Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Ji An opened the Mimic Array and entered the Lava Cave.

This area was too small, and without a numerical advantage, the Fire Coral could not produce a significant effect.

Red Flame Peak had too many Spirit Fields that needed improved soil, requiring a large amount of Fire Coral powder.

Ji An felt he should explore the interior of the volcano to find suitable places for planting.

According to speculation, there must be a Molten Rock Lake underground, and there might even be unexpected discoveries.

Now that he was a Golden Core Cultivator, he could explore inside the volcano for a long time, with little risk of encountering danger.

The harsh environment within the volcano was the main enemy; without strength, one might turn to ashes.

This was also why he had never explored inside the volcano during the Chao Origin Stage; it wasn’t worth risking his life.

Ji An decided to embark on an adventure once his Lifebound Magical Treasure and Earth-Departing Flame Banner were repaired, adding to his confidence.

He carefully checked the growth of the Cyan Leaf Red Lotus and the Phoenix Wood, and performed the Azure Sky Yangming Technique with a pinch of the spell.

A red sun phantom emerged, and jade-green leaves sparkling with brilliance fell like petals in spring.

Almost simultaneously with the appearance of the red sun, the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire surged from the lotus seedpod.

Ji An’s mouth curved upward, confident that, judging by the performance of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, the Azure Sky Yangming Technique was worthy of being a Golden Core Technique.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Ji An felt that the flame of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire was brighter than before.

He saw streaks of Spirit Light falling from the red sun, like fiery meteors, with the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire as its target.

Ji An sensed an emotion of joy emanating from the Spirit Fire, with the flames appearing softer.

Clearly, the Azure Sky Yangming Technique was much to its liking.

This technique also had the effect of stimulating the ’Yang Qi’ within living beings, with Yang representing life and Yin representing death; Yang’s Spirit Mechanism itself embodied vigor.

The feather-like patterns on the Phoenix Wood’s bark glistened with golden light, becoming more lively and giving a fluffy impression as if ready to soar.

Ji An released the Earth Vein Spirit Ascension Spell, and the Earth-Surging Golden Lotus, with bubbles gurgling forth from the Magma Pool, as Earth Element Technique Intent spread.

...

After casting spells on all the Spirit Fields, Ji An returned to the Grotto Mansion and entered the Quiet Chamber.

He grasped the Gourd Stone in his palm, probing with his Divine Sense to touch the silver light hidden deep within the darkness. As the two made contact, his body entered the Little World.

The Gourd Stone floated in the air, and the rock walls reflected patterns of flowers, birds, insects, and fish, as if he had entered a brilliant starry night.

The Wuji Xinghuang Banner emerged from his body, transforming into a Qilin stepping on Auspicious Clouds, joyously flying around the Gathering Essence Tree.

Ji An stepped forward, collecting the fallen leaves and placing them in a Jade Box.

He organized the collected leaves by color and then burned them to ashes.

The original leaves were of below Tier Two, and with superior materials now available, there was no need to keep them.

The leaves of the Gathering Essence Tree were green, red, yellow, white, and black, and even as ash, the differences were visible.

He gathered the ashes and buried them beside different Spirit Plants, five lucky ones in total.

On yellow soil, he chose the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree; on white, the Copper Patterned Mulberry; on black, the Celestial Essence Pear; on green, the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree; on red, the Spiritual Peach.

Whenever he gathered enough Gathering Essence leaves in the future, he would burn and bury them to track and compare, examining if the ashes had any extra effects.

This was a long-term process; he planned to observe over a ten-year period to see if there were results.

If effective, he would continue the experiment; if not, he would attempt a different testing method.

Ji An took the Spirit Soil purchased from the Grotto Void Stone, using Fire Coral and Insect Tower powder as substitute materials, sprinkling them into the Spirit Fields.

He inserted Spirit Stones, reactivated the nurturing array for the Spirit Fields, and the Spirit-Binding Stake lit up softly from inside out.

The purchased Spirit Soil was sufficient for ten years of use; combined with the array’s Spiritual Power supply and Golden Core Level techniques, ten years were adequate for enhancing the Spirit Vein Grade.

Much credit was due to the Gathering Essence Tree, akin to a treasure constantly drawing energy from the void.

Additionally, the small size of the Little World was another factor.

After casting spells on the Spirit Fields in the Little World, Ji An exited the Gourd World, retrieving the Wuji Xinghuang Banner and a bit of Transforming Essence Divine Mud, beginning to refine with Pill Fire.

Refining Tier Three Spiritual Objects was extremely slow, taking half an hour to process a tiny portion.

The Transforming Essence Divine Mud resembled yellow clay, but after refinement, it became a glistening Spiritual Liquid, very textured like mercury.

He brought the Spiritual Liquid close to the Wuji Xinghuang Banner, which quickly absorbed it like a drop of water on the ground.

At first, there were water spots, but soon all traces disappeared.

Feeling rather fatigued, he massaged his temples, realizing for the first time how taxing refining Tier Three Spiritual Objects with Pill Fire was, heavily straining his Divine Sense.

He adjusted the Spirit Nourishing Pendant’s array to maximum power, lit a coil of Soul Incense, and immediately brewed a cup of Tier Two Top-grade Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea.

Such items were precious outside, but he believed good things were meant to be used, and being a miser was most unseemly.

The lavish trio’s effects were excellent; after just a quarter hour, he felt his expended Divine Sense mostly restored.

Ji An took out the Wuhua Treasure Soil, similarly refining it with Pill Fire, allowing his Lifebound Magical Treasure to absorb the Spiritual Liquid, and the cracks on it visibly diminished.

