Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 117: Chapter 114: Liang Hill Arrives

Light raced in competition, and in the blink of an eye, Ji An had settled at Red Flame Peak for over a month.

The spirit woods planted in this mountain forest totaled five types: the Tier One Top Grade spirit wood Red Cloud Pine, the Tier One Upper Grade Profound Yang Wood and Clear Spirit Bamboo, the Tier One Middle Grade Purple Sun Wood and Iron Birch Wood.

Red Cloud Pine relies on seeds for reproduction, but the season is not yet right; it will be two or three more months before seeds can be planted.

Clear Spirit Bamboo only grows in the area surrounding the Cold Pool, fortunately he has the Perfection Level Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, and Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, coupled with the Minor Achievement Level Jade Wood Transformation Skill, to maintain the rapid growth of the spirit bamboo.

Otherwise, after paying 500 pounds of Spiritual Charcoal to the sect and selling it to Du Huaiyuan, not much would remain.

Both Profound Yang Wood and Purple Sun Wood are Fire Element spirit woods, as long as the seedlings survive, they grow well.

Iron Birch Wood is a Metal Spirit Wood, hard in texture, suitable for making Spirit Ships and also usable for making Defensive Magical Artifacts.

This type of spirit wood requires very little Spirit Rain, and only needs the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to nourish the land for good growth.

Various spirit medicines have also been planted in the spirit fields around the cold pool, with several major ingredients of the Nourishing Yuan Pill sown in a small medicinal field within the grotto mansion.

In the morning, Ji An finished his cultivation, feeling the increase in magical power, he nodded continuously.

Now everything was on track; during the day, he practiced magic techniques, at night and in the morning, he meditated and understood cultivation techniques. With ample supply of pills, his cultivation was growing rapidly.

He walked out of the grotto mansion and discovered a talisman sword shining with a faint silver spirit light outside the restrictions.

He opened the Dharma Prohibition and reached out to receive the talisman sword, probing it with his Divine Sense to read the information inside.

It was an invitation from Zhao Mengyao, who had established her foundation half a month ago, inviting him to her Foundation Establishment celebration half a month later.

Her words carried a trace of complaint, saying he hadn’t informed her immediately after establishing his foundation, and she only heard it from Zhang Yuanshan.

Ji An smiled faintly, took out a talisman sword from the storage bag, and recorded his message promising to attend on time.

Then he summoned the flying shuttle and began his daily routine patrols.

He divided the spirit wood forest into dozens of areas, knowing which area needed what magic techniques on what day.

He wasn’t aware of the growth status of the spirit woods before, but since he arrived, these spirit woods were destined to generate sufficient profit.

…

In the valley outside the magic array at Red Flame Peak, golden waves rolled in the spirit fields under the sunshine, and a special grass and wood scent wafted from the talisman grass fields.

Huang Feihu was directing more than twenty spirit farmers in harvesting talisman grass; their task was heavy as these fields spanned one hundred acres, and factoring in the time for making talisman paper, everyone would be busy for quite some time.

Zhang Erniu gazed at the talisman grass shining like gold, sighed enviously:

“Who would have thought Junior Martial Uncle Ji is such a powerful spirit farmer? We used to take on sect tasks of transplanting saplings, which kept us busy for two or three months. Now, following Junior Martial Uncle, less than a month has passed, and the work is done.

If the talisman grass I planted had such quality, would I still worry about exchanging for a Foundation Establishment Pill?!”

The survival rate of saplings planted on Red Flame Peak was not high, requiring many replantings to ensure sufficient quantities survive.

For this group of people, it was a long-term task, allowing them to reap multiple harvests of contribution points.

Now, with the new owner of Red Flame Peak being so proficient with planting techniques, he could ensure a survival rate of seventy to eighty percent for the saplings; it was truly unbelievable.

“Er Niu, you should go sleep; you’ll find everything in your dreams.”

Everyone burst into laughter, and the spirit fields were filled with a joyful atmosphere.

