Chapter 17: The Azure Dragon Strikes

This pot of Golden Sand Chrysanthemum, though beautifully shaped with exquisite petals, resembled a listless patient. Some of its leaves were marked with brown spots and had begun to wither, and the blossoms drooped wearily, as if a beauty in her autumn years, evoking a deep sense of sorrow.

“This Golden Sand Chrysanthemum is said to be worth three million—could that be true?” Chen Xian murmured as he gazed at the orchid.

He was not well-versed in the pricing of rare orchids. Driven by curiosity, Chen Xian took out his phone to search online, wondering how the price of an orchid was determined.

Why did common orchids only cost a few dozen yuan per pot, while rare varieties soared into the hundreds of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions for a single plant?

After a little research, Chen Xian found some answers.

The pricing of orchids is mainly evaluated from seven aspects.

First, by the petal: The form of the orchid’s petals is a crucial standard for judging its quality. Petal types such as plum blossom, lotus, and narcissus have long been recognized as premium, fetching prices several times or even dozens of times higher than the ordinary bamboo-leaf petal.

Second, by fragrance: Orchids are praised as “the ancestor of fragrance,” “the king of scents,” and “the world’s premier aroma.” Thus, scent is another key factor in determining an orchid’s grade. Among flowers with similar petal forms, those with superior fragrance are more valuable. When both fragrance and form are present, the orchid is considered a masterpiece.

Third, by color: Orchids display a range of hues—pure white, peach red, bright red, purple-red, white-green, emerald green, deep green, golden yellow, creamy yellow, and purple-black. Generally, vivid reds command the highest prices, followed by yellow, white, and purple, in that order.

Fourth, by rarity: The rarer and more unique the flower and leaf, the higher its status, especially those with striking, alluring, or charmingly peculiar features, which hold great aesthetic and market value.

Fifth, by quantity...

Sixth, by form: Orchids are admired for the harmony of their spirit, leaf posture, floral bearing, and color. A variety that excels in form, fragrance, color, and charm will always be beloved by enthusiasts.

Seventh, by species: With so many orchid varieties, even with identical petals, prices differ according to species...

Furthermore, orchids have become symbols of status. Some wealthy merchants and prominent figures will pay exorbitant sums—hundreds of thousands or millions—for a distinguished orchid, and there is never a shortage of orchid lovers in the world.

Combining these seven criteria, Chen Xian carefully observed the Golden Sand Chrysanthemum before him, and thought:

“It truly is a prime specimen among orchids. If it weren’t sick, it would indeed be worth three million!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that you bloom in beauty once more.”

As he spoke, Chen Xian reached out and touched the root of the orchid, channeling a wisp of spiritual energy from the Wheel of Spirit within his inner world, injecting it into the plant.

He used only a tiny thread of spiritual energy, fearing that too much might do more harm than good.

Stopping his movements, Chen Xian quietly watched the Golden Sand Chrysanthemum, awaiting the moment of miracle.

“One, two, three... ten.” When he silently counted to ten, the miracle finally appeared.

Before his very eyes, the brown spots on the orchid’s leaves faded at a visible speed, turning green once more, as if wiped away by an unseen hand.

At the same time, the drooping blossoms stood upright again, bursting into full bloom, and a delightful fragrance wafted from the stamens, filling the room with its scent.

Moreover, the three orchid stalks began to grow...

Fifteen minutes later, all changes ceased.

The previously ailing Golden Sand Chrysanthemum not only regained its vigor, but its quality was enhanced; the leaves appeared even greener.

The entire orchid seemed as if carved from emerald jade, radiating a gentle, alluring luster.

Additionally, the three stalks had become five, with two fresh shoots emerging.

Chen Xian stared at the two new shoots, his thoughts racing:

“This Golden Sand Chrysanthemum is worth three million. I wonder if I can separate these two new shoots and cultivate a new pot?”

“If that’s possible, it should also fetch a great price.”

He immediately went online to search for information.

Soon, after studying the method of dividing the plant, Chen Xian decided to proceed.

He went downstairs, rode his little scooter to the flower and bird market, and purchased pots, soil, and other necessary supplies.

After spending some time gathering the materials, he promptly began dividing the plant.

Worried that division might affect the original Golden Sand Chrysanthemum, he channeled a bit more spiritual energy into both the parent and the two new offshoots.

Soon enough, the divided Golden Sand Chrysanthemums grew as robust as the original, blooming with equally beautiful flowers.

Chen Xian looked at the two pots of Golden Sand Chrysanthemum and nodded with satisfaction.

He decided not to use spiritual energy again for watering or further division.

Rarity makes for value, and this is especially true for rare orchids. With one more pot, the value had already declined; dividing further would only lower the worth of the Golden Sand Chrysanthemum even more.

By the time Chen Xian finished dealing with the silk-stealing insects and the orchids, night had fallen and the stars glittered in the sky.

Feeling hungry, he went downstairs for dinner, then hurried back to his dormitory.

Chen Xian left the insects and orchids alone, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and directed his mind toward the Dragon Elephant Divine Fist manual, opening its pages to comprehend its formidable techniques.

Currently, though Chen Xian possessed a mysterious ability to absorb external attacks, he lacked offensive techniques—like a warrior equipped only with a shield for defense and no spear for attack.

He had to master the mighty Dragon Elephant Divine Fist to become both offensive and defensive.

“Cultivating the Dragon Elephant Divine Fist will grant unparalleled strength, sweeping away all foes under heaven. At its peak, one can transform into a divine dragon, soaring through the nine heavens, or into a divine elephant, treading the earth, wielding immeasurable power.

"This art consists of eighteen forms; the first is 'Azure Dragon Strike.' To cultivate it requires the condensation of a spiritual wheel, with the cultivation method as follows...”

Time trickled by. After thirty minutes,

Chen Xian’s eyelashes fluttered and his eyes snapped open. He rose to his feet.

Clenching his fists, he began practicing a seemingly simple, yet profoundly intricate routine, his movements tracing out the infinite mysteries of the art.

Chen Xian commenced the cultivation of “Azure Dragon Strike.”

Unaware of the passing hours, darkness faded and dawn broke.

He stopped his practice, wiped the fine sweat from his brow, and after a night’s training, had gained a preliminary mastery of Azure Dragon Strike.

In the future, as his proficiency and cultivation improved, the power of the first form of the Dragon Elephant Divine Fist would only grow.

Glancing out the window, Chen Xian sat cross-legged again, circulating the Supreme Creation Scripture to absorb the faint spiritual energy of heaven and earth, continuing his cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, it was Tuesday morning.

Today was also the day Chen Xian had agreed with Old Master Zhang Xingtian to return the Golden Sand Chrysanthemum.

He had specially taken leave, preparing to bring the two pots of Golden Sand Chrysanthemum to the flower and bird market.

Just then, Chen Xian’s phone suddenly rang.

He answered, and from the speaker came a somewhat familiar female voice: “Hello! Is this Mr. Chen Xian?”