Chapter 698 - 550: Exchange (Part 2)

If the innate quality of the seed is decent, it should be able to be cultivated to Tier Three in roughly over forty years.

With these ten acres of Spirit Field, Ji An is essentially enjoying the privileges of a Tier Three Middle-grade Spirit Vein Node without paying any rent.

He reckons that the grotto mansion is a micro Spirit Vein Node; otherwise, the Spirit Field that developed over time should also reach Tier Three Middle Grade.

Or perhaps, there was no soil here originally, it is an artificially created Spirit Field, barely maintaining the Tier Three Lower Grade with the spiritual energy diffused from the Spirit Vein.

Ji An stood with his hands behind his back in the evening breeze, contemplating whether he should bring out the spirit beasts for guarding.

After much deliberation, he abandoned the idea. Usually, with the protection of a Magic Array, he could handle attacks at the Golden Core Level in a short time, so there was no need to reveal his Chao Origin Stage beasts.

If attacked, they would not be effective anyway.

He had not yet decided what to plant in the Medicinal Garden and planned to let it lie fallow for a while.

...

The next day.

Ji An maneuvered the Red Spirit Cloud Flying Escape in the front, while Master Qingfeng followed behind with a magical treasure in the form of a Talisman Disc.

This is his Lifebound Magical Treasure, a Supporting Treasure that can contain talismans for nurturing. In a few years, it can enhance the talismans’ tier.

Ji An didn’t inquire about the detailed information of the magical treasure, as it would be impolite, and the other party wouldn’t divulge either.

This magical treasure must have other functions; otherwise, it wouldn’t be worthy of being a Lifebound Magical Treasure.

The two landed at the grotto mansion. Ji An formed a seal to open the Dharma Prohibition and smiled as he said:

"The place is somewhat secluded, but it has the advantage of not being disturbed by anyone nearby.

Daoist friend, please!"

As a cultivator with many secrets, he disliked crowded places, so he chose to rent this grotto mansion.

"Peaceful and serene, quite nice, I like this kind of environment."

Master Qingfeng stepped into the Magic Array’s covered area, and his color changed in astonishment as the pervasive Five Elements Qi amazed him.

He could sense it was the lingering charm from Planting Techniques, yet he had never felt such an intense lingering charm before.

The saplings were three feet tall, slightly thicker than a thumb, with faint fish scale patterns etched on the bark, and the branches bore leaves as large as half a palm, all lush and verdant.

"I never expected a fellow Daoist to have such profound grounding in Planting Techniques. The association used to certify Spirit Farmers, but later discontinued due to other reasons; otherwise, the friend should easily obtain a Tier Three certification."

The vast majority of Spirit Fields in the Cultivation Realm are controlled by various powers, and it’s rare for a Loose Cultivator to be a Spirit Farmer.

Consequently, the mobility of Spirit Farmers is very poor, and certification holds not much practical significance; not many people want to get certified.

"When I initially started with Alchemy, I didn’t have extra funds to buy herbs, so I tried planting them, and discovered that I had quite some comprehension in Planting Techniques.

Besides, at that time, I could plant Talisman Grass to make Talisman Paper, thus reducing the cost of Talisman Making.

Latterly, it’s been my way of cultivating to the Golden Core Stage."

Ji An spoke half-truths; since he had planted Spirit Wood, his planting ability would inevitably be uncovered.

In a few words, Master Qingfeng discerned much.

The other party had no one to assist him at the start of cultivation, relying solely on planting, alchemy, and talisman making to reach where he is today. Among tens of thousands of cultivators in similar situations, scarcely one might emerge.

"Daoist friend’s greatness, admirable."

Master Qingfeng admired; at the start of his cultivation, he had assistance and didn’t find it too difficult, but with the increase in cultivation level, he profoundly understood the hardships of cultivation.

Is the Cultivation Realm resource-rich? Indeed, very rich! Major powers know how to sustain long-term development.

Are the resources in the Cultivation Realm enough? No, never enough, particularly high-tier resources are notably scarce.

Spirit Medicine often requires over a thousand years to mature; to gather enough for a furnace of Golden Core Level Pill, even the most outstanding Spirit Farmers need two to three hundred years of cultivation.

Once refined, the pills would be consumed within less than a year if taken freely.

The spiritual objects in Spiritual Lands and mineral veins take countless years to gestate, but may be consumed within days or months of use.

Unless the number of cultivators is strictly limited, but one cannot suppress cultivators’ breakthroughs; it’s not a solution.

