Chapter 286 Lotus Seed, Stone

Although the path of the Alchemist had not yet reached the limit of the third rank, there was still considerable room for growth.
However, Meng Zhou was confident that in the profession of Alchemist alone, he was not inferior to the limit of the third rank.
```htmlIf one really goes all out, there may even be a significant overflow.
This is also the reason why he dares to play this card in front of Senior Mingnan.
If the sole purpose is to surpass Senior Mingnan, he can certainly play more cards.```
```htmlEven though the knot master who has reached the third-order limit level cannot be revealed, the four paths of the Dan instrument symbol array, which have been closely "bound" since the first order, can be displayed at will.```
There's no need to print them all, just one more card, and we can easily suppress Old Ancestor Mingnan.
However, of course, he wouldn't do that.
It's never been about surpassing Old Ancestor Mingnan; the goal is to capture him and even the entire Spirit Control Army.
It can be imagined that with Mingnan's current mindset, he would never agree to belittle himself and join the professional association.
Sitting on an equal footing with himself is already the limit he can accept.
```htmlHe also didn't want to reveal too many cards for the sake of Mingnan Laozu.
Moreover, what he cared about was never the position of the president of the Professional Association itself. If only half a position could be released to develop Mingnan Laozu into a partner, it would definitely be a good deal with low input and high return.```
```htmlWhat, even if Senior Mingnan joins the association, it still doesn't count as a partner?
Meng Zhou, however, felt that this issue was not significant. Solving the problem from zero to one, and from one to two or even three, will only become easier.```
```htmlJust then, Yin Youyi produced a white jade box about the size of a palm, placing it on the table and gently pushing it towards Meng Zhou.
As the jade box was pushed near Meng Zhou, its lid popped open gently.```
```htmlA spiritual species emerges, shining brightly, about the size of a pigeon egg, with a golden hue throughout, yet with a faint hint of pink at its tip.
Upon closer inspection, on the outer surface of this golden spiritual species, there seem to be scales of golden color.```
```htmlBut upon closer inspection, it's not scales but rather the shape of lotus petals. However, this shape is a natural variation formed by the golden radiance of the hidden spiritual energy of the spirit race stimulating the outer wall, and it flows incessantly like water ripples, swirling and vanishing.```
It looks as if there is a faint shimmering light floating on the surface of the spirit seed.
This is naturally the result of forcibly using the secret technique of "Conception of Pearl Embryo" to forcibly induce birth from within that lotus flower, which is gold on the outside and powder on the inside.
```html“What kind of quality is this spiritual species?” Meng Zhou asked curiously as he carefully examined it.
Yin Youyi spread out his palm, and the tightly closed golden flower bud hung in his palm, slowly rotating.```
```htmlThe size also changes from small to large, from the size of a thumb to the size of a fist, and the rotation becomes slower. The tightly closed golden petals slowly open, revealing the pink petals inside.```
```htmlUnder his deliberate openness, all details were clearly presented in the eyes of "Qihuangzi".
As he demonstrated, Yin Youyi introduced:
"I can't say for sure what specific qualities this spirit lotus seed possesses."```
"Because this spiritual lotus is different from the usual fixed-grade spiritual plants we encounter, it is indeed a very special spiritual entity."
"This lotus, we call it the Golden Dust Twin-Stem Lotus."
“Compared to ordinary spiritual plants, it has many peculiarities. The time when Han Yu and I discovered it can be traced back to more than two hundred years ago.”
“Qihuangzi” exclaimed, "So early?"
Yin You nodded, "Yes, back then, Hanyu and I were not at our current cultivation level yet, and these five territories were still the territory of the Star Palace."
At that time, the Hehuan Sect was also like the hidden forces like the Shadow Kill Tower now, barely maintaining their inheritance.
```htmlDuring a journey, we saw a celestial phenomenon from afar, and quietly approached to investigate, only to discover that the entity undergoing the celestial tribulation was neither a cultivator nor a demonic beast, but rather this peculiar spiritual lotus.```
当时它还不是现在这般模样，有根有茎有叶，除了正在历劫之外，和寻常灵植并没有太大不同。
不过，随着它成功历劫之后，它就从一株完成的灵莲慢慢收缩变成了一朵无根无茎无叶，只有一朵外金内粉灵莲花的奇特状态。”
```html“At that time, its state was very poor just after the stiffness ended, with petals in tatters, as if it could fall apart at any moment.
As it closed the blossoming petals, it quickly flew away from the disaster area."```
What's even more intriguing is that as we approached, attempting to capture it, it seemed to possess a sort of intelligence. Not only did it accelerate, but it also purposefully maneuvered, avoiding the area where we were, sliding away smoothly.
