Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 144: Chapter 141: Blazing Golden Wheel

Three months passed in a blur, the moonlight cold and clear, mist rising by the cold pool, obscuring the night.

In the deep pool, the spirit fish leapt beneath the shimmering water, ripples breaking the moon’s reflection.

Ji An arrived at the designated Jade Leaf Mulberry experimental field, invoking the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, a vibrant aura spreading, forming a sea of emerald light in the air.

Previously, these dots of spiritual Qi fell like raindrops, soaking into whatever part of the spirit wood they landed on.

But now it’s different, these light dots danced like snowflakes in the wind, selectively merging.

The most light dots gathered near the roots, followed by the branching points, and then the base of the leaf stems.

The Wood Element Essence Qi seemed to have gained intelligence, learning to choose, merging into the places of the spirit mulberry most in need of ’nutrition’.

When all the light dots conjured by the cultivation technique merged into the spirit wood, the world dimmed.

Ji An swathed his hands in magical power, clearly noticing a faint emerald luminescence flickering on them.

The technique’s influence had palpably altered the nature of his magical power; his usage of Wood and Fire Element Techniques now consumed slightly less magical power, yet their potency had increased.

The changes brought by the cultivation technique did not stop there; the growth of various spirit woods showed promising changes.

The two newly planted spiritual peach trees had grown to his waist, and the original spiritual peach and apricot trees had reached the Tier One Upper Grade level, with more luxuriant foliage.

The experimental field began to show Tier One Middle Grade spirit mulberries, which he originally estimated would not appear for another half year.

Ji An leapt and flew down to the cave at the mountain foot, invoking the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, warm spirit light illuminating the dim underground.

Golden spots lit up on the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree, resembling embedded stars.

Golden Fur excitedly bounced nearby, also fond of the dense Earth Element Technique Intent.

These spirit trees had grown half a foot taller than when first transplanted, with more branches spreading out.

The two middle-grade Earth Spirit Fruit Trees had been elevated to top-grade, and when the fruiting season arrived, a greater, higher-quality harvest of spirit fruits was certain.

Recently, Wei Songnian visited Cyan Cloud Immortal City twice, bringing back word that Golden Spot Spider Silk was also a rare item, scarcely seen on the market.

Ji An wanted to refine the apricot yellow Banner, relying on Senior Sister Su Yun’s demon beasts for weaving the banner surface.

He left the cave and returned to the grotto mansion halfway up the mountain, letting his mind sink into the Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: Metal 2.2, Water 0, Wood 0, Fire 0.6, Earth 3.1]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 87.8, Gen Spirit 82.4, Zhen Spirit 1.2, Xun Spirit 105.2, Kun Spirit 88.3, Qian Spirit 138.4, Dui Spirit 128.5, Li Spirit 132.5]

[Magic Technique: Jade Wood Transformation Skill (Perfection 58%)

Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell (Perfection 82%)

Spring Breeze and Rain Skill (Perfection 76%)

Five Directions Spirit Gathering Technique (Great Success 68%)…]

Body refining is now going notably well; Ji An can withstand the volcanic crater for a longer time, the speed of improvement in the Five Directions Spirit Gathering Technique has markedly increased, extracting twelve thousand strands of Metal Element Essence Qi daily.

The branches of Copper Patterned Mulberry in the experimental field are evidently more robust than those in other spirit fields, the leaves broader and lusher.

…

At the Diligence Hall on Lingxiao Mountain, the water vapor on the wind furnace bubbled with a “gurgling” sound, wisps of white mist rising.

Ye Changqing leisurely cracked open pine nuts, as a tall figure slipped into the hall.

“Junior Brother Ye’s life seems so leisurely, it’s enviable.”

Muu Songde walked to the table, pulled over a chair, and grabbed a handful of pine nuts to sit down:

“The pine nuts taste quite good.”

“Senior Brother, don’t make fun of me, it’s just because my breakthrough is hopeless, and I’m biding my time.”

