Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 163: Chapter 160: Return

The setting sun was resplendent, like a whole mountain of red leaves reflecting in the sky.

A giant flying ship activated its spiritual energy shield and slowly took off.

On the deck, numerous spirit plants were fixed, decorating the area like a medicinal garden.

Clods of earth wrapped around the roots of the spirit plants were covered with Sealing Spirit Talismans, each one shimmering with spirit light.

Han Qingshan gazed at the diminishing Mingfeng Mountain and smiled:

“It’s finally over. Nothing beats being at ease within the sect.”

Although he only participated in the battle for one day, he found the intense stimulation unbearable.

Ji An pressed his temples with his hand and said:

“Indeed, being in the sect is relaxing. There’s no need for life-and-death struggles with demon beasts.

But speaking of which, we can’t always avoid fighting demon beasts in the future, Senior Brother should also appropriately enhance your magical combat abilities.”

The eruption of demon calamities is unavoidable; no cultivator can afford to harbor a fluke mentality.

“I understand that. I’ll purchase attack magical artifacts and practice one or two magical combat techniques to compensate for my shortcomings as much as possible.”

Ji An nodded slightly and added:

“During magical combat, magical artifacts and techniques are one aspect, and combat instinct is another. Senior Brother might want to practice with some Qi Refining Stage demon beasts.”

Seeing the other party having this intention, he said a few more words.

In his view, overcoming the emotion of fear is crucial in combat, as maintaining calmness in dangerous situations allows one to exert their combat power to a greater extent.

“Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother,” Han Qingshan scratched his head and added:

“How is it that you, Senior Brother, are also a spirit farmer and yet so experienced in magical combat?”

Not only was the other adept at planting techniques, but he also mastered the artful Bursting Fireball, and he was even a Talisman Maker capable of crafting top-grade talismans.

Such a spirit farmer was probably unique in the sect, and what’s more, the other was very young.

He learned in conversation that the other was at Foundation Establishment for just over a decade, a rarity for such qualities to appear in a young spirit farmer.

Ji An said nothing, his divine sense quickly submerged into the dantian, glimpsing the dimly shimmering spirit light of the Stone Turtle, he smiled.

“Recently, my divine sense has been overly strained, I’m still feeling unwell, so I’m going back to the cabin to rest.”

“I’ll head back too, I haven’t slept well these days, tonight I’ll sleep early.”

There were considerably fewer cultivators on the return journey of the flying ship, allowing everyone their own cabin.

This flying ship was piloted by Junior Martial Uncle Jia Yu, its speed comparable to the flying escape of a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, Ji An was unconcerned about safety.

Upon returning to the cabin, he swallowed a Fasting Pill and laid down to sleep.

…

“Arrived at the sect, everyone come out to transport the spirit plants.”

In a daze, Ji An was startled awake by the penetrating voice of Junior Martial Uncle Jia.

It took him a few seconds to realize, had he returned to the sect already?

On the way to Mingfeng Mountain, the flying ship had been flying with full speed for two days and nights.

Ji An hadn’t expected to have slept so long, he gestured a spell to release the Small Cloud Rain Technique.

A cloud the size of a human head rolled and showered spirit rain, he scooped it with both hands to wash his face.

Upon waking, the pain from the excessive depletion of divine sense subsided by about seventy to eighty percent, greatly invigorating his spirit.

Ji An gestured another spell to release the Bursting Fireball, with rain falling on the fireball’s surface, the flames blazed with renewed brightness.

The cloud soon dissipated under the steam of fire, Ji An calmly left the cabin and stepped onto the deck.

He saw the flying ship hovering above the Diligence Hall of Lingxiao Mountain, with many spiritual plants already transported down.

Jia Yu glanced his way, feigning anger:

“You little rascal, daring to slack off.

I wondered why it felt like someone was missing, hurry up and get to work!”

Ji An grinned and winced:

“It’s a misunderstanding, Junior Martial Uncle! I drafted a thousand Sealing Spirit Talismans over ten consecutive days, exhausting my divine sense, which is why I slept so deeply.”

