, I might ask for a day off next week to go to East Mountain."

Grandpa Wu glanced at him, "Going again?"

"I have some business."

Grandpa Wu nodded without asking further, only saying, "Be careful."

In the afternoon, Secret Base.

Chen Zhen was studying the pot of soul-calming grass seedlings when there was a knock at the door.

Three short knocks and one long one — the agreed signal.

He opened the door, and Zhou Rui stood outside, carrying a schoolbag and holding a notebook.

"You're here?" Chen Zhen stepped aside to let him in.

Zhou Rui walked into the base, his gaze sweeping over the Spirit Gathering Array, the three pots of spiritual plants, and the rune sketches on the wall, finally landing on Chen Zhen.

"Is this... your place of Cultivation?"

"Something like that." Chen Zhen pointed to the cushion in the corner, "Sit."

Zhou Rui sat down, pulled a notebook from his schoolbag, and opened it.

"I've been meditating as you said for the past few days, ten minutes every morning and evening. This is the record."

Chen Zhen took the notebook and glanced at it.

Date, time, duration of meditation, physical sensations, abnormal phenomena.

It was recorded more detailed than an experiment.

The entry for the third day read: "During meditation, the warmth in the lower abdomen increased significantly, as if there was a small ball of fire. It lasted for about five minutes, then dissipated on its own."

The fourth day: "Tried to use my mind to guide the warmth upward; when it reached my chest, the warmth suddenly disappeared. Tried repeatedly five times, succeeded once."

The fifth day: "Successfully guided the warmth to complete a Microcosmic Orbit. It took about eight seconds. Felt refreshed all over after completion, and my mind was exceptionally clear."

Chen Zhen closed the notebook and looked at Zhou Rui.

Five days to complete a Microcosmic Orbit.

It had taken him half a month back then.

"You have great talent," he said.

Zhou Rui didn't act humble, just nodded: "I know. But talent alone is not enough; I need someone to teach me."

He looked at Chen Zhen: "Are you willing to teach me?"

Chen Zhen didn't answer immediately.

He stood up, walked to the Mint plant, plucked a leaf, and handed it to Zhou Rui.

"Hold it in your mouth."

Zhou Rui took it and put it in his mouth.

The next second, his eyes widened.

"This is..."

"Spiritual Plant Mint," Chen Zhen said, "The refreshing effect is twenty times that of ordinary Mint."

Zhou Rui held the leaf in his mouth, silent for a few seconds.

Then he said: "You grew this?"

"Yeah."

Zhou Rui looked at the three pots of spiritual plants, and his expression changed.

It wasn't surprise, but something new — awe.

"Did you grow all of these?"

"Slowly cultivated them," Chen Zhen said, "Been growing them for almost two months."

Zhou Rui was silent.

After a long time, he spoke: "Can I learn?"

Chen Zhen looked at him.

"Yes. But with conditions."

"What conditions?"

"First, listen to me. Second, don't ask why. Third, you cannot teach what I teach you to anyone else without my permission."

Zhou Rui nodded: "Understood."

Chen Zhen looked at him, confirming he wasn't lying.

Then he pointed to the pot of soul-calming grass seedlings.

"Today's first lesson: learn how to take care of spiritual plants."

All afternoon, Zhou Rui learned how to water, loosen soil, remove pests, and perform Spiritual Nourishment.

He learned quickly, understanding almost everything instantly.

Especially Spiritual Nourishment.

On his first attempt, he could precisely control the output of Spiritual Qi, not like a novice, but like a veteran who had practiced for years.

[System Notification: Disciple Zhou Rui's learning progress exceeds expectations]

[Teaching and Learning: Social Dimension experience +50]

[Gained temporary status: 'Master and Disciple' (Teaching efficiency +20%, lasts 24 hours)]

Chen Zhen looked at Zhou Rui's focused appearance, and a plan formed in his mind.

This person was indeed useful.

Not useful as a disciple, but useful as an assistant.

Spiritual plant cultivation required a massive amount of time and energy, which he couldn't manage alone.

If he had Zhou Rui to help take care of the daily maintenance, he could free up his hands to do more important things.

Like researching runes, like preparing for that 0.1%.

Moreover, Zhou Rui's terrifying perception was more effective than his own [Anomaly Perception] when it came to finding wild spiritual plants and detecting abnormal energy.

He glanced at the system panel:

[Social Dimension: 168 / 200]

Almost leveled up.

If he accepted Zhou Rui, it should be able to break through directly.

He thought for a moment and asked: "Are you willing to formally take me as your Master?"

Zhou Rui looked up at him.

"Take you as Master?"

"It means formalizing our relationship."

"You call me Master, and I will teach you real things. Not just meditation and growing flowers, but true Cultivation."

Zhou Rui was silent for three seconds.

Then he stood up, walked in front of Chen Zhen, and bowed deeply.

"Master."

Chen Zhen nodded.

"Get up."

[System Notification: Apprenticeship successful]

[Disciple: Zhou Rui (Perception Type · Top-Grade Spiritual Root)]

[Current Realm: Not yet initiated (Qi Sensing Stage)]

[Master-Disciple Bonus: Cultivation efficiency +10% (for both parties)]

[Social Dimension experience +50]

[Social Dimension upgraded to Lv.2 (18 / 400)]

[Unlock ability: [Master-Disciple Connection] can sense the disciple's location and status, can transfer Spiritual Qi in critical moments]

Chen Zhen looked at the system panel and nodded with satisfaction.

Useful.

Seven o'clock in the evening, Zhou Rui left the Secret Base.

Chen Zhen sat alone in the center of the Spirit Gathering Array and took out the star core fragment.

The 99.9% dark blue light flickered on and off.

He stared at it for a long time.

Then he placed the fragment aside and began to Cultivate.

The Dantian spiritual bead rotated slowly, and Spiritual Qi flooded into his body like a tide.