Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique - Chapter 338 - 300: Undercover
Ji An felt he had grasped some insight, but upon reflection, realized he had gained nothing.
He instinctively grabbed his hair, pulling at it forcefully.
After pondering for a moment, he remained clueless.
He abandoned his thoughts and activated the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.
A shadow of a cyan dragon appeared in this Molten Rock Land, its dark golden dragon horns fierce and powerful, dragon whiskers swaying gracefully.
Jade-green scales with a gemstone sheen reflected the firelight, creating an aesthetic fusion of light and shadow.
Accompanied by a dragon’s roar, the void rained down with translucent, bead-like, verdant light points.
Each tiny dragon shadow swirled within the light points, not mere reflections, but genuine miniature cyan dragons within.
From the magma ’grew’ green grass, and myriad colorful flowers bloomed, bringing new vibrancy to this eternally crimson domain, where vigorous life force filled every corner.
The light rain fell, mostly surrounding the Cyan Leaf Red Lotus, intensifying the green of the spirit plants, the halo expanding by three feet.
A small portion of it went into the magma where the unnamed spirit plant resided, disappearing in a blink, likely absorbed by the plant.
Ji An’s brow furrowed, a flash of inspiration in his mind:
’The essence of the Wood Element Technique Intent is budding growth, an exuberant and uplifting power.
Theoretically, the technique intent of the wood element can be absorbed by any spirit plant, even earth element and gold element plants.’
His gaze brightened; he only needed to retain the magic intent, minimizing output of wood element spiritual energy.
So how might that be achieved?
After thinking it over, Ji An had a plausible idea, deploying the Yin and Yang transformation of the Power of the Five Elements should accomplish it.
But thus, he returned to the same perplexing problem he couldn’t solve before.
He started contemplating again, and moments later, wisps of fire element evil qi were inhaled through his nose.
A burning sensation spread through his throat, trachea, and lungs, even causing pain in his immortal veins.
Ji An stopped thinking, rallied his magical power, and flew out of the magma pool into the corridor.
He closed the sealing array, striding out swiftly.
Without sufficient accumulation, relying on mere contemplation is ineffective.
Problems could only be set aside for now, to be studied later when time allowed, or when the right opportunity arose, resolutions might become apparent.
He exited the cavern, and the grey-feathered sand goose spiraled down from the sky.
Once its master was seated, the sand goose hurriedly took off, escaping the area as though fleeing.
The fire element aura here was overwhelmingly intense, increasingly disliking this forested area and Peach Garden.
Ji An could sense the creature’s feelings, gently stroking the root of feathers on its neck.
The sand goose’s dilemma was like a fish used to living in water being pulled out and put into Flame Mountain.
It was fortunate it didn’t perish on the spot, and it was impossible for it to enjoy this atmosphere.
The residual effects of the Chao Origin Stage Planting Technique couldn’t be dispersed for two days; each time the sand goose passed by here, it felt like being grilled over a fire.
…
Having completed the spellcasting, Ji An returned to the grotto mansion, heading to the medicinal garden.
Although the main ingredient for the Nourishing Yuan Pill grown here was no longer needed, it still had to be nurtured to the right age.
By that time, not only could it be exchanged for several thousand small merits, the sect might gain another Chao Origin Stage Cultivator.
On the leaf stem of the Celestial Essence Ginseng were three leaves, with its medicinal age reaching two hundred years.
Silver specks covered the narrow Star Soul Grass leaves.
Once these specks turned gold and then back to silver, its medicinal age would reach four hundred years.
By then, its black leaves would reveal a purple hue, signaling it was ready for harvest.
On the two Blood Luo Fruit trees, three goose-egg-sized green fruits hung on each.
The crimson markings on their skins appeared even richer, resembling fresh blood.
Besides the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, Ji An consecutively cast the other three Chao Origin Stage Planting Techniques.
Once the thunderclouds dissipated, he left the medicinal garden and returned to the quiet chamber.
Sitting cross-legged on the Pudun woven from Soul-Calming Grass, Ji An took out two Blood Soul Profound Origin Tree Seeds.
He performed the Life and Death Technique, instantly drawing all the life force from the small seed.
This technique had been refined by him into a new art, with the condensation of the Wood Element Bead being a trivial function of it.
Emerald light flickered in his palm, and Ji An poured the power of life into the Great Spirit Seed.
Augmenting with equivalent life force made it easier to strengthen the spirit seed.
His ability to cultivate more Tier Two Purple Fire Gourds was due to using this principle to create seeds with greater potential.
Subsequently, Ji An activated the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.
A finger-sized miniature Little Cyan Dragon hovered above his palm, its dragon’s roar sounding adorably childish.
The verdant light points containing the shadow of the cyan dragon descended, continuously merging into the tree seed.
Soon, the seed could no longer absorb the Wood Element Spirit Light, as its life force had reached its peak.
Ji An focused his divine sense into the seed, sensing it showing signs of sprouting.
“Not tonight!”
He immediately placed the seed into the storage bag, where the internal space could inhibit the seed’s activity.
The effectiveness of the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill was potent, and future spirit seed cultivation should be timed prior to planting.
Ji An began calming the spirit and quietening the mind, his sea of consciousness becoming serene like an ancient well without ripples, he ran the dharma gate, opening the sixteenth inner vein pattern.
