Chapter 109: Life-Severing Finger—Drop By Whenever You Have Time

Returning to his residence, Zhou Changwang did not pause, heading straight to the backyard.

Currently, only two types of spiritual plants were cultivated in the backyard: Spirit Gathering Grass and Red-Leaf Spirit Tea Trees. Following his routine, he used the Growth-Inducing Spell to assist their development and then irrigated them with the Spirit Rain Spell. After a busy hour, he finally sat down in the pavilion and took out a jade slip.

The slip contained the method for casting the Annual Ring Spell. "The Annual Ring Spell is an advanced version of the Growth-Inducing Spell. When mastered, it can increase a spiritual plant's age by one year. With sufficient spiritual energy and nutrients, one can rapidly cultivate a batch of high-aged, precious spiritual materials."

Zhou Changwang immersed his consciousness into the slip, quickly absorbing the cultivation techniques. After a long while, he opened his eyes with a look of intrigue. The fundamental difference between the Annual Ring Spell and the Growth-Inducing Spell was that the latter acted directly on the plant to force maturity; it did not actually increase the plant's chronological age. Even if a plant normally took three years to bear fruit, the Growth-Inducing Spell could force it to mature in a few days. However, once the fruit was harvested, the plant's life cycle was essentially over; it would wither and could not produce again.

The Annual Ring Spell was different. Each casting added a layer of chronological age. As the tree’s age increased, it would naturally sprout new branches during the spring and fruit again. This was why spiritual planters were so valued, as many medicinal materials required a certain age to accumulate enough spiritual energy to be effective.

"The Annual Ring Spell is difficult to master, but since I have already perfected the Growth-Inducing Spell, there are many commonalities. It is not as daunting as I imagined."

After two hours of practice, he had successfully mastered the basics. He stood by the Red-Leaf Spirit Tea Tree and cast the spell. A flicker of light fell upon the tree, and it grew slightly taller and thicker. "One casting is equivalent to three days of natural growth. This is not much worse than the Growth-Inducing Spell."

The spell was costly, consuming as much energy as three Growth-Inducing Spells and requiring nine breaths to cast. As he practiced more, he expected the speed and efficiency to improve. He continued casting until he noticed the soil beginning to dry out and degrade, signaling that the tree had depleted the nutrients in the earth. He quickly used the Spirit Rain Spell to restore the soil.

"It seems that even with this spell, I cannot simply force growth without sufficient nutrients," he realized. He had hoped to quickly cultivate century-old tea, but it was clear he would need a vast amount of resources. "Unless I pile up spirit stones to fuel the process," he mused, though he quickly shook his head, as he could not afford such an expense.

He turned his focus to the Spirit Gathering Grass. After an hour of alternating between casting and resting, he had covered all five acres of his fields. Checking his status panel, he saw: *Annual Ring Spell (Entry 51/100)*. He felt confident he would reach the proficiency level within a day.

Suddenly, his defensive array flickered. A voice came from the gate: "Is Fellow Daoist Zhou here? It is I, Gong Baixue!"

Zhou Changwang opened the door to find Gong Baixue, accompanied by a middle-aged woman with a powerful aura—a seventh-level Qi practitioner. "Fellow Daoist Gong, I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome," Zhou said.

"Since you don't come to see me, I have to come see you," she said with a smile. "This is my Aunt Rong; she was worried, so she insisted on coming along."

In the backyard, Gong Baixue marveled at the health of the Spirit Gathering Grass and the growth of the tea tree. "Your techniques are truly impressive. I have only provided you with a sapling for less than ten days, yet it has grown as if it were a hundred days old."

"I am just diligent," Zhou replied modestly.

Gong Baixue then expressed her confusion regarding his Spirit Rain and Growth-Inducing techniques. Zhou, seeing her sincerity, offered to guide her. He broke down the spell structures and runes, providing insights that felt like a revelation to her.

"I have learned so much," she exclaimed, genuinely grateful. "By the way, if you are struggling with the soil depletion caused by the Annual Ring Spell, you should learn the 'Severing Life Finger' technique. It allows you to draw vitality from other plants and inject it into your target. I happen to have the technique and two bottles of Vitality Spirit Liquid here; please, accept them as thanks for your guidance."

Zhou accepted the gift, realizing its value. After further discussion, they parted ways as dusk fell.

On the return journey, Aunt Rong asked, "What do you think of him?"

"He is a true genius," Gong Baixue replied. "I intend to recommend him to my grandfather. With his talent, he deserves better than a small, private plot. If he joins the Gong family, he will have access to high-grade spiritual fields and proper resources."

"Are you sure he will join?" Aunt Rong asked.

"No spiritual planter can refuse the allure of second-grade spiritual fields," Gong Baixue said confidently. "And the Gong family can provide what no one else can."