Sure, here is the translation of the provided text:```htmlIf it weren't for quick hands and jade-like eyes, using a piece of embroidered cloth treasure to catch it, it might have really escaped."
"Since acquiring it, although it only has one flower, without roots or leaves, it has not stopped growing.```
```htmlIt can not only grow slowly on its own, but also accelerate its growth through active cultivation after many attempts.
At the time when we founded the sect in the Héhuān Domain, this Golden Dust Twin-Petaled Lotus had already grown to the peak quality of the third-grade middle tier, which greatly assisted the two of us."```
"In the past century, supported by abundant resources, its growth rate has surpassed the previous one hundred years."
"Successively breaking through the boundaries of third grade superior and third grade top quality."
```htmlAs "Qihuangzi" listened to Yin Youyi's detailed introduction, the gleam in his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and he made no effort to conceal his covetous gaze fixed on the Linglian in the box.
"So, it's now a third-grade top-grade item?"```
```htmlYin You nodded first, and then gently shook his head:
"Now it, should barely still maintain the quality of third-order top-grade."
However, this is because we used the method of conceiving a spirit species in it, forcibly condensing a spirit species in its body, causing a lot of damage to its vitality.```
Before its pregnancy reached the stage of spiritual conception, we carefully evaluated it, and it should have already surpassed the category of third-grade excellence."
"Could it be fourth-grade?" asked "Qihuangzi" with widened eyes in astonishment.
```htmlYin You shook his head: "No, because of many restrictions, it cannot truly transcend the third tier."
"Qi Huangzi" nodded slowly.
"Just like the pseudo pill between the Foundation Building and the Core Formation stage, I think it should have been quasi-fourth tier at that time, hovering between the third and fourth tiers."```
Now it has fallen, and I don't know if it can be cultivated again."
"Qi Huangzi" nodded slowly, "That really troubled you."
Yin Youyi shook his head and said, "Compared to the life of Hanyu, what does this matter?"
```htmlWith a nod, "Qihuangzi" pondered for a moment, then asked, "I wonder if there are any particular techniques for nurturing it?"
Yin You chuckled and said, "It's quite simple. This thing has a great appetite and isn't picky. You just need to drip the essence of third-grade spirit plants into the inner pink flower core, or drip other liquid or creamy third-grade spirit materials into it. Otherwise, grind those spirit stones or spirit gold into powder and sprinkle it in. It will then absorb and digest the spirituality of these spirit materials and ultimately turn them into nutrients for growth."```
"So simple." "Qihuangzi" exclaimed.
"However, the absorption efficiency of different spiritual materials also varies.
The lowest absorption efficiency is for spiritual gold, spiritual stone, and other solid spiritual minerals, followed by things like demon beast bone powder, then demon beast flesh and blood, and finally non-spirit plant liquid and emulsion substances."
“The best absorption effect is the juice of the third-order spiritual plant.”
Listening to Yin Youyi's sharing, "Qihuangzi" nodded from time to time.
Just as Yin Youyi finished speaking, Mu Hanyu quickly added:
```html"Even though the absorption effect of the third-grade spiritual plant juice is good, the utilization rate is basically only about fifty to sixty percent, and there will still be nearly half wasted.
However, there are exceptions, such as the juice squeezed from third-grade spirit lotus, the absorption effect can reach more than eighty percent."```
```html"Qi Huangzi" nodded solemnly, gently covering the jade box in front of him, and carefully putting it into the Linghu space.
Yin Youyi and Mu Hanyu did not stay long either. After sitting idle for a while, they got up, bid farewell, and left.```
```htmlBefore the two left, "Qihuangzi" took out a large bag of spirit tea and handed it to Yin Youyi.
"For you two, this spirit tea is just a taste, it's powerful."
"Once you've finished drinking these, come to me anytime to get more."```
Neither of them declined, but accepted this gift with a smile.
"In the future, if there are any difficult patients that need my help, just come find me."
Hearing this, the two of them happily agreed.
很快，两人身周便再次出现片片粉色莲瓣虚影，将两人包裹入内。
再眨眼的功夫，金色莲瓣便已紧紧合拢，迅速缩小。
While shooting into the distant sky, it quickly dimmed and disappeared until completely merging into the void.
Watching the direction the two were heading, Meng Zhou felt quite emotional.
Before making contact with the two, the information he had gathered from various sources gave him a preconceived impression.
Among the five domains and five sects, it is the most difficult to deal with the practitioners of the Union of Harmony Sect.
From ordinary cultivators to figures as high as the Patriarchs, compared to the other four sects, the Union of Harmony Sect always gives people a sense of capriciousness, unpredictability, eccentricity, and a tendency for retaliation...
In the reputation of the other four sects, it was almost directly labeled as a cult.
