Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Wan Jinrong turned his head and looked at the mottled spots of orange-red left on the wall, saying with regret:

”It’s already late today, and besides, one cannot meet fist-to-fist on the first visit. Let’s visit again tomorrow morning.”

Master Qingfeng felt his face was a bit warm. During his first visit, he only brought the breeze of his two sleeves. In retrospect, he realized he had been too arrogant then.

He coughed lightly, pretending to be regretful, and said:

”Unfortunately, I have something to do tomorrow, but I will visit again when I have the opportunity.”

Next time, he would prepare a small gift.

The other party was searching for high-tier spirit plant seeds, and he would use his connections to find a few types that were cost-effective and pleasing to them.

Ji An nodded, ”Serious matters are important, there’s always time for tea and conversation. Come, let’s continue drinking.”

He raised his glass; it was also fine to have one less person, saving some good tea leaves.

There was no way around it, for in his Grotto Void Stone, there were no tea leaves below Third Grade.

Everyone continued to drink and chat until the sunset’s glow completely vanished.

Wan Jinrong settled the bill, and they each went their separate ways.

Now, the city lights were just coming on; Ji An flew into the sky, seeing the lamps of the Immortal City like stars in the night sky.

At the pinnacle of the Immortal City, spiritual tides surged, vaguely echoing with the sound of waves.

Ji An laughed heartily and rode the clouds away; the night wind rustled through his broad sleeves, the stars scattered across the sky illuminating his return.

...

Back at the grotto mansion, Ji An took out the Gourd Stone and entered the Little World, where he loved everything.

The Wuji Xinghuang Banner and the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner flew out of his Dantian, transforming into a Qilin and a Cyan Dragon playing around the Gathering Essence Tree.

Although this Heaven and Earth Spirit Root was still at Tier Two Top Grade Level, it had already grown sixteen feet tall, standing gracefully.

Ji An sat cross-legged under the tree, operating his cultivation technique to refine the spiritual food in his stomach, and then lay on a rocking chair, placing the Jade Slip of Acala Bodhisattva Skill on his forehead, slowly studying it.

He first skimmed through it, and then started a thorough reading from the most basic parts.

The cultivation technique was divided into two portions, akin to a person’s two legs.

One part emphasized meditation visualization, allowing cultivators to possess the power of light to ward off evil and banish demons; the other part focused on the physical body, enabling cultivators to have a Vajra body that feared no harm.

This cultivation technique was not a Zen cultivation technique; it was an orthodox Buddhist cultivation method.

The realm divisions of Buddhist cultivation were the same as for Daoist cultivators; essentially, they went from Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Chao Origin, Golden Core, to Nascent Soul, merely under different names.

After reviewing the Dharma Gates for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment tiers, he drew a conclusion.

The Glaze-Gold Jade Bone Body he originally practiced was a simplified version of the Acala Bodhisattva Skill. Though it lacked meditation visualization, the intent of the cultivation technique was very similar.

The Acala Bodhisattva Skill required keeping precepts and visualizing a Dharma Guardian Deity. Once this body god was fully visualized, and his physical body reached the Vajra realm, it would be akin to a Daoist cultivator breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

The cultivation technique contained a Statue of the Acala Bodhisattva, visualized to inhabit one’s body for daily worship.

This statue sat on a stone seat, child-like, with seven knots atop his head and braids draped over the left shoulder. The left eye was slightly closed, and the lower teeth bit the upper lip, displaying a wrathful expression.

Carrying fierce fire, the right hand held a sharp sword, and the left hand held a rope in a gesture of cutting through troubles.

Ji An found it somewhat heretical; cultivation should be an introspective pursuit, not an external one.

He decided to abandon the meditation visualization section, focusing only on the physical body.

Opening the Upper Dantian, shattering the pill to form a Nascent Soul, then letting the Soul Infant reside in the Mud Ball Palace was more his style.

For the Daoist, the strategy was to emulate heaven and earth in constructing a Little Cosmos within the human body, which seemed more profound.

In the Acala Bodhisattva Skill, the physical body realm divisions could be categorized into Yijin, Bone Tempering, Washing Marrow, Physical Relic, and Vajra, corresponding respectively to Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Chao Origin, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul realms.

The cultivation technique progressed step by step. The levels beyond the Washing Marrow realm were unclear in their merit, but the cultivation of Yijin and Bone Tempering stages was more advanced than the Glaze-Gold Jade Bone Body.

Of course, the difficulty of cultivation was also higher.

The cultivation technique included auxiliary external objects for cultivation, using various grades of Vajra Bodhi fruits, combined with multiple spirit medicines to form medicinal mud.

Judging from the properties and pharmacology, the effect of the medicinal mud was gentler and also nourished the Qi and blood of the physical body.

