Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Master Yuxiao explained his speculations about the demon cultivators and laughed:

”Of course, this is all just my conjecture.

In my opinion, whether demon cultivators or orthodox dao cultivators, or even Buddhist cultivators from exotic continents, the essence of cultivation methods lies in Yin-Yang transformations.

Dharma gates leading directly to the Nascent Soul all involve yin-yang transformations. Unfortunately, the fundamental cultivation techniques of the sect are incomplete; otherwise, my senior brother and I could advance even faster in our cultivation.”

The effects of incomplete cultivation techniques only become apparent at the Golden Core Stage’s middle stage, and low-tier cultivators cannot feel it at all.

At this moment, he felt a slight sense of loss. He was contemplating cultivation techniques just now and always felt something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint the problem.

If the cultivation technique were complete, one could examine their cultivation from a higher perspective.

This was the second time Ji An heard the ancestor mention the issue of inheritance techniques; the first time was from Ancestor Zhengyang.

He cleared his throat with a ’hmm’ and said:

”Has the sect considered purchasing a set of inheritance techniques?”

”Haha, that is quite optimistic.

Is it possible to buy Golden Core inheritance techniques from Middle Continent cultivators? Of course, but the quality might be questionable, and dreaming of obtaining techniques directly pointing to the Nascent Soul Great Dao is nothing more than a castle in the sky.

All Nascent Soul sects would instinctively prohibit the circulation of high-level cultivation methods. Without countless years of accumulation and enough luck, a Golden Core power can hardly become a Nascent Soul level power.”

Inheritance is the most expensive resource, but major powers instinctively block second-tier powers from acquiring such resources.

Even the Golden Spirit Sect does the same.

The Three Sects of the Western Continent cannot block loose cultivators and family forces from obtaining Golden Core level inheritance but choose to block their access to Gold Core Pill channels.

Because the emergence of another power of the same level will inevitably lead to resource conflicts and frictions.

Master Yuxiao looked outside the hall and sighed:

”The only possible way to obtain techniques directly pointing to the Nascent Soul level is to gain them from the ruins of destroyed sects or secret realms.

Sects like the Five Elements Sect and Celestial Water Sect of the Central Continent were once illustrious Nascent Soul level powers.

After being destroyed by demon cultivators, their ruins likely still have inheritance techniques.

Unfortunately, these ruins have already been tainted by demonic influence and are sealed off by other major forces. Once every few hundred years, as the seals weaken, many Golden Core Daoist Masters and Chao Origin Stage cultivators are willing to risk their lives to explore them.

The Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture was obtained by Senior Brother Zhengyang from the ruins of the Five Elements Sect during his travels in the Central Continent. Our sect secured its position among the Three Sects thanks to this technique.”

’Five Elements Sect ruins?’

Ji An memorized the name. When he travels to the Central Continent later, he would surely visit if given the chance.

If he could obtain the subsequent spells of the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture, he would not need to change his cultivation method.

After a brief chat, he stood up and said:

”I won’t disturb the ancestor’s cultivation any longer, disciple takes his leave now.”

Master Yuxiao nodded and said:

”Mm, your information is very important. We must guard against demon cultivators from the Northern Land infiltrating the Western Continent. I will report this to the other two sects to prepare everyone.

Moreover, I will convene a meeting of Chao Origin Stage cultivators at Wuji Hall in a few days. You can share today’s information with everyone then.

The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 PM in three days; how does that sound to you?”

”I leave it to the ancestor’s decision. See you then.”

Ji An replied. The other’s inquiry was essentially a notification, and he could only strive to cooperate.

He turned and left, riding the clouds away.

The red spirit cloud vanished into the celestial vault like bright and splendid clouds, with a faint smile on Master Yuxiao’s lips.

This disciple is excellent, not only as a very high-tier spirit farmer but also advancing rapidly in cultivation.

If he breaks through to the Golden Core Stage, the sect’s foundation will surely grow rapidly over time.

The sect’s Golden Core inheritance will be firmly established, and Yuanhe Mountain’s current predicament leaves him sighing.

...

Ningcui Cliff, Agricultural Hall.

Ji An sat in the main seat, quietly listening to the reports from his subordinates.

He looked at the white hair at the temples of Kong Yunyi and Yang Qi and sighed deeply in his heart.

He never asked about their ages, but he could sense a faint aura of decay emanating from them.

The vice hall masters do not have much lifespan left; within one or two decades, their lives will come to an end.

Though there are no signs of declining vitality yet, the time is not far off.

Kong Yunyi was unaware of his thoughts, reporting the situation with high spirits:

”Currently, there are 256 Foundation Establishment cultivators in Agricultural Hall, with 25 in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

From the observations over the years, the growth cycle of spirit medicines in each medicinal garden will be reduced by 20%, and the quality of spirit medicines can be increased by 10% to 20%.

If these favorable changes continue for another fifty years, the sect will certainly surpass Luofeng Valley in spirit medicines production...”

When speaking, he was very animated, both in spirit medicine yields and quality improved, the Dan Ding Institute could cultivate more excellent alchemists.

The status of Luofeng Valley in alchemy would be shaken, and by then, the sect would have greater influence.

