Chapter 22

What’s more, I have an S-rank talent: Spirit-Imbuing Mutation.

"I can buy it, but you'll have to give me a better discount."

"Fine, what's your offer?"

"Fifty thousand points."

"..." Chen Ping’s beard bristled. "Why don't you just ask me to give it to you for free?"

"That's not out of the question."

"Add a bit more."

"..."

After some haggling, Zhao Xing finally exchanged 75,000 points with Chen Ping for that transcendent-grade plant.

When Zhao Xing transplanted it into his own territory, he immediately learned its attributes.

[Deadly Catnip]

[Status: Growth Stage]

[Level: 30]

[Quality: Elite]

[Attribute 1: Aphrodisiac. Deadly Catnip can emit a fragrance that causes an aphrodisiac effect on most exotic beasts.]

[Attribute 2: Hallucinogenic. Deadly Catnip can emit a fragrance that causes a hallucinogenic effect on most exotic beasts.]

[Attribute 3: Frenzy. Deadly Catnip can emit a fragrance that causes a frenzy effect on most exotic beasts.]

[Evaluation: Ah~ Ah! Roar!]

"Huh, so it's this." Zhao Xing suddenly realized.

Few lords might know the academic name "Deadly Catnip."

But it has a more famous alias—'Exotic Beast Mint.'

However, this thing is rarely seen at the transcendent grade, and its appearance differs greatly from the common and elite versions.

It’s no wonder Chen Ping didn’t recognize it.

"It’s actually a transcendent-grade Exotic Beast Mint; I’ve made a huge profit!" Thinking of its utility, Zhao Xing’s eyes lit up.

Once cultivated, this thing is practically the nemesis of exotic beast lords!

………….

The life stages of plant-type lifeforms are divided into: Gestation Period (seed), Seedling Period, Growth Period, and Maturity Period.

Certain plants also have a special period where their power increases with age.

The Exotic Beast Mint planted by Chen Ping was already an elite-quality plant in the growth stage.

As soon as it enters the maturity period, it will reach the transcendent grade.

There wasn't much to change regarding its attributes.

But Zhao Xing still used his talent, Spirit-Imbuing Mutation, to give it a round of strengthening.

This allowed it to rapidly reach the transcendent grade.

This didn't count as evolution, because it could reach the transcendent grade on its own.

"After spirit-imbuing, although it didn't advance in rank, its level is 10 higher than a standard transcendent grade, reaching level 70."

"Heh, with this Exotic Beast Mint, any exotic beast lord who fights me in the future will suffer a huge loss."

Zhao Xing was in a pleasant mood; those 70,000-plus points were well spent!

Because for this type of plant life, there is no 'transcendent grade' available for exchange in the Primordial Realm.

Only common quality exists.

Its only use is as fodder for certain exotic beasts.

But since it isn't proper fodder.

It is not the first choice for exotic beast lords.

Plant-type lords rarely choose it either.

As a cash crop, its value is low.

As a troop type, its combat attributes aren't strong.

Cultivating Deadly Catnip is not as good as getting something else.

Only those plant-type lords with unique tastes who follow the path of poison would consider it.

That is why transcendent-grade versions of this thing rarely appear.

Unexpectedly, he managed to get a ready-made one from Chen Ping.

"The old man wouldn't have done this on purpose, would he? Does he have some weird hobby?" Zhao Xing speculated.

He then looked at the walnut-shaped king-grade seed.

When it entered his internal world, it immediately became different.

Starry patterns surged on its shell, seemingly absorbing energy from the air automatically.

"Hm? Could this be a Void-series vine seed?" The change startled Zhao Xing.

Vine-types are a popular plant troop.

Whether they are auxiliary or combat-oriented, almost all plant lords raise vine-type troops.

Because they are powerful enough, come in many varieties, and have many paths for advancement.

And Void-series vines are undoubtedly the most popular.

Because they can take root in the void, free from the constraints of soil!

