Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Wei Songnian felt that the other party wasn’t actually distant, realized he was overthinking and misunderstood the situation, and said somewhat awkwardly:

“Fellow Daoist, business matters are urgent, we’ll just wait.”

“Haha, please first wait in the guest room.

Songtao, ask Cuihua to prepare several specialty dishes, and feel free to use the Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Wine and ingredients.”

Ji An instructed, showing his importance.

He had known the other party since his First-Layer Qi Refining Stage, and they had maintained close ties up until the outbreak of the Demon Calamity; their relationship was not limited to trade interactions.

Wei Songnian hurriedly said:

“Fellow Daoist, I cannot, it would be too wasteful for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like me to consume Tier Two Middle Grade ingredients.”

During the battle at Mingfeng Mountain, his Dantian was injured; although his cultivation was preserved and his injuries improved somewhat later, his cultivation advancement became extremely slow, and he had already given up on cultivation.

“Guests follow the host’s conveniences, Fellow Daoist please wait in the guest room.”

Ji An’s feet generated red cloud mist, and he rode the cloud flying toward the Red Cloud Pine Forest.

At that moment, the sunset had already dipped with only afterglow remaining, the vivid fiery golden sunset was quickly retracting its brilliance.

He stood at a corner of the woodland, mouth half-open, tongue pressed against his lower teeth, exhaled while chanting “Ho.”

The turbid Qi from the Heart Fire Mansion was expelled, naturally inhaling while exhaling.

The warm Fire-in-Wood Qi was inhaled orally, and his body instinctively swallowed it down.

The Qi of Ding Fire rapidly circulated in the Immortal Vein, merging into the heart.

At this moment, his heart was like brilliant red jade, spontaneously glowing, with luminous gold veins shimmering.

The Qi of Ding Fire and Bing Fire harmonized Yin and Yang, transforming into reddish-golden color, the core of the Divine Mansion faintly trembled, the Fire Qi was swiftly devoured, the core’s brilliance flashed for an instant.

…

As the last ray of light vanished between heaven and earth, the clouds disappeared into the night sky.

Ji An completed Qi Eating, his entire body enveloped in warm comfort.

He rode the cloud flying back to the guest room, smiling:

“Pardon my neglect.”

Wei Songnian hastily stood up, replying:

“Fellow Daoist, you are too courteous.”

The host and guests sat, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Wei Songnian spoke:

“Fellow Daoist, I’ve heard some news.

The sect is about to clear out the remaining Demon Cultivators and Demon Cultivators externally. Once the situation stabilizes, I can return to Little Bamboo Mountain to rebuild the Wei Clan.”

After the calamities rampaged, the Western Continent was devastated, and the Wei Clan only had one Foundation Establishment Cultivator and seventy to eighty Qi Refining Stage cultivators left.

The strength was only one-third of its heyday, shrinking into the ancestral land at the core area of Little Bamboo Mountain.

His dao companion Yinn Qiuyun is not a disciple of the sect and staying here brings many restrictions.

Ji An slightly nodded, acknowledging that the sect and many families had agreed that after serving a certain number of years, family disciples can return to their families.

Unless they are disciples like Liu Yu, who have higher aspirations and choose to fully integrate into the sect, gradually severing ties with their families.

“Once Fellow Daoist leaves, the identity of sect disciple is lost, and I cannot mediate in disputes between families.

However, if help is needed in other aspects, feel free to speak, whether it be Spirit Stones or resources, those possessed by Red Flame Peak can be traded with Fellow Daoist.”

The sect strictly prohibits disciples from interfering in matters outside the sect; if the Wei Clan had disputes with other families, he could not directly intervene.

“I know the rules of the sect, and I won’t make things difficult for Fellow Daoist.”

Wei Songnian relaxed and smiled, he came with the purpose of hearing that sentence from the other party.

He knew the measure and would not overreach.

As a businessman, he’s very aware that even the deepest ties will become diluted over time.

After the conversation opened, Wei Songnian lost his initial restraint, and the few talked cheerfully.

Dish after dish was served, cold dishes and hot fry-ups, each exquisite in color, aroma, and taste.

Spirit Wine’s fragrance filled the air, glasses clinked, and words were harmonious.

Yinn Qiuyun put down her wine glass and said softly:

“Songnian once mentioned, when Bai Lin reaches twelve, if his talent meets the mark, let him join the sect, saying it’s to cultivate connections, and I feel quite reluctant.”

Bai Lin is Wei Songnian’s second son, currently only six years old; the eldest son lacks talent, having only Low-Grade Talent, lacking the chance to join the sect.

Ji An nodded and smiled:

“Joining the sect is not difficult, it depends on Fellow Daoist Wei’s expectations for his offspring.

Allow me to inquire, if Bai Lin’s talent reaches Top-Grade, would Fellow Daoist be willing to let him develop within the sect?”

