Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 257: Chapter 240: Top-Grade Talisman Soldier (Part 2)

Top-Grade Talisman Soldier, complete.

Ji An’s lips slightly curved up; he nodded in satisfaction, the feel just now was particularly good.

He handed out the talisman brush, saying:

“Clean it thoroughly.”

The experience accumulated over the years is sufficient; it’s time to take out the treasured materials and attempt crafting a top-grade talisman soldier.

Xia Yuhuan received the talisman brush and took out the Autumn Toad and Phoenix Tail Jade to clean it.

The pen washer was carved into the shape of an inward-rolled parasol leaf held by a broken branch, with an autumn toad resting upon it. Even the marks left by small bugs gnawing on the leaf edges were clear.

The water used in the pen washer was Cold Spring Water freshly drawn from the spring, its Spiritual Qi not yet dissipated.

After cleaning the talisman brush, Xia Yuhuan held it by both ends and sent it into the room.

Ji An took the talisman brush and dipped it in talisman ink, taking a deep breath as he began crafting a talisman soldier on beast hide.

How to craft the top-grade talisman soldier has been rehearsed countless times in his mind, and he had practiced with low-grade talisman ink dozens of times, so his touch was not at all stiff.

Ji An focused intently on crafting; as he reached the end, he unconsciously held his breath.

When the mark of the last stroke extended across the beast hide, it gently floated up, emitting golden light in all directions.

The phenomenon lasted for a few breaths, the light gradually dimming, and the beast hide fell onto the desk, all phenomena vanished.

“Haha, it’s done.”

Ji An held the beast hide like he was cradling a treasure.

A successful attempt, he felt quite pleased with himself.

“Congratulations on acquiring a Treasure Talisman, Junior Martial Uncle!”

Xia Yuhuan smiled and said, this talisman soldier was so different, she had never seen such a scene as today.

Needless to say, Junior Martial Uncle’s skills in talisman crafting have improved yet again.

“Indeed worth celebrating; for tonight’s dinner, everyone will be rewarded with a jar of Top-Grade Mulberry Wine.”

Ji An infused magical power into the talisman soldier, and the golden runes emitted a faint azure spirit light.

After warming it for a while, he placed the talisman soldier into the storage bag, then rolled up his sleeves and began crafting again.

Good fortune doesn’t last forever; the second attempt at crafting a talisman soldier failed.

He made another attempt, and the third try succeeded.

A sense of fatigue emerged from his spirit soul, along with a slight headache.

Ji An ended the crafting of talisman soldiers; he now needs a good rest to restore the consumed divine sense.

He picked up a tea cup, sipping some spirit tea.

According to experience, cultivating once tonight should fully restore his divine sense.

…

Time flows like river water, rushing by never to return; two months of time flashed by.

Red Flame Peak is bustling as the season for brewing mulberry wine arrives.

Du Huaiyuan talked about choosing spirit medicine for brewing and the precautions to take.

These are his fortes; he spoke eloquently.

Xia Yuhuan’s eyes flashed with admiration, saying:

“Junior Martial Uncle Du, your ideas are truly brilliant; you must be the strongest brewer in the sect?”

Du Huaiyuan proudly nodded, patting his chest and saying:

“Based on my observations, indeed that is the case.”

The number of brewers within the sect is few, carefully counted, only a dozen or so.

Only three people can brew Tier Two Spirit Wine, and only he is a mid-stage Foundation Establishment brewer.

Xia Yuhuan’s eyes showed even more admiration.

Du Huaiyuan enjoyed this kind of gaze very much, nodding:

“Mm, fresh mulberries have already been picked, I need to start working.

Yu Han, if you want to hear this knowledge about brewing, I’ll tell it to you.”

Xia Yuhuan nodded heavily, smiling gently and said:

“Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle. As long as you don’t find me annoying, that’s good.”

Du Huaiyuan waved his hand lightly:

“Haha, no, I’m happy that you’re willing to listen; see you tonight.”

Speaking, he turned with some reluctance and entered the winery.

Xia Yuhuan’s eyes seemed deep; in a few years, she will reach Foundation Establishment. What kind of life she will lead after leaving Red Flame Peak is uncertain in her mind.

But if she could find a cultivator to form a dual cultivation bond, maybe life would be much easier.

She suddenly had a thought: If after Foundation Establishment, Senior Brother Du was willing to accept her, what kind of situation would it be.

…

A Fire Feather Crane hovered outside Red Flame Peak for a while, then slowly entered.

Upon the spirit crane’s back, Teng Zhiyuan looked at the spirit plants shining brilliantly and nodded slightly.

He took several deep breaths, his eyes showed delight; he smelled the rich aroma of wine!

As a seasoned drunkard, he could discern the quality of wine just from its fragrance.

