Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

The entrance of the Drunken Immortal Inn was bustling with cultivators, all dressed in luxurious robes.

Beneath the clamor of voices, faint ethereal music could be heard; Ji An listened attentively, as if high mountains and flowing waters appeared before his eyes.

Inside, there were skilled sound cultivators enlivening the atmosphere, indicating that the meal prices were certainly not cheap.

”Senior, Drunken Immortal Inn is the most luxurious tavern in the Immortal City. More than a decade ago, they cooked a Golden Core Demon Beast. I remember the aroma of food enveloping this entire street for days before it gradually dissipated.”

Li Zhonghe spoke, a line of crystalline drool trailing from the corner of his mouth, which he promptly wiped away with his sleeve.

”A Golden Core Demon Beast, huh,” Ji An sighed. Back when the demon calamity erupted, Golden Core cultivators from the Western Continent had slain two Golden Core Demon Beasts. Who knows who got to eat the beast meat.

For cultivators, this meat was comparable to high-tier elixirs, but unfortunately, he wasn’t qualified to partake at that time.

”Let’s go in and take a look.”

Li Zhonghe waved his hand with a laugh, saying:

”Senior, please go ahead. There’s an entry fee as soon as you enter this tavern, but it can be offset by ordering spiritual food; I can’t afford to splurge.

I’ll grab some drink and food elsewhere. I’ll wait for you outside the tavern in half an hour.”

The ingredients here are of very high quality, with meats at least of the Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast and Spirit Fish level, costing several hundred to a thousand spirit stones for a single meal.

As a Qi Refining Stage cultivator who needs to support a family, he couldn’t afford such extravagance.

”Understood, see you later.”

Ji An nodded and stepped inside. Immediately, a maid approached with a sweet smile, asking:

”Welcome. How many for dining, Senior?”

”Just one, I’ll sit in the hall.”

Sitting in the hall allowed him to catch some news. Years ago, the talk about the Little World fragment falling in Southern Continent’s Rotten Peach Mountain was overheard in a tavern.

”Senior, our house rule requires a middle-grade spirit stone to be seated.”

”I’ll pay after ordering.”

Ji An headed to the second floor, found a window seat, and briefly browsed through the menu handed by the maid, frowning slightly:

”Why is a pan-fried Treasure Dragon Fish 36 middle-grade spirit stones? Why so pricey?”

This was one of the most expensive dishes on the menu, and since he was here, he wouldn’t skimp on local delicacies, provided they were worth it.

”Senior, the Treasure Dragon Fish is a special product of the Nu Lan River and can’t survive in other waters.

Its flesh is tender and delicious; we use Chao Origin Stage level spirit fish, the length of an arm, with flat bodies and golden scales.

Moreover, this treasure fish is not commonly available and is only easy to catch during this season.”

”Haha, I’ve never tried Chao Origin Stage Spirit Fish before; I’ll have it.

Also, get me an Eight-Treasure Chicken, a serving of Pearl Blood Rice, and a pot of Laurel Wine.”

Ji An handed over a middle-grade spirit stone. He didn’t order much because higher-tier ingredients were incredibly filling.

”All right, Senior, please wait; I’ll soon bring you a pot of spirit tea.”

The maid memorized the order and quickly descended the stairs.

While waiting, Ji An mused about his afternoon plans while listening to the conversations of cultivators at nearby tables.

Although no secrets could be overheard, it let him know what major events were happening in the Immortal City.

The table discussions were between cultivators at Foundation Establishment Level and above, devoid of trivial matters.

Soon, the maid brought the food all at once with the clerk, ”Senior, please enjoy; let me know if you need anything else.”

Ji An nodded slightly, the rich fragrance of the spiritual food stirring his appetite.

The Treasure Dragon Fish was golden brown on both sides, displaying mysterious patterns as he picked up a piece and placed it in his mouth.

His mouth watered, the aroma lingered between his lips and teeth; after swallowing the fish, a rich burst of spiritual qi erupted in his chest and belly, as if he had swallowed a ball of flames, akin to the fiery satisfaction of eating a spicy hot pot on a winter day.

The chilling waters of the Nu Lan River birthed fire element fish, suggesting perhaps a transformation and interdependence of yin and yang in the world?

Then he tried the Eight-Treasure Chicken, which was from a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Level Demon Bird, and its tender flesh melted in his mouth.

Pearl Blood Rice was notably larger than regular spirit rice, resembling translucent jade grains with a distinct aroma.

Ji An scooped up a mouthful, chewing and swallowing, eyes widening slightly — he had assumed blood rice was spirit rice that nourished blood and qi, but it turned out to be fire spirit rice.

He waved a hand, and the maid approached with a smile, asking:

”Senior, do you have any orders?”

”This spirit rice is Tier Two Lower Grade—where can I buy the spirit seed?”

”Senior, this spirit rice is exclusively provided by the Sunx of Red Cloud Mountain, but I heard it has specific soil requirements, and yields are low when planted in other areas.

If you wish to purchase spirit seeds, you can find them at Sunx’s Spiritual Rice Shop on Xuelan Street.”

”Got it, thank you.”

Ji An handed over five lower-grade spirit stones to her, knowing Xuelan Street was where Zhou’s Store was located.

”Thank you, Senior, for the reward!”

The maid accepted the spirit stones with a beaming smile as she left, as the reward money belonged to her.

After a hearty meal, Ji An leaned by the window, quietly sipping spirit tea, listening to discussions among other cultivators.

Someone talked about how hundreds of years ago in the Nu Lan River, an Ink Flood Dragon had transformed; back then, lightning flashed and thunder roared for hundreds of miles, and prolonged rain caused the river to swell, submerging vast tracts of land.

Others spoke of discovering ancient grotto mansions deep within the mountains, where several Chao Origin Stage cultivators perished.

Unnoticed, the tea pot had run dry.

Seeing the broker had returned, Ji An rose to head to the staircase.

The maid approached softly, asking:

”Senior, are you checking out?”

”Yes, lead the way.”