Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 128: Chapter 125: Countermeasures

The spiritual food was abundant and delicious, but Ge Ying seemed somewhat distracted.

At first, upon hearing about the eruption of Red Flame Peak spewing forth gold and fire attribute spiritual objects, she planned to have her disciples hand over the Tier Two Upper Grade and Top-Grade level spiritual objects. She intended to put herself on the line to negotiate with the sect, trying her best to shield her disciples.

No secret is impenetrable. If the sect learns of such matters through other channels, it would be more disadvantageous for the disciples.

Everyone has greed. If someone else were in Ji An’s position, they might have done the same, but such matters cannot be discussed openly.

If the disciples can voluntarily admit their mistake and sincerely repent, they should be able to strive for a chance at forgiveness.

However, doing this also carries risks, as she doesn’t know how those Junior Martial Uncles at the Chao Origin Stage would view this. The Tier Two Top-Grade spiritual objects from the eruption of Red Flame Peak could be greatly beneficial to several of them in the sect.

If they develop prejudices against the disciples, it would affect their Dao path.

Sometimes, a mere hint from a High-Tier Cultivator can cause disciples to waste many years.

After roughly understanding the reason behind the eruption of the Earth Lung Fire Vein beneath Red Flame Peak, she conceived a plan to hide this incident for the disciples, though she hesitated in her heart.

After the sect sent a Communication Golden Sword yesterday, Ge Ying realized that the nurturing of the spiritual vein had probably reached its final stage.

Seeing the disciples’ planting situation at Red Flame Peak today, as well as their comprehension of the cultivation technique and magic technique, she leaned towards helping them conceal this disgraceful incident.

Considering the current situation, the disciples could accrue substantial resource accumulation through planting, with a significant possibility of breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage.

Even if they don’t break through to the Chao Origin Stage, their achievements in planting would surpass hers, even possibly before she transcends.

If tarnished actions lead to suspicion from other high-level members, it would be a loss for the sect, as they are most likely to help the sect cultivate a Tier Two Top-Grade Spiritual Peach anew.

Having made her decision, Ge Ying relaxed and began to savor the delicacies.

“The fragrance of rabbit meat is well-cooked into the broth, paired with these spiritual vegetables, it’s fresh and savory without being greasy, quite nice.”

“A single Spirit Fish can yield so many flavors, very impressive.”

She ate the fish bone pancake and nodded with a smile.

“I thank Master on behalf of Fellow Daoist Liang for the praise.”

Ji An said, smiling, his ability to read the subtle changes was quite strong.

Initially seeing the heavy-hearted look of his master, he understood that it must be his performance playing a role, and the master must be contemplating a better resolution.

Now seeing the master’s smile, the situation should have turned for the better.

He raised his cup again, jokingly saying:

“Master didn’t touch the wine earlier, now please taste this cup of Pine Nut Wine.

This is a fine wine brewed by Senior Brother Du with pine nuts and several spirit fruits, fermented in the Cold Pool for five years, which can accelerate magical power recovery.”

Ge Ying sipped half the cup, closed her eyes, circulating her cultivation technique carefully for a while, then nodded slightly:

“The Spirit Wine has a mellow texture, it also has some effect on Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Huaiyuan’s understanding of winemaking has improved.”

She glanced up indifferently and said:

“You and your senior brothers live well. I haven’t tasted these wines before.”

“We also have some Spirit Wine stored in the Cold Pool, when Master leaves, I’ll take some out for you.”

Ji An grinned, silently apologizing to Senior Brother Du, promising to slowly make up for the losses later.

…

The bright moon leaped out from the mountains, casting a clear sheen.

At the entrance of the grotto mansion, Ge Ying gazed up at the moon and said softly:

“During the day, the Spiritual Qi was violent, burning scripture and boiling veins, but at night, the Spiritual Mechanism was gentle and refreshing, making the refined magical power increasingly pure under the alternation of day and night.

Looking at it this way, if one can endure this hardship, the value of this place at Red Flame Peak is underestimated.”

Many Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators within the sect are not fortunate enough to enjoy a Tier Two Lower Grade Spiritual Vein.

“Refining Spiritual Qi during the day is indeed uncomfortable, but having persisted over the years, I’ve already gotten used to it.

In the first few years after moving into Red Flame Peak, during the day, I could only endure Refining Spiritual Qi for half an hour, now I can almost last for a whole hour during the day.”

Ji An recounted his experience lightly, acknowledging the reality of burning scripture and boiling veins as unavoidable damage to the Immortal Vein.

However, through nighttime cultivation repair, his Immortal Vein became much tougher than when he had just established his foundation, capable of enduring short bursts of rapid spellcasting.

There’s no such thing as wasted effort in this world, nor are these hardships suffered in vain.

Ge Ying nodded gently, feeling comforted by her disciple’s steadfast Dao Heart.

Many understand the truth, but few can endure loneliness and pain and persist for the long term; ambitions often fade with time.

She gazed at the Spirit Pine under the moonlight and said with a smile:

“These two Red Cloud Pines have been well cared for. It won’t be many years before they are cultivated to the Tier One Top Grade.”

Ji An slowly approached one of the Red Cloud Pines and lightly raised his hand, and the entire tree’s pine needles gleamed with red light, resembling a Flame Exquisite Tower.

“I wonder if Master remembers the information you gave me on a jade slip.

If a cultivator persistently nourishes spirit wood with magical power, one day, it may produce spiritual materials harmonizing with one’s own aura, which could be used to refine a high-level spiritual artifact perfectly attuned to oneself.

Apart from daily spellcasting, I have persistently nourished the Spirit Pine with my own magical power, day in and day out for ten years, and now I am already in harmony with these spirit woods.”

