Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 180: Chapter 177: Azure Dragon Wood

Spirit light dotted around Ji An, like a sea of stars under the night sky.

Ge Ying let out an imperceptible sigh, feeling a sense of ’comparing oneself to others brings death’. She needed to break through to Late-stage Foundation Establishment to be able to absorb three types of Spiritual Mechanism through her cultivation technique.

She had already tried her best to overestimate the disciple, but still underestimated the other’s potential.

Spiritual Qi and Spiritual Mechanism are two different substances. Nature’s Spiritual Qi is formless and only reveals a misty form when it becomes dense. Absorbing Spiritual Qi is something any Immortal Cultivator can do.

All things have spirit, and this spirit refers to Spiritual Mechanism, which is the latent “Qi” within everything.

The disciple’s ability to absorb three types of Spiritual Mechanism through cultivation technique indicates their understanding of the Cyan Mountain Evergreen Skill has reached a level equal to hers.

Even if there is a gap, it is not far off.

Having such a disciple is a fortunate matter, the only misfortune being that she doesn’t have much to teach the disciple in terms of cultivation technique.

“You can stop now.”

Upon hearing the master’s words, Ji An slowly concluded his cultivation, with a flicker of green in his eyes.

“Before breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage, with your current understanding of the cultivation technique, it is already sufficient.

Your cultivation time in the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment will be shorter, you should be able to catch up with Liu Yu’s pace.”

Ge Ying’s tone carried joy, Liu Yu’s accomplishments in the Fire Element Technique were equally astonishing.

Currently, among her disciples, none have reached Late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Currently, the highest cultivation is by her second disciple Zhu Qinghao, who broke through to the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment five years ago.

Someday, two of the later-entry disciples will be able to surpass, becoming the leaders of the Ningcui Cliff lineage.

In the backdrop of the impending Demon Calamity, having two exceptionally excellent disciples was deeply gratifying.

“Let’s go, I’ll go with you to the secret vault to exchange spiritual objects for refinement.”

Ge Ying spoke as she summoned her Flying Shuttle.

The sect has regulations stipulating that cultivators cannot exchange a large amount of spiritual objects for refinement in a short time, to prevent disciples from hoarding resources.

She personally going, the Junior Martial Uncle in the secret vault should agree.

Ji An was the first to leap into the Flying Shuttle, saying:

“Master, I’ll take the helm.”

…

The sect’s Secret Vault is situated on the waist of the Sunrise Peak, surrounded by various Spirit Wood, many large trees thick enough for several people to embrace.

Ge Ying pointed to the grove, saying:

“See that small path in the woods? When flying, follow above the path, don’t try to cut straight for convenience, or you’ll be dragged to the ground by the Anti-Air Array, there’s a Maze Array inside.

If you accidentally trespass, don’t try to walk out, as blindly rushing will surely trigger the killing formations within the array.

Use your Sect Jade Token to send a rescue signal, then wait in place, remember!”

“Understood, Master, the protection is very tight, that’s good.”

Ji An agreed, he had come to Sunrise Peak once before to participate in mountain combat at Mingfeng, there weren’t so many rules then, it seems the array was not activated that time, or part of its functions were disabled.

Ge Ying smiled slightly, saying:

“The Secret Vault is of significant importance, naturally, the protection is tight.

Lower the altitude, land in the open space before that largest hall’s entrance.”

“Alright,” Ji An controlled the Flying Shuttle for a smooth landing.

The two of them arrived outside the hall, seeing the hall adorned with a plaque, with the prominent words “Treasure Pavilion”.

The plaque had a black background, bordered by gold frames, and the writing was in gold color as well.

Much of the gold lacquer on the frames and letters had waned, seemingly telling tales of time’s passage.

Entering the hall, a waft of wine aroma was immediately noticeable.

Ji An saw Jia Yu sitting beside the desk, sipping Spirit Wine, with a plate of peanuts in front.

On the wall behind him, numerous niches were carved.

