ALL NOVEL Chapter 102: Mastering the Longevity Technique
Winter gave way to spring, as life and growth surged anew!
Within the underground cave.
Night pearls illuminated with their radiant glow.
At its center, on level ground, Fang Xi stood solemnly, holding a spirit seed that had undergone multiple purifications through the Longevity Technique.
This spirit seed, originating from the Demon Tree, had been repeatedly refined by him, becoming virtually one with his essence. He could even sense a subtle anticipation akin to joy, as if the seed was nearing its moment of germination.
“Having prepared so meticulously…”
“After enduring such a long wait…”
“Let’s begin!”
With a deep sigh, Fang Xi buried the seed in the earth. Then, forming hand seals, he channeled magical energy forth, incanting, “By the command of longevity, let the spirit plant sprout - swiftly!”
The dusty seed beneath the surface suddenly acted like a voracious demon, hungrily devouring Fang Xi’s magical energy, causing beads of cold sweat to form on his forehead.Just as Fang Xi thought the spirit seed might drain all his magical energy, it abruptly emitted a sensation of satisfaction.
Snap!
The seed’s surface split open, releasing a tender green shoot that pushed through the soil, transforming into a sapling barely two inches tall!
Upon closer inspection, this sapling closely resembled Blackstone City’s Demon Tree, akin to a miniature black banyan tree.
“Lifebound Spirit Plant, successful!”
Fang Xi could sense that this spirit plant had become one with him. As it grew, strands of vitality essence qi were drawn from the earth, merging into his body and forming a profound connection!
This connection would weaken as the distance between him and his lifebound spirit plant increased, eventually severing entirely.
It was precisely why cultivators practicing the ‘Longevity Technique’ couldn’t stray too far from their lifebound spirit plants!
“This feeling… truly remarkable!”
In that moment, Fang Xi felt as if he had transformed into a plant himself, experiencing a sudden surge of insights flooding his mind.
As though embodying an ancient tree, enduring seasonal changes day after day, year after year…
“Begone!”
Following an instinctive impulse, he formed a gesture and incanted a spell.
Bang!
Suddenly, several sharp wooden spikes erupted from the nearby ground!
These spikes gleamed like polished iron, even sporting barbs at their edges, exuding a terrifying potential for harm.
It was the ‘Earth Spike Technique’!
Since reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, Fang Xi had been diligently studying this magic spell, and now, unexpectedly, he achieved mastery over it.
Not only did he master it, but its potency seemed to have significantly increased when cast!
“I can also sense… newfound insights regarding the Entangling Spell.”
Fang Xi’s eyes gleamed slightly, “I didn’t expect such benefits from the Longevity Technique? No… perhaps the key lies within this Demon Tree itself!”
Originating from the Great Liang World, this demonic entity had entered the cultivation realm and grown by absorbing spiritual energy.
Even Fang Xi couldn’t predict what form the Demon Tree would ultimately take.
“However, judging by its growth rate… hopefully I won’t have to wait until my natural death?”
He gently caressed the sapling, his face filled with delight and satisfaction. A serene yet thriving aura emanated from him, reflecting both tranquility and vitality.
“What should I call you in the future? Eternal Evergreen Tree? Longevity Tree?”
As Fang Xi pondered, his expression suddenly changed!
Through the connection with his lifebound spirit plant, he sensed a strong desire for something on his person—or rather, within his bag of holding!
Fang Xi considered briefly and retrieved two dusty seeds from the bag.
Upon seeing them, the lifebound spirit plant instantly displayed immense excitement and longing.
“If it’s worth doing, do it right,” Fang Xi murmured as he placed the seeds next to the Demon Tree.
In the next moment,
Rustle! Rustle!
The ground near the sapling cracked open, revealing tendrils-like roots that swiftly grasped the two seeds. Then, they pierced into them, seemingly extracting their nutrients—a ruthless act of self-destruction!
The seeds of this Demon Tree seemed inherently brutal by nature!
Stimulated by these seeds, Fang Xi’s lifebound spirit plant began to rapidly grow.
Three inches, four inches, one foot…
In an instant, it soared over three feet tall, transforming into a glossy black trunk with lush foliage - a magnificent Spirit Tree!
Numerous aerial roots dangled from its green canopy, exploring and extending outward… revealing an intense craving for flesh and blood!
“Return!” Fang Xi’s eyes chilled as he issued the command.
All the aerial roots and vines instantly retracted. The Demon Tree shuddered, emitting a sense of委屈, almost pleading, “I’m hungry…”
“Devouring your brethren for sustenance…and that insatiable hunger for flesh!”
“You shall remain the Demon Tree after all!”
“And henceforth, without my explicit command, you are not allowed to attack any living beings!” Fang Xi declared firmly.
Bound by the Longevity Technique, Fang Xi and the Demon Tree had become inseparable; the spirit plant was now an extension of himself. Consequently, issuing commands required merely a single thought.
At the same time, his suspicions were further confirmed.
The Demon Tree’s behavior indeed resembled that of an evil entity… It must not be discovered; otherwise, Fang Xi could easily be suspected as a demonic cultivator!
“I hope you can grow swiftly and deliver some results soon, at least allowing me to cultivate the Azure Wood Spirit Body…”
“Come on, feast!”
Fang Xi carried two large buckets filled with Beefwood meat to the base of the Demon Tree.
Swish! Swish!
Numerous aerial roots descended, plunging into the Beefwood meat, seemingly sucking out its essence.
