Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Glazed Snow Lotus
Half a shichen later.
Li Ye casually cooked a pot of rice and stir-fried cabbage, and eagerly began to eat. Maybe it was the exquisite ingredients from the Cultivation Realm, but the rice tasted slightly sweet with just the right elasticity.
Paired with cabbage stir-fried with just some salt and chili, he ate with great enjoyment, successfully calming his restless stomach.
After finishing the meal, a number appeared in his mind: [0.1].
This represented that this meal provided him with 0.1 points of Vital Essence.
This made him quite happy; if eating could increase his Vital Essence, then it was truly a wonderful thing. He would gladly eat more to savor the Cultivation Realm’s exquisite flavors.
Little by little adds up.
After satisfying his stomach, he leaned back by the window, listening to the sound of snowflakes gently falling outside, and began to review the spells he knew.
In fact, there weren’t many; including the basic Dust Removal Technique, there were barely fifteen.
He began to review them one by one, but when he cast the Fire Attribute spell "Flame Light Finger," something unexpected happened—the flame at his fingertip took on a trace of the Flint Fire Crystal Insect’s unique "Flint Fire" aura.
The so-called "Flint Fire" was described in the Jade Scroll given by the Spiritual Mechanism Vine as a special flame.
Its origin could be traced back to mythical legends, though the Flint Fire of the Flint Fire Crystal Insect had very minimal power.
Their only means of attack was to spit out Flint Fire, which had the magical effect of continual brightness, stability, and exorcism.
With such a flame, one could even contend with ghosts two small levels higher than oneself.
The flame at Li Ye’s fingertip was extremely stable.
It carried a hint of gold.
It burned gently, imparting a warm feeling.
Through sensing his own Spiritual Power, he could vaguely feel the Spiritual Qi from the Flint Fire Crystal Insect at work.
But if the Spiritual Qi was depleted, the flame would no longer bear the "Flint Fire" attribute.
"Flint Fire. Could it be the Suiren Clan I know?"
Before traveling to this world, he read some online novels and mythology stories out of boredom, but he didn’t know if the Suiren Clan referred to here was the same legendary being.
"Or is it also the power of the Flint Fire Crystal Insect?"
"What changes will the power of the Silver Moon Grass bring about on me?"
He didn’t know much about the innate divine techniques of the Silver Moon Grass, only that it could concentrate Moon Liquid Pearls with the Taiyin Attribute. Beyond that, the Four Seasons Sect hadn’t said much, leaving him truly uninformed.
Thus, he reviewed the spells he currently knew, and surprisingly found a discovery with the "Light Technique": the original Light Technique merely used Spiritual Power to briefly illuminate the surroundings.
But now, after casting the Light Technique, a tiny silver sphere formed, emitting a gentle and cool pale silver glow, illuminating the ground as if sprinkled with silver frost.
As for its effect... it couldn’t be seen immediately.
However, such a casting consumed a lot of Spiritual Power, and after barely glowing for a dozen or so breaths, the silver sphere slowly collapsed due to Li Ye’s lack of Spiritual Power.
The sudden mutation of these two spells genuinely thrilled him.
Regardless of their current utility, if all spells could mutate in the future, wouldn’t it be akin to learning from Spirit Beasts and Spirit Plants?
Spirit Beasts and Spirit Plants were diverse, with many peculiar features.
For cultivators, difficult-to-learn spells were innate abilities for them.
"Looks like I need to go out for a bit."
"Let’s see if these Moon Liquid Pearls can be exchanged for some rewards first. Though it’s a periodic task, I might be able to hand them in one by one."
"Anyway, it’s about time for a harvest."
After a brief contemplation, he decisively got up, placed the tea cup with the Moon Liquid Pearls inside into his Storage Pouch, and then boldly ventured into the swirling snow, leaving the warmth of his home.
Once more heading to the marketplace side.
...
The marketplace was bustling with people during the day.
The ground was free of snow; falling snowflakes melted upon contact, with the water likely flowing down pre-designed channels, leaving no puddles, quite dry indeed.
Li Ye’s target was still the Senior Spiritual Mechanism Vine from last night.
His luck wasn’t bad; arriving at yesterday’s booth, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine was half-immersed in a liquid exuding Spiritual Qi. Seeing him approach, it slowly raised its body.
"It’s you again, lad. What brings you here this time?"
It seemed there might be some joyful occasion since the panel showed that Senior Spiritual Mechanism Vine was in a joyous mood.
"Senior." Li Ye also wore a smile: "Look at this!"
He gently placed the tea cup on the table and then uncovered it.
Inside lay two smooth Moon Liquid Pearls quietly at the bottom of the cup.
"Oh?"
"You’re quite lucky, fellow. Seems you’ve cared for them well. A single plant producing two... Seems like more Moon Liquid Pearls will gradually manifest."
After carefully inspecting the two Moon Liquid Pearls, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine appeared quite satisfied.
Its voice bore evident appreciation, continuing: "According to the task, you need to submit fifty Moon Liquid Pearls. Twenty Spirit Stones will be rewarded per pearl.
Our Four Seasons Sect never skimps on those with merit, especially since your Moon Liquid Pearls are of excellent quality, among the best I’ve seen. I can give you an extra five Spirit Stones."
It tapped the table, and immediately, a mechanism brought forth fifty Spirit Stones, floating outward.
The crystalline Spirit Stones emitted abundant Spiritual Qi.
Fifty Spirit Stones!
This was why the Four Seasons Sect’s tasks were so coveted—not only could one receive handsome rewards, but also connect with the Four Seasons Sect, a truly major sect, showcasing its financial power.
It’s said that continuing with the subsequent tasks could even yield tens of thousands or more Spirit Stones.
Each step a filter, requiring capability to advance further.
Tens of thousands of Spirit Stones were quite distant for him.
He pondered that, if after some time, he completed the tasks all at once, wouldn’t he find thousands of Spirit Stones in his pocket?
Li Ye’s eyes instantly lit up, and he smiled: "Thank you, Senior!"
"No need for such formalities." The Spiritual Mechanism Vine retracted half its body back into the Spiritual Liquid, "Though I have much confidence in you, the quality of future Moon Liquid Pearls mustn’t decline."
"Of course, I will continue to diligently care for them."
After guaranteeing, Li Ye inquired: "I wish to purchase some Spirit Plants rich in Spiritual Qi that are also consumable, preferably with a shorter growth period."
He gazed steadily, not hiding his poverty: "But these are all the Spirit Stones I have. If possible, could you provide any defective or cheaper Spirit Plants?"
"You’re quite straightforward, lad."
"There are indeed Spirit Plants with shorter growth cycles."
After brief contemplation, it suddenly said: "You don’t mind the cold, do you? If not, I have a Spirit Plant I can offer you."
With that, it retrieved a Spirit Plant in a glazed cup from under the counter.
It was a lotus about the size of a palm, accompanied by lotus leaves, with roots buried in the snow, unusually transparent, as if carved from ice and snow.
The panel promptly activated—
[Name]: Glazed Snow Lotus
[Mood]: Calm
[Condition]: Will perish in a month.
[Bindable]: Energetic Ice Attribute avian Spirit Beasts.