Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 175: Chapter 172: Invitation

The number of high-tier Spirit Farmers within the Sect is not many; many spirit woods grow by absorbing spiritual energy from the Spirit Field over long periods.

The cultivation of high-tier spirit woods is greatly influenced by the grade of the Spiritual Vein, which is unavoidable.

Luofeng Valley has become the leading force among the Three Sects partly because their foundation in Spirit Farming is stronger, allowing them to steadily supply more cultivation resources.

Li Minghui sighed gently and said:

“If the Sect had a more complete planting heritage, who knows how much of a difference Junior Brother could make.”

For both Sects and families, the most important thing is heritage.

Heritage is something that disciples have continuously experimented with and summarized over generations. It can manifest as spells, cultivation techniques, or various secret techniques and skills.

The stronger a power is, the less likely it is to decline, and this is because of rich and profound heritage.

“I’ve seen the struggles of Loose Cultivators; the Sect has already provided us with enormous help.

If there is no path ahead, we can try to forge our own.”

Ji An said that the Sect provides a stable environment and various secret techniques, which is vital.

If he were a Loose Cultivator, even possessing the Stone Turtle, he would not be able to make the most of it.

Ye Changqing replied with a “hmm” and said:

“That’s right, heritage must be passed down for the Sect to thrive. Those major Sects in the Central Continent that haven’t changed for ten thousand years also started from humble beginnings.

In the world, there are originally no paths, but as more people walk them, they become paths.”

When everyone contributes their strength, the Sect will become better and have more resources to train disciples.

Ji An grinned, as these words sounded so familiar! Could Senior Brother Ye be…

He shook his head to dismiss the thought and coughed lightly:

“I think solely relying on the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to nourish the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree is too single-dimensional. I’m planning to cut some top-grade Xuan Yang Wood branches and let them rot here.

When mortals plant grains without magic techniques, they will think of various ways to enhance the fertility of the soil.

I want to test this most primitive method to see how effective it can be.”

Fire generates Earth. The rotting Fire Spirit Wood should be able to further enhance the Earth Element Origin Power contained in the soil.

Ji An intends to conduct a long-term tracking experiment based on this hypothesis.

Furthermore, he plans to burn some mulberry leaves annually in the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field and the Biluo Forest and place mineral powder in the Copper Patterned Mulberry Field to prepare for enhancing the quality of the Spirit Field.

The Contribution Points and Spirit Stones earned should be used; they create no value if kept in hand.

Ye Changqing nodded, recognizing courage in experimentation as a good quality.

When the three of them left the underground cavern, it was already noon, and Ji An treated them generously, making both guests and host enjoy themselves.

…

Ye Changqing operated the flying ship to depart from Red Flame Peak and asked:

“Senior Sister, where next? Shall we return to the Beast Taming Hall?”

With a full belly, he now felt drowsy.

“No rush, let’s explore the area. I want to see where we might set up a Sub-Palace.

We must find a Spirit Vein Node, or it won’t be suitable for the mass rearing of Spiritual Silkworms and Demon Beasts.”

“Haha, it seems Senior Sister is quite confident in establishing a Sub-Palace here.”

Li Minghui chuckled lightly:

“Very confident. The Sect has recruited more disciples, and with the steep increase in Qi Refining Disciples in the Beast Taming Hall, the Spiritual Vein at Cui Bamboo Peak has not improved.

The Hall Master has long been planning to establish a Sub-Palace to relieve the pressure. I’ve scouted seven or eight areas, none of which are satisfactory.

Red Flame Peak can stably produce resources necessary for raising Demon Beasts, eliminating much hassle.”

Every place she inspected required transporting resources from several supply points, which were quite far away, wasting manpower and resources.

Initially, she thought there was no better place and planned to choose blindly, but now there’s a better option, so the Hall Master has no reason to disagree.

“Alright, I recall there are three Spirit Vein branches nearby, all not too far—two top-grade and one high-grade.”

Ye Changqing recalled that every Spirit Vein of the Sect was ingrained in his memory. He even remembered the Cultivators residing on those veins.

He’s quite dedicated to his work.

“Immediately rule out the high-grade one; tell me about the two top-grade Spirit Veins.”

Li Minghui said, choosing the better option when available.

“One Spirit Vein is in a valley covering over seven hundred acres, about seven or eight li from Red Flame Peak.

The other is in a low hill, some ten li away from here.

I remember the Cultivator residing there is named Jiang Wanrong, a disciple of your Beast Taming Hall.”

“Oh, it’s Wanrong; I know her. She’s a pretty talented Junior Sister, also skilled in weaving Magical Robes.

She’s quite lucky, being so close to Red Flame Peak, where she can naturally rear higher-tier Spiritual Silkworms.

Junior Brother, let’s go take a look in person.”

“Alright then.”

Ye Changqing agreed, adjusting the flying ship’s course towards Cyan Bamboo Valley.

…

After the guests left, Ji An instructed:

“Huang Xuan and Li Cheng, head to the Xuan Yang Wood Forest and cut some branches as thick as an arm.

Chop part into small pieces and place them by the roots of the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree in the underground cavern, only under the two spirit trees on the north side.

Dry and crush the other part into powder, mix it with red sand near the Fire Crystal Ant nest to serve as fertilizer for the Purple Fire Gourd, using it only on the three trees in the south.

Additionally, purchase a batch of inferior Windmill Copper Ore and Profound Iron Ore, two thousand pounds each, crush them into pieces and store in the warehouse for my use.”

The experiment to enhance the growth of spirit woods can now get underway.

These two are skilled Spirit Farmers, and once instructed, these mundane matters will be well-executed.

“Understood, we’ll go cut the Xuan Yang Wood now.”

…

Eight months later.

By the cold pool, Ji An was cultivating the Evergreen Wood Skill, able to influence a much larger area than before.

