Chapter 570: Strange and Unusual Spirit Plants

“Ji Zhi and Ji Kongkong didn’t come?” The three of them walked through the Spirit Plant Sect, observing various strange spirit plants.

“Ji Zhi said he already previewed everything using his Double Pupils, so there’s no need to come again,” Yu Yin explained.

“Hmph, so what if he knows the way of time?” Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu spoke in unison, expressing disdain for Ji Zhi’s mastery of temporal arts.

Yu Yin watched the two stubborn men and, being kind-hearted, didn’t expose their true feelings.

“The spirit grains cultivated by the Spirit Plant Sect are extremely useful for the Nine Provinces. The yield has increased by sixty percent compared to several hundred years ago, and they’re drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and lodging-resistant.” As the trio passed by a wheat field, Yu Yin shared her thoughts.

The Spirit Plant Sect’s research into high-quality spirit grains had received substantial contributions from these three working behind the scenes.

Jiang Li proposed having the Spirit Plant Sect research spirit grains, Bai Hongtu provided technical assistance, and Yu Yin purchased the grains to spread throughout the Tianyuan Dynasty with free promotion.

Thus, the Nine Provinces’ spirit grain production climbed year after year, reaching levels that previous cultivators wouldn’t have dared to imagine.

The three passed by a saltwater pond hundreds of meters deep, with spirit grains planted at the bottom.

“What’s this for?” Jiang Li asked a disciple who surfaced from the water.

The disciple looked miserable: “It’s another task assigned by the elders. The Dragon Palace commissioned us for a research project, hoping we can develop spirit grains that can grow at the bottom of the Four Seas so they won’t need to come to land for purchases. The elders assigned this task to me.”

“Any results?”

“Yes. After three months of underwater experiments, I learned how to swim.”

“…”

“Anyway, aside from that achievement, I’ve gained nothing.”

“I have a senior brother who shares my misfortune. The elders gave him the task of developing spirit grains that can grow in the extreme northern regions.”

“What’s the use of that?”

“It’s a commission from the demonic creatures of the extreme north. They said resources are scarce there, and food is insufficient. If this continues, they’ll end up killing each other and perish together.”

“So what’s your senior brother’s research progress?”

“He’s already achieved preliminary cooperation with the extreme northern demonic creatures to jointly solve the food problem. My senior brother plans to convince them to relocate from the extreme north next, to go wherever they want.”

“…Your senior brother certainly has creative ideas.” Yu Yin felt too exhausted to comment further.

Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu exchanged glances, not seeing any problem with this approach.

Wasn’t this the first solution normal people would think of? The extreme north maintains temperatures of thirty to forty degrees below zero year-round, with thousand-meter thick ice layers covering the soil. What kind of spirit grains could possibly grow there?

The disciple sighed: “Unfortunately, my senior brother’s method isn’t referential. The Dragon Palace can’t possibly relocate to land.”

“So how do you plan to research this topic?” Jiang Li wasn’t very familiar with cultivating spirit plants.

“Reach a cultivation level surpassing the elders as soon as possible, then return the research topic to him.” The disciple spoke with fighting spirit—this was his motivation for cultivation.

“I shouldn’t chat with you anymore. I need to hurry and secure a spot under the great banyan tree. If I’m late, I’ll have to sit in the back rows. I want to sit closer to shorten the distance between me and Human Sovereign Jiang.”

The disciple bid farewell to Jiang Li and went to find the position closest to Human Sovereign Jiang under the great banyan tree.

“Watermelon hybridization experimental field?”

Before Jiang Li stretched a watermelon field containing watermelons of all varieties.

“Fellow Daoist from outside, interested in this watermelon field?” An old farmer sitting in the field warmly welcomed Jiang Li and the others upon seeing them.

Jiang Li could tell this was a Divine Transformation cultivator, someone of elder rank in the Spirit Plant Sect.

“I haven’t seen this place before.”

“Then let me introduce it to you.”

The old farmer picked up a watermelon with melon skin densely covered with watermelon seeds. When opened, it revealed red flesh without a single seed.

“This is a hybrid of watermelon and strawberry. Compared to original seedless watermelons, it doesn’t require separate seed purchases and has more layered flavors.”

“Currently, there’s only one problem.”

