Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 154: Chapter 151: Red Cloud Pine

“Please sit, let’s discuss slowly.”

Ji An invited them, thinking that if he was not mistaken, the battle at Mingfeng Mountain was about to begin.

The two sat down, and before they could speak, shouting was heard outside again.

“Senior Brother Ji… ah, Senior Brother Wei is here too?”

Zeng Rui hurriedly entered, clasped his hands and said:

“Have the two senior brothers received the sect’s Communication Golden Sword?”

Wei Songnian sighed and said:

“We are talking about this right now, Senior Brother Ji and I have both received it. We will head to the Ten Thousand Mountains to establish a new outpost in a month.”

Zeng Rui pulled over a chair, scratching his head and asked:

“Isn’t the task of establishing outposts and external operations always managed by the Law Enforcement Hall?

Why is there such a big movement this time? Do the two senior brothers have any other information?”

He reached out and pointed upwards twice, showing an inquisitive look.

At this moment, he was lamenting in his heart, as he was just an ordinary Spirit Farmer, with most of his possessions invested in planting. He only had one top-grade defensive magical artifact at hand.

In his current state, he took a pessimistic attitude towards fighting Demon Beasts.

The sect’s external expansion operations had been ongoing for over a decade, usually led by the Law Enforcement Hall and involving cultivators who often hunted demons outside.

Other cultivators typically performed logistical support work or received tasks to guard outposts, not participating in frontline battles with Demon Beasts.

Now, the sect suddenly issued a summons, catching him off guard.

Ji An said in a solemn tone:

“I think both junior brothers are too pessimistic. The sect has always been cautious in battles within the Ten Thousand Mountains. Even when attacking those powerful Demon Beast races, there have been no major casualties.

For those of us who are not good at combat, the sect probably has other tasks for us, and it’s unlikely we’ll have many opportunities to be in the front lines.”

The sect leaders aren’t fools; they wouldn’t assign tasks that would cause massive casualties, as that would shake the sect’s foundation.

At least at this stage, they wouldn’t do such a thing. Losing troops before the official outbreak of the Demon Calamity would severely undermine the cultivators’ morale.

He turned his head and asked:

“Junior Brother Wei, how many Bloodthirsty Vine Seeds have been harvested in Cyan Bamboo Valley so far?”

“The seeds have been harvested in two rounds, about forty thousand jin.

In another half month, a third harvest is expected, with an estimated yield of twenty-four to twenty-five thousand jin.”

Ji An smiled and calmly said:

“As far as I know, for this kind of task, the sect assigned seven Spirit Farmers to do it, so harvesting over three hundred thousand jin of Bloodthirsty Vine Seeds shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Without fresh blood nourishment, this kind of Spirit Seed is difficult to preserve for a long time and must be planted quickly.

How many Spirit Farmers are needed for planting these seeds, and where will they be planted?”

Hearing his analysis, Zeng Rui’s expression eased, and he smiled:

“That’s right, if it’s a planting task, I have no problem with that.”

In terms of combat, the Law Enforcement Hall’s cultivators could defeat ten of him without breaking a sweat, but when it comes to planting, those cultivators would be clueless.

Every craft has its expert; Spirit Farmers might learn a few Attack Techniques, but the Law Enforcement Hall’s people couldn’t possibly learn Planting Techniques.

Wei Songnian’s expression remained heavy:

“Then why is the sect summoning me? As far as I know, Junior Sister Jiang Wanrong hasn’t received a summons.”

He didn’t have any special skills, while Junior Sister Jiang had Beast Taming to assist in combat, which should be more effective than him.

Zeng Rui consoled him:

“Senior Brother Wei, there’s no point in worrying so much now. Why don’t we go out and purchase some magical artifacts and talismans?

If the sect’s summoning is extensive, going late means we might not get useful magical artifacts.”

“Alright, let’s go to the Artifact Refining Hall to gather some information.”

Wei Songnian stood up and asked:

“Senior Brother Ji, are you coming with us?”

Ji An gently waved his hand and said:

“I have a top-grade defensive magical artifact with me, which is sufficient for the time being.”

He had magical artifacts and another month to make talismans, so he wasn’t afraid of the summoning task this time.

…

In the sky above the Golden Spirit Sect’s territory, Communication Talisman Swords flitted about like silver Swimming Fish, constantly shuttling back and forth.

Yingri Peak was the headquarters of the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall, and Hall Master Lin Jiuxiao watched the passing Communication Talisman Swords with a stony expression.

His features were sharp like blades and chisels, with a high-bridged nose like a towering steep mountain, making him appear serious and unapproachable.

Muu Songde stood respectfully behind him, looking as if he was listening for guidance.

Lin Jiuxiao spoke lightly:

“The sect has been stable for over two thousand years, and too many disciples lack combat awareness, which is very problematic.

Before the Demon Calamity fully erupts, let everyone experience war and get a feel for it, so that they won’t be flustered in future battles.”

“What you said is very true, Martial Uncle. There are over a thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the sect, and this time, seventy percent were summoned, along with over four thousand eighth and ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples.

After this many have been tested, the vast majority of sect cultivators will truly tense up.”

Lin Jiuxiao nodded slightly:

“Very well done, also take care to assign tasks to those groups who are not adept at fighting.

“We are here to train, not to send these people to their deaths.”

Some cultivators are naturally not endowed with the talent for magical combat. Putting them in direct warfare would be too harsh; even if a full-scale war breaks out, tasks must be assigned according to the actual situation.

“Don’t worry, Martial Uncle. I’ve always maintained close communication with the Diligence Hall.

