Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Lantao Mountain.

The torrential rain had been pouring for seven days and nights.

The boundary between heaven and earth became blurred, the white rain lines like heavy curtains, obscuring the vision.

Ji An stood on the black Water Element Cloud, suspended in mid-air. The rain parted a zhang away from him, an invisible barrier shielding him.

He knitted his brows together, sighing quietly in his heart.

Upon hearing that the mist in this familiar place during the day could have a burning sensation, he realized it was likely nurturing a Spirit Realm of Wood Fire.

In this season, the mountain forest could not yet produce miasma, and fog would not rise at noon.

Eagerly riding the cloud here, Ji An was met with the heavy rain that followed, pouring for several days.

Water can extinguish fire. In this gloomy environment, whether a Spirit Realm of Wood Fire could still be nurtured was uncertain.

Ji An was reluctant to leave; he had nowhere suitable to go. Moreover, it would feel wrong not to stay and see a clearer day.

He believed a Spirit Realm, once formed, could not simply be suppressed by rain; it just wasn’t manifesting yet.

The rain continued endlessly for another three days.

At this moment, Ji An landed on the hill, the mountain hollow already a domain of water.

He looked exhausted, yet his eyes grew brighter.

Water is just a specific manifestation of the Water Element, and understanding it through water alone is one-sided. But Ji An had learned much in these days of downpour.

He realized his understanding of Water Element was narrow, Ren and Gui Water were not separate; they were one entity.

When accumulated water becomes a deep pool without waves, the Yin aspect of Water Element prevails, displaying a nourishing spirit, the path of Gui Water in full bloom.

While when floods rush forth, the Yang aspect of Water with overwhelming force shatters all obstacles, the fierceness of Ren Water becomes apparent.

In motion and stillness, Yin and Yang transform.

When energy surges, life’s vibrant vigor manifests, and the power of ascension arises.

Spiritual Mechanism shifts from flowing to ascending, Ren Water transforms into wood, becoming either Wood of Jia or Wood of Yi.

Though the rain continued pouring, its sound ”disappeared,” Ji An’s heart was as peaceful as a vast lake, calm on the surface but surging deep.

Movement and stillness coexisted, with Yin and Yang harmoniously united.

In the Dantian, the black Spirit Flame surged, its outer edge faintly showing an emerald glow.

The Stone Turtle’s mouth moved, spitting out five breaths of Clear Spirit Qi, enlarging the Primordial Life Fire.

Moreover, with the understanding of the Divine Intent of Water-Sustaining Wood, Ji An’s spiritual strength increased, his body echoing with the sound of surging waves, the light of the Water Element Divine Mansion dazzling.

Rain and water sounds merged, like a harmonious symphony.

Ji An closed his eyes, gathering all his breath, losing the protection of the invisible barrier, the rain soaking his temples.

He silently experienced it all, his thoughts turning to rain, converging into rivers until all streams flowed to the sea.

Uncertain when the rain began to cease, as clouds drifted away, sunlight bathed the earth.

Under the washed sky, the hillside was lush, leaves like carved emeralds.

Ji An sensed energy becoming active, Yang Mechanism bursting forth in Wood Element, igniting as fire, the energy becoming exceptionally lively, with a stronger ascension force.

”Is this Wood Fire?”

Igniting life’s potential, bursting with momentary brilliance, as Yin wanes and Yang waxes, Wood of Jia burns into Bing Fire.

”The Five Elements are qualities, and their transformation is a change in the nature of energy.”

In the Dantian, the boundary between cyan flame and red flame vanished, the Stone Turtle again opened its mouth, emitting five breaths of Clear Spirit Qi.

The Primordial Life Fire soared, spiritual strength enhanced, the glow of the Five Elements Divine Mansion simultaneously shone brightly, without meditating; Ji An could operate the Cultivation Technique just by standing.

With the mutual generation of the Five Elements, energy circulates, naturally becoming inexhaustible.