“What is it?”

“People with trypophobia feel uncomfortable from the bottom of their hearts when they see the watermelon skin, like this female cultivator.”

Yu Yin looked at the watermelon with disgust, then turned her head away.

The old farmer picked up another watermelon that appeared normal externally but opened to reveal flesh densely packed with watermelon seeds.

“This is a hybrid of watermelon and dragon fruit. The watermelon seeds can be eaten after drying.”

“This is a hybrid of watermelon and coconut. It’s filled with watermelon juice, eliminating the juicing step, but there’s also a problem.”

“What is it?”

“The watermelon skin is too hard. Those below Foundation Establishment can’t open it, so Qi Refining Stage youngsters often come to buy melons from me to modify into hammer-type weapons.”

“Even worse, the Dao Sect’s Artifact Refining Peak came to recruit me, saying I’m wasting my talent in the Spirit Plant Sect!” The old farmer spoke indignantly. Could he be blamed if the watermelons he painstakingly cultivated became weapons?

It was all the watermelons’ fault.

“Don’t be modest. Your artifact refining skills are even higher than Jiang Li’s, which is truly remarkable. It’s understandable why the Artifact Refining Peak sought you out.” Bai Hongtu commented.

The old farmer shook his head with a laugh, thinking this impossible.

Jiang Li really wanted to test whether Bai Hongtu could withstand a punch from him with full power.

Before leaving, the old farmer gifted each of them one watermelon, asking them to promote his creations when they returned.

The three smilingly agreed.

The trio then noticed a row of tree houses ahead. A Spirit Plant Sect disciple took out a seed, planted it in the ground, and chanted incantations. The seed absorbed spiritual energy, rapidly growing into a large tree whose interwoven branches formed a windproof and rainproof house.

“I remember this is the housing tree the Spirit Plant Sect plans to launch. However, tree growth requires the ‘Tree Planting Art,’ which is difficult to master, hence the unsuccessful promotion so far.” Yu Yin recalled this new type of spirit plant.

The Spirit Plant Sect disciple was surprised that outsiders knew about their housing trees: “Senior has excellent knowledge. This is our improved version of the housing tree that no longer requires users to chant the ‘Tree Planting Art.'”

The Spirit Plant Sect disciple buried a seed, took out a recording pen, infused it with spiritual energy, and the pen automatically chanted the “Tree Planting Art.” The seed responded by growing into a house.

“This recording pen was developed in cooperation with the Mingzhong World. It can chant a weakened version of the ‘Tree Planting Art.’ The housing tree grows twice as slow, but since this isn’t combat, there’s no need to pursue speed.”

“We’ve also developed housing trees for long-term use and one-time use, corresponding to home and vacation usage respectively, absolutely environmentally friendly.”

“We’re initially considering obtaining intellectual property certification in Great Zhou first, then promoting experimental use there.”

“I heard from Great Zhou officials that this matter is quite troublesome.”

“How is it troublesome?”

“Great Zhou is currently debating whether to collect property taxes or treat them as ordinary goods for taxation. The officials are sharply divided on this issue.”

This was a common problem Great Zhou faced. Generally, when cultivators invented something new, they would test it in Great Zhou first. After Great Zhou figured things out, they would sell to other dynasties.

Other dynasties would then directly use Great Zhou’s research results. For example, if Great Zhou said to collect property taxes on housing trees, other dynasties would follow suit. If Great Zhou said to collect ordinary goods taxes, other dynasties would most likely still collect property taxes.

Though some dynasties might choose the option with the highest tax rate.

“You three seniors must be guests invited by our Spirit Plant Sect. It’s getting late—if you need accommodation, you’re welcome to stay in my housing tree.”

All three became interested in the housing tree and, following the Spirit Plant Sect disciple’s suggestion, entered one and played cards all night.

The next day, Jiang Li went to the great banyan tree to establish his platform and preach the Dharma.

Yu Yin placed the Wishful Gourd on her lap while listening to Jiang Li’s lecture.

Bai Hongtu tore off the curse talisman and sat on it boldly.

Next to “Whoever sits here is a dog,” he had written in small characters—”Except Bai Hongtu and dogs.”

Becoming a dog? Impossible. How cautious do you think I, Bai Mouren, am?