Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Half a month has passed.

At 1:00 PM, Ji An arrived at the Law Enforcement Team, found an old acquaintance, pulled him to a secluded corner, and greeted him with clasped hands:

”Fellow Daoist, I have something I’d like your help with. I wish to meet Cold Qilin True Man, can you pass on a message?”

Zhang Dong asked suspiciously:

”What do you have to say? I need a reason to pass on the message; otherwise, the True Man won’t be happy.”

Ordinarily, he wasn’t keen to help, as Cold Qilin True Man was the most serious of Daoist Masters. He instinctively wanted to avoid him unless necessary.

However, today, he had encountered the True Man by chance and noticed him smiling broadly, indicating a good mood.

Under these circumstances, reporting wouldn’t upset the True Man.

”I want to make a transaction with the True Man.”

”What kind of transaction? In what area?”

”A few days ago, during an auction, I was able to recognize the True Man’s voice. He bid on and acquired a Dark Night Purple Fruit.

I’m interested in the Spirit Seed, and I’d like to ask if the True Man is open to a transaction.”

Ji An answered truthfully. Cold Qilin True Man hadn’t disguised his voice at the time, and he believed that those familiar with him could recognize it.

He didn’t know if the True Man had already used the Spirit Fruit, but he dared not wait too long. If the Spirit Seed was traded away, he would be heartbroken.

”Wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. I’ll pass on the message, but I can’t guarantee whether the True Man is willing to see you.”

”Thank you, regardless of the outcome, I’ll treat you to a drink at the Drunken Immortal Inn.”

Zhang Dong smiled, ”Wait for my news.”

He quickly left, and shortly returned, ”The True Man is willing to see you, come with me.”

In the Grotto Mansion, Cold Qilin True Man observed Ji An with interest and gestured for Zhang Dong to leave.

He had just used the Spirit Fruit as the main ingredient to refine a batch of Spirit Soul-enhancing pills the day before and was in a good mood.

”True Man, I take my leave,” Zhang Dong obediently exited the Grotto Mansion.

”Tell me, what do you want the Spirit Seed for?”

Ji An didn’t beat around the bush and said:

”True Man, I am a cultivator of the Golden Spirit Sect of the Western Continent. The purpose of purchasing the Spirit Seed is, of course, for planting.

If it can be successfully planted, it will enhance the foundation of the sect.”

Cold Qilin True Man seemed to hear something amusing and laughed heartily for a while, saying:

”Let me tell you, the Spirit Seed isn’t of great use to me either, although it can be used for planting.

But are you sure you want to plant it? The Spirit Seed can grow after being planted, but...”

He let out a light sigh, ”In the samples I’ve seen, these Spirit Trees were all half-dead, not one was cultivated to Tier Three.

Not to mention Tier Three, I haven’t seen a single one reach Tier Two Top Grade.

You know, if a Tier Three level Spirit Plant isn’t cultivated to Tier Three, it won’t flower or bear fruit. Do you understand?

Tell me, even so, do you still want to purchase the Spirit Seed?”

He had once asked Tianshui Daoist Monarch why this was, and was told it was due to the Earth Vein.

Some Spirit Plants have special requirements for the Earth Vein, and the environment might not provide the mysterious substances needed by the plants, so they can’t be cultivated to high tiers.

Ji An scratched his head, his expression changing as if he was hesitating.

He pursed his lips, lifted his head to meet the other’s gaze:

”I want to try.”

”Haha, do you know, your choice doesn’t surprise me.

You have this foolish confidence that just because others can’t do it doesn’t mean I can’t. I’ll humor you.”

Cold Qilin True Man pondered and said:

”Usually, Spirit Seeds are mixed with other Spirit Medicine to make High-Tier Beauty Mud. You’re quite wealthy, so hand over ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

This way, if you fail later, you’ll feel the pain.”

In terms of the value of the refined Beauty Mud, the Spirit Seed was worth at most two Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

Since the other party disregarded his advice, he thought he might as well ask for a few more Spirit Stones.

