Chapter 644 - 510: Daoist Master Zhengyang Returns to the Sect

The next day, when Ji An awoke, it was already noon.

He stretched comfortably, sat cross-legged, and immersed his mind into his dantian.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: Gold 2.5, Water 8.3, Wood 3.2, Fire 13.6, Earth 11.8]

To enhance the Spiritual Vein Grade, each Dao Rhyme cost about twelve points.

Ji An felt that holding onto these Dao Rhymes was useless, so he decided to use them all up. Even a slight improvement could lead to an increase in hundreds of pounds of Spirit Rice.

"Refine all Spiritual Mechanisms to enhance the Spiritual Vein Grade of the Gourd World."

The Five Elements can transform into each other; the Gathering Essence Tree possesses this ability, although transformation incurs some loss.

The Stone Turtle appeared, swallowed the Gourd Stone, and the Eight Trigrams Pattern on its shell flashed with spirit light.

Once the Dao Rhymes were exhausted, Ji An did not enter the Little World to check the results and stood up, leaving the Grotto Mansion.

The tier of the Little World would not improve, so there’s nothing to see.

He rode the clouds to the Cold Pool and took out a bottle of top-grade Pine Nut Wine, drinking alone with great pleasure.

After lunch, he sat under the shade of a tree, placed the Cultivation Technique Jade Slip on his forehead, and began to study.

The cultivation method was quite esoteric; he wasn’t in a hurry, and after browsing a few times, he started carefully analyzing each word and sentence, unaware that the day was already fading.

Lin Lan and Han Mountain emerged from the Teleportation Array, and both flew to the Cold Pool, waiting beside their master.

Ji An noticed the arrival of his disciples, put away the Jade Slip, and smiled:

"The bet from years ago, it seems that I have won."

Neither Lin Lan nor Han Mountain felt any discomfort and performed a deep bow of respect:

"Congratulations to our master on advancing further in cultivation!"

The master’s status elevated to that of the ancestor level in the sect, thus their status would similarly rise, leading to many inherent benefits.

Lin Lan thought that those peers who gave up the opportunity to apprentice must be regretting bitterly now.

Becoming a Spirit Farmer may pose inconveniences, yet having a Golden Core master as support provides access to numerous resources.

"You may rise; becoming the Hall Master of the Agricultural Hall myself seems unsuitable, and I hope one of you can take over my duties soon."

It’s rare for a Golden Core Ancestor to personally handle sect affairs, as Ji An’s future focus would be studying cultivation techniques to enhance his practice.

The sect had two Golden Core Level magic techniques stored, which he wasn’t interested in learning yet. He planned to prioritize learning Planting Techniques in the coming years.

Planting Techniques are his foundation, as both the Red Flame Peak and the Little World greatly require his learning of higher-level Planting Techniques.

Han Mountain confidently stated:

"Master, I have already reached the realm where Life Light is ever-present.

The Treasure Pavilion’s stock of Nourishing Yuan Pills has run out; otherwise, I would have begun preparing for a breakthrough."

He felt that if there were Nourishing Yuan Pills available, perhaps he could have won the previous wager with his master!

The ability to beat the master once would be something to boast about for life—but it’s a pity.

"Very good," Ji An nodded slightly, turning to the eldest disciple:

"Lin Lan, how are things going for you now?"

"Disciple remains stagnant at the Life Light Ever-Present stage, but feels a breakthrough is not far off.

If obtained Nourishing Yuan Pills, I should be able to break through along with Junior Brother."

"Very well. Once the Merchant Flying Ship from Central Continent arrives, the sect will definitely purchase a batch of Nourishing Yuan Pills.

Let it be so: I will give each of you half a pound of Tier Two top-quality Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, as strong Spirit Soul Power is more conducive to breakthroughs."

...

Spring fades, autumn comes, five years pass swiftly.

Upon a grand Spirit Ship, Daoist Master Zhengyang gazed into the distance, exhaling softly:

"At last, I can step onto the sect’s land."

To ensure secrecy, his appearance was concealed.

He had spent nearly thirty years in the Central Continent, always busy; now he could temporarily set aside his burdens.

He could already glimpse the outline of the Cyan Cloud Immortal City from afar, and within a few double hours, the flying ship would arrive.

Han Yan smiled, "Though Central Continent is prosperous, it is not our place of belonging. Returning to Western Continent brings a sense of comfort."

She had witnessed the prosperity of Central Continent and experienced the struggles of small forces.

Now, she understood why the sect chose to relocate from Central Continent years ago. Under the pressure of various Nascent Soul sects, while maintaining status quo was achievable, striving for more proved difficult.

Primarily, the Spiritual Vein Grade occupied by small forces was low, and cultivators’ progression would undeniably be slow.

Secondly, small forces had difficulty recruiting disciples with excellent talent, while children with Earth-Grade Talent or Celestial-Grade Talent were quickly acquired by larger forces.

Moreover, the resources controlled by small forces were scarce and were those undesired by major powers.

Cultivation emphasizes Dharma, Companions, Wealth, and Land; small forces lack these essentials, making development nearly impossible.

In the perspective of Middle Continent Cultivators, Western Continent is a desolate region with even scarcer resources, but the sect could acquire disciples of exceptional talent without interference from stronger forces.

A double hour later, the shadow of the Spirit Ship covered the sky over Cyan Cloud Immortal City.

In the glow of the setting sun, Daoist Master Zhengyang and Han Yan discreetly left the Spirit Ship, arrived at the sect’s base, and activated the Teleportation Array to depart.

The light of the Teleportation Array flashed; after their figures dissipated, they appeared thousands of miles away.