In truth, what Wei Songnian asked for here, arranging for the eldest to enter the sect, was not difficult; a Chao Origin Stage cultivator speaking would surely be granted this courtesy by the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.

Yet because the talent is too low, integration into the sect is challenging, only mixing at lower levels, difficult to forge useful connections.

Considering this, the other party didn’t make such a request.

Wei Songnian was silent for a moment, then solemnly said:

“Of course, I would.”

If the Wei Clan could produce a Great Cultivator, even if staying in the sect, relations with family may be faint, the potential influence would not be insignificant.

He would lead the family to grow strong, while his child could instead look upon higher vistas on his behalf.

Ji An slightly nodded, promising:

“If the Wei Clan has disciples with Top-Grade talent join the sect, I am willing to take one as my disciple and cultivate diligently.

Whether he remains in the sect or returns to Little Bamboo Mountain, let him decide.”

This was repaying the favor owed to Soul Nourishing Wood, and he touched the pendant on his chest; this curiosity that consistently released Earth Element Spirit Mechanism was also gifted by the other party.

Wei Songnian cupped his hands, saying gravely:

“I will remember Fellow Daoist’s kindness in my heart.”

He came today without making any requests, yet his central purpose had been accomplished.

“Mutual benefit and reciprocity.”

Ji An laughed heartily, raised his wine cup, and said:

“Let the cup not stop, today we drink without returning until drunk.”

“Cheers!”

After the three drank, Ji An continued:

“Fellow Daoist, once you return to Little Bamboo Mountain, what goods do you plan to trade?

In the future, the products of Red Flame Peak, at least, will be Tier Two Lower-grade Spiritual Objects.

Moreover, the talismans I will draw in the future will mainly be Tier Two and above.”

Previously, their transactions primarily involved talismans and Spirit Wine.

Frankly, if the Wei Clan manages Tier Two Spiritual Objects, it will draw covetous eyes.

Nothing else, the strength is insufficient to deter petty troublemakers.

Wei Songnian pointed at his dao companion and said:

“Qiuyun has considerable talent in alchemy, and currently she can refine Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Elixirs.

Once back to the family, I plan to cultivate more family alchemists.

Primarily dealing in elixirs, talismans, Spirit Wine, and also opening a grocery store for resource collection.”

He was well aware that he could secure Ji An’s promise largely due to the Soul Nourishing Wood.

In order to maintain contact, the best approach is still to collect resources the other party can use.

He will use the support received from Red Flame Peak to manage the family while striving to collect more rare Spirit Seeds or seedlings.

Ji An slightly nodded:

“I still have quite a bit of Tier Two Lower-grade Honey and various Spirit Fruits here.

In the future, when needed, feel free to speak to me.

In a few years, I will also be dealing in Spirit Tea, which can be supplied to Fellow Daoist as well.”

Once the Cloud-Top Jade Tree and Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree start to seed, tea tree cultivation will assuredly increase.

Needless to say, he will plant all the saplings from the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree.

The higher the tier of the Spirit Tree, the fewer seeds it produces each time; he wants to plant dozens of Spirit Tea Trees, uncertain how many years it will take to fulfill this wish.

…

Half a month later.

Ji An, not needing to be stationed at the Agricultural Hall, rode the cloud to a grotto mansion on Red Copper Mountain.

Zhuu Xiangrong came out to greet him, cupping his hands:

“Junior Brother Ji, what wind blew you here today?”

He had learned from Junior Brother Jia Yu that the other party was diligent in cultivation, rarely venturing out usually.

“I seek Senior Brother today to discuss the matter of refining Spiritual Artifacts.”

Ji An took out two green jade jars and smiled:

“I heard Senior Brother likes tea, these are Cloud Peak Silver Needle and Jade Dew Golden Bud produced at Red Flame Peak, I bring some for Senior Brother to taste.”

He chuckled inwardly, Zhao Lei is a disciple of the other party and loves drinking; the preferences of the master and disciple are opposites.

Zhuu Xiangrong didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the jade jars:

“Then I shall accept with a smile, Junior Brother, come in for a chat.”

He coveted the Spirit Tea from Red Flame Peak for a long time, but upon hearing that the other had no intention to sell Spirit Tea, he didn’t ask.

The two entered the grotto mansion and took seats; Zhuu Xiangrong asked:

“Junior Brother, what type of Spiritual Artifact do you wish to refine, and of what tier?”

“Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact, the greater the potential the better, and the materials should be relatively easy to gather.”

Ji An knew he didn’t have the privilege of being choosy.

Whichever mature refining technique for Spiritual Artifacts the sect inheritance contains, he’ll choose according to that.

Those flexible materials are demon beast materials, which he doesn’t possess.

Zhuu Xiangrong gritted his teeth and pondered:

“Junior Brother, quite the courage, in that case, I recommend you refine either the Earth-Departing Flame Banner or Wuji Xinghuang Banner.”