Breeding spells had casting targets, and different plants gave different proficiency.
To raise the proficiency of "Thriving Growth," it was best to find a short-cycle plant to practice on.
What Zhao Xing saw now was a plant called "tooth grass."
"Tooth grass, under natural conditions, could grow from a seedling to maturity and bear fruit in less than a month. It's usually used to feed cattle and sheep, but it's rare in the south. The Old Minister of Agriculture's courtyard is truly a treasure trove."
Zhao Xing immediately ran to the tooth grass.
Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was released, enveloping the tooth grass, and the "Thriving Growth" spell glowed faintly.
Immediately, the tooth grass began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the tooth grass. The plant transitioned from the seedling stage to the growth stage. Spell proficiency +50"
"You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the tooth grass. The plant transitioned from the growth stage to maturity. Spell proficiency +150"
.....
The Primordial Qi was rapidly depleting, but the proficiency of Thriving Growth was soaring.
In the early stages, the spell rank wasn't high; choosing the right target to practice on allowed for rapid proficiency increases.
Of course, this was also related to talent and insight.
If Zhao Xing had not taken the Tao Embryo Pill before, he wouldn't have gained so much proficiency.
"Using Five Elements Observation also makes the tooth grass grow faster." During the casting process, Zhao Xing faintly comprehended something.
The tooth grass appeared in a semi-transparent form before him, with its inner root and stem veins clearly visible.
Wherever the Primordial Qi went, it could make the tooth grass grow faster and more smoothly... This was the effect of Five Elements Observation!
With 'Five Elements Observation,' it was like prescribing the right remedy, making the Thriving Growth spell more effective and greatly improving cultivation efficiency.
"You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the tooth grass. The plant transitioned from the seedling stage to the growth stage. Spell proficiency +50"
"You cast 'Thriving Growth' on the tooth grass. The plant transitioned from the growth stage to maturity. Spell proficiency +150"
......
A wave of emptiness hit him, and Zhao Xing stopped casting, as his Primordial Qi was exhausted.
The plot of land before him was now entirely covered with tooth grass, even spreading to the sides.
"Gurgle, gurgle~"
Zhao Xing drew water from a well, took a few big gulps, eased his fatigue, and sat beside the well quite contentedly.
"Thriving Growth: Initial Stage Spell"
"Progress: (3210/9999)"
"Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption, shortens the plant's maturation time."
"Thriving Growth has reached the Third Transition. It's only half the morning, and it's climbed up two levels."
"Let's try this old locust tree."
Zhao Xing pointed his finger, and golden light spun three times in the air before entering the old locust tree.
The old locust tree didn't even shake, indicating that his mana was insufficient.
The display panel showed no reaction either.
"The old locust tree is deeply rooted, and Five Elements Observation reveals its annual rings and veins, like copper walls and iron walls. My little bit of Primordial Qi is simply unable to help it break through its growth shackles."
Cultivation was a gradual process, so Zhao Xing wasn't surprised.
"I should honestly cultivate tooth grass, set a small goal: to get Thriving Growth to Nine Revolutions before the Start of Autumn small test!"
........
Time flew, and soon it was the day before the Start of Autumn small test.
During these six days, Zhao Xing did nothing but engage with tooth grass.
He planted and uprooted, and when the Earth Power was insufficient, he would move to another spot.
He even utilized the nighttime.
"Thriving Growth: Initial Stage Spell"
"Progress: (9010/9999)"
"Effect: Accelerates nutrient absorption, shortens the plant's maturation time."
"Finally reached Nine Revolutions."
Zhao Xing felt a relief in his heart, the joy retreating, leaving a deep fatigue.
Ignoring everything else, he found a bamboo mat in the back yard's wing room and fell asleep.
Xue Wenzhong came to the back yard, looked at the bunch of weeds scattered all over, and at the soundly sleeping Zhao Xing, and nodded slightly.
Then he beckoned with his hand, and a gentle wind swirled around Zhao Xing.
Though subtle, the power wasn't insignificant, it directly lifted Zhao Xing up.
Unknowingly, Zhao Xing was moved to Xue Wenzhong's bedroom.
When Zhao Xing woke up, he felt unprecedentedly refreshed, as if a gentle wind had been blowing while he slept. Though it was the Great Heat period, he had the sensation of sleeping in spring.
"Ugh~" Stretching lazily, Zhao Xing found something was off. Wasn't he sleeping outside? How did he end up on a bed?
"It seems the teacher carried me in, but my clothes are still covered in dirt..."
Looking at the soiled bamboo mat under him, Zhao Xing wanted to find something to clean it.
Lifting his head, he noticed a painting hanging on the wall.
Instantly, Zhao Xing's eyes were glued to it.
The painting emitted a faint glow, as if it had a magical power, pulling him in. It's as if his whole soul was being absorbed.
The clouds in the painting dissipated, green sprouts emerged from the ground, countless plants broke through the soil like bamboo shoots after rain. The Primordial Qi, hard to capture in reality, seemed to have form, clearly visible in this world.
A unique rhythm came from underground, like breathing.
"Is that... the earth veins?" Zhao Xing realized.
Life and Primordial Qi merged, the duality of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, combining Yin and Yang. One plant after another vividly appeared before him, from seedlings to maturity, blooming, and fruiting...
"Buzz~"
No one knew how long had passed when Zhao Xing broke free from this illusion.
The painting before him was still a painting, but it no longer had that magical aura.
"So, this is an All Things Growth Map, the classic work of the Self Sect." Zhao Xing immediately realized. "But this artistic concept is too powerful. What level of copy is this?"
Looking at the status panel, he indeed saw a record:
"You discovered the 'All Things Growth Map Copy' (Fourth-rank inferior product)"
"This treasure is a Preaching Painting, remaining uses: 1"
"You studied the 'All Things Growth Map Copy' (Fourth-rank inferior product). Thriving Growth has reached maximum level."
"You comprehended mid-level spell 'Savage Growth.'"
"You comprehended initial stage spell 'Earth Vein Comprehensive Element.'"
"Sigh~"
The painting hanging on the wall suddenly ignited and vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Eh?" Zhao Xing hurriedly tried to grab it, but it burned into ashes within a second.
"The Preaching Painting had only 1 remaining use, and I used it up." Zhao Xing felt a bit anxious.
A Fourth-rank Treasure wasn't something ordinary, and even more so a rare 'Preaching Painting,' how could he explain this to the Old Minister of Agriculture?
While he was pondering, the Old Minister of Agriculture's voice came from outside: "It's getting late, the food is ready. Eat before you leave."
"Yes, teacher." Zhao Xing nervously came to the dining table. Facing Xue Wenzhong, he sheepishly said: "Teacher, I accidentally saw a painting in your study when I woke up just now, and then it caught fire."
"A painting? What painting?" Xue Wenzhong squinted his eyes, looked at Zhao Xing, and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Eat."