Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 137: Chapter 126: Growing vegetables

The senior brothers and sisters present were all stunned. It was the first time they had ever seen the usually timid Shen Que'er exhibit such a commanding presence, directly challenging Liu Suiyun.

Liu Suiyun didn't back down either. He thought to himself, "If you don't let me squeeze it, I'll make you cry—definitely make you cry!"

However, he respectfully bowed deeply to his master and mistress. "Master, Mistress, I leave this matter to your judgment."

Chu Nanhua chuckled softly. "Although this disciple has some talent in spiritual planting, he's only been a student for a short time and was trained by my wife in some unconventional methods. It might be better for Yanhuo Zhenren to let this one go."

Yanhuo Zhenren, however, wasn't so kind. "I've heard that Nephew Liu is an unparalleled genius in spiritual planting—an extraordinary talent not seen in centuries, far surpassing the mediocrity of our Linghua Sect. That's precisely why I brought Que'er here to Shenxiao Peak to seek his advice. Chu, you mustn't coddle your disciple too much!"

How could Shen Yaqin not care for her disciple? Especially when she was well aware of Liu Suiyun's abilities. After all, Liu had only studied spiritual planting for just over a month. No matter how gifted he was, he couldn't be compared to Shen Que'er.

Though Que'er had a youthful appearance, her accomplishments in spiritual planting were indisputable. Having practiced for about ten years, she had already defeated nearly a thousand cultivators on Hundred Herb Peak. Her only equal battle was due to the Qing Crow Vine.

Even that vine's origin lay with Shen Que'er. Shen Yaqin had asked Liu Suiyun, and he admitted to having learned it from a manual that Que'er had recommended. If Liu Suiyun were to truly compete, it would likely end in laughter—not only embarrassing Zhonghua Peak but potentially humiliating all of Shenxiao Mountain in an unprecedented fashion.

So Shen Yaqin laughed. "My little disciple's spiritual planting techniques are those I taught her—wild and unrefined. She's not in the same league as Yanhuo Zhenren's seventeenth-generation true heir!"

Yanhuo Zhenren, usually proud of his lineage, was unrelenting today. "The problem is that my disciple was brought to tears by yours! My old face is now thoroughly disgraced, Chu. You must give me an explanation!"

He could already tell that Shen Yaqin was more protective of Liu Suiyun than Chu Nanhua, so he shifted his focus toward Chu. "Daoist Chu, this concerns the honor of both our sects!"

Chu Nanhua pondered for a moment. Shen Yaqin had mentioned before that this disciple of his had performed quite well in two previous assessments. So he finally spoke. "Very well, Suiyun, you shall compete with Nephew Shen. But do not disgrace Zhonghua Peak!"

A contest with Que'er, while not losing face for Zhonghua Peak—such an impossible task. Liu Suiyun could only smile wryly and say, "Sister Shen, Master has instructed me. Shall we have a fair competition? Whether it's Daoist arts, spiritual power, or escape techniques, I'll accompany you in anything!"

As he glanced carefully at Shen Que'er, aside from her bright golden tassels, he was surprised to notice her remarkable progress.

Damn it! In Jiazhou, she was just a young girl at the tenth level of Qi Refining. How had she now suddenly advanced to the twelfth level—a complete Qi Refining master? Her cultivation speed was no slower than his own Extreme Yuan Radiance Thunder Forging Technique.

This was absurd. A master of the twelfth level of Qi Refining had a significant advantage over someone at the eleventh level. Even though he had the Heavenly Tears Starfall Sword, a genius disciple like Shen Que'er probably had so many valuable magical items that even her storage bag might not be able to contain them all.

If this were truly a contest of Daoist arts, he would most likely lose!

But Liu Suiyun couldn't back out, and Shen Que'er was already glaring at him with fiery eyes, exclaiming, "Spiritual planting!"

Those two words meant they would only compete in spiritual planting. Liu knew he couldn't avoid this match, but he had no confidence.

Even with his talent, he had only been studying spiritual planting for a little over a month, whereas Que'er had been practicing for more than five years. This disparity was like an egg against a stone.

He had to stall, at least long enough to prepare a last-minute strategy. Liu recalled that he had only read about a fifth of the Essentials of Spiritual Herbs and decided to bluff his way through.

