Bambu followed Cliff Cypress to the mountainside for a field inspection.
Cliff Cypress pointed out, "I feel that these bamboo plants are similar to some long-lived weeds. Their survival depends entirely on underground rhizomes."
With firsthand experience in clearing territory weeds, Bambu knew well that to completely eradicate certain weed species, their rhizomes had to be dug out from underground.
Immediately, Bambu began digging along the bamboo shoots, and as expected, beneath the bamboo shoots lay tough, woody underground rhizomes.
Seeing this, Cliff Cypress sighed, "Indeed, it's the underground rhizomes causing trouble. Bambu, this is going to be a hassle. If you want to completely remove the bamboo from your territory, you'll have to dig out all their underground rhizomes. It's extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive."
However, Bambu was delighted. "Bamboo is tough and not easy to kill. That's its greatest advantage! I understand now! I understand why Golden Bamboo Master chose bamboo as the Life Seed and cultivated bamboo species on a large scale."
Cliff Cypress thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Choosing bamboo as the Life Seed, Golden Bamboo Master... no, the warriors of Jinping Mountains won't fear attacks from beast warriors! They won't experience tragedies like with Maranta."
Bambu nodded. "Exactly."
Cliff Cypress continued, "Unfortunately, the flowering and fruiting cycle of bamboo is just too long, which is its fatal weakness."
Bambu added, "That's why Golden Bamboo Master is planting bamboo on a large scale. He's been working on cultivating bamboo varieties with shorter flowering and fruiting cycles that won't wither and die after bearing fruit."
Cliff Cypress sighed, "Li Bamboo on Li Bamboo Peak is a successful case, but the three-year cycle is still too long."
Bambu agreed and continued digging to thoroughly understand the distribution of bamboo rhizomes.
After inspecting over twenty bamboo species, including Li Bamboo, Hemp Bamboo, and Golden Bamboo, Bambu gained a deeper understanding of bamboo and completely changed his attitude towards it.
Bamboo shares many similarities with resilient, long-lived weeds.
The aboveground stems don't directly affect the survival of the plants.
What determines life or death is the underground rhizomes.
The rhizomes grow horizontally and, depending on the species, cluster together or spread out in chains.
Based on various conditions such as sunlight, water, soil fertility, and existing bamboo stalks, the rhizomes sprout an indefinite number of bamboo shoots, which grow into bamboo poles.
Clustered rhizomes result in bamboo shoots growing in clumps, while rhizomes that spread out form bamboo groves.
Breaking a bamboo pole or destroying a clump or grove won't kill the bamboo. As long as the rhizomes underground remain intact, a little rain will prompt them to sprout new shoots and continue growing.
It's similar to dealing with stubborn weeds; cutting off the aboveground foliage won't stop them from regrowing. The only way is to eradicate the roots.
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The same principle applies to killing bamboo; you have to destroy the rhizomes.
Bamboo is tough!
Choosing bamboo as the Life Seed means that even in the perilous Jinping Mountains, one doesn't need to worry about tragedies like Maranta's happening.
...
Cliff Cypress also had a complete change of perception towards bamboo, being an outsider and living in the relatively safe environment of Iron Knife Peak. He didn't harbor as much concern, so he didn't pay much attention to this discovery. He casually suggested to Bambu to consider nurturing more Li Bamboo Life Seeds before starting his day's work, patrolling the surrounding peaks and hunting a couple of wild rabbits to offer to Bambu as food.
...
Facing constant peril and worrying about his future all day, Bambu's attitude towards bamboo completely flipped. He spent an entire day touring Li Bamboo Peak, meticulously studying and understanding the characteristics of each bamboo species.
Li Bamboo is the most successful bamboo species cultivated by Golden Bamboo Master, but it's not ideal for Life Seed selection. The reason is simple: Li Bamboo grows in clumps, with poles only 5-8 thick and reaching heights of 500-800. This scale is too small.
Hemp Bamboo is more ideal. It's the tallest among the 57 bamboo species on Li Bamboo Peak, growing in groves with poles 30-50 thick and reaching heights of 4000-6000. Clusters of 5-10 poles form a canopy, with lush foliage and intertwined stems. Scattered across the mountains, just one bamboo plant can form a large bamboo forest.
As a Life Seed, Hemp Bamboo can produce a massive supply of Force.
While Hemp Bamboo has outstanding advantages, its weaknesses are even more fatal. It's said to flower and bear fruit only once every 100 years. The long cycle practically means it won't bear fruit, resulting in no Force fruit income.
Bambu speculated that Golden Bamboo Master must have made considerable efforts to cultivate Hemp Bamboo varieties with shorter flowering intervals, even if they were shortened from 100 years to 5 years, it would be acceptable.
Once successful, it would be a transformative achievement, bringing endless benefits.
Golden Bamboo Master was probably a true visionary, but unfortunately, luck was not on his side; he was killed by a falling metal core from outer space.
"Now, I'm in charge of Li Bamboo Peak. I am the lord of Li Bamboo Peak, and all the bamboo species are mine. I can continue to develop along the path of Golden Bamboo Master!" Bambu decided to invest some time and effort into studying the cultivation and improvement of bamboo.
...
The next morning, Bambu went out to check the development of the Life Seeds as usual.
Normal growth. The Divine Seeds were noticeably faster than ordinary Life Seeds.
After a day and night of growth, the tender shoots of the three Grass Life Seeds had only grown about 5 in height.
Though both were Grass, the tender shoots of the Divine Seeds grew about 5 tall as well, unfolding two leaves, with the third and fourth leaves about to emerge.
There was a significant difference in color: the leaves of the ordinary Grass Life Seeds were wide and thick, green with faint purple veins.
The leaves of the Divine Seeds were slender and tough, deeper green, with numerous fine, dense purple-gold veins.
In terms of absorbing Force, the gap between the two was several times, completely different leagues.
However, while ordinary Grass absorbed Force slowly, it still had some surplus, even providing assistance to Bambu's growth.
The Divine Seeds absorbed Force rapidly, like a bottomless pit, using all of it for their own growth. They showed extreme dissatisfaction with Bambu; as soon as he approached, they went berserk, releasing their anger frantically.
Bambu responded with even more intense anger.
The Divine Seeds continued to transmit their anger.
Bambu sent the thought of "I'll kill you."
The Divine Seeds immediately calmed down.
Bambu thoroughly checked all the Life Seeds, confirming they were all healthy and vigorous, then began practicing the body refining exercises outlined in the Basic Body Refinement Plan at the cave entrance.
By mid-morning, Li Bamboo arrived. Today, it was responsible for patrolling the Li Bamboo Mountain territory.
Li Bamboo said, "Bambu, those bamboo plants that were cut down
in winter have sprouted bamboo shoots. They will soon grow into bamboo forests."
Bambu replied, "Yes."
Li Bamboo asked, "Are you planning to keep them?"
Bambu replied, "I plan to keep them all and will plant extensively in Li Bamboo Mountain and the surrounding mountains to cultivate superior bamboo species."
Li Bamboo was delighted. "That's great, Bambu! You've made the wisest choice. I'll help you collect new bamboo species."
"I appreciate your kindness," Bambu promised. "Li Bamboo, if I cultivate good bamboo species in the future, I will give you a share first."
Li Bamboo was even more delighted. It genuinely liked bamboo plants, without any other reason, just pure liking.