Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 212: Chapter 206: Nurturing

Lingxiao Mountain, Inheritance Hall.

Ji An took out the Jade Token, pressed it against the light screen of the alcove, and picked up the “Spirit Beast Five Elements Mutual Aid Theory”. He also found some basic Jade Slips for cultivating beast taming, preparing to study them slowly after returning.

He handed the Jade Slips and Jade Token to the senior brother on duty, smilingly saying:

“Please, senior brother, copy the Jade Slip.”

The advanced Jade Slips in the Inheritance Hall all have restrictions, only the beginning of the content can be viewed.

He must use the related key to unlock them to view everything, and only then they can be copied.

“A total of five thousand Contribution Points, there’s something I need to solemnly inform Junior Brother. The secret techniques in “Spirit Beast Five Elements Mutual Aid Theory” are unique to our Sect. I have copied them onto special Jade Slips, and the key is the operation route map of the Evergreen Wood Skill.

The array map within the secret techniques must be refined by our Sect’s Array Masters. Junior Brother can release the task in the Diligence Hall.”

Both high-level cultivation methods and secret techniques are encrypted, outsiders even if they obtain them cannot view them.

Ji An took the Jade Slips and Jade Token, cupping his hands saying:

“Thank you, senior brother, for the guidance.”

After walking out of the Inheritance Hall, he took out a Communication Talisman Sword, launched it, and informed the people at Red Flame Peak that he would return tonight.

Afterward, he stepped to the nearby Diligence Hall.

At this moment, the hall was steaming with mist, and the fragrance of tea was wafting everywhere.

Ye Changqing was holding a cup, looking far outside the door with distant eyes. On the table in front of him, there were some pine nutshells piled up.

He seemed to be lost in his thoughts, completely unaware of Ji An’s arrival.

Ji An walked to the table, reached out, and waved up and down before the other’s eyes.

“Hey, senior brother!”

The Diligence Hall is indeed a good place for retirement. You can slack off during working hours.

Ye Changqing snapped back to reality, raised his hand to push aside the waving hand, and said:

“Elderly people often immerse themselves in past events because they no longer have a future; they can only reminisce about the past.”

Lately, he found himself more and more easily falling into memories.

When the mind ages, the body seems to decay even faster.

“Senior brother is as vigorous as ever, how can you call yourself an elderly person?”

Ji An took out a gray cloth bag from his Storage Bag, which contained two pounds of Tier Two Pine Seeds.

He doesn’t know what others pack in their Storage Bags, but whenever he goes out, one of his Storage Bags is always filled with Spirit Wine, pine nuts, dried fruit, smoked meat, etc., ensuring food supplies.

Fasting Pills are not to his liking.

“I’m old now, can’t deny it.”

Ye Changqing shook his head gently; the once ambitious youth bowed his head under the harshness of time.

“What brings Junior Brother here today?”

He grabbed some pine nuts and started munching, feeling the Spiritual Qi contained within and the crisp texture, his gaze softened a bit.

“To exchange some supplies and also to release a task.”

Ji An briefly talked about his encounter and acquisition of the Earth-Grade Rock Armor Bear, then got paper and pen ready to write.

“Earth-Grade Demon Beast, well, given time, nurturing it to Late-stage Foundation Establishment isn’t impossible, lucky indeed!”

A moment later, Ye Changqing took the paper and started reading seriously.

The medicinal materials for nurturing beasts are all basic materials, you can go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to exchange them.

All the materials needed to refine the Blazing Fire Earth Array are here, along with the Array Master’s remuneration…”

He took the counting rod to calculate, mental math is too tiring.

“Material costs twenty-four thousand Contribution Points, one thousand Contribution Points for the Array Master’s reward, and one hundred Contribution Points to release the task.

I’ll arrange the best Array Master for Junior Brother; it will be refined in about a month, then I’ll notify you to collect it.

If I’m coincidentally free, I will bring it over to you.”