Ye Changqing fetched two tea cups from under the table, rinsing them with boiling water several times, then steeped spirit tea.

“If Senior Brother isn’t on duty at the Law Enforcement Hall, how do you have the time to visit my cold and quiet place?”

Muu Songde took out a jade slip, saying:

“Many outposts need personnel rotation; this is the roster drafted by the Law Enforcement Hall. Check if there are any conflicts, Junior Brother.”

The newly established outposts in the Ten Thousand Mountains require at least Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, and the deeper into the mountains’ core, the higher the cultivation requirement.

The Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators within the sect each have their tasks; some have urgent missions, making external assignments inconvenient.

So, tasks issued by the Law Enforcement Hall would have consultations with the Diligence Hall, which is customary.

For example, if a cultivator feels they are about to break through and need to go into seclusion, they can register with the Diligence Hall to defer the task to the next round.

Ye Changqing raised an eyebrow, surprised:

“Such a small matter shouldn’t trouble Senior Brother to come personally; sending a Communication Golden Sword would suffice.”

“Stopped by the Inheritance Hall to verify some learning materials, and took the opportunity to run an errand, saving a Communication Golden Sword.

Of course, the main reason was that I hadn’t seen Junior Brother for a while and came for a chat.

Within those batches of disciples we joined with, not many remain.”

Muu Songde sighed, drinking the tea.

He was not far from breaking through to the Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment, but he wasn’t sure if his lifespan could support him until the breakthrough to Chao Origin.

Sometimes, he pondered if he knew for certain he couldn’t break through to a higher realm, whether he would still be this diligent now.

Ye Changqing also sighed, saying:

“How many can ascend to the pinnacle and live forever? I’ve come to terms with it.”

Though he claimed acceptance, his brows furrowed slightly, concealing helplessness.

After a moment of silence, he picked up the jade slip and began reviewing, erasing the names of those currently unsuitable for external assignments.

“Zhao Tieshan is in closed cultivation, trying to break through to the late-stage Foundation Establishment, and won’t be able to take on any tasks for the time being… Ji An, hmm, not suitable for external tasks, remove him.”

Ye Changqing handed over the Jade Slip, saying:

“I’ve removed the names of five junior brothers and sisters who can’t perform tasks. Senior brother, please fill in the gaps from the backup list.”

Muu Songde asked:

“Who is Ji An, and why can’t he do external tasks?”

Earlier, he heard others recite definite reasons, but Ji An was the only one with merely ’not suitable’.

“A junior brother at the third-layer Foundation Establishment, a Spirit Farmer, he has planted five thousand mu of Spirit Wood on Red Flame Peak.

Recently, he has planted over a thousand mu of Spiritual Mulberry, and it’s a busy time.

Although he’s still at the early-stage Foundation Establishment, his planting abilities are among the top high-tier Spirit Farmers in the sect.”

Ye Changqing pinched a plump pine nut, saying:

“These pine nuts are from Red Flame Peak, and their quality is getting higher and higher.

When the main spiritual vein of the sect is upgraded, Red Flame Peak’s spiritual veins also are raised in tier. In the future, we should be able to enjoy pine nuts produced from Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Pines.”

In the past few years, there has been a continuous increase in Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, with plenty available for external tasks.

He decided to block the ordinary external tasks from Junior Brother Ji, as cultivating higher-tier Spiritual Mulberry would better benefit the Beast Taming Hall and contribute more to the sect than having him carry out tasks.

“Speaking of Red Flame Peak, I remember now, there was actually a Tribulation Cultivator daring enough to commit a crime in the sect at that time.”

…

Liu Yu rode a flying wheel-shaped Spiritual Artifact, streaking through the sky, leaving a fiery tail, adding to the evening glow.

The Spiritual Artifact spun beneath his feet, stopping outside Red Flame Peak, and the Communication Talisman Sword flashed with a silvery glow as it entered the Magic Array.

