Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Sunrise Peak, Wuji Hall.

The sky was ablaze with sunlight illuminating the mountains, casting a golden glow on the plaque above the hall.

Jia Yu walked steadily into the hall, clasped his hands respectfully, and said:

”Greetings, ancestor.”

Today, he had just arrived at the Treasure Pavilion when he received a Communication Golden Sword from the ancestor, inviting him to come quickly.

”Little Jia, have a seat!”

Daoist Master Zhengyang’s tone was quite friendly, ”I have discussed with Junior Brother Yuxiao, and we’re planning to upgrade the spiritual veins of Red Flame Peak to Tier Three in the future.

Starting next year, half of the major sect resources related to upgrading spiritual veins in the Treasure Pavilion will be stored in the Secret Vault Bingyin Hall each year.”

The sect’s secret vault is divided into several halls, with Bingyin Hall storing materials not currently in circulation.

He didn’t know what plan the Array Grandmaster from the Central Continent would use to improve the spiritual veins of Red Flame Peak, but reckoned it required major sect materials and wouldn’t differ much from the main spiritual vein enhancement.

”The disciple has noted that the sect’s record of materials for main spiritual vein enhancement is in the Treasure Pavilion.”

Jia Yu wasn’t surprised by the ancestor’s decision; Red Flame Peak is increasingly crucial to the sect’s significance. Not to mention, even if Junior Brother Ji couldn’t cultivate Tier Three spirit plants, cultivating more Tier Two top-grade spirit plants would be excellent.

He sighed in his heart, wondering if he would see Red Flame Peak’s spiritual vein upgraded to Tier Three in his lifetime, for the cost of upgrading the spirit vein grade is too exorbitant.

The sect is still too impoverished, merely gathering resources will take considerable time.

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded slightly, having trusted Jia Yu for many years in managing the secret vault.

”When Middle Continent cultivators reach the Western Continent again, exchange for more Canglan Treasure Light Pills. Luofeng Valley can also produce a small amount of Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pills; if possible, trade some.”

The significance of Red Flame Peak grows steadily; Ji An, who practices Golden Eating and Qi Circulation, can stay at the sect, but must venture outside when practicing Water Eating and Qi Walking.

If disciples venture outside, it diminishes the sect’s pace of accumulating high-tier resources.

If possible, he wants to provide disciples with ample pills, so that they can venture out after perfecting their Water Element Divine Mansion.

Jia Yu didn’t understand the ancestor’s intention very well but nodded in agreement:

”Understood, disciple, but how many pills does the ancestor plan to store?

Currently, in the sect, Junior Brother Ji is the only cultivator opening the Water Mansion, and his immediate need is to strengthen the Jin Mansion.”

To solidify the Water Mansion’s core, two pills are available: the Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pill and the Canglan Treasure Light Pill.

Among these, the Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pill contains less Water Element Qi, but slightly helps in purifying the divine soul.

However, the last time the sect traded with Luofeng Valley, they expended considerable resources simply to buy almost all of Luofeng Valley’s stock of Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pills, making bulk purchases virtually impossible.

From his view, storing too many Water Element Spirit Pills is meaningless.

”How many Water Element Spirit Pills are currently in the Treasure Pavilion?”

”Ten of each type, probably won’t be needed in ten years, sufficient to last until the next Merchant Flying Ship arrives from the Central Continent.”

”If a cultivator relies solely on pills to perfect the Water Element Divine Mansion, how many would be required? Assuming an average-talented disciple.”

Daoist Master Zhengyang asked, the time so distant he couldn’t recall how many Water Element Spirit Pills he consumed himself.

Jia Yu scratched his head, vaguely understanding the ancestor’s plan.

However, a cultivator’s personal endowments vary; even consuming fifty thousand wisps of Qi, some may have a perfectly completed Divine Mansion core while others may vastly differ.

Since this involves understanding the Five Elements Dao, it’s extremely difficult to quantify, causing a large gap between estimates and actual needs.

”Ancestor, according to sect records, eight hundred years ago a predecessor opened a Water Mansion and then traveled Southern Continent for forty-two years consuming Qi, he can be referenced.

Back then, the sect could provide very few pills, assuming he consumed eighteen wisps of Qi daily, equivalent to swallowing about one hundred eighty Canglan Treasure Light Pills.

Additionally, the elder probably acquired some pills in the Southern Continent, estimating a total of two hundred twenty-to-thirty pills.”

Jia Yu paused, tentatively said:

”Ancestor, are you planning for Junior Brother Ji?”

”Yes, while he remains at the sect, Red Flame Peak can truly be called a treasure land.”

”There’s something the ancestor might not know, Junior Brother Ji has one hundred twenty Canglan Treasure Light Pills on hand.

When the Merchant Flying Ship arrives from the Central Continent, I think buying eighty more pills will be more than sufficient, Junior Brother Ji has his plans, the sect needn’t worry.”

Daoist Master Zhengyang showed a gentle light in his eyes, smiled, and said:

”Alright, it seems he’s well-prepared.

Qi Eating is also an important part of experiencing the Five Elements Dao; if he relies solely on pills for improvement, he’ll still need to travel to places rich in Water veins later.”

...

Half a month later, Agricultural Hall.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered in the hall, filling it to capacity.

Some cultivators had not yet met the Hall Master, craning their necks to watch.

Kong Yunyi presented the ledger, speaking solemnly:

”Hall Master, here are the tasks allocated to various groups and the growth status of each Medicinal Garden.”

In Agricultural Hall, an annual assessment of each group is customary.

Ji An skimmed through the ledger and then began questioning each group — despite having left for many years, such gestures were necessary.

The inquiries alone took over two double hours.

He closed the ledger, smiled, and said:

”Everyone’s done well. Tomorrow, I will spot-check some Medicinal Gardens; now let’s discuss another matter.”

He explained the situation when exchanging Spirit Seeds a few days ago, then continued:

”Hall Master Zhang made a valid point, the previous rules for purchasing Spirit Seeds in Agricultural Hall were incomplete, we need to modify them.