Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 113: Chapter 110: Immortal City Trade

When leaving Purple Bamboo Mountain, half of the sunset had already sunk behind the faraway mountains.

The mountain range seemed like Buddha statues gilded in gold, reflected in Ji An’s eyes.

Brilliant as fireworks yet fleeting, when the last ray vanished, the world merged into darkness, and the winding forests appeared to transform into monstrous demons.

The world hadn’t changed, but as light and dark alternated, it became utterly different in people’s hearts.

Seemingly shrouded by floating clouds, the moonlight appeared somewhat hazy, yet the stars were dazzling. Ji An returned to Ningcui Cliff under the sparse moonlight.

The banquet lasted from noon until 5:00 PM, requiring no further preparation for meals. He activated the spell to open the Dharma Prohibition and returned to the bamboo building, then sat on the Pudun and began circulating the cultivation technique.

Cultivation is accumulated day by day through diligent work; there are no shortcuts.

Cultivators with high aptitude refine spiritual power faster and face fewer bottlenecks, which is enviable but unattainable.

The spiritual food and wine ingested quickly refined, and nature’s spiritual energy was drawn, slowly converging towards the bamboo building.

Spiritual power circulated through the Immortal Vein, and as the Dao Seed resonated with spiritual power, a wonderful sensation flowed through his body.

Today, he learned through conversation that Water and Wood Element Techniques excel in nourishing the Immortal Vein, thus each session of meditation and cultivation is slightly longer than those using other techniques.

When Ji An opened his eyes again, it was already midnight.

The moon hung high in the sky, the clouds parted, revealing a bright moon, cool and clear light seeped through the window lattice into the bamboo building, leaving silvery white spots on the walls.

Though the light wasn’t strong, it appeared exceedingly bright amidst the darkness.

“Why does it feel like time is becoming increasingly inadequate?”

Ji An sighed softly; truthfully speaking, a few sessions of meditation, and the day passed.

In the future, moving into a Grotto Mansion, and daily tending and nurturing of spirit wood, time would feel even tighter.

He pondered about when he could disregard such trivial matters and focus solely on improving his cultivation, enjoying the sect’s support.

At least he must become a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, or ideally, a Golden Core Ancestor within the sect, to truly be unfettered.

He gently shook his head, dispelling such unrealistic thoughts, and took out the Jade Slip of the Spirit Sealing Technique and placed it on his forehead, silently reciting the spell a few times.

The spell had not reached entry yet, but he was not anxious. The transplantation of Spirit Fruit Trees was months away, so there’s no rush.

Currently, he dedicated two quarter-hours each morning and evening to practice it, silently reciting the incantation and beginning to rehearse, though he hadn’t successfully cast the spell, he gained a bit each day.

The challenge of the spell lies in sequentially activating the Five Element Spiritual Energy, and the connection between the energies must be flawless, requiring a high demand on Divine Sense.

Ji An remained calm, casting the spell repeatedly and correcting errors, when a faint spirit light of five colors finally converged in his hand, eventually forming in the void, he awoke from the dream; the Spirit Sealing Technique succeeded!

The spirit light slowly dissipated, as if it had never existed.

He closed his eyes, recollecting the fluctuation of Spirit Charm during the casting, moments later his right hand formed spell gestures, fingertips flying and transforming Dharma Seals, sketching profound trajectories.

Blue, red, yellow, white, black – five hues formed a ring, with pale colors, like glass placed into clear water, nearly imperceptible without careful observation.

Ji An smiled, mastering entry-level spells relying entirely on his comprehension and insights.

He sunk his mind into his Dantian, the Stone Turtle’s carapace glimmered with azure light.

[Spell: Spirit Sealing Technique (Entry 1%)]

He attempted to issue the command:

“Refine the Spiritual Mechanism, improve Spirit Sealing Technique.”

“Missing Qian Spirit, Dui Spirit, unable to enhance spell comprehension.”

