Absorbing a large amount of plant energy, it circulated in her body before being sent into Xiao Qing's trunk.
From Xiao Qing's trunk, it was then delivered to the main root, and from the main root, it slowly dispersed to several rootlets.
This was for sending, and at the same time, to inflate those knots.
Then, using the retraction of the suction, the knot was quickly pulled out in the opposite direction.
The knot was opened one step at a time.
Great.
She had found a way.
Send again, then retract.
Nine times were needed to open a knot.
This first time, Tian Jing only opened a few knots.
The effect appeared, and Tian Jing untangled over a dozen at once.
The faster she untangled, the faster the speed.
When all the knots were untangled, Tian Jing still felt unsatisfied.
During the process of untangling knots, she had effortlessly converted the plant energy in her body into wood element energy. This was faster than compressing it herself and also faster than creating wood element energy on her own.
Perhaps…
She just didn't know what the process of tying knots was like.
"Xiao Qing, can you let me try tying a knot? Just one knot, so I can confirm my guess."
Xiao Qing, who was tidying its rootlets that had been knotted for a long time, thought for a moment and then agreed.
Even if two rootlets were broken, it wouldn't affect it much.
Tian Jing carefully controlled two rootlets to try and tie them back.
She knew the steps for tying knots back, having untangled so many.
However, the result was not ideal.
Xiao Qing cried out in pain, and she was so tired she was covered in sweat.
After resting for a while, Tian Jing, unwilling to give up, started working again.
This time, she increased her speed.
With the increase in speed, Xiao Qing no longer cried out in pain, and she successfully tied a knot that was somewhat similar to the original one.
"Xiao Qing, shall we practice more?"
Xiao Qing, finally free, said, "Can't you practice with other trees?"
Tian Jing told Xiao Qing her guess, "I suspect your rootlets were knotted because someone was practicing their technique."
"I also suspect that you gained consciousness because someone used this method of exchanging energy back and forth to nurture you."
"If my suspicion is true, then a conscious plant will appear here."
She herself had cultivated a trace of spiritual consciousness in Xiao Feng. It was even more so in this apocalyptic world, using this method of tying knots to practice energy exchange.
She suspected even more that the person tying the knots was that special wood element ability user who could communicate with plants.
Now, she was in the same world as this ability user. If she didn't catch up to or even surpass that ability user, would she be eliminated?
She died in her third life and came to her second life only to die?
Xiao Qing believed Tian Jing's suspicion. Among the plants in this area, only it had a crystal core and could communicate directly with humans using consciousness, which was a suspicious point.
"Then fine, let you practice. Energy entering my body also leads to slow growth."
Tian Jing was not polite at all. After mastering one knot, she moved on to two knots together, then four, then eight.
Soon, Xiao Qing's main rootlets returned to their original state.
After Tian Jing untangled the knots for it, she decided to rest, as it was getting dark.
"Xiao Qing, where's a pot?"
"Aren't you practicing anymore?"
"I'll practice tomorrow."
Following Xiao Qing's directions, Tian Jing found a clay pot from the village.
She dug up soil and planted the now fifty to sixty centimeter tall Xiao Qing into the pot.
Hmm, not bad, it looked like a potted plant.
Carrying the potted plant to the courtyard she had chosen earlier, she put Xiao Qing down and began searching the entire village for food.
As a result, not only was there no moldy food or grain, but not even a single seed.
How could a village have no seeds at all? Even if one fell into a corner, there should be some, right?
Had it been thoroughly looted?
Perhaps that wood element ability user had more than one ability.
Perhaps the companions of that wood element ability user had a space ability.
This made her even more cautious.
Tian Jing's empty-handed return surprised Xiao Qing, "You didn't find any food?"
"As you can see."
Tian Jing sat by the clay pot and said, "Xiao Qing, I need to tell you something important. This matter concerns your life, or rather, your freedom. Do you want to be someone's toy or slave?"
"Of course not. I just want to be myself. Tian Tian, tell me quickly."
Tian Jing explained the cultivation methods of that wood element ability user to Xiao Qing.
"...So, I suspect the person who tied knots for you was that person."
"I need to go to the base to find someone, and that special female wood element ability user is also at that base."
"I'm worried that as soon as she sees you, she'll recognize you. I might not be able to defeat her, and you've even been knotted by her."
"Even if you're at a higher level than her, you might not be able to defeat her. Moreover, she has this method to upgrade and win over plants to her use."
"I suspect her wood element ability is at least level seven or eight. It's been four years since the apocalypse."
In her previous life, she could reach level five in two years.
Levels seven or eight were just to comfort herself and Xiao Qing. Although the higher levels became increasingly difficult to ascend.
But that person's ability was special, wasn't it? She could even use knot-tying techniques to accelerate the conversion of plant energy…
"Can't we avoid going to that base? Isn't a base like a big city for humans? There aren't many plants inside."
Tian Jing thought for a moment and said, "For one year, I'll wander outside with you."
"After one year, we'll find a place with many plants, plant you there, and then I'll leave, okay?"
"Alright."
Xiao Qing became afraid of that female ability user after hearing Tian Jing's words.
...
One year later.
Tian Jing's ability had reached advanced level seven, and Xiao Qing had also advanced to intermediate level eight.
The reason Tian Jing advanced so quickly was entirely due to her experience at level five.
When she was advancing to level six and seven, she slowed down.
"Xiao Qing, where do you plan to take root?"
Xiao Qing regretted it, "I can't bear to leave you."
"But I can't stay here for long either. I still have many things to do, and I need to find my way home."
"I... I'll go with you."
Xiao Qing hesitated for a moment, then made this decision. Moreover, it could walk on its own in the soil.
It was not as fast as an ability user, but it was faster than an ordinary human running.
"I asked you to figure out some skills yourself. Have you figured any out?"
"No."
Xiao Qing was very disappointed. It really didn't know skills like the ability shield Tian Tian talked about.
Tian Jing cruelly refused it. She was also reluctant to part with Xiao Qing, but, "You'd better not go. How fast we upgraded this year, she also upgrades that fast."
"If you follow me, it will be difficult for me to hide myself, and both of us will become her targets."
"Didn't I tell you that after reaching great perfection at level nine, the next stage might be cultivation-like levels? We cannot be stepping stones for others."
"Oh."
Xiao Qing was disheartened, and Tian Jing was also sad. "Let's find a place to take root first."
"Okay."
After finding a place and digging a pit, Xiao Qing lay on Tian Jing's shoulder and refused to get down.
"Tian Tian, I'll go with you. Even if I'm caught by her, I'll accept it. It's too cruel to leave me alone here to endure the years in loneliness and solitude."
Tian Jing pulled it, "There are no eternal banquets in the world. This time you follow me, but when I return, we will still have to part."
Xiao Qing used a few branches to tightly grip Tian Jing's collar, "We'll talk about it when you return. Maybe you can take me back then."
Tian Jing refused, "Xiao Song is also in danger over there. Even if the danger passes, I won't be able to accompany you often."
"It's the affection developed from being inseparable from me for a year. After we are separated for a while, it will be fine."
"Besides, I might not be able to take you there. Be good, stop making a fuss, jump into the pit now."