[Golden Spirit Rice]

He had seen it in the Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms.

Ordinary spirit plants wouldn’t have prefixes. Even if they mutated, a prefix wouldn’t necessarily appear. This was a matter of chance, not a certainty. Before this, neither the mutated mother rice nor the mutated offspring rice had one.

It was possible that with multiple mutations, the chance of a prefix appearing would increase. For example, the one before him not only had one but had two.

They were respectively:

“Spirit Gathering” was easy to understand—gathering spiritual energy.

But “Golden Rice” left Jiang Chen somewhat puzzled. After all, the mutated rice itself was golden in color.

He took out the Hundred Tales of Spirit Farms and carefully examined it. He truly made a discovery.

The Mutation Chapter clearly stated:

Spirit rice has a certain chance of mutation. There are several types of mutations, such as ordinary mutation or Five Elements mutation.

Ordinary mutation is like the original mutated rice.

Five Elements mutations are different; they add a prefix. It means the plant produces spirit rice more suitable for consumption by those with a specific spiritual root—in this case, Metal.

“Although useless to me, it is useful for Chen Tian,” Jiang Chen thought to himself.

He had a Wood spiritual root.

There were two main types of spiritual energy: attribute spiritual energy (like Wood) and attribute-less spiritual energy.

Attribute-less spiritual energy is the purest form in the cultivation world. For example, the Spirit Stone ore in Black Mines is formed by the condensation of attribute-less spiritual energy. As for spirit eyes and spirit veins, these are extremely rare and are all occupied by Immortal Elders.

Therefore, for ordinary cultivators, eating spirit rice is the best choice.

Although spirit rice requires Wood spiritual energy for cultivation during its growth stage, the spirit rice it produces upon maturity has no attribute. And having no attribute means anyone can absorb it. This is also the main reason everyone purchases spirit rice.

Of course, Spirit Stones can also be used for cultivation, even with better effects than spirit rice. But the problem is… how many cultivators in the entire Azure Realm can actually afford to do that?

After much thought, Jiang Chen felt this stalk of [Golden Spirit Rice] didn’t need to be hidden away.

Either submit it to the Immortal Sect for a reward of 1,000 contribution points, or tell Chen Tian and let him offer benefits in exchange for it.

After all, keeping it for himself meant he couldn’t eat it anyway. Might as well maximize the benefits.

However, there was no need to publicize this matter urgently. Wait for a day with rain and thunder to spread the news.

A formal disciple from the core area of a Spirit Farm cultivating a mutated spirit rice stalk—similar things had happened before, and not just once. Many spirit farmers desperately wished for their cultivated spirit plants to mutate.

To put it bluntly, it was purely down to luck. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one, won’t you?

Therefore, Jiang Chen settled his mood and began transporting spirit spring water for irrigation.

Next, it was time to study the [Green Lotus Art].

After reaching Foundation Establishment, high-level techniques were more useful. As for the Evergreen Art, it wouldn’t be abandoned until he learned the [Spirit Growth Art].

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Jiang Chen took out the jade slip containing the fragmentary [Green Lotus Art] manual.

To cultivate this high-level technique, there was one prerequisite: possessing a companion Green Lotus seed.

No, more accurately, possessing a Green Lotus seed, then nurturing it daily with Wood spiritual power until it sprouts. When person and lotus become connected in mind and heart, one can proceed to the next step.

Jiang Chen raised his right hand; the “Wood” character spirit seal instantly appeared. With a thought, a tiny Green Lotus seed appeared on his open palm. It looked no different from when he first saw it. After all, the spirit seal only had storage functionality, not nurturing capability.

Jiang Chen repeated this identical process every day. Far from finding it monotonous, he took great pleasure in it. This feeling of constant growth was truly intoxicating.

At dawn ten days later, Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on his bed nurturing the Green Lotus seed.

Suddenly, within the quiet room came a faint crack.

He was surprised to discover that the Green Lotus seed in his palm had moved slightly. Immediately after, a very fine crack appeared on its surface.

If observed closely, one could see faint green light emanating from within, flickering like jadeite under water.

Clearly, after ten days of nurturing, this Green Lotus seed had finally sprouted.

The tender sprout slowly grew under the infusion of Wood spiritual power, bit by bit emerging from its hard shell.

Simultaneously, a feeling of mental connection spontaneously arose. It felt as if this wasn’t just a sprouting Green Lotus seed, but more like a part of his own body that he could freely sense and control.

Jiang Chen was thrilled and began increasing his efforts, releasing more Wood spiritual power.

The green sprout grew at a visible pace, finally transforming into a very small Green Lotus before daybreak. Its petals were obovate, gradually decreasing in size from outer to inner layers, resembling a small green goblet.

At this stage, he could proceed to the next step.

This step was called [Green Lotus Contemplation].

Contemplate the Green Lotus, transforming one’s own spiritual root into a Green Lotus. At that point, cultivation speed, spiritual power density, and physical strength would all greatly improve.

However, Jiang Chen did not continue immediately. Instead, he got off the bed and went outside.

Outside, the temperature wasn’t high, with thin morning mist floating about. He proceeded directly with today’s cultivation session.

Spring was nearing its end; the free Wood spiritual energy between heaven and earth was becoming increasingly scarce. Even with spirit plants helping to gather it, spiritual power growth remained slow.

Once the sun rose, cultivation ended as well.

Next, Jiang Chen began cooking meals, weeding, and irrigating. By the time everything was done, it was already noon.

Only then did he have time to begin contemplating the Green Lotus.

And this contemplation lasted over twenty days straight.

Finally, his internal Wood spiritual root took on the form of a Green Lotus. Although it only had the form without true substance, it still represented successful entry into the [Green Lotus Art] technique system.

Jiang Chen focused his mind and began checking his status panel.

(Effect Three: Spiritual Energy Absorption Efficiency +5%)

“As expected of a high-level technique,” Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up.

Just at its first layer, it already possessed an effect equivalent to the second layer of the Evergreen Art. One could imagine how powerful reaching its peak would be.

[Consume 20,058 days of Lifespan to repair and complete the fragmentary Green Lotus Art manual?]

“How much?” Jiang Chen’s eyes widened, an expression of disbelief on his face.

To think, he currently only had three hundred years of lifespan left. Repairing this technique actually required so much time.

Though shocked, Jiang Chen did not hesitate. For him, lifespan was what he least needed to care about.

Instantly, countless pieces of information regarding the [Green Lotus Art] flooded forth. In a daze, Jiang Chen used his limited knowledge, experience, and skills, taking a full fifty-four years to completely repair the fragmentary manual.

Simultaneously, the content on his status panel changed.

(Effect Three: Spiritual Energy Absorption Efficiency +10%) (Special Effect: Preliminary perception of plant life aura, can accelerate growth of ordinary plants)

After repairing the Green Lotus Art, not only did its ordinary effects improve, but even special effects appeared!!!