Ji An relaxed; as long as he can refine Spiritual Mechanism for enhancement, once accumulated, he could drastically improve.

The master had said entry-level Spirit Sealing Technique suffices, hence there’s no need to strengthen it, Spiritual Mechanism should be warded for crucial moments.

Ji An practiced Sharp Gold Technique, Golden Armor Technique, and Explosive Flame Technique for a while, ceasing only after midnight to sleep.

Cultivating to enhance cultivation, practicing spells, daily visits to the medicinal garden and spirit field, two weeks rushed by.

The Spirit Field’s Talisman Grass and Jade Corn had been harvested, the planting technique at Foundation Establishment level further shortened the growth cycle of these low-tier spirit plants by over ten days.

The quality of Talisman Grass had not improved compared to before, probably reaching its limits.

Jade Corn’s yield increased by thirty percent, containing slightly more spiritual qi, with a taste surpassing the past.

Tomorrow is the day the sect’s flying ship heads to Cyan Cloud Immortal City, Ji An finished practicing spells and sent the Communication Talisman Sword to notify Li Lingyu.

He brought out a recliner, sitting in the evening breeze to enjoy a moment of leisure.

…

Ji An and his companion boarded the flying ship to Cyan Cloud Immortal City, now enjoying different treatment than before, no need to pay with spirit stones, chatting inside the cabin with a guarding senior brother.

The two first visited the Artifact Refining Shop to sell a Tier One Upper Grade flying sword, earning one hundred and eighty spirit stones.

They divided the spirit stones equally, each taking half, then left the Artifact Refining Shop.

Li Lingyu weighed the storage bag, sighing lightly:

“Aren’t rumors claiming the prohibition against Tribulation Cultivators remains ineffective, how much profit did that shop’s cultivator bring us?

If sold for spirit stone, each could earn seven or eight hundred pieces.

Once tasting advantage, who would willingly and honestly accumulate resources anymore?”

Ji An shook his head slightly:

“The sensation of gaining without effort can become addictive, adept swimmers drown, skilled warriors die from killing, mistakes will eventually occur.

If all cultivators thought like this, the cultivation realm would descend into chaos.

Maintaining the limit within one’s heart, I believe, accounts for a process of cultivating the heart too.

“We are the masters of power, not its slaves.”

Only stable order ensures the continuous development of the world. Otherwise, today you kill me, tomorrow I kill you, where is the time for cultivation, let alone achieving the fruits of immortality.

“Hmph, you’ve even learned to preach now. I’m just sighing.

If the Cultivation Realm truly becomes a world of the survival of the fittest, we will become the fodder of those in power. How is that any different from being like Demon Cultivators?”

Ji An mouthed the words ’Demon Cultivator’ and sighed deeply in his heart.

Demon Cultivators are the common enemy of all beings, including the Human Race, Demon Beasts, and Ghost Cultivators. They plunder the blood and souls of creatures, seeing all flesh and spirit as fodder.

The Cultivation Realm has experienced several demon calamities, causing turmoil far more severe than demon disasters.

In facing a demon calamity, all forces put aside their hatred to unite against the enemy, illustrating the terrifying renown of a demon calamity.

“Come on, what are you spacing out for? Accompany me to buy some medicinal herbs first.”

“Let’s go, I also need to buy some herbs to make Spirit Feeding Pills.

Now that we’ve reached Foundation Establishment, we need to raise the level of our two Spirit Beasts, or they’ll be slowly eliminated since they can’t keep up with my pace.”

The two of them strolled through the medicinal herb section and each bought some necessary Spirit Medicine.

Then they went to the Array Area, where Ji An bought a set of Inverted Five Elements Formation to protect the Grotto Mansion.

Night fell, and the two returned to rest.

The next day, Ji An and the other went to the Talisman area to inform their cooperative shop of a pause in their collaboration.

Seeing that he had become a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, the shop owners congratulated him and expressed their interest in broader future collaborations.