Within the niches were boxes of various sizes, pasted with Talismans, sealed with a layer of light, similar to the format in the Inheritance Hall.

Ge Ying stepped forward, clasping her hands courteously:

“Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Jia, my disciple broke through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, today I’ve brought him to exchange spiritual objects for cultivation.”

Ji An also bowed:

“Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle.”

Jia Yu put down his wine cup, laughing:

“Not bad, Little Ge, another disciple breaking through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Young man, hand your Identity Jade Token to me.”

He received the handed Jade Token, placing it on the White Jade Spirit Disc, nodding:

“Truly impressive, fifteen years to reach Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, a promising talent indeed.

Little Ge, you’ve explained the principles of exchanging spiritual objects, haven’t you?”

“Replying to Junior Martial Uncle, it has been explained.”

Jia Yu nodded in response, further saying:

“Then I won’t elaborate further. Cultivating the Evergreen Wood Skill allows exchange of Wood-elemental Spiritual Objects for refinement, currently in stock are Azure Dragon Wood and Cyan Maple Wood.

They’re not much different, but I’d suggest exchanging some of each to try, perhaps a particular Spirit Wood might have special effects on you.”

After speaking, he raised his wine cup and drank deeply.

Ge Ying laughed, saying:

“Junior Martial Uncle, one type of spiritual object isn’t enough.

Ji An needs three types of spiritual objects, Wood, Water, and Earth-elemental Spiritual Objects.”

“Cough, cough.”

Jia Yu abruptly coughed several times, eyes widening:

“Are you serious?”

Cultivators of the Wood Element Technique claiming three types of spiritual objects, he understood the significance clearly.

Considering Ji An’s age, achieving a breakthrough to Late-stage Foundation Establishment is inevitable, and he can even be nurtured as a backup for the Chao Origin Stage.

Ge Ying slightly tilted her head upward, her smile growing wider:

“Of course it’s true, I tested it personally.”

Her tone was calm, yet the pride was unmistakable.

“Bang.”

Jia Yu suddenly slapped the table, causing the wine cups and dishes to bounce.

“Well, Little Ge, you’ve really hit a stroke of luck.

First, Liu Yu, and now Ji An, you’ve accepted two great disciples.”

A few years ago, when Liu Yu came to the Secret Vault to exchange spiritual objects, he also requested three types of spiritual objects, and it was then that he felt hope for prosperity under the Ningcui Cliff lineage.

Among the disciples of Ningcui Cliff, there had never been a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator to take the lead, but now two have emerged, which is a fortunate event.

Jia Yu pondered and said:

“Currently, the Tier Two Lower Grade Water-elemental Spiritual Objects are Jade Wave Water and Trickle Spirit Water, and for Ji An, there’s no significant difference between them, so he can choose either one, while the only Earth-element treasure left is Profound Yellow Soil.”

Both Jade Wave Water and Trickle Spirit Water are spiritual objects of the Dao of Gui Water, and since Ji An doesn’t cultivate the Water Element Technique, the difference in effectiveness between the two spirit waters can be disregarded.

After a brief consideration, Ge Ying said:

“We will exchange for Azure Dragon Wood, Cyan Maple Wood, Jade Wave Water, and Profound Yellow Soil.

The Wood Element, Water Element, and Earth Element spiritual objects will be supplied in a 6:3:1 ratio.

Junior Martial Uncle, can we directly exchange for a year’s worth?”

Jia Yu nodded slightly and said:

“If you’re willing to invest in your disciples, of course, you can.”

Exchanging Tier Two Spiritual Objects requires Contribution Points and Small Merit.

Small Merit can be earned by completing specific tasks or submitting Tier Two Spiritual Objects.

Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators usually don’t have much Small Merit, though the sect allows disciples to owe Small Merit, but only for the first three years after their breakthrough.

Ge Ying smiled and said:

“Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, I’ll cover the Small Merit needed for the exchange, and Ji An will contribute the Contribution Points himself.”

