Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 49 Advanced Problems

The scene of the practical examination.

Yin Zhi sat in charge, listening to the other Foundation Establishment cultivators and inner disciples "recommend" people who could pass the selection.

"Steward Yin, Sun Chongshan has been in the sect for six years, and broke through to the third level of Qi Refining two years ago."

He is proficient in both wood and water magic, and his magical skills far surpass those of others.

He should be able to take one of those twelve spots.

Upon hearing the name "Sun Chongshan," Yin Zhi nodded slightly: "This person is indeed someone I'm focusing on testing. Let's leave it at that."

Of the twelve spots, seven were taken by the four people with medium-level spiritual roots and the three people with spiritual body talents, leaving only five spots.

Just now, Yin Zhi learned that someone had concealed their spiritual talent, and another spot was gone.

Four spots are too few; the selection won't be finalized until the very last moment.

"Deacon Yin, I suggest you keep a close eye on Wang Ran. He has an outstanding talent in the way of spiritual plants."

The speaker was an inner disciple.

Yin Zhi smiled faintly: "Wang Ran? What, did he give you a bribe so you'd speak up for him like this? Out of 120 menial disciples, Wang Ran is only slightly above average; it's not his turn."

Yin Zhi was well aware of the situations involving bribery and back-door dealings.

In any selection process like this, there will inevitably be people engaging in various forms of unfair competition.

It was precisely because Yin Zhi had a reputation for "fairness" that he was chosen to take charge.

Upon hearing Yin Zhi's words, the inner sect cultivator who had suggested Wang Ran immediately looked embarrassed and dared not say anything more.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Steward Yin, one of my inner disciples has recommended a genius in the art of insect exorcism."

Qi Wei arrived through the air and landed in front of Yin Zhi, getting straight to the point.

"Oh?"

Yin Zhi was not surprised at all when he heard the news. His tone was calm, as if he had expected it: "Could it be Meng Kaizhou?"

If his performance is truly outstanding and everyone agrees with him, then I will choose him.

He knew Meng Kaizhou's identity and the inside story behind it.

so what?

Even though he knew that Meng Kaizhou had cheating methods, he had no concrete evidence.

Besides, Yin Zhi doesn't need to give face to Meng Yunxiang, who is in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, nor can he fall out with him. With Meng Kaizhou's cultivation at the third level of Qi Refining, and the fact that he often receives guidance on spells from inner disciples, he should be able to get his turn based on his own abilities.

"Deacon Yin, not Meng Kaizhou. It's Liu He."

"Liu He?"

Upon hearing the name, Yin Zhi paused for a moment, then searched his memory for the name.

He asked with some surprise, "What are the details?"

"In one day, we dealt with the pests on four spirit trees."

The first tree is a phoenix-leaf parasol tree, inside which are the larvae of the silver-spotted longhorn beetle.

The second one is…

Before arriving, Qi Wei learned that Liu He had finished dealing with the pests on the fourth spirit tree.

"Among the miscellaneous disciples, no one can surpass him. Even in the previous selections of the Spirit Plant Peak, no miscellaneous disciple has performed so well in the art of insect repelling."

After saying that, Qi Wei added another comment.

"Oh?"

Yin Zhi wasn't surprised by Qi Wei's assessment. If what he said was true, dealing with pests on four spirit trees in a single day, especially for a mere Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator, was indeed quite difficult.

"Could this person also be...?"

He didn't finish his sentence; the rest was self-evident.

Qi Wei shook his head: "I haven't heard of this person having any connection with any of the sect's great cultivators. He probably doesn't have any connections or powerful backers."

As for giving spirit stones as a benefit.

Who in the Spirit Wood Garden would dare to give Liu He a free pass just because of the benefits of some spirit stones?

"Let's go take a look."

Yin Zhi decided to personally observe Liu He's practical test.

He didn't pilot the flying boat; he simply took a step into the air and flew hundreds of meters away. His divine sense swept across the area and he spotted Liu He.

