Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 223: Chapter 214: Cultivating Middle Grade Spirit Field, Tier 2 (Part 2)

Ji An formed a seal and unleashed the Quicksand Technique, the straw was swallowed by the earth, traces of life disappearing without a trace.

He cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, yellow spirit light adhering to the ground, nourishing this barren field.

He scattered the Spirit Rice again, starting the next round of planting.

Then he released the Entanglement Technique, Quicksand Technique, repeating the cycle.

One could say the progress in these magic techniques was driven by the sacrifice of countless plants.

The sun was setting over the western hills, the evening glow like fire.

Ji An arrived at the adjacent Spirit Field, where ten acres of Yellow Sprout Rice were planted.

In one plot, bizarre scarecrows lay toppled.

With Ji An’s current planting technique, half a month was enough to harvest a season of Spirit Rice.

He found a Spirit Field already in bloom and released the All Grass and Trees Are Soldiers technique.

The Spirit Rice stalks began to twist and grow wildly, eventually forming scarecrows with eerie faces.

This was considered a type of Grass Puppet, capable of fiercely attacking all creatures entering this area, a perfect magic technique for siege warfare.

However, they could only last half an hour, after which they would lose all vitality.

Yesterday, Ji An released the Quicksand Technique in the Spirit Field where he had used All Grass and Trees Are Soldiers; once all the scarecrows were swallowed, he cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell and replanted Yellow Sprout Rice.

He performed the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill, summoned the grey-feathered sand geese to come over, and left riding the beast.

In the Spirit Field, the Yellow Sprout Rice took root and sprouted, freely spreading in the rain.

…

When Ji An returned to the Cold Pool, he saw the ice-blue Cyan Water Turtle diving toward the deeper waters.

Before nightfall, it would return to the cave at the pool’s bottom to sleep.

For three years, well-fed and cared for, it had grown to the size of a pot lid, at Third-Layer Qi Refining, progressing at a turtle’s pace.

Compared to the Cyan Water Turtle, the Rock Armor Bear had shown substantial progress, now reaching Seventh-Layer Qi Refining, half a man’s height, and four feet long.

However, it was still a subordinate to Golden Fur; although larger than the Spirit-Seeking Rat, it was no match and thoroughly suppressed.

This situation wouldn’t change until the Rock Armor Bear reached Foundation Establishment.

After supper, Ji An walked into the underground cave.

The Tier Two Earth Spirit Fruit Tree had started to bear fruit, with a faint fruity fragrance wafting in the cave.

He cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell on the Spirit Tree, yellow light pouring down, infusing the atmosphere with nourishing magic intent.

The Spirit Tree lit up with brilliance, its fruits glistening.

Ji An followed the tunnel to the cave’s deepest part, where the Soul Nourishing Wood, bathed in moonlight, stood like it was under a spotlight.

It was now two feet tall, as thick as a baby’s forearm, with an increasing number of leaves, over forty.

“Squeak squeak.”

Golden Fur chirped happily, seemingly greeting him.

Half a month ago, when the Soul Nourishing Wood was cultivated to Tier One Middle Grade, the Spirit-Seeking Rat’s favorite pastime became sleeping beside it.

Of the six Earth Spirit Fruit Trees belonging to Ji An, all had been cultivated to top-grade level, with one undergoing transformation towards Tier Two.

He squatted down to examine the Spirit Tree’s state, nodding in satisfaction.

He once again cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, yellow spirit light shining, the Soul Nourishing Wood’s leaves immersed in purple aura, and golden specks glimmering on the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree.

Ji An walked out of the underground cave and began casting spells on the Spirit Field.

Emerald light points fell like a starry rain, transforming the mulberry field into a fairy-tale world.

…

Three days later, at noon, Ye Changqing landed a flying ship by the Cold Pool.

Ji An went over to greet him, smiling:

“Senior Brother, you said you were coming to Red Flame Peak yesterday, why not come earlier so we could have a few more drinks.”

“Junior Brother always cultivates in the morning; I dared not disturb.”

“Haha, Senior Brother is very considerate.

Please take a seat; we’ll start the feast shortly.”

Xia Yuhuan and her sister soon arranged Spiritual Food on the stone table, Huang Xuan brought out two vats of Tier Two mulberry wine from the warehouse, filling the cups.

Ye Changqing lifted a cup to his nose, saying:

“The faint aroma alone makes me tipsy.”

Wrinkles carved valleys across his forehead, and his eyes brimmed with joy.

Ji An held his cup with both hands, saying:

“Senior Brother, please drink this cup completely.”

The two clinked cups and drank heartily.

After the banquet ended, Ye Changqing squinted slightly, feeling immensely satisfied.

He pointed to the flying ship, smiling:

“Junior Brother, I came this time to bring you something.

