Chapter 793 - 621: Hitting a Brick Wall

The next day.

Ji An and Profound Wood Daoist Master sat comfortably in the grotto mansion, with a puppet attending to them nearby.

The two of them sipped on Spirit Tea, exchanging insights on their cultivation experiences.

Outside the grotto mansion, more than a dozen Chao Origin Stage cultivators in the standard attire of the Golden Puppet Pavilion were using a spiritual artifact shaped like a saw to cut Spirit Wood, with the sound of dragon roars incessantly filling the air.

One cultivator sent a voice transmission to his friend:

"Such spiritual Azure Dragon Wood, so many plants; could it be that the seniors inside are cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect?

But it doesn’t make sense, as Divine Wood Sect cultivators rarely have Spirit Farmers among them."

"Just focus on your work. Whatever type of cultivator they are, completing the task of refining puppets won’t earn us an extra Spirit Stone."

These cultivators were very efficient, taking just over a double hour to cut down all the Azure Dragon Wood.

A burly disciple walked into the grotto mansion, speaking in a deep, resonant voice:

"Daoist Master, all the Azure Dragon Wood has been loaded onto the flying ship, ready for departure at any time."

Profound Wood Daoist Master nodded, took out several Jade Slips, and said:

"I need to transport this batch of Spirit Wood back to the sect as soon as possible. I invite you, my friend, to meet in Immortal City another day.

Please verify these refining techniques. If there are no issues, I am prepared to depart."

Ji An quickly skimmed through the Jade Slips; the methods were detailed, including material selection, Dharma Prohibition inscriptions, and even addressed common issues and how to repair easily damaged parts of the puppets.

With his outsider’s perspective, it lived up to the Golden Puppet Sect’s reputation.

He coughed softly and said:

"Actually, I don’t really understand puppet refining. If a puppet can’t be refined according to this method, I request that your sect provide guidance.

Of course, we are willing to pay for the guidance fees."

Even though he didn’t believe the other side would present faulty refining methods, they still needed to handle the after-sales service.

"No problem," Profound Wood Daoist Master readily agreed. Whether earning Spirit Stones from refining puppets or from guiding the refining process, it made little difference.

He stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"I bid you farewell."

Ji An saw the other off, looked at the stumps bathed in sunlight, and instructed:

"Dig out all these roots; I’ll burn them when I return."

As he spoke, he took out a magical artifact for digging and demonstrated a bit.

The puppet took the artifact, nodded, and silently started working in the farthest corner.

Ji An returned to the grotto mansion, hung a Storage Bag containing Tier Three Spirit Washing Sand around himself, with the spirit sand ranging from Lower Grade to Top Grade.

He walked out of the Magic Array’s coverage, opened the seal, and then rode the clouds away into the distance.

The puppet looked up at the gradually receding Red Spirit Cloud, then lowered its head and continued working.

...

Inside the grotto mansion, Lin Jiuxiao brought over a pot of Spirit Tea, awkwardly saying:

"The conditions here are somewhat crude; I hope Senior Brother doesn’t mind."

The only hospitality provided was Spirit Tea, with nothing else to show.

"No worries, we are fellow disciples; there’s no need to fuss over formalities."

Ji An took out some Fennel Beans and peanuts from a Grotto Void Stone, along with several jars of Spirit Wine, "You can keep these, Junior Brother."

He pointed outside the grotto mansion and continued:

"The Spirit Fields outside lying fallow are such a waste; I might as well plant some Azure Dragon Wood. When it’s time to cast spells on the Spirit Fields, I’ll come over. What we harvest will be enough to pay the grotto mansion’s rent."

The Spirit Fields outside his grotto mansion were slightly fewer, but there were still about eight acres.

Casting spells once every half a month, considering the round trip, it would only take a bit over a double hour to complete.

"Agreed, all the harvested Spirit Stones will go to you, Senior Brother. If you hadn’t come today, I was planning to talk to you about this.

In a little over twenty years, I’ll have to leave. Can Azure Dragon Wood be cultivated to a Tier Three level plant?"

"I don’t know, but it should be possible.

Let me tell you about the future. I believe the sect should station cultivators regularly in the Central Continent. Firstly, to understand the situation here and assess our differences, and secondly, to obtain information on the True Demon Tribulation.

The sect is in a high-speed development phase and should target Nascent Soul Sects here, rather than limiting our sights to the Western Continent.

After you leave, I will continue to rent the grotto mansion for another two years. Please inform the Sect Leader of my perspective.

If he agrees, he will naturally send people here. If no one accompanies a Merchant Flying Ship back to the Central Continent, I will return the grotto mansion rental."

In Ji An’s view, the sect should not be content with dominating the Western Continent, because its foundation is too weak, lacking any Nascent Soul level forces.

Without a Daoist Monarch residing, there is no say in high-level matters.

"I will present my case to the Sect Leader."

Lin Jiuxiao nodded solemnly. He hadn’t spent much time in Immortal City, but he had witnessed its prosperity.

Although he had not seen a Nascent Soul Daoist Monarch, he noticed that the stewards of large shops were Golden Core cultivators.

In the Western Continent, a Golden Core cultivator could already become an ancestor of a force; how could they expose themselves by working in a shop!

But in the Central Continent, it’s quite common.

He had privately compared things earnestly and concluded that the sect could only be considered a third-rate power in the Central Continent.

Nascent Soul Sects are first-rate powers; powers with several late-stage Golden Core cultivators are only second-rate, and those with only a few mid-stage or early-stage Golden Core cultivators are just third-rate!

Ji An nodded, "I have prepared a gift for the sect, which I’ll give to you when you return to the Western Continent."