He landed quietly and observed from a distance.

Qi Wei followed beside him.

At this moment, Liu He was examining the sacred tree, "Jade Leaf Banyan".

The jade-leaf banyan tree was in a very serious condition, the worst among all the spirit trees. Its leaves were withered and yellow, its branches were shriveled, and it looked half-dead.

If it is not treated in time, this spirit tree may die within ten days to half a month.

"What's the situation with that Jade Leaf Banyan?"

Yin Zhi asked casually.

"Infected with golden mustard root aphids."

"What? Root aphids? Why would your Spirit Wood Garden send spirit wood infested with this kind of insect? Which Qi Refining Stage 3 cultivator can cure Golden Mustard Root Aphids?"

The golden mustard root aphid is a social pest that attaches itself to the lateral roots of trees and is as small as a sesame seed.

Root aphids are one of the most difficult pests to deal with. To eliminate root aphids, you first need to have the ability to target pests in the underground soil.

Secondly, the spiritual plant itself must not be damaged.

Finally, root aphids are social organisms, and killing a portion of them will not solve the problem.

Even small, group-like pests need to be completely eradicated to prevent any remaining problems.

A Ficus microcarpa plant infected with golden mustard root aphids looks to be in a very serious condition, "terminally ill".

Let alone a Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator, even a Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator would find it extremely difficult to treat. It would require a Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator who is skilled in the Dao of Spiritual Plants to use various methods to cure it.

Qi Wei replied helplessly, "Our owner sent it here. We're just trying our luck; maybe a genius with a way to get rid of the insects can solve this."

He didn't tell Meng Kaizhou about the condition of the jade-leafed banyan tree because there was no need.

Even if Meng Kaizhou were told, he wouldn't be able to cope.

"What kind of genius could possibly defeat the Golden Mustard Root Aphid at the third level of Qi Refining? That's wishful thinking."

Yin Zhi made a comment, then realized his slip of the tongue and didn't mention it again. The owner of the Spirit Wood Garden was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, far surpassing Yin Zhi in status; how could he possibly speak ill of the owner behind his back?

"Is Liu He really determined to revive the Jade Leaf Banyan? What's the point of wasting this time? Deacon Yin, should we go and remind him?"

Seeing that Liu He had been observing from the side, Qi Wei released the Wood Diagnosis Technique several times in succession.

He and Yin Zhi wanted to see Liu He's insect-repelling skills, but they ended up getting into a fight between Liu He and the golden mustard root aphid.

Yin Zhi hesitated because they had arranged an examination program unsuitable for a menial disciple. Liu He's treatment of Yu Ye Ling Rong was a complete waste of time.

Should we go and remind Liu He to give up?

"Alright, let's not interfere with the exam. Adaptability is also a skill. If you find a problem you can't solve, you should give up decisively. He'll naturally give up after wasting half a day here."

Yin Zhi felt it was best not to interfere or offer any advice.

Half an hour later, Liu He was still there, and Yin Zhi and Qi Wei gradually lost patience.

"Never mind, I'll come back tomorrow during the day."

The two left.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At this moment, Liu He was examining the Jade Leaf Spirit Banyan with a head full of questions.

"What kind of pest has this Jade Leaf Ficus been infected with?"

He couldn't detect it using his diagnostic methods.

The ant colony searched the banyan tree several times but found no trace of borer activity.

He was unaware that he had encountered a problem beyond the scope of the curriculum, and thought he simply hadn't noticed it.

"Wait, could it be root pests?"

He suddenly realized that the problem wasn't on the tree, so it was likely root pests.

"Finally, it's time for something I'm good at."

He was not good at wood-based diagnosis, but earth-based diagnosis was a skill he was proficient in.

"Geographical diagnosis technique!"

On one occasion, he discovered countless root aphids, each the size of a sesame seed, clinging to the roots of the Ficus microcarpa.