No reaction.
Chu Ning's Accelerating Technique hit the seed, but the seed showed no response.
He wasn't too surprised, after all, not all seeds can be easily accelerated.
From his previous studies on Spirit Plant knowledge, Chu Ning already knew that some Spirit Plants were more difficult to accelerate.
With a gesture of the Spell, Chu Ning instantly cast the Accelerating Technique on the seed again.
The seed still showed no response, but Chu Ning was not discouraged.
Three times, four times, five times... ten times!
It wasn't until the tenth use of the Accelerating Technique that Chu Ning felt the seed showing signs of cracking.
Eleven times, twelve times... fifteen times!
As Chu Ning continued to cast the spell, the seed gradually cracked open.
It wasn't until Chu Ning completed the fifteenth Accelerating Technique.
Only then did the seed truly sprout and grow.
The slender sapling trunk was brown, with a few small leaves growing, and the leaves were entirely green.
When Chu Ning looked closely, he saw a hint of colorful hues on the backside of the leaves!
This color was extremely faint and barely noticeable unless looked at carefully.
"It's indeed the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit!"
After carefully confirming it was correct, Chu Ning cautiously placed the sapling into a Jade Box, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
Although he still wasn't clear on the exact use of the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit,
simply judging by how much Old Man Sun treasured it and spent so many Spirit Stones to have him help cultivate it,
it must be something good!
"Spirit Stones and Divine Movement Talisman, or Golden Sword Technique are certainly good for me,
but the real biggest gains this time are still the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique and the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit."
Chu Ning silently thought, "These two things, I still need to figure out."
After assessing his gains, Chu Ning started seriously thinking about the whole situation and his next plans.
Although he didn't know where the handlebar-mustached man got the seed of the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, Chu Ning had a vague suspicion.
Perhaps the ambush on him was very likely related to this thing.
It might be that the other party also knew about his use of Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill to help Old Man Sun cultivate the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit.
In the short term, it's best to avoid the Market, as no one knows if the Tribulation Cultivator has accomplices.
Therefore, the method to cultivate the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit cannot be inquired from Old Man Sun, and he can only ask around within the Sect.
Furthermore, there's also the matter of the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, which Chu Ning wants to see if he can find out about.
After all, it seemed too easy for him to get both the Nine Tigers Body Refining Art and the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique; perhaps there are some clues within the Sect.
As for the Seven-Star Spirit Fruit, considering that the Cyan Creek Sect is quite skilled in Spirit Plant cultivation, there might be related cultivation methods available.
If not, he might consider going to the Market later.
Thinking about the fact that it's time to go to the Transmission Room in a couple of days, Chu Ning decided to inquire about it then.
Fortunately, such Spirit Plant seedlings, generally when stored in a Jade Box, can last for seven or ten days without issues.
In the afternoon, as usual, Chu Ning came to the mountain behind the courtyard to practice Thorn Technique, Vine Armor Technique, and other spells.
Chu Ning's current goal is to master Thorn Technique and Vine Armor Technique as quickly as possible, converting them into instant Talent Divine Power Techniques.
Besides these two spells, Chu Ning added two more spells to his cultivation routine, one being the Exorcism Technique and the other the Golden Sword Technique.
For the Exorcism Technique, Chu Ning practiced with the wooden sword he bought from Old Man Sun.
Perhaps because he's using a wooden sword, Chu Ning feels quite at ease with it.
Furthermore, the weight of the wooden sword gives it decent destructive power.
Even without having practiced any Sword Control Technique, Chu Ning found that just using the Exorcism Technique to wield the wooden sword, he could chop down a tree the size of a fist.
But currently, Chu Ning's use of the Exorcism Technique only allows for linear movements without any Magical Power enhancement.
Otherwise, Chu Ning would definitely consider incorporating the wooden sword's strike as an important part of his cultivation.
The training of the Golden Sword Technique, on the other hand, was not going smoothly and was not comparable to his cultivation of Wood Techniques.
It could even be said that among all the various spells Chu Ning is currently practicing, the Golden Sword Technique is the hardest for him to cultivate.
Chu Ning could only continue practicing with the mindset of giving it a try, but if he finds it impossible to master, he might have to give it up.
After a strenuous half-day of cultivation, Chu Ning felt that time seemed much tighter than before.