"If it really is a Void-series, then I’ve truly struck gold!" Zhao Xing’s heart began to pound.

"But there are too many king-grade vine-type seeds."

"There is the Purple Cloud Vine, which has high economic value; the Purple Cloud Fruit it bears can heal incomplete bodies and allow severed limbs to regrow."

"There is the Water Spirit Vine, which can play a huge role underwater."

"And there is the Trickster Demon Vine, which devours light and kills without a trace."

"I don't know if it's a true Void-type."

In Zhao Xing’s mind, many famous king-grade vines surfaced.

These vines either have high economic value and can serve as the capital for a plant lord to get rich.

Or they have strong auxiliary capabilities.

For example, being able to purify heavy water or effects in high-radiation areas.

Or they have strong combat capabilities.

There are many types, and they are hard to distinguish.

The video Zhao Xing often watched.

The [Thousand Star Vine] in it is a Void-series vine.

However, that grade is higher; once mature, it is not just king-grade, but legendary-grade.

"King-grade plant seeds generally have a gestation period starting at ten years."

"Ten to one hundred years is the growth stage."

"To reach full maturity, that’s over a hundred years."

"But I have the hundred-fold acceleration brought by the Time God Tree."

"Within a year, it might mature."

Zhao Xing couldn't wait to bury this seed next to the Time God Tree.

With a ten-year gestation period, under hundred-fold acceleration, it would only take a little over a month.

It would then enter the growth stage.

Since Zhao Xing is a plant lord, not long after planting it, he saw the seed's name.

[Cloud-Touching Vine]

[Status: Gestation Period]

[Quality: Elite]

[Attribute: Void-series symbiotic vine, possessing powerful attack and defense, and control to bind opponents.]

[The Cloud-Touching Vine's growth stage is transcendent-grade, and its maturity stage is king-grade; it can symbiose with the lord and automatically protect its master.]

[As a Void-series vine, the Cloud-Touching Vine can leave the soil, take root in the void, and fight independently!]

[Evaluation: Wild Cloud-Touching Vines are extremely difficult to subdue! Once subdued, it will have only one master for life.]

"It’s a Cloud-Touching Vine; it really is a Void-series plant life!" Zhao Xing was immediately excited.

The Cloud-Touching Vine can not only fight independently and possess powerful attack capabilities.

It can also symbiose with the lord, possessing extremely strong defensive capabilities.

A symbiotic Void-type is as rare as an imperial-grade quality!

"This is a true stroke of luck!"

"What is the Exotic Beast Mint compared to this?"

"Compared to the Cloud-Touching Vine, it’s the difference between winning 500 yuan and 5 million."

As long as the Cloud-Touching Vine grows to the king-grade.

Then he, a novice lord, can also thrash transcendent-grade lords!

Of course, it will take a long time for the Cloud-Touching Vine to grow to the king-grade.

Even for Zhao Xing, by the time the Cloud-Touching Vine enters the maturity stage, he will have graduated.

Before graduation, there is still hope to see the Cloud-Touching Vine in its growth stage.

Having obtained the Cloud-Touching Vine, Zhao Xing’s enthusiasm for earning points grew even higher.

A month has passed since the freshmen entered the Primordial Realm.

The Primordial Realm, by setting up various dungeons and tasks, originally gave novice lords freedom.

Plus, Fang Fang Fang Qingxue also specially permitted him not to attend classes.

Therefore, Zhao Xing basically repeated the process of clearing various dungeons every day.

Then he would instantly check the growth of various troops in his territory.

He would exchange for some energy stones and put in the special resources he cultivated.

Leaving early and returning late, he was almost never seen.

After returning very late, he would also practice various skills to improve his lord level.

Even Zhao Xing’s younger sister, Zhao Zhao Zhao Ruoruo, rarely saw her brother.

Not to mention anyone else.

And under this motivation, the speed at which Zhao Xing cleared dungeons could be described as insane.

