Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Today, unexpectedly, nearly a hundred flying ships, large and small, were docked outside.

Liu Yu saw his lips moving but didn’t catch what he said, so he asked:

”What did you say just now, Junior Brother?”

Ji An condensed his voice into a thread and recounted what he saw.

Liu Yu laughed, ”The sect has fixed trades with many forces. Apart from the personally managed shops in Cyan Cloud Immortal City, the marketplaces are supported by people running them.

Today should be the other shops coming to collect goods, though it was never this bustling before. We’ll know for sure once we return to the sect.”

The disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall often patrol the sect’s perimeter and are familiar with such situations; he heard fellow sect members mention it before.

Han Yan laughed, ”Then let’s hurry a bit and return to the sect quickly.”

The three increased their effort to activate the spiritual artifact; amidst the flame light spout, their flying escape speed accelerated yet again.

Not long after, everyone arrived at Luoxia Mountain, descending onto a platform.

Ji An found a steward and asked:

”I see many flying ships outside; which forces are they from, and what are they here for?”

The steward looked puzzled, slightly frowned, and said:

”Junior Martial Uncle, you actually don’t know?”

Liu Yu interjected, ”Junior Martial Uncles are asking you a question. Just answer it! We’ve been traveling for years and naturally aren’t aware of recent events.”

The steward grimaced and hurriedly changed his tone:

”I spoke too much. Years ago, the sect implemented new policies. The Artifact Refining Hall and Puppet Hall produced magical artifacts that aren’t expensive yet reliable, favored by various forces.

Also, the Dan Ding Institute can steadily refine quality Qi Refining Stage elixirs. These flying ships are from different forces coming to procure materials.

Previously, transactions could finish in half a day; now, it takes two days to complete.”

His tone carried pride; the sect became wealthier, allowing even disciples to enjoy some benefits, improving their conditions to different extents.

Ji An revealed a strange smile, scratching his head, thinking to himself:

’The sect ultimately came to this path. The assembly line production method will definitely usher in an ”industrial revolution” in the Cultivation Realm.

Now, producing more Qi Refining materials is no problem, and in the future, it can yield more Foundation Establishment level materials.’

The three entered the range of the Mountain Protection Array, and Han Yan said:

”It’ll take over a double hour to fly escape to Sunrise Peak; since it’s getting late, how about visiting the ancestor tomorrow instead?”

”Then let’s meet at the Treasure Pavilion tomorrow at 7:00 AM to pay respects to the ancestor together.”

The three agreed and went their separate ways.

...

The bright moon illuminated the celestial vault, and amid the cold radiance, a red brilliance swept across, with Ji An stepping on the clouds returning.

The Earth-Departing Flame Banner transformed into a ball of auspicious cloud, leaving behind a red-gold halo that lingered for a long time.

Light shone in Red Flame Peak with subtle fragrance wafting, as mountain winds swept by, making spirit plants surge like waves, enhancing the tranquility.

Wei Songtao and a few others were drinking liquor by the Cold Pool; over the years, their days were too enjoyable, and each had gained a circle of weight.

No one in the sect’s halls would trouble them; even though they’re only at Qi Refining cultivation, most Foundation Establishment cultivators treat them politely.

Amid high-sounding discussions, Zhang Cuihua noticed the celestial vault’s red splendor was particularly striking, exclaiming:

”The Patriarch has returned!”

Except for certain special days, whenever night falls, the Mountain Protection Array of Red Flame Peak surely opens.

At this time, someone entered the mountain soundlessly, clearly holding a Dharma Prohibition Jade Token.

Wei Songtao and others hurriedly stood up, and then a warm wind blew strongly, making them unable to keep their eyes open.

The Earth-Departing Flame Banner rapidly shrank, returning to its master’s dantian, sinking into the red flame layer, as the spiritual artifact cheerfully swam like a small fish.

”Greetings Patriarch, congratulations on your cultivation progress.”

The disciples shouted in unison, their tone very respectful.

Ji An glanced at the stone table’s porcelain plates, with spirit wine, roasted fish, stewed meat, pastries, and spirit fruits, all present.

”Life seems quite delightful. Add a set of bowls and chopsticks, I’ll have a drink as well.”

Wei Songtao scratched his head, smiling apologetically:

”These are just leftovers; better let Cuihua arrange a proper spiritual food table for the Patriarch.”

”Today, let’s keep it simple; tomorrow evening, we’ll taste how much Cuihua’s culinary skills have improved.”

Ji An looked at the few who, despite rosy faces, had gradually grown white hair; he sighed inwardly. These few are already over seventy, with at most twenty years to stay at Red Flame Peak.

He planned to relax well today, and tomorrow evening, he’ll cast spells on the spirit field.