With a smile, he said, "Alright, Sister Shen, we'll compete in spiritual planting. But who decides the rules? You or me? If you decide, you'll take advantage of me. If I decide, I'll take advantage of you."

Shen Que'er's eyes sparkled with anger. She put her hands on her hips and declared, "You decide! Come up with something—I'll beat you no matter what!"

Recalling all the rumors she had endured recently, her resolve only grew stronger. The entire Linghua Sect was astounded by this sudden change in her character. Today's Shen Que'er was unrecognizable from her usual timid self.

Liu Suiyun continued to smile. "I wouldn't dare take advantage of you, Sister Shen. But if we're going to compete, I should warn you—I may be unconventional, but my mistress has taught me well. My specialty is unmatched."

"My mistress taught me the art of tea cultivation, but I've developed my own path, which is..."

"Vegetable cultivation!"

As soon as the words "vegetable cultivation" left Liu Suiyun's lips, the ordinary disciples of Linghua Sect were unfazed, but Yanhuo Zhenren's eyes gleamed as he stared intently at Liu, trying to uncover the truth. Even Shen Que'er was intrigued, asking, "Tea cultivation... vegetable cultivation..."

Yanhuo Zhenren directly inquired, "Fairy Shen, is your beloved disciple truly an expert in both tea and vegetable cultivation?"

He asked with utmost seriousness, and Shen Yaqin truthfully responded, "I taught my disciple the art of tea cultivation, but he insisted on focusing on vegetables. I had no choice but to let him pursue both. Fortunately, he's quite talented and hasn't disappointed me."

"Mastering both tea and vegetable cultivation? Is there really such a genius?" Yanhuo Zhenren stared at Liu Suiyun, pressing, "You cultivate vegetables and tea?"

Liu Suiyun waved his hands dismissively. "I dabble in both, but neither to perfection. These are niche arts within spiritual planting—has Sister Shen studied them? If not, perhaps she should first learn from Zhenren before competing with me."

"Impossible! Impossible!" Yanhuo Zhenren was incredulous. "Then tell me, what level have you reached?"

Knowing he had piqued Yanhuo's interest, Liu smiled. "As I said, I dabble in both, but neither to perfection. I just finished reading The Star Virtue Hand Discussions, and I found it quite informative. I'm preparing to practice on Tianwu Peak."

"The Star Virtue Hand Discussions?" Yanhuo Zhenren knew the text well. "The 87-volume notes left by Star Virtue Zhenren? Weren't the volumes on Tianwu Peak lost long ago? How is this possible?"

Liu Suiyun replied, "I came across three surviving volumes, one of which included Tianwu Peak. I've read through it, but its demonic nature makes it only partially useful."

"Is there really such a prodigy?" Yanhuo Zhenren was in disbelief. "How could this be?"

He had always admired Star Virtue Zhenren, despite the latter's excessive demonic tendencies. Both were Golden Core cultivators, but Star Virtue had been a master of spiritual planting, and his writings held immense value. For this young cultivator to have made the same judgment seemed impossible.

Unconsciously, Yanhuo Zhenren had begun to overestimate Liu Suiyun's abilities. He turned to Shen Que'er and said, "Que'er, you have no foundation in tea or vegetable cultivation. Competing with Nephew Liu in this would likely result in more losses than wins. This is my fault..."

Shen Que'er, having regained her usual timid demeanor, was now gently scolded by Yanhuo. "You are too young, Que'er. Both tea and vegetable cultivation are paths to immortality, requiring great wisdom and insight. I fear you are too inexperienced, and I, too, am only superficially knowledgeable in these arts. I regret not passing them on to you sooner."

Yanhuo Zhenren now regretted his decision. "Though you begged me many times, I was too narrow-minded to teach you the art of tea cultivation. The deeper art of vegetable cultivation wasn't even a consideration."

Shen Que'er shot a furtive glance at Liu Suiyun, then knelt before Yanhuo Zhenren. "Master, please teach me the path to immortality. I will be eternally grateful!"

"Very well, very well!" Yanhuo Zhenren agreed immediately. "But these two arts cannot be mastered in haste. As for the competition, it will have to be postponed..."

This was precisely what Liu Suiyun had hoped for. He quickly chimed in, "No problem, no problem at all!"