“Many thanks, senior brother,” Ji An handed in the Jade Token, once again feeling the convenience of being a disciple of the Sect.

If he were a Loose Cultivator, acquiring secret techniques and refining arrays would take an unimaginable amount of time and Spirit Stones.

This is the advantage of being organized; Sect disciples grow more easily, family disciples next, Loose Cultivators struggle the most.

If a Loose Cultivator can achieve something, they must be an extraordinary character.

“It’s part of my duty, no need for thanks.”

Ye Changqing manipulated the Spirit Disc, deducting the Contribution Points from the Jade Token, said:

“There are still seven hundred and twenty thousand Contribution Points inside, you are now among the wealthiest of the Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

Since Red Flame Peak began supplying mulberry leaves to the Beast Taming Hall, the Contribution Points in their hands have increased rapidly.

“Is this considered wealth? I’m still far behind; these Contribution Points converted to Spirit Stones are just over thirty thousand.

Those Artifact Refiners and Alchemists are deep and hidden; the resources they hold are truly enviable.”

Ji An knows that although he’s not doing badly, he’s still far from the accumulation of those veteran Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He has only been at the Foundation Establishment Stage for twenty years, while the veterans have accumulations of more than a hundred years.

…

Leaving Lingxiao Mountain, Ji An went to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and exchanged a year’s worth of medicinal materials.

By the time he returned to Red Flame Peak, it was already sunset, the evening glow was like fire, and the Celestial Vault was like a furnace.

The golden-red mist at the mountain top had not yet dissipated, and its hue appeared even brighter.

Seeing the mountains and forests he had been away from for days, Ji An felt a sense of bliss, letting out a long howl to announce his return.

The Flying Shuttle swooped down and landed by the Cold Pool.

Huang Xuan and the four-member team were already lined up: “Welcome back to Red Flame Peak, Junior Martial Uncle.”

Xia Yuhuan stepped forward and said:

“Junior Martial Uncle, dinner is prepared, shall we serve it?”

After being notified, several of them worked together to prepare an ample amount of spiritual food.

First, to allow Junior Martial Uncle to sample previous flavors, and second, they could also enjoy some of the food themselves.

“Hold on a moment,” Ji An lifted the small bear, engaging in spiritual communication to make it familiar with the scents of the four people, henceforth instructing it not to attack them.

Huang Xuan laughed, “Congratulations to Junior Martial Uncle for acquiring another high-tier spirit beast.”

“Congratulations, Junior Martial Uncle,” the others echoed.

After the small bear became familiar with their scents, it let out a gentle roar, having caught the aroma of the spiritual food being cooked.

The spirit beast’s voice was much deeper, with a hint of ferocity.

Ji An ordered:

“Serve the dishes.”

After everyone had dinner, Huang Xuan began reporting the recent happenings at Red Flame Peak.

“After you left, another Tier Two Jade Leaf Mulberry and Red Cloud Pine were added.”

“The stone gate blocking the cave passage is opened and closed on time daily.”

“To enchant the Spirit Field, we recruited five Qi Refining Stage spirit farmers, costing two Spirit Stones per day, spending a total of three hundred Spirit Stones, and harvested over six hundred top-grade Wood Element Beads.”

He and Li Cheng simply couldn’t manage so many Spirit Fields alone.

“The value of the two types of mulberry leaves sent to the Beast Taming Hall amounts to forty-seven thousand Contribution Points, requiring you to go to Luoyan Mountain to collect it, Junior Martial Uncle.”

“All expenses and gains have been recorded in the ledger, which you can check anytime, Junior Martial Uncle.”

Ji An nodded slightly and said:

“I’m aware of everything. Good job, everyone; take ten Spirit Stones each.”

“Thank you for the reward, Junior Martial Uncle.”

…

The twilight gradually folded, the sky darkened, and a full moon rose, casting a gentle and cool glow.

Ji An headed towards the underground cave, with the Rock Armor Bear frolicking around him like a puppy.

Golden Fur rushed over with a Fire-toothed Rabbit in its mouth, and upon seeing the new bear, it immediately roared and lunged forward.

