by Fang Xiang
Zuo Mo held the carving knife in his right hand as he cautiously carved out the [Thunder] formation. He had never used a carving knife before and frequently made mistakes. Once a mistake was made, it required erasing everything and starting from the beginning.
After seven or eight attempts, Zuo Mo finally managed to finish carving the formation.
Looking at the formation carved on the surface of the copper hoe, Zuo Mo’s heart was filled with a sense of achievement. His cultivation was too low right now so he could only use the carving knife, the most basic tool. If his cultivation was higher, he could use his heart fire to forge, and shaping would occur according to his thoughts. Similarly, due to his low cultivation, the simplest formation filled the entire hoe. If he had higher cultivation then he could manipulate a flying sword and carve layers of jinzhi and destroy the heavens and become omnipotent!
But for Zuo Mo right now, this was his limit.
He grimaced as he took out a second-grade jingshi and inlaid it in the center of the formation.
The copper hoe suddenly lit up, a wave of light rippling through the body of the hoe. The scarred hoe suddenly became as smooth as in the beginning. By now, Zuo Mo finally took a breath of relief. This Ling Fragmenting Hoe was half completed. At this step, it was still successful.
The copper hoe was too soft and easily bent out of shape, and would destroy the structure of the formation. So the next step was to use fire metal ore to reinforce the structure and increase its hardness. Holding the crimson fire metal ore on his hand, he could clearly feel the warmth that was emitted from it.
Putting the fire metal ore on the copper hoe, Zuo Mo thought back to the forging methods that Xu Yi Shixiong had taught. The crux of this step was to turn the fire metal ore to liquid and let it permeate into the copper hoe. If he had a heart fire, it would be extremely easy to complete this step, but for Zuo Mo had to rely on a few special spells.
The ling power in Zuo Mo’s body revolved, his hands moving like flowers blooming. The ling power changed as it followed the path of his fingers, his hands enveloped in a layer of red light.
“Go!”
His two hands flipped and the red light left, hitting the copper hoe and the fire metal ore.
The fire metal ore became entirely red, the crimson liquid metal began seeping into the copper hoe. The copper hoe was like a sponge. When the liquid metal touched it, it was absorbed, not a drop left. The color of the copper hoe quietly changed, and a few hints of dark red appeared in the copper hoe.
He picked up the hoe blade. The hoe was heavier than before. He reached with a finger to gently tap it. The sound was clear. He could clearly feel the quality had increased a few levels and was exceptionally strong.
Taking the prepared pinewood shaft and attaching it into the hoe, this Ling Fragmenting Hoe was complete.
Joyfully, Zuo Mo immediately rushed into the ling fields in the yard to try out the power of this Ling Fragmenting Hoe.
After digging down, the hoe shuddered slightly. From the head came a strong vibration. Zuo Mo bent down to inspect the field, a happy expression on his face.
The Ling Fragmenting Hoe was definitely an essential talisman for farming!
The ling energy of the soil where the hoe had struck was clearly different from the surroundings. The ling energy in the surroundings was unevenly distributed, in tangles or blocks. In the spot he had just hoed, the ling energy had all been broken up and spread evenly around. Like this kind of free ling energy, the ling grains found it easiest to absorb!
Good thing!
Zuo Mo instantly became motivated and the hoe flew. In one session, he hoed all five mu of ling fields in the yard!
Holding the Ling Fragmenting Hoe, breathing like a bull, his face was pale. He had been too excited, he forgot that the weight of this Ling Fragmenting Hoe wasn’t light. With his little body, it took a lot of strength.
Even half-dead, he still couldn’t disguise the glee in his heart. To successfully make a talisman on the first try, it was hard to describe the kind of exhilaration.
Five mu of ling fields. He used [Art of Aged Gold] to kill pests, used the fourth level of [Little Art of Cloud and Rain] to water, and used Ling Fragmenting Hoe to loosen the ling energy in the soil. In the entire sect, no one had taken such meticulous care with the ling grains. He was very curious how much the harvest of these five mu of ling fields would increase this year.