There is extra care given to those production-type cultivators.”

Muu Songde replied, explaining that for artifact refiners, array masters, puppet masters, spirit farmers, and some of the beast tamers, they are not assigned breakthrough tasks.

…

There was an uproar within the sect. Among Ji An’s familiar friends, Zhang Yuanshan and Chu River were both summoned, while Zhao Mengyao, who had just completed an external mission, was not called this time.

Li Lingyu and Mu Qingwan also received summons, and Liu Yu, a cultivator of the Law Enforcement Hall, was reportedly to be incorporated into the main assault forces.

Du Huaiyuan was indeed fortunate to avoid this mission.

Compared to the chaos and tumult outside, Ji An remained at Red Flame Peak, undisturbed, following his cultivation routine, extracting the essence of metal and fire elements, and casting spells on spirit woods.

Inside his storage bag lay two each of the Bursting Talisman Discs and Flame Bursting Talisman Discs, forty top-grade Bursting Talismans, one thousand two hundred top-grade Flame Bursting Talismans, and one hundred top-grade Golden Armor Talismans.

If not for the lack of materials, he even contemplated drafting some top-grade Pan Mountain Talismans and Golden Light Talismans.

Additionally, he held twelve top-grade Copper Armor Talisman Soldiers in his possession, each possessing combat power comparable to early-stage Foundation Establishment body refining cultivators.

Given that it was group combat, the amount of preparation he had done was deemed ample.

Even if he encountered two or three late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beasts alone, assuming they didn’t flee, he believed he could obliterate them by himself.

…

The slanting rays of the setting sun cast a red glow, and the sky was covered with golden flowers, coating Red Flame Peak with a golden hue.

At the mountain peak, the Gold and Fire Spirit Mechanism gradually faded. Fire-toothed Rabbits emerged from the forests of Profound Yang Wood and Purple Sun Wood to feed, while a group of Red-tailed Squirrels joyfully hopped around a Red Cloud Pine.

Returning birds skimmed over the Cold Pool, their wings beating the water’s surface, creating ripples.

Ji An sat beside a stone table, enjoying a hearty feast.

A pot of spirit wine, four dishes made from a Tail Spirit Fish, accompanied by a plate of pickled bamboo shoots and a bowl of Jade Marrow Rice.

For just this meal at a Spiritual Food Shop, it would cost at least a dozen Spirit Stones.

Xia Yuhuan and her sister stood by, their eyes filled with nervous anticipation and hope, asking:

“Martial Uncle, does the taste suit your palate?”

They had learned the skill of preparing a fish in four different ways from Fellow Daoist Liang and were now facing the moment of truth.

Ji An picked up a golden flatbread, chewing it slowly as the aroma spread over his taste buds.

He nodded in satisfaction, smiling:

“Very good, nearly at Fellow Daoist Liang’s level.”

The two sisters showed a high aptitude in the way of the spirit chef. Once Liang Hill left, they would surely take his place.

“Thank you, Martial Uncle, for your praise.”

The two sisters bowed slightly, their faces beaming with smiles.

A golden talisman sword descended, spiraling beside the stone table. Ji An raised his hand to catch it, recognizing his master’s magical mark.

He extended his Divine Sense to read the message.

“Gather at Ningcui Cliff tomorrow at noon. Remember.”

Ji An drew out the Communication Talisman Sword, confirming his timely attendance.

The activated talisman sword traced a silver line in the air, disappearing from his sight.

“You may continue your work; I’m off to inspect the mountain forest.”

Ji An summoned the Flying Shuttle, starting his patrol counterclockwise.

This was his routine after dinner; during his stay at Red Flame Peak, he never missed a day.

The Jade Leaf Mulberry and Biluo Tree needed rain or the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, while the Red Cloud Pine required irrigation using the Flame Fire Spell. The mountain forest was regularly organized every few days using the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to enhance the vitality of the soil.

His nightlife had just begun, usually bustling until midnight before finding respite.

With his rise and fall, clouds formed, rain fell, emerald stars surged, and the earthly yellow or fiery orange spirit light flickered.

The moon rose in the eastern sky, witnessing this change of light and shadow, with spirit woods swaying their branches in this splendid dreamlike landscape.

As the wind rose, the forest echoed.

…

Under the serene moonlight, Ji An gazed down at the Red Cloud Pine Forest, noticing a distant red glow with astonishment.

He urged his Flying Shuttle forward, accelerating, leaving a clear vortex of wind in the pine forest.

When the Flying Shuttle descended, the Red-tailed Squirrels around the forest scattered in panic, peeking from the shadows at the unexpected guest.

Ji An looked up at the spirit pine before him, its pine needles resembling translucent fire jade, emitting a radiant glow, and took a deep breath.

Without any external interference, the spirit pine’s needles radiating spirit light indicated it had reached Tier Two Lower Grade.

Ji An stepped forward like a phantom, and in an instant appeared beside the Red Cloud Pine.

He touched the spirit pine’s rough bark, channeling magical power, and immediately sensed the vigorous flow of fire element spiritual energy.

The entire spirit pine became like a burning torch, emitting intense spiritual energy, causing his Daoist robe to flutter.

If anyone were nearby, they would witness a red light shooting towards the celestial vault, its radiance enveloping the nearby spirit pines.

The spirit pines touched by the red light swayed gently, as if dancing in a mild breeze.

“Excellent!”

Ji An vigorously swung his fist, feeling immensely gratified that all his hard work had paid off.

This was the first Tier Two Spirit Wood he had cultivated, but it would certainly not be the last; better days were ahead.