Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 127: Chapter 124: Summons from the Law Enforcement Hall

Seeing the stern expression on his master’s face, Ji An’s heart was filled with dread.

Some things don’t weigh much without a scale, but once on, they can weigh a thousand pounds without stopping.

The eruption of the Earth Lung Fire Vein brought spiritual objects, which by rights belong to the Sect, not him.

If he had reported it to the Sect when he first discovered it, the Sect probably wouldn’t have confiscated his gains and might even have rewarded him. However, the benefits thereafter would have nothing to do with him, and perhaps they could even pursue the Chen Clan’s responsibility.

Now that things have reached this point, he doesn’t know if it can be remedied.

Ge Ying did not rush him, waiting for the disciple to confess on his own.

At this moment, she was puzzled about where the disciple obtained these things. According to Li Lingyu, some alchemists referred to him as the ’Stone Turtle Cultivator.’

No matter the hardships outside, he remained unmoved, never leaving Red Flame Peak.

Ji An calmed his mind and recounted the cause and process of the situation:

“After moving into the Grotto Mansion, after the eruption of Red Flame Peak at night, disciple… these spiritual objects were all obtained after the volcanic eruption.

Now that I think about it, it’s all due to an insatiable greed in my heart, leading to such a mistake. I am hesitating about how to report to the Sect, and when to report to the Sect.”

He did not embellish anything, merely told the general facts.

Ge Ying’s expression turned somber, and she spoke slowly:

“If you had reported the spiritual objects after your first harvest, the Sect would have given you great rewards.

The matter has been ten years, and you have made a taboo by doing so.

Involving Tier Two Top-grade Spiritual Objects, such high-tier resources, reporting to the Sect will inevitably bring inquiries.

If the Sect finds out that you have hidden it for so many years, it will be difficult to be considered a true core to cultivate, and you may even be sent to the mines for years of labor.

I need to think carefully about how best to handle this.”

The two fell into silence, only the buzzing sound of bees flapping wings could be heard.

Ji An felt his heart torment, the air seemed to grow heavy, and the loss would be too great if expelled from Red Flame Peak.

Ge Ying suddenly lifted her head, her furrowed brows slightly relaxed:

“When I first broke through the Foundation Establishment Stage, Red Flame Peak rarely erupted, but it has erupted repeatedly these years. Do you know why?”

“I do not know.”

“Decades ago, the Sect was at a critical moment in the cultivation of Spiritual Veins. Changes in Spiritual Mechanism of the main vein affected the branches.

As Red Flame Peak is a place where multiple Earth Veins converge, the clash of Spiritual Mechanism is more intense.

If I’m not wrong, once the Spiritual Mechanism stabilizes, Red Flame Peak will return to its former state of occasional eruptions once in a while, likely without spiritual objects gushing out during eruptions.”

Does this mean if I don’t speak of this today, in a few years, it’ll pass automatically?

Ji An was speechless, scratching his scalp a few times.

Ge Ying’s eyes were deep, her voice calm and unwavering:

“Now, what do you plan to do?”

“Report to the Sect, no matter the outcome, I accept it.”

Ji An could sense how deep his master’s feelings were for the Sect. The matter was already revealed, and there was no backing down now.

Ge Ying snorted coldly, walked a few steps forward with her hands behind her, and said solemnly:

“In our cultivation, besides focusing on the improvement of cultivation, we must also adhere to our original mind. Sometimes one wrong step is a fall into an abyss.

Once this matter is resolved, go back and reflect deeply.”

“Thank you, Master,” Ji An sighed; what had he pursued all these years?

The two began to discuss matters concerning planting, Ji An responding fluently to his master’s questions.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and the sky gradually darkened.

Pointing to the old tree, Ge Ying spoke with a slight sadness:

“This Tier Two Top-grade Spiritual Peach tree has been over two thousand years old, like me, its life is nearing its end.

It might bear fruit one more time before slowly withering.”

“Tier Two Top-grade Spiritual Peach has considerable effects on Chao Origin Stage cultivators practicing Fire and Wood Attribute Techniques. They can gain insights into the Dao of Wood and Fire Mutual Generation.

If it withers, the Sect will lose some of its foundation.”

“Beside it is one that has reached Tier Two Upper Grade level, but I don’t know if I have the ability to cultivate it to Tier Two Top-grade.”

She has resided at Ningcui Cliff for over a hundred years, putting much effort into these two spiritual trees.

Life and death have their rules; her ability was insufficient to save herself entering old age, nor could she save the spiritual tree about to wither away.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, she would ask herself if there truly was Evergreen wood, and if cultivation had an endpoint.

Ji An smiled slightly and said:

“With Master’s planting expertise, as long as this Spiritual Peach has the potential for Tier Two Top-grade, it will surely be cultivated to Top-grade level.”

“You’re good with words; if only you were a bit more reliable in action.”

“This matter I will keep in my heart and reflect daily.”

By now, Ji An had already reached a state of peace, accepting what cannot be changed, using past actions to caution himself but not regretting previous choices.

No matter when or who, one can only grasp the present.

The sky had fully darkened, the bright moon yet to rise, stars dazzling like an ocean of light.

Ge Ying nodded slightly and said:

“Among the Sect’s high-tier Spirit Farmers, only Lin Mao and I have the ability to cultivate these two spiritual trees.

After I ascend, Lin Mao will likely take over Ningcui Cliff.

