Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 104: Chapter 102: Inheritance Hall

As he walked out of the Soul Hall, the faintly chilling Qi Mechanism instantly disappeared from his Divine Sense.

Ji An couldn’t help but turn back, his gaze lifting, taking another look at the plaque of the hall.

“Did you feel a bit uncomfortable just now?”

Ye Changqing noticed his action and stopped.

“I always feel a cold aura lingering.”

“The strands of Qi Mechanism drawn from our bodies contain a bit of Essence Soul; soul quality is of Yin nature. A few soul lamps are fine, but the sect has nearly a thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators, and so many soul lamps gathered in the hall create a unique domain.

The human body is of Yang nature, so of course, when within, you can sense the opposing Qi Mechanism.”

Ye Changqing explained a few words and moved forward again. After returning to the Diligence Hall, he brought out several sets of clothing:

“Second-class disciples enjoy treatment including two Golden Silk Cloud Pattern Robes, two everyday outfits, three sets each of inner garments, hairpins, shoes, and socks.

The robes are woven with Tier One Upper Grade Spiritual Silk mixed with Windmill Copper, refined into golden threads, embedded with twelve layers of Dharma Prohibition. They are very light and offer good defense, most importantly, we don’t need to control them with Divine Sense.

By the way, what Cultivation Technique does the junior brother plan to choose?”

“I will choose the pills that match your Cultivation Technique, though you can choose other types of pills.

You should know, different techniques result in different nature of magical power; if cultivating a Fire Element Technique but choosing a Water Element Attribute pill, it’s purely giving oneself a hard time, the pain after consuming it aside, refinement will also hardly improve merit.”

Ji An clasped his hands and replied: “According to the master’s advice, I chose Evergreen Wood Skill.”

“Evergreen Wood Skill is good, comparable to taking a Tier Two Upper Grade Lifespan Extension Pill.

Ah, only when nearing the end of lifespan, one more deeply appreciates the advantage of a long life.”

Ye Changqing sighed, finding two fist-sized cyan jade bottles:

“These are Cyan Spirit Pills, best paired with Evergreen Wood Skill.

Foundation Establishment disciples enjoying Second-class treatment receive 24 pills annually; to get more, contribution points are needed for purchase.”

With that, he pulled out a jade slip and handed it over:

“It details all levels of treatment and obligations for Foundation Establishment cultivators of the sect. If one fails to fulfill them for three consecutive years without a valid reason, their treatment is reduced.

Previously, new Foundation Establishment cultivators weren’t assigned tasks for three years, giving ample time to stabilize their realm and adapt to the environment.

However, this changed a few years back; junior brother now only has one year of free time, afterwards report the chosen sect tasks.”

Ji An held the jade slip to his forehead and skimmed through it, focusing on the Second-class treatment and the belongings he received, nodding slightly:

“Thank you, senior brother. I still need to go to the Inheritance Hall to select my cultivation technique, and I’ll visit in a few days to choose a grotto mansion.”

“Take care, junior brother.”

…

Walking down a path lined with verdant bamboo, Ji An found the entrance to the Inheritance Hall, which was a stone cave.

On his way, he sensed passing through three layers of Dharma Prohibition; without the identity jade token, he wouldn’t have been able to reach here.

Cultivation techniques are fundamental for any power’s legacy, so such tight security is unsurprising, whether for the power or the cultivator.

Above the cave entrance, the stone was etched with the characters ’Inheritance Hall’, colored with Vermilion, blood-red.

Stepping on moss-covered stone steps, Ji An entered the Inheritance Hall.

He was met by a lean old man of celestial demeanor leaning over a desk, which was laden with jade slips, and a cup of Spirit Tea emitting curling mist and a faint fragrance.

The old man’s Qi Mechanism was profound like a vast sea, creating intense pressure.

Daylight spilled from above, forming golden patches on the ground.

