Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 109: Chapter 106: Spirit Sealing Technique

By the Jade Water Lake, after Ji An cast spells on the Spirit Field, he leisurely strolled back to the small courtyard.

The grey-feathered sand geese got a brief moment to roam free and went to the lake to catch fish and shrimp.

He opened the Dharma Prohibition and stepped inside, just about to cast a magic technique when he glanced at the Spiritual Apricot Tree and noticed a few flower buds hanging.

He quickly walked over, examined them several times, feeling both happy and a bit troubled.

Once the Spirit Fruit Tree flowers, it will bear fruit, which is usually a good thing, but transplantation at this time would deplete the Spirit Tree’s Primordial Qi considerably.

After transplantation, it would take years before it blossoms again, and the fruiting time would be delayed. He’s unsure how much negative impact the Foundation Establishment Stage planting techniques could reduce.

He sighed lightly, initially thinking he could soon enjoy Spirit Fruit, now it seems he might have to wait a few more years.

However, since things have come to this, there’s no need to worry further, he began casting spells.

The Flame Fire Spell along with three Foundation Establishment Stage planting techniques served in turns, the courtyard bursting with Spiritual Qi, the Fire Cloud Ginseng was bound to mature faster.

After completing the spell and leaving the small courtyard, he saw a Talisman Bird rapidly approaching.

Ji An laughed and said, “Fellow Daoist Wei, long time no see.”

The other party was once a senior brother, now turned junior uncle, thus addressing as a fellow daoist felt more harmonious, not appearing distant.

With the Talisman Bird still one zhang above the ground, Wei Songnian eagerly leaped off, a muffled sound resonated.

He cupped his hands, his expression enigmatic:

“Greetings, Ji… Junior Uncle.”

Having learned from Huang Feihu that Ji An had already broken through to Foundation Establishment, his heart filled with astonishment and delight.

Their relationship had always been amicable; the other party’s Foundation Establishment could bring some benefits to him too. Yet, the other’s breakthrough without notifying him left him feeling somewhat uneasy.

“Haha, let’s address each other as fellow daoists.

I’ve been occupied lately, hadn’t had the chance to notify former acquaintances. I thought of waiting until I move into the grotto mansion for a celebration, then invite everyone to gather.

By the way, my grotto mansion is chosen at the sect’s northwest Red Flame Peak, it will take a few months before I can move there.

After settling down, I’ll send a Communication Talisman Sword to notify everyone.”

Ji An patted Wei Songnian’s shoulder, then laughed and said:

“Fellow Daoist, get ready with the congratulatory gift.”

The Communication Talisman Sword is crafted by Talisman Makers. With relatively complex skills, it is a special talisman sold exclusively by the sect, usable within the sect’s jurisdiction.

Each Talisman Sword costs a piece of Spirit Stone, previously he wouldn’t have indulged in using such means to convey messages.

Now that he’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator, time is even more precious.

“Certainly, I’ll be there,” Wei Songnian was relieved; sensing the other party was sincere and not just being perfunctory, this long-cultivated relationship was still intact.

After they exchanged Magic Seals, Ji An said:

“Today’s free of any plans, how about we go find Fellow Daoist Liang and enjoy some Tail Spirit Fish together?”

After settling into Red Flame Peak, only cultivating thirty acres of Spirit Field wouldn’t be enough for him.

He studied the rules set by the sect for Foundation Establishment cultivators, preparing to contract the entire area by delivering the stipulated amount of goods to the sect.

Red Flame Peak has only one grotto mansion, no need to discuss with others; he could stir up trouble freely.

The sect encourages such behavior because it achieves similar results as before without requiring additional manpower, improving efficiency.

The Red Flame Peak area has a deep pool, he planned to coax Liang Hill to raise Spirit Fish there. Given Liang’s impressive culinary skills, he wouldn’t need to cook himself in the future.

This conversation closed the distance caused by the shift in mutual status, and Wei Songnian laughed heartily, “Let’s go together.”

