Chapter 139: Sprout
Over the following days, the underground base's pace suddenly accelerated.
Building the cultivation room became top priority.
Everything proceeded methodically.
Both the Shiba family secret technique and the cultivation notebook became part of Suoh's knowledge base.
The cave for the cultivation room was excavated and completed.
Following the notebook's requirements, he inscribed kidou runes with purification functions on the cave walls and floor, isolating external contaminants to ensure internal environmental purity.
Hitsugaya handled the most critical temperature and humidity control system.
He embedded five specially-made ice cores in the cave's four corners and ceiling center.
Through manipulation, he could precisely adjust the entire cave's temperature and humidity fluctuations.
During testing, the values showed not a single deviation for two consecutive days. Extremely stable.
"Never thought growing something could be this complicated."
"Way more steps than growing flowers."
Rangiku wiped practically nonexistent sweat from her forehead, gazing at the six neat rows of cultivation beds before her, speaking with emotion.
After their combined efforts, the cultivation room had taken initial shape.
Walls smoothed, floor clean, six rows of neat cultivation bed frames arranged quietly, awaiting life's implantation.
Suoh stood at the entrance, gaze sweeping the area, satisfied.
"Almost there."
"The substrate state has stabilized, environmental parameters consistently meeting standards. Next comes the most critical step—inoculating the spore cultures."
"Success or failure will be decided tomorrow."
"It has to work!"
"I've never cut so many things this carefully in my life."
Rangiku looked at the substrate she'd personally processed, hands clasped in prayer.
These past days she hadn't been idle. She'd handled nearly all substrate-related work.
The cultivation beds needed to maintain good solid structure and air permeability. Her Haineko was the most dexterous of the three blades.
The blade dispersing into ash and dust could cut various substrate materials into perfectly proportioned ideal states—maintaining certain gaps while enhancing water retention and firmness.
Initially her operation was somewhat unfamiliar, but with Suoh's suggestions and guidance, she quickly grasped the trick. After becoming skilled, processing efficiency dramatically improved.
Saved considerable manual processing time.
"It'll definitely succeed."
"Rangiku, we couldn't have done this without you. You worked hard."
Suoh smiled at her.
This thanks wasn't mere courtesy.
Processing substrate materials—beyond size and shape requirements—posed essentially zero difficulty.
Just low-difficulty, highly repetitive work. But the sheer volume and tedium were overwhelming.
Among the three, only she could complete this task quickly and well.
"Glad I could help. No need to be so formal!"
His recognition and gratitude made Rangiku's eyes crinkle as she waved her hand.
Originally she hadn't felt anything particularly special—like completing routine watering duties.
The only trouble was using Haineko for menial tasks required coaxing her potentially sulky zanpakuto.
But helping someone as handsome as Suoh didn't require much coaxing effort at all.
Still, being acknowledged like this gave her a small sense of accomplishment.
Hitsugaya didn't join the conversation, concentrating on using spiritual awareness to recheck each ice core's status, ensuring tomorrow's inoculation environment would be flawless.
"Alright, everyone's worked hard recently."
"The cultivation room work is temporarily done. Later we'll soak in the hot spring to relax, then what do you want to eat tonight? I'll make something to reward everyone."
Suoh clapped his hands, pulling their attention back to the present, speaking easily.
"I want fruit pudding!"
Hearing Suoh's words, Rangiku's eyes lit up, immediately raising her hand in response.
Hitsugaya also nodded, expression softening slightly, clearly quite satisfied with this proposal.
The following evening.
Everything ready.
Isane Kotetsu arrived as promised, accompanied by Suoh.
Mental preparation was one thing. Actually visiting proved another matter entirely.
Witnessing this underground world hidden beneath Sokyoku Hill still brought her extraordinary visual shock.
However, she'd come with a mission. Her expression worked to maintain seriousness and focus.
Even so, her eyes couldn't help surveying the surrounding environment.
The vibrant scene silently proclaimed this place's beauty.
"Isane-neesan, this way."
Suoh's voice pulled back her somewhat drifting attention. He walked ahead, leading the way.
Her slight distraction didn't surprise him.
"Mm."
Isane steadied herself, gripping tighter the sealed box bearing Fourth Division's gentian crest, nodding as she followed.
They soon arrived at the newly built cultivation room entrance.
"Vice-Captain Kotetsu."
Hitsugaya nodded in greeting, attitude carrying his usual seriousness.
"Isane! You're here, welcome!"
"Finally, I'm not the only woman around here anymore."
Rangiku greeted her acquaintance with somewhat intimate joy.
However, seeing the box she held, she didn't approach rashly, only enthusiastically waving from where she stood.
"Rangiku, Hitsugaya."
Isane politely responded to each, then her gaze fell on the room's interior.
Just standing at the entrance, with her professional eye, everything inside already appeared perfect.
Environment clean and tidy, constant weak light naturally and evenly filling every inch of space.
Everything looked so orderly—even more regulated than she'd expected.
She nodded internally, gaining more direct understanding of Suoh and company's execution ability.
Half an hour later.
After meticulously inspecting every aspect, Isane found she couldn't pick out any flaws.
"Excellent work."
"Both environmental control and substrate preparation are impeccable."
She didn't stint on praise, speaking seriously.
"Let's begin."
She gently placed the box on a specially prepared stand, turning toward the three, nodding.
Opening the box revealed several petri dishes inside.
The dishes held white purple reishi mycelium, evenly spread across dark brown culture medium, emanating pure, faint spiritual energy.
"So beautiful..."
Rangiku couldn't help whispering in amazement, never imagining what they'd grow would look so exquisite in its original form.
"Watch carefully. The key to inoculation is lightness and precision. The forceps tips must be wrapped in extremely fine spiritual pressure to avoid direct contact damaging the mycelial body."
"When planting, simply take this small piece of mycelium with a bit of culture medium, gently place it on the substrate, then... lightly cover with more substrate."
Isane smiled faintly, using forceps to gently extract a small piece of mycelium with its culture medium.
She explained slowly and carefully while precisely demonstrating.
"This only requires patience and meticulous control. Understand?"
Demonstration complete, Isane looked at the three.
"No problem."
Suoh nodded in response. He understood this operation at a glance—it aligned perfectly with his training direction.
"Mm."
Hitsugaya likewise nodded.
"I'll pass. You all focus. I'll go make tea."
In contrast, Rangiku beside them frowned, thought about it, and gave up.
Just mentally simulating those careful movements made her fingers feel stiff.
This finicky work didn't suit her. She'd rather cultivate a new field.
Speaking thus, she waved and lightly turned, leaving this space requiring quiet to those better suited.
Seeing this, Isane nodded understandingly.
Her gaze returned to Suoh and Hitsugaya.
"Then we'll start from the first row. No rush. Ensure every step is accurate."
"Right!"
Barring special circumstances, this operation required repeated practice to form muscle memory and feel. Otherwise extremely easy to damage spore cultures.
In Fourth Division, those capable of completing inoculation work could be counted on one hand.
Yet Suoh and Hitsugaya met all hard requirements for this work.
With Isane's accompaniment, the two smoothly completed their necessary first attempts.
***
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