With his cultivation of lianqi eighth level, he was at ease controlling the ling energy. If the production of these five mu increased a lot, he could use these fine and attentive methods to raise the fifty mu of ling fields that he had rented from the sect. Then he would rise and become the wealthiest among all the outer sect disciples!
This made his heart beat fast. Nothing was more real than ling grains and jingshi!
Successfully forging on his first try gave Zuo Mo great encouragement. The unluckiness of the past while seemed to sweep away. He started to familiarize himself with the other three arts, especially [Art of Flora]. The uses of the three arts were completely different. [Art of Crimson Flame] was used to activate seeds, to speed up germination. It also concentrated the essence of the sun and was most suitable for yang- type [2] ling plants. [Art of Earth Energy] could concentrate the energy of the earth and was especially suitable for the growth of some yin-type[3] ling plants.
[tl:
[2] = 阳: masculine, positive.
[3] = 阴: feminine, negative, shady. ]
The [Art of Flora] and the [Little Art of Cloud and Rain] were similar, not yin or yang, but the [Art of Flora] was more dominating than the [Little Art of Cloud and Rain]. It extracted the essence of other plants to nourish the growth of the ling grains. The basic quality of [Art of Flora] was robbery. Robbing the essence of other plants to nourish itself.
He had to be extremely careful when using it. Even though Wu Kong Mountain was covered in trees, but if he wasn’t careful, it was easy for one of the old trees to wither and die.
Zuo Mo was alert and cautious every time he used the [Art of Flora], afraid of ruining the ancient trees in the mountains. It wasn’t easy for ancient trees to grow and live. They all had endured for thousands of years before they could become their present shape. There wasn’t an explicit rule in the sect, but if he caused large sections of ancient trees to die, then what was waiting for him wasn’t anything good.
The sunlight streamed into the woods through the trees, forming a scattering of light and shade. The climate of Wu Kong Mountain was beautiful, dry and delightful. Cold winds blew through the trees without any hint of humidity. The surroundings were all quiet. This place was very far out of the way, with the exception of Zuo Mo no one else would come here.
Zuo Mo calmed down and started to revolve his ling energy, his hands moving rapidly. It was the, still unfamiliar, [Art of Flora].
After the stiffness at the beginning, the movements of his hands quickly became smoother. The fingers flickered like a flower continuously blooming. Each time his fingers flickered out, there was a faint wave of ling energy in the air that rippled out.
Following the ling energy ripples, thin threads of green light flew out of the trees and converged at Zuo Mo’s hands.
After a short while, the green light became even brighter and Zuo Mo stopped the spell. A green bead rolled in his palm. This bead was concentrated from the essence of the plants. He put the bead away and inspected the ancient trees around him. The glow of the leaves was much dimmer and some leaves showed signs of withering.
Zuo Mo took out a jade scroll from his bosom. Recorded in the jade scroll was the general geography of Wu Kong Mountain. It had taken him a lot of time to make it.
Finding the present position in the Wu Kong Mountain depicted in the jade scroll, he made a mark. Next time, he had to change places. This location needed a length of time to recover.
Even Zuo Mo was shocked at the dominance of [Art of Flora]. This was only the first level and it easily stole the vitality o
f the trees. If it reached any higher levels, what would it look like?
Carefully putting the plant essence bead into his bosom, he prepared to leave.
Within six hours this plant essence bead needed to be released to the ling grains, using the special methods of the [Art of Flora], otherwise it would dissolve.
Coming out of the woods, he followed the mountain trail, heading for his own yard.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a woman crying.
Woman?
He didn’t stop but as he walked forward, the sobbing became even clearer.
Most of the female disciples in the sect were at the stables and responsible for raising ling beasts. Zuo Mo hadn’t had many interactions with them. He didn’t want to cause trouble and prepared to make a detour.
Suddenly, as he heard the female disciple sob, she muttered, “Woo, wooo, Mama … …”
Zuo Mo’s steps stopped. A certain soft place in his heart was viciously jabbed.
Mama… …
That strange familiarity rose again in his heart.