Ji An scratched his head, muttering:

”You get what you pay for.”

Good things are indeed worthy of their price.

Ji An reabsorbed the Magical Treasure for nurturing, rested briefly, drank a pot of Spirit Tea, and once his Divine Sense had mostly recovered, he took out the Cultivation Technique Jade Slip, placing it against his forehead.

Learning from the past brings new understanding; reviewing cultivation techniques periodically would yield more insights.

After about half an hour, he put down the Jade Slip, beginning to cultivate the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture.

Spiritual Qi was inhaled through his nose and mouth, coursing rapidly through the Immortal Vein as the Five Elements Divine Mansion flickered, and the Dao Seed sparkled brightly like a blinking star.

Although the grotto mansion at Red Flame Peak was a Tier Two top-grade Spirit Vein Node, the Spiritual Qi was ample due to his exclusive use, ensuring no delay in his cultivation.

...

One night passed.

Ji An set out at the double hour, flying on an Auspicious Cloud to Red Copper Mountain.

He entered Zhuu Xiangrong’s grotto mansion and said:

”I have obtained the items, and I trouble you, friend, to help repair the Spiritual Artifact.”

As he spoke, he took out the Earth-Departing Flame Banner and the Phoenix Stone.

Zhuu Xiangrong excitedly rubbed his hands, ”I have never used a Tier Three Spiritual Object to refine a Spiritual Artifact; today, my wish is finally fulfilled!”

Ji An smirked and jokingly said:

”Don’t waste my materials.”

”I wouldn’t dare!”

Zhuu Xiangrong grinned, ”I’ve prepared all other materials, and I can start repairing the Spiritual Artifact now.

However, this needs to be done slowly and will take about half a month.”

”Is there anything I can assist with?”

Zhuu Xiangrong shook his head, ”No need, this is the work of an Artifact Refiner.

Once the Spiritual Artifact is fully repaired, I will personally deliver it to Red Flame Peak.”

”Thank you,” Ji An nodded slightly, ”Calculate the cost, how many Spirit Stones are needed, or if you need any Spiritual Objects, I can help exchange them.”

Repairing a Spiritual Artifact requires some Tier Two top-grade Spiritual Objects, all of which are paid by the customer, as per the refiner’s rule, these objects are customer-supplied.

He has indeed become a Golden Core Cultivator, but there’s no need to challenge the rules of other professions.

Zhuu Xiangrong pondered and said, ”I heard the Longevity Peaches in Red Flame Peak have reached Tier Two top-grade? I’d like to exchange for one.”

If a Tier Two top-grade Longevity Peach is used as the main material to refine a Lifespan Extension Pill, it should increase one’s lifespan by another twenty years or so.

He had used low-tier Lifespan Extension Pills before; otherwise, he should be able to gain an additional thirty or forty years of life.

He once thought he was indifferent to life and death, but as he aged, he found he became fearful.

”No problem, how many top-grade Longevity Peaches do you think can be exchanged?”

Longevity Peaches have never been cheap, and no cultivator dislikes having more lifespan.

Especially for cultivators whose lifespan is near its end, Longevity Peaches are even more enticing.

”Just one will do, I also need to find two top-grade Spirit Stones for you.”

Zhuu Xiangrong joyfully replied, having already taken out the Spirit Stones.

Repairing the Earth-Departing Flame Banner requires numerous Tier Two top-grade Spiritual Objects, but the quantity needed is small; the main material is the Phoenix Stone, and the biggest expense is his craftsmanship.

”The Longevity Peaches have only been fruiting for two years, it will take about another seven or eight years. Will that delay your use?”

Ji An gave a conservative estimate, as he is now beginning to use Golden Core level Planting Techniques, which will further shorten the maturity time of Spirit Fruits.

”No, I can accept within ten years.”

Ji An accepted the Spirit Stones and said with a smile:

”Await my good news.”

...

Five days later.

Lin Lan and Han Shan harnessed their Magical Artifacts, flying with pride and a sense of pride written all over their faces.

The two entered Red Flame Peak, slowly descending by the Cold Pool.

Liu Ruhai, who was feeding Spirit Fish by the Cold Pool, quickly approached, ”Greetings, Junior Martial Uncles.”

Lin Lan waved generously, ”No need for formalities, where is my master?”

Liu Ruhai honestly responded:

”Ancestor is still cultivating in the grotto mansion, now every session lasts easily for eight double hours.”

Han Shan asked:

”Will Master come down to the Cold Pool tonight?”

Liu Ruhai shook his head, ”I’m not sure, sometimes Ancestor won’t leave the grotto mansion for several days.”

Lin Lan laughed, ”Junior Brother, we aren’t in any hurry, let’s wait for Master to come out here.”

The Spiritual Food in Red Flame Peak is much better than what she enjoys in her own grotto mansion.

Han Shan nodded, ”It’ll have to be that way.”

At 3:00 PM, Ji An emerged from his grotto mansion, flying to the foot of the mountain, seeing his two disciples leisurely drinking tea in the pavilion, he couldn’t help but feel happy.

He landed in the pavilion, and the two disciples stood up and cupped their hands, saying:

”Greetings, Master.”

Ji An extended his Divine Sense to feel the Spiritual Pressure on his disciples, warmly saying:

”Well done, you broke through so smoothly.”

Both disciples are now cultivators at the Chao Origin Stage, and the Ningcui Cliff lineage is once again growing strong, fulfilling his duty to the sect’s cultivation.

”All thanks to Master’s excellent teaching!”

”Thanks to Master’s great support!”

Ji An laughed heartily a few times, ”Let’s go to the guest hall and talk; I’ll explain the cultivation at the Chao Origin Stage to you.”