Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique - Chapter 362 - 318: Red Pine Pill
Ji An nodded slightly, “Where are the disciples?”
The matter of taking on apprentices had been hinted about by Jia Yu and others a few years ago.
Now they’re ’delivering’ them to his doorstep, clearly not wanting to give him room to refuse.
Fine, I’ll take them. It can make Red Flame Peak livelier, and I can get a few free laborers.
For cultivators, the master-disciple relationship is very important, considered even more significant than blood relations in some aspects.
If well-trained, disciples can be excellent support.
Tian Qingbai turned slightly and said:
“They are all waiting outside.
Advised by Junior Martial Uncle Zhang, I specifically selected ten of the best disciples this year.
Their talents are top-grade, not far from earth grade, and their dedication to the path is commendable.”
This year, only one Chao Origin Stage Junior Martial Uncle intends to take in apprentices, so he brought those with the best conditions.
“Let’s go and take a look.”
Ji An strode out, seeing disciples standing in two rows.
Each one was energetic, their eyes shining brightly.
When they were informed that a Chao Origin Stage cultivator was taking disciples, everyone was excited.
Becoming a disciple of such a cultivator, breaking through the Foundation Establishment Stage would surely be within reach, and perhaps there would even be a chance to glimpse the Chao Origin Stage!
Ji An slightly tilted his head and asked:
“Have you informed them of the sect’s purpose for me taking disciples?”
Tian Qingbai’s lips moved slightly as he shook his head.
Of course, he hadn’t told them, as disciples with excellent talent might not want to become spirit farmers.
Ji An raised his eyebrows slightly, faced the disciples, and said in a deep voice:
“My name is Ji An, Hall Master of the Agricultural Hall.
The main purpose of taking disciples this time is to train excellent spirit farmers for the sect.
Therefore, if you become my disciple, the teaching you will receive will primarily be about planting.
Until you reach the perfection level in planting techniques, you are not allowed to learn other magic techniques or cultivation skills.
Even if you break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, you must first be a spirit farmer.”
He stated it straightforwardly because his disciples must first be spirit farmers before they can choose to become Alchemists or whatever else.
If a disciple’s mind is not on the spirit field, it would be a waste of his effort in training them.
As soon as he finished speaking, many disciples’ expressions changed, as Ji An’s requirements were indeed too strict.
’I pursued cultivation, just to become a spirit farmer?!’
These disciples all have top-grade talents, and even if they don’t become disciples of a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, their future is still bright.
They could become disciples of the Artifact Refining Hall or the Beast Taming Hall, and this wouldn’t affect their chance to learn from Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Ji An glanced at the expressions on their faces and then said:
“The matter of apprenticeship is significant; the master chooses the disciple, and the disciple also chooses the master. Those who don’t intend to become spirit farmers may step forward.”
The disciples looked at each other, wanting to step forward but not daring to be the first.
Tian Qingbai sighed inwardly, now thinking that being a spirit farmer wasn’t bad, especially considering the name of his master was ’Ji An’!
The sect’s foremost Chao Origin Stage spirit farmer, with unparalleled expertise in planting across the Western Continent.
Over the past few days, he had inquired about Ji An and was shocked to learn that Red Flame Peak was abundant with Tier Two spirit plants, leaving him in awe for a long time.
The silent atmosphere didn’t last long; a disciple stepped forward and bowed, saying:
“Disciple dreams of becoming a sword cultivator; please forgive me, Master Ancestor!”
His gaze was steady, with a one-inch straight scar on the left side of his forehead.
His tone was calm, neither obsequious nor arrogant.
“Everyone has the right to choose, and being able to listen to your own heart is a good thing.”
Ji An waved his hand, indicating for him to step aside.
“Make your decision quickly; I’m busy.”
“Master Ancestor, disciple aspires to become an Artifact Refiner.”
“Master Ancestor, disciple loves various spirit beasts and wishes to become a Beast Tamer.”
Disciples stepped out one after another, and soon only two were left.
A slightly dark-skinned boy and a clear-eyed, lively-looking girl, wearing faded Daoist robes.
Ji An smiled:
“You two are willing to be my disciples?
What I said won’t change; unless you break through to the Chao Origin Stage, you must first be a spirit farmer.”
The boy lowered his head and said honestly:
“Disciple has felt the pain of hunger and believes being a spirit farmer is quite good.”
His parents were just loose cultivators, both perished during a demon calamity, and he had endured some very difficult times.
The girl smiled sweetly and said:
“Disciple doesn’t like disputes; being a spirit farmer is a good choice.”
Tian Qingbai nodded imperceptibly, thinking to himself that these two disciples seized the opportunity.
Ji An decided firmly:
“Just two, no need to choose, just the two of them.”
This result was pretty good, saving the trouble of comparisons.
“Congratulations, Junior Brother and Junior Sister, on finding a good teacher!”
Tian Qingbai immediately changed his address, and then said:
“Junior Martial Uncle, disciple takes his leave.”
He took out a flying ship, activated a spell to enlarge it, and then called out:
“Disciples, follow me to leave.”
As the flying ship departed, Ji An said:
“You two, state your name and age.”
The dark-faced disciple said:
“Disciple Han Shan, fourteen this year, at the Second-Layer Qi Refining stage.”
“Disciple Lin Lan, fifteen this year, at the Third-Layer Qi Refining stage.”
Ji An smiled and nodded, “All good, better than I was back then.
From now on, Lin Lan is the senior sister.
We’ll have a tea ceremony for apprenticeship later; follow me to meet your master ancestor.”
Back then, he succeeded in Meridian Opening at seventeen.
