Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 255: Chapter 239: Wartime Readiness

On the shady side of the mountain, Ji An assumed a stance, operating the Dharma Gate of the Glaze-Gold Jade Bone Body.

With every move, explosive sounds echoed through the air.

His muscles and skin seemed like a treasure furnace, tempering and refining his internal organs.

Waves of white mist rose from the top of his head, and the surging vitality flowed like mighty rivers, washing over every inch of his body.

“Hah!”

Ji An exhaled forcefully, releasing a faint black-red mist, which were the impurities accumulated inside his body.

As the foul air was expelled, he felt his body lighten a bit.

Ji An curved his tongue to press against his lower jaw, slowly performing a set of boxing techniques, aiming to calm his breath.

He felt the changes brought by the body refining technique, the toughness of his internal organs had increased, bringing him closer to breaking through to a Foundation Establishment Stage Body Cultivator.

Ji An leaped back to his grotto mansion, performing the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, and as raindrops fell, he took a comfortable shower.

The moist aura spread out, seemingly accelerating the recovery from his fatigue.

He found that the cunning method of the cultivation technique had not been practiced in vain; as the resilience of his skin had reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment level, his vitality only needed to nourish his internal organs, saving a lot of time.

Indeed, in this world, no step is in vain; every step counts.

Ji An changed into a Daoist robe, feeling refreshed, and walked out of the grotto mansion.

During the morning, when practicing the Evergreen Wood Skill, he noticed it also had some body refining effects, which he believed was another reason his body refining technique could advance rapidly.

He summoned his Flying Shuttle and flew towards the foot of the mountain.

The Golden Feathered Eagle dived down from high above, screeching alongside the flying shuttle, its golden crest feathers standing upright, unmoving in the wind.

As the flying shuttle landed, it ascended, flying towards the Red Cloud Pine Forest.

Ji An stored the flying shuttle and saw Lan Bei leisurely playing in the pool.

Wherever it passed, a thin layer of ice was left behind.

Huang Xuan stepped forward and said:

“Junior Martial Uncle, I just returned from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

The other materials for the Ginseng Essence Pill are easy to obtain, but the quantity of the main herb, Fire Cloud Ginseng, is insufficient; I only exchanged for fifty-six plants.

I also bought some from other spirit farmers, but only managed to gather eighty plants.”

In the current situation of the sect, finished pills are harder to acquire than the raw materials.

The disciples able to plant spirit medicine have long signed related agreements with the alchemists, consistently supplying them.

Ji An frowned slightly and said:

“I’ll make do with what I have for now; continue searching for sources of the herbal materials.”

It takes time for herbs to grow, and as more cultivators emerge, the scarcity of medicinal materials has become more apparent.

This is a special situation caused by the outbreak of the Demon Calamity, where more cultivators can provide greater security.

Huang Xuan pressed his lips together, giving a bitter smile:

“Junior Martial Uncle, I’ve inquired about the supply situation of the herbs.

If we can ensure a long-term stable demand for medicinal materials, we can sign agreements with spirit farmers.

If we only purchase sporadically, it comes down to luck.”

The supply of medicinal materials has formed stable channels; the growth of a new alchemist faces not only skill-related challenges but also the shortage of medicinal materials.

Without enough opportunities for practice, alchemist apprentices with lesser talent are the first to be eliminated.

Ji An pondered for a moment, took out two Communication Talisman Swords, recorded messages on them, and activated them.

If the materials for Qi Refining Stage Elixirs are already this scarce, the materials for Foundation Establishment Stage Pills are likely even harder to obtain.

“I will find a solution for the alchemy materials, you needn’t worry about it.”

“Alright,” Huang Xuan nodded, spending most of his time at Red Flame Peak, his social circle limited to a few nearby spiritual veins, and the task of purchasing spirit medicines exceeded his ability to handle.

…

At dusk, Zeng Rui descended with the flying shuttle at the Cold Pool.