The Jade Leaf Mulberry swayed rhythmically towards him, its countless specks of fluorescence merging into his body.

When Ji An finished cultivating and opened his eyes, a green gleam flashed in his pupils.

A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth; now, his Immortal Veins were thicker and tougher, with more than twenty branched veins expanded at the chest and abdomen.

His speed in refining Spiritual Qi had increased by another five percent, gaining a deeper understanding of the Cultivation Technique.

The world is a perfect cycle, with nothing existing in isolation.

While the Evergreen Wood Skill demonstrated pure Wood Element traits, it still required the absorption of Earth and Water Elemental Spiritual Qi for more efficient advancement in Cultivation.

Even more delightful was that he could already sense the bottleneck!

This meant he was about to break through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, even though it had only been three years and six months since he broke through the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment.

“Could it be that I will break through to the Fourth-Layer Foundation Establishment even quicker than to the third? It doesn’t seem impossible!”

Ji An chuckled, sinking his Divine Sense into the Dantian, linking with the Upper Stone Turtle.

“Refining Spiritual Mechanism, enhancing the Jade Wood Transformation Skill.”

Ji An’s Divine Sense was pulled into the Profound Mysterious Space of the Stone Turtle, forming a shadow with one foot in the Vine Position, spreading emerald green, and the other foot in the Xun Position, where dark green extended.

Previously, the shadow’s face was uniform, resembling a faceless person, but now it bore more distinct features.

Details like the arches of the eyebrows and nose subtly emerged, with the eyes slightly recessed.

As the Zhen Spirit and Xun Spirit dwindled, Ji An’s understanding of Spells steadily increased.

[Magic Technique: Jade Wood Transformation Skill (Perfection 94%→96%)]

“Almost there, within a few more months, another Foundation Establishment Stage spell shall reach Great Perfection Level.”

Ji An smiled as he stood up. If the Jade Wood Transformation Skill reached Great Perfection, it would further deepen his understanding of the Cultivation Technique.

The buzz of White Jade Bees occasionally echoed by his ears. gazing upon the lush Spirit Field, his eyes brimmed with anticipation.

Currently, at Red Flame Peak, the number of Top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry trees reached twelve hundred, Top-grade Copper Patterned Mulberry over seven hundred, and Top-grade Biluo Trees a thousand.

The Spiritual Mulberry and Biluo Trees have already bloomed, inaugurating a new Chapter for Red Flame Peak this year.

…

Ji An returned to the stone table to have breakfast when Xia Yuhuan presented a red invitation with a smile:

“Martial Uncle, this is from Junior Martial Uncle Zeng.”

Ji An received and quickly went through the invitation.

’To Senior Brother Ji, On the fifteenth day of the midsummer, a concubine acceptance ceremony will be held at Jade Dragon Ridge, accompanied by simple wine and dishes. Your presence is earnestly invited.

Your attendance would grace the humble abode with auspiciousness and new happiness, hoping for your gracious acceptance.

Zeng Rui humbly invites.’

Ji An grinned and chuckled:

“Well, another one from Zeng Rui, the third in half a year?!

Even in old age, he strives fiercely like a young man, not afraid of grinding an iron bar into a needle!”

Maintaining virginity before the Chao Origin Stage makes it easier to ignite the Primordial Life Fire. Ji An, for over twenty years, kept himself pure and untouched, not even seeking Fifth Miss Wu, causing him some envy.

Yet, this envy quickly dissipated, as becoming a Chao Origin Stage Cultivator was far more enticing.

Unless a miracle occurs, Zeng Rui was unlikely to reach Chao Origin. His intentions to proliferate and establish a family were understandable.

Xia Yuhuan’s cheeks flushed, looking down at the ground, unable to respond to such words.

Grinding an iron bar into a needle, such a vivid metaphor…

Beside him, Liang Hill and others struggled to hold back their laughter; if Zeng Rui were not a senior, they would’ve surely made a joke or two.

Ji An put away the invitation, saying earnestly:

“Flying Tiger, you’re in charge of preparing the gift.

Also, remember to remind me to go to Jade Dragon Ridge on the fifteenth day of next month.”

Huang Feihu clasped his hands, saying:

“Understood, I shall prepare plenty of nourishing items for Junior Martial Uncle Zeng.”

…

After breakfast, Ji An summoned the Flying Shuttle to Red Flame Peak’s summit to extract the Five Elements Essence, then returned to the cold pool for Talisman Making.

After years of practice, his success rate in crafting Flame Bursting Talismans had reached ninety percent, while Bursting Talismans was nearly seventy percent.

Most satisfying was the thirty percent success rate in drawing Talisman Soldiers.

Every month, he could contribute eight or nine Foundation Establishment Early Stage Talisman Soldiers to the Sect. He had already crafted two Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Talisman Soldiers, nurturing them with Magical Power every day for a quarter hour.

Golden Fur emerged from the stone slab, tugging at his master’s Daoist Robe.

“Chirp chirp.”

The sound was eager and excited, its small paws gesturing.

Ji An understood its meaning, put down the Talisman Brush, and rubbed his chin, saying:

“The Earth Spirit Fruit Tree has bloomed again, six months earlier than expected.”

It seems the Great Perfection Level Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell has far exceeded its predicted effects.

“Let’s go see how many fruits it can yield.”

“Chirp chirp.”

Golden Fur didn’t let go, chirping to express something.

Ji An grabbed it by the neck and lifted it, saying:

“I know, you’ll certainly get some Top-grade fruits this year!”

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Golden Fur’s bloodline further evolved, and perhaps the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree had a mysterious boosting effect on it. Its Demonic Power had already reached the standard of the Second-Layer Foundation Establishment.

Ji An didn’t mind sharing some with it.