Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 50 If you have talent, you should show it.

The roots of the jade-leaf fig tree buried underground are covered with rows of densely packed golden root aphids.

They are several times smaller than ants, and use their sharp mouthparts to pierce the phloem of roots and suck out the sap.

A single root aphid has a negligible impact on a plant, but thousands of root aphids together sucking the sap from the plant's roots can severely damage the plant's root system over time.

"They're root aphids, they're hard to deal with."

Liu He thought to himself. Even with the help of his ant soldiers, it would be very troublesome to get rid of the root aphids on the roots of the Jade Leaf Spirit Banyan.

"So what if it's difficult? That's what really showcases my abilities."

He is not the type to back down easily and will not be discouraged by difficulties.

Furthermore, Liu He's previous efforts to eliminate pests like longhorn beetle larvae and jewel beetle larvae that bore into the interior of plant branches and trunks had been largely ineffective.

However, dealing with root aphids is precisely his area of ​​expertise: earth magic.

"Soil-stabilizing technique!"

He made hand seals and cast a spell, compacting and sealing the soil within a ten-foot radius centered on the roots of the Jade Leaf Banyan.

Due to the infestation by root aphids, the soil near the roots of the Ficus microcarpa has become loose and unstable, which is conducive to the activity and reproduction of root aphids.

At this moment, the soil suddenly hardened, trapping the root aphids firmly in the soil and pressing them tightly onto the roots.

However, it is impossible to kill the root aphids with this spell alone.

"Now comes the main event. Earth-based pest control!"

Liu He pressed his palm to the ground, channeling half of his spiritual energy into the soil.

The spiritual energy spread rapidly underground, permeating the root system of the Jade Leaf Banyan.

This is an indiscriminate, earth-based insect-removal spell that uses spiritual energy to eliminate all insects in the soil.

"puff--"

A dozen feet underground, earthworms exploded and died.

The mole cricket, an underground insect that happened to be passing by, was affected by the pest control technique and died silently.

Countless insects, large and small, have died in the vicinity.

As for the golden mustard aphids, many of them died, but since they are spirit insects, they are resistant to this type of insect-removing technique that attacks with spiritual energy.

"Again!"

Liu He once again used soil-based pest control techniques, killing a considerable number of golden mustard aphids.

Solid, firm soil is more conducive to the spread of insect-repelling spiritual energy.

The two earth-based insect-removing spells nearly depleted Liu He's spiritual energy. He stopped what he was doing, sat cross-legged, and began to cultivate his energy to recover.

"Remarkable results!"

With his innate earth elemental spirit body, the power of his earth-based spells was greatly amplified, and with the consumption of so much spiritual energy, he killed those in the Golden Mustard Root Aphid swarm who lacked spiritual energy resistance.

Using on-site diagnostic techniques, at least 60% of the root aphids were eliminated.

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.

Half an hour later, the spiritual energy in Liu He's dantian was fully restored.

"This is Spirit Plant Peak; its spiritual energy concentration is at least twice that of Qixia Peak!"

If it were at Qixia Peak, Liu He would need an hour to recover his spiritual energy.

He used the soil-based pest control technique for the third time.

The results this time were clearly not as good as the previous two times, with less than 10% of the root aphids being killed.

"The root aphids that are still alive are all those with strong resistance to spiritual energy."

"Then watch this move of mine, Earthquake Technique!"

Liu He changed his spell, casting "Earthquake" from the earth-based insect-repelling spells.

hum~~

The soil around the Ficus microcarpa was vibrating at a high frequency.

The vibration was not significant; the soil and gravel trembled up and down within a few inches.

But the vibrations were very frequent, the ground hummed, and loose soil bounced around on the ground.

The vibration lasted only a very short time, stopping within a breath or two.

"Phew~~"

Liu He exhaled; this spell consumed even more spiritual energy.

As for the effect, many aphids were shaken to death during the brief period just now, and many others were crushed to death by the friction between the shaking soil and rocks.

"Nearly 30% of the root aphids were eliminated. The side effects were also obvious; some of the fragile roots of the Jade Leaf Ficus were broken."

"For serious illnesses, drastic measures are needed; cutting off some roots is always better than being sucked to death by root aphids."