By then, Junior Brother Lin would be about a hundred and eighty years old, with only sixty to seventy years of life left. I think you will fully have the ability to take his place in the future.”

Ji An solemnly replied:

“If I have the ability, I will be duty-bound.”

…

The two of them emerged from the medicinal garden, and the maid gracefully stepped forward, holding a golden talisman sword:

“Uncle Master, the Communication Golden Sword sent by the sect.”

Whether it’s a Communication Talisman Sword or a Communication Golden Sword, both require the corresponding magical mark to open. If forced open, the information inside the sword will self-destruct.

Ge Ying took the talisman sword and probed into it with her divine sense, her expression changing unpredictably.

After a silent pause, she turned her head and asked:

“How long until the next eruption of Red Flame Peak?”

Confused by the question out of the blue, Ji An replied:

“About three months.”

“I must say, you’re quite lucky. Tomorrow I’ll accompany you back.”

Ji An didn’t know what was happening, and his master didn’t elaborate, so he didn’t ask.

…

The next day, Ji An carried his master and returned to Red Flame Peak using the Flying Shuttle.

He made a spell gesture to open the portal and landed by the Cold Pool.

“Master, please sit first while I order some spiritual food to be prepared.”

Ge Ying waved her hand, saying:

“No need to sit, accompany me for a walk around.”

She wanted to inspect how well her disciple had cultivated the Spirit Wood.

“Alright, I had planned to show Master around after the meal,”

Ji An agreed, and then saw Liang Hill running over with a Communication Golden Sword in hand:

“Uncle Master, the Communication Talisman Sword sent last evening.”

Reaching out, Ji An nodded slightly:

“Understood, Fellow Daoist Liang, please prepare a table of spiritual food using as much of our locally produced ingredients as possible. I need to entertain Master.”

“As you command,” Liang Hill gave a respectful bow and withdrew.

Ji An probed the talisman sword with his divine sense, finding the information from the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall:

’In three days, each peak and hall will open their magic arrays and guard the portals. Do not panic at any disturbance.’

Once Liang Hill was out of earshot, Ge Ying asked with surprise:

“You call this disciple ’Daoist’, why?”

Ji An cleared his throat and laughed:

“Fellow Daoist Liang and I met when we were just starting, during our work at Jade Water Lake planting spirit fields, where he excelled in breeding Spirit Fish.

After moving to Red Flame Peak, I contracted the entire mountain. Here lies a Cold Pool requiring care, so I invited him to breed Spirit Fish.

It’s not just him, there’s Fellow Daoist Huang Feihu as well, whom I met at Jade Water Lake. I invited him to help managing chores and planting spirit fields.”

Ge Ying nodded lightly, recognizing her disciple’s loyalty as a virtue.

“Master, shall we walk around the Cold Pool first, and then take the Flying Shuttle around Red Flame Peak? What do you think?”

Ji An understood his master’s intention for the walk, which fitted his plan to showcase his skills.

“Let’s do that.”

Walking together, Ji An began sharing his cultivation insights from over the years.

After inspecting the Spirit Medicine, he summoned the Flying Shuttle to slowly fly around Red Flame Peak.

“This patch of Red Cloud Pine, I left thirty acres uncut, using pinecones from old pines to roast the pine nuts.”

While controlling the Flying Shuttle, he performed a spell gesture, fully deploying the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, scattering a rain of light like a beautiful dream.

Daytime isn’t the best time to cast spells, but now it was to showcase his ’muscles’, to gain further recognition from the master for a favorable report to the sect regarding Red Flame Peak.

Ge Ying’s expression briefly changed, judging from the magical power wave and the abundant spiritual mechanism, her disciple’s magic cultivation had reached the Perfection Level.

This progress speed is remarkable, far exceeding what a Foundation Establishment spirit farmer of ten years could achieve, surpassing even her own past achievements.

She knew her disciple’s comprehension of Water and Earth Element Magic, but didn’t expect such strong insights into Wood Element as well.

Choosing Wood Element techniques and not wasting his talent, it seemed after Foundation Establishment, he dedicated most of his time to practicing the Jade Wood Transformation Skill.

She faintly praised: “Good mastery of spells.”

“Hehe, Master, please continue to enjoy my performance.”

Ji An lowered the Flying Shuttle, performed the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, the gentle yellow spirit light gleaming under the sun.

’What, Perfection Level of the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell?!’

Ge Ying was astounded, unable to maintain her composure. Her talent for planting was impressive, but in terms of mastery over planting techniques, her disciple surpassed her entirely.

Ji An sped the Flying Shuttle forward, continually introducing the condition of different patches of Spirit Wood, occasionally casting spells.

Returning near the Cold Pool after circling the peak, he mentioned:

“During the day, the spiritual mechanism is intense, requiring more care for these Clear Spirit Bamboo.”

Saying this, he performed transformations with his magic seal, casting the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill.

A cloud of mist quickly spread, myriad crystalline rain lines hung down, the gentle spiritual mechanism dispersed, breaking through the encroaching Gold and Fire Spirit Mechanism.

’Perfection Level of the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill!’

For many Foundation Establishment Spirit Farmers, achieving a Perfection Level in one of the three planting techniques that speed up the growth of Spirit Medicine is rare, yet the disciple achieved it in ten years across all three.

The disparity between people, how can it be so vast?

At this moment, Ge Ying felt the world was somewhat surreal.