He paused and continued, ”

“If I can cultivate it to Tier Two Middle Grade or above, I will use Red Cloud Pine as the main material to refine a Spiritual Artifact.”

The Spirit Pine was like a burning torch, lighting up Ge Ying’s eyes.

She certainly remembered what her disciple had said and had done the same herself, knowing deeply how difficult it was to harmonize with the Spirit Wood’s aura.

Not all perseverance leads to success; years ago, she nurtured five Spirit Woods simultaneously, and after more than ten years, only one succeeded.

Ge Ying felt the shock she received today was more than the past several years combined. She gently took a deep breath and changed the subject:

“Regarding the eruption of Red Flame Peak, I have pondered for a long time. For the sake of your Dao path, I think it’s better not to report to the Sect for now.

Let’s see if Red Flame Peak erupts on schedule and whether Spiritual Objects will emerge with the eruption. We will make a final decision then.”

She was eighty to ninety percent sure that after the Spiritual Vein upgrades, Red Flame Peak would not erupt again.

“I shall heed Master’s guidance.”

Ge Ying’s tone turned severe:

“The position you will achieve in the future will be increasingly high, and many will be watching your actions. Do not make such mistakes again.”

“I will certainly reflect on myself every day.”

“Who knows how many years you would have to wait to use Tier Two Upper Grade and Top-grade materials. Hand them to me.

If after a year or two it’s determined that Red Flame Peak doesn’t erupt again, I’ll find an opportunity to submit them to the Sect.

If the Sect can refine several Tier Two Upper Grade or Top-grade Spiritual Artifacts as a result, it will enhance the combat power of Chao Origin Stage cultivators.”

The impending Demon Calamity means every improvement of High-Tier Cultivators could save more disciples’ lives.

“I will hand them to Master,” Ji An breathed a sigh of relief; this outcome was much better than he had anticipated.

Most of the Spiritual Objects erupted from the volcano were Tier Two Lower Grade and Middle Grade, so he still had a large amount of materials on hand.

He took out a sealed stone box from his Storage Bag and also took out two identical boxes from the nursery planting Red Cloud Pine, handing them over.

“Please enter, Master.”

Ji An performed a Spell to unlock the Grotto Mansion’s Dharma Prohibition, retrieving two boxes from the soil of the Small Medicinal Garden.

Ge Ying accepted the boxes, an odd expression crossing her face:

“You’ve quite a knack for hiding; do you have more? Any in the woods at the foot of the mountain?”

The stone box had a special material, and with magic techniques sealing it, the aura of the Spiritual Objects inside would not leak. Unless specifically searched for, hiding them under the ground covered by Spirit Plants would almost go unnoticed by outsiders.

Ji An shook his head repeatedly, saying:

“There’s really no more; Master also saw that the woods are inhabited by some Red-tailed Squirrels and Fire-toothed Rabbits. If buried in the woods, they might be dug up.”

Fire-toothed Rabbits excel at digging holes in the ground, and Red-tailed Squirrels will not miss any tree hole, making the woods an unsuitable place to hide anything.

Moreover, he liked to keep good items where he could regularly ’see’ them.

Ge Ying opened and examined them, finding quite a few good things—Star Trace Gold, Dragon Pattern Gold, Celestial Profound Red Gold, Li Fire Crystal, etc., which left her astonished.

Facing all these good items, anyone who could identify their origins would certainly be tempted.

She suppressed her rising greed and slowly said:

“Lin Qiu Bai, the Junior Martial Uncle from Yingyue Peak, has been at the late-stage Chao Origin for years, seeking Tier Two Top-grade Gold Element Spiritual Materials to refine his Flying Sword.

If he has the materials and happens to use them to elevate his Flying Sword to the Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact level, a Sword Cultivator’s power would be significantly enhanced.”

Ji An responded, “I only wish for the Sect’s prosperity; this is also the fortune of Low-Tier Disciples.”

High-Tier Cultivators enjoy support, and as long as they can step forward at crucial moments to provide shelter for Low-Tier Disciples, it’s the essence of the Sect’s legacy.

Ge Ying’s eyes showed approval, smiling:

“If these Spiritual Objects are submitted to the Sect, you will certainly receive massive Contribution Points and Good Deeds. Let me know when you break through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment and need to exchange Spiritual Objects for a Cultivation Method.

If you cultivate swiftly, these Sect rewards will still belong to you.”

The two gradually talked about cultivation topics, and Ji An seized the opportunity to inquire about issues regarding the Cultivation Technique and listened to his Master’s analysis of the situation within the Sect and the impending situation in the Western Continent.

A night of long conversation passed, and before they knew it, daylight broke outside.

Ge Ying stood up, saying:

“Tomorrow, the Sect will infuse the most critical batch of Spiritual Objects into the Spiritual Vein. Today I need to return to Ningcui Cliff to prevent disturbances from damaging the Spiritual Peach during the Spiritual Vein’s enhancement.”

“Cultivation is difficult; it’s like sailing against the tide, advancing or retreating. I hope you can maintain your single-minded cultivation attitude over these years, advance courageously, and strive to break through to the Chao Origin Stage someday.”

Ji An stood up, his expression solemn:

“I will heed Master’s teachings.”

The two left the Grotto Mansion together, and he added:

“Fellow Daoist Liang should have already prepared breakfast; it won’t be too late for Master to taste it before leaving.”

Since settling in Red Flame Peak, he hadn’t taken any Fasting Pills, eating cooked Spiritual Food daily.

After Ge Ying finished breakfast, Liang Hill had already followed instructions to retrieve five jars of each Spirit Wine from the pool bottom, placing them in the Storage Bag.

“Please enjoy these Spirit Wines, Master.”

Ji An sent his Master out of the Magic Array and returned to the Grotto Mansion to hide some Tier Two Spiritual Objects back into the medicine field from the Storage Bag.