H. Chapter 22
"Do you want to break through here? I think it's going to disturb the Blazing Parasol Tree. Are there chances for that happening?" asked Qin Jia.
"No, the tree won't be disturbed. The potion you poured on the roots will dull the intelligence of this tree. I can even stay on this branch for a long time without this green aura covering us," replied Liu Ye.
"Fine," said Qin Jia.
While they waited for the potion to take effect, Liu Ye took him to collect some leaves. He lightly sprinkled the Frost sand water on every leaf and stored them in the tattoo space. If he was alone, he could've stored them directly in the system space, but now he couldn't. They picked the leaves while waiting for the green aura around them to disappear.
Liu Ye returned to the big branch and started cultivating. Qin Jia maintained a distance and stood on another branch.
Liu Ye started to practise Emerald Essence Scripture, a modification of Evergreen Essence Scripture that allowed his body to contain and produce toxins. This modified technique was just Evergreen Essence Scripture with extra steps to let the Wood Qi in his body nurture the toxins.
The Qi from the tree was being absorbed by Liu Ye, and this Wood Qi started to fill his acupoints.
From the 4th layer of the Body Tempering Realm, the cultivators must supplement their body with the elements they lack in the five elements.
Those with spirit roots should assimilate their body with the element of that root.
Liu Ye's Death and Life Spirit Roots were special. Normal human bodies couldn't handle special spirit roots. They should skip assimilating with them and attempt when their bodies could be capable. Lightning spirit root is the most dangerous spirit root to try to assimilate in the Body Tempering Realm. A single or couple of lightning strikes would kill the cultivator.
Evergreen Essence Scripture with right materials could create a Wood Spirit Root in Liu Ye's body. Before he reaches the 9th layer of the Body Tempering Realm, Liu Ye should find a treasure above 3rd grade. He was going to ask Qin Jia's help, but now he found a perfect treasure to build his wood spirit root.
The Blazing Parasol Tree could at least help Liu Ye build a spirit root of 4th grade. The Wood Qi from this tree could also increase the fire resistance of Liu Ye.
When Liu Ye's body was shining with a green glow, Qin Jia passed a leaf into Liu Ye's hands as stated by him before.
Liu Ye absorbed the Wood Qi and toxins from the leaves. The remaining Fire Qi dissipated into the nature.
The toxins were surrounded by the Wood Qi and entered his body through his acupoints.
His body began to assimilate with both the Wood Qi and the toxins.
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After Qin Jia informed him, Su Maoxian pitched a tent and started cultivating. The Qi around the Blazing Parasol Tree was dense.
He ate a 2nd grade flower given to him by Qin Jia and improved his cultivation by a minor realm because of it.
Su Maoxian was stunned when he saw them removing the leaves from the tree and felt a slight irritation. If Liu Ye had informed Brother Qin about the leaves and instructed him on how to pick them, maybe Brother Qin could have managed to get them with the help of Miss Lan Yue.
Miss Lan Yue, an alchemist, would have happily agreed to help Qin Jia with it.
Su Maoxian felt that Liu Ye had created unnecessary trouble for Brother Qin and him. Although he agreed to Liu Ye in the beginning, he later regretted it throughout their journey in the Blazing Parasol Valley.
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After stabilising the fifth layer of the Body Tempering realm, Liu Ye stopped tempering his body. Qin Jia took him into the tent.
"So, will we be staying in this place for more than a week?" Su Maoxian asked them after listening to the importance of the Blazing Parasol Tree to Liu Ye.
"Are you okay with it?" asked Liu Ye.
"I am fine. Since we have already informed my family, I think we can stay here for a few more days. I can also cultivate with peace of mind," Su Maoxian said happily. This would be the longest time he will be spending time on cultivation after he had started helping his family in fishing. Qin Jia won't hold back when clarifying any doubts he had. If nothing unexpected happens, he was willing to stay here for a long time.
"Well that's good. I don't want to rush my cultivation if we can," said Liu Ye. It might take at least two weeks if Liu Ye wants to cultivate to the 9th layer of the Body Tempering Realm.
"Are there any chances that other cultivators can enter into this place?" Su Maoxian asked Liu Ye. Su Maoxian learned that Liu Ye was an expert in Formation and Runes.
"I don't think so. The formation around this tree can alarm the cultivators of the Phoenix Jade Palace and also attack the intruders. It can hold on as long as the number of Divine Manifestation Realm cultivators attacking it does not exceed by three," Liu Ye replied. "Or you need an item similar to mine, which is harder than gathering Divine Manifestation Realm cultivators."
"Hey, how much does that stone you threw into the air costs?" Su Maoxian asked him, astonished.
"You need to pay a lot of high grade spirit crystals just to make one of those stones. I don't know how much they would fetch if they are put on sale," Liu Ye replied.
"You just threw all those high grade spirit crystals," Su Maoxian's face changed when he heard Liu Ye. "Yeah, you were spoiled. I won't change my stance."
"I made the money by myself and spent them to gather the materials for the stone. At least try to know more about me before coming to a conclusion," Liu Ye rebutted.
"Why didn't you sell things like them instead of opening a herbal shop? What were you thinking when you settled in this city? There are not many Formation masters in Blazing Parasol City," stated Su Maoxian.
"We felt that opening a herbal shop was a better option in this city than dealing with formations. It's Brother Qin who suggested this idea," replied Liu Ye. In reality, they couldn't make formations for others after their sect was disbanded, as there might be enemies who could find them through them.
"Fine. However, I still think using those expensive stones for these leaves and break through's in the Body Tempering Realm is a total waste," stated Su Maoxian.