No wonder Shi Yao in the Transmission Room was always reluctant to teach him more spells, because practicing too many would inevitably lead to distraction.
If it wasn't for his Yin Wood Spirit Body, which gives him a fast talent and progress in Wood Technique cultivation, he wouldn't be able to spare time for other spells.
To Chu Ning's surprise, before he could even wait for the day to go to the Transmission Room, someone came looking for him the next day.
"Junior Brother Chu, this courtyard is well-arranged."
Zhuang Yunde, the plump Service Disciple, stepped into Chu Ning's courtyard and couldn't help but compliment it.
"This Iron Wire Vine is quite suitable for practicing Thorn Technique, but transplanting so many mature and quality Iron Wire Vines must have taken you quite some effort, Junior Brother.
Even though it's common, ones with good appearance are actually quite rare."
After hearing him, Chu Ning replied:
"Senior Brother, you overpraise. I just brought some for decoration.
I'm a simple person, not very fond of other flowers and plants, but these overlooked Iron Wire Vines feel quite relatable."
Chu Ning hadn't interacted much with Zhuang Yunde before, so he naturally spoke conservatively.
Zhuang Yunde smiled and didn't continue the topic, instead shifting the conversation to ask:
"Junior Brother Chu, you've been cultivating Ink Spirit Bamboo for almost two months, right? How's its growth? Would it be convenient to take a look?"
Chu Ning was slightly taken aback by the question, unsure of Zhuang Yunde's intentions.
However, remembering that two months ago Zhuang Yunde had asked if he was interested in Talisman Making and mentioned checking the growth of the Ink Spirit Bamboo,
Chu Ning felt a spark of insight.
He believed Zhuang Yunde's visit was related to this.
So, Chu Ning immediately said:
"Of course, it's convenient. Having Senior Brother come to provide guidance would be greatly appreciated."
With that, Chu Ning led Zhuang Yunde to his High Level Spirit Field where the Ink Spirit Bamboo was planted.
As soon as they reached the edge of the Spirit Field, Zhuang Yunde's eyes immediately showed interest, and he walked faster to the Ink Spirit Bamboo.
Seeing the bamboo trunks gradually turning from green to black, his face flashed with surprise.
"Junior Brother Chu, your Ink Spirit Bamboo truly grows well. In just two months, it has reached this quality."
He looked at Chu Ning meaningfully as he spoke.
"It seems that Junior Brother Chu has indeed mastered the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill."
"Senior Brother, you're too kind," Chu Ning maintained a calm expression.
"I seem to have a slightly stronger understanding of the Cyan Wood Evergreen Technique and Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, so I've mainly focused my efforts there.
As for other spells, my cultivation is quite average."
While speaking, Chu Ning casually performed a Ganlin Technique.
Chu Ning had spent minimal time and effort on this spell, and his talent in Water Technique was quite ordinary.
Therefore, the Ganlin Technique he cast was no better than that of many new disciples, perhaps even worse.
Zhuang Yunde saw this, and the depth in his eyes lessened.
Recalling Chu Ning's consistently strong grasp of Wood Techniques from the start, he didn't think much of it and smiled:
"No need to worry, Junior Brother. I'm not questioning your cultivation progress, but rather suggesting that we might proceed with our transaction."
"Transaction?"
Chu Ning, who was secretly contemplating whether he should continue to be low-key, was a bit surprised by this statement.
He looked at Zhuang Yunde in confusion, while the latter smiled and said:
"Junior Brother Chu may recall that two months ago, I discussed Talisman Making with you.
The reason I didn't continue was due to concerns that if your Ink Spirit Bamboo wasn't of good quality,
any harvest might have to be fully given to the Sect, leaving you with little.
But seeing the current quality of your Ink Spirit Bamboo, if it continues to grow like this, after submitting to the Sect, you could keep about half."
He paused, and upon Chu Ning's nod, continued:
"According to Sect rules, you're free to handle this half of the Ink Spirit Bamboo as you wish.
You could sell it to the Sect for Spirit Stones, sell it to others, or use it to make Talisman Paper yourself."
Smiling at Chu Ning, Zhuang Yunde suggested:
"So I'd like to make a deal with you. I provide you with the technique to make Talisman Paper.
In return, you give me ten percent of the remaining Ink Spirit Bamboo, as a reward. What do you think, Junior Brother?"