Ji An noticed his slightly staggering steps and teased:

“Junior Brother, take care of your health.”

He had faint dark circles under his eyes and a slightly pale complexion, clearly indicating excessive indulgence.

Spreading branches and establishing a family is good, but striving too hard in procreation could shorten one’s lifespan.

Zeng Rui gave a wry smile:

“I have no plan to make further progress in cultivation, so I should enjoy myself.”

Lowering his voice in self-deprecation:

“If I could advance as boldly as you, Senior Brother, I would indeed strive towards the grand avenue.

Now, I just realize my limits and give up the dream of immortality; after all, one must wake up from a dream.”

Successfully establishing a Foundation at nearly sixty, he had no real chance of breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage.

There was no hope in trying harder, better to indulge oneself.

Ji An sighed lightly; if he too had no hope of progress in cultivation, he would probably make the same choice.

Having a firm Dao Heart is one thing, but when efforts bring no hope, even the strongest Dao Heart would collapse.

Zeng Rui raised his voice slightly, laughing:

“Senior Brother, you’re quite versatile trying your hand at alchemy.

A few days ago, a batch of Fire Cloud Ginseng matured in my medicinal garden, which I specifically brought for you.”

Fire Cloud Ginseng is the main herb for refining Ginseng Essence Pills, which with his skills, he could harvest a batch every three years.

“Junior Brother, you’ve really helped me out; how many Fire Cloud Ginseng do you have?”

Ji An’s smile widened as he hadn’t expected the other to have any in stock when he sent the Communication Talisman Sword.

“I can only sell you two hundred plants, as the rest of the stock has been reserved by an alchemist.”

“Two hundred plants already exceed my expectations; what’s the current price for Fire Cloud Ginseng?”

“Twelve Spirit Stones per plant, the price has increased significantly compared to before.”

Zeng Rui replied, as the sect had recruited more disciples, causing the prices for Qi Refining Stage Elixirs and related herbal materials to increase as well.

Ji An counted twenty-four middle-grade Spirit Stones and completed the transaction.

“Senior Brother,” Zeng Rui looked around surreptitiously and took out a folded piece of white paper, communicating in a low voice:

“This contains a recipe for a pill with a refining difficulty similar to the Ginseng Essence Pill. Do you think you can manage to refine it?”

The top recorded a treasure medicine of the harmony of dragon and tiger, now he has eight concubines, without some medicine, he simply can’t manage them.

He originally wanted to ask other alchemists, but felt a bit embarrassed. Senior Brother Ji is a person who enjoys quietness, surely he won’t speak indiscreetly.

Ji An unfolded the white paper, flicking it gently with his finger.

He was rather adept in pharmacology, recognizing the medicinal ingredients were all items that replenish kidney Yang and blood Qi, he smiled faintly.

He folded the white paper again, and said softly:

“Refining the pill is not difficult, as long as Junior Brother can gather the materials and give them to me.”

He paused and continued:

“All medicine has three-tenths poison. Taking pills can only solve temporary difficulties. Junior Brother might as well go to the Inheritance Hall and exchange for a body refining method.

That type of cultivation technique doesn’t focus on attack, instead emphasizes nurturing Qi and blood.”

“Slap!”

Zeng Rui suddenly slapped his thigh, laughing lewdly:

“Right, why didn’t I think of that, thanks for the reminder, Senior Brother, I’ll go to the Inheritance Hall tomorrow.”

He took out several packages of medicinal ingredients, saying:

“Regarding the alchemy, I’ll leave it to you, Senior Brother. These materials can make ten furnaces, may I ask what is the cost of refining?”

Body refining technique isn’t something that can be achieved overnight, the medicine still needs to be refined.

Ji An pondered and said:

“Give me twenty Spirit Stones.”

The difficulty of pill refining is about the same level as the Yellow Bud Pill.

He could help for free, but that would make the help seem too cheap.