After listening to the report, Ji An smiled and said:

”Very good, it seems that while I’m away, the other cultivators are diligent and responsible, making me, as the hall master, somewhat redundant, haha.”

Being the shopkeeper who throws hands feels pretty good; as long as the subordinates can get things done, he wouldn’t mind a few blemishes.

Yang Qi hurriedly said:

”Without the presence of you, Hall Master, everyone wouldn’t have worked so hard.”

Ji An waved his hand, ”When I’m not around, both Vice Hall Masters have worked hard.

Even though I’ve returned to the sect, I won’t stay long as I still need to travel, and in the future, I won’t be in the hall, so you all need to work hard.”

He planned to properly train his two disciples; as long as one of them could break through to the Chao Origin Stage, he could resign from the duties of the Agricultural Hall Master.

To others, being the master of a hall is a symbol of power, but for him, a cultivator aiming to become an ’ancestor,’ it has no allure.

Both disciples were Top-Grade Talents from the beginning of their cultivation, coupled with the continuous expansion of the Immortal Vein, now their talent, even if not reaching Earth Grade, should not be too far.

With his full support, the difficulty of breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage isn’t considered great.

Even if one Nourishing Yuan Pill isn’t enough for the breakthrough, he would fight for a second chance for them.

If they couldn’t seize both chances, then he would have to give up.

”Relieving the Hall Master’s worries is our duty, we dare not forget your earnest teachings.”

...

After leaving the Agricultural Hall, Ji An toured the various medicinal gardens on Ningcui Cliff and completed the casting of spells.

Although these areas are no longer under his direct responsibility, he still held the jade token of Dharma Prohibition.

He finally arrived at the mountaintop platform where two Top-grade Spirit Peach Trees were fruiting.

One tree’s fruit was nearing ripeness, the spiritual peaches were as large as fists, their skin mostly reddening, the spirit light was vibrant and glossy.

The other had just started fruiting, currently only as big as a common Spiritual Apricot.

Ji An released the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill, Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, and Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill in succession, the spirit light of the Fire Element Technique was brighter than before, the flames transformed from two feet high to three feet high.

The pervasive magic intent was more spiritual, the fruits bathed in the red glow, the leaves moving automatically despite the absence of wind.

The effect of the spells had improved, along with the enhancement of magic power quality due to cultivation progress, Ji An felt that compared to the same-level Middle Continent Cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect, he was also a top-tier existence.

”If Master were still alive, he would definitely be prouder of me.”

He sighed, turned around, and left.

Top-grade Spiritual Peaches could be refined into pills that replace the Vermilion Bird Flame Grass Pill, with much stronger effects, while significantly enhancing the accumulation of magical power.

Unfortunately, these pills were no longer of much use to him, and most importantly, to purify his magical power, he wouldn’t consume pills that simply increase power.

...

By evening, Ji An walked out of the teleportation array, stepping on the afterglow of the sunset.

Today, he didn’t dwell on his appetite but swallowed Wood Element Qi in the Mulberry Field, taking in twenty-four strands of Qi at once.

After the two disciples finished their dinner, he called them to the living room to guide their cultivation.

After two hours, Lin Lan and the other bowed:

”Thank you, Master, for your teachings.”

Ji An nodded in satisfaction, a slight smile on his lips:

”The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you do not advance, you will fall back.

It pleases me that you maintained the growth of Spirit Plants on Red Flame Peak without neglecting your cultivation.

Now, you only need to methodically strengthen your Life Light and increase your understanding of the cultivation techniques, and breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage shouldn’t be too difficult.”

The senior disciple was much calmer than before; after reining in his character, his cultivation progress didn’t lag.

He talked about the responsibilities and powers of the Hall Master and then asked:

”I will recommend to the sect that the first to break through will take over as Agricultural Hall Master. Do you agree?”

He respected his disciples’ opinions, so if they weren’t willing to take the position, it was fine too.

Lin Lan immediately bowed, ”I am willing, Master.”

The sect has dozens of Chao Origin Stage cultivators, but how many can become a hall master? She was very interested in the position.

Han Shan scratched his head and grinned, ”I have no interest in managing mundane affairs, so I have no desire for the Hall Master’s position.”

Ji An chuckled, ”That’s good too, now Lin Lan has no competition.

However, when you break through to the Chao Origin Stage, I still recommend specializing in a planting technique first, so you can complement each other.

If you want to try alchemy, talisman making, or similar crafts, I won’t stop you; this has been agreed upon long ago.”

He didn’t hold much hope that his disciples would break through to the Golden Core Stage, but if they still showed strong ambition, he would continue supporting them.

This would also contribute to the sect, repaying the nurturing he received from it.

When the time came to leave, he could leave behind a foundation for the sect.

Lin Lan gave a secret smile after glancing at her junior brother, feeling that he was much more agreeable.

She decided that if she became the hall master, she would not assign many tasks to him, attempting not to disturb his cultivation.

Ji An noticed the changes in their expressions and could not help but smile:

”You two must not slack off, strive to break through to the Chao Origin Stage soon.”

The two disciples spoke in unison, their tone firm:

”We will certainly double our efforts and not disappoint Master’s expectations.”

”Make haste, I hope you break through before I reach the Golden Core Stage.”