After the test, Uncle Jiang personally asked Song He to sit down, and this time Song He naturally did not refuse again and took a seat.
Senior Brother Jiang then took the initiative to bring up the matter of the "Heyun Heavenly Cave."
"Our Spiritual Leaf Sect's heavenly cave is different from the so-called secret realms of the outside world; it does not require cultivators to fight and kill for it, but rather, it tests... the cultivation of Spirit Plants."
"You have been to the Flower Guessing House on Xiao Le Peak before; you must have seen that peculiar Daynight Flower, right?" Senior Brother Jiang asked.
"Yes, that flower is truly unique, blooming in an instant. If other Spirit Plants also had its growth speed, that would be great." Song He nodded.
Senior Brother Jiang continued with approval:
"The Heyun Heavenly Cave was won by one of our Sect Leaders in a bet with another sect. The seeds of the Daynight Flower come from the exploration of the heavenly cave's power.
Inside, there is a Spirit Plant that is close to Class VI. Its power has transformed the entire heavenly cave, and within it, seeds can mature in an instant.
So the trial in the Heyun Heavenly Cave is about cultivating Spirit Plants.
After entering the heavenly cave, you have a total of seven days. Within these seven days, the more special or the greater number of Spirit Plants you cultivate, the better the rewards you will receive after the trial period ends.
There are four levels: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding, among which Jia is naturally the best result. If you are fortunate enough to receive a Jia rating, then foundation building will be a natural progression, and it will even greatly benefit your future formation of a Golden Core."
After his detailed explanation, Song He's eyes immediately lit up.
Isn't this test tailor-made just for me?
Selecting the right Spirit Plant is his forte, and after cultivating a Spirit Plant, he can also earn points; how many points can he rack up in seven days?
'It's like dozing off and then being offered a pillow. I was just worrying about how slow it is to earn points by planting.'
Song He thought blissfully.
"Thank you for the guidance, senior brother. Is there anything I should be aware of after I go in?"
He would not miss this chance; you've already opened the back door for me, so giving a bit of strategy shouldn't be a problem, right?
The test had just ended, and if not now, when was a better time to ask more questions?
"There isn't really anything special to be careful about... But when I was building my foundation, it was completed there. In the waters to the west, there is a type of Lotus; you should pay it some extra attention.
It's also a coincidence that this thing is the ancestor of the Spirit Enhancing Lotus and highly sought after by alchemists within and outside of the sect as prime Spiritual Material."
After giving these hints, Senior Brother Jiang seemed reluctant to speak further.
Song He also wisely did not ask more questions.
He and Song He chatted casually about trivial matters for a while, and during this time, Uncle Jiang also talked about some things related to Spirit Plants.
The atmosphere was quite harmonious and amicable.
About a time unit later, Song He took his leave and departed.
After he left, Senior Brother Jiang looked at Uncle Jiang with a curious expression: "Second Uncle, is Song He really the person favored by fate and luck?
Can only he obtain that fruit?"
"The Daynight Flower, the gourd seeds, and the single Class II Spirit Pill from a batch of alchemy, all fell into that kid's hands.
Plus, judging from the test with the Life Light grass just now, it's almost certain. I have tested many people with it... Even for those favored by fate and luck, there are differences.
The things from the Eternal Dark Abyss are just strange.
You should be mindful, but do not force him; if he succeeds by chance, all consequences will be borne by our Xingke Lineage.
I need to make some preparations.
I just hope your senior brothers won't resent me for this."
Uncle Jiang slowly stood up.
He placed a token on the stone table and spoke with an indifferent tone:
"Take my token, have the Deacon Hall increase a spot, and forbid anyone from gossiping carelessly. If anyone leaks the news, then they can all go atone in the Forest Green Prison."
His voice gradually softened until the words "go atone" were spoken, and at that moment, the elder's figure had already vanished from the pavilion like a wisp of blue smoke.
Only Senior Brother Jiang was left, looking at the token with eagerness.
He had long been displeased with those Deacon Hall people; now with the Second Uncle's token, he was determined to go and flaunt his authority!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Song He returned to his own cave dwelling.
He went straight to the bamboo house, lay down on the bed, and without wishing to think further, he immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Within three breaths' time, he had entered deep sleep.
One must know that he had already been staying up late for cultivation, enduring over a week of it, and now he had been tested and prodded by Uncle Jiang, though it seemed simple.
But in reality, the psychological pressure was immense.
If he took one wrong step, he probably would have been eradicated by Uncle Jiang right then and there.
After all, possessing someone's body... he was likely to be treated as a spy, not to mention occupying the body of his old friend's descendent.
In both logic and emotion, he would have unsparingly eradicated himself, had he been in those shoes.
Such fatigue and mental strain, if he weren't at least a high-level cultivator by now, he might have just dropped dead on the spot.
Therefore, as soon as he returned, he went to sleep, not even caring to wash up.
This sleep lasted until everything was dizzy and dim.
A full day and a half later, Song He slowly opened his eyes amidst the glorious midday sunshine and comfortably stretched himself.
Looking at the bright sunlight outside the window, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift, and he cleared his throat, reciting poetry, "Who first wakes from the great dream, I alone know in my life, spring sleep in the grass hut is satisfying, outside the window the day lingers~"
After speaking, he couldn't help but laugh even more radiantly.
If someone had been there, it would have been quite embarrassing.
It was clearly a sunny midday, and here he was with "outside the window the day lingers," not even understanding the poetry he copied.
But he couldn't help wanting to recite a poem to express his joyful mood at the moment.
Because no matter what, he now had a connection with Uncle Jiang, and in the Cultivation World, having or not having a powerful background made a world of difference.
Even if Uncle Jiang had his own schemes, Song He was determined to take this bait, ensuring his own development.
"Ah, what a comfortable sleep that was, it's been a long time since I've slept this well after crossing over."
Song He dawdled for quite a while before slowly getting out of bed.
He walked over to the edge of the Spiritual Spring, about to scoop up a handful of water to wash his face, when he suddenly noticed a blue Lotus swaying in the spring with the wind.
Three round, emerald leaves surrounded the central blue bud, which was slightly opening and seemed to be spreading the unique fragrance of lotuses in the air.
[Name]: Spirit Enhancing Lotus
[Class]: Class I mid-grade
[Status]: Rapid Growth (80%)
① Good Birth, Good Choice (Blue): Seeds born from this Spirit Plant have a chance to possess Purple or higher grade effects (Upgrade requires 3,000 Points).
② More Children More Happiness (Blue): When this Spirit Plant matures, it will produce an additional 20 seeds (Upgrade requires 3,000 Points).
③ Inheritance (Blue): There's a 20% chance that the traits of this Spirit Plant are inherited by its seeds (Upgrade requires 3,000 Points).
"Eighty percent? It's only been a few days, you grow quite fast, huh? Is it because of the Spirit Spring Water?"
Song He curiously poked his head closer, trying to see what was inside the bud—only to find the surface of the small pod inside was densely packed, looking just like a bee's nest.
There were many more holes than in an ordinary pod.
He understood in his heart; this must be the effect of the 'More Children More Happiness' trait.
"Grow well, I hope your seeds inherit more traits."
Song He washed his face quickly, then went to check on the Lotus growing near the Class II spirit field by Little He river, noticing that the flowers there had also begun to take shape.
The growth progress was around fifty to sixty percent, not as fast as the one in the Spiritual Spring.
But this speed was already quite good.
He had been so busy lately, focusing on the Wood Gourd and not paying attention to these Lotuses, and they had grown quietly in the corner without his knowledge.
You know, it's quite a pleasant surprise indeed.