Ji An waved his hand, "I had no choice; I had to cultivate capabilities even if I didn’t have them, otherwise, I’d already be a handful of yellow earth."

He led the guest into the grotto mansion, took out three Wind Furnaces to ignite Spiritual Charcoal, and fetched spring water from the pond in the Medicinal Garden.

He took out three green porcelain jars and placed them on the table gently speaking:

"Daoist friend loves tea, why not guess what kinds of Spirit Tea these are?"

This is a small communication tactic; if the other party genuinely loves tea, they would surely enjoy this exchange.

Master Qingfeng raised his brows with interest; the porcelain jars were adorned with elegant paintings of lush green mountains, in line with his aesthetic.

He opened the left jar, which contained white tea leaves entwined with golden strands.

Bringing the jar close to his nose, he took a strong sniff and confidently stated:

"A very mellow Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, Tier Three Lower Grade, almost reaching Tier Three Middle Grade."

Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea is a mainstream Spirit Tea for nourishing the Spirit Soul; other spiritual objects for nourishing the Spirit Soul are too precious and rarely seen.

Its characteristics are apparent and unlikely to be mistaken.

Master Qingfeng opened the second jar and brought it to his eyes, finding slender, withered yellow tea leaves but with silver threads on the surface.

He discerned it carefully for a while, applauding:

"Tier Three Middle Grade Cloud Peak Silver Needle, this grade of Cloud Peak Silver Needle is top-grade; the best one can find on the market is this grade.

Rumor has it that the Divine Wood Sect cultivated a Tier Three Upper Grade Cloud-Top Jade, who knows if it’s true, but I think it’s unlikely."

"Correct, Daoist friend is quite knowledgeable about tea, admired."

Ji An responded, recognizing Jade Dew and Golden Teeth is no feat, for it’s a free-point question, but many Spirit Teas resemble Cloud and Cloud Peak Silver Needle in appearance and fragrance.

Without brewing and tasting, it’s hard to distinguish.

Master Qingfeng smiled subtly, "Let me reveal the final answer."

With that, he opened the last porcelain jar.

Inside were dark green pine needle-like tea leaves, peculiarly exuding faint water vapor.

He furrowed his brows in deep thought, then picked a pine needle and chewed it.

A slight chilliness and an indescribable faint fragrance lingered on his tongue, his Magical Power seemed to excite for an instant, and his Sea of Consciousness felt a momentary freshness.

The Spirit Tea was only at Tier Two Middle Grade, but could impact Mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, it must be a top-grade tea.

He scratched his head, puzzled, assuming there were many Spirit Teas made with pine needles, yet he was sure he had not encountered one with such flavor and sensation, as he would’ve remembered it.

"I am quite uninformed, I ask you, Daoist friend, to teach me."

Master Qingfeng’s eyes shone with a hint of delight, as learning about a new Spirit Tea made the trip worthwhile.

Ji An didn’t keep him in suspense, smiling:

"This is the leaf of the Canglan Mist Pine, a Spirit Tree unique to the Western Continent."

Pine needles are not the most precious part of this Treasure Plant; the Fog Pine Fruit can be refined into Canglan Soul Cleansing Pill, a balm for nourishing the Spirit Soul with mild medical properties.

The sect has Canglan Mist Pine but lacks the corresponding Pill Formula; it is admittedly a sorry state.

Master Qingfeng suddenly understood, saying:

"I see, I’ve heard of Canglan Mist Pine, a treasure Spirit Plant, Pine Resin is material for high-tier Talisman Ink.

Pine needles can be made into incense, offering effects equivalent to Soul Nourishing Wood leaves made into Soul Incense.

Indeed, away from the Western Continent, it’s hard for such Spirit Plants to grow to high-tier; the Divine Wood Sect has been nurturing it for over a thousand years, only reaching a Tier Three Middle Grade Canglan Mist Pine."

His tone was tinged with a bit of lamentation; the Pine Resin is a very good Talisman Ink material, albeit an auxiliary, yet capable of enhancing Talisman Ink quality, applicable to various Talisman Inks.

Western Continent cultivators occupy relatively low-level Spirit Veins and cannot scale cultivation, making Pine Resins costly, a rarity treasured, seldom used.

Ji An blinked, pondering that regular interaction with the outside world might be beneficial.

He had never heard about Pine Resin being a material for high-tier Talisman Ink, it was news to him.

Once again, he marveled in his mind. The starting point in the Western Continent was indeed very low; the highest spiritual vein the Human Race cultivators controlled was only Tier Three Lower Grade, seriously affecting development.