Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 195: Chapter 192: Testing the Cadres

“For the past few years, the Law Enforcement Hall has been expanding in size, absorbing a large number of disciples with experience in demon hunting.

The major sects are taking the lead in consolidating the powers of cultivation clans, forming a high-mobility team of cultivators to counter the demon cultivators entering the heartland of the Human Race.

Junior brothers and sisters, when the demon calamity fully erupts, the days of enjoying peace within the sect will be over; you cannot neglect your magical combat abilities.

When the time comes, the Three Sects will undoubtedly strive to stabilize the Mingfeng Mountain area and the surrounding regions of the sect.

Relying solely on the power of the Law Enforcement Hall cultivators from each sect is far from sufficient; no one will be exempt from being summoned to carry out tasks.”

Liu Yu said sincerely, under the overturned nest, no egg is left intact; once the war enters the white-hot stage, every bit of strength must be utilized.

The cheerful atmosphere of the banquet became heavy. Ji An thought that he has been in the sect for almost thirty years, and the demon calamity would explode at the latest in twenty or so years.

What could be done in twenty years?

Ji An mentioned he could break through to the late-stage Foundation Establishment and hone all his mastered magic techniques to perfection.

During the Refining Essence and Qi stage, the key factors for a cultivator to enhance their cultivation are aptitude and resources; his aptitude is steadily improving, and resources are ample, so there is little hindrance before reaching Foundation Establishment Stage Perfection.

Mu Qingwan said:

“I spend half an hour every day practicing magic techniques. I’ve now practiced the Explosive Flame Technique to the perfect level, the Bursting Fireball to great success, and I’ve chosen the Pan Mountain Technique as my defense magic, at only minor achievement level.”

She understood very well that when war comes, the power she masters herself is the most reliable.

Liu Yu nodded slightly and smiled, saying:

“Very good, both the Explosive Flame Technique and Bursting Fireball focus on the Path of Bing Fire; practicing them together can be mutually referential.

Junior sister’s cultivation of the Crimson Fire and Red Cloud Skill leans towards Ding Fire; practicing Bing Fire techniques might bring additional gains.

If you could prepare a spiritual artifact, that would be even better; at least prepare a top-grade magical artifact, preferably one for both attack and defense.”

Mu Qingwan sweetly smiled:

“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother; I will start preparing.”

Li Lingyu looked somewhat serious and said:

“I’m so envious of you two. I chose Wood Element technique, which excels in healing and control, both of which make my attack and defense less strong.

Even if I practice the Bursting Fireball attack technique to the same level as you, its power is somewhat weaker.”

She focused on practicing Entanglement Technique, All Grass and Trees Are Soldiers, and Rejuvenation Technique, positioning herself as a combat support.

The Rejuvenation Technique reached perfection level, while the other two techniques are at minor achievement level.

Additionally practiced Bursting Fireball and Pan Mountain Technique, both at minor achievement level.

Liu Yu commented:

“Junior sister can make up for the lack of attack power with magical artifacts and talismans; Junior Brother Ji can create top-grade Bursting Talismans, which you deserve to have.”

“Top-grade Bursting Talismans? When did Junior Brother Ji come up with such good stuff without letting everyone know?”

Li Lingyu shouted, deeply worried about her need for stronger attacks, preparing to purchase a defensive spiritual artifact.

If she could have a dozen top-grade Bursting Talismans, she’d feel much more at ease.

Ji An coughed lightly and said:

“In a few years, I will gift each of the fellow senior brother and sister two Bursting Talismans. Right now, aside from Senior Brother Liu, they are of little use to you all.

I can also craft top-grade Talisman Soldiers, equivalent to mid-stage Foundation Establishment Body Cultivators.

Daily nurturing with magical power could enhance the soldiers’ might.

If nurtured long enough, it might even be possible to develop them into late-stage Foundation Establishment Talisman Soldiers.”

“I want one; how many spirit stones?”

“Me too.”

Liu Yu already had one, and the other three began to request purchase.

“You all have to wait; if I have suitable materials, I’ll create them for everyone.

Five hundred spirit stones a piece, at cost price, honesty to all, young and old.”

Du Huaiyuan said:

“Junior brother, you must have stock in hand; why not sell us one?”