He had prepared a lot of things, most of which couldn’t immediately enhance the sect’s strength, but could significantly increase the sect’s foundation.

He shifted his tone and continued:

"Are you interested in finding something to do in the Central Continent? Only cultivating every day is not good."

"I have such plans, but I haven’t mastered any cultivation techniques, so I can only join a team for demon hunting.

It’s not easy to be accepted by others, I’ll have to wait."

Lin Jiuxiao replied, noting that teams are cautious about accepting new members, and his identity as an outsider cultivator would raise many concerns.

"I have a better idea," said Ji An, handing over a Jade Slip:

"This is the formula for Transforming Essence Divine Mud. You can purchase spiritual objects and configure it. The process is not complicated and can be refined using Earth Fire.

Prepare the materials, rent an Earth Fire Chamber, and you can start refining. It’s easier to accumulate resources this way than being an unstable demon hunting team member."

If Master Jinrong’s research is released, the price of Transforming Essence Divine Mud will surely soar, allowing us to benefit from it following the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Lin Jiuxiao took the Jade Slip and nodded:

"No problem, I will go to Immortal City in my spare time to purchase materials and refine the Divine Mud."

The sect has the formula for Transforming Essence Divine Mud, but since he didn’t need it, he never exchanged for it.

Ji An took off a pile of storage bags, saying:

"This is a batch of Tier Three Spirit Washing Sand I acquired, of high quality. I want you to help me sell it.

However, don’t sell it now. I’ve received news that the price of Spirit Washing Sand will rise, and you should sell it slowly then, under the sect’s name.

After the deal, I’ll give you half a share of the profits as a reward for your effort, Junior Brother."

"I understand, but it’s just a small favor, a simple task. No need for a reward from you, Senior Brother.

What is Spirit Washing Sand? I’ve never heard of it."

"It’s a spiritual material used for Artifact Refining or making Cinnabar. I used to know it only for making Cinnabar, and only recently learned it can be used for Artifact Refining.

The Western Continent is composed of small factions that migrated from the Central Continent, with relatively poor inheritance. Many spiritual objects and their uses are unheard of by us."

Ji An explained briefly, as his knowledge about this spiritual material was also limited.

"The Red Flame Peak also produces Spirit Washing Sand, and you didn’t know?"

Lin Jiuxiao scratched his head and said embarrassedly:

"I haven’t really explored much about the situations within the Red Flame Peak."

He was only interested in cultivation and researching magical combat abilities, knowing little about other matters.

Ji An didn’t say more and changed the topic:

"Once you obtain the Transforming Essence Divine Mud, don’t rush to sell it. Sell it together with the Spirit Washing Sand."

"Understood."

Ji An took out a bag of Azure Dragon Wood seeds from the Grotto Void Stone, stood up and said:

"I’m going to plant the abandoned Spirit Field."

He strode out, using Object Control Technique to scatter the seeds, and then released the Earth Vein Spirit Technique.

Warm yellow spirit light gushed up from the ground like a spring, condensing a golden lotus pattern on the soil surface, spreading the Earth Element’s nurturing magic intent.

In Ji An’s hand, the Dharma Seal changed as he released the Green Dragon Water Moon Skill.

The Moon of Taiyin appeared, and the magic technique enveloped the area, blocking the sun’s brilliance, leaving only the bright moonlight.

Cyan Dragon’s Sky Chant, the flourishing Wood Element’s magic intent permeated the air, and crystal-clear raindrops gently fell, with a nourishing aura rising with the mist.

The Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner flew out from Ji An’s Dantian, transforming into the Cyan Dragon’s Roar, and the Wood Element’s magic intent intensified further.

Lin Jiuxiao could feel the intensity of the magic intent, thinking to himself:

"No wonder the Sect Leader Senior Brother said the output of Red Flame Peak decreased severely after Senior Brother Ji left. His magic technique level is far beyond others."

The Moon of Taiyin disappeared, like a moon in water, ultimately vanishing.

The mist quickly dissipated, and Lin Jiuxiao saw the three-foot-tall saplings elegantly stretching their posture, marveling at the rapid growth rate of the spirit plants.

The sect’s other spirit farmers, compared to Senior Brother, are indeed too weak.

...

A month passed.

In the guest room of the Golden Puppet Pavilion, the scent of Enlightenment Tea filled every corner.

Daoist Master Xuanji took out a Jade Bottle, saying:

"I am pleased to report success. After significant expense, I finally obtained three Enlightenment Tree seeds.

To emphasize again, the tea tree has very strict requirements on the soil’s spiritual vein. If not grown in the right place, it will quickly degenerate."

He announced this multiple times to prevent unnecessary trouble in the future.

The obligation to inform was fulfilled. If the other party fails to prevent the degeneration of the spirit plant, it will not be his responsibility.

Ji An understood the other’s thoughts, smiling:

"Once the spirit seeds are in my hands, the success or failure of planting is no longer the concern of fellow Daoists."

He poured the contents of the Jade Bottle into his palm, revealing three human finger-sized, oval, silver-gray seeds, exuding warm spirit light.

The surface of the spirit seeds was covered with mysterious and ancient patterns.

Ji An explored the seeds’ life force with his Divine Sense, finding they indeed reached a Tier Three Top-Grade level.

He took out the balance payment of two hundred top-grade Spirit Stones, placing them on the table, and said with a gentle smile:

"Thank you, fellow Daoist. I am aware of the Enlightenment Tree’s situation, but I must plant it once to be satisfied."

Daoist Master Xuanji nodded, as in one’s youth, who hasn’t hit a few hard walls!