Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 216: Chapter 209: A Broad Road Ahead

Wei Songnian controlled the flying ship, gradually slowing down and beginning to descend, he gently said:

“I’ve said several times, Senior Brother Ji is the most powerful spirit farmer in the sect, but you always seem a bit skeptical.”

The female cultivator’s face reddened slightly, and she softly retorted:

“But you also said that he joined the sect several years later than you, and he’s a younger spirit farmer. No cultivator would normally think he could be that strong, right?”

Practicing magic techniques requires repeated casting and pondering the magic intent within.

Cultivators who can rapidly hone planting techniques to a profound level also tend to excel in attack techniques.

How would such a cultivator ever be content being just a spirit farmer?

Among the myriad arts of cultivators, array masters, artifact refiners, alchemists, talisman makers, etc., the spirit farmers and spirit chefs rank at the lowest in terms of status.

In Luofeng Valley, one of the Three Sects, spirit farmers are numerous, but mainly they serve the alchemists.

Except for a few high-tier spirit farmers, their status does not compare to alchemists at all.

Wei Songnian was left speechless. If he hadn’t known Ji An, he would have thought the same based on his preconceived notions.

The Wei Clan of Little Bamboo Mountain rose by selling spirit grain, and he’s well aware of the status of spirit farmers.

The female cultivator softly asked:

“Husband, how many tier two spirit plants are there here?”

“Uh, I’m not sure about the exact number; I’ll ask Senior Brother Ji later.”

The flying ship slowly descended by the cold pool, and the female cultivator saw the stone table’s bowls and dishes, her expression turning odd.

On their way here, her husband told her the spiritual food at Red Flame Peak was not far behind Tripod Fragrance Pavilion.

Choosing to visit right at noon was to taste luncheon.

Now it seems, the host had already had lunch, just barely noon and already lunching, it seemed a bit odd.

Wei Songnian cupped his hands, his smile warm and welcoming:

“Senior Brother Ji, it’s been half a year since we last met, how have you been?”

Ji An returned the courtesy, smiling:

“Thank you, Junior Brother, for your concern. Who is the person beside you?”

“Hehe, let me introduce, this is my Dao partner, Yinn Qiuyun.”

“Qiuyun, this is Senior Brother Ji An whom I often mentioned.”

“Good to meet you, sister-in-law.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother.”

“Please come into the room for a chat,” Ji An turned and instructed:

“Yuhuan, quickly prepare some specialties, and bring three jars of tier two pine nut wine, we’ll have a small drink with Junior Brother and sister-in-law shortly.”

Xia Yuhuan agreed:

“Please wait, Junior Martial Uncles, the ingredients are ready, it’ll be done quickly.”

Yinn Qiuyun raised her eyebrows upon hearing tier two spirit wine, now she believed her husband’s words somewhat.

Effortlessly taking out tier two spirit wine to entertain them not only indirectly confirmed the other party’s strength but also proved her husband’s good eye for friends.

The three entered the stone house, Wei Songnian took out a red invitation, offered it with both hands:

“At noon seven days later, Qiuyun and I are holding a celebration in Cyan Bamboo Valley. We invite Senior Brother to grace us with your presence.”

Ji An accepted it similarly with both hands, smiling:

“Congratulations to Junior Brother and sister-in-law, I’ll surely be there then.

Let’s sit and chat.”

Seated, Wei Songnian quickly steered the conversation toward planting, curiously asking:

“As I steered the flying ship into Red Flame Peak, I saw many spirit plants with spirit light shimmering between branches and leaves, Senior Brother, could you inform me about the current number of tier two spirit plants?”

“This isn’t a secret matter. Currently, Red Flame Peak has thirty-one tier two Red Cloud Pines, thirty Jade Leaf Mulberries, twelve Biluo Trees, three Copper Patterned Mulberries, one Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo, and one Azure Dragon Wood.”

Actually, there’s also one tier two Earth Spirit Fruit Tree, but that’s Senior Sister Liu Suyun’s, so naturally it isn’t counted.

Additionally, the Azure Dragon Wood has nurtured two tier two specimens; Ji An felled the second Azure Dragon Wood for cultivation, refining Clear Spirit Bamboo wasn’t as comfortable as refining Azure Dragon Wood.

With no shortage of resources now, he didn’t intend to inconveniently skimp on himself.

Wei Songnian praised:

“Senior Brother has cultivated over seventy tier two spirit plants, surely the best among the sect’s numerous brothers.”

Inwardly pleased, tier two spiritual objects submitted to the sect can earn small merits, which can then be exchanged for needed spiritual objects and artifacts.

Judging from the current situation, before Senior Brother Ji reaches Foundation Establishment Stage Perfection, he shouldn’t worry about resource issues, which proves again his keen judgment.

“I’m still far from it, Junior Brother is exaggerating a bit.

To be termed a high-tier spirit farmer, one needs to cultivate tier two middle-grade spirit plants.”

Ji An smiled; tier two middle-grade spirit plants can be utilized by Chao Origin Stage cultivators. Cultivating such spirit plants means truly entering the sect’s higher echelons.

But cultivating above tier two middle-grade spirit plants requires time accumulation, and the plant’s inherent potential needs to be factored in.

If the plant lacks a firm root nature, aiming for middle-grade is nearly impossible.

Even if a wild grass takes root in a tier three spirit field, aside from growing sturdier, it won’t fundamentally change.

“For you, Senior Brother, it is only a matter of time before you achieve it.

While other Senior Brothers rely on the sect’s benefits for cultivating high-tier spirit plants, you do it entirely on your own.”

Wei Songnian had considerable confidence and was entirely convinced.

He put forth Soul Nourishing Wood as a wager on a future, if he hadn’t believed, how could he have done it?