”Thank you, True Man, for your generosity,” Ji An took out the Spirit Stones and placed them in front of him, successfully acquiring the Spirit Seed.

It was the size of a pigeon egg, with extremely pale purple skin, a slightly soft texture, and adorned with several white spots.

Cold Qilin True Man tossed the Spirit Stones in his hand a few times and waved him away:

”You may go.”

”I take my leave,” Ji An retreated and left, feeling very pleased as things went smoothly.

If the planting failed in the Gourd World, it would only cost him ten Top-Grade Spirit Stones, but if successful, haha, the benefits couldn’t be measured in Spirit Stones.

Is it worth taking the risk of ten Spirit Stones to gain hundreds or thousands of returns? It’s totally worth it!

Cold Qilin True Man smirked; he was young once too, and understood that mentality.

Ji An hadn’t walked far from the Grotto Mansion when Zhang Dong came up to him, asking:

”How did it go, did the True Man agree to the transaction?”

Ji An flashed a grin, ”Of course, the True Man is actually quite agreeable.

When are you free? Let’s go for a drink.”

Zhang Dong grimaced, the True Man is agreeable? Why was he often scolded as foolish!

”Haha, I’m free at noon.”

...

After the banquet at Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Ji An hurriedly returned to the Grotto Mansion.

He immediately summoned Dahuang, Golden Fur, and several other beasts, ”Guard the door.”

There were Dharma Prohibitions in the Grotto Mansion, so other cultivators wouldn’t intrude, but he still instinctively added an extra layer of security.

Dahuang let out a low roar, nodding its massive head, and Golden Fur made a ”chirp” before jumping onto Dahuang’s back.

Perhaps they both had Earth Element Bloodline, so the two got along well, but both had poor relationships with the Golden Feathered Eagle.

Dahuang lay at the entrance of the grotto mansion, solemnly staring at the door.

Ji An chuckled to himself and walked into the quiet chamber alone, connecting to the Upper Stone Turtle, ”Enter the Gourd World.”

The next moment, he arrived in the polychromatic little world, involuntarily spreading his arms wide.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi here was far inferior to that of his current residence in the grotto mansion, but there was always a sense of indescribable peace here.

The Path of Earth has the characteristic of Soul Calming; he believed this was due to the effect of the Gathering Essence Tree.

The Wuji Xinghuang Banner flew out of his body, dancing gracefully around the Spirit Tree.

The Earth Qilin let out a heavy, low roar, with echoes coming from afar.

Ji An felt even better; the spiritual essence of this Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact was sufficient. Once he passed the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation, he could refine it into a Magical Treasure.

By then, this Lifebound Magical Treasure could transform successfully. He wondered what it would become, but he guessed it should be a Qilin Beast.

He scanned around and took out a Spirit Seed, carefully sensing for a moment before performing the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.

He only released the Magic Intent of the Wood Element’s vigorous growth, without releasing any Wood Element Spiritual Energy, ensuring no harm would come to the Spirit Seed.

Green light rippled like water waves, and the Magic Intent swirled around, enhancing the essence of the Spirit Seed, which glowed with purple, with white spots as brilliant as stars.

”Little guy, I’ll place you near the Heaven and Earth Spirit Root; perform well in the future.”

Ji An dug a pit three zhang from the Gathering Essence Tree, buried the Spirit Seed into it, and then released the Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill.

Crystal-clear Spirit Light spread like water waves, with deep rumbling from the earth.

He switched his Dharma Seal to perform the Cloud Dragon Rain Technique, and in an instant, dark clouds covered the sky as white rain poured down.

When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, a bud sprouted from the earth, with two small thumb-sized pale purple leaves gently swaying.

”Still quite reserved.”

Ji An whispered softly; the sapling was only an inch high, and strictly speaking, this was his first time planting a Tier Three Spirit Seed, and it was of the Tier Three Middle Grade type.

