20: Three approaches

"But!" Elder Xuan Mu suddenly raised his voice and waved his right hand, causing the Sword Grass to suddenly bloom with a dazzling silver light:

"What this old man wants to say today is that if a Cultivator can establish a deeper level of resonance with a spirit plant, perhaps the Cultivator can directly comprehend the spiritual charm of heaven and earth contained within the spirit plant without needing to refine it!"

The great hall was in an uproar, and the Disciples looked at each other in dismay.

Obtaining the essence of a spirit plant without refining it? This is simply a subversive theory!

But when thinking about it carefully, it is also quite reasonable.

Before the Azure Emperor created the Catalysis Method, people also improved their spiritual power cultivation by refining spirit plants.

At that time, the use of spirit plants was always one-time only.

Elder Xuan Mu's theory is an extension of the Azure Emperor's catalytic Mind-Cultivation Technique.

Thinking about it, it is indeed very tempting.

Sword Grass is only available in the Sword Pavilion and is extremely rare; only Inner Sect Disciples have the Opportunity to obtain it.

One must know that the Inner Sect Disciples of the Sword Pavilion are basically all Peak-Grade Spiritual Roots, one-in-ten-thousand Geniuses.

Placed in an ordinary School, they would be the undisputed pride of heaven and the hope of the Sect.

In the Sword Pavilion, even such figures need to compete to obtain Sword Grass, which shows how rare Sword Grass is.

This also indirectly reflects the precious value of Sword Grass.

Generally, Sword Grass is only a Second-Order Spiritual Plant, but refining one stalk, even a beginner in the Sword Dao, can comprehend a half-step Sword Intent.

And those Geniuses in the Inner Sect can often comprehend true Sword Intent after using one stalk of Sword Grass.

There is a saying in the Sword Pavilion that only a Cultivator who has comprehended Sword Intent is a true Sword Cultivator, with lethality far exceeding their peers.

Learning a few Sword Techniques or practicing a few sword moves does not count as a true Sword Cultivator.

This type can only be considered a Cultivator who uses a sword.

If all Wood-attribute Cultivators could comprehend the Sword Intent within Sword Grass through similar catalytic means, wouldn't everyone present be able to become a Sword Cultivator?

Elder Xuan Mu seemed very satisfied with the Disciples' reaction and nodded slightly:

"Do not be surprised, everyone. The Dao of spirit plants has developed to this day and is no longer just a simple supply of spiritual power and raw materials for Medicinal Pills."

"Every spirit plant is a unique living being bred by heaven and earth, containing various magical powers between heaven and earth."

He flicked his finger lightly, and the air around the Sword Grass seemed to be cut into invisible marks:

"The Sword Intent in this Sword Grass is, in essence, a miniature manifestation of the Law of Sword Dao in heaven and earth."

"Theoretically, it can be provided for Cultivators to comprehend."

"Moreover, if one can comprehend it directly, it is purer and more Origin-based than what is obtained after refining!"

"Then, how can one achieve this deep level of resonance?" a Disciple below the stage couldn't help but ask.

Elder Xuan Mu stroked his beard and smiled: "Well asked. Today, this old man will propose several possible paths for you juniors to explore."

Upon hearing this, everyone below the stage sat upright and didn't look sideways.

That serious appearance was as if they wanted to prick up their ears.

Even Lin Yan had a solemn face.

He discovered that the various insights he gained when catalyzing spirit plant mutations were very similar to what Elder Xuan Mu said.

"The first method, this old man calls the Life-Cultivation Method."

"This method requires the Cultivator to establish a closer life connection with the spirit plant." Elder Xuan Mu pointed to his own glabella and continued:

"Through special catalytic techniques, let a wisp of the Cultivator's Divine Sense or life force integrate into the spirit plant and grow with it for a period of time."

"In this way, what the spirit plant feels, the Cultivator can also perceive; what the spirit plant comprehends, the Cultivator can also comprehend together."

Upon hearing this, everyone below the stage frowned, feeling that Elder Xuan Mu's theory was too mysterious.

Elder Xuan Mu smiled and continued: "This method is quite dangerous and not yet perfect; the corresponding catalytic Mind-Cultivation Technique still needs to be constantly improved, so you must not try it rashly."

"The second method is the Deep Compatibility Method."

"This method is much safer and does not require creating a new catalytic Mind-Cultivation Technique."

"Everyone has a Spiritual Root, but they are all different."

"Different Spiritual Roots have different suitable cultivation methods, which is why the Sword Pavilion Inner Sect is divided into five lineages: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth."

"You might as well continue to think deeper; you all have Wood Spiritual Roots, but are your Spiritual Roots exactly the same?"

Elder Xuan Mu asked and answered himself: "I think certainly not, so for the same spirit plant, the feedback different Cultivators receive when catalyzing is different..."

"Perhaps everyone can find a spirit plant that is deeply compatible with themselves and achieve deep resonance during catalysis..."

Speaking of this, Elder Xuan Mu stopped, leaving time for everyone to think.

The great hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. After a while, someone raised their hand and asked: "Elder, then how can one find a spirit plant that is compatible with oneself?"

Elder Xuan Mu looked at him kindly: "Well asked. Between heaven and earth, spirit plants are as vast as the sea and endless. Every spirit plant has its unique spirituality, just waiting for a fated person to discover it."

"The way of compatibility may lie in the compatibility of Spiritual Root attributes, or it may lie in coincidental Opportunity; it requires you to clarify your mind and see your nature, and patiently experience it."

"The last method, this old man calls the Catalytic Metamorphosis Method."

"The moment a mutated spirit plant undergoes metamorphosis, it will reveal its most Origin-based spiritual charm."

"If you are in a state of catalytic resonance with the spirit plant at the moment the spirit plant mutates, you can get feedback from the spirit plant."

"The difficulty of this method lies in how to grasp the moment of the mutated spirit plant's metamorphosis."

Upon hearing this, everyone below the stage was discussing it.

Compared to the previous method, this method seems to have a higher possibility of success.

But its difficulty is also obvious; before the spirit plant metamorphoses, there is no change in external characteristics.

And when its appearance changes, the true metamorphosis has already been completed; subsequent appearances may further metamorphose, but they are all just appearances.

Hearing this, Lin Yan was completely shocked in his heart.

This so-called Catalytic Metamorphosis Method of Elder Xuan Mu is exactly the same as what he experienced.

But after a second thought, it is normal.

For millions of years, so many Spirit-Plant Cultivators must have encountered the metamorphosis of catalyzed mutated spirit plants.

Perhaps there are even such cases in the Sword Pavilion.

And what Elder Xuan Mu said next further confirmed Lin Yan's conjecture.

"The three paths I just mentioned are not simple conjectures, but are supported by examples," Elder Xuan Mu said:

"Even in my Sword Pavilion's Wood Lineage, there are living cases now, but it is difficult to popularize."

"Therefore, this old man only proposes the theory; it still needs you juniors to explore and practice."

"The Dao of spirit plants is broad and profound, and its future development is by no means limited to Alchemy and medicine making."

His tone became deep: "Between heaven and earth, every spirit plant is a unique existence, containing infinite mysteries.

We, the Wood Lineage, are not just users of spirit plants, but should be friends, partners, and even guides to spirit plants.

Only by truly understanding spirit plants and establishing a deep connection with them can we glimpse the true value of spirit plants."

In the great hall, the eyes of the Disciples flashed with excitement and longing.