Ji An took out the Beast Taming Token, summoned back the grey-feathered sand geese, and the two flew swiftly over the shimmering lake, the sparkling water reflecting on them, glittering before their eyes.

After a while, Wei Songnian chuckled wryly and said:

“Fellow Daoist, how about you go ahead to Fellow Daoist Liang, and wait for me? The Talisman Bird is too slow, dragging down your pace.”

That grey-feathered sand geese occasionally flapped its wings vigorously, causing the Talisman Bird to wobble.

It even cast disdainful glances, making him silently grit his teeth, yet he couldn’t act out.

“This works too, I’ll first go to the Hundred Flavors Pavilion to buy some Spirit Wine and vegetarian dishes to accompany the meal.”

Ji An urged the beast to move gracefully.

…

After eating the Spirit Fish, Ji An bid farewell and left.

Liang Hill and Wei Songnian stood in the bamboo building by the water, watching the agile demon beast carry its master away, remaining silent for a long time.

Wei Songnian sighed deeply and expressed a sense of wonder:

“It feels like a dream. I still remember when I led two newly joined sect disciples from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to the Spirit Field by the Jade Water Lake, one named Liu Yu, the other Ji An.

Back then Old Huang was around, we drank under the moonlight and were quite happy.”

“Ten years, like a dream, both of these disciples succeeded in Foundation Establishment, while I still linger at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining.

At times, I can’t help but wonder why the gap between people is so vast?”

Whenever quiet nights arise, looking back on past events fills him with frustration and defeat.

Liang Hill spoke softly:

“I too used to feel resentment in my heart, but these years of raising Spirit Fish and observing the rippling waters and Spirit Fish scrambling have made me come to terms with it.”

Do what is humanly possible while accepting fate; others have their own opportunities, and what he can do is to walk his own path.

“Junior Brother Liang, from what Fellow Daoist Ji implied, it seems he plans to invite you to manage his grotto mansion.

Congratulations in advance, you’ll soon cultivate in the Spiritual Vein, your time has come.”

Liang Hill shook his head with a smile:

“It’s too early to say, but congratulations to Senior Brother, Fellow Daoist Ji clearly stated he intends to greatly support your talisman business.”

…

A few days later, at the grotto mansion atop Ningcui Cliff.

“Master, I have already recruited the disciple to manage the Medicinal Garden. His Small Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique have both reached the perfection level.

After observing him over these days, I’ve found that he is very conscientious and responsible.

Now Xiang Yong is in charge of the Medicinal Garden. I’ve evaluated that the two of them can complete the management tasks. You can personally check the garden when you have time.”

Ge Ying nodded slightly. This disciple handles matters smoothly and doesn’t require much attention from her. That’s quite good.

“I have already received the Evergreen Wood Skill from the Inheritance Hall. I’ve encountered some issues during cultivation in the past few days. Please guide me, Master…”

Ji An carefully explained the problems he encountered and received patient answers.

“Not bad, your understanding of the cultivation technique is not like someone who just encountered it a few days ago.”

Ge Ying’s eyes were full of approval. This disciple increasingly satisfies her.

“What magic technique have you chosen? You must choose one attack magic and one defense magic and make time to practice them.

You and your fellow juniors will surely experience the outbreak of a demon calamity. By then, everyone in the sect will inevitably face the battlefield.”

“Rest assured, Master, I have a clear plan for the future.

In terms of magic techniques, I chose the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, Spring Breeze and Rain Skill… Golden Light Technique, altogether seven Foundation Establishment Stage techniques, fulfilling planting needs and enabling both offense and defense.”

Ge Ying’s expression became quite intriguing. She furrowed her brows and said sternly:

“Magic techniques must be practiced deeply to be effective. Being greedy and learning too much without mastery doesn’t serve any purpose.

Moreover, you chose the Wood Element technique, and learning the Golden Light Technique is needlessly making things difficult for yourself, isn’t it?”

She felt this disciple became arrogant because of understanding magic intent during the Qi Refining Stage.

