Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique - Chapter 83 - 81: Recommendation

Chapter 83: Chapter 81: Recommendation

“The teacher’s grace is as deep as the sea, and Li Lingyu remembers it by heart.”

Li Lingyu stood up and bowed deeply to the ground.

In cultivation, one fights against fate; breaking through to the next realm sooner grants more chances to travel farther.

The sect values young Foundation Establishment cultivators more because they have greater potential for higher achievements.

There have been cases of older cultivators excelling later, but throughout sect history, they are decidedly rare.

She once witnessed her father’s sorrow after he forcibly attempted Foundation Establishment without pills and failed. She faintly remembered her father silently shedding tears, saying if he had mustered the courage a few years earlier, maybe the outcome would’ve been different.

Later, her father gave up cultivation and devoted himself entirely to accumulating resources for her cultivation.

Half a year ago, her father passed away with depleted life force, holding her hand and saying:

“Yu’Er, my life has been like a fallen autumn leaf, spinning powerlessly in the wind.

Your starting point is much higher than mine; promise me you’ll seize every opportunity to move forward and see the view higher up for me.”

This sentence remained in her heart; for her father and herself, she must tread a broader immortal path and ascend higher peaks.

Ge Ying used magical power to help the disciple up, a gentle smile flickering in her eyes:

“You’ve successively achieved Foundation Establishment; the Medicinal Garden needs new caretakers.”

Yesterday, an elder Spirit Farmer requested to resign, feeling his life’s end approaching, wishing to return home to spend his twilight years.

Li Lingyu now had to prepare for Foundation Establishment; the Medicinal Garden urgently needed new staff.

She sighed inwardly; back then, she agreed, seeing how many Spirit Farmers had arrived in their prime at Ningcui Cliff, only to leave looking frail and aged.

Now her own lifespan was also dwindling, stirring threads of grief within her.

“Master, I have someone to recommend.”

“Master, I have someone to recommend.”

Ge Ying was quite surprised that both disciples had recommendations, and a faint smile emerged on her face:

“The recommended person must master planting and be familiar with the characteristics of various medicinal herbs.”

Her Medicinal Garden housed many precious herbs, and even the slightest carelessness in management couldn’t be allowed.

She paused and added:

“Which of you two will speak first?”

“Senior brother, please go ahead.”

Li Lingyu’s eyes flashed with envy; the other was a direct disciple of the Liu Clan from Cyan Screen Mountain, entered as a registered disciple later, but had achieved Foundation Establishment two years prior.

Having a good family background can indeed provide a tremendous advantage in the early stages of cultivation.

Once you gain speed, every step follows faster.

Liu Yu stood up, smiled warmly, and said:

“Master, after joining the sect, I chose to venture near Jade Water Lake to allocate more time for cultivation.

A fellow disciple named ’Ji An,’ who entered at the same time, showed remarkable planting talent; upon joining the sect, he had just succeeded in Meridian Opening, and by the third-year exam, had reached the sixth-layer Qi Refining. More astoundingly, he has already mastered the Small Cloud Rain Technique to perfection level.”

He remained silent, knowing his teacher would comprehend the significance.

Ge Ying showed some approval and smiled:

“Good, he’s a promising seedling; what experience does he have in planting various medicinal herbs?”

“Perhaps none or very little. He has no relatives to depend on; all his time was spent planting Spirit Fields and practicing magic techniques.

Planting experience can be learned gradually, but it’s rare to find such talented magic technique students.”

“Bring him over in a few days; I’d like to personally assess him. Since he’s young, if his qualifications are acceptable, I can accept him as a registered disciple.”

Ge Ying slightly nodded, now with the renewed quota to receive registered disciples.

“Lingyu, talk about your recommended candidate.”

“Um, Master, my senior brother and I talked about the same person.”

Li Lingyu recounted the incident post-trade gathering years ago briefly before saying:

“Senior Sister Mu was also present then; however, Senior Brother Liu’s information isn’t entirely accurate. When I met Ji An, his Thick Earth Technique had similarly reached perfection level.”

Mu Qingwan nodded slightly:

“Yes, he left quite a deep impression on me at the time.”

Ge Ying arched her brows; her interest in Ji An’s magic technique talent grew.

The perfection level of Thick Earth Technique held greater importance than the disciples imagined.

“I eagerly wish to meet this disciple soon.”

Liu Yu volunteered:

“The disciple is willing to take a trip to Jade Water Lake; it’ll take less than a double hour to return.”

“Go ahead.”

Ge Ying smiled, waved her hand, and after Liu Yu left, she said to the three registered disciples:

“Let me share my Foundation Establishment experiences from back in the day for your reference…”

A double hour later, Liu Yu walked in alone:

“Master, unfortunately, I couldn’t find Ji An; I’ll bring you news tomorrow instead.”

…

Ji An disembarked from the Flying Ship, bid farewell to the Steward Elder, and slowly flew away on the Talisman Bird.

There were still two double hours before dusk; he had time to handle some errands.

The Talisman Bird landed outside the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, and Ji An walked in, buying some Talisman Grass seeds, exchanging for a Meridian Opening Secret Method, spending 300 Contribution Points.

“This junior brother, I want to participate in this year’s disciple recruitment; whom should I report to?”

“Senior brother, head upstairs to the second floor; the first room has Elder Tian.”

“Thank you,” Ji An cupped his hands and stepped onto the building.

After reporting and receiving permission, he pushed open the door to enter the room, finding a middle-aged cultivator with a plump white face holding a purple sand teapot and sipping tea.

Mild mist drifted, the tea aroma filled the air.

“Elder Tian, I’d like to report my participation in disciple recruitment,” Ji An respectfully offered his Jade Token.

Tian Qingbai recorded the information in a Jade Slip, smilingly saying:

“Such a talented young cultivator reaching the ninth-layer Qi Refining at a tender age, your prospects are limitless.

The sect’s senior brothers and sisters don’t really scrutinize this list; too many meet the criteria, and there’s no time to sift through carefully.”

“So, I pondered organizing a small list for them, emphasizing their respective cultivation techniques and skills.

This way, it saves their time and ensures exceptional disciples shine through; what do you think of my idea?”

“Splendid.

Elder, you’re tireless, painstakingly considering others, this disciple’s token of appreciation, please accept it with a smile.”

Ji An took out five Spirit Stones, placed them on the table, and covered them with something.

“Haha, selecting talents for the sect is my duty.”

Ah, an understanding one, Tian Qingbai’s smile grew warmer.

“Please continue, Elder, this disciple takes his leave now.”

After he left, Tian Qingbai slowly reviewed the information entered earlier.

Had it not been for those Spirit Stones, he wouldn’t carefully distinguish the disciple’s details.

“Six years in the sect, the Small Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique to perfection level, this youngster’s capable.

Let me consider which senior brother to entrust this; haha, another favor earned.”

Tian Qingbai sipped spirit tea, transcribed the data into a Blank Jade Slip separately; he handled the favor as promised.

Ji An exited the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, thinking to himself:

’You gluttonous man, outright bribe solicitation, whether without shedding blood, is equivalent to tarnishing one’s talent.

This debt is noted in my little book; we’ll deal with it gradually, return what you’ve consumed.’

The Talisman Bird’s speed has limits, unaffected by human will.

By the time Ji An returned home, the moonlight shone upon the still lake.