This had been agreed upon long ago; she had exchanged the Tier Two Materials harvested by her disciples from Red Flame Peak for thousands of Small Merits and several hundred Great Merits, which would eventually be spent on the disciples.

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

Jia Yu scratched his head, noting that Ji An’s Jade Token contained over six hundred Small Merits, richer than many disciples who just entered the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

He sighed inwardly, realizing that Ji An was deeply favored by his master; nonetheless, having such a disciple would also be worth the investment to promote faster growth.

Jia Yu performed a spell, and a portion of the wall behind him sank into the wall and then split to the sides, revealing a smooth gray stone wall.

The stone shimmered for a moment and then disappeared completely, actually transformed by a Mimic Array.

Jia Yu entered the Secret Vault, and after another flash of light and shadow, the gray stone wall reappeared.

In the brief moment when the door opened, Ji An sensed a unique fluctuation of Earth-element Spirit Power flickering.

Ji An grinned, thinking to himself:

’Turns out the items in the niches outside are just for show.’

Ge Ying covered her mouth and chuckled, saying:

“The first time I saw this scene, my expression was exactly the same as yours now.”

Ji An laughed:

“Are all the boxes in the niches empty?”

“Not empty, but the amount of spiritual objects stored inside is too little for our exchange.”

After a moment, Jia Yu stepped out, placing four boxes on the table and saying:

“The quantities of Azure Dragon Wood and Cyan Maple Wood are equal, so you can verify them—three hundred sixty Small Merits and six thousand Contribution Points in total.”

He paused, then laughed:

“Kid, having a deep understanding of Cultivation Techniques and faster cultivation progress increases consumption on spiritual object exchanges, so you need to start earning more Small Merits.”

Without some wealth, one cannot support such a huge expenditure; in his view, Ge Ying won’t be able to assist forever.

Ji An handed over his Identity Jade Token, examining the amount of spiritual objects with a smile:

“No worries, Red Flame Peak currently has twelve Tier Two Lower Grade Red Cloud Pines, starting this year we can submit spiritual objects to the Secret Vault.

Additionally, there are over ten Tier Two Lower Grade Clear Spirit Bamboos, which can be chopped down and exchanged if we’re short on Small Merits.”

Having Tier Two Resources on hand, he expressed no concern.

Once the Small Merit held by his master runs out, the Tier Two Spiritual Object production from Red Flame Peak should sufficiently cover the consumption from exchanges.

Jia Yu’s eyes lit up, praising:

“Good job, kid, truly wonderful—Spirit Farmers capable of cultivating Tier Two Spirit Plants have genuinely made it through.

Later, brew some Tier Two Pine Nut Wine and send it over; you’ll be sure to reap benefits.”

Tier Two Spirit Wine is considered a luxury, even he does not indulge every day.

“No problem, I’ll send over a few jars at that time.

Just to be clear, it’s a token of respect for Junior Martial Uncle, no need for any benefits in return.”

“Haha,” Jia Yu laughed heartily.

Ge Ying’s eyes sparkled with insight, saying:

“Since you’ve managed to cultivate Tier Two Clear Spirit Bamboo, why not try planting a few Azure Dragon Woods? This type of Spirit Wood can be cultivated to Tier Two Middle Grade, and perhaps even to Top-grade.”

She was also a Spirit Farmer, understanding the extent of cultivating Clear Spirit Bamboo to Tier Two quantity, yet considering her disciple’s talent in Planting Techniques, she found it logical.

With this disciple’s capability, cultivating Tier Two Lower Grade Azure Dragon Wood likely wouldn’t even take a decade, assuring he wouldn’t lack Small Merits in the future.

“Thank you for the guidance, Master, that’s exactly my intention. Are Azure Dragon Wood seeds exchanged from the Secret Vault?”

Ji An said, eager to cultivate higher-grade Spirit Wood to better showcase his abilities.

“Exchange seeds from Diligence Hall; you should head back now. Junior Martial Uncle Jia and I have matters to discuss.”