On Yingri Peak, the two emerged from the Teleportation Array, and Daoist Master Zhengyang restored his true appearance.

The guarding disciples recognized the Sect Leader and politely invited them out.

Han Yan respectfully bid:

"Ancestor, disciple shall take my leave."

Having been away from the sect for many years, upon returning, there would inevitably be a busy period.

This unexpected harvest from the journey, along with the ancestor’s guidance and ample supply of pills, saw her cultivation rapidly advancing to the fifth transformation of the Chao Origin realm.

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded, "You have worked hard over the years. I will inform the Diligence Hall to reward you with some small merit; remember to collect it in a few days."

...

With keen eagerness to return, Daoist Master Zhengyang took only half an hour to fly two thousand miles back to Sunrise Peak’s Wuji Hall.

Master Yuxiao stood up, clasped his hands, and said:

"Senior Brother! You have finally returned.

Just a few days ago, I was counting the days, thinking you should be back soon. Please sit quickly."

Daoist Master Zhengyang took a seat at the main position and after some small talk asked:

"Has everything been fine with the sect these years?"

"Have you heard any rumors about the sect?"

"What rumors?"

Master Yuxiao cautiously observed his senior brother’s expression and sighed:

"Things were fine originally, but something happened a few years ago..."

His face turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice:

"After it happened, I had to use a Gold Core Pill to resolve the issue."

Daoist Master Zhengyang felt a pang of anxiety and urgently asked:

"What exactly happened?"

His tone became sharp, "Could it be that some force is pressuring us?"

The Gold Core Pill is part of the sect’s foundation; losing even one has a huge impact.

There was something he couldn’t understand, even if there was a force trying to pressure them, it shouldn’t have made the junior brother yield a Gold Core Pill.

Master Yuxiao shook his head and sighed:

"Ji An got into trouble, and I used a Gold Core Pill to save him."

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s eyes widened suddenly, "Was it something in the Southern Continent? Did the Earth Evil Sect find out what he did?"

Although the Gold Core Pill is important, the life of a promising disciple is even more valuable.

"Well, not exactly, forgive me for the joke earlier.

We lost a Gold Core Pill, but Ji An broke through to the Golden Core Stage."

"What?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang was dumbfounded, "Say that again?"

He couldn’t believe it; for a cultivator to achieve the understanding of the Five Elements Mutual Generation Divine Intent and complete the cultivation of Five Qi Chaoyuan within just thirty years seemed impossible!

Master Yuxiao laughed heartily, "You didn’t hear wrong, Ji An broke through to the Golden Core Stage!

Senior Brother, how was my performance?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang blew his beard and glared, "Not impressive at all!"

He paused and couldn’t help but ask:

"When did this happen?"

"Five years ago," Master Yuxiao said shocking news again, "and he achieved the Immortal Golden Core."

For a long while, Daoist Master Zhengyang heavily slapped the table, "Good!"

Considering the time it took for the understanding of the Five Elements Mutual Generation Divine Intent and the completion of the Five Qi Chaoyuan Realm, achieving the Immortal Golden Core wasn’t so surprising.

The two discussed for a while, and Master Yuxiao asked:

"Senior Brother, how did things go in the Central Continent?"

"As hoped, quite well.

We bought two Gold Core Pills, acquired the Pill Formula, and also some Artifact Refining Inheritance, but we also spent all the resources and spirit stones we had."

Daoist Master Zhengyang briefly recounted the main experiences, feeling everything was so wonderful in his heart.

Master Yuxiao reminded:

"Now that Ji An has broken through to the Golden Core Stage, we must acquire the Planting Technique."

Having a Golden Core level Planting Technique makes cultivating Tier Three Spirit Plants relatively simpler.

Daoist Master Zhengyang originally thought the Planting Technique wouldn’t be needed for the time being and hadn’t purchased it.

"What you say is very true, junior brother, in a few days we shall visit Cyan Cloud Immortal City."

Master Yuxiao nodded, "Tomorrow I’ll have Ji An come to Wuji Hall."

He began to recount what had happened in the past thirty years, the changes within the sect, the matters in other forces’ jurisdictions, and the vanished demon cultivators.

Daoist Master Zhengyang asked:

"How are Jiuxiao and Qiubai doing, have they returned to the sect?"

"Three years ago, both returned to the sect, they have comprehended the Divine Intent of the Five Elements Mutual Generation and are now diligently practicing the Five Qi Chaoyuan."

"What’s the situation with Li Haoran?"

"He is traveling, the first stop is also the Northern Land.

Senior Brother, there’s a sign of great prosperity for the sect, the Western Continent can hardly absorb all our refined Magical Artifacts and Puppets, I think it’s necessary to set up a trade caravan.

We don’t need to go very far, both the Northern Land and the Southern Continent are good choices."

"Such a caravan needs a Golden Core Cultivator to oversee, otherwise it risks being targeted by petty thieves."

"I can oversee the Spirit Ship, traveling out for trade once every six months."

...

Han Yan returned to her grotto mansion and instructed:

"Prepare tea, have there been any major events in the sect these years?"

"Honored Ancestor, please wait a moment."

The servant girl quickly returned with the teapot and said:

"There has been a truly significant event in the sect, an Honored Ancestor broke through successfully and became the sect’s ancestor!"

Han Yan felt a surge of joy, "Which senior brother broke through, Senior Brother Lin Jiuxiao or Senior Brother Lin Qiubai?"

This event is significant, not only adding to the sect’s foundation but also boosting confidence for future generations.

The servant girl smiled demurely, "Honored Ancestor, it was neither; it was Elder Ji from Red Flame Peak."