Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

”Not yet. I returned to Red Flame Peak last night, had a drink, and the night was already deep. So, I went back to the grotto mansion early, prepared to start casting spells for the Spirit Field today, and will take over Ningcui Cliff again.”

”Just relying on the Earth Vein, the nurturing speed of the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire is too slow; more cultivation is needed. Perhaps when the fire seed is divided in the future, it might add another Golden Core Cultivator.”

After a few whispered exchanges, Daoist Master Zhengyang inquired about their travels, and half an hour later, the three of them bid farewell and left.

Walking out of Wuji Hall, riding on an auspicious cloud for a long distance, Han Yan clasped her hands and smiled:

”Congratulations, Junior Brother. In the future, you’ll be able to cultivate the Dao Field to a Tier Three level, a treatment of a Golden Core Daoist Master.”

If the Spiritual Vein of Red Flame Peak could be elevated to Tier Three, it might be filled with Tier Two upper-grade and top-grade Spirit Wood, making it the largest treasure trove of the Sect.

She saw it clearly: Junior Brother Ji is the direct beneficiary of the Sect’s move, but in the long run, the Sect itself is the greatest beneficiary.

Liu Yu also smiled and echoed, ”Congratulations, Junior Brother.”

Ji An shook his head slightly, saying:

”The ancestor also said we need to spend a long time gathering resources.

Plus, the time needed for cultivation; I estimate that it would take at least over a hundred years for Red Flame Peak to be elevated to Tier Three.”

Ji An took out a Communication Golden Sword and activated it to inform Senior Brother Zhang from the Diligence Hall about his return to the Sect, asking him to send someone to witness the handover.

The cultivator substituting him in planting at the Ningcui Cliff Medicinal Garden belongs to the Diligence Hall, but the tallying of various Spirit Medicines needs supervision from other halls.

Because it involves him personally, the required procedures still need to be followed.

The three descended at the Treasure Pavilion, appraised all assets of the Golden Core cultivators, and selected the spirit objects they needed before distributing the gains.

Ji An did not receive any small merit because he chose the Earth Core Silver Marrow.

...

Ji An rode on a golden auspicious cloud, landing at the Agricultural Hall on the west side of Ningcui Cliff.

He arrived at the central hall but found Lin Mao’s room door tightly shut, and his calls went unanswered, with the Dharma Prohibition also in an active state.

Kong Yunyi came out to check upon hearing the noise, looked slightly startled, then replaced his expression with a look of pleasant surprise, stepping forward respectfully and clasping his hands:

”Greetings, Hall Master. With your return today, the Agricultural Hall will inevitably thrive even more.

Hall Master Lin, being advanced in age, resigned from his position three years ago to enjoy his later years. You can come to my room and make yourself comfortable.”

Since Ji An went out to travel, he had a lot of friction with Lin Mao privately over the distribution of power.

But Lin Mao, due to his advancing age, saw most stewards siding with Ji An, which eventually led Lin Mao to lose his spirit and simply leave the Agricultural Hall.

No new Vice Hall Master was appointed by the Sect, so Kong Yunyi held significant power and enjoyed it greatly, almost forgetting there was still a Hall Master above him.

Ji An nodded slightly. Knowing that a Foundation Establishment cultivator lives for two hundred years, with Lin Mao now being over one hundred and eighty years old, not much time for enjoyment remains.

The two entered the room and sat down, and Ji An asked:

”How has the Agricultural Hall been over these years? When is the next meeting?”

Kong Yunyi, with a self-satisfied look, described the situation of each medicinal garden and reported:

”Currently, the Agricultural Hall oversees two hundred and six Foundation Establishment cultivators, with one hundred and eighty of them forming sixty teams responsible for various medicinal gardens above Tier One top-grade level.

After assessments, the cultivation speed of Spirit Medicines is thirty percent faster than before, with exceptional groups seeing an increase of up to fifty percent.”

His face was filled with excitement, and he said eagerly, ”The next meeting is in half a month.”

Ji An nodded slightly, saying:

”Very good, notify everyone. I will assess all stewards at the next meeting.”

”As you command.”

After sharing some details, Ji An got up to leave.

Kong Yunyi silently sighed, realizing that his days of monopolizing power were coming to an end, feeling a myriad of reluctance in his heart.

...

Ji An arrived at the warehouse, where an old Foundation Establishment cultivator was on duty. Recognizing that it was the Hall Master personally visiting, he hurriedly clasped his hands and said:

”Greetings, Hall Master! Congratulations on your return to the Sect.”

The Hall Master had left the Sect to elevate his cultivation, and now his return indicated that his cultivation had reached the Fourth Transformation of the Chao Origin Stage.

With such a figure leading the Agricultural Hall, there is no worry of it not prospering.

Ji An nodded, saying warmly:

”You’ve worked hard. I heard from Senior Brother Jia from the Treasure Pavilion that the Sect has collected High-tier Spirit Seeds; I’m here to exchange for them.”

At that time, Jia Yu did not specify what type of Spirit Plant, piquing his curiosity greatly.

”Please wait a moment, Hall Master. I’ll get them immediately.”

The steward jogged into the warehouse and soon came out holding two jade boxes.

