One could say that Aksai had given special attention to certain cultivation resources over others.
Some of these resources were not for sale. He intended to use them for himself.
Having attained sufficient mastery as an alchemist, Aksai was preparing for a week-long isolation to concoct elixirs mentioned in the Spirit Refining Trifecta jade slip received from Zen.
Although Zen had ultimately become Aksai’s enemy, the knowledge within the Spirit Refining Trifecta jade slip was genuine, a fact Aksai had confirmed before proceeding.
The Amber Glowvine, 2nd-order Silvermoon Fern, 2nd-order Frostfire Lotus, and 2nd-order Celestial Baneberry were crucial raw ingredients Aksai needed for the elixirs to establish his foundation.
Given their importance, it was only natural that Aksai would pay extra attention to their growth under such conditions.
“Time to check up on my Spirit fish,” Aksai thought to himself and turned around.
He strolled through the enchanting landscape of his Everwood farm and made his way to the secluded corner where his Spirit fish pond lay. The perpetual twilight cast a surreal glow over the pond’s serene water, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
Approaching the shimmering pond, Aksai couldn’t help but feel calm at the sight of his Spirit fish. Their sleek bodies glided gracefully through the water, their iridescent scales catching the dim light in a mesmerizing display of color.
“Time to eat!”
With gentle movements, Aksai sprinkled a handful of specially crafted fish feed into the pond, watching as the Spirit fish darted eagerly to the surface to feast. Their movements were fluid and synchronized, indicating their well-being and vitality.
The fish feed, of course, was crafted from the remnants left after processing the cultivation resources grown in the Everwood farm.
As such, Aksai didn’t need to invest much in the growth of the Spirit fish. In fact, the SPirit fish farming enabled him to make the most of his isolated domain, just like what he had imagined when he saw Jiren’s Spirit garden for the first time.
Aksai utilized the discarded scales, meat, and bones of the Spirit fish to produce compost for his Spirit plants. He would then use the waste or byproducts of the Spirit plants to feed the Spirit fish again.
With the insights gleaned from Jiren’s teachings, he successfully established several synergistic recycling systems on the farm. These systems not only minimized his operational costs but also augmented the overall farming yield in terms of both quality and quantity.
The pond was internally segregated into various smaller segments with the use of a simple water barrier formation. The formation enabled Aksai to grow various batches and types of Spirit fish, controlling their numbers and diets according to his requirements.
As the Spirit fish fed, Aksai observed them closely, noting their behavior and overall health. He took particular care to ensure that each fish received its fair share of nourishment, adjusting the feeding routine as needed to maintain a harmonious balance within the pond.
Thanks to the regular consumption of Spirit fish, Aksai made exceptional improvements in his body cultivation. The meat of the Spirit fish helped enhance both the quality and quantity of his qi every day.
This nourishment played a vital role in enabling him to recover his lost progress in the Bronze Body Realm at a faster rate, as well as practice multiple martial arts without suffering from any ill effects.
While Spirit cultivation largely depended on meditation—also known as time spent practicing the cultivation technique—body cultivation was closely associated with the type of food one consumed.
Of course, the body cultivation technique and martial arts practices also played vital roles in the Bronze Body Realm.
However, Aksai wouldn’t have been able to master his mixed martial arts in a relatively short time by relying on a poor source of energy and subpar qi nourishment elixirs.
“Everything seems to be in order here. I guess I should check up on my accidental discovery next.”
Aksai soon found himself drawn to a peculiar sight—the Flesh Pumpkin Vines.
These remarkable creations were the result of Aksai’s unique and accidental fusion of Spirit horticulture and Spirit bloodlines.
The vines sprawled across the rich soil, their sinewy tendrils weaving intricate patterns in the air. Each vine bore clusters of Flesh Pumpkins, their rounded forms pulsating with a mysterious energy. Any Spirit cultivator with fully functional Spirit Sense could tell that there was something different about them.
Runic symbols adorned the pumpkins’ surface, glowing softly with potent Spirit essence. But this was not all. They were also rich in the qi energy. So much so that their juices could only be described as animal blood by those who didn’t know about them.
“Hm? Their growth rate is a bit surprising compared to the last time. And the yield is also well-balanced. Looks like I should stop using primer liquid to trigger more mutations in them. This much is enough.”
As Aksai approached, he marveled at the diversity among the Flesh Pumpkins.
Some gleamed with a deep crimson hue, reminiscent of rich demon beast meat, while others remained colorless, yet no less tantalizing in appearance. Each pumpkin held the promise of nourishment and vitality.
Since Aksai had created these vines based on his SPirit bloodline experiments, he didn’t get any information related to them from the Enchanted Everwood farm. So he had to do many things manually. However, he didn’t mind. The span of 12 years was enough to perfect the experiment results.
With a practiced eye, Aksai inspected the vines, ensuring they received the proper nourishment they required. He gently brushed his fingers over the leaves, feeling the thrum of Spirit essence and qi energy coursing through them.
Satisfied with their progress, he made a mental note to collect the ripe Flesh Pumpkins later, eager to enjoy their unique flavors.
The creation of the Flesh Pumpkin Vines had been accidental at first, a serendipitous result of Aksai’s experimentation with Spirit bloodlines.
Yet, recognizing their potential, he had cultivated them with care, expanding their variety and yield within the Everwood farm. He also added the concepts he had gained from Martial World Sharang to make them also compatible with the qi energy.
In short, Aksai created an ideal superfood for himself by fusing the knowledge he gained from various fields.
“Hmm. Guess I’ll make some vegan chicken stew tonight. Haha.”
As he tended to the vines, Aksai couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of indulging in what he jokingly called “Vegan Meat.”