Volume Two, Chapter Seventy-Five: The Harvest

It was the only plant here that could move freely. Its motion resembled that of a conical drill, tunneling swiftly and nimbly beneath the earth. Owing to its shape and habits, Yu Mu had given it the name “Earth-Borer Thief.” In this place, it served a role much like that of an earthworm, ever active in the soil, loosening the earth and disentangling the intertwined roots of various plants, ensuring the smooth flow of energy among them.

Since discovering its ability to move unhindered, Yu Mu had set his sights on it. If he wished to break free from this place’s confines, aside from comprehending the scriptural Dao texts, another way was to transform into this Earth-Borer Thief, win the wager with the Ghost Servant, and leave the tomb.

However, the Earth-Borer Thief did not participate directly in the energy cycle. To imitate it, Yu Mu would have to draw it into the cycle first. Thus, he devised a cunning plan—he deliberately entangled his own roots with those of the surrounding plants, disrupting the energy flow.

As expected, this triggered the Earth-Borer Thief’s sense of duty; it immediately tunneled over and, using its stout stems, began to disentangle the knotted roots. It was like a shuttle weaving cloth, winding among the tangled roots, threading its way through them like a needle, effortlessly unraveling each entwined strand.

Yu Mu marveled in secret at this unique ability. Nevertheless, he seized an opportunity, ensnaring the Earth-Borer Thief with his own roots. The Earth-Borer Thief struggled with all its might to restore the flow, while Yu Mu resisted with equal vigor. The more they struggled, the more entangled they became, until at last they formed a hopeless, inseparable knot.

In this way, the Earth-Borer Thief was forced into the cycle, and Yu Mu gradually mastered its structure, adding its form to his catalog of transformations.

Yet when he finally assumed the Earth-Borer Thief’s form, Yu Mu realized he had woven himself into a trap of his own making. Even as the Earth-Borer Thief, he could not move freely, for their roots had long since become hopelessly tangled, impossible to break free from.

In the end, Yu Mu discovered with bitter amusement that to disentangle himself from the Thief, he still had to comprehend the Dao script and return to human form—nothing else would suffice. Yet, the Thief’s peculiar abilities would undoubtedly prove valuable, so the effort was not entirely wasted.

These plant transformation arts were, indeed, an unexpected windfall—akin to mastering over a hundred forms in one stroke. While these forms lacked offensive power, they could serve as excellent disguises or be exploited for their unique traits, yielding surprising results.

Beyond the Earth-Borer Thief, there were many other unusual plants—such as the ever-present creeping vines, which could be fashioned into traps or used to ensnare foes.

In short, every plant had its unique use, provided one knew how to employ it.

Aside from these unforeseen gains, Yu Mu had made great strides in other areas as well. His cultivation had reached the late Core Condensation stage, and he could form his core at any moment. Such rapid progress in just eight months was thanks to the miraculous Immortal Path Record.

He had also gained insight into most of the principles hidden in the Sacred King’s tomb script; it was only a matter of time before he achieved complete mastery—he merely lacked a catalyst.

As for the Ghost King Body technique, he had attained the preliminary Yin Spirit level, the lowest rank, still immeasurably distant from the status of Ghost King. The Ghost King and Sacred King were equals, so the “Ghost King Body” was little more than a fanciful title, a projection of the Ghost Servant’s own aspirations. After death, the Ghost Servant became a Ghost Saint, and this art was the fruit of his deductions. There was no fixed method for becoming a Ghost King, and what Yu Mu obtained was only the first half of the technique.

He had also made initial progress in mastering the straw hat skills.

All told, his cultivation during this period had been richly rewarding.

Today, for reasons unknown, Yu Mu was suddenly struck by a vague sense of unease. It was as if some invisible bond tugged at his heart.

Was Meng Fang thinking of him? Or was his uncle growing impatient to bring him out? Or perhaps, it was simply that he missed them and his own mind was playing tricks on him?

He pondered the matter, but no answer came. Shaking off these distractions, Yu Mu calmed himself and turned his focus once more to the Dao script.

“The Dao hidden in the script is a method of nurture. Since I understand its principle, why can’t I break through?” Yu Mu wondered. “It’s just a thin barrier—I’m so close, why can’t I pierce it?”

This question had plagued him for days, yet remained unsolved.

Suddenly, that inexplicable sense of longing surged within him, intense and overwhelming. It felt like some deep, blood-bound emotion had descended upon this world.

“What… what’s happening?”

Just as Yu Mu was reeling in astonishment, the feeling abruptly vanished, leaving no trace—as if it had all been an illusion.

Yet a wave of realization swept through his heart: “Birth! Of course! Without birth, there can be no nurture.”

In a thunderclap of clarity, Yu Mu broke his shackles and returned to human form.

“My heavens!”

With a mighty shout, his palms struck out at the giant tree. Two streams of pale green spiritual force, like jade ripples, surged into the trunk.

“Haha! How wondrous! Such pure wood spiritual energy, brimming with the essence of nature,” Ghost Uncle exclaimed with delight, appearing before Yu Mu.

“I didn’t expect you to free yourself so quickly, and you’re on the verge of reaching the Golden Core. I underestimated you—looks like I lost our wager. Had I known you would comprehend the script, I’d never have bet against you,” the Ghost Servant said. Though his words were rueful, his face was wreathed in joy for Yu Mu.

Yu Mu felt elated. With his early escape and newfound understanding, he could use the time remaining to draw upon the vast spiritual power here and reach Core Formation.

There was yet another piece of good news. In that instant of enlightenment, all the Ox Spirit Grass stored within his inner space had miraculously taken root and begun to grow upon his own body.

The spiritual energy of the Ox Spirit Grass was exactly what he needed to aid his advancement. While Ox Spirit Grass was the lesser form of the Immortal Ox Herb, it could still assist both foundational progress and breakthroughs, although its effects were weaker than its superior counterpart.

However, with so many Ox Spirit Grass growing on him, their combined energy was likely no less than that of a single Immortal Ox Herb.

Overjoyed, Yu Mu suddenly asked, “Ghost Uncle, what is the name of the nurturing method hidden in the Dao script?”