Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 107: Chapter 104: Do Us a Favor (Part 2)

[Spell: Jade Wood Transformation Skill (Entry 1%→Minor Achievement 2%)]

His brows slightly furrowed; the amount of Xun Spirit the Stone Turtle absorbed daily wasn’t much, and the amount of Zhen Spirit absorbed was even less. It wasn’t easy to quickly enhance the Jade Wood Transformation Skill.

But his expression immediately relaxed. The brief improvement he just experienced would take other cultivators at least a year or two to achieve.

After all, the Jade Wood Transformation Skill is a Foundation Establishment Stage spell. Being able to improve this quickly, what more could he be dissatisfied with!

The night passed without words, and the dreams were sweet.

The next day, Ji An brought the spirit farmer who would be replacing him to the medicinal garden and instructed:

“Old Xiang, stop what you’re doing for now, take a look around with them, and discuss how to distribute the tasks in the future.”

He turned to the newcomer and said:

“For the next few days, follow Old Xiang to get familiar with things. When my master has some free time, I’ll take you to meet her.”

“Thank you for your care, Junior Martial Uncle.”

Ji An nodded slightly, letting the two go aside to discuss while he began to practice the Jade Wood Transformation Skill.

Without any Spiritual Mechanism to refine, he would just practice more; it’s nothing but a matter of water milling time.

Old Xiang and his partner gazed at the star-like rain of emerald green light, both of their eyes revealing a look of longing.

…

Five days later.

Ji An used a spell to open the dharma prohibition, stepping into the small courtyard, having just completed his spell in the spirit field.

He checked the growth of the Spirit Fruit Tree and Fire Cloud Ginseng, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

Plans couldn’t keep up with changes. His initial intention with planting this patch of spirit plants was to use it as collateral to “borrow” some spirit stones from a certain senior brother or sister to cover the shortfall in exchanging for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Now, having successfully established his foundation and preparing to leave, the spirit medicine still had four or five years before maturity.

Ji An chuckled; the Spirit Fruit Tree needed to be transplanted, while the Fire Cloud Ginseng required finding someone to take over, otherwise, he would have to come back every so often.

At least it could sell for five or six hundred spirit stones, no way he was going to leave it unattended.

He used a spell, and emerald green light rain fell down. In the sunlight, the courtyard turned into a sea of light, dreamlike and illusory.

The leaves of the two Spirit Fruit Trees seemed to have just been washed by rain, appearing even greener.

After standing silently for a few moments, Ji An changed the dharma seal in his hand, casting the Flame Fire Spell, causing fire element spiritual energy to rise in the courtyard like it was steaming and cooking.

The leaves of the spirit plants stretched and swayed gently, seemingly conveying joy.

With the wood flourishing, the fire follows. He closed his eyes, using his divine sense to feel the conversion between primordial qi.

After a while, Ji An cast the Small Cloud Rain Technique and then shut off the dharma prohibition, riding on the grey-feathered sand goose to leave.

Upon returning to Ningcui Cliff, he saw two unexpected guests beside the bamboo building.

“Haha, Junior Brother, we’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Zhu Qinghao cupped his hands with a smile, recognizing Ji An based on a vague impression.

A few years ago, when he saw this registered disciple of his master, he didn’t expect that the other party would break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage so quickly. At that time, there was no close interaction.

Although they met a few more times later, they never exchanged magical marks.

He didn’t expect to need to find the other now, unable to contact him through the Communication Talisman Sword, forced to just wait around. The long wait left him quite impatient.

“Second Senior Brother, it’s an honor to have you here, my failure to meet you from afar.”

Ji An cupped his hands in a polite exchange, contemplating the purpose of the other party’s visit.

Although they were senior and junior brothers of the same sect branch, they previously had a considerable gap in cultivation, with little interaction or friendship to speak of.

“Let me introduce you, this is Senior Brother Chen Xingyun from the Chen Clan of Pu Yun Mountain.”

“Senior Brother Chen, I’ve long admired you, I am Ji An.”

“Junior Brother Ji, you’re promising from a young age, establishing your foundation early, much better than me currently.”