Happiness came too quickly; less than two months away from the Sect, the Divine Intent of Water-Sustaining Wood and Wood Fire were comprehended in the same day.

Although sleepless for ten days, Ji An’s spirit was supremely excited. For the next step, once reaching the Chao Origin Realm, he could consume the Gold Core Pill for a breakthrough!

He roared loudly, like a Cyan Dragon’s roar, or a White Tiger’s fury, heard within a hundred miles.

Ji An summoned the Wuji Xinghuang Banner, flying southeast, returning to Rongman Immortal City in more than half a double hour.

He rented a temporary grotto mansion, summoning the Golden Fur, Golden Feathered Eagle, and Lan Bei, instructing:

”Guard the door well!”

He returned to the Quiet Chamber, collapsing into sleep. The excitement from the breakthrough waned, fatigue washing over him, falling asleep in seconds.

...

When Ji An awoke, he found the Cultivation Technique was slowly operating. From the moment he fully understood the mutual generation of Five Elements, the Cultivation Technique never stopped, constantly operating.

He became intrigued, sitting cross-legged to activate the Cultivation Technique; dense Spiritual Qi frenzied towards him, quickly refined by him.

A moment later, he stopped cultivating, his eyes full of excitement.

Now his efficiency in refining Spiritual Qi had increased by nearly 90% compared to before comprehending any Divine Intent of the Five Elements Mutual Generation.

Ji An summoned the Celestial Soaring Armor, a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact entering his Dantian. At this moment, he felt the burden of the Primordial Life Fire was not overwhelming, fully capable of nurturing four Spiritual Artifacts.

”Everything is perfect.”

Now, there was no longer a need to stay. He placed the Spirit Beasts into the Spirit Beast Bag, riding the Earth-Departing Flame Banner. Soon, he disappeared into the distance.

...

Half a month later, at the Golden Spirit Sect’s Wuji Hall.

Master Yuxiao stared wide-eyed at the disciple in front of him, as if feeling like he was still in a dream, the world seemed somewhat unreal.

The disciple traveled for two months, and after excluding the travel time, he was able to comprehend the Divine Intents of two types of Five Elements Mutual Generation within a month. If others heard about this, they probably wouldn’t believe it.

Ji An scratched his head. After reporting his experiences, the ancestor remained in this state.

He coughed a few times, pulling the other back to reality, and asked:

”Ancestor, what should be done next in the Five Qi Chaoyuan?”

Master Yuxiao snapped out of it and smiled:

”I can’t believe this is true, but you made it.

For the next step of cultivation, proceed accordingly. Now, I will explain it to you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to interrupt me at any time.”

”The liver houses the soul, the heart houses the spirit, the spleen houses the intent, the lungs house the corporeal soul, and the kidneys house the essence. To attain the state of Five Qi Chaoyuan, practitioners must meditate in silence, calm the mind, and eliminate distractions.”

”Guiding the Qi of the five organs to return to the origin is a top-grade cultivation method. It requires following the principle of the Five Elements Mutual Generation and Inhibition, using methods like adjusting breathing and intention to promote coordination and balance among the five organs.”

”During cultivation, practitioners must refine the liver to assist the heart fire, refine the heart to nourish the kidney water, and refine the kidneys to sustain the spleen earth, achieving the Five Elements Mutual Generation, thereby enhancing the vitality and purity of the Qi of the five organs, indirectly increasing the vigor of the Primordial Life Fire.”

”By continually guiding the Qi of the Five Elements upwards to return to the origin, another Ancestral Acupoint at the Chest Acupoint can be opened. This is the Heart Palace Golden Pavilion, also known as the Middle Dantian.

The Golden Core of a Golden Core Cultivator resides in the Middle Dantian.

To become a Nascent Soul Cultivator, one must also use the method of Five Qi Chaoyuan to develop the Upper Dantian.”