The Phoenix Wood didn’t count; when he obtained the Phoenix Wood, the Spirit Plant was already a sapling.

”Please don’t let my investment go to waste.”

Ji An took the Celestial Soaring Armor out from the Grotto Void Stone and stored it in his Dantian. After understanding Earth-Born Gold, he attempted to nourish the Spirit Armor in his Dantian.

The situation had improved somewhat compared to before, but the burden on the Primordial Life Fire was still too heavy, so he had to give up.

Perhaps after understanding two more Five Elements Mutual Generation, he could nourish four Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts. In this aspect, he was much stronger than other cultivators.

He rose on a cloud, since he was already here, he might as well apply Magic Techniques to the other Spirit Fields before leaving.

There were only a mere seventy mu of Spirit Field here, and applying just one magic technique to each made it easy to complete.

He arrived at the pond and caught a Treasure Dragon Fish, descaled and cleaned it, and placed it on the barbecue grill.

The dragon fish had gradually broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, but the temple was too small to accommodate a big Buddha, so only a few more promising ones could be retained; otherwise, this little pond couldn’t support them.

The Spiritual Charcoal was lit, with the furnace glowing red-hot, soon exuding a fragrant aroma.

Grilling fish with Tier Two Spiritual Charcoal allowed for quick completion; after sprinkling some seasoning, he thoroughly enjoyed eating it.

At this time of year, it’s hard to catch Treasure Dragon Fish, and Drunken Immortal Inn didn’t supply them.

...

A year later.

In the grotto mansion, Ji An finished practicing magic techniques and connected his mind to the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: 0]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 2728.6, Gen Spirit 1486.3, Zhen Spirit 839.2, Xun Spirit 1521.1, Kun Spirit 3578.6, Qian Spirit 1128.8, Dui Spirit 1123.5, Li Spirit 1026.7]

[Magic Techniques: Spirit Sealing Technique (Perfection 4%)

Fire Escape Technique (Perfection 14%)

Gold Escape Technique (Perfection 16%)

Spirit Roar (Great Success 3%)

Silk Thread Spell (Perfection 1%)]

Ji An let out a long breath, and after the Spirit Roar reached Great Success, the attack range was close to thirty zhang.

He no longer needed to foolishly approach the enemy to launch an attack, now possessing considerable significance for actual combat.

He stood up, storing everything belonging to him in the grotto mansion within the Void Realm Space, and then found the management office to retrieve his deposit.

It was time to leave; a few days ago, when drinking with Guu Tai, the other told him today’s the day the Face Armor could be refined.

...

Divine Fire Street, Divine Brush Spirit Armor Pavilion.

Ji An stepped into the shop, led by a clerk to the backyard.

Guu Tai was talking with a clever-looking young lad, and upon seeing him enter, instructed the child:

”Quickly pay your respects to Grandpa Ji.”

Guu Hongming respectfully bowed and greeted, ”Greetings Grandpa Ji!”

”No need for formalities,” Ji An channelled his magical power to help him up, smiling:

”Your grandson’s eyes are spirited; if he is diligent in his cultivation, he will surely accomplish great things in the future.

Unfortunately, I am not an Artifact Refiner, otherwise, I would surely take him as an apprentice.”

He chuckled inwardly; now he suddenly had a grandson!

Guu Tai’s eyes were filled with comfort, ”Haha, whether it’s Artifact Refining or Alchemy, his talent is lacking; he is not fortunate enough to apprentice under a friend.”

He patted his grandson’s back and softly said:

”Remember your grandfather’s words; if you encounter difficulties, you can always seek your Grandpa Ji for help.”

Gu Hongming firmly nodded, ”Don’t worry, Grandpa, I will take care of myself.”

”Once away from home, don’t dwell on it; one day when your cultivation is accomplished, return to visit.

If you haven’t broken through to the Golden Core Stage, then spread your branches and leaves in the Western Continent.”

His usually stern expression was now filled with kindness, earnestly advising, deeply affectionate for his kin.