The rabbit, previously resigned to its fate, realized that the fierce rat had abandoned it, scrambled to its feet and fled in panic.

The aura of a Foundation Establishment Stage demon beast was not something the Rock Armor Bear could handle; even demon beasts of noble bloodlines risked perishing when they were young.

The bear hurriedly hid behind its master, letting out cries for help.

Ji An used the Object Control Technique to momentarily stall Golden Fur’s actions.

With a force of six to seven hundred pounds, this magic technique was sufficient to interfere with the movements of a small demon beast.

Golden Fur bared its teeth, still fiercely intent on causing trouble for the small bear.

“That’s enough.”

Ji An scolded sharply, thinking to himself that they were even vying for affection now.

He took out the Beast Taming Token and communicated spiritually with Golden Fur, explaining that the small bear was a newly acquired spirit beast.

In future battles, the bear would charge forward to share the burden, while it only needed to hide and assist from the back.

He detailed the bear’s future role as a “meat shield” and warned that without the Rock Armor Bear, Golden Fur would have to fight directly against other demon beasts.

After the explanation, Golden Fur immediately understood the bear’s role.

Oh, it’s for the dirty and exhausting work, no problem then.

“Chirp chirp.”

Golden Fur stood upright, making a gentle sound.

Ji An squatted down, pulling the Rock Armor Bear from behind to formally introduce the two pets.

Golden Fur extended its paw in a friendly manner, patting the bear’s paw, showing what it thought was a welcoming expression.

The Rock Armor Bear let out a growl, glared ferociously at the Spirit-Seeking Rat, then quickly burrowed into its master’s embrace.

“Chirp chirp.”

Golden Fur tilted its head thoughtfully, then used the Earth Element Technique to disappear.

…

Ji An, accompanied by the Rock Armor Bear, entered the earth cave to check on the growth of the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree and Soul Nourishing Wood, and applied magic to the spirit plants.

The startled bear clung closely to him, not leaving his side.

A warm yellow spirit light illuminated the cave, nourishing and encompassing the thick earth returning origin spell, coexisting harmoniously.

The Rock Armor Bear leaped toward the light, feeling a familiar aura.

Under the moonlight, the branches of the Soul Nourishing Wood shimmered with purple hues, not having grown much taller over the month but gaining an extra leaf.

The Thick Earth Technique practiced by Huang Xuan and the others had minimal effect on it, so Ji An didn’t allow them into the cave.

The yellow spirit light gradually merged with the soil and rocks, dimming down.

Leaving with the Rock Armor Bear, Ji An barely stepped outside when Golden Fur appeared again with the Fire-toothed Rabbit.

The Spirit-Seeking Rat killed its prey, nudging it to the small bear’s feet.

For such a small body, how could it rush to the front lines without eating enough meat to draw enemy fire?

Golden Fur had its own plans, sincerely inviting the new companion to eat.

“Roar.”

The small bear hurriedly retreated a few steps, letting out a timid growl before seeking refuge behind its master again.

Ji An was surprised, pondering:

’It even knows how to rear, huh.’

He conveyed Golden Fur’s intentions through the blood contract, prompting the Rock Armor Bear to sniff at the Fire-toothed Rabbit before instinctually treating it as prey.

Being caught at a young age, without a mother bear’s guidance on hunting skills, its actions seemed clumsy, relying purely on brute strength.

Golden Fur couldn’t stand it, “chirping” as it stepped in to demonstrate.

Using its sharp claws, it tore open the Fire-toothed Rabbit’s soft belly; the small bear mimicked and expanded the wound, beginning to devour.

Soon, half of the rabbit was inside the Rock Armor Bear’s stomach; it had eaten a lot during dinner, now feeling completely full.

Golden Fur consumed the other half, burying the fur somewhere since it was a clean-loving Spirit-Seeking Rat.

In this way, the two spirit beasts had their first interaction, which was quite amicable overall.