"My good disciple, since you've given this spatial ring to your master, it would hardly be proper for me to offer nothing in return," the old man said, placing a jade slip directly into Lin Tian's hand.
"Master, this is…?" Lin Tian asked, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes as he examined the jade slip, uncertain of its purpose.
"This jade slip records a martial technique known as All Vegetation as Soldiers Art," the old man explained. "It is a signature technique of our Medicine Peak. In the past, I worried that your foundation might not be sufficient, and that practicing it could result in backlash. That is why I hesitated to pass it on to you. But after witnessing you forge the spatial ring, I now know you possess the capability to cultivate this technique."
Hearing this, Lin Tian grew even more perplexed. Back then, he had already demonstrated his talent before his master, even ascending to the peak of the Medicine God Tower within just two months. Such aptitude had still not been deemed enough? Could this technique truly be that demanding?
With lingering doubts, Lin Tian infused a strand of spiritual energy into the jade slip. In an instant, an immense flood of information poured into his mind, and the jade slip shattered in his hand.
Only after fully absorbing its contents did Lin Tian realize that the All Vegetation as Soldiers Art was far more profound than he had imagined.
Before beginning his cultivation, however, there was one more matter to attend to. Activating the Spiritual Energy Refinement System, Lin Tian stored three bottles of spirit liquid into his spatial ring, then hurried straight to the Dragon City Trading House in Xuanwu City.
After exchanging the spirit liquid for mid-grade spirit stones, Lin Tian stored the Coldwater Sword—inhabited by the Little Artifact Spirit—into his spatial ring. Using the spirit stones, he began refining spirit liquid once more.
At the same time, Lin Tian commenced cultivation of the All Vegetation as Soldiers Art. According to its description, one had to practice in a place rich with vegetation to attain enlightenment.
Thus, Lin Tian made his way to Medicine Peak. Compared to the other peaks, Medicine Peak possessed an abundance of spiritual herbs. Relying on his master's connections, he found a suitable herb field, sat down cross-legged, and began cultivating.
His spiritual sense spread outward, intertwining with the surrounding plants. Empowered by the vegetation, his perception extended farther and farther. Every blade of grass and every leaf gradually became his eyes, helping him perceive all that lay around him.
"Where did my spiritual energy go?"
At that moment, an indignant voice rang out.
Lin Tian's eyes snapped open. He saw a slightly chubby boy standing in the herb field, shouting angrily.
"Who's the bastard that stole all my spiritual energy?" the chubby boy grumbled, glancing around in irritation. Soon, his gaze locked onto Lin Tian.
As the chubby boy approached, a trace of guilt flickered in Lin Tian's eyes. Though he had not moved from his spot, the cultivation of the All Vegetation as Soldiers Art demanded an immense amount of spiritual energy. Under its influence, even the surrounding spiritual herbs absorbed energy at an accelerated rate.
The depletion of spiritual energy in the area was entirely his doing.
"Kid, was it you who sucked dry all the spiritual energy around here?" the chubby boy demanded, hands planted on his hips. "I'm telling you—if you don't spit it all back out today, Fat Grandpa here will beat you so badly you won't even recognize your own mother!"
Originally, Lin Tian had intended to apologize. But upon hearing those words, his expression darkened. He had always responded well to gentleness and poorly to force; such an attitude instantly irritated him.
"So, what exactly do you want to do?" Lin Tian asked coldly.
"What do I want? I want to beat you up," the chubby boy snorted, throwing a punch without warning.
Lin Tian neither dodged nor retreated. He simply extended his right hand and caught the incoming fist firmly.
The moment his punch was restrained, however, a smile appeared on the chubby boy's face. Instantly, vivid green vines burst forth from his fist, wrapping tightly around Lin Tian's arm.
Lin Tian was startled. At such close range, there was no room to evade. Worse still, he could clearly feel the spiritual energy within his body being siphoned away through the vines.
No longer bothering with courtesy, Lin Tian injected spiritual energy into his spatial ring. In the next instant, a chilling aura spread through the air. The green vines on his arm froze solid and shattered as he withdrew his hand.
"On your level, you dare lay a hand on me?" Lin Tian said coldly, gripping the Coldwater Sword as killing intent filled his eyes.
But in the very next moment, the chubby boy suddenly dropped to his knees.
"Dad! Dad, I was wrong!"
Hearing that title, Lin Tian was utterly stunned. Amid his bewilderment, a strange sense of familiarity washed over him.
"Dad, I was wrong!" the chubby boy cried, hugging Lin Tian's leg with utter sincerity. The instant Lin Tian produced the Coldwater Sword, he had already realized he was no match. All resistance had been completely abandoned.
"Get off me," Lin Tian said, kicking him away with a frown.
"Dad, I was wrong—truly wrong! I'll never dare again!" the chubby boy pleaded urgently, sensing the anger in Lin Tian's voice.
"Shut up. I can't be bothered to fight you," Lin Tian snapped. "But there is something I need to ask you."