The three came to the adjacent grotto mansion, Ge Ying raised her brow slightly:
“Made your choice already?”
When Tian Qingbai visited Ningcui Cliff, he had informed her of his intentions.
There was no choice; only two were left!
Ji An nodded, turned around, and said:
“Quickly, pay respects to your master ancestor.”
“Disciple Lin Lan (Han Shan), pays respects to the master ancestor.”
“Good, being under Ji An’s tutelage is your good fortune.”
After a brief conversation, Ji An cupped his hands:
“Master, I still need to go to the Agricultural Hall, I shall take my leave.”
…
Ji An took two disciples and rode the cloud to the Agricultural Hall, he could feel the quickened heartbeat of the disciples.
“What cultivation techniques are you practicing?”
“In response to Master, we have both chosen the Qingyuan Scripture.”
“Have you ever practiced any magic technique?”
“No, we have not.”
Just then, a gentle voice came:
“Hall Master, Lin Mao has something to report.”
Ji An formed a spell to open the Dharma Prohibition and instructed:
“You two go to the adjacent room to cultivate and join others for lunch.”
“Yes, disciple takes their leave.”
After the two disciples left, Lin Mao cupped his hands and said:
“Hall Master, I report about today’s arrangements…”
Ji An quietly listened and then said with a smile:
“Hall Master Lin has thought it through comprehensively, I approve.
In the future, such daily arrangements can be discussed between you and Hall Master Kong.
I will usually stay in the back hall cultivating, please take more care.”
In other words, don’t come to me unless it’s important.
He planned to lie low for a few years before implementing his own plans.
Reform was bound to happen, but not now.
Lin Mao, being experienced and wise, naturally understood the implication, and smiled:
“I won’t fail Hall Master’s expectations.”
After a brief chat, he found an excuse to take his leave.
Ji An lit a furnace of Soul Incense, sat cross-legged on the pudun, and activated the Dharma Gate for opening the Fire Element Divine Mansion from the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture.
With the help of Soul Incense, he could persist longer in the Pifu process.
…
Ji An opened his eyes again, the Soul Incense in the incense burner had already burned out, and four double hours had passed.
He went to the next room and said:
“Follow me, today I’ll take you back to Red Flame Peak.
That’s where my Dao Field is, and you will practice there in the future.”
The Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Vein there was sufficient for the two disciples’ cultivation needs without the use of pills.
“Yes, Master,” the two disciples said joyfully.
He activated the auspicious cloud and flew towards the northwest, the two disciples were only at Early-stage Qi Refining, using a Teleportation Array involved certain risks.
After an hour of flying escape, the auspicious cloud descended by the Cold Pool.
Ji An summoned the other three disciples, and in their presence, held a simple apprenticeship ceremony.
After drinking the tea of apprenticeship, he said solemnly:
“Songtao, tomorrow you will fetch twenty Spirit Stones, ten each for the two of them.
Additionally, take them to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to select a Planting Technique and Object Control Technique.”
Wei Songtao immediately responded:
“Understood.”
He was filled with envy in his heart, these two disciples truly had great fortune!
With the support of their master, they might hope to break through to the Chao Origin Stage in the future.
Casually making some resources of Red Flame Peak available to them would easily help them break through the Foundation Establishment Stage.
“Thank you for the rewards, Master.”
The two disciples were also excited inside, ten Spirit Stones were not a small amount.
Ji An sternly said:
“Lin Lan and Han Mountain, once you obtain the Magic Technique Jade Slips, you must diligently cultivate.
At the beginning of each month, I will test your cultivation levels and mastery of magic techniques, and I will also answer your questions.”
“Thank you for the teachings, Master, the disciples will surely cultivate diligently.”
Ji An turned his head and instructed:
“Cuihua, later take them to familiarize themselves with the situation around here and arrange accommodations for them.
The spiritual food rations you receive each month, give them a share as well.”
The three disciples responsible for miscellaneous tasks received Spirit Food each month, including dried fruit, dried meat, pine nuts, honey, and more.
With the assistance of Spirit Food, the two disciples should be able to quickly break through to the Mid-stage Qi Refining.
With some cultivation level, they would have enough magical power to practice magic techniques.
Zhang Cuihua nodded: “Understood.”
Ji An waved his hand and said:
“You all get to work, I must go practice Qi Eating.”
After saying this, he rode the cloud and flew away.
Zhang Cuihua extended her hand courteously and said:
“Two junior martial uncles, please follow me, today I will first take you for a tour around the Cold Pool area.”
…
Three days later.
Han Yan and Jia Yu landed at the Agricultural Hall, both with smiles on their faces, looking elated.
Lin Mao came to greet them with a smile:
“Junior Martial Uncle Jia, Junior Martial Uncle Han, I didn’t know you two were coming, forgive me for not greeting you from afar.”
He wondered to himself what business brought them here.
Jia Yu waved his hand and asked:
“Little Lin, you’re now tasked with responsibilities at the Agricultural Hall, does it affect the cultivation of the Spirit Field?”
As he was in charge of caring for some very important Spirit Plants, such as the Soul Nourishing Wood, these matters were crucial.
“Certainly not, I cast spells at night.”
“That’s good, by the way, where is Ji An?”
“Hall Master Ji is cultivating in the back hall, should I inform him?”
“No need, we’ll go find him directly.”
The two of them went to the back hall, and Jia Yu called out loudly:
“Junior Brother Ji, we have good news and need your help!”
Ji An invited the two into the main hall, smiling:
“What good news do you have to share?”
Han Yan took out a Jade Bottle, her eyes filled with proud brilliance:
“This is the Red Pine Pill I refined, Junior Brother, please take a look.”
