Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

The auction concluded, and after casting a few glances at Ji An, the others gradually left the venue.

The female cultivator’s delicate brows, hidden beneath her veil, slightly knitted; she had never seen the other party before, which logically shouldn’t have been the case.

The higher the tier of cultivators, the smaller the circle, as there aren’t many high-tier cultivators to begin with.

She shook her head slightly, considering the other party likely an outsider cultivator, thus completely offending a high-tier puppet master.

After exchanging greetings with Wey Tianhua, she quickly departed.

”Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ji, for your generous move!”

”I have heard Xianglin speak of your esteemed name many times, and today upon meeting you, your extraordinary demeanor and elegance indeed stand out.”

Wey Tianhua spoke with a warm smile, making one feel as if basking in spring winds.

Ji An slightly grinned, ”I’ve exhausted everything and am now bankrupt.”

”Haha, with your skill in talisman making, you’ll quickly accumulate wealth.”

Wey Tianhua did not continue with small talk; he moved onto the main topic:

”In three days at midnight, under the full moon shining on the summit of Red Rock City, it will be the time to enter the Nine Netherworld.

Please make sure to arrive here by 9:00 PM, and we’ll proceed to the Nine Netherworld together, remember.”

He then handed over a palm-sized, pale golden token.

On the front, a dragon head relief was engraved, with minute runes on the intricate scales, while the back bore the seal character ”Wey,” as bold and imposing as silver hooks and iron strokes.

Ji An accepted the token and respectfully cupped his hands, saying:

”Understood, as your family has been operating for many years in Red Rock Immortal City, if you could kindly inform us about the specific circumstances of the Nine Netherworld, it would be greatly appreciated.”

The other party had already indicated the Nine Netherworld is not peaceful, and how can one proceed without gathering some information.

It’s akin to preparing for a raid in a game, with all types of resistance potions and targeted equipment needed for preparation!

Time is tight; he needs to sell off some resources.

Wey Tianhua gestured to invite him to sit, ”Please have a seat, Fellow Daoist, and I will tell you at leisure.”

The other is a major customer, having spent an enormous price, offering some not overly secretive information is only appropriate.

Even though the other party is a Western Continent cultivator, the Wey clan has trade relations with the Western Continent, although previously not expanded to the southern part.

Those acts of goodwill that don’t require extra effort must be given, as you never know when you may need to utilize connections, and even if not, being kind to others is better than planting thorns in their hearts.

The two sat down, and Wey Tianhua began narrating slowly:

”The Nine Netherworld is located deep underground and is connected to the Nether River. The periodic rise and fall of the Nether River brings forth Gui Water Essence Qi, which nourishes Ji Earth. In the Nine Netherworld, the Ji Earth Qi is dense and almost substantial.

It is said that the Nether River is the destination of all souls, nourishing spirits, a paradise for the departed, and a hell for the living.

After the death of a creature, a trace of its spirit charm remains, returning to the earth and falling into the Nether River, washing away the marks of its life.”

”Although the truth of the legends cannot be verified, indeed, there are many Yin souls in the Nether River.

Ordinarily, these Yin souls are confined to the Nether River, but some manage to escape its bindings as the river rises and falls, entering the Spirit Realm.”

”Ji Earth is nourishing soil and also soul-calming soil; Earth overcomes Water, and the collision between these two spiritual mechanisms not only forms evolving Earth-Born Gold Spirit Realms but also becomes a haven for Yin souls escaping the Nether River’s bindings.

Within the Nine Netherworld, strong Yin Soul Beasts tend to breed; the Yang Qi of the living is what they crave most.

Yin Soul Beasts are of a Yin nature, and some individuals may develop soul crystals—excellent materials for crafting pills that enhance the power of the spirit soul, and they can also serve as cores for puppet beasts.”

”Before the Nine Netherworld opens, the Immortal City will lead various forces with quotas to clear out the Yin Soul Beasts, but like fish slipping through a thousand nets, there will always be leftover Yin Soul Beasts.

The timing of your entry coincides with the peak of the Nether River’s tide, which will give rise to new Yin Soul Beasts.

Therefore, while seeking insight into the Five Elements Mutual Generation within the Spirit Realm, you must also guard against Yin Soul Beasts and your fellow cultivators.”

”Yin Soul Beasts fluctuate between reality and illusion and can switch forms at will.

They are best attacked with Fire Element Techniques; physical damage is relatively ineffective, rarely capable of a lethal blow, and can only wear them down.

If you are not proficient in Fire Element Techniques, you should stockpile a large number of talismans of the same type.

Yin Soul Beasts can inflict weak spirit soul attacks, so it’s advisable to store a number of spiritual objects that restore divine sense.”

”You must also guard against fellow cultivators because, after a cultivator dies, their body may be inhabited by a Yin Soul Beast, making it very difficult within the Nine Netherworld to discern any anomalies.”

”The situation in the Nine Netherworld is complex; it’s easy to lose your sense of direction inside. Before entering, the Immortal City will distribute a map to everyone.

It is recommended that you follow the map’s guidance strictly, or you’ll easily get lost in there.”

”Since you’ll be staying inside for three months, you must prepare all kinds of survival supplies.”

Wey Xianglin spoke slowly and calmly; this information wasn’t hard to come by, and offering a favor was without cost.

Ji An noted everything in his heart, ”Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for the information.”

Not fighting a battle without a sure chance of victory helps secure an undefeated position. Now that he has a basic understanding of the situation inside, he can make targeted arrangements.

”You’re too polite, Fellow Daoist; you could have learned this even without me.”

...

Under the moonlight, Ji An returned to his grotto mansion and began inspecting his resources.

He had five top-grade Tier Two Soul Nourishing Pendants in hand, about two catties each of Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea and Cloud Peak Silver Needle Tea—enough to nourish the spirit soul without further preparation.

He possessed the Earth-Departing Flame Banner, had mastered the Fire Dragon Sky Burning Technique at the Great Perfection Level, and had over thirty Fire Dragon Talismans, along with ten each of Profound Armor and Earth Escape Talismans in reserve, leaving him well-equipped to handle Yin Soul Beasts.