Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Spirit Gathering Technique Mutation, Hungry Bone Transformation
Finally, Li Ye spent a thousand Spirit Stones to buy twenty plants each, and then spent three hundred Spirit Stones to get some medicines to stabilize injuries from Su Ya. This money came fast and went away just as quickly.
But as long as you can earn it, you can spend it.
At least these Spirit Stones were not wasted, but turned into sustainable assets for himself, capable of continuous appreciation.
He returned home quickly with a full load of gains.
Then, he first released the Golden Red Dragon Carp that had been in the Storage Pouch for a while and directly threw it into a water reservoir that had been prepared in advance, which had been dug out these past few days.
It’s about two cubic meters.
It’s more than enough to raise a few fish.
The dams dug by the beavers will continuously supply fresh water, and the other side of the dam can also control the water outflow.
This way, it retains the characteristic of flowing water and there’s no need to worry about it becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the summer and autumn.
The carp splashed water upon entry, its golden-red scales reflecting brilliant light under the sun.
Just its appearance alone is enough to be worthy of the term "Carp"; watching them swim freely in the water is comforting.
The only ones slightly unwelcome and shivering were the beavers looking around from the dam’s edge.
Their size was just too small. If they accidentally fell into the pool, they would definitely be eaten by the Golden Red Dragon Carp.
Li Ye looked at them and decided to try to "persuade" the Golden Red Dragon Carp after binding, as they should possess some intelligence as Spirit Beasts.
He took out the Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotus and began planting.
After planting was finished, he proceeded to bind them straightaway.
[Consumed 100 points of Vital Essence.]
"..."
When binding the Weichuan Beaver and Hungry Bone before, it also seemed to be a hundred; could it be judged by the highest level? The Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotus is First Tier, while the Golden Red Dragon Carp is Second Tier.
Does Second Tier require a hundred? First Tier twenty?
He pondered this while thoroughly binding the Golden Red Dragon Carp with the five strongest Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotuses he planted.
Upon binding completion, the carp swam towards the Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotus and began to ram its "gourd" with its head.
Even though these Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotuses were merely seedlings, their natural hardiness made their gourds exceptionally tough. The carp quickly dislodged scales from its forehead, and crimson blood swirled in the water.
"Ah?"
Li Ye was slightly surprised.
But the consciousness waves transmitted from both the Golden Red Dragon Carp and the Phoenix Eye Lotus were extremely joyful, leaving him a bit baffled. Could it be these two are masochists?
He didn’t quite understand.
"You must not eat those little fellows beside you."
"Remember that!"
Whether or not the Golden Red Dragon Carp understood is uncertain, but it continually used its head to ram the Water Gourd, scattering scales, bursting its head open, and even fainting while still wanting to continue ramming.
"...Alright then."
It seems these creatures have become addicted to ramming.
But just as he was about to leave, the Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotus suddenly released a burst of Spiritual Qi, accompanied by a fishy scent, which fell around Li Ye.
The "Five Elements Spirit Ascension Technique" automatically operated.
"Such pure Spiritual Qi."
This Spiritual Qi was purer than that he had absorbed from Silver Moon Grass and Flint Fire Crystal Insects before, though slightly more than from Spiritual Grain, there was a peculiar bloody fish scent.
"If the strength of these Spirit Plants enhances the magic closely related to themselves, then the strength of the Spirit Water Phoenix Eye Lotus is to purify water quality and condense Water Spirit Essence.
So..."
He thought of the magic he knew now, extending his finger and lightly waved it.
"Spirit Gathering Technique!"
A faint, almost invisible glow flickered at his fingertip.
Immediately, the surrounding Water Spiritual Qi spontaneously converged towards him, even condensing into a small water ball, gently floating at his fingertip.
"It really is!"
He felt surprised instantly.
Earlier, he had also cast this Spirit Gathering Technique.
But back then, it merely allowed him to draw limited Spiritual Qi from his surroundings, requiring constant operation of his internal Spiritual Power, nowhere near as effortless as now.
Moreover, he was now able to gather Water Spiritual Qi into clusters.
Doesn’t that mean he can collect Water Spirit Essence himself?
It’s known that Water Spirit Essence is good stuff, better than ordinary Spiritual Spring Water for irrigating Spirit Plants and feeding Spirit Beasts, accelerating growth.
If combined with magic like the Cloud Rain Technique, it would result in a rain rich with Spiritual Power!
"Not bad indeed."
Li Ye nodded contentedly, took out the lotus and started planting it in the nearby almost stagnant stream. The crystal clear lotus flowers, each a deep blue-violet, swayed with the wind.
By the time Li Ye finished planting until he was covered in sweat, they were already swaying with the wind, attracting the keen-eyed Weichuan Beavers.
The beavers appeared to have a good sense for sustainable development, nibbling on the lotus leaves and gnawing on the lotus roots.
Initially, they were only palm-sized, and these twenty plants were enough for them to eat, let alone their occasional mischief of stealing fallen wheat spikes and leaves.
Speaking of which, Li Ye suddenly remembered the Viewing Mirror he had bought.
He went over to the beavers’ nest, hesitated for a moment, and then unapologetically dug with his hand; the little beaver that had bound itself with Hungry Bone’s eyes were popping.
"Chirp chirp chirp!"
It called out anxiously a few times, then proactively picked up the Viewing Mirror, jumped into the water, and swam into its nest, hanging the Viewing Mirror directly on the wall of the nest.
"How smart." Li Ye marveled once again at this little creature’s wit, then he took out the matching Viewing Mirror and looked at it.
It has to be said that this mirror truly is magical; even with the beavers’ nest completely dark, you could clearly see inside.
The floor was covered with soft dry grass and wheat leaves, and the fallen wheat spikes and the gathered food were all piled nicely around the Hungry Bone plant.
The ivory bones were already buried.
Only the mysterious purple-red flower remained vibrant.
But it somehow lacked the previously aggressive Resentment Qi, even looking somewhat honest and pitiable because it was piled with a heap of miscellaneous items.
Underneath those miscellaneous items, a faint golden glow could be seen, it was the sole light in the pitch-black nest.
"What’s that?" Li Ye pointed at the golden glow beneath the Hungry Bone in the mirror, "Go and fetch it, I’ll give you a little bottle."
The beaver nodded obediently, then took the small jade bottle Li Ye had given, went into the nest, filled the bottle with the liquid underneath the Hungry Bone, and scampered out, offering it to Li Ye like a treasure.
He took the jade bottle, brought it up to his eyes, and took a look.
An obvious flash of surprise crossed his eyes.