”I’ll fetch the bowls and chopsticks,” Zhang Cuihua said, running off.

Tian Tiezhu whispered:

”I’ll go get wine for the Patriarch.”

Ji An released several spirit beasts; Golden Fur squeaked, leaping a few times, then swiftly sank into the earth, fleeing using Earth Element Technique.

There’s no way staying in the Spirit Beast Bag compares with being beside Soul Nourishing Wood and Earth Spirit Fruit Tree!

Dahuang ran cheerfully, the Golden Feathered Eagle cried sharply, soaring upward, Lan Bei leisurely crawled toward the Cold Pool, swiftly diving to the bottom.

”Where are Lin Lan and Han Mountain? Why aren’t they here?”

”Replying to the Patriarch, the two Junior Martial Uncles are busy with Agricultural Hall affairs and won’t return to Red Flame Peak for these two days.”

Ji An grabbed a Spiritual Peach, took a bite, finding it only a Tier One Top Grade fruit.

He also picked a piece of Honey Osmanthus Cake, tasting the honey used was also Tier One level, nodding quietly.

With fragrant wine and strong tea, Ji An ate while listening to several people report the situation at Red Flame Peak these past years.

Wei Songtao was the last to report, explaining the account’s income and expenses over these years.

”Since the Patriarch left, spirit fields at various small nodes of spirit veins have been successively cultivated to Tier Two Upper Grade by staff from Diligence Hall.

Additionally, the Tier Two High-grade spirit plants added at Red Flame Peak include two Spiritual Peaches, one Dragon Blood Tree, four Jade Leaf Mulberries, and Biluo Trees...”

He felt slightly anxious; when the Patriarch was here, the addition speed of Tier Two High-grade spirit plants was much faster than in recent years.

After all, the Patriarch has been traveling for more than ten years; even with fifty acres of spirit fields cultivated to the same tier as the main spiritual vein node, there are only so many high-grade spirit plants added, which is too few.

The production of various spirit woods also decreased significantly, with fewer numbers of spirit fruits and smaller sizes.

Take the Red Cloud Pine as an example; Tier Two Upper Grade spirit wood’s pine nuts ripen once every three years; previously, each tree produced five hundred pounds on average, but now barely three hundred pounds, even in upper-grade spirit fields.

In the middle-grade spirit fields far from spirit vein nodes, the yield reduction is more severe.

This result made everyone clearly realize how crucial the role of a high-tier spirit farmer can be.

Ji An’s expression was calm while listening; he had anticipated this result long before.

If Tier Two Upper Grade spirit vein nodes could massively cultivate Tier Two spirit plants, what would they need high-tier spirit farmers for?

If such were the case, a force occupying high-grade spirit veins would have no worries, but aren’t there fewer and fewer high-tier forces submerged in the sands of time?

The moon slanted westward, and no more wine could be poured from the bamboo tube, Ji An waved, stood up, and said:

”You all may disperse; Songtao, come with me to the Secret Vault.”

The two walked one after another into the Secret Vault, where Ji An briefly glanced at the account book and set it aside; on it were signatures from two disciples and Wei Songtao, with accounts clear and transparent.

Ji An took some Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea and eighty percent of Tier Two Upper Grade resources, placing them into the Void Realm Space and Storage Bag, along with dozens of bottles of Metal Element and Earth Element Essence.

”How has Little Bamboo Mountain been these past years?”

Wei Songtao, feeling pleased, lowered his gaze and said:

”The number of cultivators at Little Bamboo Mountain has rapidly increased in recent years, reaching over two hundred.

The old clan leader has passed away, but the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators currently remains at three, thanks to the Patriarch keeping the Soul Incense trade ongoing.

The Wei Clan’s hardest times are over and will flourish increasingly in the future.

This kindness has been etched in the clan leader’s heart.”

The Patriarch asking about Little Bamboo Mountain shows he still cherishes old ties.

As he grows older someday, he’ll eventually return to his roots; the more prosperous the family is, the more stable his days will be.

Ji An nodded slightly and said:

”Very good, in a few days after I finish my mundane tasks, I will invite your brother to a banquet; you can give him a heads-up, within a month.”

He currently holds a large number of Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pills; with areas in the sect for Golden Eating and Qi Circulation, he can return to a peaceful life thereafter.

Reconnect with old friends, many of whom are diminishing with each encounter.

”In a few days, it’ll be the time for family cultivators to come and trade with Red Flame Peak, which is perfect for delivering the message.”

The two walked out of the Secret Vault; Ji An took out a large handful of Communication Talisman Swords, informing the people of Ningcui Cliff about his return and expressing the intention to gather in a few days.