Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

The phoenix bird’s high-pitched cries soared into the clouds, its joyous sound reaching Nu Feng Mountain, filling Thunder Valley.

Ji An felt a golden sun rise within his Sea of Consciousness, radiating light and warmth.

The golden sun quickly faded and blurred, the warm afterglow dissipating swiftly, leaving him feeling comfortably warm.

Normally, the Sea of Consciousness is a place where cultivators store their souls, preferring the yin and disliking the yang, but there was no rejection of the Earth-Departing Flame Banner’s rhythm, likely because of the blood sacrifice during its refining.

He quietly savored this moment of beauty, the corners of his mouth curling up, his eyes shining with smiles.

The crimson-golden phoenix bird dove down, shrinking continuously during its descent, and by the time it landed on his shoulder, it was only the size of a sparrow, with its tail feathers appearing even more long and beautiful, resembling a peacock displaying its tail.

The phoenix bird hopped back and forth on his shoulder, its voice clear and melodious.

Ji An reached out to stroke its feathers, feeling a special warmth. With all three Five Elements Banners transformed into magical treasures, it was time to focus on refining the other two Five Elements Banners.

The phoenix bird transformed back into its original form and merged into his palm, entering the Lower Dantian along his Immortal Vein, plunging into the Primordial Life Fire.

Ji An suddenly felt his body become much heavier, a reluctant smile appearing on his lips.

Nurturing three magical treasures was still somewhat challenging for him at this stage.

However, as long as he didn’t engage in battle, the impact wasn’t significant, and it was manageable.

Pride surged in his heart; possessing three magical treasures at the Second-Layer Golden Core stage was something even the core disciples of Nascent Soul Grand Sects might not achieve.

This required extremely high demands on both the quality of one’s magical power and the strength of the Primordial Life Fire.

His magical power quality was enhanced by the Dao Seed, and the Primordial Life Fire had been repeatedly strengthened by the Stone Turtle, making him exceptional among cultivators of the same level.

Crimson cloud energy formed beneath his feet as Ji An rode the clouds with hands behind his back.

Farewell, Thunder Valley!

...

The Immortal City was bustling; currently, it seemed the matters at Wulan Mountain hadn’t caused significant impact.

Ji An landed in front of Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, stepped inside, and presented the Jade Token given by Wan Jinrong to the approaching maid, saying:

”I am Xuanqing Daoist Master, here to see Master Jinrong.”

This was his second visit to Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion since coming to Cloud Sea Immortal City several years ago.

The first time was upon arriving in the city, when Zhang Jun accompanied him to tour the medium and larger shops.

The maid received the Jade Token with both hands, ”Please wait a moment, senior. I will inform the Daoist Master.”

She hurried towards the backyard, which was the workspace of Artifact Refiners, where outsiders were forbidden without permission.

Moments later, Wan Jinrong strode into the hall, ”Haha, it’s rare for you to have time today, fellow Daoist. Let’s talk upstairs.”

Ji An smiled and cupped his hands, ”Sorry to disturb you.”

”We hit it off at first sight, so there’s no need for such courteous words!”

The two entered the VIP room and took their seats according to their status, while the maid served Spirit Tea before leaving the room.

Ji An asked casually, ”What have you been busy with lately, fellow Daoist?”

Wan Jinrong sighed, ”It’s been tough. I can’t compare to your leisurely life. After the upheaval at Wulan Mountain, I’ve received heavy family tasks, leaving me no free time.”

As a family cultivator, having enjoyed the family’s benefits, it’s his duty to follow the family’s arrangements, a responsibility he must bear.

He didn’t want to delve into this topic deeply, so he instead asked:

”Didn’t you receive any tasks from the Certification Association? Wulan Mountain needs a lot of related materials, like Purifying Talismans and Vajra Pills, and you need to contribute.”

The association issues Certification Jade Tokens, and those cultivators holding these tokens also receive tasks from the association. While not mandatory, repeatedly declining tasks will surely lead to trouble with the association.

”Both alchemy and talisman making materials need time to grow.

Years ago, I received related tasks, and the association probably doesn’t have the materials now.”

Ji An replied with a smile. With the outbreak of the True Demon Tribulation, the cultivation of related spirit medicines needed time to mature, giving him a few more leisurely years.

In fact, his original intention was to take on more tasks, at least to exchange for Pill Formulas and Talisman Painting Techniques, as these were relatively urgent tasks.

After chatting for a while, he explained his purpose:

”Can you refine replicas of the Profound Yuan Water Control Banner or Plain-Color Cloud Realm Banner, fellow Daoist?”

Wan Jinrong paused for a moment and gently shook his head, ”Many years ago, with the fall of the Celestial Water Sect, the refining technique for replicas of the Profound Yuan Water Control Stage has been lost, although the East Sea Land might still carry the tradition.

As for the Plain-Color Cloud Realm Banner, Major Sects like the Taihua Sect and Void Sect might have inherited the technique to refine replicas.

The Five Elements Banner was all the rage in the Central Continent for a time, but everyone discovered that to wield such magical treasures, one must reach a certain comprehension height of the Power of the Five Elements to achieve effects comparable to other ordinary magical treasures.

From then on, the demand for refining such magical treasures decreased significantly.”

He understood well that while the Five Elements Banner had a high potential, its lower limit was also low, making it difficult for most people to grasp.

Those cultivators capable of wielding it would likely have better alternatives as well.

The Five Elements Banner was a replica of the Innate Five Directions Banner, but its power was far inferior, making refining a more suitable personal magical treasure a better choice.

Ji An nodded slightly. Though he hadn’t gained direct assistance, he had found a direction in his heart.

Holding the Token entrusted by Senior Brother Zhengyang, if the Void Sect had the refining technique for the Plain-Color Cloud Realm Banner, he could seek help from the True Monarch of Eating Mist.

...

A large number of cultivators poured into Wulan Mountain, and with the increasing opportunities to battle the Yin Demons, they began to understand how to fight them.

The situation at Wulan Mountain soon stabilized and entered a standoff period.

The passage of time was unaffected by anyone’s will; half a year passed in the blink of an eye.