”But I digress. To get back to the point, after we cultivators develop the Five Elements Divine Mansion, the Primordial Life Fire splits into five layers of flames. Eventually, the five layers of flames merge into one, transforming into a pale golden color.

These are the final two barriers. Once you overcome them, you can exchange them for a Gold Core Pill to impact the realm, suitable for seclusion cultivation, ignoring external matters.”

Master Yuxiao conveyed the cultivation method to Ji An through voice transmission, saying:

”The stronger the innate talent, the easier it is to pass these two barriers. Just proceed step by step and don’t rush.

Remember, before the dawn of victory, maintain humility...”

The two conversed for a long time until the light of the setting sun shone on the window lattice, and Ji An saluted and took his leave:

”Ancestor, disciple bids farewell; I will stay in seclusion at Red Flame Peak for cultivation.”

...

Time weaves the marks of years, five years passed in the blink of an eye.

At Red Flame Peak, under the night sky with the bright moon illuminating quietly, the evening breeze slightly cool.

In the grotto mansion, Ji An followed the method to control the Magical Power, guiding it along a specific route within his body. The Magical Power surged like a tide, rising and falling, and the speed of circulation grew faster, with the gathering at the Chest Acupoint lasting longer and longer.

He controlled the operation of the method, introspecting his body without joy or sorrow, only to see the Primordial Life Fire in the Dantian transforming into a cluster of clear golden flames.

After an unknown amount of time, the Chest Acupoint suddenly burst open, and the rushing Magical Power poured in like a river entering the sea. The Middle Dantian successfully developed!

Ji An opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright.

He spread his arms and lay back, ”Finally reached this step!”

After a brief rest, Ji An immersed his mind into the Dantian, linking with the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: 0]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 6842.7, Gen Spirit 5571.4, Zhen Spirit 4468.2, Xun Spirit 5525.4, Kun Spirit 7862.6, Qian Spirit 4928.4, Dui Spirit 4823.1, Li Spirit 5237.7]

[Magic Technique: Spirit Sealing Technique (Perfection 7%)

Fire Escape Technique (Perfection 46%)

Gold Escape Technique (Perfection 19%)

Spirit Roar (Great Success 8%)

Silk Thread Spell (Perfection 1%)]

Over the years, he accumulated a considerable amount of Spiritual Mechanism, and the Fire Escape Technique also improved.

...

The next day, when sunlight shone on the Cold Pool, Ji An used the Teleportation Array to arrive at Ningcui Cliff.

He had no intention of going to the Agricultural Hall. The reason for teleporting here was because it was closer to Chao Origin Peak.

After stepping out of the Magic Array, he summoned the Earth-Departing Flame Banner; the speed of the Spiritual Artifact was faster than riding the clouds.

A streak of red Spirit Light, bright like rosy clouds, cut through the sky and soon arrived at Sunrise Peak.

Ji An landed on the mountain top and walked into the Wuji Hall.

”Greetings, Ancestor. Disciple’s merit has reached Perfection; I await the Ancestor’s instruction.”

What’s there to instruct? Such tactful phrasing is to inform the other that his intention for this visit is to exchange for the Gold Core Pill.

Master Yuxiao could feel the Qi Mechanism Harmonious and whole on the disciple’s body; clearly, he had completed all the tasks of the Five Qi Chaoyuan stage.

”Probably no one would have thought that out of this generation of disciples, you would be the first to reach the breakthrough condition. Exchanging for the Gold Core Pill requires 600,000 Small Merit; congratulations!”

”Thanks to the Ancestor, everything has gone smoothly in recent years.”

Ji An said while handing over his Identity Jade Token.

Master Yuxiao took out a Spirit Disc to deduct the corresponding Small Merit and said:

”Go back, bathe, and dress today. When you feel you’ve adjusted to your best state, come to Sunrise Peak to find me, and start preparing for the breakthrough.”