Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique - Chapter 173 - 170: Investigation
Chapter 173: Chapter 170: Investigation
“Yu Han, another cup of Cloud Peak Silver Needle.
Also, tell Fellow Daoist Liang to have an extra meal at noon.”
Ji An handed over the small can of spirit tea, as it was rather precious and kept on him, not stored in the warehouse.
He only dared to drink a cup every few days, and now there was not much left.
Ji An invited Liu Yu to sit down and asked:
“Senior Brother, you’re transitioning to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment group; are your points on the leaderboard enough?”
He guessed that the other planned to continue participating in the duels, which would mean facing opponents who were at the fifth or sixth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
“Enough, of course.
I was the top in the Early-stage Foundation Establishment grouping!
Now in the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment grouping, I’m still ranked seventh.”
Liu Yu sat down, his gaze resolute:
“I still have two years, and while improving my points, I will strive to cultivate, and any bit of improvement in cultivation is valuable.
Even at the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment, I have some confidence in achieving a relatively good rank.”
His initial aptitude was top-grade, and over the years, he persisted in nurturing his immortal vein, nearing earth-grade in aptitude.
Plus, possessing a Fire Dao Body, his understanding of cultivation techniques and fire element techniques surpassed ordinary cultivators.
He felt that his Bursting Fireball Technique was close to reaching the Great Perfection Level, at which point he’d unleash attacks at the Foundation Establishment Perfection level.
Compared to other Intermediate Mid-level cultivators, his only disadvantage was insufficient magical power.
Ji An nodded slightly and said:
“Senior Brother, I’ve ordered a defensive spiritual artifact, and if needed, you can borrow it during duels.”
Being in the same vein and having a good rapport, if he could help, he certainly would.
Liu Yu was surprised:
“What made you think of ordering a defensive spiritual artifact? It’s still early before the Demon Calamity breaks out.”
He pointed at the Mulberry Field and laughed:
“Even if a Demon Calamity breaks out, given your ability to cultivate so many top-grade spirit woods, the sect won’t assign you combat tasks unless absolutely necessary.”
Also on Mingfeng Mountain, he and Du Huaiyuan met several times a month, through whom he learned about Red Flame Peak.
Junior Brother Ji’s capability to cultivate Tier Two Red Cloud Pines was surely recognized by the sect.
Ji An sighed and said:
“Senior Brother knows, I originally wanted to participate in the Three Sect’s Duels and had started preparing to refine a defensive spiritual artifact.
But the sect’s selection rules weren’t in my favor, so I had to give up.”
Weighing pros and cons, he decided that staying at Red Flame Peak for cultivation was more promising and thus gave up.
He brandished the spiritual artifact and said:
“Just let me know if you need it.”
“It’s actually an Apricot Yellow Banner, quite a treasure.
But unfortunately, I don’t have enough magical power to sustain two spiritual artifacts, thank you for your kind offer, Junior Brother.”
Liu Yu declined politely, aware of the defensive effects of such artifacts as a senior brother at the Law Enforcement Hall used the Apricot Yellow Banner.
In combat, he always preferred attacking over defending, as counterattacking defensively wasn’t his style.
During duels, he planned either to defeat opponents swiftly or concede quickly and neatly.
Though he never became a sword cultivator, his approach and style were akin to one.
Ji An put away the Apricot Yellow Banner and said:
“If Senior Brother needs it, just let me know anytime.
How long do you plan to stay upon returning to the sect this time?”
The other was likely to return to Mingfeng Mountain for more demon hunting to maintain combat readiness.
“I returned to the sect yesterday, exchanged for some cultivation resources at the Secret Vault and paid respects to my master.
Going to impose on Junior Brother for a few days, leave by flying ship in three days.”
The two began to talk about their insights into cultivation, as Xia Yuhan served the spirit tea:
“Martial Uncle, please have some tea.”
Liu Yu inhaled, smiled, and said:
“Just judging by the aroma, I know it’s good tea.”
Half an hour later, Xia Yu Lian came over and said:
“Martial Uncle, lunch is ready. Shall I serve it now?”
Ji An smiled and said: “Serve the dishes and bring out two jars of top-grade pine nut wine.”
He turned and said:
“This year, I brewed some Tier Two Pine Nut Wine, let it age for a few years, and I’ll give you a jar then, Senior Brother.”
“Haha, I have good fortune.
No need for too much thanks; Junior Brother, should you need my help, just let me know.”