“Master, I acknowledge my mistake.

However, since I’ve already bought them and cannot return the contribution points, aside from the three planting magic techniques, I will only choose two magical combat techniques to practice.”

Ji An knew his situation was special. He did not try to explain and sincerely acknowledged his fault.

Ge Ying’s expression relaxed a bit and she said earnestly:

“You need to focus on your planting techniques as well. You may feel now that you have plenty of time, but a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan is only over two hundred years, so you cannot relax.

No matter when, lifespan is always a sword hanging over an immortal cultivator’s head.

I’ve seen many cultivators waste too much time on magic techniques or cultivation skills. By the time they come to realize, it is too late. Remember, cultivation is the foundation.”

Her gaze became distant, recalling when she became absorbed in alchemy, resulting in no progress in cultivation for many years.

If she could have balanced enhancing her cultivation with improving her cultivation skills back then, perhaps she could have competed to see if she could break through to the Chao Origin Stage.

“I will heed Master’s guidance. I will manage my time wisely and not delay my cultivation.”

Ji An sincerely responded, hearing the sincerity in his Master’s words.

“Master, I wish to know which herbs are needed for refining the Nourishing Yuan Pill and which are extremely rare?”

“What are your intentions? You don’t plan to start planting now and use it when you break through to the Chao Origin Stage, do you?”

Ge Ying’s eyes carried a hint of oddness, thinking that just after becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you’re already thinking about the Nourishing Yuan Pill?

It is good for a cultivator to be far-sighted, but thinking too far ahead appears overly ambitious.

“Indeed, it is my intention. The perfection-level Small Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique can accelerate the enhancement of spirit medicine’s age.”

Suddenly Ge Ying found this disciple adorably foolish, and she chuckled:

“Do you know how many years the main herbs for Nourishing Yuan Pill require? Four to five hundred years.

These main herbs must be planted on a Tier Two Lower Grade Spiritual Vein Node to enhance their age quickly.

The Small Cloud Rain Technique and Thick Earth Technique have minimal effect on these spirit herbs. You will need to perform the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill and Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to perfection before they show any effect.

Frankly speaking, by the time your lifespan runs out, these spirit herbs might not mature.

By the way, where is your grotto mansion located?”

As far as she knows, the grotto mansions on Tier Two and above spiritual vein nodes within the sect have long been divided. Unless a cultivator dies, vacancies won’t open up.

And even if there were vacancies, they wouldn’t be accessible to early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Coincidentally, I have already perfected the two techniques. Ji An was inwardly proud and said:

“My grotto mansion is chosen at Red Flame Peak, which happens to be on a Tier Two Lower Grade Spiritual Vein.”

He described the situation at Red Flame Peak and added:

“The sect is currently cultivating the spiritual vein. If the primary vein improves, the branch veins will also improve accordingly, by then, the spiritual vein level at Red Flame Peak might improve by at least one tier.”

Ge Ying remained silent for a moment, then slowly said:

“Its Spiritual Mechanism is intense, making it unsuitable for cultivation enhancement, the only benefit is its ability to refine magical power. But doing so might slow down your cultivation advancement; I hope you won’t regret today’s choice.”

She took out a Jade Slip, recorded some information, and tossed it:

“It contains the herbs needed for the Nourishing Yuan Pill and the required ages. I have the seeds; I’ll give them to you later.

It’s not a gift; it will cost you one middle-grade Spirit Stone.”

Spirit medicine is expensive, but seeds are cheap.

“Thank you, Master.”

Ji An cheerfully took out a Spirit Stone and then mentioned about transferring the Spirit Fruit Tree, asking:

“Do you have any method to lower the damage during the transplantation?”

“Go to the Inheritance Hall and purchase the Jade Slip for the Spirit Sealing Technique. This technique can seal the loss of Spiritual Power, and it is used for transplanting spirit plants.

Though the technique requires a certain understanding of the Power of the Five Elements, easy to learn, difficult to master, only those at the Chao Origin Stage and above can thoroughly study and understand it.”