Chapter 29: Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber

Chapter 29: Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber

Later that night.

Auslen finally pulled the last of the jade slips away from his glabella, sighing at the aching discomfort that originated from the large amount of information that was just pumped into his skull.

He closed eyes and slouched back on the cushions lining the leather couch within his bedroom, thousands of ordinary plants, Spirit Plants, and their vivid descriptions rushing about within his mind as his subconscious did its best to accurately commit the new information to memory.

Ah, so thats why that Demon referred to them as Ancient Bloodlines

From the knowledge he had just obtained, he understood that all Demons, animals and plants alike, awakened a hereditary phenomenon known as Ancient Bloodlines at the moment of their breakthrough to the Lesser Demon realm.

These Ancient Bloodlines originated from primeval creatures known to Auslen as Primordials, legendary ancient creatures that were rumored to have existed during the moment Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was brought into existence. The Bloodlines were hidden within the blood and genes of every living creature. That statement did not include humans, however, which Auslen couldnt help but find puzzling.

Once the Ancient Bloodline was triggered during a creatures breakthrough process, they would experience a genetic transformation, causing their entire physical structure to mutate, the extent of the mutation dependent on the Grade of their Bloodline. These Grades signified the clarity and extent of the Ancient Bloodline.

Auslen now knows of four Bloodline Grades, being the Common, Rare, Elite, and Mythic Grades.

These Bloodlines gave demons several advantages that cultivators lacked, such as their universally fast cultivation speed, inherited intelligence, and access to unique innate abilities.

However, there was one significant detriment, which was the fact that Demons' cultivation potential was limited by their Ancient Bloodline.

For instance, Demons with a Common Bloodline were limited to only ever reaching the Lesser Demon realm by natural cultivation.

According to the jade slips, there were certain ways that a Demon may go about breaking their Bloodline shackle. However, they were described as both grotesque and monumentally difficult.

With such a combination of benefits and detriments, its hard to tell if Demons are fortunate or unfortunate creatures.

Auslen, are you feeling alright?

Auslen slowly opened his eyes to glance at the worried-looking Vincent, who was sitting next to him with the Dao Root text on his lap. It was clear to Auslen that the boy was still traumatized by the bloody scene that had recently occurred within this bedroom.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Speaking of night, Vincent was currently sporting a set of panda eyes, revealing to Auslen that Vincent failed to get even a wink of sleep last night. He was clearly much too excited about cultivation, to the point where that book had never left his side since Auslen had given it to him.

With an inward chuckle, Auslen nodded, Im fine! How are you doing with your studies? Are there any questions you have regarding Qi Refinement so far?

Vincents excitement was flooding back in his expression as he answered, Nope! Everything's very clear so far.

Auslen smiled in satisfaction before standing from his seat.

Good! Then follow me for a quick walk.

Your H Auslen, why did we come to this filthy room? Theres dirt everywhere

Auslen rolled his eyes while explaining, Vincent, for the last time, the dirts supposed to be there. Ill be raising plants within this Chamber.

Auslen had just turned from locking the door to his new Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber.

He had visited this Chamber late last night, using his Identity Medallion to specially key this one room for his entry alone. This way, not even Nathaniel could access it, unless Auslen gave him prior permission.

Thankfully, the boy had not a singular interest in this room, nor Spirit Plants in general, so Auslen had no need to worry much about the event of his cousin discovering his new hobby before he was ready to reveal it.

However, Auslen still decided to only use this space once Nathaniel was fast asleep within his own bedroom.

Auslen pulled a small lever near the door, causing illumination to burst through the room from above.

Lining the tall walls and ceilings was the green limestone that seemed to be quite abundant within this Outer Sect mountain. Taking up the floors was nearly a full acre of soil, split up into six separate sections that were each lined with wide limestone paths.

After they arrived in front of the first plot of soil, Vincent frowned deeply before exclaiming, But, youll get dirty! How about I do it, and you can just watch by the side?

Auslen looked at Vincent incredulously before choosing to simply shake his head in silent refusal, turning his gaze towards the slightly wet soil in the first plot to his right.

From his prior knowledge of Spirit Botanism, he knew a few things about proper agricultural protocol. Therefore, when he came to the Spirit Plant Cultivation Chamber alone last night, he had given each plot a generous dowsing of water, which was conveniently available to this room via the various hoses that were extendable from the surrounding walls.