Ji An opened his mouth to explain:

“Senior brother doesn’t know; the top-grade Talisman Soldiers in my hand have already been nurtured.

Talisman Soldiers tainted by different people’s magical power aura not only would not increase their might when nurtured, but would decrease it.”

The few top-grade Talisman Soldiers in his hand have undergone years of nurturing, and one of them has reached late-stage Foundation Establishment level.

“Is there such a saying, haha, I’m not a talisman maker, ignorant as a frog in a well.”

Du Huaiyuan laughed awkwardly a few times and shifted topics:

“Senior Brother Liu, why don’t you guide us, so we can help everyone accumulate some real combat experience.”

Liu Yu nodded, smiling:

“Of course, we can start after lunch.”

Ji An waved his hand and said:

“We brothers haven’t seen each other for a long time, we need a good chat.

Let’s just enjoy the banquet today, and spar in magical combat tomorrow.”

“Junior Brother Ji speaks well, I agree.”

Du Huaiyuan immediately continued; matters of magical combat, what could be more important than drinking.

…

The banquet lasted until five in the afternoon, by then everyone was mildly intoxicated, each returning to the guest room to rest.

Ji An arrived near the Azure Dragon Wood, activated his cultivation method to refine the spirit wine, soon restored clarity.

The silent moon and the evening wind swept through, the mulberry field stirred like ten thousand acres of blue waves.

Ji An activated the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, green “Spirit Rain” scattered.

Within the sect, the shortage of Azure Dragon Wood has emerged; he wanted to cultivate Tier Two Spirit Wood quickly for personal use.

As the rain dispersed, yellow spirit light appeared in the spirit field, followed by large swaths of white mist; the nourishing rainwater hit the leaves of the spirit plants, making a crisp sound.

In the guest rooms, Du Huaiyuan slept soundly, Li Lingyu, after refining spirit wine, went to the Clear Spirit Bamboo Forest for cultivation, while the other two sat cross-legged on their room’s pudun and also began their cultivation.

…

Ji An finished his spell and returned to the mountainside, finding two figures lingering at the entrance of the grotto mansion, he shouted sternly:

“Who’s there?”

“Junior Uncle, it’s Yuhan (Yulian), we have something to discuss with Junior Uncle.”

The figures were Xia Yuhuan and Xia Yulian sisters, who came together seeing Junior Uncle had been drinking all afternoon.

“What is it?”

Ji An was puzzled; what matter was so urgent for them to come and discuss in the middle of the night.

As he approached, he could see the outfit of the two sisters clearly.

Veiled in light gauze, revealing graceful curves, the moonlight adds a touch of hazy allure.

Is this a test for the cadre?

Ji An said nothing, his eyes held a playful glint.

Feeling his intrusive gaze, the two sisters, already somewhat shy, felt their faces burn and murmured:

“Junior Martial Uncle.”

“Put on your clothes and then come in to talk to me.”

Ji An imperceptibly shook his head; though he could see in the dark, it was not daytime, so vision was not very clear.

Before the Chao Origin Stage, he didn’t intend to lose his Primordial Yang, so he had to endure.

He formed a spell to open the grotto mansion’s door and entered first.

Xia Yuhuan hurriedly fetched a storage bag from beneath the Red Cloud Pine, draped a Daoist robe, and whispered:

“So embarrassing, what now?”

They intended to borrow spirit stones to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, so that they’d be ready once they reached the perfection of the Qi Refining Stage, avoiding wasted time waiting.

If Junior Martial Uncle truly showed interest and kept them as concubines, they wouldn’t only get Foundation Establishment Pills; they’d also not worry about cultivation resources post-Foundation Establishment.

Xia Yu Lian donned her Daoist robe, braced herself and said:

“Enter as instructed by Junior Martial Uncle; he didn’t drive us away at first, so there’s hope.”

Her heart was also pounding, her voice sounding slightly different than usual.

The two entered the grotto mansion, the luminous bead lighting their faces, showing them rosy red.

They hadn’t been in the grotto mansion before, but its structure was simple; following the passage to the innermost area, they saw Ji An meditating on a pudun.

“Junior Martial Uncle!”

The two sisters bowed deeply, daring not to lift their heads.

“Speak, what matters do you wish to discuss?”