“I don’t deserve Senior Brother’s praise, both of you are my role models.”

Ji An offered a formal smile, used a spell to open the restriction, and gestured with his hand:

“Senior brothers, please come inside for a chat.”

Upon entering the bamboo building, they seated themselves as guest and host. He initially wanted to serve some spirit tea for hospitality, but realizing he didn’t have a tea set, it wouldn’t be appropriate to serve tea in bowls.

Doing so would lower the class unnecessarily, better to feign ignorance of hospitality etiquette instead, forcing himself to brave the situation.

Zhu Qinghao glanced around the room, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes:

“Junior Brother, you focus wholeheartedly on bitter cultivation, admiration from Senior Brother.

But this is rather austere; since Junior Brother has already established his foundation, in a few days I’ll send some external cultivation items and even a female cultivator to serve you.

Occasionally enjoying some relaxation may unexpectedly enhance our cultivation efficiency.”

Such unsolicited kindness raised Ji An’s vigilance, he politely declined:

“I’ve grown accustomed to my current way of cultivation, worried that indulgence would affect it. Unrewarded favors are not taken; the kind intention from senior brother is acknowledged.”

Who knows what hooks might be hidden in the things sent over, and after all, they weren’t familiar with each other.

After some back-and-forth, they didn’t continue on this topic.

Zhu Qinghao coughed and said:

“Actually, we came this time to discuss something with Junior Brother.

Senior Brother Chen’s family makes a living from artifact refining, with shops in many marketplaces on the Western Continent, and they’ve rented the sect’s Red Flame Peak.

Recently, they received a notification from the Diligence Hall, ordering them to vacate within two months.

After inquiries, it was discovered that Junior Brother chose that place for your grotto mansion. Junior Brother, you might not know; the spiritual mechanism of Red Flame Peak is harsh, not an ideal place for cultivation.”

Chen Xingyun politely added:

“It is presumptuous for us to come here, hope Junior Brother doesn’t take offense.

We’ve been operating on Red Flame Peak for many years, developing several Earth Fire Artifact Refining Chambers, which require special Tier Two Arrays to stabilize the earth fire.

If we move, those arrays become completely useless, the losses would be too great. We were wondering if Junior Brother could reconsider, and choose another grotto mansion instead?”

Before coming, they had subtly gathered information about Ji An’s situation, and seeing the room barely furnished, they assumed he might be drawn to the extra ten mu of spirit field the sect provided, hence choosing Red Flame Peak.

Chen Xingyun paused, his smile growing more cordial:

“We won’t let Junior Brother suffer a loss. We’re willing to offer a thousand spirit stones, would that be acceptable?”

Ji An frowned. If it were another place, he might accept the benefit of a thousand spirit stones and yield, but for him, the Red Flame Peak’s conditions were uniquely suited; the Stone Turtle’s absorption of the spiritual mechanism was a significant matter.

Not to mention a thousand spirit stones, even ten thousand wouldn’t make him yield. Otherwise, where would he find another place where the Five Elements Spirit Mechanism converged.

“Please forgive me, Senior Brother. I am very satisfied with that grotto mansion.”

Chen Xingyun’s eyes flickered slightly, and he said:

“If Junior Brother isn’t satisfied, we can add more spirit stones, or propose other conditions.”

Ji An shook his head.

“Fifteen hundred spirit stones.”

Ji An continued to shake his head:

“Please forgive me, Senior Brother.”

Chen Xingyun’s expression turned grim, and after a moment, he said in a deep voice:

“Two thousand spirit stones.”

“Senior Brother, I genuinely like it there.”

Zhu Qinghao spoke calmly:

“Junior Brother, even I am tempted by two thousand spirit stones. The spiritual vein at Red Flame Peak is abundant, but it’s not considered a prime spot for cultivation.

It should be enough. Junior Brother has just entered the Foundation Establishment Stage, and it’s the right time to make good ties with fellow disciples. It’s easy to calculate whether multiple friends or multiple adversaries are better, isn’t it?

Grant us this favor, and I will remember Junior Brother’s gesture.”

“I must decline.”

Ji An thought inwardly, if I give you face, I lose what’s inside.