Chapter 449 - 383: Farewell
After leaving the Dan Ding Institute, Ji An rode his auspicious cloud directly towards Sunrise Peak.
Like the brilliant evening glow, the auspicious cloud landed halfway up the mountain, akin to a bright petal falling.
Ji An walked into the Treasure Pavilion, only to find it empty. He wondered where Senior Brother Jia had gone as he sat by the desk waiting.
The door was open, so surely the person wouldn’t have gone far.
After two incense sticks’ time had passed and still no sign of the other, Ji An felt bored and took out a bag of roasted pine nuts to eat.
The Tier Two Upper Grade roasted pine nuts were exceptionally delicious, and the flavor lingered in his mouth.
After waiting another two incense sticks’ time, the Mimic Array flickered briefly, and Jia Yu emerged from the Secret Vault holding a pile of account books.
Ji An spat out the pine nut shells and stood up:
"Senior Brother, are you tallying the spiritual objects?"
Jia Yu placed the account books on the desk, smiling wryly:
"The ancestor has issued an order to take out ninety percent of resources above Tier Two Upper Grade. At the appointed time, they will be traded with Middle Continent cultivators to exchange for more heritage knowledge."
Heritage knowledge is an intangible resource; it doesn’t bring direct changes yet remains the most valuable.
After this order, the sect’s high-tier resources will be in shortage for a long time, affecting many fellow Chao Origin Stage cultivators.
Jia Yu solemnly clasped his hands and said:
"By the way, I haven’t congratulated you yet, Junior Brother. Congratulations on cultivating the top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood as the Western Continent’s leading spirit farmer!"
Ji An chuckled and replied:
"I dare not accept Senior Brother’s praise. If my planting ability were placed in the Central Continent, it would blend in with the crowd."
Jia Yu waved his hands, speaking seriously:
"Junior Brother must not underestimate yourself. From what I know, even in the Divine Wood Sect of the Central Continent, there aren’t many cultivators able to cultivate top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood.
"It’s said that some spirit farmers at the Golden Core level can’t consistently cultivate top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood."
Ji An nodded; he was merely being modest.
The great perfection level of the magic technique combined with the corresponding Dao Seed overlay should allow the actual effect to reach the magic technique level of ordinary Golden Core cultivators.
Even if it doesn’t, the difference won’t be too significant.
After chatting a bit more, Ji An took out several boxes, some jade and some wooden.
"Senior Brother, these are the three main ingredients of the Nourishing Yuan Pill grown on Red Flame Peak. Let’s see how much small merit they can be exchanged for!"
After entering Red Flame Peak, he planted spirit medicine, and now, over seventy years later, he has finally achieved merit perfection.
"Already matured? Let me check them out!"
Jia Yu was surprised in his heart, remembering decades ago when Ji An exchanged for the Nourishing Yuan Pill and offered immature spirit medicine as collateral, which he firmly refused.
But he quickly appeared indifferent; this person is a cultivator able to produce top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood.
One by one, the boxes were opened, and his expression became increasingly joyful. When he saw the arm-thick Celestial Essence Ginseng, he couldn’t restrain his laughter.
"After preparing the spirit medicine, refining two furnaces of Nourishing Yuan Pill would leave some surplus. Let me weigh them."
After busying himself, Jia Yu calculated in his mind and spoke:
"Junior Brother, you’ve struck it rich again! The sect is willing to offer eighty thousand small merits for purchase, how about it?"
Ji An nodded, "Sure!"
Saying this, he handed over his identity jade token. In the Treasure Pavilion, rules govern the process; there’s no need for bargaining.
Generally speaking, Celestial Essence Ginseng can exchange for twenty thousand small merits, while Star Soul Grass and Blood Luo Fruit can each exchange for eight thousand.
Therefore, other cultivators normally can only exchange seventy-two thousand small merits for two furnaces of spirit medicine.
Jia Yu placed the jade token on the spirit disc, deducting the appropriate amount of small merits from it before returning it.
"Junior Brother, when are you and Junior Sister Han going on your excursion?"
"Leaving in two days. Before I go, I will arrange matters relating to Red Flame Peak and you’ll need to personally retrieve the resources handed over to the sect."
"Inform the responsible disciple to prepare good wine and food; I’ll have a good meal before leaving."
Jia Yu laughed, knowing the spiritual food from Red Flame Peak would definitely satisfy any appetite.
Ji An carefully put the jade token away and said, "No problem. I’ll instruct them to annually send Senior Brother a hundred pounds of Middle Grade spirit wine."
"Junior Brother’s arrangements are always like spring breeze and rain!"
Jia Yu felt comfortable inside; the other’s dedication to cultivation has led to rapid progress in cultivation yet he bears no arrogance regarding his talents, treating people as a seasoned cultivator would.
"Tomorrow, I and other senior brothers will head to Cyan Cloud Immortal City, expecting to stay there for four to five days, possibly exchanging for some new Chao Origin Stage techniques.
"Junior Brother can find me at the sect’s Hundred Flavors Pavilion to inquire about the situation."
Ji An nodded, "I hope to obtain the Earth Element Defense Magic."
For defensive traits, earth element magic is the best option at the same level.
...
The next day, Agricultural Hall.
All Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmers from the subordinates were present, without exception.
Ji An glanced around, speaking seriously:
"The day after tomorrow, I will leave the sect and won’t be coming to Agricultural Hall tomorrow.
"This time going out could be as short as seven to eight years, or longer than ten years. Hall Masters and Stewards, you must take your responsibilities seriously and fulfill your duties.