He offered this explanation and immediately employed the Object Control Technique to begin transporting the spirit plants.

Jia Yu smiled faintly as he took to Qi Flight, departing the flying ship.

Object Control Technique is the most frequently used magic technique by cultivators; for most Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, moving five to six hundred pounds with magic techniques poses no challenge.

In less than half a quarter hour, all spirit plants were moved off the flying ship and taken by disciples from the various medicinal gardens.

Disciples of the Diligence Hall set up several tables outside the main hall to distribute contribution points to the returning cultivators. Spirit farmers completed their tasks and left one by one.

Ye Changqing smiled as he handed over a jade token, saying:

“Junior Brother Ji, not bad!

After just over half a month out, you effortlessly earned over thirty thousand contribution points and fifty small merits.

Most other spirit farmers barely managed ten thousand points.”

This outcome surprised him, the gap was too stark.

This was a combat mission, and for the other party to earn so many contribution points, they should match some frontline combat cultivators.

Ji An tapped his finger on his temple:

“Ten days, a thousand Sealing Spirit Talismans, and my head is still throbbing.”

Every contribution point earned came from sheer effort.

Ye Changqing laughed loudly:

“Those capable do more work.”

Ji An placed his hand on the table, leaned forward, and smiled:

“Senior Brother, there are over forty adult Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo, can you exchange a few bamboo shoots with me?”

The growth potential of the Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo even surpasses the Spiritual Peach given by the master, making it ideal for forging good relations with high-tier Artifact Refiners in the future.

Ye Changqing pondered:

“With your capabilities, Junior Brother, you can plant a few Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo, but on one condition, should the sect’s Artifact Refiners seek bamboo leaves, you must prioritize their needs.”

Tier Two spiritual objects must be stockpiled as strategic resources, with the sect’s secret vault enriched, disciples’ cohesion strengthens.

“No problem, my goal in planting Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo is to supply the sect’s Artifact Refiners.”

Ji An zealously promised, noting the sect’s two main pillars, Beast Taming and Artifact Refining.

Spirit plants like Jade Leaf Mulberry supply the Beast Taming Hall, while Iron Birch Wood and Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo supply the Artifact Refining Hall; the Red Flame Peak’s industry chain truly gained scale.

He was striving to cultivate his indispensability; once he could stably produce Tier Two spiritual objects, he’d have made his mark.

Ye Changqing stretched out his palm and said:

“The mature Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo will be transplanted to the Sect’s Medicinal Garden. Junior Brother can exchange for five bamboo shoots, each for two thousand Contribution Points.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother. In a few years, Junior Martial Uncle Jia, who oversees the Secret Vault, will receive the bamboo leaves I submit.”

Ji An handed over the Jade Token to the other party; transactions must be recorded.

“What bamboo leaves?”

Jia Yu happened to hear while walking out of the hall and asked, accompanied by the Diligence Hall’s Hall Master, Zhang Zizhao.

Ji An replied:

“Leaves of the Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo.”

“The Sect’s Secret Vault contains Tier Two Resources; you youngster still need to work harder.”

“Hehe, I’ve already cultivated Tier Two Lower Grade Red Cloud Pine. In a few months, I can submit some higher-quality pine nuts.”

Ji An boasted, seeking a sense of presence in front of the sect’s Elders.

Jia Yu’s eyes lit up:

“Not bad, keep the pine nuts and brew several vats of Tier Two Pine Nut Wine when you accumulate enough!”

He preferred pine nut wine over roasted pine nuts.

…

Ji An summoned the Flying Shuttle, changed the Spirit Stone, and returned quickly to Red Flame Peak.

The sky resembled a burning furnace, draping a glow over the mountains.

He returned to Red Flame Peak before the last glow faded, landing near the Copper Patterned Mulberry Field.

“What a pity.”

Ji An sighed, activated a Spell to cast Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, then uprooted several Copper Patterned Mulberries and planted Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo.

He never wasted a cultivable inch of land, and there was no extra space left for Spiritual Bamboo here.

