Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 268: Premeditated

“The Epoch Immortal’s original form is the same as the Herding Sky Grass—a spirit plant that gained spirit sentience?” Lu Yang was shocked. A spirit plant developing spirit sentience is already rare enough, and even fewer have achieved any significant accomplishments.

From what he knew, there were two ways for spirit plants to develop spirit sentience. One was to live long enough to gradually gain intelligence, such as the little herb kings in the herb garden. These little herb kings had lived for at least a hundred thousand years. For a spirit herb to have survived that long without being harvested was a testament to its incredible luck.

Another scenario was when a spirit plant accumulated various coincidences, such as living in a premium-grade spirit stone vein for a long time, absorbing spirit qi day and night, or coming into contact with some principles of heaven and earth, attaining the favor of “Dao.” Alternatively, it could be enlightened by a formidable expert.

As spirit plants that developed spirit sentience were exceedingly rare, the world hardly knew anything about them. Even though the Dao-Seeking Sect had a few little herb kings in their herb garden, it was still difficult to study them extensively. The characteristics of each spirit plant varied greatly, and comparative research was challenging without a standard of reference.

However, one thing was certain: spirit plants with spirit sentience had abilities that grew tens or even hundreds of times more than those without intelligence.

For instance, the Herding Sky Grass before them controlled at least fifty to sixty Golden Core beings, and it was unknown if more were hidden in the shadows.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy remarked, “The Epoch Immortal would be unhappy to hear you say that. How could the Herding Sky Grass be worthy enough to be mentioned in the same breath?

“The Epoch Immortal’s original form was the omniscient Jianmu World Tree.[1] Even if he hadn’t developed intelligence, it would still be an unparalleled celestial tree that was rare throughout the ages. Before gaining spirit sentience, he was incomparably humongous, his branches and leaves stretching from one planet to another.

“After developing spirit sentience, he was still weak and feared being targeted by malicious individuals. Thus, he split off a branch, transformed into human form, and traveled the world to cultivate. The results of his cultivation would then be relayed back to his main body.

“When he ascended to an immortal, it was with such fanfare that it couldn’t be concealed, and neither did it need to be. Only then did the world learn that the unparalleled genius well-versed in time was not a human but a tree.

“Perhaps because the Jianmu World Tree had lived long enough, the Epoch Immortal was extremely talented in the aspect of time. He used “Epoch” as his Dao Fruit to attain the Dao and become an immortal.”

Without the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s explanation, Lu Yang would have thought that the Epoch Immortal had comprehended the power of time after eating the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s cooking and seeing his life’s memories flash before his eyes.

Lu Yang didn’t continue listening to the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s secret ancient tales. In the real world, things were extremely urgent, and as the leader, he needed to make up his mind quickly—whether to fight or return to the Demon Suppression Pass.

He transmitted an auditory message to Meng Jingzhuo and the other two. “Prepare the Targeted Teleportation Talismans. Take the people from the Song Family and return to the Demon Suppression Pass!” Lu Yang soon came to a decision.

Running is the only option.

Not to mention the burdensome people from the Song Family, just these sixty Golden Core cultivators alone are more than we can handle.

Four Advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators defeating sixty Golden Core cultivators?

That’s impossible. We’ll die from exhaustion before anything else.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had twelve Targeted Teleportation Talismans, more than enough to send everyone away. Excluding Song Wuguo, three other people and two bodyguards from the Song Family needed to be rescued.

Lu Yang held his Qingfeng Sword and stood at the forefront, vigilantly watching the Golden Core beings that had emerged from the swamp. While the Herding Sky Grass had yet to attack, he signaled Meng Jingzhou to swiftly distribute the Targeted Teleportation Talismans.

Two muddy Golden Core cultivators, both human, made their moves. Their faces were caked with slurry, obscuring their original appearances.

Lu Yang met them with his sword, slashing off their arms. These two people seemed to know no pain and continued to attack Lu Yang relentlessly. Despite being only at the Intermediate Golden Core Stage, by completely disregarding any damage to themselves, they managed to hold Lu Yang at a temporary stalemate.

“Don’t get entangled with them. Once you get your talisman, run!” Meng Jingzhou transmitted an auditory message.

“Got it!”