When I return to the sect, I will assess all your performances."
Lin Mao laughed:
"Rest assured, Hall Master. After grouping, everyone essentially has no shortcomings. When you return, you’ll surely see a renewed Agricultural Hall."
"Hall Master Lin is right," everyone agreed.
Ji An slightly curled his lips, advising:
"No matter the time, always work seriously.
"Additionally, Hall Master Lin, arrange a group with great perfection level magic technique to oversee the spirit field within Ningcui Cliff.
The rewards issued by the sect while I’m away will all go to them."
"After selecting the personnel, communicate with the Diligence Hall, Senior Brother Zhang will arrange for someone to hand over the tasks."
Once he left, the Medicinal Garden would be handed over to someone else for safekeeping.
"Understood, I’ll handle it today."
"Do any of you have other matters?"
Ji An saw everyone shaking their heads and waved his hand, saying:
"Dismissed. Lin Lan and Han Shan, follow me to the back hall."
Many cultivators showed envious looks, as everyone knew that Lin and Han were the Hall Master’s personal disciples.
Being able to study under a Chao Origin Stage cultivator and gaining resources and guidance was naturally more advantageous than most cultivators.
...
The master and disciples took their seats in the back hall, Ji An placed his hand on the table and gently tapped a few times, saying:
"Lin Lan, how many magic techniques have you practiced to the perfection level now?"
"Reporting to Master, only the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, but I expect the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill will soon reach the perfection level too."
"Actually, we had agreed on six months ago, and even now, you still haven’t met the requirements. Who are you partnering with now?"
"Master," Lin Lan’s voice grew softer, "I haven’t joined any group."
Ji An’s eyes lowered, making it difficult to discern what he was thinking.
"Are all the other groups full?"
"No, Master. I believe it won’t be long before the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill reaches the perfection level, so I refused Hall Master Lin’s grouping."
Ji An suddenly looked up, "You believe? Does my word as your Master hold no weight to you?
In a group of three looking after three Medicinal Gardens, the profit you’ll split is definitely better than going at it alone."
This disciple’s obstinance made him somewhat angry.
The other person doesn’t have a Stone Turtle, unable to see how far the breakthrough in magic techniques is.
Lin Lan lowered her head, saying nothing, clinging to her last bit of stubbornness.
Ji An similarly fell silent, waiting for the disciple to say she was willing to join a group.
After several breaths, without receiving the desired answer, he shook his head and said:
"Cultivation is a personal journey, and I can’t decide your path for you; everyone must be responsible for their own choices."
Lin Lan lifted her head, firmly saying:
"Master, I truly will soon master the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill to perfection."
"Is that so? Then I wish you luck."
Ji An shook his head, not knowing the reasoning behind her actions, nor did he wish to know.
Han Shan lightly coughed and said:
"Master, please don’t be angry.
Senior Sister really always takes you as her goal, wanting to become an all-around spirit farmer. She genuinely works hard to practice her magic."
Ji An pressed his lips together, softly saying:
"When I broke through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, all three planting techniques were elevated to perfection."
Han Shan scratched his head, fully aware of the vast difference that presented.
Lin Lan’s face flushed with shame, hearing her master’s past achievements for the first time.
Ji An continued:
"After I leave, Red Flame Peak needs caretaking. The two of you can move in, or visit every few days.
Lin Lan is responsible for performing the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, Han Shan for the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell and Flame Fire Spell.
I’ll leave the Cyan Deer in the Sect, performing the perfection level Jade Wood Transformation Skill.
Moreover, the two of you will accompany me to Red Flame Peak for a trip. I’ve invited your Martial Uncle to visit tomorrow, to strengthen bonds and seek help if needed."
"Disciple will obey."
The two responded in unison, Lin Lan feeling her cheeks burn, half her position replaced by a tamed beast.
The three of them stepped onto the teleportation array returning to Red Flame Peak, where Ji An called Wei Songtao and others over for detailed instructions.
"After I leave, follow instructions from Lin Lan and Han Shan.
Lin Lan, you may also exchange experiences about the daily operations at Red Flame Peak."
"Understood, Master, rest assured."
Ji An waved his hand, "Songtao, take them around, introduce the current basic situation."
"As you command," Wei Songtao produced a flying ship and took them into the air.
Lin Lan and the others gazed at the spirit plants radiating Spirit Light, feeling a surge of emotions.
"Two Martial Uncles, let me introduce you to the current Tier Two Upper Grade spirit plants at Red Flame Peak..."
...
The next day.
Du Huaiyuan, Zhong Yuefei, Li Lingyu, and Mu Qingwan, along with their respective disciples, arrived at Red Flame Peak one after another.
This was specifically requested by Ji An, as exchanges between disciples of the same generation would be much smoother.
Everyone sat around, recounting tales of past times, with a harmonious atmosphere prevailing.
At the lunchtime banquet, Ji An raised his glass with a smile, saying:
"Fellow senior brothers and sisters, tomorrow I will be leaving the Sect.
I’m entrusting Red Flame Peak to these two disciples. If there are any issues they cannot handle, please lend a helping hand."
"No need for you to instruct, Junior Brother, everyone will help out."
Du Huaiyuan raised his glass with both hands, smiling:
"The two most capable disciples from Ningcui Cliff lineage are leaving, though we aren’t very capable, handling some small tasks isn’t a problem.
Junior Brother, I wish you a smooth journey and the Immortal Dao Evergreen."