Even Chen Ping felt that Zhao Xing was outrageous.

The first month.

"Damn, you completed another D-rank task today and got 40,000 points?"

The second month.

"Little Zhao, how many times is this this month? 19 times, right? Let me calculate, it seems you’re close to a million points again!"

The third month.

"Zhao Xing, don't push yourself so hard; at least give the other little guys a chance. Look at your records."

"Is that a record a human can break?"

The fourth month.

"A million points, what do you plan to exchange for?"

…………

Time passed day by day.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

One-half of the year had gone by.

Many novice lords also slowly shed their greenness.

Moving toward becoming junior lords, the strongest among the new students were already junior lords.

The major dungeons also gradually became lively.

However, when they started clearing dungeons and doing tasks.

They discovered that the best record holders for every dungeon.

Were all Zhao Xing!

Zhao Xing, who hadn't been seen much since school started, seemed to have his presence everywhere.

He was first in the total points ranking.

The records for the major dungeons were his.

The highest level was also his.

"It’s truly sad to be in the same year as Senior Zhao."

"Damn it, he’s a plant-type lord, why is he exchanging for our Martial Arts department’s king-grade items?"

"The number of king-grade items is fixed every year; if he exchanges for them, we won't have any!"

"Heh, it’s as if you could exchange for them even if Senior Zhao didn't. Do you have a million points?"

"Sigh, I only have 10,000-plus points, while Senior Zhao has already exceeded 10 million points."

The novice lords discussed; to them, Zhao Xing was a hot topic, even carrying a hint of legend.

Silent for five years, he was the most unpopular plant-type lord, yet he rose in the final year.

He was also favored by the military and other factions.

Of course, there were many who were dissatisfied with Zhao Xing.

They felt that Zhao Xing staying in the Primordial Realm for five years was completely cheating on purpose.

Especially since he could get so many points.

10 million points, that’s 10 king-grade items!

How could they not be jealous?

Since the brother had a huge fortune of 10 million points, he naturally couldn't treat his sister, whom he raised, poorly.

Returning from a dungeon this day, Zhao Xing saw his sister coming out of the cultivation room.

"Zhao Zhao Ruoruo," Zhao Xing asked, "How is your strength now?"

"Yesterday, the evolution of my internal world was completed; I just became a junior lord!" Zhao Zhao Zhao Ruoruo smiled. "This is all thanks to the resources you gave me."

Zhao Xing had bought many things for Zhao Zhao Zhao Ruoruo and even exchanged for a transcendent-grade young beast for her.

If it weren't for her average talent, Zhao Xing would have planned to get a king-grade young beast for his sister to raise.

"That’s good." Zhao Xing smiled.

"But..." Zhao Zhao Zhao Ruoruo’s expression was conflicted.

Zhao Xing asked suspiciously: "What’s wrong? You don't seem happy."

"I’m fine, I just heard some bad voices outside," Zhao Zhao Zhao Ruoruo said worriedly.

"I heard that you exchanged for many king-grade items, and many students think you are intentionally staying back a year."

Zhao Xing had over 10 million points, and those king-grade items suddenly disappeared; anyone with eyes could see that Zhao Xing had exchanged for them.

"Don't pay attention to them," Zhao Xing said calmly. "The Primordial Realm has strict rule judgments; let them say what they want."

In the Primordial Realm, you can't just stay back a year if you want to.

As a training base for the Red Star Empire, it has strict rule judgments.

It can judge whether a student lord’s ability allows them to graduate.

For example, if a junior lord intentionally fails the graduation assessment, wanting to stay back.

This is completely unfeasible; the Primordial Realm would kick you out directly.

It would also charge you with the crime of deceiving imperial resources, and plus failing the graduation assessment, it equals no score.

After going out, official departments wouldn't want you.

"But..."

"Alright, don't worry, I have everything under control."

Anping Academy, in a cultivation room.

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Level: Junior (15th stage of Lord Power)]