Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 258: Chapter 241: Analysis

Ji An took out the pill from the storage bag to inspect, the Flaming Sun Pill was dark red, with pill patterns as red as fire.

Fifty bottles of pills, it took a while to verify them all.

“Thank you for your hard work,” he took out ninety middle-grade spirit stones and placed them on the desk, pushing them toward Wei Songnian.

“Senior Brother, why are you buying so many Flaming Sun Pills?”

Wei Songnian was very curious. He knew the other practiced the Wood Element Technique and had no use for Flaming Sun Pills, couldn’t figure out the purpose of purchasing them.

“Recently, I’ve been learning alchemy, and I have become proficient in refining Ginseng Essence Pills.

Next, I’ll choose to refine Flaming Sun Pills. With my current alchemy level, I cannot receive related alchemy tasks from the Diligence Hall.

I have no choice but to take this approach, submit the pills to aim for tasks first, then slowly refine pills to gain experience myself…”

Ji An explained his plan simply.

Wei Songnian grinned, displayed a polite smile, and said:

“Senior Brother, doing this might get you loss easily.”

Alchemy is not a light task, otherwise all cultivators would be choosing it as a craft.

It allows you to consume them yourself while also earning cultivation resources, why wouldn’t you want it?

Alchemy demands experience, comprehension, and divine sense strength; in some ways, it’s harder than comprehending cultivation technique divine intent.

“You must trust my strength!”

Ji An chuckled, took out a storage bag, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted:

“These are Ginseng Essence Pills I’ve refined, with a success rate of seventy percent, averaging eight pills formed per furnace.

There are eight hundred genuine Ginseng Essence Pills inside; what’s the current market price for this type of pill?”

Recently, he has refined nearly two hundred furnaces of pills, feeling significant improvement.

He sank his mind into his dantian, linking to the Stone Turtle momentarily.

[Spell: Three Yang Pill Fire Technique (Perfection 62%)]

In some time, this spell will break through to Great Perfection.

His progress in alchemy has been rapid, thanks partly to the Pill Fire Technique at Perfection Level.

“Senior Brother’s alchemy is so impressive?!”

Wei Songnian exclaimed in a low voice, among the Wei Clan’s most skilled alchemists in refining Ginseng Essence Pills, his level was close to Senior Brother Ji’s.

However, the Wei Clan’s alchemist has been refining Ginseng Essence Pills for over forty years; the two are entirely incomparable.

“It’s not that impressive, I’m refining Qi Refining Stage Pills with the divine sense strength of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, achieving such a high success rate is quite normal.

If another late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator learns alchemy, they should be similar to me, there’s nothing to boast about.

What’s the selling price of Ginseng Essence Pills in Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City now?”

The stronger the divine sense, the better you can perceive the many subtleties in the alchemy process, making it easier for High-Tier Cultivators to learn alchemy.

But refining low-tier pills doesn’t yield much profit, making it unworthy.

In the sect, someone like Ji An, choosing to turn to alchemy only in Late-stage Foundation Establishment, is truly rare.

“Three spirit stones each, the price has increased quite a bit.

There’s no choice; the number of Qi Refining Cultivators has significantly increased.”

Wei Songnian replied, stating that since over ten years ago, the Three Sects released a large number of Meridian Opening Pills, making the number of Qi Refining disciples on the Western Continent grow wildly like weeds in a field.

With the base number of cultivators increasing, naturally the number of late-stage Qi Refining disciples grew more too.

But the entire Western Continent’s production of spirit medicines can nowhere near meet the needs of so many cultivators.

He remembered that the price of Ginseng Essence Pills used to maintain at two spirit stones each, the price increase was indeed substantial.

Taking the Wei Clan on Little Bamboo Mountain as an example, the number of Qi Refining Clan members increased by more than double; originally harmonious family, now has internal conflicts due to distribution of cultivation resources.

Ji An remarked quietly:

“The demon calamity is impending, in a few years the cultivator numbers will quickly drop.

After the war ends, who knows how many cultivators will remain in the Western Continent.”

The Demon Kings aim to consume low-tier demon beasts and expand their territories, while also selecting more promising members of the Demon Race.

The Human Race high-level cultivators probably have similar intentions.

He felt fortunate as his cultivation improved smoothly, otherwise, he would also be part of the many cannon-fodders.

The atmosphere suddenly turned a bit heavy: Wei Songnian, staying in Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City, understood the current situation better.

The western area of the Immortal City has slowly turned into a forbidden zone for human cultivators, only very few High-Tier Cultivators have the ability to enter and hunt demon beasts within.

Ji An “mm-hmm”ed, said:

“Is Qiuyun’s Foundation Establishment Pill arranged?”

His dao companion establishing a foundation sooner would bring many benefits.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother, a pill was bought at auction half a month ago, Qiuyun is adjusting her state, planning to establish the foundation in a few months.”

Wei Songnian grinned, the price of Foundation Establishment Pill was even more expensive than before, spending nearly eight thousand spirit stones to fight for one, he regretted not competing harder earlier.

Although he spent spirit stones he had saved himself, some clan members were speaking ill, suggesting he could let his dao companion wait a few years to establish the foundation, prioritizing the cultivation of the family’s direct lineage, which made him quite angry.

Ji An slightly tilted his head and said:

“Yu Han, go to the warehouse and bring out two jars of Top-Grade Jade Dew Golden Teeth Tea leaves.”