Zeng Rui took out the Spirit Stones, solemnly saying:

“Thanks for the trouble, Senior Brother, when can the medicine be picked up?”

“About five days later, when the refining is done, I will send a Communication Talisman Sword to you.”

Ji An called over Huang Xuan with a gesture, giving instructions:

“Bring two jars of top-grade Mulberry Wine.”

The Mulberry Wine has a warming and replenishing function, regular consumption is beneficial.

Zeng Rui rubbed his hands, grinning from ear to ear:

“Hehe, how embarrassing.”

The two jars of top-grade Spirit Wine are worth at least seven or eight Spirit Stones.

After Zeng Rui left, Ji An said:

“Huang Xuan, except for the Fire Cloud Ginseng, prepare another two hundred portions of Ginseng Essence Pill materials for me.”

The main herb is hard to find, but the supply of other medicinal ingredients is relatively sufficient.

…

Next day.

Ye Changqing piloted his Flying Shuttle to Red Flame Peak, hovering over the Cold Pool.

He squinted, watching the multicolored lights flashing in the Mulberry Field.

The green Wood Element Spirit Light, the yellow Earth Element Spirit Light, the light black Water Element Spirit Light, and threads of golden light falling from the sky, left him entranced.

Although he hadn’t practiced the Evergreen Wood Skill, he knew that to absorb so much Spiritual Mechanism during cultivation, Junior Brother Ji’s comprehension of the cultivation technique should have reached an extremely profound level.

“Chao Origin is promising!”

He murmured softly, feeling complicated.

A potentially promising Chao Origin Stage seedling appearing in the sect is delightful, but thinking about his own diminishing days, a strange sourness welled in his heart.

Calming down gradually, he controlled the Flying Shuttle to slowly descend.

Xia Yuhuan gracefully walked over and greeted with cupped hands:

“Junior Martial Uncle Ye, the Spirit Tea has been brewed, would you like to sit in the living room or outside?”

When the Flying Shuttle arrived at the Red Flame Peak, she noticed immediately and quickly lit the Wind Furnace to start boiling water.

“Sitting outside is fine, I can see more scenery.”

Ye Changqing sat at the stone table, continuing:

“Bring a pot of Pine Nut Wine, I don’t feel like having tea today.”

“Please wait a moment, Uncle, I’ll fetch the wine, we can have both tea and wine together.”

At noon, Ji An finished cultivating and returned to the Cold Pool:

“Senior Brother, sorry for the wait.”

On the table, an entire jar of wine had already been emptied.

Ye Changqing, with drunken eyes, said:

“Junior Brother, you inquired about medicinal ingredients yesterday, the Talisman Sword couldn’t carry too much information, so I personally came to tell you.

Currently, along the Mingfeng Mountain line, cultivators and small groups of demon beasts engage in battles several dozen times daily…

The sect has tightened the exchange of various medicinal ingredients. Unless you take on sect refining tasks, you cannot exchange for medicinal ingredients.

Not only us, but other sects and families have also started reducing their supply of medicinal ingredients.”

The medicinal ingredients in the Diligence Hall are those needed for Foundation Establishment Stage Elixirs.

A bad premonition arose in Ji An’s mind, he asked:

“I am learning to refine pills, can I exchange for medicinal ingredients?”

Without ingredients for practice, there would be no progress in alchemy.

Ye Changqing shook his head, transmitting his voice:

“Junior Brother, the sect has already entered a state of war, all resources affecting the war are under control.

If an alchemist has a pill refining success rate of less than 60%, they cannot receive pill refining tasks from the Diligence Hall.”

Previously, the sect issued alchemy tasks requiring only a specified amount of pills, translating to a success rate requirement of 40%.

Now, alchemy tasks require submitting more pills, needing a success rate of over 60%.

Of course, the contribution points gained from refining pills are also more.

Ji An leaned forward slightly:

“Senior Brother, could any compromise be possible?”