Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 236: Chapter 224: Gift

Profound Yellow Soil can be used to upgrade Tier One Top Grade Spirit Fields, or as an essential material in the refining of Earth Element Spiritual Artifacts.

Spirit Farmers, Artifact Refiners, and other craftsmen all require it, along with cultivators practicing Earth and Wood Element Cultivation Techniques for refinement.

It can be said that it is the most consumed Tier Two Lower Grade Earth-elemental Spiritual Object.

Profound Yellow Soil is an associative product of the Earth Veins, mostly buried deep underground or near spiritually rich marshlands.

Within the jurisdiction of the Golden Spirit Sect, its output is relatively scarce, and most of the sect’s reserves are obtained by exchanging various ores or magical artifacts with the other two sects.

“Junior Brother, the consumption of Profound Yellow Soil should increase further after the demon calamity outbreak. I intended to conserve some of it.”

Zhao Lei feigned a sigh, with an expression of reluctant pain:

“Alright, let’s do as you suggested.”

Following the demon calamity outbreak, the work of repairing spiritual artifacts will certainly be much more frequent than usual, and the prices of Tier Two refining materials will inevitably rise considerably.

Ji An subtly shook his head; the other party was getting a good deal yet pretending otherwise, as Tier Two Purple Fire Gourd is rarer than Profound Yellow Soil.

The Profound Yellow Soil produced in Luofeng Valley, aside from personal use, is exchanged with the other two sects. Most of the Profound Yellow Soil in various Immortal Cities comes from the collection by loose cultivators and sporadic sales by families.

Wei Songnian currently does not have the qualifications to intervene in the trade of Tier Two spiritual objects. If he had a stable channel for obtaining Profound Yellow Soil, he wouldn’t be so concerned over half a pound of spiritual objects.

Ji An took out ten pieces of middle-grade Spirit Stones and said:

“Should there be other senior or junior brothers wanting to refine a Purple Fire Spirit Gourd, you may inform them that my materials only accept Profound Yellow Soil as trade.”

Water-elemental spiritual objects are relatively sparse in production in the Western Continent, but their applications are fewer too, making the reserves in the sect’s secret vault relatively sufficient.

As long as the Profound Yellow Soil on hand is sufficient, Ji An’s cultivation won’t be affected.

After the two concluded their discussion, they started trading Tier One Gourds.

Zhao Lei no longer engaged in meticulous selection, swiftly taking some:

“I’ll take half of the goods. Currently, top-grade gourds are 800 spirit stones each, while high-grade gourds are 150 spirit stones each. I need to pay… 16,350 spirit stones.”

“Wow! Junior Brother is reaping plentiful harvest every year now.”

Now every year, Red Flame Peak produces Spirit Gourds, along with other spirit plants, making it akin to a small-scale Spirit Stone mine.

“Senior Brother always only looks at the profits and ignores the costs. I invest roughly twelve thousand spirit stones annually in Fire Element Essence for better Spirit Gourd cultivation.”

Ji An secretly curled his lip. After successfully constructing the Tier Two Spirit Field, the operation of the magic array constantly consumes spirit stones, which is not a small expenditure.

The Earth Vein Spiritual Qi is only Tier Two Lower Grade, so to avoid damaging the Earth Vein’s foundation, only ensuring the spiritual power in the Spirit Field surpasses the consumption by spirit plants is feasible.

Luckily, such a Spirit Field only spans fifty acres. If there were too many, it would be unsustainable for him in the short term.

“Senior Brother, these two Spirit Gourds, please help refine them into spiritual artifacts. Still a refining fee of 2,000 spirit stones, right?”

Holding onto Tier Two Gourds serves no purpose; better to refine them into spiritual artifacts, making them more convenient for personal use or sale.

The capacity of a Purple Fire Spirit Gourd may be large, but the flames inside can still be depleted. Having two or three Spirit Gourds on hand changes everything.

Zhao Lei nodded slightly:

“Yes, the refining fee is still 2,000 spirit stones.

With that, I only need to pay Junior Brother 12,350 more spirit stones.

I’ll round up the number to 124 pieces of middle-grade spirit stones.”

Refining materials into spiritual artifacts retains greater value, possibly allowing the counterpart to earn extra.

Upon completing the transaction, Ji An smiled and said:

“Once Senior Brother finishes refining the spiritual artifacts, kindly send them over with disciples.”

Going out for a trip takes half a day of time, now feeling qualified to request door-to-door delivery.

“Haha, I’ll personally deliver them.”

Involving spiritual artifact trade, Zhao Lei prefers not to rely on disciples for delivery, feeling more assured in person.

Zhang Yuanshan also completed his transaction, with Ji An pocketing nearly 30,000 spirit stones, yielding a profit close to 20,000 spirit stones.

“Senior Brothers, I’ve prepared some quality wine; since it’s been ages since we last met, how about sitting down for a few drinks?”

Ji An turned his head and said:

“Yu Han, serve the wine and dishes, and bring a section of bamboo wine.”

After completing transactions, it’s customary to arrange some food and drink for clients, creating a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.

These two are friends he genuinely acknowledges, hence the high hospitality standards.

Occasionally, there would be senior brothers pretending to trade, merely coming to Red Flame Peak for a free meal, eventually landing on his “blacklist” after several interactions.

Zhao Lei revealed a sincere smile:

“Junior Brother’s hospitality, accepting without pretense!

But surely Junior Brother requires gourd seeds, let me first attend to business in your grotto mansion, and we’ll drink later.”

Red Flame Peak has abundant good wines; certainly, upon Junior Brother’s hospitality, Tier Two Spirit Wine could be tasted, which is why he often personally comes for trading.

“Haha, Senior Brother, that’s considerate.

Junior Brother Zhang, please wait a while.