Currently, Ji An was a Golden Core Cultivator and also a Body Cultivator at the Chao Origin Stage. His own Qi and blood power was overwhelming, and cultivating the Yijin and Bone Tempering stages required no external aids.

He studied the cultivation technique thoroughly several times, stood up, assumed his posture, and operated the Qi and blood power along specific routes within his body.

A moment later, steam emitted from the pores all over his body.

The Cyan Dragon left the Gathering Essence Tree and flew rapidly to the blue-green field, letting out a high-pitched dragon’s roar.

From the depths of the Spirit Field, came a melodious deer cry, ”Yo-yo!”

The Cyan Deer ran happily; if a demon beast didn’t have a flying demon beast, it would only ride a demon cloud and fly at the Golden Core Stage.

...

The next day, at 7:00 AM.

Ji An prepared pastries, roasted pine nuts, and Spirit Wine, and boiled Spirit Spring Water with a Wind Furnace.

Looking at the setup on the table, he subconsciously rubbed his hands, ”I should plant some fennel beans in the Little World; at least they could serve as snacks with the wine.”

In the Gourd World, there was no shortage of snacks for drinking. Just speaking of the Spirit Fish in the pond, he could prepare a variety of dishes.

However, those spiritual objects couldn’t be shown to others and were only enjoyed by him alone. But planting some ordinary spiritual vegetables and legumes would be a good choice.

Otherwise, having only pastries and pine nuts with wine seemed too meager.

The Gourd World’s area was still too small; he had plans to breed demon beasts, but not enough room for Dahuang and the others to roam.

Over a hundred acres of Spirit Field, a Chao Origin Stage demon beast might run several laps a day.

Ji An decided that in a few days, he’d have Zhang Jun purchase some seeds.

With everything ready, he went outside the grotto mansion to wait, as he couldn’t let guests call out after arriving.

Before long, Wan Jinrong landed by the large stone outside the grotto mansion. Carved upon it were the words ’Stone Mountain’, in a silver-hook iron-like script as red as blood, faintly exuding a sharp aura.

Ji An greeted him and led him into the grotto mansion.

He brewed a pot of cool tea, filled the Spirit Wine, and smiled:

”Though the types of spiritual food offered aren’t abundant, the quality is excellent. Fellow Daoist, please try the pastries and pine nuts.”

”The aroma is enticing; as soon as I came in, I couldn’t wait. But before enjoying the delicacies, I have a small gift to offer, hoping fellow Daoist will like it.”

As Wan Jinrong spoke, he took out a small, square dark red wooden box, the texture delicate, showing wave patterns.

”You’re too kind, fellow Daoist.”

Ji An appreciated such courteous fellow Daoists—considerate!

The box felt warm to the touch, and at a moment’s contact, he could sense it was made from Tier Two Middle Grade Fire Spirit Wood.

Wan Jinrong quickly nodded, ”Open it and take a look.”

Ji An complied with ease, opened the box, and inside lay a few fiery red leaves, upon which rested two flat, pigeon-egg-sized seeds.

The outer skin was yellow-brown, covered in crimson avian-claw-like patterns, exceedingly unusual.

His eyes gleamed, picking up the spirit seeds and feeling the intensity of their life force, he couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear.

”For me, this is the best gift. To my embarrassment, I can’t recognize which spirit plant species this is.”

Two unfamiliar Tier Three Lower Grade Fire Spirit Seeds were particularly precious to him.

”Hahaha, seeing the lush greenery of the Azure Dragon Wood outside, I knew Fellow Daoist Qingfeng’s words weren’t unfounded. Your cultivation ability must be achieved at an excellent level.

Presenting two spirit seeds you don’t recognize shows my gift-giving choice is spot on.”

After a slight pause, Wan Jinrong continued:

”Fellow Daoist, do you remember years ago in the Western Continent, we tasted a kind of spirit tea together?”

Ji An reflected for a moment, nodding:

”Of course I remember, it was the Tier Two Top Grade Phoenix Dance Danxia Tea. Fellow Daoist also mentioned that spirit tea could accelerate the conversion of Fire Spirit Power and temporarily enhance comprehension of the Power of Fire Element.

At that time, I thought that with the help of such spirit tea, I could more quickly elevate magic techniques to a higher level.

To put it this way, these two seeds must be Phoenix Perch Wood seeds!”

The spirit tea was excellent and even enhanced comprehension of the Fire Element, leaving a lasting impression.

”Fellow Daoist, your memory is impressive, admirable.”

Ji An happily put away the box, raised his glass, and said:

”Try the Tier Three Spirit Wine I brought from the Western Continent; there’s both Pine Nut Wine and Cyan Leaf Wine. Surely one will suit your taste.”