Teng Zhiyuan looked at the winery by the pool water emitting green smoke and laughed heartily, urging the beast taming to descend upon the winery.

The Fire Feather Crane emitted a low and imposing cry, descending majestically from the sky.

“Gah!”

By the cold pool, a grey-feathered sand goose let out a defiant screech, rising into the sky from the water.

It flew close to the Fire Feather Crane, sensing the strong demon Qi emanating from the opponent, it promptly fled, plunging into the pool water.

It cannot afford to provoke this Fire Bird; it’s actually a mid-stage Foundation Establishment demon bird!

Huang Xuan stepped forward, cupped his hands respectfully and asked:

“May I ask who you are, Junior Martial Uncle?”

Within the sect, cultivators all wore standard Daoist robes, making them easy to identify.

“Artifact Refiner Teng Zhiyuan, seeking Ji An, Junior Martial Brother. Is this Red Flame Peak?”

“Please, Junior Martial Uncle, follow me. Go to the guest hall and have some spirit tea while you wait.”

“Spirit tea is unnecessary. If possible, I’d prefer a cup of spirit wine.”

Teng Zhiyuan smiled, tea is too bland, definitely not as aromatic as spirit wine.

After drinking two jars of pine nut wine, Ji An arrived at the guest hall.

“Senior Brother, it’s been months since we last met, isn’t it?”

“Almost three months. I just completed the task at the Inheritance Hall yesterday, so today I’m here unannounced to bother you, Junior Brother.”

“Haha, Senior Brother visiting Red Flame Peak greatly honors us; you’re always welcome.”

Ji An transmitted a message:

“Bring out two jars of Tier Two Pine Nut Wine.”

Huang Xuan nodded lightly, walking out of the guest hall.

“I came for two reasons today. First, I wanted to ask if you still have Tier Two Sword Bamboo Leaves for sale here, Junior Brother?”

Teng Zhiyuan said, for Artifact Refiners, Golden Leaf is a more precious spiritual object than Profound Yellow Soil.

“I can sell you two pounds today, Senior Brother.”

Currently, Red Flame Peak has thirty-nine stalks of Tier Two Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo, producing an extra pound of leaves each month.

“That’s excellent! What spiritual objects are you trading this time, Junior Brother, still the Profound Yellow Soil?”

Teng Zhiyuan laughed heartily; he had simply asked on a whim.

Ji An nodded slightly:

“Yes, still the Profound Yellow Soil.”

Azure Dragon Wood, Profound Yellow Soil, Trickle Spirit Water—these spiritual objects would accompany him for a long time until he breaks through to the Chao Origin Stage.

Therefore, he still needs to procure Profound Yellow Soil constantly.

Huang Xuan served the spirit wine, breaking the seal mud, and poured it for the guest.

Ji An said, “Go fetch two pounds of Tier Two Golden Leaf.”

“Yes,” Huang Xuan replied with a bow, leaving again.

Teng Zhiyuan took a deep swig of wine, revealing a satisfied smile:

“This pine nut wine is extremely smooth and flavorful!”

He downed the spirit wine in his cup in one gulp and continued:

“Regarding the second matter: I wanted to inform you, Junior Brother, that in two months at Sunrise Peak’s Wuji Hall, Senior Uncle Lin Jiuxiao will lecture on the cultivation path, make sure you remember to attend.

Details of the lecture will be notified three days in advance, Junior Brother.

After Senior Uncle’s lecture, as usual, there will be a trade fair.

Junior Brother, if you plan to sell or purchase Tier Two spiritual objects, be sure to prepare thoroughly.”

Using Tier Two Pine Nut Wine to treat guests, he developed an even better impression of Ji An.

“Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother. What items appear at the trade fair?”

Ji An understands that this trade fair is likely an event centered among the Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators within the sect.

“Anything and everything, Junior Brother. Pills for late-stage Foundation Establishment use, various puppets, diverse Tier Two spiritual objects, high-level secret techniques; they all appear.

If Junior Brother has sufficient Tier Two bamboo leaves, you won’t have trouble acquiring sought-after items.”

Teng Zhiyuan talked while refilling his drink, then downed it again in one go.

…

Wei Songnian took out a storage bag and a ledger, saying solemnly:

“Senior Brother, accomplished our task, here are five hundred Flaming Sun Pills.

The pills are priced at 35 spirit stones each, 3 stones more per pill compared to previous years; this batch costs 175 middle-grade spirit stones.

Recently received spirit wine payments total 8500 spirit stones, missing a gap of 9000 spirit stones.”

Recently, the Wei Clan hoarded a large amount of resources; 9000 spirit stones occupy substantial circulating funds.

He’s ready to ask for some spirit stones on loan; when the demon calamity strikes, the more stockpiled resources, the more profit can be made.