Ji An smiled:
“When I need you, you can’t escape.
I heard that in the sect’s inventory, the spiritual objects for refining using cultivation techniques are always in short supply. Does Senior Brother need to refine the pine nuts from Tier Two Red Cloud Pine?”
In a few more years, he would surely be able to cultivate more Tier Two Red Cloud Pines.
“Thank you, Junior Brother. With the Fiery Sun Melting Furnace Scroll I’m cultivating, currently, I require spiritual objects of the Path of Bing Fire.
When I reach the late Foundation Establishment Stage and need to comprehend the Path of Ding Fire, I’ll come to you, Junior Brother.”
The Fiery Sun Melting Furnace Scroll focused more on the explosion of Bing Fire; when breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage and igniting the Primordial Life Fire, it needed to comprehend the true intent of the Fire Dao through Yin Yang Unity.
“I see, it seems that Senior Sister Mu will need the Tier Two Pine Nuts after reaching the mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”
As they spoke, Xia Yuhan and her sister began to serve the dishes.
“Spicy Rabbit Meat.”
“Stir-fried Red-tailed Squirrel with Bamboo Shoot.”
“Braised Grouper Fish.”
“Stewed Fish Tail.”
“Spicy Fish Head Soup.”
Four dishes and one soup, large platter-sized dishes, generously portioned.
Each had half a bowl of Jade Marrow Rice, every grain glistening like jade with an enticing aroma.
Plus two jars of pine nut wine, truly delightful.
“Compared to Junior Brother’s life, demon hunting cultivators have it too tough.”
Liu Yu sighed, noting that while doing tasks for the Law Enforcement Hall was manageable, during demon hunting, they often had to rely solely on Fasting Pills for ten days or more.
Ji An smiled lightly and said:
“Guarding a Spirit Mountain, of course, the food and drinks need to be more refined.”
His ability to maintain rapid progress in cultivation has a lot to do with his daily spiritual food.
However, the Fire-toothed Rabbit and Red-tailed Squirrel are merely Qi Refining Stage Demon Beasts, and the spiritual qi they contain gradually fails to meet his needs.
Ji An had considered whether it was necessary to breed some plant-eating demon beasts that could grow to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
But there are no purely herbivorous demon beasts. Once they become powerful, demon beasts don’t mind tasting cultivators for a change.
Without a suitable candidate to breed, he could only abandon the thought.
…
A few days later, after Liu Yu left, Red Flame Peak welcomed new guests.
Ye Changqing pointed to a female cultivator with a head full of silver hair beside him and solemnly said:
“Junior Brother Ji, let me introduce you. This is Senior Sister Li Minghui, the Vice Hall Master of the Beast Taming Hall.”
Time had carved marks on the female cultivator’s face, but judging from her bone structure, she was also very beautiful in her youth.
Ji An cupped his hands and said:
“Senior Sister Li’s presence brings great honor to Red Flame Peak.”
Li Minghui cupped her hands:
“Junior Brother is too polite.
I heard Junior Brother Ye talk about the situation here, and I considered coming to see if it is feasible to establish a sub-palace nearby to breed various Spiritual Silkworms and Spirit Beasts.”
Some days ago, when Ye Changqing transported Jade Leaf Mulberry and Copper Patterned Mulberry to the Beast Taming Hall, she intended to come and inspect, but her busy schedule delayed her visit.
Ye Changqing said:
“If a sub-palace is established, Junior Brother’s Mulberry Leaves and Biluo Fruits can be traded directly with them, making it much more convenient.”
He was eager to promote this matter, as the establishment of a sub-palace by the Beast Taming Hall here also indicated the sect’s attention to Junior Brother Ji.
Ji An asked:
“I wonder what Senior Sister’s inspection criteria are?”
“The quantity of top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry, Copper Patterned Mulberry, and Biluo Trees.”
Li Minghui said, the sect’s demand for top-grade Spirit Plants is not large.
“I’ll report to Senior Sister that, as of now, Red Flame Peak contains over seven hundred and ten top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry, over four hundred and twenty Copper Patterned Mulberry, and over five hundred and forty Biluo Trees. We can go and inspect them now on site.”
Ji An paused for a moment, then continued:
“Red Flame Peak is a Tier Two Spiritual Vein, with three hundred and fifty acres of Jade Leaf Mulberry, one hundred and fifty acres of Biluo Trees, and about one thousand acres of Copper Patterned Mulberry.
