Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

”Take three drams of Snow Moon Grass essence, supplement it with five ounces of Extreme Cold Water and six drams of Thousand-Year Ice Sand, and concoct them into a Spiritual Liquid. Apply it to the roots once every three days. In less than half a month, the black spot disease on this patch of Crystal Orchids will be cured.”

Deep underground within the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein, at the Song Clan’s Wood Spirit Vein Plantation, Song Qingxi pointed at a large cluster of orchids before her that resembled crystal carvings and spoke to the several elders around her.

One of the elders, his temples gray, asked in confusion, ”All three of those ingredients are of an Extreme Cold nature. Won’t they freeze the Spirit Plant’s root system?”

”It would be disastrous for any other Spirit Plant, of course. But Crystal Orchids are naturally cold-resistant, and this dosage has been rigorously tested. It will only freeze the pests causing the black spot disease to death; it won’t cause any irreversible damage to the roots.

Afterward, we can use the mucus secreted from a Fire Butterfly Insect’s body to neutralize the effects. Then, not only will the roots be saved from withering, they will actually become even more robust,” Song Qingxi explained with a smile.

”The Fire Butterfly Insect! Of course, the Fire Butterfly Insect! Why didn’t I think of that?” The elder’s face lit up with understanding. He slapped his forehead in annoyance and gave a wry smile. ”Sigh... I’m really getting old. I can’t compare to you young folks anymore. The new generation truly surpasses the old.”

”You, venerable elder, are the clan’s only Tier Three Low-Grade Spirit Plant Cultivator. This junior was merely fortunate enough to discover this particular property of the Fire Butterfly Insect,” Song Qingxi replied humbly.

Song Xianchi straightened his slightly stooped back, waved his hand, and said with emotion, ”I am but a ’Cultivator,’ whereas you can be a ’Master.’”

Everyone present was shocked. The weight of Song Xianchi’s assessment was immense.

Among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, some skills are often tied to a Cultivator’s Cultivation Realm—such as Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Array Formation, and Talisman crafting. Typically, one’s skill level matches their Cultivation. To be one Tier ahead is considered a mark of great talent; to be two Tiers ahead is exceedingly rare.

But there are exceptions. Professions like Brewer, Medicinal Chef, and Spirit Chef are not tied to one’s Cultivation Realm. They depend more on one’s understanding and accumulation of experience in the craft. It is not unheard of for such individuals to have a skill level several Tiers or even more above their Cultivation.

The Spirit Plant Cultivator is one such exception. Although Song Xianchi only had Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivation, he was already a Tier Three Low-Grade Spirit Plant Cultivator. This rank is determined by one’s ability to cultivate and transplant Tier Three Spirit Plants.

It doesn’t sound difficult, and indeed, it doesn’t require much talent—just the slow accumulation of experience through practice.

However, there is another path within the Spirit Plant Cultivator profession, the ”Master” that Song Xianchi spoke of. These individuals are often called Spirit Plant Masters or Pharmacists.

They are like an enhanced version of a Spirit Plant Cultivator. Not only must they master the techniques of transplanting and cultivating Spirit Plants, but they must also be proficient in pharmacology and research all sorts of potions, which is a great test of one’s innate talent.

These potions differ greatly from those concocted by Physicians. Their variety is far greater, including those that kill pests, cure Spirit Plant diseases, promote Spirit Plant growth, increase yields, and so on.

The importance of Spirit Plants to a faction need not be elaborated upon. Thus, every faction has a large number of Spirit Plant Cultivators. However, among them, those who can be called Spirit Plant Masters are few and far between.

The status of a Tier Three Spirit Plant Cultivator and a Tier Three Spirit Plant Master are completely different. A Master can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an Alchemist or Artifact Refiner of the same tier.

And Song Qingxi possessed this very talent, which was why Song Xianchi said she could be a ”Master.”

Song Qingxi smiled faintly, offering no response. ’By the standards of a Spirit Plant Master, I am already a Tier Two Low-Grade Spirit Plant Master.’

Just then, a young man walked in holding a delicate paper crane. He handed it to Song Xianchi and said, ”Clan Elder, a message from the clan.”

”Very well, you may go.” Song Xianchi was momentarily startled, then nodded and took the paper crane. Placing it to his ear, he listened to its contents and couldn’t help but chuckle. ”It seems I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

”Clan Elder, what did the clan’s message say?”

Song Xianchi looked at Song Qingxi and said with a hearty laugh, ”The growth rates of three Spirit Medicines—the Dragon Blood Ginseng, the Foundation Establishment Fruit, and the Star Tempering Fruit—are a bit too slow. Our dear Clan Leader is getting anxious.”

”So the Clan Leader’s intention is...?”

”The Clan Leader means to recall someone to be in charge of concocting a potion to promote the growth of these three Spirit Medicines. He had me ask if Xixi is willing.”

Ripples appeared in Song Qingxi’s previously calm eyes. She hesitated for a moment before saying, ”Actually, I have already concocted a type of Growth Spiritual Liquid. I’ve tested it on Fiery Flame Grass and Dew Grass, and the effects were quite good.”

As soon as she said this, everyone stared with wide eyes. ’She’s already come so far?’

”Truly?” Song Xianchi felt his heart begin to beat a little faster.

”The growth cycle of Fiery Flame Grass is between eight and nine months. After using the liquid, it can mature by the seventh month.

The growth cycle for Dew Grass is generally one year and six months. After using it, it matured nearly three months ahead of schedule.

This is a result obtained after more than two tests. I can’t guarantee its effect on other Spirit Plants,” Song Qingxi added, choosing a more conservative phrasing after a moment of thought.

Even so, Song Xianchi had already become excited. He raised his voice and said, ”We’ll know if it’s effective once we try it!”

With that, he actually left the rest of the group behind and hurriedly departed with Song Qingxi.

For a moment, the crowd just looked at each other, speechless...

While Song Xianchi was hurrying back with Song Qingxi, Song Changsheng was intently observing some red-colored soil held in an earthenware pot before him.

”The soil is fine-grained, crimson in color, and has a faint, bloody smell. Other than that, there’s nothing special about it. Little Ninth, is this really Dragon Blood Mud?”