Chapter 22 Trouble in Peach Blossom Valley

Spring had passed its midpoint, and it had been more than ten days since Lin Shiming returned to Qingtao Mountain.

Peach blossoms had withered batch after batch, leaving only the scattered pink on the ground as the trees bore but few flowers now.

In place of the blossoms, clusters of green, unripe peaches had formed. The newly appeared fruit was oval-shaped, covering the entire peach grove.

Of course, the most eye-catching were the two Spirit Peach Trees atop Qingtao Mountain. The fruit they bore was exceptionally crystal clear and full of spiritual energy.

Lin Shiming counted them, finding that the Lin Family's original old peach tree had produced one hundred and eighty peaches, which was a very bountiful harvest.

As for the other Spirit Peach Tree that Lin Shiming had discovered later, although it had been remedied and tended to by Lin Shiqi, it still bore only 108 fruits, which was less than half.

Even so, Lin Shiming was very pleased. He owned thirty percent of this new peach tree, and with Second Rank, Inferior Grade Spirit Peaches roughly costing five to six spirit stones each, Lin Shiming had made an income of 180 Spirit Stones.

For him, who had to feed two big eaters, it was indeed wonderful news.

The only down side was that his hard-won third sister, who had agreed to teach him the knowledge of Spirit Plants for a month, was now conscripted by the Lin family to work in Peach Blossom Valley, caring for those Spirit Peach Trees.

Moreover, it was said that the family's brewmaster was also researching the brewing method for Monkey Wine there.

Lin Shiming had no choice but to exchange for some Spirit Plant books from the family's Treasure Pavilion and started studying on his own.

Perhaps it was because his main cultivation technique was of the wood series, his progress in becoming a Spirit Plant Master was also extremely rapid, and his daily prompts had all become knowledge about Spirit Plants.

And now, he had even transplanted a First Rank Spirit Grass, becoming a First Rank Spirit Plant Master.

However, the Spirit Grass corresponding to a First Rank master was only helpful to Innate martial artists, so they weren't very valuable.

But Lin Shiming was quite enthusiastic about it, after all, it was a skill he had acquired. He couldn't help but take out the Spirit Grass he had found nesting in Peach Blossom Valley.

He inspected it closely, feeling that the Spirit Grass was full of spirit intelligence and might even be worth replanting.

However, what Lin Shiming had not expected was that the system prompt appeared once again.

"Please ignite the Huangyun Grass to bake the Inheritance Stone, and you will obtain a Profound Rank, Superior Grade Purple Mansion Secret Technique!"

Following the system's prompt, Lin Shiming was both excited and filled with emotion, as if he had encountered an unlooked-for surprise after a long and fruitless search without any effort.

Huangyun Grass was just an ordinary Second Rank, Inferior Grade Spirit Grass, yet it could be used in combination with an Inheritance Stone. Truly, in the world of immortal cultivation, one relied on both fate and knowledge.

Lin Shiming did not hesitate, summoning a Fireball Technique to ignite the Huangyun Grass.

Soon, plumes of thick yellow smoke rose, like yellow clouds reaching for the horizon.

Lin Shiming placed the prepared Inheritance Stone above it, and as the black stone surface was smoked by the thick fumes, it gradually began to turn jade-like.

One spirit pattern after another vividly appeared on the surface of the jade stone, and then his Divine Sense encountered no barriers as it entered the inside of the jade.

"Heaven Wood Spirit Seeding Great Method!" Lin Shiming learned the name of the secret technique, and he was overjoyed to find that it matched his practiced cultivation technique and spirit root perfectly.

The function of this secret technique was to plant a spirit seed within one's body, capable of storing three times more spiritual energy than the body could hold.

It could be released at any time when needed!

What did that mean?

It meant that if Lin Shiming wished, he could simultaneously release three highly poisonous Snake Vine Flowers.

Even for an ordinary person, if they possessed this secret technique, their battle power would increase several fold.

The biggest disparity in the Qi Refinement Realm lay in the storage of spiritual energy.

Furthermore, this secret technique could be used as early as the later stages of Qi Cultivation and didn't necessitate the Foundation Establishment Stage.

In other words, this secret technique could contribute a ten percent efficiency boost to his breakthrough toward Foundation Establishment.

Thinking about this, Lin Shiming's heart rate unexpectedly quickened. The Heaven Wood Spirit Seeding Great Method was truly worthy of its name as a Profound Rank, Superior Grade secret technique.