“Senior Brother Huang, is Junior Martial Uncle Ji really new to the Foundation Establishment? It feels like the planting techniques he exhibits have more spirit charm than other Foundation Establishment spirit farmers.”

Huang Feihu wiped sweat off his forehead, laughed:

“Absolutely real; Junior Martial Uncle Ji has been in the Foundation Establishment for less than half a year. Previously, we were planting spirit fields together over at Jade Water Lake.

When I joined the sect, I was assigned under Junior Martial Uncle’s name, and we’ve been together for seven or eight years, which is why I’m fortunate enough to follow him to Red Flame Peak for cultivation.”

His words sparked another round of envy, and everyone praised his luck.

Zhang Erniu said:

“I wonder what level Junior Martial Uncle’s planting techniques have reached. Normally, talisman grass needs three months to grow, yet this batch matured completely in a month and a half.

With the same rent, Junior Martial Uncle earns an extra cycle of spirit stones compared to others.”

Another spirit farmer chimed in:

“It’s not only the shortened growth cycle; we’re all experienced hands; look at the quality of this talisman grass!

I dare say the probability of producing middle-grade talisman paper is at least fifty percent; the advantages of Foundation Establishment planting techniques are indeed immense.”

Huang Feihu smiled and shook his head:

“Before Junior Martial Uncle Ji reached Foundation Establishment, the quality of talisman grass he planted was already this high, though the growth cycle was two months then.

According to our experiences from Jade Water Lake, about 245 talisman papers can be made per acre of talisman grass, with over sixty percent being middle-grade talisman paper.”

Suddenly, no one spoke; everyone silently continued their tasks.

Zhang Erniu felt drool at the corner of his mouth, or wipe it away hurriedly with the back of his hand.

He always thought spirit farmers lived at the sect’s bottom layer and could hardly accumulate many spirit stones through planting.

But seeing the current situation, it was simply because he personally wasn’t strong enough. If he also had Junior Martial Uncle’s skills, spirit stones would undoubtedly flow into his storage bag like mountain streams.

It wasn’t just him; others also entertained similar thoughts, realizing that being a spirit farmer could quickly earn spirit stones.

As dusk fell, everyone finally finished harvesting the talisman grass, piling it up in the constructed wooden sheds.

Huang Feihu shouted:

“Tomorrow we’ll start making talismans. Everyone bring your tools; Junior Martial Uncle just arrived here, and many tools aren’t fully equipped yet.

After the work is done, I’ll buy spirit wine and meat, and we’ll drink heartily to celebrate.”

“Alright,” all the spirit farmers agreed.

Huang Feihu coughed a few times and said:

“There’s one more thing. The pay for everyone making the talismans will need to be settled a bit later.

As you all know, purchasing the Foundation Establishment Pill is quite expensive, and your Junior Martial Uncle can’t even afford the Spirit Stones to host a Foundation Establishment celebration right now.

Once the talisman paper is sold, I’ll deliver it to each of you personally.”

After settling in at Red Flame Peak, there were many unforeseen expenses, and the Spirit Stones Ji An had saved were all used up.

Huang Feihu, in his quest to rapidly increase his cultivation, had consumed many pills, leaving him with only a few Spirit Stones.

“A little delay is fine, it’s not a problem.”

Zhang Erniu said, knowing that cultivators are generally strapped for resources right after reaching foundation establishment.

Purchasing the Foundation Establishment Pill requires three thousand Spirit Stones, and many disciples scrape together what they can by borrowing from others.

Moreover, from the quality of the Talisman Grass harvested, it’s clear that Junior Martial Uncle Ji has strength in planting. In a few months, his financial situation will surely improve.

“Yes, a delay isn’t a problem.”

The Spirit Farmers echoed, their sentiments aligned with Zhang Erniu’s, not believing that a Junior Martial Uncle who could earn several hundred to a thousand Spirit Stones in just a month or two would withhold payment.

…

A small flying ship took off from Jade Water Lake, swiftly passing by the disciples riding beasts, provoking a wave of angry shouts.

Wei Songnian, listening to the curses, was not angered. Instead, he laughed heartily, feeling proud.