Damn it! He cursed inside. He disliked this feeling. Each time this feeling of strange familiarity appeared, it was like his heart was blocked and he was unspeakably uncomfortable. Cursing was cursing, but the thoughts in his head uncontrollably turned.
Who am I? Where is my home? Who’s my mama… …
He was slightly irritated while his feet unconsciously walked towards the crying.
After he went forward a few steps, he saw a female disciple curled behind a rock. Her apple-shaped face was covered in tears, and appeared extremely pitiful. She was curled into a ball like a cat, her shoulders occasionally jerking.
“Why are you crying? It’s so bothersome!” Zuo Mo scolded ill-temperedly, sitting down on his butt.
The other was liked a frightened cat, shrinking back. When she saw the outer sect uniform on Zuo Mo’s body, the fear in her eyes retreated. In a weeping tone, she timidly said, “Sorry, Shixiong… …”
Hearing the other’s timid voice, Zuo Mo was even more irritated, “Screw sorry. Your crying is none of my business. It’s so irritating.” He noticed that his own attitude was overly vile and tried to suppress the vexation inside, and asked impatiently, “Speak, what is wrong?”
“Nothing … …” The other’s voice was like a mosquito.
The fire in Zuo Mo’s heart rose. He raised his volume and interrupted impatiently, “I told you to say it!”
The little girl was clearly frightened by him. This wooden-faced shixiong was so scary! Her crying instantly subsided and she instinctively answered, “There isn’t enough of the Green Sword grass for A Bao and the others to eat.”
“Who is A Bao?” Zuo Mo glanced at her and asked.
“A Bao… … A Bao is A Bao. He needs to eat Green Sword grass every day. Hoo, hoo, there isn’t enough Green Sword grass… …” As she narrated, she started to cry again.
“Shut up!” Zuo Mo’s furious shout definitely wasn’t friendly. The young girl jumped, her body instinctively shrinking back, a fearful expression on her face. Her sobs instantly stopped.
Looking at this muddle-headed little girl, Zuo Mo rubbed his forehead in pain. Even though he hadn’t been in the stables, but at least he knew the basic protocols. The amount of ling grass the ling animals needed to eat wouldn’t vary too greatly. The sect had special ling fields set aside for growing ling grasses.
Compared to raising ling grains, ling grasses were much easier to grow. So it was taken care of by the female disciples who took care of the animals.
Did something happen to the ling grasses?
“What happened? Be more detailed.”
Chapter 10 Weeds
This strange shixiong that had appeared out of nowhere, this little girl clearly was a bit afraid him and narrated faithfully, “There’s a strange grass growing in the ling fields. Xiao Guo tried really really hard but it still grew and grew so fast. The Green Sword grass is so pitiful, and it grew slower and slower … …”
Seeing the lower and lower tone of the little girl and the increasingly askew mouth, Zuo Mo interrupted in the nick of time, “Stop!”
The little girl was shocked again. She raised her head with her large misty eyes as she stared in puzzlement at Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo stood and patted the dirt off his behind, “Let’s go.”
The little girl’s face was full of question marks. After a while, she timidly asked, “Where?”
The timid expression on the other’s face always made Zuo Mo mad. The mood that had just calmed instantly became agitated again. He said extremely impatiently, “Shuddap! Go where I tell you!”
Have to stay collected, have to be collected. It was too meaningless to argue with a little girl. Zuo Mo told himself.
He softened his voice, trying to make himself look calm, “Let’s go look at your ling fields.”
Wu Kong Sword Sect might be a small sect but even a small sparrow had all of its organs. The stables were at the Eastern Peak of Wu Kong Mountain. Most of the outer sect female disciples lived here.
This was the first time Zuo Mo stepped onto the Eastern Peak. The scenery as he passed made him awed. Compared to the levelness of the Western Peak, the Eastern Peak was steeper, the view better. Adding on that most female disciples lived here, the mountain paths were filled with flowers and grasses. Walking through it relaxed his mind.
The Western Peak and Eastern Peak were very distant from each other. It was extremely rare for male outer sect disciples to come to the Eastern Peak.