”Please take a look, Hall Master. Inside are two Jade Flame Purple Spirit Gourd Seeds and one Lingxiao Cloud Tree Seed, all Tier Two Top-Grade Fire Spirit Seeds.”

”Good!”

Ji An laughed heartily. Senior Brother Zhang Zizhao’s Jade Flame Purple Spirit Gourd had left a deep impression on him back in the day, and it even nurtured the Red Flame Soul-Slaying Saber, truly a fine treasure.

He didn’t expect the sect to be so generous, providing two kinds of spirit plants that fit perfectly with his desires, making him very happy.

Although he chose to use the Five Elements Spirit Banner as his core, he could also collect suitable top-grade spiritual artifacts!

Of course, he would base this on practical circumstances, to see if his Primordial Life Fire was potent enough to refine multiple top-grade spiritual artifacts.

Ji An opened the jade box to find white satin inside, upon which lay two spirit seeds, one large and one small, sparkling with spirit light.

The larger seed was about the size of a thumb’s knuckle, while the smaller was only the size of a little finger.

If not for the color, the seeds looked no different from ordinary gourd seeds, with red flame patterns on the surface that occasionally glistened with a flowing light.

He extended his Divine Sense, sensing the vitality of the spirit seeds, and couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly.

He could now clearly sense the vitality levels of the spirit seeds. While the vitality of the larger seed was alright, the smaller seed’s life force was visibly declining, resembling a decayed withering.

Ji An could conclude that this seed was innately deficient, much like a premature child. Even if planted, it could at best nurture a Tier Two Upper-Grade gourd.

Without showing any sign, he closed the box and opened the other.

Inside was a very regular ellipsoid seed, egg-sized and light brown, with purple cloud patterns on the surface.

The Lingxiao Fruit could be refined into Chao Origin Stage Fire-element Elixirs, but the sect did not have the related prescriptions, so they would likely be used in trades with Middle Continent Cultivators in the future.

Nevertheless, even as raw materials, Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Fruits could sell for a good price.

Ji An extended his Divine Sense to sense the life force of the spirit seed and smiled, nodding; this spirit seed had a fuller vitality compared to the gourd seed.

Rubbing his hands in excitement, he asked:

”How many Small Merit points are needed for an exchange?”

With such high starting potential, there’s a chance to nurture them to Tier Three.

However, even if these spirit plants reached Tier Three, they couldn’t be considered treasure plants; they could only produce Tier Three resources.

What exactly is a treasure plant? A treasure plant is a Tier Three or higher spirit plant with hidden divine wonders.

Ordinary spirit plants that luckily break through to Tier Three only result in a mere enhancement of their medicinal effects.

”When Junior Martial Uncle Zhang from the Diligence Hall sent these spirit seeds, he instructed that each gourd seed is valued at fifty Small Merit points, and each tree seed at two hundred Small Merit points.

Henceforth, Junior Martial Uncle’s submitted seeds will be purchased at this rate, but only the first fifty seeds of each type will be bought at this price; the purchase price will decrease progressively for subsequent batches.”

Ji An raised an eyebrow slightly and stored the spirit seeds in the Void Realm Space, handing over his Jade Token:

”Understood, let’s settle it.”

Within the sect, the Diligence Hall had the duty to evaluate the responsibilities of each hall, and Senior Brother Zhang’s instructions made sense. No matter how precious, these seeds lose value as they become more numerous.

This issue needs to be discussed in a meeting to form a regulation, or else the Agricultural Hall might face bankruptcy if it keeps buying too many spirit seeds.

The steward placed the Jade Token on the Spiritual Plate, his eyes narrowing sharply. The Hall Master was truly wealthy! Yet, thinking of the prosperity of the Red Flame Peak, he felt a sense of relief.

At that moment, he resolved that if his descendants were to join the sect in the future, they would definitely enter the Agricultural Hall!

True high-tier spirit farmers really do earn a fortune effortlessly.

...

Early in the evening, Zhang Zizhao personally arrived at Ningcui Cliff, checking the spirit medicines of each medicinal garden one by one, while Ji An casually cast a Planting Technique.

After everyone else had departed, Zhang Zizhao clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice:

”Junior Brother, congratulations! You’ve made a solid step toward breaking through to the Golden Core.”

His gaze was full of envy. The first time he heard the name ”Ji An,” the latter had just been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the Second Transformation of the Chao Origin Stage.

Now, while he was still lingering at the Third Transition Realm of the Chao Origin Stage, Ji An had already advanced to the Fourth Transformation.

Watching the younger generation surpass him filled his heart with a sense of desolation.

Ji An returned the salute, lowered his eyes modestly, and said:

”Senior Brother, you overpraise me. Even if I reach the Fifth Transition Perfection of the Chao Origin Stage, I still have a long way to go. I’ve just been running a bit faster up front.”

The breakthrough to become a Golden Core Cultivator is not easy. Even if everything goes smoothly up to that point, failing the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation would render it all in vain.

Many cultivators have perished without passing the Thunder Tribulation, and even Golden Core Cultivators have differences in quality. Ji An had no sense of complacency.

”Haha, Junior Brother, you’re too modest. On the path of cultivation, quick steps lead to a quicker path, and those who rise later are very few and far between.”

The two chatted briefly before each went their way, with Ji An stepping onto the Teleportation Array.