When he used to ride the Talisman Bird around Jade Water Lake, he was ridiculed plenty by those disciples riding beasts.

Back then, those people would urge their beasts to fly swiftly past him, and the gusts from their wings would leave him and his Talisman Bird swaying precariously.

Liang Hill laughed, saying:

“Senior Brother, you’re truly wealthy. You haven’t even advanced to the Foundation Establishment, and you’re already using a flying ship.”

Wei Songnian restrained his laughter and said:

“It’s just to put on a bit of a show. Fellow Daoist Ji is already a Foundation Establishment cultivator. We can’t look too shabby when doing business with him.

Besides, the journey to Red Flame Peak is long, riding the Talisman Bird would take countless days.”

He patted the storage bag at his waist, wondering if the Spirit Stones he brought would suffice, as it contained all his possessions, and he had borrowed over two hundred more Spirit Stones.

The next morning, Wei Songnian saw the distant golden-red mist soaring into the sky and shouted:

“Junior Brother Liang, we’re almost there.”

…

At the foot of Red Flame Peak.

Ji An raised his teacup, looking at the two people who didn’t seem in the best demeanor, and said:

“Finally, I’ve been anticipating your arrival. Here, during the daytime, the Gold and Fire Qi is too intense, making it not the most pleasant place.

Only after sunset does this place seem like a blessing of the Tier Two Spiritual Vein.

Both of you, have a cup of Spirit Tea to refresh your lungs and hearts.”

“On this mountain, the Gold and Fire are blazing atop, with lush forests and a deep pool at the base. The mountain and water form a union of the Five Elements, making this a truly excellent place.

It’s just that our cultivation is still shallow, and we’re not blessed to enjoy it fully.”

Wei Songnian laughed, taking a sip of tea.

Liang Hill also drank the tea and spoke:

“I just evaluated the water quality of the Cold Pool and already have an idea of which Spirit Fish it’s suitable for. I plan to use a Magic Array to divide the pool into several areas… I need to return to Jade Water Lake to purchase fish fry and prepare fish feed.”

He understood the significance of his invitation here and, upon entering, had immediately assessed the water quality and depth of the pool.

“These Spirit Fish are for the sect task, and I once asked Senior Brother Ye if Spirit Stones could be used instead, but he said no.”

Ji An took out a Jade Slip and used the Object Control Technique to hand it to Liang Hill.

He figured it might be a task posted by some Senior Brother or Junior Martial Uncle to satisfy culinary cravings, with a connection of favors involved. Otherwise, why would the sect need Spirit Fish when they couldn’t be preserved long-term?

Liang Hill placed the Jade Slip against his forehead, quickly reading the information with his Divine Sense, and said:

“I plan to raise these Spirit Fish, among which this Red Grouper is a carnivorous Spirit Fish, so a Magic Array must be used to separate the water areas.

The Cold Pool isn’t large, but it’s deep enough, and the Isolation Magic Array will need to be custom-made, which won’t be cheap in Spirit Stones.”

Since learning that the Spirit Fish would be raised in the Cold Pool, he had researched extensively and fully prepared.

Building trust between people isn’t easy. If things go awry, it would betray trust, and the relationship could go cold.

Ji An nodded and said:

“The Spirit Stones are easy to handle. I’ve grown a hundred acres of Talisman Grass and now have over ten thousand sheets of Middle Grade Talisman Paper on hand, more than enough for us to use.”

He was pleased with the attitude the other party displayed. As long as someone worked earnestly, he wouldn’t treat them unfairly.

Wei Songnian’s heart gave an abrupt thud. He awkwardly chuckled and said:

“Fellow Daoist, I can’t afford all the goods with the Spirit Stones I have.”

Counting the borrowed amount, he only had a little over six hundred Spirit Stones, far from enough.

“Fellow Daoist, take away twelve thousand sheets, and the owed Spirit Stones can go to Fellow Daoist Liang.”

Ji An paused and added:

“Will so much talisman paper flow into the market easily sell in a short period?”