The Spirit-Binding Stakes and Five Elements Spiritual Soil for cultivating Tier Two Mid-grade Spirit Fields have arrived. You reported forty-eight acres needing an upgrade, and the Sect prepared materials for fifty acres for you.”

“Excellent, with the field upgrades, we’ll at least be able to cultivate more Tier Two Spirit Plants.”

Ji An stood up and bowed, saying:

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for your help; otherwise, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

Upgrading Spirit Fields is a big deal, indicating an opportunity to try cultivating Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Wood.

Ye Changqing quickly helped him up, saying:

“Junior Brother, you’re too polite; it’s mainly thanks to the opportunity you secured for yourself! No need for such courtesy.

As you cultivate more Tier Two Spirit Plants, the Sect also benefits.

Come, let me show you the materials.”

He led Ji An to the flying ship, pointing to a white jade stake, three feet long and as thick as an arm, saying:

“Those are Spirit-Binding Stakes, twelve hundred units.”

The white jade stakes were densely inscribed with tiny runes, spirit light shimmering faintly over them.

Ji An nodded slightly; the Spirit-Binding Stakes’ purpose was to demarcate Spirit Field boundaries, ensuring the confined spiritual Qi didn’t dissipate outward, holding as much spiritual Qi and the power of the earth veins within the soil as possible, forming the foundation for cultivating high-tier Spirit Fields.

Ye Changqing continued:

“The Five Elements Spiritual Soil consists of Auspicious Golden Soil, Azure Green Soil, Gloomy Water Soil, Fiery Flame Soil, and Obsidian Soil. These spiritual soils are rich in Five Elements Qi, easily integrating into the Spirit Fields.

Sect’s other Spirit Farmers use this mix for cultivating Tier Two Mid-grade Spirit Fields.

The quantity needs slight adjustment, depending on the specific Spirit Plants being cultivated.”

He handed over a Jade Slip, continuing:

“Here’s the mix plan; as a Spirit Farmer, you’ll understand at a glance.”

Ji An took the Jade Slip and placed it on his forehead, reading the information within.

The mix plan was not complicated, as the need for precision in proportion was not stringent and could be gradually adjusted after successful cultivation.

To cultivate a Spirit Field more suitable for Fire Element plants, the Fiery Flame Soil required twice the quantity; this principle applied to cultivating other Spirit Field types as well.

Ji An put away the Jade Slip and said:

“The plan is simple; I can start constructing the Spirit Field boundaries now.”

He called out to Huang Xuan and others:

“Everyone, come help; I’ll direct you to drive the Spirit-Binding Stakes into the ground.”

Ye Changqing smiled warmly, saying:

“Haha, I’m free this afternoon, I can lend a hand too.”

Ji An took out terrain maps he drew years ago, directing everyone to lay stakes.

Near the Cold Pool, he enclosed thirty-two acres.

He divided it into three plots: two acres for Water Element Spirit Plants, encircling the area near the Celestial Essence Pear.

Eight acres for Fire Element Spirit Plants, where Spiritual Apricot, Spiritual Peach, and Dragon Blood Tree resided.

The two Spiritual Peach trees had reached Tier Two Lower Grade, while other Spirit Trees were Tier One Top Grade.

The largest plot, twenty-five acres, for Wood Element Spirit Plants.

Several acres were for Jade Leaf Mulberry, ten acres for Biluo Tree, and the remaining two acres for Azure Dragon Wood, with the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree at the center of this area.

Within, there were fifty-six Jade Leaf Mulberry, twenty-one Biluo Trees, and three Azure Dragon Woods of Tier Two Spirit Plants.

Once all the Spirit-Binding Stakes were placed, Ji An blended the Five Elements Spiritual Soil, spreading it in the Spirit Fields as evenly as possible, then cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell.

After settling the Cold Pool area, they took the flying ship to the Red Cloud Pine Forest, marking off a three-acre area for cultivating Fire Element Spirit Plants.

Within this woodland, there were forty-two Tier Two Red Cloud Pines.

The Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo area was divided into ten acres, split between two zones.

Six acres for Earth Element Spirit Plants, where Sword Bamboo resided, including four Tier Two Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo.

Four acres for Gold Element Spirit Plants with Copper Patterned Mulberry, including nine Tier Two Spirit Mulberry.

They busied themselves till sunset when the forest was bathed in the evening glow, finally finishing the forty-eight acres of Spirit Fields.

Ye Changqing said:

“In the future, I’ll deliver sets of Five Elements Spiritual Soil every three days, until all fourty-eight Spirit Fields are cultivated to Tier Two Middle Grade.

I heard from Senior Brother Lin Mao, it takes roughly a month.

Junior Brother Ji, haven’t you got two more acres’ worth of materials? Where do you plan to construct them?”

Ji An gestured downward, saying:

“In the underground cave, where the Earth Spirit Fruit Trees are.”

Ye Changqing chuckled:

“I almost forgot, there’s good stuff buried beneath Red Flame Peak too!”