He kicked off his indoor slippers before stepping into the soil with his bare feet, much to Vincents apparent dismay.

After walking a good distance into the plot, Auslen kneeled down, grabbing a handful of dirt before raising it closer to his face. Slight bluish tones could be seen on the soil as the light from above reflected off of the moist mound.

Although he was concerned about the strange color during his previous visit, thanks to the jade slips, Auslen could now identify this peculiar looking dirt as Spirit Soil, which was artificially designed to allow for the rapid conduction of Profound Qi. Despite the fact that the Spirit Soil seemed to be of the lowest Grade, it still had to be quite expensive to fill this entire Chamber with it!

Upon hearing Vincent's question, Auslen laughed as he scratched his head.

The fact that his father specifically packed such a seed for him, out of all the ones he could have chosen, made him slightly embarrassed at his perhaps too frequent actions back at the Royal Palace.

Shaking his head, he turned his smirking face to Vincent as he answered, Well, its a Peach Blossom tree!

Early the next morning.

No, Auslen! I dont wanna practice! Im sleepy!

As he dragged his blaringly unwilling cousin by one of his legs through the corridor towards the Training Chamber, Auslen groaned internally with trepidation.

Am I really going to have to do this everyday? Is this my life now?

Trying his best to keep calm, he childishly replied, You have to! You still havent mastered the Foundational Sword Art, and you didnt cultivate at all yesterday!

Thrashing in immature frustration on the floor, Nathaniel persisted, I promise Ill do it later!

And you promised the exact same thing yesterday.

Sigh. This isnt going to work

Although Auslen could force him once again with the threat of Grandfather Tobias, there would come a day where the boy would no longer react favorably to the consistent warning. Additionally, Auslen had his own suspicions whether the old man would really travel all the way to another continent just because his cousin wasnt listening to him properly.

After dealing with Nathaniel himself for so long, the old man had to have predicted this course of actions, which really meant that he expected for Auslen to handle the boys disobedience himself.

Suddenly, Auslen stopped walking, turning around towards his red-faced cousin with his leg still within his grasp. A gentle smile was adorned on his face as he gazed down at the fuming boy, his previous persona collapsing into abject calmness.

Do you want to do whatever you wish, Nathaniel?

Looking at his serious cousin, goosebumps spread quickly across Nathaniels body for reasons that he couldnt comprehend, as he was too young to consciously grasp his cousins moderate change in attitude or the difference in the way he addressed him.

But once he fully perceived Auslens words, he ignored his inexplicable unease and grew much happier as he bobbed his head wildly.

Yes!

I can let you do as you please, but

Just before Nathaniel was about to raise his arms in cheer, Auslen finished his sentence.

... you will have to beat me at something.

Nathaniel dropped his half-raised arms back down in confusion, asking, Beat you? At what?

It can be anything related to cultivation. If you can reach a higher stage of cultivation before me, you win! If you can beat me in a spar, you win! You can choose any topic, and profession, the statement will still apply. And I wont even tell our Grandfather about our agreement.

Jumping up from the floor, Nathaniel excitedly said, Okay, let's go spar! Ill win for sure this time!

Auslen yanked the collar of his cousin's robes before he could race towards the Training Chamber.

There are rules, cousin.

Nathaniel turned around, his pouty expression looking quite displeased.

You can only challenge me once a month, otherwise Ill never get anything done! If you lose, youll have to listen to me obediently for the following month. But if you best me, even once, Ill never order you around again! So, are you sure you want to use your monthly challenge now?

...

Nathaniels face revealed hints of nervousness as he reconsidered his plan.

He had never managed to beat Auslen during any of their previous spars, and he was weaker than his cousin in every way.

But, that's only because I hadn't tried my best before! I can do it if I work a little harder! Then, I can do anything I want to, without worrying about our mean, old grandpa coming to spank me...

Shaking his head quickly, he said, No! Lets just train today, but once I master the stupid Foundational Sword Art, Ill beat you fair and square! Count on it!

Without waiting for Auslens response, Nathaniel grabbed Auslens hand before racing down the corridor with renewed energy, pulling his guilefully smiling cousin behind him.