Lu Yang swung his sword with all his might, pushing the two back. Together with the others, he took out the Targeted Teleportation Talismans. The talismans automatically burned, teleporting them back to the Demon Suppression Pass one by one.

Suddenly, a chuckle echoed. “All of you can run, but only you, Lu Yang, cannot.”

Lu Yang’s expression shifted drastically as he realized something was wrong.

The voice had come from the center of the swamp—the Herding Sky Grass was speaking!

It swayed gently, and the spirit stones buried underground were instantly drained of their spirit qi, turning back into transparent crystals. A great array hidden in the surroundings was activated, forming spots of light that converged on Lu Yang, interrupting his teleportation.

“Lu Yang!”

“Senior Brother Lu!”

“Brother Lu!”

Meng Jingzhou and the other two hollered right before they were teleported away. No one had expected the Herding Sky Grass to intentionally target Lu Yang, even preparing an array to interrupt their teleportation talismans in advance.

Everything had happened in an instant. By the time everyone realized something had gone wrong, they were already back at the Demon Suppression Pass.

~~~

“What do we do?” Song Hua and the others were at a loss. Although they had been rescued, Lu Yang was still stuck in peril and needed to be saved.

Without any hesitation, Meng Jingzhou dashed straight to the Demon Suppression Pass, ready to reveal his identity to the local garrison and rescue Lu Yang.

~~~

“I didn’t expect myself to be targeted like this.” Lu Yang stared at the Herding Sky Grass, all traces of a smile vanished from his lips.

The Herding Sky Grass spoke again, its voice youthful like a refined gentleman. “Lu Yang, I’ve had my eye on you for two months. Now that you have finally stepped into my trap, how could I let you leave?”

A shudder seized his heart. Could it be that the Herding Sky Grass had already targeted me ever since I came to the depths of the jungle? He recalled the Golden Core cultivators he had encountered over the past two months. Could they have been controlled by the Herding Sky Grass?

“Judging from the power you’ve displayed, you should have a Sword Spirit Root, right?

“We spirit plants have many ways to survive, but our offensive means are limited. What I desire most is to absorb a cultivator with a Metal Spirit Root or Sword Spirit Root to enhance my offensive capabilities. I thought I wouldn’t have the chance to encounter these two spirit roots before maturing, but then you showed up at my doorstep.

“Of course, that’s not the most important. The most important thing is your clone technique! Hand it over, and I might spare your life!”

The Herding Sky Grass had been controlling Golden Core cultivators to observe Lu Yang from a distance, and Lu Yang’s clone wooden clone was so tempting that it itched its heart. Before reaching a certain age, spirit plants couldn’t move. What the Herding Sky Grass yearned for the most was a clone technique. That way, it could control the clone to do whatever it wanted.

And the clone Lu Yang used was a wood-type spell—the most compatible with spirit plants.

I’m bent on getting this clone technique, no matter what!

To this end, I had meticulously designed a trap to lure Lu Yang step by step. Although Song Wuguo has been exposed, it doesn’t affect the overall plan.

Once Lu Yang reaches the swamp, death is inevitable!

“You won’t be able to learn it even if I hand it over.” Lu Yang shook his head. I learned the Tree-Planting Mantra in such an off-kilter way; I don’t believe the Herding Sky Grass can do the same.

“Why don’t we sit down and have a proper chat? Come back to the sect with me. The sect has abundant resources to nurture you, and you won’t have to go through all this trouble to gather nutrients. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The Herding Sky Grass sneered. “I know what you’re thinking. You’re just trying to stall for time and wait for your companions to bring reinforcements from the Demon Suppression pass. Did you think I wouldn’t be prepared?

“Mountain-Moving Great Array, activate!”

The leaves of the Herding Sky Grass swayed rhythmically, while the Golden Core cultivators raised their hands in unison, activating another hidden array.

Lu Yang felt the ground beneath him shake, and then it stabilized.

“We’ve been transported to another place. The big shots from the Demon Suppression Pass won’t find us here.

“Now, are you ready to become my nutrients?”

Lu Yang’s expression turned grave. Must this damn grass force me to summon Big Senior Sister?

1. The Jianmu was a tree connecting the heavenly and mortal realms. Legends said that gods and deities used the tree as a ladder to reach the heavens. ☜