Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

For him, staying here no longer has many benefits, and the danger factor is greatly increased.

Ji An slightly nodded and said:

”Take turns resting and replenish our magical power fully before we leave. Your magical power is more exhausted, so you go first.”

To break through the Anti-Air Array, you must make a concerted effort. Like a fish swimming against the current, if you don’t advance, you retreat. With insufficient magical power, it is difficult to fly up.

He himself was still fine, with sufficient magical power, and the few Spiritual Artifacts were also filled with power. It wasn’t difficult to fly up; however, the other party was totally exhausted and had no ability to fly far.

”Okay,” Wey Chengyuan didn’t refuse; this was no time for politeness.

He immediately sat down cross-legged, grasped a piece of top-grade Spirit Stone with both hands to operate his Cultivation Technique. Although the Spiritual Qi in the Secret Land was abundant, the Spiritual Qi in the top-grade Spirit Stone was even richer and easier to absorb.

...

Four double hours later.

Ji An fully activated the Earth-Departing Flame Banner, Spirit Flame gushing out, but his speed was akin to a turtle’s pace.

This passage was only a little over three hundred zhang long, yet it took him a double hour to escape.

Below him, Wey Chengyuan was over thirty zhang away. Don’t underestimate this short distance; the other party couldn’t catch up with him in less than half an hour.

The higher he went, the stronger the effect of the Anti-Air Array became.

At this moment, Ji An felt as if a ten-thousand-zhang waterfall was rushing downwards, making it extremely difficult to advance half a foot upward.

He slightly raised his head, feeling slightly at ease. In a few more feet, he would reach the exit!

A moment later, he finally reached the cave entrance with difficulty, only to find that he was obstructed by a Magic Array and couldn’t get out.

Slightly surprised at heart, he understood that the cave entrance was sealed.

Ji An looked back down and transmitted his voice:

”The exit is sealed. Do we need to attack to break it?”

Fortunately, the Magic Array didn’t stop the transmission of sound, otherwise, he would have had to shout loudly.

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Wey Chengyuan’s mouth. The ally had reached the exit, which was a good thing.

”It’s to isolate the Qi mechanism and prevent the mist of the Nether River from leaking out.

There must be a cultivator guarding outside the Magic Array. Fellow Daoist, launch an attack to attract their attention.”

Ji An, hearing this, activated the Earth-Departing Flame Banner, launching a tentative weak attack.

The red Flame Light boiled, resembling flames rolling behind glass from the outside.

The disturbance caused by the attack on the Magic Array immediately drew the attention of the guarding cultivators. Zhang Dong flew over and, seeing the situation inside clearly, asked:

”Fellow Daoist, why are you doing this?”

”Something happened inside. The waters of the Nether River keep rising, and the sound of tides is constant in the passage.

Yin souls and Soul-Attracting Beasts are increasing in number, and Fellow Daoist Wey Chengyuan said he found many cultivators killed.

Please open the Magic Array and let us out.”

Zhang Dong was suddenly shocked and asked, ”Where is Fellow Daoist Wey?”

Ji An moved aside, revealing the scene of Wey Chengyuan struggling to fly out.

Zhang Dong immediately summoned all the guards, saying, ”Fellow Daoist, please retract your Spiritual Artifact. I will open the Sealing Array to let you out.

Please don’t do anything dangerous, or you’ll face our siege.”

Yin souls could devour cultivators’ Spirit Souls and control their bodies. Although he didn’t think the other party was controlled, he couldn’t be too careful.

Ji An naturally agreed: ”No problem.”

Maintaining a hovering state consumed significant magical power. If the power ran out, he would be quickly pulled back into the Earth Cave.

He retracted the Wuji Xinghuang Banner and Earth-Departing Flame Banner into his dantian, then raised his hands. Now, only the Celestial Soaring Armor remained on him.

Zhang Dong nodded slightly, whispering instructions to those next to him:

”Stay alert; if the other party makes any aggressive moves, don’t hold back.”

He was taking a risk by opening the Sealing Array now. If the situation outlined by the other party weren’t so serious, he wouldn’t have done it.

After the light curtain flickered and dissipated, the Sealing Array at the cave entrance was opened. Ji An felt the downward force weaken significantly and easily leapt up.

Soon after, Wey Chengyuan also flew up, and Zhang Dong ordered him to put away his Spiritual Artifact.

Wey Chengyuan knew this was standard procedure and did as instructed. He then quickly recounted the situation described by Ji An and added:

”You should report immediately and compare the casualty situation of the disciples to know the conditions inside.”

...

Half a double hour later.

