Li Pu only knew that his grandfather had planted spies within Xidu University, but he didn't know who they were or their background.
He certainly wouldn't have expected that the person turned out to be the highest authority in the university, the current headmaster.
No one would have guessed that the white-haired old headmaster, normally exuding an aura of wisdom and tranquility, would now be crouching on a tree trunk, holding a thermos in a very common manner.
"Tea Headmaster, didn't you say you were going to inspect the new students' course selections...?"
On the same tree trunk, behind the headmaster, crouched a woman who was the headmaster's assistant.
"I am inspecting them now."
The headmaster took a sip of tea, looking rather displeased.
"That's what you said..."
The assistant glanced at the headmaster's back, then at Li Pu below.
Thinking to herself, the issue is that there are about 1,000 new students, yet you're "inspecting" only one from beginning to end, what's the meaning of this?
Don't you care about your own grandson, the turtle man, anymore? Isn't he coming in last now?
But this situation is somewhat coincidental, if they hadn't secretly followed Li Pu, they wouldn't have discovered this current scenario.
Yang Sheng, the current headmaster of Xidu University.
Due to his love for tea, everyone usually calls him Tea Headmaster.
This hobby is not a secret; everyone in the school knows.
This also explains why he would release a tea leaf magical creature in this deep forest.
Grade C magical creature, Small Zen Tree.
It has no combat power but can control plant-based magical creatures to a certain extent by emitting specific fragrances.
The leaves of this magical creature, when brewed in hot water, have a very aromatic flavor, so tea lovers often keep it as a source of tea leaves.
Here, rearing simply refers to keeping it, not forming a summoning contract.
Another reason for keeping a Small Zen Tree is its non-picky nature towards its environment and its gentle, non-threatening temperament.
You can even keep it at home or in the office by only providing water, nutrients, and sunlight.
However, in terms of care, there's one important requirement that during its juvenile phase, it must be entirely placed in a wild environment.
Only when it grows in a wild environment during its juvenile stage, forming symbiotic relationships with other plant-type magical creatures, will the Small Zen Tree's leaves be more aromatic later on.
This is an inherent habit of magical creatures, and no other method can replace it.
The forest on the southern side of the school is the safest among the surrounding environments.
Due to a particular reason, the magical creatures here are very weak and relatively gentle, posing no threat to the Small Zen Tree.
Moreover, being close to the school, Tea Headmaster chose to release the Small Zen Tree here, checking on it regularly.
In fact, the activity range of the Small Zen Tree is relatively deep within this forest.
Normally, the new students' course selection race wouldn't intersect with its territory.
Yet there's a freshman who ran out of the normal track and even brought along a highly sensitive 10-wood summoning beast.
More critically… this guy happens to be someone Li Pu has been tasked with taking care of!
[Woo su su!]
Right at this moment, the scarecrow picked the first leaf from the Small Zen Tree.
"Headmaster, it's taking your stuff!"
The assistant exclaimed quietly.
However, she was surprised when Tea Headmaster, normally as protective of tea as of life itself, didn't take any action to stop it.
"Forget it, just consider it a debt I owe his grandfather."
Tea Headmaster's words sounded a bit like scolding.
At this moment, he could only calm himself by clutching the thermos and drinking tea in large gulps.
Although a Grade C magical creature isn't significant on his level, this is a Small Zen Tree, which is different.
Tea Headmaster spent much effort, pulling several strings to get one like this.
Nevertheless, he indeed owes Li Pu's grandfather a favor, which a mere Small Zen Tree would not repay.
…
Below, Li Pu took the leaf handed by the scarecrow and read its related information.
[LV1 Zen Fragrance (B+)] 1/100
Active effect: Emits a special fragrance.
Attribute requirement: Wood/Water dual wield.
Type requirement: Wind listening.
Species requirement: Zen type species.
Honestly, he couldn't quite understand this skill.
The skill description was basically devoid of any explanation about its specific effects.
What were Zen type species? He hadn't heard of them either.
But given it was rated B+, it should be a potent skill, although...
"Count its leaves, are there 100 on its head?"
Li Pu inquired of the scarecrow.
[Grass!]
Scarecrow: Summoner, you're clearly troubling the grass!
Scarecrow: Ben Cao can only count up to 20, no more!
Actually, even without hearing the scarecrow's bargaining, Li Pu knew it was impossible for the Small Zen Tree to have 100 leaves on its head.
Estimated visually, there were only about 20 to 30.
"Why not try the branches?"
Looking at the trembling Small Zen Tree, Li Pu rested his chin in thought.
[Woo su su!]
The moment it heard this, the Small Zen Tree shook even more violently.
Actually, its intelligence was not low, it could barely understand a bit of human language.
Without much thought, Li Pu stepped forward and gently broke off a finger-length piece of a leafless branch.
[Woo su su!]
This made the Small Zen Tree cry out again.
It wasn't from pain, but primarily from shock.
Another aspect of its nature was extreme timidity.
"This won't do."
The result from breaking the branch left Li Pu quite disappointed.
Just like a single leaf, this piece of branch only counted as one unit, still far from the 100 needed.
"Could it be necessary to break it into 100 pieces?"
[Su su su!]
Li Pu's self-talk directly terrified the Small Zen Tree.
Bear in mind, it was the darling of the plant-based magical creatures in this forest, even the Tiger Boss adored it.
Yet this, this summoner here actually wanted to break it into 100 pieces!
Therefore, the Small Zen Tree decided it couldn't wait any longer.
Clumsily, it bent down and slowly pulled out a green vine-like whip from its root-like base.
"Uh, what's this..."
Above, seeing this situation unfold, Tea Headmaster was stunned.
Unexpected, truly unexpected, he hadn't realized the truth.
This small fellow was not merely an ordinary Small Zen Tree but belonged to the royalty among Small Zen Tree species!
King Zen Tree!
Though similarly unremarkable as a Grade C creature during its juvenile stage, as an adult, King Zen Tree would grow to a higher level of B+.
Its value, far more precious than regular Small Zen Trees.
Moreover, the biggest difference between King Zen Tree and Small Zen Tree wasn't merely their qualitative differences.
It was the chance of producing an accompanying mystical artifact!
Evidently, the vine whip the Small King Zen Tree drew out was its accompanying mystical artifact.
[Su su su!]
Meanwhile, the Small King Zen Tree raised the vine whip.
Li Pu could tell its gaze had changed somehow.
(This guy, could it want a confrontation?)
Out of caution, he took several steps back.
[Grass!]
Scarecrow: Summoner, it says it surrenders, willing to offer treasures!
"…"
However, the scarecrow's timely translation rendered Li Pu speechless.
…
…