The surrounding stone walls had niches cut into them, holding jade slips that glimmered with various Spirit Lights, protected by a faint Spirit Light outside.

Cultivation Method Area, Magic Area, Beast Taming Area, Artifact Refining Area, Alchemy Area… all labeled clearly.

Each niche had labels, detailed with fine-script information.

Ji An softly cleared his throat, stepped forward, bowed, and said:

“New Foundation Establishment disciple Ji An, here to choose a cultivation technique.”

The old man didn’t move his eyelids, coldly saying:

“I’ve heard, go get it yourself. After selecting, come to me to copy the jade slip; place your jade token on the light screen of the niche, the Dharma Prohibition will automatically open.”

His words carried an iciness that distanced others.

Ji An didn’t mind, knowing that places like the Inheritance Hall were bound to harbor hidden talents; without proficiency, one couldn’t be entrusted here.

The person before him emanated aura like a sea, more pressuring than his master, likely a Late-stage Chao Origin cultivator.

He first glanced through casually, and then began serious selection.

As a Second-class disciple, besides cultivation techniques, he could also freely choose two Foundation Establishment tier magic techniques.

Additionally, his knowledge was too narrow, needing expansion, thus he picked all usable jade slips.

When the old man saw dozens of jade slips laid on the table, he finally lifted his gaze, his mouth curving into a faint smile:

“Basic Knowledge Jade Slips don’t require contribution points, they are a perk for sect cultivators, but Magic Technique Jade Slips do need a certain amount of contribution points.”

Most of the new Foundation Establishment disciples are quite poor. Exchanging for a Foundation Establishment Pill consumed a massive amount of Contribution Points; few would choose so many Magic Technique Jade Slips.

He quickly examined what the Jade Slips were, muttering softly:

“The cultivation technique is the Evergreen Wood Skill, Foundation Establishment Stage magic techniques are Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, Jade Wood Transformation Skill, Overlapping Waves Technique, Pan Mountain Technique, Bursting Fireball, Golden Light Technique… this is ridiculous, to choose Metal Element techniques with a Wood Element technique. Give me the jade token, let me see which idiot sect you belong to!”

The elder was quite furious, if a Late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple chose techniques conflicting with his cultivation technique, he could understand, as researching such techniques could provide insight into the Cultivation Technique Divine Intent from the opposite perspective. But why would an early-stage Foundation Establishment disciple do so?

Feeling the fleeting spiritual pressure fluctuation from the other person, Ji An felt as if he were amidst a boundless sea of fire, with his skin burning.

Suppressing the tremor in his heart, he silently thought that being too responsible was sometimes not good.

Handing over his Identity Jade Token, he softly explained:

“As a disciple, I excel in planting, so I chose the Evergreen Wood Skill. As for selecting the Golden Light Technique, it’s because I have quite an insight into Metal Element techniques as well.”

Ji An activated his magical power, employing the Sharp Gold Technique, and golden Qi gleamed at his fingertips.

The elder squinted at the golden light lively circling around Ji An’s fingertips, his face’s anger subsiding:

“I see. However, in the future, your magical power will carry the nature of Wood Element Elemental Power, making the activation of Metal Element techniques more consuming.”

He pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:

“Have you ever learned the Golden Armor Technique?”

“Not yet.”

Ji An replied, as Upper Stone Turtle had barely absorbed Qian, Dui, Li, among other Spiritual Mechanisms, so practicing Metal Element and Fire Element techniques relied solely on his own efforts, and time did not permit.

“The Golden Light Technique holds tremendous potential; if you want to achieve something, the Golden Armor Technique should be practiced frequently. It will help in understanding the mystery of the Golden Light Technique. In addition, do not neglect the Sharp Gold Technique either.”

The elder took the jade token and placed it on the Spirit Disc, nodding slightly:

“Hmm, you’ll enjoy the treatment of a second-class disciple, but you need to remove two techniques that consume the most Contribution Points, and deduct 2500 Contribution Points.