Some irresponsible rumors even suggested that the gentle and open-minded nature of the Harmony Sect, as well as the large number of female cultivators, were related to the unique style of behavior of the Harmony Sect's female cultivators.
```htmlHowever, after several contacts, he felt that the rumors were inaccurate.
Of course, it is more likely that this is a special treatment exclusive to him.
What else can he do besides giving more "favorability" to the Hehuan Sect?```
```htmlThere is a point that he did not ask, nor did the two mention, but he knew.
The two coincidentally arrived with Elder Mingnan, which was not a coincidence.
With the latest information from the Linglian avatar transmitted back from Hehuan Domain, supplemented by the interpretation of the Wanxiang and Tianxiang, Mengzhou knew that as early as a month ago, Yinyouyi and Mu Hanyu had completed the spiritual conception of the Jin Fen Shuang Di Lian.```
```htmlThen, the two of them left Hehuan Domain at the first moment and came to fulfill the agreement reached that day.
With their speed, even if they leisurely traveled along the mountains and rivers, stopping from time to time, it wouldn't take more than five days from Yuling Sect to Sanchuan Plateau.```
```htmlThe truth is, they came over with Elder Mingnan.
The situation is quite easy to guess.
After the two arrived in the Qingxuan Domain, they should soon realize the sparks that have been secretly ignited between them and Elder Mingnan.```
```htmlBased on their experience, they also understand that Mingnan Laozu must make a response within a short period of time.
So, although they could have arrived long ago, they didn't move until Mingnan Laozu came on the scene in a blaze of glory, aggressively charging towards Sanchuan Plateau. Only then did they quietly follow behind him and come over together.```
```htmlThe effect is also very obvious. From the Wumong Sea to the Sanchuan Plateau, a straight-line distance of tens of thousands of miles, the momentum accumulated by Mingnan Laozu was easily cracked and completely extinguished by their appearance.```
```htmlEven without this scene, Meng Zhou, who had been waiting for Grand Ancestor Ming Nan to visit, was confident in "taking him down".
But revealing more cards and spending more effort are inevitable.```
But what's even rarer is this state of mind.
From beginning to end, neither of them even mentioned it.
If it weren't for his special means, coupled with having eyes in the Hehuan domain, he wouldn't be able to know all this, and would only think it's just a coincidence.
That's why this kindness seems so pure and rare.
If there was a "likability" value, just this one gesture would have increased Meng Zhou's likability towards Hehuan Sect by a large margin.
After retracting his gaze, Meng Zhou took out the jade box that he had just stored in the spiritual space.
Opening the lid, he stared at the magical spirit lotus inside.
After looking at it for a while, he reached out and held it in his hand, sensing a rich and vigorous vitality, hidden and unrevealed, stirring in his palm.
Thinking about the situation introduced by Yin Youyi.
Its characteristics that can be accelerated in growth through other resources are not too special.
Not to mention that the characteristics of Tai Sui Blood and Flesh are similar, even if this factor is excluded, there are still similar spiritual plants.
Some sinister veins have such eerie spirit plants. They are adept at hunting demon beasts and spirit insects, accelerating their own growth by devouring the flesh and spiritual essence of these creatures.
So, this isn't particularly unique.
```htmlWhat impressed him most was its need to undergo tribulation between the second and third tiers.
This is a phenomenon that other third-tier spiritual plants do not have.
After the spiritual plant with third-tier quality reaches the limit of the second tier, as long as the spiritual energy, nutrients, and lifespan keep up, it will naturally advance to the third tier.```
```htmlEven the flesh and blood of the Grand Duke are refined using special techniques. Only when resonating with the aura of human cultivators will they attract heavenly tribulation, bringing benefits to the cultivators as well.```
Moreover, after completing the tribulation, it sheds its roots and leaves, and other "burdens," existing only in the form of a flower. When facing the pursuit of the two, it also shows the survival ability that only demons possess, not possessed by spirit plants...
With all this information piled up in his mind, Meng Zhou almost instinctively blurted out a thought.
"Fairies, fairies, since there are demons, naturally there are spirits... Could it be that the Spirit Lotus has become a spirit?"
```htmlThinking of this, Meng Zhou held the seed of the spiritual lotus in his hand, wondering if it was an illusion. He felt that the seed, about the size of a pigeon egg, actually looked more like an egg.```
Deeply hidden vitality and spirituality seemed to have subtle differences with the method of thinking.
Soon, Meng Zhou once again stored this special spiritual lotus seed into the spiritual gourd space.
```htmlCurrently, he has no intention of using the Qinglian Sword Marrow to cultivate it.
At least not until he can separate the unparalleled sword intent contained in the Qinglian Sword Marrow.```
他手中多出了另一样物品，一枚灰黑色的石子。