Chapter 112: Learning How To Grow A Tree

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Learning How To Grow A Tree

The next morning, Sui Sui quickly got ready. He still had quite a few things to do today. After everything that had happened the previous night, the arrangements had finally been settled. Besides MuMu’s task, Sui Sui had also been given another responsibility—to help Elder Shan Li cultivate the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree.

Sui Sui took MuMu with him as he left his room.

Fortunately, Elder Shan Li did not require MuMu to remain in his courtyard. He had simply said that MuMu could come and go freely, as long as he did not cause any more trouble, however he would still of course need to be elder Shan’s test subject

Since it was already morning, many disciples were out and about. The moment Sui Sui stepped onto Medicine Peak, he immediately attracted attention.

Some looked at him curiously, probably wondering why a probationary disciple had come here. Others glanced at him with disdain, clearly looking down on his qualifications, while a few seemed to recognize him from yesterday’s alchemy lecture.

No one dared to stop him, though. It wasn’t really forbidden for a probationary disciple to visit Medicine Peak, however it was indeed unusual.

Sui Sui paid little attention to the surrounding gazes and continued toward Elder Shan Li’s courtyard. When he arrived at the entrance, he reached into his pocket and took out a small token.

The moment he raised it, the newly restored barrier rippled gently before opening a passage.

Sui Sui walked through without any resistance.

The token had been given to him by Elder Shan Li the previous day. Since Sui Sui and MuMu would be coming and going from the courtyard, Elder Shan Li had given them the token to prevent them from accidentally breaking through the barrier again.

The disciples watching from outside couldn’t help but gasp when they saw Sui Sui enter the courtyard without any resistance. The token in his hand was unmistakable—it was something Elder Shan Li had personally given him.

What did that mean?

Could Elder Shan Li really have allowed this probationary disciple to enter his private courtyard whenever he wanted?

The speculation spread almost immediately.

"Could it be that Elder Shan Li is planning to take him as a disciple?"

"I heard that this showed incredible talent during yesterday’s alchemy lecture."

"Really? Then this might actually be possible."

Before long, whispers about Sui Sui and Elder Shan Li had spread throughout Medicine Peak. What had started as a simple misunderstanding quickly turned into a rumor that Elder Shan Li might be preparing to accept a new disciple.

Sui Sui, on the other hand, had no idea that he had already become the subject of gossip throughout Medicine Peak. He was too busy learning from Elder Shan Li, who had begun teaching him how to manage the herbs in his courtyard.

Most of the herbs growing here were High-Level spiritual herbs, which made their requirements somewhat more complicated than those in the sect’s ordinary herb garden. Fortunately, the garden itself was not particularly large, and Sui Sui already had several months of experience tending herbs from his time working in the sect’s herb garden.

For the most part, the work wasn’t too difficult. The main thing was remembering each herb’s specific needs. Some needed to be watered twice a day, while others preferred a dry environment. Some required spiritual energy to grow, while others could be damaged if they were exposed to too much of it.

Once Elder Shan Li explained the requirements for each herb, Sui Sui quickly got the hang of it.

For the last part, Elder Shan Li led Sui Sui toward the back of the courtyard. There, Sui Sui saw a lush green tree standing quietly in the garden.

Its leaves were translucent green with several round fruits hung from its branches, each one smooth and glossy, shimmering faintly under the sunlight. They barely looked like ordinary fruit at all. At first glance, they looked more like pieces of jade growing directly from the branches.

Sui Sui’s eyes widened slightly.

This should be the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree.

Elder Shan Li stopped beside the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree and looked over it carefully before turning toward Sui Sui.

"This tree is different from ordinary spiritual plants," he explained. "Its roots are extremely delicate, so the soil must be prepared beforehand. Mix the soil with crushed High-Grade Spirit Stones, then arrange the stones around the roots. Do not place them directly against the roots. Their spiritual energy needs to seep into the soil gradually."

Sui Sui immediately took out his notebook and began writing everything down.

"Every few days, you must use your spiritual sense to inspect the roots," Elder Shan Li continued. "Just like in purifying a herb, look for stagnant or impure spiritual energy and remove it before it accumulates. After that, refine the Spirit Stones into pure spiritual energy and guide it into the root system."

"Like this?" Sui Sui asked, carefully following his explanation with his brush.

Elder Shan Li nodded. "The spiritual energy should circulate from the roots into the trunk, then through the branches before returning to the roots. Keep the circulation stable. Do not allow the energy to gather in one place."

Sui Sui quickly added another line to his notes.

"Once the tree has accumulated enough spiritual energy, you can stimulate its internal meridians and awaken its blooming state," Elder Shan Li said. He pointed toward the faint jade-colored veins beneath the bark. "When these veins begin to glow and flower buds appear, stop supplying spiritual energy immediately."

Sui Sui looked up. "Immediately?"

"Yes. From that point onward, let it absorb the surrounding spiritual energy on its own."

He paused before adding, "If you continue supplying spiritual energy, the flowers will wither. If the energy you provide is impure or too chaotic, the roots may be damaged, and the fruits may become defective."

Sui Sui nodded seriously, making sure to write down every warning.

"And after the flowers bloom and fall?" he asked.

"The fruits will slowly form afterward," Elder Shan Li replied. "They require several months of careful nourishment before they fully mature."

Sui Sui looked at the jade-like fruits hanging from the branches and finally understood why they were so valuable.

Maintaining this tree consumes a large amount of Spirit Stones. More importantly, your control over spiritual energy must be precise. One mistake can damage the roots or ruin an entire year’s harvest.

After hearing the long explanation, Sui Sui’s head was already starting to spin. Fortunately, he had been prepared and had recorded everything carefully in his notes, so he did not have to rely on memory alone.

Elder Shan Li glanced at him. "Did you understand everything?"

Sui Sui quickly looked through his notes and asked a few more questions to clarify the parts he was still unsure about. After Elder Shan Li answered each one, he finally nodded.

"I understand now."

Elder Shan Li gave a short nod.

Then he casually tossed a small storage pouch toward Sui Sui.

Sui Sui caught it and looked down at the pouch in surprise.

"This is?"

"Spirit Stones," Elder Shan Li replied. "Now go and cultivate the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree." With that, he turned around and walked back toward the house, taking MuMu with him.

Sui Sui stared at the pouch in his hand, he honestly had not expected this. At first, he had assumed that the Spirit Stones needed to cultivate the tree would have to come out of his own pocket. He had already been thinking about how to reduce the costs and had even started considering several ways to earn more money.

He really had not expected Elder Shan Li to provide them himself.

Sui Sui couldn’t help but feel a little touched.

This elder might look cold and stern, but he was actually quite considerate. At least he wasn’t going to force a poor disciple to spend all his savings and drown himself in debt just to take care of his precious tree, right?

With that thought, Sui Sui tightened his grip on the pouch and turned back toward the Spirit Jade Fruit Tree.

Fine.

He would take good care of it.