Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

5:00 AM the next day.

Ji An walked out of the Grotto Mansion, rode on a cloud and flew above the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field, searching for regions suitable for Qi Eating.

The Wood Element Qi in the Spirit Field, once consumed by him, would take some time to recover.

He divided this Spirit Field into ten sections, each time consuming Qi at a different spot.

After one cycle of Qi Eating, the first spot where Qi was consumed had already birthed new Wood Element Qi, ensuring no delay in cultivation.

Ji An faced the east and assumed the stance for Qi Eating.

Inhaling and exhaling, he cycled four times, consuming four strands of Qi.

He cast a Spell, once again rode on a cloud, and flew to the foot of the mountain, opened the Dharma Prohibition, and entered the stone house.

He inserted Spirit Stones into the Teleportation Array and then activated the Magic Array.

The light twisted and transformed, as if entering a hazy passage, his body felt slightly weightless.

This feeling lasted only a moment, and Ji An was already standing on the Teleportation Array at Ningcui Cliff, with the maid who frequently accompanied his master in attendance standing before him.

The maid slightly curtsied and said sweetly:

“Upper Master, Junior Martial Uncle Ge invites you directly into the Grotto Mansion.”

She had been waiting here since before 5:00 AM, without any sign of impatience, instead showing a sense of joy.

As a Qi Refining Stage disciple, she rarely had the chance to be in close proximity to Chao Origin Stage, mentor-level cultivators.

“Alright.”

Ji An nodded slightly, returning a gentle smile, and then stepped out of the cave.

Outside the cave, clouds and mist swirled, like a fairyland.

He could sense the clouds and mist moving at an extremely slow pace, like a gauze brushing across his face.

Arriving at the neighboring Grotto Mansion, he saw his master sipping tea, next to a plate of pastries exuding a faint osmanthus fragrance.

Ge Ying’s eyes were full of smiles, and she beckoned:

“Quickly, sit down. Have you had breakfast?

Let’s have some Honey Osmanthus Cakes together; it’s made with the Tier Two Middle Grade White Jade Bee Honey you brought, rich in Wood Element Spiritual Energy.”

She had never been so extravagant, using Tier Two Middle Grade honey to make pastries, something most Chao Origin Stage cultivators in the sect would be reluctant to do.

In the past, she certainly would have been reluctant too.

But now her cultivation could no longer progress, and with life nearing its end, she had developed some indulgence in culinary pleasures.

“Thank you, Master.”

Ji An sat down accordingly, using Object Control Technique to pick up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth.

The sweetness of honey, osmanthus, and Spirit Rice melded together, stimulating the taste buds, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.

“Why only one piece? Eat more, there’s more in the steamer in the kitchen.”

Ge Ying knew this disciple rarely used Fasting Pills, so she instructed the maid to prepare more in the morning.

Ji An waved his hand and smiled, saying:

“No need, Master, I really can’t eat any more.

Before I came, I had already consumed a few strands of Qinghua Qi.”

Ge Ying paused for a moment, her eyes flashing with a bright, sparkling gaze.

“As a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, you can substitute Spiritual Food and Fasting Pills with Qi Eating; I subconsciously overlooked that.”

Her words were filled with emotion, comfort, pride, and a faint, almost imperceptible sadness.

“Being able to come to Ningcui Cliff has been my fortune; when I was still weak, I received substantial support from Master, which Ji An remembers in his heart.”

Ji An spoke gently, memories flashing through his Sea of Consciousness.

His master had lent him thousands of Spirit Stones when he was still a Qi Refining Stage disciple.

He had received High-quality Foundation Establishment Pills from his master, which for a cultivator with only Middle-Grade Talent, was a tremendous aid.

Bit by bit, the events surfaced and flashed in his mind, as if still yesterday.

Looking back, his master now had hair white as snow, and the marks of time were painted across her face.

Thinking of this, his heart was filled with indescribable emotions.

“Being able to have you as my disciple, hasn’t that also been a fortune for me?”

Ge Ying’s tone became even more amiable as she took a piece of Osmanthus Cake and put it in her mouth, finding the taste even more fragrant and sweet.

“By the way, tell me how Chao Origin Stage cultivators usually cultivate?”

A few days ago, she had dreamed of breaking through the Chao Origin Stage, but, unaware of how to cultivate, she awoke from the dream in anxiety, leaving it imperfect.

“The biggest difference between Chao Origin Stage cultivators and those of Foundation Establishment Stage, I believe, lies in the Pifu, Qi Eating, and nurturing the Primordial Life Fire, specifically manifested as…”

Ji An detailed his insights over the past year comprehensively and in detail, occasionally answering his master’s questions.

Their roles seemed to have reversed, with her instead appearing as the disciple.

Unknowingly, 7:00 AM arrived, and the maid quickly entered the Grotto Mansion, making a respectful bow:

“Junior Martial Uncle, Upper Master, I see several cultivators riding clouds approaching.”

Ge Ying immediately stood up, saying:

“It must be the ancestor arriving; let us go out together to greet them.”

“Please, Master,” Ji An rose, staying half a step behind her.

The two swiftly exited the Grotto Mansion, only to see yellow and fiery red auspicious clouds descending to the ground.

As the auspicious clouds dispersed, Daoist Master Zhengyang and Master Yuxiao landed on solid ground.

“Disciple Ge Ying, pays respects to the ancestor.”

“Disciple Ji An, pays respects to the ancestor.”

Master Yuxiao scrutinized the two of them, smiling and said:

“No need for formalities, this is my first time seeing Ji An; your spirit state is excellent, very good.

What kind of Wood Element Qi do you currently consume? How many strands of Qi do you consume daily?”

The number of Qi Eating sessions roughly indicates a disciple’s cultivation progress.

“Reporting to the ancestor, the disciple consumes Qinghua Qi and can consume eight strands of Qi daily.”

Master Yuxiao’s smile grew even warmer, indicating that this progress was quite rapid.

Typically, a disciple breaking through to Chao Origin Stage would only consume four or five strands of Qi daily after a year.

Consuming eight strands of Qi, it could be inferred that his Spirit Soul was stronger than peers at the same stage, with the core of his Divine Mansion growing faster than most Chao Origin Stage disciples.