In moments, chunks of Beefwood turned to ash and dissipated.
And the Demon Tree appeared to have… grown taller slightly?
“As expected… the growth rate of this Demon Tree is truly astonishing!” Fang Xi’s eyes lit up.
His conjecture was correct!
Looking at the two seeds now devoid of any life force, Fang Xi felt a sense of regret.
If only this sapling could devour the main body of the Demon Tree from Blackstone City, how rapidly would it develop? Perhaps his ‘Second Wood Dharmakāya’ could have been instantly achieved?
However, given his current strength, approaching that massive Demon Tree… would essentially be delivering himself for slaughter!
Several days later.
In the cellar, Fang Xi followed the ratios specified in the God of Wine Manual to prepare multiple jars of spirit wine using Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice as the primary ingredient. He then buried them for aging within the cellar.
Among these, there were also a few batches based on formulas he had developed himself at the Green Bamboo Market. Although rudimentary by his current standards, they served as keepsakes of his early experimentation.
After completing this task, Fang Xi fed the fish and proceeded to the spirit fields, where he began sowing seeds of Scarlet Blood Spirit Rice.
When initially measuring Jade Cliff, he had envisioned laying the groundwork for future expansion of his spirit fields. Now, having identified two promising locations, he was ready to cultivate several more acres.
As Fang Xi moved about, he could sense the connection with the Demon Tree and its constantly extending roots deep within the earth. The tree acted like another extension of himself, continuously absorbing the vitality essence qi from the land and plants, infusing it into his body. This created a ‘circulatory cycle’ between them.
Fang Xi stepped out of the Little Cloudrain Array, pacing the ground to measure distance.
Three li, four li…
After walking nearly five to six li, the ‘circulating connection’ began to weaken significantly, signaling to Fang Xi that any further distance would inevitably disrupt his Longevity Technique!
“The greatest flaw of the Longevity Technique is its inability to stray too far from one’s lifebound spirit plant… I can’t even traverse freely?”
“However, I recall the Ancestral Demon Tree in Blackstone City seemed capable of movement… albeit quite troublesome.”
“This presents an interesting possibility; at least it wouldn’t confine me to a single location permanently.”
Fang Xi turned back, deep in thought.
“Fellow Daoist Fang!”
At that moment, a figure approached - surprisingly, it was the elegant Feng Manlou!
“Fellow Daoist Feng!” Fang Xi bowed respectfully. “Can I assist you with something?”
Feng Manlou’s face bore traces of hardship, marked by a hint of sorrow. “I just received news that the Mo Clan patriarch… has passed away!”
“What?” Fang Xi feigned shock, internally sighing with relief, realizing he had outlasted yet another enemy.
The Mo Clan patriarch was expected to live for several more years, but after sustaining severe injuries from Fang Xi, his vital energy greatly diminished, leading to a shortened lifespan.
While cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage theoretically had a maximum lifespan of two sixty-year cycles, approximately 120 years, very few actually reached that age. This was due to constant battles and resulting injuries, which significantly depleted their vital energy and adversely affected their longevity.
Only cultivators practicing wood attribute techniques and adept at self-care could generally outlive their peers by a margin.
“I must attend the funeral proceedings now, Fellow Daoist Fang?” Feng Manlou tentatively asked.
“Fellow Daoist, I’m not well-acquainted with the Mo Clan, so perhaps it’s best if I don’t join…” Fang Xi politely declined, his tone mild.
“Ah…”
Feng Manlou did not insist, merely sighing before departing.
He couldn’t help but think about Mo Qingyu, the proud young man who had always relied on his family’s influence, accumulating no shortage of enemies along the way. With the Mo Clan patriarch’s demise, their status would likely plummet dramatically. It remained uncertain how many would seize the opportunity to strike further when they were down!
In the underground cavern, Fang Xi gazed at the ten-foot-tall Demon Tree with a hint of melancholy. “In this world…is there truly no one who can achieve immortality?”
With the demise of the Mo Clan’s patriarch today, it seemed likely that the Feng Clan’s patriarch would soon follow suit, stirring deep emotions within Fang Xi.
As usual, he cut off a large piece of Beefwood meat for the Demon Tree to feast upon.
After feeding the sapling, Fang Xi sat cross-legged beneath it, activating the Longevity Technique. He absorbed the vitality essence qi from plants, refining his acquired spiritual body.
This was a painstaking process; even attaining the lowest level ‘Azure Wood Spirit Body’ required a century of dedication!
Moreover, it demanded high-quality spirit plants and spiritual veins.
However, Fang Xi had taken an unconventional path by discovering the peculiar Demon Tree, effectively bypassing these barriers.
During his cultivation, one of the aerial roots from the Demon Tree canopy descended and penetrated Fang Xi’s back.
“Hm? What is this…”
Fang Xi opened his eyes, momentarily wondering if he had somehow crossed over again, perhaps becoming a red-eyed elderly man known for wielding a folding fan…
But in the next instant, he couldn’t help but exhale a contented sigh.
Blood Qi!
An incredibly pure surge of Blood Qi flowed through the Demon Tree’s aerial root into his body.
Fang Xi looked at his hands, suddenly feeling an invigorating life force coursing through him, as if rejuvenated to his peak physical condition at seventeen or eighteen years old!
“Does the Demon Tree absorb blood essence and then reciprocate it?”
“The Longevity Technique doesn’t seem to describe this phenomenon. Is this unique to the Demon Tree itself?”