Chapter 689 - 544: Foundations

Cosmic light intertwined, thirty years passed like a dream.

Ji An stood by the Cold Pool, waiting for the arrival of the Sect Leader Master.

Five years ago, he became a Second-Layer Golden Core Cultivator. With the help of pills, the speed of his cultivation increased significantly.

It was soon to be 7:00 AM, and the sun’s rays had just started penetrating the forest, dispelling the mist of the night before.

Since the Water Element Spiritual Vein of Red Flame Peak strengthened, the evening mist grew thick, especially near the Cold Pool.

As the mist dispersed, golden light flecks sprinkled through the forest. Ji An stood with hands behind his back, gazing up at the clear sky, but there was no focus in his eyes.

Over these years, he attended many funerals, Wei Songnian, Du Huaiyuan, Zhuu Xiangrong, Zhang Zizhao, Jia Yu, Senior Brother Zhengyang, and others. He deeply felt the cruelty of time.

The road to immortality is lined with bones; how many can reach the other shore?

However, there were also encouraging events: Zhang Xueling successfully established her Foundation at the age of eighty-seven, becoming a legend within the sect.

Wei Baiyang successfully broke through to the Chao Origin Stage, becoming the youngest Chao Origin Stage cultivator in the sect in decades.

The youngest Chao Origin Stage cultivator in the sect’s history was Li Haoran, who broke through at thirty-six.

Just as his thoughts were drifting, a red cloud rose at the foot of the mountain. Master Yuxiao arrived with the wind, his wide sleeves fluttering, accompanied by Liu Mingli, the Hall Master of Diligence Hall, and Lin Lan.

"The dazzling spirit light within Red Flame Peak outshines the sun in the sky. Having a disciple like you in the sect is indeed a blessing."

The Daoist Master Yuxiao sighed as the spiritual vein of Red Flame Peak exalted to Tier Three, enriching the sect’s foundation.

With these resources, the cultivation of Golden Core cultivators gradually entered the right track.

Ji An snapped back to reality, greeted the group, and said:

"I’ll show everyone around and have all types of resources logged."

Tomorrow, he would head to Cyan Cloud Immortal City, boarding a merchant flying ship bound for the Central Continent, entering the most prosperous region of this land.

Lin Lan opened her mouth but only sighed lightly, as her mentor instructed their senior and junior brothers that the moment of farewell had come, leaving her heart filled with reluctance.

First, they visited the Water Element Spirit Plant Garden by the Cold Pool. Ji An pointed at a spirit wood wrapped in faint mist and said:

"The Tier Three Canglan Spiritual Object Tree, which can be refined into a Canglan Treasure Light Pill, but using Tier Three spirit fruit for refining Chao Origin Stage pills is too wasteful."

Due to species limitations, the earliest planted Water Element Fruit Tree, Celestial Essence Pear, yielded only Tier Two Top Grade plants.

However, those planted in the Gourd World broke free from genetic constraints and became Tier Three spirit plants.

Daoist Master Yuxiao nodded, "Of course, it won’t be used to refine Canglan Treasure Light Pill. Even if the Tier Three spirit fruits cannot be utilized now, they’ll be stored in the Secret Vault."

The sect would only trade a small portion, as Tier Three resources are a more solid currency than Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

Liu Mingli tallied the various spirit plants and recorded them in the Jade Slip.

Ji An took out the Water-Resistant Bead, leading everyone into the Cold Pool.

Spotting shadows of large fish over a meter long swimming by at times, Daoist Master Yuxiao exclaimed:

"I feel a few spirit fish have reached the Chao Origin Stage level!"

The entire Western Continent’s water vein is weak, and Chao Origin Stage spirit fish are exceedingly rare.

Ji An chuckled lightly, "The water vein here too is Tier Three, coupled with the Treasure Plant Pure Water Lotus at the pool’s bottom, nurturing Chao Origin Stage spirit fish is not surprising."

His tone held a hint of pride, recalling when he had first settled at Red Flame Peak. The large fish in the Cold Pool were thoroughly fished out, with the biggest being only palm-sized, just touching the realm of spirit fish.

But now, things are incomparable to those days.

They arrived at the pool bottom, where several Pure Water Lotuses shimmering blue light were distributed around the spring’s eye.

"Here lies one Tier Three Pure Water Lotus, three Tier Two Middle Grade ones."

When the treasure plant reaches Tier Three, it grows a lotus seedpod, yielding six lotus seeds five years ago, three of which were replanted at Red Flame Peak, and the remainder in the ponds of Little World.

The Pure Water Lotuses in Little World have been cultivated to Tier Two Upper Grade now.

In Ji An’s view, planting the seeds of the same mother plant on an equal-tier spiritual vein caused such a substantial difference entirely due to the influence of the Gathering Essence Tree.

Obtaining this Heaven and Earth Spirit Root was his luck, as well as Little World’s.

Liu Mingli quickly took notes, unaware earlier that the pool water contained treasures too.

Daoist Master Yuxiao nodded, "The lotus seeds from the Pure Water Lotus can be refined into pills that purify the divine soul. We’re actively seeking similar pill formulas."

If the research at Dan Ding Institute fails to break through, we’ll have no choice but to sell the lotus seeds in the future."

He felt a deep reluctance but had no better alternative.

Ji An comforted him, "I’m traveling to the Central Continent. If I gather any pill formulas, I’ll request the Business Alliance to deliver them to the sect."

"Haha, great! The sect won’t let you contribute in vain, my junior brother."

They left the Cold Pool and entered the Fire Element Spirit Plant Garden.

Ji An gazed at the Dragon Blood Tree laden with fruits, with light in his eyes:

"This area has the most Tier Three spirit plants. Seven Tier Three Spiritual Peaches, three Dragon Blood Trees, one Lingxiao Cloud Tree.

Additionally, five Tier Two Upper Grade Li Fire Immortal Apricots. With more cultivation, they may be nurtured to the Top-Grade level."

However, he estimated that the remaining spirit plants could hardly produce Tier Three-level plants because he was leaving. Unless the sect produces another Golden Core level spirit farmer, it might be possible.

Lin Lan smiled and chimed in:

"I think the Tier Two Top Grade Li Fire Immortal Apricots’ effects rival those of Tier Three Spiritual Peaches."

Eating Li Fire Immortal Apricots can enhance a cultivator’s comprehension of Fire Element Techniques, as personally verified by Junior Brother Han Mountain, with significant effects.