Pretty wealthy, huh? Even after the deduction, you still have over five thousand Contribution Points.”

“My planting techniques are quite good, helping my master manage the Medicinal Garden, and I also rented dozens of acres of Spirit Field, allowing me to accumulate this wealth.”

Ji An briskly copied the Jade Slips, paid respect to the elder, and left.

…

Leaving Lingxiao Mountain, Ji An rode the grey-feathered sand goose, flying westward for two days, finally arriving at the region where Red Flame Peak is located.

It was noon, with the sun blazing overhead; billowing smoke and clouds were visible from afar.

After half an hour’s journey, Ji An finally glimpsed the full view of Red Flame Peak.

It was a barren, red-brown stone mountain, resembling a truncated cone with a flat top. Golden-red mist surged and boiled out from the summit.

There was no greenery on the mountain itself, but at the foot of the mountain, lush green trees surrounded it, along with a two to thirty-acre dark green Hidden Pool.

As the beast continued to approach, Ji An finally recognized the peak as a volcano.

He drove the sand goose in continuous circles around the mountain, and even though there was a Mountain Protection Array between, he could feel the fierce Spiritual Mechanism vibrating in the air, with nature’s spiritual energy abnormally turbulent.

As sunset approached, the peak no longer spewed mist, and the wild spiritual energy around gradually became gentle.

He stopped outside the Magic Array, found a corner to meditate and rest.

The grey-feathered sand goose lay in the grass, occasionally letting out feeble moans; it was exhausted today, and even felt the air it breathed was akin to a smoky stove.

The Spirit-Seeking Rat lay not far from the sand goose, slightly better in condition but still listless.

The sunset was like a furnace, casting gorgeous colors of scarlet gold and purplish red, birds shrieked, and beasts ran around; this land, silent by day, grew lively, bursting with vitality.

He took out the Jade Slip of the Evergreen Wood Skill, pressed it against his forehead, silently reciting every word in his heart, pondering how the cultivation technique should be practiced.

Sun warm, moon cold, one night passed.

A thin mist shrouded the mountain, Ji An’s mind sank into his Dantian, reconnecting with Upper Stone Turtle.

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 1653.2, Gen Spirit 505.4, Zhen Spirit 16.4, Xun Spirit 70.8, Kun Spirit 1422.5, Qian Spirit 1.7, Dui Spirit 0.1, Li Spirit 0.2]

All the Spiritual Mechanisms had increased; this was what he gained from staying outside the Mountain Protection Array.

Ji An opened his eyes, looked at the seemingly real, seemingly illusory region hidden in the mist, and marveled at the wonder of divine creation.

Beneath this Land of Blazing Fire and Melting Gold, there are Earth and Water veins nurturing thousands of wood Spiritual Mechanisms, where Five Elements Primordial Qi coexist in harmonious balance.

This is it; to others, this Spirit Vein Node may seem problematic, but to him, it’s a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land several times better than Ningcui Cliff.

Before long, the morning sun rose, dispelling the mist, and the peak once again erupted with golden-red mist.

The breath of Golden Wind and fierce fire spread from the array, and the gentle nature’s spiritual energy around quickly turned into untamed wild horses.

The grey-feathered sand goose emitted a plaintive shriek, indicating that this place was no longer bearable!

The Spirit-Seeking Rat also let out in “squeak squeak” sounds, with its small eyes showing traces of mist.

From now on, you two will have better days, Ji An gathered the Spirit-Seeking Rat, roared, and rode the mount flying away.

In front of the grotto mansion at the foot of the mountain, Chen Xingzhou coldly watched that departing figure, instructed:

“Be on high alert these days. If anyone suspicious approaches the array again, notify me immediately.”

Yesterday, he had noticed someone flying around the grand array on a beast, unexpectedly, the other lingered outside all night, clearly harboring an ulterior motive.