When the gate opened, he controlled the flying wheel to dive downwards, landing at the Cold Pool.

“Haha, it’s been a year since we last met, and Junior Brother, your Spirit Wood planting range has expanded considerably, congratulations.”

Ji An clasped his hands and smiled, saying:

“Congratulations to us both, I’ve long hoped to meet with Senior Brother, but have never found the opportunity.

This treasure of Senior Brother’s emanates an intense aura, could it be?”

The tier of a Magical Artifact mainly depends on the materials used during refining; its aura is usually subdued, not so overwhelming.

“Over these years, I’ve accumulated some merit from performing sect tasks and exchanged it in the sect’s Secret Vault for this Spiritual Artifact — the Blazing Golden Wheel.

I’ll rely on it for the Three Sects’ contest in the future.”

Liu Yu smiled faintly, his expression gentle but his tone flamboyant like a flame.

He put away the Spiritual Artifact and continued:

“After executing tasks for over a year, I applied to the Law Enforcement Hall for a month’s rest and got approved. I’ll be bothering you here for a while.”

Fire conquers metal, but true gold fears no fire; the Metal Element Spirit on Red Flame Peak is extremely pure.

The main material for the Blazing Golden Wheel is Starfire Meteorite Iron, most suitable for nurturing its spirituality in a place abundant with gold and fire.

“Warmly welcome, the sect offers generous rewards to the winners in the Three Sects’ contest. I, too, have now reached the third-layer Foundation Establishment and want to register for a try.

I was just thinking of seeking guidance from Senior Brother to gain some experience in Magical Combat.”

Ji An smiled, thinking that the contest was about four years away, during which his Magic Technique level would surely improve significantly.

By then, he could produce some Talisman Discs and Talisman Soldiers, hopefully leading to a decent performance.

A Spirit Farmer like you also wants to join in the fun?

Liu Yu chuckled, determining to put a bit more strength in sparring with his junior to quell such thoughts.

“Alright, since you’re determined to participate in Magical Combat, let’s treat our sparring sessions as real fights.”

The cultivation technique chosen by this junior brother is the Evergreen Wood Skill, which might ease the planting of Spirit Medicine and Spirit Wood, but when it comes to Magical Combat, its weaknesses become apparent; sticking to plantation at Red Flame Peak might be better, as combat can be extremely dangerous!

Ji An welcomed his senior brother into the stone house, and Xia Yuhuan immediately began boiling Spiritual Spring outside to brew tea.

Liu Yu took out a roll of Beast Hide and two large jars from his Storage Bag:

“Thankfully, my mission was not in vain. These are the hides and Essence Blood of two late-stage Foundation Establishment Fire Element Demon Beasts.”

“Good, good!”

Ji An was overjoyed, spreading out the rolled-up Beast Hide, gently caressing its texture as if touching a lover’s tender hand.

With these materials, he could begin drawing Tier One Top Grade Bursting Talismans.

In coordination with the Talisman Disc, a few rounds of fireballs could fly out, leaving even a late-stage Foundation Establishment enemy severely wounded if not dead.

Thinking of this, he decided to learn the Entanglement Technique and Quicksand Technique.

The firepower was adequate; he needed some means to delay the enemy.

“Senior Brother, these wonderful items, how many Spirit Stones would they cost?”

Liu Yu wore a difficult expression, saying:

“Late-stage Foundation Establishment Demon Beast Hides and Essence Blood are rare resources, which required our whole team to eliminate.

If you want to regularly receive these goods from me, you’d better exchange them for some high-tier Spiritual Objects.

Otherwise… I can only supply you with these batches.”

Foundation Establishment cultivators gradually accumulate some wealth, not lacking in Spirit Stones.

Everyone keeps some high-tier Spiritual Objects in reserve for bartering, while Spirit Stones are used only for daily expenditure.

At various trade gatherings, using Spirit Stones to buy high-tier resources often requires a high premium, and even so, they often come away empty-handed.