The maid acknowledged and left, he then took out a fist-sized jar from the storage bag to check and handed it over:

“There’s half an ounce of Tier Two Jade Dew Golden Bud here, consume during Qiuyun’s breakthrough, it should reduce the obstruction of the Spiritual Sense Barrier.”

The other party had contributed a Soul Nourishing Wood, surely worth more than what paid, he would take care of them for many years.

Wei Songnian immediately stood up, took the light green jade jar with both hands, feeling warmth in his heart.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother.”

At this moment, he was very grateful for the decisions made in the past; if it were merely everyday business dealings, Senior Brother would not offer such support.

Top-grade Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea is an excellent choice for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to nourish the soul.

He had only heard its name in the past, never having seen the genuine article.

Solemnly placing the jade jar into his storage bag, he slowly sat down, opening his mouth a few times, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Ji An observed the subtle expressions on the other’s face and laughed:

“Speak if you have something on your mind; watching you like this is unsettling.”

He could tell the other had a request, and if it was something he could help with, he wouldn’t hesitate to lend a hand.

Wei Songnian forced a couple of dry laughs and stated his request:

“Senior Brother, after the Demon Calamity breaks out, various war supplies will surely increase in price. Stocking up now will yield considerable profits later.

I would like to borrow some spirit stones from Senior Brother to finance this, and I promise substantial gratitude in the future.”

This was war profiteering; Ji An understood well how large the profits could be.

Once, when the sect’s spiritual vein upgraded, he borrowed spirit stones from his master to accumulate a batch of Five Elements Essence and earned a fortune.

The Demon Calamity’s outbreak was a major upheaval for the Western Continent’s cultivation realm. As long as one could survive until the war’s end, the profits would certainly be even greater.

The prerequisite being survival in the war; otherwise, everything would be pointless.

Xia Yuhuan entered the living room, placed two porcelain jars on the table, and stepped aside.

Ji An said in a deep voice:

“Yu Han, please excuse us; we need to discuss some matters.”

Certain conversations needed confidentiality.

“Yes,” the maid left, closing the door tightly.

“Junior Brother, what arrangements will your family make once the war breaks out?

How many family members will stay around Mingfeng Mountain, and how many will return to guard the family’s ancestral lands?”

Ji An’s voice was very low, just enough for the other to hear clearly.

“Half of the family will remain at Mingfeng Mountain. I plan to have Qiuyun stay there as well; there are more opportunities there.”

“Have you considered what fate awaits these people if Mingfeng Mountain falls?”

Sweat immediately formed on Wei Songnian’s forehead, and he replied with a trembling voice:

“T-this is impossible, right?

The Three Sects have invested massive amounts of resources to build a Tier Two Upper Grade spiritual vein Immortal City.

Surrounding the city is a thousand-zhang deep Bloodthirsty Vine area, with eight medium-sized strongholds protecting it.

Currently, there are three Golden Core ancestors overseeing the city. When the Demon Calamity breaks out, more Golden Core ancestors will certainly come to support.”

The amount of investment required to build an Immortal City was unimaginable to him, with the daily generated profit also being immense.

Such enormous interests would not be abandoned by the sect until the very last moment.

Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City constantly advertised, explaining the Western Continent’s power balance during the previous Demon Calamity outbreaks.

According to the promotions, the Human Race forces had two more Golden Core ancestors, nearly thirty more Chao Origin Stage cultivators, and over two thousand six hundred more Foundation Establishment cultivators than during the previous Demon Calamity.

“During the last Demon Calamity, four sects were obliterated, over two hundred families were destroyed, and the casualties among loose cultivators were countless.

Three thousand years of recovery had indeed restored the primordial qi of the Human Race cultivators, allowing for greater development.

However, Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City is ultimately just an upper-grade spiritual vein; relying on the Mountain Protection Array to defend it will be quite challenging…”

Ji An analyzed, believing that if Mingfeng Mountain’s spiritual vein reached Tier Two Top Grade, there would be a significant chance to defend it.

If the spiritual vein’s tier differed by one level, the impact would be tremendous.

Wei Songnian stood up, bowed, and said:

“How should I act, Senior Brother? Teach me!”

The family had invested a lot in the Immortal City; if it fell, everything would be lost.

Ji An gently shook his head and solemnly said:

“You know what to do; this decision must be yours.

Losing interests and spiritual vein positions during the Demon Calamity is not frightening; there will surely be more space for survival after it.

However, if people perish, everything else becomes meaningless.”

The Demon Calamity would break out like a river dam bursting; even staying at the rear would be affected.

All this was his analysis; how things would unfold, he could not truly foresee.

He paused and said in a sinister tone:

“Today’s matters, let them pass from my lips to your ears; don’t let a third person know.”

Should today’s words spread, they would severely shake the military’s morale.

His warning involved risk-taking.

Wei Songnian nodded heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his daoist robe:

“I understand. I will take Senior Brother’s words to my grave.”

He knew the other’s status allowed access to more information and a clearer view, and while the judgment might not be right, it certainly had enough basis.

With the Demon Calamity breaking out, he would undoubtedly be summoned to join the sect’s forces.

Now, the most prudent arrangements needed to be made for his family members.

He no longer mentioned borrowing spirit stones; if he survived the Demon Calamity, resources would be much easier to obtain than now.

If not, everything else would lose its significance.