Now, he was eager to break through to the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation immediately and start practicing the Heaven Wood Spirit Seeding Great Method.

But obviously, that wasn't feasible. One could rush anything, but cultivation had to be like grinding tofu with water, a gradual progression. Given his Third Spirit Root aptitude, he also couldn't speed up the process.

Lin Shiming couldn't help but think of the Lin Family's remaining two Purple Mansion inheritances, and his interest immediately surged.

It was a pity that the Lin Family's techniques required one to be at the Foundation Establishment Stage to cultivate.

Of course, at the moment, Lin Shiming was also considering whether he should report this secret to elevate the family's foundation.

But not to mention that aside from himself, there were few in the family who practiced wood-element cultivation techniques, and even if word got out, he couldn't explain how he knew the secret method to unlock the Inheritance Stone.

After much thought, Lin Shiming decided not to inform his family for the time being. Once he became powerful enough, he would then feed the information back to the family!

As the Purple Mansion Cultivation Technique issue came to a close, Lin Shiming was left with no other concerns and his interest in becoming a Spirit Plant Master waned considerably, preparing himself to fully immerse in arduous cultivation.

He aspired to reach the later stages of Qi Cultivation within three years.

At the same time, Lin Shiming also started entertaining the idea of purchasing elixirs for his practice.

Normal cultivation, even with system prompts increasing his speed, was akin to a drop in the ocean for Lin Shiming.

Although Spirit Pills were known to have some pill toxins, occasional consumption coupled with the use of Spirit Water should not have much impact. The major families certainly all did the same.

With that thought, Lin Shiming decided to visit the Cultivation Market the next day.

Within the Lin Family's territory, only Xing County, owned by the Lin Family, had a Green Lotus Market for Loose Cultivators and some small Cultivator Families from other counties to trade. However, the market was a bit far from Qingtao Mountain and required three continuous days of flight.

Even with a Second Rank Superior Grade Lotus Sword, it would take two days.

On the other hand, the Hetian Market in the neighboring Hetian County was considerably closer, just a half day's journey away.

The Wang Family of Hetian Market and the Lin Family were both relatively weak Foundation Establishment Families with a verbal alliance, so Lin Shiming felt somewhat assured regarding the Wang Family.

Just then, a rainbow light flashed across the sky, and a delicate figure descended from the heavens in utter disarray.

Looking closely, it turned out to be Lin Shiqi, who should have been in Peach Blossom Valley.

Lin Shiming quickly mounted his Flying Sword to catch Lin Shiqi.

The latter, clutching Lin Shiming's clothes and with a voice hoarse with urgency, said,

"Shiqi, hurry! Go and tell great-grandfather and second uncle that Peach Blossom Valley is under attack!"

Lin Shiqi's eyes were brimming with tears, her urgency extreme, her spiritual power depleted, clearly over-exerted and having forced an overspending to control her Flying Sword.

"The Family Head and Third Elder are in dire straits!"

"So, you've run here!" Lin Shiming still wanted to ask more, but he only heard a voice from the sky.

A cultivator in a yellow robe drifted down, glanced at Lin Shiming, and then disdainfully said,

"So, a mere Sixth Layer Qi Cultivation junior is your reliance?"

"Who are you!" Lin Shiming glared coldly at the yellow-robed cultivator, his eyes terribly frosty.

"I am..."

Just as the yellow-robed cultivator was about to answer, he saw a dark green sword light flash out and cut towards him with the speed of lightning.

His face changed instantly; he did not expect Lin Shiming to attack directly.

In a hurry, he barely managed to release his Spirit Sword, only to be swept away by Lin Shiming's Lotus Sword.

The superior grade Spirit Sword's power revealed itself in an instant.

The yellow-robed cultivator was quick to react as well, swinging out his arms as two Flying Swords flew from his sleeves. Although not superior grade Spirit Swords, his Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer cultivation base still stabilized him.

However, Lin Shiming's means of attack were more numerous than expected!

Lin Shiming waved his sleeves, and dozens of Spirit Talismans flew out of his hands!

"A Luomu Family cultivator is really poor, to bring out such low-grade Spirit Talismans!" the yellow-robed cultivator mocked, not stopping his hands as he took out two Spirit Talismans, one water shield, and one golden shield.

What he didn't notice was the Wood Vine Technique seeds mixed in with Lin Shiming's Spirit Talismans!