A crescent moon quietly emerged, and Ji An flew back to the Cold Pool under the moonlight.

Luminous Beads hung outside the stone house, their gentle light mingling with the moonlight, making it appear brighter.

A few of Liang Hill’s men approached and congratulated together:

“Congratulations on your safe return, Junior Martial Uncle!”

Just a few days ago, Zeng Rui returned, telling them Junior Martial Uncle would soon be back. They did not expect to wait so many days.

Everyone’s hearts became anxious, worried about mishaps.

“Haha, no need for formalities. Quickly prepare Spirit Wine and Spiritual Food; the food outside is terribly poor.”

For days, he either took Fasting Pills or ate boiled wolf meat, his mouth devoid of flavor.

Liang Hill clasped his hands and smiled:

“Junior Martial Uncle, please wait, I’ll prepare.

Yu Han, go find two bamboo shoots.

Yu Lian, take out some dried meat and pine nuts.”

The three busied themselves, while Ji An released the Beast from the Spirit Beast Bag.

Golden Fur squeaked, ran towards the underground cave, and the grey-feathered sand geese shrieked and leaped into the Cold Pool.

Ji An sat on the stone stool and asked:

“Has Red Flame Peak been peaceful lately?”

Huang Feihu nodded slightly:

“I patrol the forests daily and found that near the Tier Two Red Cloud Pine, two Spirit Woods have begun to be affected.”

Ji An frowned slightly and said:

“After harvesting this year’s pinecones, cut down the affected Spirit Woods.

In the future, if this happens again, handle it according to this plan.”

High-tier Spirit Woods naturally need more space to survive, and only some weeds requiring minimal nutrients could grow near them.

A quarter hour passed, Xia Yuhuan started bringing up the first hot dish.

Ji An drank Spirit Wine, delightedly enjoying himself. After being satiated with food and drink, he activated a Communication Talisman Sword to report safety to his master.

He didn’t patrol the forest as before but instead cultivated by the mulberry field near the water pool for half an hour, then returned to his grotto mansion early to sleep.

…

Half a month later, Cyan Cloud Immortal City posted numerous notices, immediately sparking widespread discussion among cultivators.

In a small marketplace dozens of miles outside the Immortal City, loose cultivators unable to afford residence in the Immortal City gathered here.

“Hey, Old Zhang! Heard the news? The three Major Sects acquired a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Vein at Mingfeng Mountain in the Ten Thousand Mountains and are now selling shops and grotto mansions.

The current price is only eighty percent of that in Cyan Cloud Immortal City!”

“What’s the use; even if it’s only fifty percent, I can’t afford it!

Old Liu, you’re so pleased, can you afford it?”

Old Zhang scoffed, having acquired skills as a Talisman Maker, painstakingly saving for thirty years with no more than two thousand Spirit Stones after cultivation and savings.

He could buy a regular grotto mansion but needed to save his Spirit Stones for big plans.

Old Liu, with a sly demeanor, leaned in mysteriously smiling:

“You’re not interested in shops and grotto mansions, but there’s something you’ll be interested in!

Three months later, Mingfeng Mountain will hold an auction, offering fifty Foundation Establishment Pills, with bidding starting at only one thousand Spirit Stones.”

“So many Foundation Establishment Pills?!”

Old Zhang stood up abruptly. A few years ago, he reached Ninth-layer Qi Refining Perfection and had been seeking ways to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills.

Cyan Cloud Immortal City holds an annual auction for Foundation Establishment Pills, but only three to five pills each time.

He opened his mouth, then sat down dejectedly. Even a hundred Foundation Establishment Pills would be out of his reach against clan cultivators.

“Fifty pills still won’t be my turn.”

“What if it’s fifty pills every year?”

Old Zhang widened his eyes: “Impossible!”

Fifty pills every year, what a joke!

“For the first three years, fifty Foundation Establishment Pills annually; thereafter, ten pills each year.

And the Pill shops established by various sects will also sell Foundation Establishment Pills refined using Demon Cores.”