In the woods, a small white house came into view. The little girl’s composure settled and she timidly looked at Zuo Mo, pointing at the house, informing, “Shixiong, that’s Xiao Guo’s house.”
Zuo Mo was too lazy to speak and headed straight for the small house.
When he walked in he found that there was a patch of grass beside the little cottage. And there was a golden-horned ox whose body appeared to be made from metal lazily soaking in the sun.
“A Bao, A Bao!” When Xiao Guo saw the copper ox, she happily yelled and ran over without a care.
A Bao… …
Zuo Mo looked at the body of the copper ox that was filled with strength and thought of the adorable name and became speechless.
Then he saw the copper ox intimately use its head to gently bump at Xiao Guo and occasionally reach out to lick Xiao Guo’s hand with its tongue.
That large tongue covered in saliva made Zuo Mo disgusted.
“Where’s the ling field?” He had to interrupt. Otherwise he was suspicious that this person and ox would just keep playing.
In the ling field, Zuo Mo carefully examined the plant in front of his eyes.
This was a grass that he had never seen before. Just this one thing was enough for him to become serious. One had to know, he had grown ling grain for two years. All the grasses that showed up normally in the ling fields, he was very familiar with. But he was certain he had never seen this grass before.
After he inspected the ling fields, his heart became even heavier.
“When was it when you started to find them?”
“About three months ago. Xiao Guo would weed every day, but they grow more and more … …” Xiao Guo’s mouth twisted and the tears looked like they were going to brim over.
Zuo Mo expressionlessly looked at her.
Xiao Guo cowered back a step, her crying instantly disappearing. This shixiong was too scary!
Zuo Mo took back his gaze. He was shocked inside. The reproductive ability of this weed was very strong.
“What about the others?”
“Many of the elder sisters’ ling fields are like this. The sisters couldn’t find any solutions.” She suddenly muttered, “Shixiong, could you help the sisters?”
Zuo Mo was too lazy to respond to her and started to ponder how to deal with this kind of weed. Farming meant confronting many problems. Getting rid of weeds was one of the most frequent problems. If a furiously growing weed appeared in the lin
g fields, the problem would become extremely serious.
Just simply weeding clearly couldn’t solve the problem. At this time in the ling fields, it was the weeds that were flourishing, and the Green Sword grass was rare.
Zuo Mo’s gaze suddenly landed on the stalk of the weed near the ground. On that stalk, there was a ring of tumor-like growth. His heart moved and he inspected some other stalks of weed. He found that they too had bumps in the same places.
When he saw that, he had a general idea. The little girl didn’t understand. Weeding was just cutting down the portion of the plant above the ground, but this weed was special in that once it was wounded, it would grow even faster. If at the very beginning, proper procedures were taken such as uprooting it completely, nothing like the present situation would have occurred.
But the problem was very serious now. There were patches and patches of weeds. They definitely would have left many seeds in the soil. That was the most troublesome part. If the seeds couldn’t be completely cleaned, then the trouble would continue.
It really had strong vitality! Zuo Mo couldn’t help but praise it inside.
———
Li Ying Feng’s elegant brows furrowed. Her eyes were sharp and there wasn’t any of the nimbleness usually present on her face which was full of worry. She didn’t wear the long dress and gauze clothing that normal female disciples like to wear but a set of tight short-sleeved male battle robes. There was no allure but instead there was an unnameable handsomeness!
“Shijie, we can’t continue like this!” A yellow-clad female disciple beside her couldn’t help saying, “Based on this situation, in two months, we won’t be able to replenish the Green Sword grass.”
A crowd of female disciples circled around her and started to chatter and discuss.
“Stop quarrelling!” Li Ying Feng’s brows rose and she lectured icily.
She had the highest cultivation among the female outer sect disciples. Normally, she was widely respected by everyone. After the shout, the sound instantly stopped.
Li Ying Feng’s heart was also full of worry. The weeds were growing increasingly fast and the living space of the ling grasses was becoming smaller and smaller. If the ling grasses couldn’t be supplied, these ling animals wouldn’t have anything to eat. At that time the sect’s punishment wouldn’t be lacking.