“Congratulations, congratulations, Junior Brother Ji, for achieving Foundation Establishment at such a young age, your future is limitless, making us old fellows feel ashamed.”

Pang Mingde’s eyes briefly flashed with disappointment. Although the other party sold some relatively obscure talismans, their craftsmanship was good, and they seemed to sell large quantities, partnering with many shops, even having dealings with the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.

He once had intentions towards this Talisman Maker, adding a bit of “extra” to the Spirit Stones he offered, hoping to locate them through a secret technique.

However, the other party never acted alone, always leaving with the Golden Spirit Sect’s flying ship, never visiting the small marketplace around the Immortal City, leaving him no opportunity.

Later, during a transaction, the other party entrusted someone else to handle it. He thought they had noticed something, but upon hearing from the agent that it was due to being grounded by a master, he felt at ease.

When that assisting cultivator left the Immortal City on a Talisman Bird, he saw it as an opportunity, but upon seeing twenty or thirty late-stage Qi Cultivation disciples traveling together, he found himself unable to act even if he wanted to.

Now the other party has achieved Foundation Establishment, whereas he’s only at the Second Layer Foundation Establishment, and won’t have any more opportunities.

“There will be opportunities for cooperation in the future,” Ji An smiled and took his leave.

After walking a great distance, Li Lingyu said:

“I always felt that the owner of Pang’s Treasure Talisman Shop has a sinister aura, not like a good person.”

…

Treasure Talisman Pavilion.

A maid brought three cups of Spirit Tea, and Yinn Lingsu invited graciously:

“The presence of two fellow Daoists brings glory to our humble shop, please enjoy this cup of ’Green Snail Spring.’

So that’s why Fellow Daoist Ji always had others handle trades in recent years, it was preparation for Foundation Establishment.”

Her gaze lingered on the two across from her, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

Over the years, she had noticed the rise of many young Foundation Establishment stage cultivators in the Golden Spirit Sect, thinking to herself that the sect had signs of prosperity.

For a fellow major power on the Western Continent, a strong ally is beneficial, but if too strong, it may not be a wonderful thing.

The Golden Spirit Sect is currently at a critical stage of nurturing their Spiritual Vein. If they advance their vein to Tier Three, it would certainly threaten the status of Luofeng Valley after any demon disasters.

Li Lingyu picked up her teacup, the Spirit Tea inside as jade green and translucent as an emerald, with a faint fragrance wafting through the room.

She took a small sip and nodded:

“The tea has a delicate fragrance with a sweet aftertaste, truly a good Tier One Upper Grade tea.”

Ji An also raised his teacup and took a sip, agreeing:

“Good tea.”

He never received such treatment on previous trading visits.

After a round of pleasantries, Yinn Lingsu smiled and said:

“Just now, Fellow Daoist Ji mentioned pausing transactions, but your talisman-making skills surely haven’t been neglected. When might you resume business?”

Foundation Establishment cultivators can craft Tier One Upper Grade and Top Grade talismans. Due to the decreasing number of Talisman Makers, high-quality talismans have become even more scarce.

“The exact time is uncertain. Even if transactions resume, I’ll likely continue selling Middle-grade Talismans.”

Ji An shook his head lightly and added:

“Cultivating magic techniques takes time. If one can’t comprehend techniques to a high level, crafted talismans lack power.

Regardless of the time, low-quality talismans are unprofitable, or even a loss.”

“Indeed so,” Yinn Lingsu agreed.

No matter how lucrative an industry may be, if the artisan’s skills are lacking, they won’t survive—it’s quite competitive.

After chatting for a while, Ji An and his companion took their leave.

He went to the sect’s Artifact Refining Shop to buy a Flying Shuttle Magical Artifact, two Spirit Beast Bags, and a larger Storage Bag, as Zhang Yuanshan couldn’t refine these items, leaving no choice but to buy from the sect’s shop.

Given this was within the same sect, he was offered a 5% discount.