The speed at which he opened the vein patterns had increased slightly, estimating another month or so to complete the inner layer’s vein opening and start condensing the core.
Cyan magic power circulated through the immortal vein, and the wood of Jia and Yi Dao Seed in the acupoints exuded a budding growth aura.
…
The next day, 5:00 PM.
Ji An walked out of the grotto mansion with a faint smile on his face.
The sixteenth vein pattern had been opened, and the time consumed was further reduced.
He navigated the flying shuttle to the cold pool, found Wei Songtao, and asked:
“Did you handle what I entrusted to you yesterday?”
“It’s done. I’ve already chopped and burned the Tier One Spiritual Mulberry near the tea tree, clearing out a plot the size of two rooms.
Master Ancestor, do you need my help with the planting?”
“No, but remember to water the planted Blood Soul Xuan Yuan Tree daily with fresh blood from the demon beasts, just one small bucket will suffice.”
Although this Spirit Wood preferred human cultivators’ blood, Ji An, being no demon cultivator and a lover of peace, could only substitute it with demon beast blood.
“Understood,” Wei Songtao replied loudly, though he was puzzled in his heart.
He wondered what type of Spirit Tree was being planted this time with such sinister requirements.
Ji An summoned the grey-feathered sand geese, sat on the beast, and flew toward his destination.
He planted the tree seed, performed the Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill, and then executed the Cloud Dragon Rain Technique.
Dark clouds rolled, flashes of lightning flickered, and crystalline Spirit Rain fell, spreading dense mist.
The Blood Soul Xuan Yuan Tree broke through the soil and stretched out under the rain.
When the rain stopped, the Spirit Tree had grown near waist-height, about one and a half feet.
Its bark was dark, its oval leaves were bright green, with serrated edges.
The leaf surfaces were covered with crimson spots, resembling drops of blood at first glance.
When these leaves aged, the serrated edges became exceedingly sharp, capable of easily slicing through the fur of animals or human skin. In their natural environment, Blood Soul Xuan Yuan Trees gained their nourishment through this ’craft.’
“This characteristic of the Spirit Tree must be conveyed to the disciples to prevent unnecessary harm.”
…
Dragon Fall Ridge sprawled eight hundred miles, with deep forests and dense grass within.
This was once under the jurisdiction of Yuanhe Mountain but was reclaimed by demon beasts following the outbreak of a demon calamity.
After enduring the demon calamity’s harassment, Yuanhe Mountain grew weaker, unable to reclaim this area.
Outside the cave, Xiong Ba stood with hands on hips, surrounded by scattered cultivators around him.
These people were well-dressed but masked with black hoods, possessing cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage.
None of them bore any restraints, but all stood still.
A black giant eagle flew in from a distance, clutching two cultivators under its talons, both also wearing black hoods.
The giant eagle landed slowly, dropping the cultivators to the ground, then transformed into human form.
“Xiong Ba, you’re comfortable not having to do this hard labor.
The people should be gathered, notify Master then.”
Xiong Ba flashed his teeth, retorting:
“Doing hard labor isn’t dangerous, but I must risk my life if something happens!
A few days ago, I fought with two Body Cultivators, almost got killed.”
The black eagle shook its head:
“Oh come on, those were just superficial wounds, you’re exaggerating.
Quickly go inside and notify Master, or there won’t be good consequences for us if he gets annoyed.”
Xiong Ba nodded slightly, performed a gesture to open the Dharma prohibition, and entered the cave, bowing to the green-robed cultivator in meditation:
“Master Cyan Dragon, the candidates you’ve chosen are waiting outside, shall I bring them in now?”
Master Cyan Dragon opened his eyes, his yellow-brown pupils with black vertical slits appeared extraordinarily eerie and frightening.
“Did you put the hoods on them?”
“They’re all wearing them as per your orders, we naturally remember.”
Master Cyan Dragon nodded with satisfaction, “That’s good, bring them in one by one, keep the hoods on.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
Xiong Ba turned and walked out, puzzled at the plan Master Cyan Dragon was concocting.
There were a total of thirty cultivators outside, bringing them in one by one would be time-consuming.
All these cultivators were demon cultivators, carefully chosen from their controlled families, possessing commendable talents.
Xiong Ba grasped a cultivator, brought him in, and gently tossed him to the ground.
Master Cyan Dragon said lightly:
“According to the intel, Yuanhe Mountain will soon select a batch of cultivators to join their sect, replenishing fresh blood.
You have successfully cultivated the Celestial Demon Transformation Scripture, possessing a decent talent in Body Refining.
Your task is to join Yuanhe Mountain and infiltrate them, awaiting further commands.”
“Once you join the sect, do not concern yourself with anything else, just focus on constantly improving your cultivation.
When the time is ripe, you’ll receive instructions.”
The cultivator spoke somewhat timidly:
“Willing to die for Master, but if we join Yuanhe Mountain, won’t they uncover our identity?”
This was sending him undercover, and he was greatly fearful of identity exposure.
“Unless you’re hovering under the Golden Core cultivators’ eyes, it’s impossible for them to detect anything.
Moreover, since you’ve mastered the Celestial Demon Transformation Scripture at the Qi Refining Stage, someone of your caliber is needed by the Celestial Demon Alliance; they’d never send you on a suicide mission.”
Master Cyan Dragon waved his hand, saying:
“Xiong Ba, take him down, bring the next one up.”