Yu Han, bring out some Tier Two Pine Seeds for your uncle to pass the time.

Take advantage now, you two also prepare a couple more dishes.”

…

Zhao Lei processed the Spirit Gourds much faster than last time, spending less than a double hour for the three Spirit Gourds, and Ji An obtained twenty-three premium spirit seeds.

Returning to the dining table beside the cold pool, everyone took their seats; Zhang Yuanshan pointed at the rolling green waves and marveled:

“I heard that in the Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City area, small groups of demon beasts are starting to appear, and the news of the impending demon calamity has begun to spread in small circles.

The clouds of war have already gathered; if the demon calamity erupts, we Artifact Refiners will inevitably be drafted for some logistical work.

Here contains the stability that many envy.”

With all these spirit plants covering the mountains, the sect wouldn’t send Junior Brother Ji to the front lines to fight unless it was a time of utmost desperation.

“Let’s hope so.”

Ji An slightly pursed his lips, hoping that the demon calamity would erupt a little later.

If he could break through to the late-stage Foundation Establishment, even if summoned to the front lines, he would be more composed.

The quality of magic power at the late-stage Foundation Establishment would be higher, the power of magic techniques increased, the spell-casting cost reduced, and the endurance in battle enhanced.

At this moment, the two sisters had set the table with dishes, two meat and four vegetable plates, and each person had a saucer of fennel beans to accompany the wine.

Zhao Lei smelled the unique fragrance of the wine, carefully holding up the cup, afraid that the wine might spill:

“Hey, why bring up such depressing topics when drinking, only good wine should not be wasted!”

There is wine today, let’s get drunk today; don’t wait until there’s no wine to drink only cool water.

In his view, before the second half of the war, people like them, Artifact Refiners, would not be on the front lines.

At this moment, the sun was setting in the west, casting a bright band of light through the crevices of the stone house, leaving a large golden mottled patch on the swaying branches of the Celestial Essence Pear tree.

A gentle breeze came, and the three raised their cups to the wind, Ji An felt an inexplicable sense of exhilaration.

…

The feathers on the crest of the Golden Feathered Eagle stood up, and wind automatically passed on either side.

It flapped its wings a few times rapidly, then spread its wings to maintain its glide.

Li Minghui gently stroked the beast-taming feathers at the neck, which glistened like metal, her eyes full of tenderness.

As she aged, without the passion of her youth, she would once again feel the confidence of those years while riding the beast swiftly.

The distant mountain erupted with golden-red mist, and she lightly patted the beast.

The Golden Feathered Eagle understood her intent immediately, and began to lower its speed and altitude.

It let out a joyful cry, the sound ringing out with an arrogance that looked down upon everything.

The mountains responded, and the Golden Feathered Eagle was even more pleased, maintaining stable flight while still doing some maneuvers.

Li Minghui chuckled, her eyes glistened with memories; she had always loved making the beast perform like this back in the day.

As if dreaming, back then the beast was smaller and unwilling to perform such stunts as the burden was too heavy.

But now as she grew old, the beast was still in its prime…

When she snapped back to reality, they had already landed on Red Flame Peak.

“Senior Sister, are you alright?”

Ji An showed a concerned expression; he had called her several times but received no response.

“I’m fine, just recalled some things from the past and got distracted.”

Li Minghui jumped off the beast, the Golden Feathered Eagle letting out a low, affectionate cry, nuzzling its head against her.

“Junior Brother, my beast wants to circle around Red Flame Peak, is that okay?

Don’t worry, it has been tamed by me for years, now understanding human nature, and will not attack cultivators without my command.”

“Of course, I would also like to see the full-speed flight of a Wind Element beast.”

The Golden Feathered Eagle understood his words, raised its neck, and let out a clear cry.

“Haha, truly spirited.”

Ji An chuckled, detecting an emotion akin to ’just watch me’ in its demeanor.

Li Minghui smiled fondly, patting the beast’s back:

“Start your performance!”

As soon as her hand moved away, the Golden Feathered Eagle slightly dropped, suddenly pushed its legs, propelling like a launched arrow, spiraling upward.

Soon it became a black dot, screeching in the sky.

Ji An sighed, “This speed is a few times faster than I can fly the shuttle at full speed; how long can it maintain this?”

“At most for two double hours, it purposely showed off, normally it glides more.”

In the living room, the two took their seats, Xia Yuhuan brought over spirit tea.

Li Minghui took out a wooden box, speaking solemnly:

“I came uninvited this time mainly to express gratitude toward Junior Brother.

The Five-Colored Deer successfully broke through to the Chao Origin Stage, and you, Junior Brother, played a crucial role!

The master is occupied with sect matters and cannot come personally, so I was specifically sent to deliver this token of thanks.”

“Congratulations, truly wonderful news.

But how can a token of thanks be necessary; I only facilitated the transaction.”

Ji An clasped his hands in congratulation, a joyous event indeed for the sect to gain a Chao Origin Stage power before the demon calamity breaks out.

“A transaction is a transaction, and a favor is a favor, we can differentiate between the two.

This is a gift chosen by the master for you, Junior Brother, please do not refuse.”

Li Minghui insisted, placing the item into his hands.

The Yunhe Mountain lineage aimed to strengthen cooperation with them, promising a stable supply of Tier Two Spirit Fruit resources in the future.

Through this, they acknowledged Red Flame Peak’s potential, ensuring an ample supply of Biluo Fruit Tier Two, along with thirty Spiritual Peaches.

In the future, more varieties of spirit fruits would be cultivated, as powerful Spirit Farmers provide a stable supply line for cultivators.

After a slight protest, Ji An accepted it.

“A gift from the elders should not be declined; I will shamelessly accept it.”

He placed the box on the desk and whispered a few words to Xia Yuhuan, who quietly left.