[LV0 Element Gathering [Infinite] [Elements]]
As his consciousness immersed in the skill, a pentagonal pattern displaying five-dimensional data unfolded before him.
Each corner represented one of the Five Elements - metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Among them, wood affinity ranked highest at forty-five, while earth stood at forty, barely meeting the minimum standard for upper-grade. The other three elements - metal, water, and fire - remained at zero, not even qualifying as inferior spiritual roots.
Only now did Li Pingcan truly comprehend the depth of this saying.
The grade of spiritual roots depended on the element with the highest affinity. The greater the affinity, the stronger one's sensitivity to spiritual energy.
If he could supplement the remaining three elements, he could instantly become an upper-grade dual-wood-earth spiritual root cultivator, specializing in wood and earth techniques. Elements with affinity below ten would make practicing corresponding spells relatively difficult.
Li Pingcan wasn't worried about this.
Given enough time and accumulation, he could break through these limits. The metal, water, and fire elements might yet develop into upper-grade spiritual roots, while his wood element could potentially evolve into earth-grade, heaven-grade, or even special-grade spiritual roots.
[Element Gathering] never specified it could only collect energy from the Five Elements!
"Wind is an element, thunder is an element. When wind and thunder stir, all things come to life."
Early morning after rain.
As dawn broke, a thin frost draped Peach Blossom Mountain in a dreamy veil of mist.
Li Pingcan stepped on dry leaves while gazing at the distant peaks, where colorful wisps of "mist" danced ethereally along the mountain ridges.
That was spiritual energy.
The primordial energy born between heaven and earth.
Since testing his spiritual roots, he could now perceive spiritual energy. Though "see" wasn't quite accurate - it was more the Druid's subtle perception. Attempting to touch it was like trying to hold water in a bamboo basket; impossible to grasp or make one's own.
Only a spiritual root "vessel" containing all Five Elements could absorb spiritual energy for cultivation. Otherwise, one remained a leaky vessel.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle."
The wind rose, trees swayed, creating waves of green.
"Grandpa Peach Tree, I've come to see you again."
Li Pingcan affectionately rubbed against the rough bark.
Today, he came to ask the Ancestral Tree for a strand of "earth spirit energy."
This land that nurtured a sentient peach tree was extraordinary. Compared to Peach Blossom Village, this place brimmed with spiritual energy and vitality - if not a blessed paradise, then certainly an auspicious geomantic site.
Through the combined use of [Earth Pulse Sense] and [Element Gathering], he could clearly perceive an unusual strand of "earth spirit energy" lingering within the earth.
With no leads yet for collecting metal, water, or fire elements, he decided to utilize available resources first.
After earnestly explaining his purpose to the land's master, Li Pingcan didn't want to take without giving. He used [Earth Molding] to loosen soil around the peach tree, allowing its roots to breathe.
Of course, compared to precious "earth spirit energy," his efforts seemed insignificant - but it was all he could offer. This was the proper attitude when asking for help.
He waited anxiously for the Ancestral Tree's response.
Without wind, peach leaves moved autonomously, forming a musical note.
Li Pingcan rejoiced - Grandpa Peach Tree had agreed! Three years of watering hadn't been in vain!
Taking a deep breath, he planted his feet firmly and fully activated [Earth Pulse Sense].
As if sensing danger, the coiled "earth dragon" suddenly stirred, darting toward the earth's depths.
"Activate 'Element Gathering.'"
He shouted softly as an invisible force transformed into a five-fingered mountain, grasping toward the "earth dragon," yet still couldn't match its fleeing speed!
"Damn, this earth spirit energy moves too quickly!"
Just as panic set in, rough roots emerged as wooden barriers, blocking the "earth dragon's" escape route.
Seizing the opportunity, his eyes flashed as he activated [Element Gathering] again, firmly grasping the thick earth spirit energy before slowly absorbing it into his body.
Upon complete absorption, Li Pingcan felt refreshed. On his panel, earth affinity increased from forty to forty-one.
This fully confirmed his earlier hypothesis.
Finding metal, water, and fire spirits would complete his leaky vessel - it was only a matter of time.
"Thank you, Grandpa Peach Tree!"
Li Pingcan bowed respectfully to the Ancestral Tree. Without its help, his inexperience would have let the earth spirit energy escape.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle."
Compared to earth spirit energy it no longer needed, the tree preferred witnessing the growth of this well-behaved child practicing under its canopy.
Time flowed relentlessly like water, making every human connection during its long lifespan vivid and precious.
Returning home from the Ancestral Tree, Li Pingcan confirmed three things.
First, additional blessings from Grandpa Peach Tree didn't produce "wood spirit energy" to increase affinity - perhaps blessings couldn't stack.
Second, elemental energies repelled each other at close distances. Where earth spirit energy manifested, no other natural spirits coexisted. Harvested earth spirits would regrow as "seedlings" after ten years.
Third, regarding water spirits - Grandpa Peach Tree heard from migrating birds that Dragon Spring Lake downstream of Gourd River might harbor water spirit energy.
However, traversing five hundred li to Dragon Spring Lake posed significant challenges - bandits, wild beasts, treacherous paths, and physical limitations.
Moreover, such geomantically favorable locations likely had local factions guarding them.
"I'll take it slowly. First, ask big brother to gather information about Dragon Spring Lake."
Li Pingcan's mushroom network couldn't maintain signals across five hundred li, so he could only rely on his elder brother's reconnaissance.
The Li family courtyard echoed with cheerful laughter.
"One, two, three, four, five..."
Li Pingfu, Li Yuan, and Li Pingcan sat on wooden stools watching Xie Yuan and Li Yuan's younger sister Li Qian play shuttlecock.
A gentle breeze carried the black-feathered shuttlecock higher with each kick, never touching ground.
No longer ostracized by village children, Xie Yuan had blended into Peach Blossom Village life, happily playing with girls her age.
While the girls played, the young men chatted.
"Pingfu-ge." Li Yuan sat slouched with crossed legs, voice tinged with envy. "When will I become as strong as you?"
Zhou Enxian had fully taught Li Pingfu the core techniques of [Black Tiger Technique], now accumulating strength to break through to Bone Realm. But Li Yuan, having just reached Meat Realm, wasn't qualified to learn.
"Shouldn't have slacked off during training."
Li Pingfu lightly admonished before glancing at Li Pingcan with the same unspoken reproach - don't laugh, you're no better.
Li Pingcan feigned innocence. Martial arts weren't his livelihood - why push so hard? Moderation was key.
Moreover, [White Crane Style] emphasized agile footwork, unlike [Black Tiger Technique] which required brutal strength training.
"Aiya~~~" Li Yuan dragged out his whine.
Li Pingfu laughed. "Stop fooling around. You're never this sentimental - what's really on your mind?"
Caught, Li Yuan fidgeted awkwardly before stealing a glance at Li Pingfu.
"Ge... what do you think about my second sister?"