Chapter 23: Spiritual Plants
Chapter 23: Spiritual Plants
Left alone, Ram took a moment to survey his surroundings.
He found himself on the far edge of the abandoned train station, surrounded by multiple tunnels and an old train sitting on a track covered in moss.
The station had a large opening in the ceiling with broken glass pieces, likely damaged, allowing sunlight to stream directly down, and illuminating the surroundings.
The walls and floor of the station were filled with patches of grass, tangled vines, and weeds sprouted from the cracks in the pavement.
"Ha haa!!..," Ram laughed slightly, his voice barely audible amidst the quiet of the station. "This place is incredible."
He slowly walked closer to the train, marveling at the thick blanket of moss that covered its surface.
The rust bleeding through only added to the rustic charm of the scene. Ram couldn't help but wonder how long the train had been sitting here.
Running his fingers over the rough texture of the moss, Ram found himself drawn to the large tree that had taken root behind the train.
Its branches reached up towards the glass ceiling, creating a natural canopy that obscured a significant portion of the sunlight, casting dappled shadows across the interior of the train compartment.
Despite the obstruction, rays of light still managed to filter through, creating a serene and somewhat mystical atmosphere within the space.
This tree isn't a Spiritual Plant yet, but it's on the brink of becoming one with just a little more opportunity.
Then Ram checked his new room, which is the train's empty compartments.
Despite the overgrown and decay of the train's exterior, the interior was surprisingly clean and welcoming. Sunlight streamed through the cracked windows.
Green vines twisted through rusted handholds, adding a touch of natural beauty to the surroundings.
Ram's gaze swept over the compartment, taking in the simple yet comfortable furnishings.
A bed was placed in one corner to rest, while a small table with two chairs stood nearby, offering a spot for meals or work.
Against the wall, a large bookshelf was filled with various books. His attention was drawn to the scattered drawings on the table, each one showcasing intricate designs of advanced prosthetics and mechanical parts.
Some sketches were meticulously detailed, while others were rough outlines waiting to be refined.
"These drawings are impressive," Ram murmured to himself, picking up one of the sketches to examine it more closely.
He marveled at the precision and expertise evident in each line and curve. It was clear that whoever created these had a deep understanding of engineering and a talent for design.
Setting the sketches aside, Ram sat on the bed, leaning back against the wall and gazing up at the ceiling.
He let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of the day's events pressing down on him. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection, trying to process the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirling inside him.
He still had some time before dinner, and there were so many things he wanted to explore and experiment with.
"I need to take my spiritual planting to the next level," Ram thought to himself, his brow furrowed in thought.
Next, Ram turned his attention to his talent recovery. He knew there was more to his talent than just recovering the life energy and spiritual power, but he wasn't sure where to start.
"I need to experiment," he thought, a spark of determination igniting within him. "Then I need to find ways to unlock other professions, to gain more abilities."
As he considered the possibilities, Ram's thoughts turned to the Mind Shadow Parasite lurking within his body.
"I can't ignore the parasite," Ram muttered grimly, his jaw set with determination. "I need to find a way to neutralize it, or at least mitigate its effects." With a plan forming in his mind, Ram felt a surge of purpose.
Similar to humans and monsters, plants also had the potential to become spiritual plants through the absorption of Reiki.
These spiritual plants played a crucial role in the ecosystem, either aiding monsters to increase cultivation or serving as a direct source for evolution into higher life forms.
However, unlike humans and monsters, the journey towards awakening their own consciousness was slower and more arduous, often requiring higher levels or thousands of years to attain enlightenment and turning into Wood Spirits.
But most spiritual plants struggled against the odds, as they were vulnerable to becoming prey for monsters or awakeners.
Some spiritual plants were blessed with the ability to accelerate the natural healing processes or heal directly.
While certain plants had an innate affinity for Reiki, these Reiki gatherers absorb and store energy, providing a valuable resource for awakeners and monsters alike.
Harvesting Reiki from these plants could enhance one's own spiritual abilities.
Ram also remembered most spiritual plants in order to defend themselves, and developed many defensive or offensive capabilities.
"Some of these plants," he noted, "utilize thorns, toxic secretions, or even projectile-launching abilities to fend off threats or actively contribute to maintaining the balance in the ecosystem.".
"There are also plants that aligned with specific elements like fire, water, wind, or other elements for their use." Ram even heard details about some Rare spiritual plants that had an affinity for specific elements.
They could manipulate these elements to some extent, creating unique effects in their immediate vicinity.
"There are even some spiritual plants like Symbiotic Sprouts and Predatory plants." He thought about some spiritual plants that could form symbiotic relationships with animals or even other plants.
These mutually beneficial connections could involve nutrient exchange, protection, or other forms of cooperation.
"Like some spiritual plants," Ram noted, "have formed symbiotic relationships with different races.
They help the plants in various ways, and in return, the plants provide sustenance or a safe haven.
It's fascinating how these connections extend to even the smallest beings in the world." He also recalled stories of colossal spiritual plants, towering over the landscape with an imposing presence.
These giants played an important role in shaping the environment, their influence extending far beyond their colossal forms.
Amidst his mental exploration, Ram's thoughts delved into the mystical aspects of legendary spiritual plants.
And "Spiritual Planters," as he recalled, were individuals who specialized in the cultivation and manipulation of spiritual plants.
They possessed a profound understanding of the unique properties and growth patterns of these plants, allowing them to cultivate them for various purposes.
They could even breed and crossbreed spiritual plants to create new strains with enhanced qualities.
Some Spiritual Planters were renowned for cultivating rare and powerful spiritual plants, contributing significantly to the development of medicine, alchemy, and even combat.