As long as the conditions of the Spirit Wood are suitable, given time I can cultivate all the Spirit Wood to a top-grade level.”
Now is the time to showcase his value, it’s necessary to boast when appropriate.
What he spoke of was theoretical possibility; the actual operation is much more complicated.
Li Minghui lightly covered her mouth and smiled:
“I have some understanding of planting, and this is the first time I have seen such a confident Spirit Farmer like Junior Brother.”
“Oh dear, encountered an expert.”
Ji An smiled frankly, then said:
“Time to showcase real techniques, please follow me, Senior Sister and Senior Brother.”
He led them to the experimental field by the Cold Pool, preparing to perform magic on site.
Here the density of top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry is greatest, providing a direct demonstration of his hard work.
As far as he knew, his master Ge Ying’s Jade Wood Transformation Skill had reached Great Perfection Level, whereas Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell and Spring Breeze and Rain Skill were at the Perfection Level, quite the opposite for him.
However, his master had been cultivating for two hundred and ten years, at the Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment, while he had cultivated for less than thirty years, with just over ten years since breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and was at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment.
Ji An had revealed himself to the Chao Origin Stage Cultivators in the sect, confirming that Chao Origin Stage Cultivators could not detect the Stone Turtle’s presence, so he didn’t mind showcasing his skill in public.
As his cultivation continued, his vision broadened, understanding that the state he wanted to achieve now had many theoretical possibilities.
Ji An walked to the Mulberry Field, pinching the spell to perform the Jade Wood Transformation Skill.
It was nearing noon, not the best timing to perform planting technique, but there’s no fixed timing for showing off.
This Spirit Field was adjacent to the Water Vein, with the technique’s effect presenting eight or nine tenths without issue, and the aura of Magic Intent would not diminish.
The emerald green Spirit Light seemed to hang down from the starry sky, shimmering like a rain shower, glistening brilliantly in the sun. The vigorous aura spread and was quickly absorbed by the Jade Leaf Mulberry.
Li Minghui nodded slightly and said:
“Not bad, a Perfection Level Jade Wood Transformation Skill. Among Early-stage Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmers, Junior Brother is considered A Class.”
Before coming, she had delved into Ji An’s information, understanding that he practiced Cyan Wood Transformation Skill, where cultivation technique and magic complemented each other.
Therefore, she was not surprised by this, otherwise, it would not have been possible to cultivate so many top-grade Spirit Woods in a short time.
Ji An maintained his smile, circulating magical power through the Immortal Vein, as warm yellow Spirit Light spread over the ground, enveloping and nourishing, with an obscure profound aura pervading.
Li Minghui’s eyes suddenly widened, her pupils slightly contracted, unable to maintain her composure.
Judging from the dispersing aura of Magic Intent, the True Intent of Ji Earth contained in the technique was beyond what a Perfection Level Spell could achieve.
She paused for a moment, eagerly asked:
“Have you comprehended the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to the extreme?”
Ji An nodded slightly, smiled and said:
“Indeed.”
“Good! Good!
With such skills, Junior Brother, I will immediately report back to the Hall Master, and without any surprise, a sub-palace can be established nearby by next year.”
Li Minghui responded twice, currently, within the sect, no Spirit Farmer had advanced the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to the extreme.
Was it concluded before my performance finished?
Ji An felt unsatisfied, smiling he said:
“May I request Senior Sister and Senior Brother to appraise my Spring Breeze and Rain Skill.”
No need to hold back, seizing this opportunity to demonstrate value is seamless, ultimately catching the attention of the hall masters of the Diligence Hall and the Beast Taming Hall.
He pinched the spell, unfurling a mass of cloud and mist that rapidly expanded, with bright Spirit Light faintly visible within it.
The nourishing Spirit Rain pattered down, tapping on the mulberry leaves with a crisp, tinkling sound.
Ye Changqing raised his eyebrows, speaking softly:
“If it were just a Perfection Level Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, it couldn’t cover such a vast range, nor could the aura of Magic Intent be so intense.”
He had never personally witnessed Junior Brother Ji’s spellcasting, and today’s sight left him deeply shaken.
An Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, managing to perfect two Foundation Establishment Stage planting techniques, with another reaching Perfection Level.
Such a cultivator, even placed in Luofeng Valley, is the top-tier Spirit Farmer, without a doubt.
“Junior Brother, you were born to be a Spirit Farmer!”
Ye Changqing laughed heartily, musing to himself:
“Ye Changqing, you truly have insight, recognizing raw talent early on!”