The trio’s conversation drifted to cultivation, Yinn Qiuyun, also practicing Wood Element Technique, felt greatly benefited by Ji An’s recount.

Then Xia Yu Lian walked in, warmly said:

“Junior Martial Uncles, the luncheon is ready; shall we commence?”

“Let’s begin.”

Ji An stood up, smiling:

“Sister-in-law is visiting Red Flame Peak for the first time; try the taste of my place’s spiritual food, and feel free to provide valuable feedback.”

“Songnian often mentioned the unforgettable flavor of the spiritual food here; today I’m fortunate to be treated by Senior Brother to relish it.”

Yinn Qiuyun happily remarked, she hadn’t tasted tier two spirit wine before!

The noon banquet was sumptuous, and both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

After the banquet, they chatted casually for a while. Wei Songnian stood up and said:

“Senior Brother, we’re heading back to Cyan Bamboo Valley. There’s a lot we need to prepare.”

“Hold on.

Yu Han, fetch a jar of top-grade honey.”

Honey is an excellent product for beauty, very popular among female cultivators.

Wei Songnian scratched his head and laughed sheepishly:

“I feel bad taking more after eating Senior Brother’s banquet.”

“There’s no need for formality between us, Senior Brothers.”

…

The flying ship slowly ascended and quickly flew out of Red Flame Peak.

Yinn Qiuyun gently patted her storage bag and said:

“Husband is right; the spiritual food here is indeed tasty. Even without considering the spirit wine, if we were to eat this meal at a spiritual food shop, it would cost at least thirty to forty spirit stones.”

In the Wei Clan, there aren’t many opportunities to indulge in such luxury each year.

At this moment, her face was still flush red.

The flavor of Tier Two Spirit Wine is far superior to Tier One Spirit Wine.

Wei Songnian nodded slightly and replied:

“If anything, it’s more. Red Flame Peak always has such dining standards.

In entertaining guests, Senior Brother Ji always ensures everyone enjoys the wine to their heart’s content.

Most of the Tier Two Spirit Wine brewed at Red Flame Peak is kept for personal use.”

His heart rose with envy for those Qi Refining disciples at Red Flame Peak, for they were truly lucky to enjoy many benefits and forge bonds of friendship.

Yinn Qiuyun’s lips tightened; considering this, over the course of a year, Senior Brother Ji spends more than three thousand spirit stones merely on food.

Adding the cost of spirit wine, the expenses become even greater.

The jar of top-grade honey that Senior Brother Ji gifted her must be worth nearly a hundred spirit stones—truly generous.

She broke into a smile and joyfully said:

“With such connections, our family will surely benefit.”

Cultivators often invest more into improving their cultivation. Such observations offer insight into Senior Brother Ji’s capabilities.

…

The following day.

Ji An finished cultivating, and it was nearing noon, with hunger gnawing at him.

He sighed lightly, deciding that breakfast should be scheduled at 5:00 AM from now on; otherwise, he’d have to resort to eating fasting pills.

Currently, his speed in refining spiritual energy improved by roughly ten percent—a significant advance.

The cumulative gains over time have proven quite substantial.

Having eaten spiritual food, he quickly rode his flying shuttle away.

Over an hour later, Ji An landed atop Ningcui Cliff.

He stepped into the grotto mansion, visited Ge Ying, and said:

“Master, yesterday during my cultivation method, I gained new insights and absorbed the fourth Spiritual Mechanism.

When refining spiritual objects in the future, should I focus on refining Fire-elemental spiritual objects?”

He explained his absorption of the Fire Element Spirit Mechanism, which, from his past life’s knowledge, seemed quite logical in the context of plants undergoing photosynthesis.

Ge Ying’s eyes narrowed slightly, entering a realm beyond her knowledge. Presently, she could only absorb three Spiritual Mechanisms in her cultivation method.

After a moment of silence, she sighed, with a smile that carried complex emotions at the corner of her mouth:

“I can no longer teach you anything; I cannot resolve your doubts. I suggest you consult Junior Martial Uncle Jia Yu at Sunrise Peak.”

The disciple’s understanding of the cultivation method had surpassed that of her master; the path ahead was broad indeed.

This realization brought forth a sense of twilight in her heart, considering she had been immersed in the cultivation method for two hundred years, yet unable to assist her disciple.

…

“You can cultivate for three double hours at a time and perceive four Spiritual Mechanisms now?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure you’re not just sun-soaked and delusional?”

“How could that be?!”

Ji An bared his teeth and said:

“If I couldn’t differentiate between illusions and reality, what would I be cultivating for?

Junior Martial Uncle, is there a flaw in my practice?”

The other’s words made it sound like he was experiencing a mental breakdown, which left him lacking confidence.

But then he remembered that his speed in refining spiritual energy had indeed increased, and he gained deeper insights into the Path of Bing Fire.

So, it shouldn’t be his problem.

Jia Yu scrutinized him as though he were a creature of intrigue, surrounding him with that gaze over and over, then took a deep swig of old wine and burst out:

“No issue, it’s fine.

But cultivating the Evergreen Wood Skill doesn’t require refining the fourth spiritual object.”

He glanced outside at the now dim sky and continued:

“Spend tonight drinking with this old man, and tomorrow let me observe your cultivation method.”

The determination in his words couldn’t be false, yet without witnessing it firsthand, everything seemed unreal.

His cultivation method wasn’t the Evergreen Wood Skill; however, the insight from his counterpart had already taken the first step in transcending the Chao Origin Stage.

Typically, only cultivators who have achieved Foundation Establishment Stage Perfection can do such things.

The hardest stages of an endeavor are twofold: the first is going from nothing to something tangible; the second difficulty lies in the persistent accumulation, aspiring for qualitative change with gradual efforts.

Taking the first step means the success of the undertaking is half-earned.