Daoist Master Cold Qilin, Daoist Master Chi Yun, and Cangmiao Zhenren arrived at the Earth Cave in unison. After checking if there was anything wrong with Ji An and his companion, they inquired in detail about the situation inside.

Wey Chengyuan answered in detail and finally smiled bitterly:

”I almost ran out of cards. If not for Fellow Daoist Ji’s help, I would have perished in the Nine Netherworld.”

Daoist Master Cold Qilin frowned slightly, as in recent years, Immortal City had encountered many events.

First, they ran into demon cultivators imprisoned for who knows how long, and now changes in the Nine Netherworld appeared, each carrying profound impacts.

He waved his hand, ”First remove the Sealing Array.”

The Magic Array was closed, and as the internal and external Qi mechanisms linked, Daoist Master Cold Qilin immediately sensed a surge of mist and faintly heard the sound of tides.

”Everyone, did you hear the sound of the surging waves?”

By now, he understood that the situation as described by the disciples was true.

The other Daoist Masters reached the entrance and listened attentively. Daoist Master Chi Yun nodded, ”I heard it.”

Though he was more adept at the Dao of Fire Element, he still was a Golden Core Daoist Master understanding the Five Elements Mutual Generation.

Cangmiao Zhenren nodded, ”I heard it too.”

Daoist Master Cold Qilin summoned the Beast Taming Chi Dragon and said:

”We should go down and search for any survivors.”

The surge of the Nether River could spell disaster for the disciples inside, but for capable Golden Core Cultivators, it was a great opportunity for external gains.

Unless gathered with thousands of Yin souls set with traps, it would be hard to harm them.

Yin souls that could nurture Soul Stones were few, but with a large enough number, there would always be plenty of gains.

Wey Chengyuan spoke up:

”Daoist Master, I want to return to the family to report to the clan leader.”

”Significant changes have occurred in the Nine Netherworld, and Nephew Wey and Little Friend Ji may have picked up something unnoticeable.

Tonight, rest at the Law Enforcement Team, and if nothing happens, you may leave tomorrow.

Zhang Dong, arrange accommodations for them.”

Saying so, Daoist Master Cold Qilin leapt, summoning a Magical Treasure for protection, and jumped into the Earth Cave. Daoist Master Chi Yun and Cangmiao Zhenren followed suit.

Wey Chengyuan’s face looked a bit unsightly. If the Patriarch got the news earlier, entering the Nine Netherworld would happen sooner.

Golden Core Cultivators cut down Yin souls like reaping grass, undoubtedly obtaining many Soul Stones; the intention of the Law Enforcement Team’s Golden Core Daoist Masters was delaying.

With one less Golden Core Daoist Master joining, they would get more benefits.

Zhang Dong stepped forward, ”Fellow Daoists, please.”

...

In the Law Enforcement Team’s guest room, Ji An took out the Soul Stone and played with it in his hand, a faint smile on his face.

This trip to the Nine Netherworld perfectly achieved the set goals, with unexpected gains as well.

”I wonder how much cost these Soul Stones could recoup!”

After saying this, he sighed softly. The only pity was that he couldn’t stay in there for the full three months.

The richness of Spiritual Qi outside the Grotto Mansion was much scarcer than in the Secret Land, making cultivation less enjoyable.

”Fellow Daoist Ji, is it convenient now?” came the voice of Wey Chengyuan from outside.

Ji An incanted a Spell to open the Dharma Prohibition and went to greet him.

After sitting down, Wey Chengyuan sighed:

”The sudden changes in the Nine Netherworld, who knows how many will return alive.”

”Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor by heaven. Although luck is elusive, it constantly affects us.”

Ji An said, now more believing in the notion of luck.

Wey Chengyuan’s face looked much better, and he laughed, ”I survived mainly because of your help, Fellow Daoist. Where is your Grotto Mansion? In a few days, I must come visit.”

Ji An mentioned the location of his Grotto Mansion. Visiting shouldn’t be empty-handed; he was now impoverished, so recovering a bit was good.

If the other party didn’t bring substantial gifts, they’d be looked down upon.

Wey Chengyuan cupped his hands, ”In three to five days or within a month, I will certainly visit. At what double hour would it be convenient?”

”Late morning to early afternoon would be best.”

This double hour, Ji An usually just finished the first round of daytime cultivation and would typically rest a bit.

He paused, then smiled, ”Brewing tea in the Secret Land lacked a bit of style. When you come, we’ll brew tea and drink wine together.”

The more gifts, the more drinks; the fewer gifts, the fewer drinks — it was all done as felt right.

”Haha, your Spirit Tea is truly unforgettable, Fellow Daoist.”