“Ding ding… (Such pure spiritual energy!)” The little stone spirit exclaimed after waking up.
Then, following the spiritual energy, it made its way to Qi Ping’s side.
“Ding ding… (Boss! You actually got a spiritual vein!)”
After realizing what it was, the little stone spirit was shocked.
This was a spiritual vein! According to its inherited memories, spiritual veins in today’s cultivation world are rare and precious. Before gaining enough strength, you must never approach the core of a spiritual vein.
Because almost all spiritual veins are already controlled by others. If you get too close, you’ll attract enemies and bring about your own doom!
The little stone spirit had always remembered this. It knew that being near a spiritual vein would bring many benefits, but for safety’s sake, it had voluntarily gone to an area with thin spiritual energy. Yet even so, enemies still came knocking, and it nearly didn’t survive.
So it was naturally astonished that Qi Ping had brought back a spiritual vein!
“I only brought it back recently. It’s still very weak right now. After some time, I’ll strengthen it with heavenly and earthly treasures,” Qi Ping replied.
“Ding ding… (You’re amazing, boss!)”
“Ding ding… (Can I sleep next to the spiritual vein?)”
“Of course you can!” Qi Ping nodded affirmatively.
Receiving confirmation, the little stone spirit didn’t hold back. With a plop, it lay down right next to Qi Ping to sleep.
Just as it was about to doze off, Qi Ping suddenly took out a seed and planted it nearby.
Initially, the little stone spirit didn’t pay much attention, thinking Qi Ping was just busy as usual. But then it sensed an aura from the Nether Iron Tree seed that strongly attracted it.
“Ding ding… (Boss, what’s this thing?)”
“This is the seed of a third-order mid-grade Nether Iron Tree!”
“The Nether Iron Tree is a metal-attribute ironwood tree. As it grows, it releases a special force that turns the surrounding soil and ores into nether iron. That should be quite beneficial for you!”
“Ding ding… (Then that nether iron must be really delicious, right?)” Hearing Qi Ping’s words, the little stone spirit suddenly became uncharacteristically excited.
So this little guy was a foodie! Seeing the stone spirit like this, Qi Ping found it a bit amusing.
Looks like it doesn’t just like sleeping!
“You’ll find out when you eat it. Go back to sleep, and when the Nether Iron Tree has grown, I’ll wake you up!”
“Ding ding… (Okay, boss! I’ll sleep now!)”
Hearing Qi Ping’s words, the little stone spirit contentedly settled down to sleep and quickly fell into a deep slumber.
Seeing that the little stone spirit was asleep, Qi Ping planted the Nether Iron Tree seed right next to it.
“I wonder if the interaction between the Nether Iron Tree’s power to produce special ores and the stone spirit’s ability to do the same will create some unexpected effects?”
One was the third-order spiritual object, nether iron. The other was the stone spirit’s half-body ore. Given how pleased the little stone spirit had seemed, some pretty good changes would likely happen.
After planting the Nether Iron Tree, Qi Ping found spots to plant the Blazing Sun Wood, the Moon Essence Tree, and the Starry Wood.
After planting the four third-order spiritual wood seeds, Qi Ping used his plant growth ability to accelerate their development.
[Druid level experience +1]
[Druid level experience +1]
“It’s been a long time since I last nurtured spiritual plants. Finally, my slowly accumulating Druid level experience can start moving again!”
Recently, although Qi Ping had been gaining Druid level experience by meditating on nature and on the true essence of laws, the rate of increase was still slower than nurturing spiritual trees and planting.
Seeing his Druid level experience stacking up quickly now, Qi Ping felt very happy.
He continued cultivating for a long while until his mental and spiritual energy was nearly depleted, then moved on to other tasks.
“For now, my main goals are, first, to research spells suitable for engraving into the Tree Spirit Seals, and second, to keep studying formations.”
“Only by building up the spiritual vein and my territory first can I support the growth of my animal companions and the improvement of my own cultivation level.”
But before that, Qi Ping had one relatively important thing to do first: study the methods for raising spirit beasts.
The little spirit fox and the three-colored deer were crucial for his mental power and his talent for comprehension, so he had to start training them early.
So Qi Ping immediately began researching the beast taming techniques and manuals he had obtained last time.
This research didn’t take him much time. In just two or three days, Qi Ping had learned most of the beast taming knowledge contained within.
The specific methods of forming contracts weren’t important to him. What he focused on were the methods for raising spirit beasts, especially how to help them break through the bottlenecks between major cultivation realms.
“It turns out that the breakthrough methods for spirit beasts are quite similar to humans’. Besides having sufficient and compatible resources, the most important things are the beast’s own insights and training…”
“However, spirit beasts do have one relatively surefire method: awakening their bloodline power!”
According to the descriptions in the manuals, there are two ways for a spirit beast to awaken its bloodline power. One is to awaken it actively on its own. The other is to use external aids. The specific items required for awakening vary for each type of spirit beast.
In terms of potential, the beast’s own active effort to awaken its bloodline should account for at least more than half of the equation. Relying too heavily on external items will deplete the beast’s inherent potential.
“So, in the end, it still comes down to the spirit beast’s own training and willpower. Although there are many supplementary methods, like using appropriate illusions to train the beast’s will… fundamentally, it’s all about the beast itself.”
After figuring this out, Qi Ping knew what to do next.
Because among his animal companions, he had the perfect model: Cawcaw.
“Cawcaw’s constant meditation and absorption of the sun’s power is actually one single integrated process: accumulating strength, awakening bloodline power, enhancing bloodline potential, comprehending and elevating bloodline power, and training control over that power…”
Qi Ping suddenly understood how Cawcaw had been improving its bloodline grade and breaking through realms.
Now, he just needed to apply this same theory to the little flower sprite, the little spirit fox, and the three-colored deer, creating training plans tailored to their unique characteristics. Then he could have the little spirit fox and the little flower sprite train each other with illusions, and also train the willpower of the other animal companions.
The little spirit fox and the little flower sprite were the most suitable to be training partners for each other. As for helping the three-colored deer meditate on the power of the forest, Qi Ping could assist with that, or they could learn from each other.
So, based on the beast taming knowledge he had learned, Qi Ping created individualized training and growth plans for each of his animal companions.
Qi Ping also taught Cawcaw some of the principles behind these training methods and some of the theoretical knowledge. This gave Cawcaw a sudden, clear understanding, providing a much clearer direction and focus for its future training and improvement. It now knew more clearly how to train in order to quickly awaken and enhance its bloodline power.
[Boss! Cawcaw gets it now!]
Qi Ping hadn’t expected that this action of his would greatly accelerate Cawcaw’s advancement and transformation!