He used earth-based pest control techniques four times, finally eliminating most of the root aphids, leaving only a few that escaped.

The surviving root aphids are either highly resistant to spiritual energy and can withstand vibrations, or they are simply lucky enough to survive by hiding in some corner.

"I've done my best; there's nothing I can do about the remaining root aphids."

More than 90% of the root aphids were eliminated, leaving only a small number.

However, given the root aphids' reproductive capacity, if some remain unkilled, the pest control effort is essentially a failure.

"I can't help it, but I have ant soldiers. It's their turn to go in."

"Soil loosening technique!"

Liu He cast a soil-loosening spell, making the soil near the Jade Leaf Banyan even looser than before.

This makes it easier for the ant soldiers to dig tunnels.

"My ant soldiers, kill! Wipe out all the root aphids along the plant roots!"

The ant army that had been hiding in the tree climbed down the trunk, burrowed into the gaps between the soil and roots, and cleared out the remaining golden mustard root aphids.

Although the golden mustard root aphid is a clever insect, it is not good at fighting and shows very weak fighting ability when facing ants that are several times larger than it.

This is a very time-consuming process.

The ants dug tunnels along the roots, sniffing out the remaining golden mustard root aphids.

The work lasted all night, and finally the golden mustard root aphids were completely eradicated, leaving no future trouble.

"Everyone has worked hard, let's find a place to rest."

Seeing that the ant soldiers were exhausted from fighting all night, Liu He let them rest in the inconspicuous grass nearby.

"Root aphids are so hard to deal with, but if I revive this jade-leaf Ficus, I should be a sure thing in the selection process for the Spirit Plant Peak, right?"

He thought to himself that this jade-leaf banyan tree would be extremely difficult to save with the methods of someone in the early stages of Qi Refining, and his performance would definitely attract attention.

Little did he know that he underestimated himself and overestimated others.

The Jade Leaf Banyan Tree, infested with golden mustard root aphids, would be a headache even for mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, let alone those in the early Qi Refining stage.

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.

Just as Liu He was basking in the glory of his masterpiece and wondering when the high-level cultivators from the testing grounds would come to examine his work, two Foundation Establishment cultivators descended from the sky.

"Steward Yin, Steward Qi."

Liu He greeted Yin Zhi and Qi Wei respectfully.

"Liu He, have you been dawdling here all night?"

Yin Zhi thought that Liu He's personality was too inflexible.

"Spending the whole night toiling away?" Liu He wondered, what did that mean?

"Deacon Yin, I revived four spirit trees during the day yesterday, and this Jade Leaf Spirit Banyan tree last night. Will I be eligible for selection at the Spirit Plant Peak?"

He said it directly.

If you have talent, you should naturally show it.

"Revived? The Jade Leaf Banyan?"

Yin Zhi and Qi Wei were both stunned.

Even with the divine sense required for foundational cultivation, it is still impossible to see through spiritual plants and soil.

Yin Zhi flashed forward, gently touching the jade leaf banyan tree with his palm, and used a wisp of spiritual power to investigate its condition.

"Gone! All the golden mustard root aphids have been eradicated!"

"How did you do that?"

If it's a major foundational repair, it can definitely be done easily.

But Liu He is only at the third level of Qi Refining.

Yin Zhi's surprised gaze swept over Liu He repeatedly, as if trying to see right through him.

"Liu He, how did you revive this Jade Leaf Banyan Tree? It's impossible for someone with only the third level of Qi Refining cultivation to do that."

Do you possess any special spiritual qualities or other talents?

Ok?

Liu He wondered to himself, could it be that his performance was too outstanding?

"Deacon Yin, I am an earth elemental spirit. I discovered the root aphid infestation using earth diagnosis techniques, and then used soil-stabilizing techniques, four earth-based pest control techniques, and two earth-shaking pest control techniques..."

He never intended to hide his Earth Elemental Spirit Body; he just hadn't found a suitable opportunity to reveal it to the public.

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.

[I had to go out today, so there will only be one update. I'll make up for it tomorrow!]

[I had to go out today, so there will only be one update. I'll make up for it tomorrow!]