“We wish to borrow spirit stones from Junior Martial Uncle to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, but fear Junior Martial Uncle won’t agree, so…”

Xia Yuhuan’s voice grew increasingly low, feeling her face heat and ears burn, wishing for a crack to hide in.

Ji An paused for a moment, then said:

“You indeed need to prepare for Foundation Establishment; how much do you want to borrow?”

At the ninth layer of Qi Refining, they do indeed need to prepare Foundation Establishment Pills.

Xia Yuhuan’s heart lifted with joy, she said:

“Each of us wishes to borrow two thousand spirit stones.”

Judging by Junior Martial Uncle’s tone, there’s a chance.

If they could borrow, combined with her existing spirit stones and accumulated contribution points, it would be enough.

Ji An took out forty spirit stones, and said gravely:

“You can repay the spirit stones after Foundation Establishment. The matters of today are past.”

“Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for your great kindness. Disciples will never forget it.”

“Leave now, continue your usual duties henceforth.”

Xia Yuhuan and her sister thanked profusely as they left, while Ji An retrieved tea seeds and cast the Evergreen Wood Skill.

Vibrant green light points continuously merged into the seeds until they couldn’t absorb anymore.

The life force is strong; it can be planted by tomorrow!

Ji An felt satisfied inside, as the increasing variety of spirit wood on Red Flame Peak filled him with confidence.

While the Soul Nourishing Wood can’t be expected in the short term, the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree can be anticipated.

He stored the spirit seeds, calmed himself before taking a Cyan Lotus Pill, and began to circulate his cultivation method.

With the circulation of the Evergreen Wood Skill, a burgeoning spring atmosphere appeared in the grotto mansion, as if thousands of trees were sprouting.

…

In the morning, Liu Yu wasn’t cultivating his method; the Fiery Sun Melting Furnace Scroll was best cultivated after the sun rose.

He flew to a secluded area and began practicing techniques.

The Bursting Fireball had reached its zenith in his practice; he was now practicing earth element magic: Pan Mountain Technique, Quicksand Technique, and Earth Rock Burst.

After the demon calamity erupted, most demon beasts faced were land beasts, and earth element magic held the advantage of concealment.

Li Lingyu entered the bamboo forest for cultivation, while Mu Qingwan meditated inside her house.

Late morning, Du Huaiyuan awoke from his deep sleep and stepped out to see the waiting maid outside, but didn’t see anyone else, asking:

“Where have they gone?”

Xia Yuhuan slightly lowered her head, and smiled:

“Replying to Junior Martial Uncle Du, several Junior Martial Uncles went to Red Flame Peak for magical combat sparring.”

“Everyone’s so industrious, hurry for breakfast, I’ll eat something and then join them.”

…

While Du Huaiyuan breakfasted, Ji An searched for a spot to plant tea trees.

Finally, he chose to plant tea trees near the cold pool in the mulberry field.

This area bordered the water vein, and with the surrounding mulberry tree protection, the gold and fire spirit mechanism was faint.

Ji An marked a region, instructed:

“Huang Xuan, Li Cheng, clear-cut all spiritual mulberry in this region, dig up the roots, and burn them in the center.”

“Junior Martial Uncle, it’s such a pity; these are top-grade spiritual mulberry.”

Huang Xuan felt reluctant as a spirit farmer, recalling how these spiritual mulberries slowly grew from mere twigs.

Now they steadily produced returns, yet had to be cut down, bringing a gentle pain.

Ji An sighed lightly:

“I too feel it’s unfortunate, but let’s not dwell on it. Get to work quickly.”

Seeking greater value, the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree’s growth will far exceed that of these spiritual mulberry.

Li Cheng laughed:

“Yes, quickly get to work; Junior Martial Uncle must have a better plan.”

Ji An cast Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, loosening the soil’s earth qi, slightly easing the difficulty of extracting the mulberry roots.

Huang Xuan and Li Cheng concentrated the excavated spiritual mulberry at the edge of an empty plot, while Ji An used the Purple Fire Gourd to burn the trees.

After years of nurturing, the stored flames within emitted a blue glow; if a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast took the blaze head-on, it would be cooked at least medium rare.

Huang Xuan dispersed the ashes onto the plot’s center while burying them, and Ji An waved his hand, saying:

“That’s done; you may proceed with your tasks.”

Planting should be done at night, as is tradition on Red Flame Peak.