Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 182: Chapter 179: Planting Spirit Wood

The Azure Dragon Wood is a wood element spirit plant, named for its fish-scale-like patterns on its bark.

Its seeds are the size of an egg, with a thick dark green shell speckled with deep spots, also featuring fish-scale patterns.

Ji An unleashed the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, and the verdant light points filled with vigorous life essence enveloped the seed, continuously seeping into it.

The magic technique could cultivate the seed’s life essence to its most perfect state, and now that the Jade Wood Divinity Transformation Skill had reached the Great Perfection Level, it was uncertain if it could enhance the seed’s potential from the source.

If it could, it would definitely be a boon for cultivation.

The seed soon reached its limit, unable to absorb any more verdant light points.

Ji An put away the seed and called upon the grey-feathered sand goose to search for a suitable location within the Jade Leaf Mulberry forest.

Since there was no idle land, to plant new spirit wood, some spiritual mulberries could only be cut down, a choice out of necessity.

The potential limit of the Azure Dragon Wood was higher than that of the Jade Leaf Mulberry, so he planned to plant it in the most fertile Mulberry Field.

However, the Azure Dragon Wood required more spiritual qi, meaning its planting density was destined to be much lower than that of the Mulberry Field.

Finally, Ji An decided to plant the Azure Dragon Wood near the Cold Pool.

He landed on the ground and unleashed the Golden Light Technique.

A crescent-shaped golden light blade was emitted, carrying a sharp and fierce aura, effortlessly severing the top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry at its root.

“Feihu, you all come over and dig out the roots of the mulberry tree.”

Ji An shouted, as the roots of the spirit wood penetrated deep into the ground, and it was difficult to completely kill them using the Flame Fire Spell.

Huang Feihu, Huang Xuan, and others came with tools, and before long, they had dug out the roots and gathered the branches and roots together.

Ji An took out a Purple Fire Gourd, released flames to burn the mulberry tree, and then said:

“Scatter these ashes according to my markings.”

High-tier spirit wood, when burned, becomes invaluable premium fertilizer.

“Alright,” Huang Feihu agreed, dividing the ashes into ten portions and spreading them in the designated places.

Ji An cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, planting the seed, and then unleashed the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill.

Ji Earth and Gui Shui could maximize the seed’s life force activation, and this activation was gentle and harmless.

As the spirit rain fell, the clearing was filled with mist.

The seedling of the Azure Dragon Wood emerged from the soil, its bark a pale gray with shallow green lines outlining fish-scale patterns.

The clouds cleared, the mist dispersed, the wind stopped, and the rain ceased; the seedling was already a foot high, having grown four or five leaves the size of a child’s palm.

Huang Xuan grinned and said:

“Watching the Junior Martial Uncle plant is a pleasure. If one day I can reach half of Junior Martial Uncle’s level, I’d wake up laughing from dreams.”

Outside Red Flame Peak, he had also cultivated several acres of spirit fields, planting Yellow Sprout Rice, which only sprouted after three or four days.

Junior Martial Uncle planted spirit wood that in just two quarters of an hour could grow to knee height; without comparison, there’s no hurt done.

He’s now very curious about how long it would take for Junior Martial Uncle to mature Yellow Sprout Rice.

Huang Feihu chuckled, “Then you must work hard, Junior Martial Uncle’s ability in planting is unmatched in the sect.”

Accompanying along the way, he had witnessed Ji An achieve countless miracles that other cultivators could not possibly reach.

Not to mention, when they first moved into Red Flame Peak, Junior Martial Uncle alone planted three thousand acres of spirit wood.

Back then, he had only broken through to Foundation Establishment for a few months, but his understanding of planting techniques was not far behind compared to established Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Ji An said:

“This can’t be said outside.”

All three Foundation Establishment planting techniques had reached the Great Perfection Level, and he believed the sect’s spirit farmers were incomparable.

However, it’s important to be low-key; so-called first honors bring no substantial benefits and may even incite jealousy from some.

He had never encountered petty individuals who were envious before, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t in the future.

…

The evening glow resembled a stretch of mountains, or perhaps a gigantic centipede.

It was a scene of the setting sun, but Red Flame Peak appeared vibrant and full of life.

The golden-red mist atop the mountain had dissipated, making the spiritual qi comfortable and pleasant.

The Fire-toothed Rabbit emerged from its burrow, darting through the forest in search of food, while various insects, silent during the day, came out to join the fray, emitting crisp chirps.

The twilight clothed the Cold Pool and the bamboo grove in a veil of red chiffon. Liang Hill, along with the Xia Yuhuan sisters, busily worked in the kitchen, and Wei Songnian actively greeted guests with Huang Feihu and others.

“We should call you Senior Brother Ji now, congratulations!”

Zhang Yuanshan cupped his hands, accompanied by Yue Rong, who had met Ji An once before.

“The pleasure is mutual, please, both of you, have a seat.”

Ji An smiled and said, among the people from the Daoist school, Chu River and Zhao Mengyao were still on a mission in the Mingfeng Mountain area and couldn’t make it back.

“Senior Brother Liu, I’m surprised you’re actually at the sect.”

Liu Yu smiled warmly and said:

“The rankings at Mingfeng Mountain are closed. I’ve returned to the sect to adjust my state, waiting for the Three Sects competition in a few months.

Junior Brother, the two of us will take a seat here; you go ahead and greet the others first.”

With that, he sat down and began to eat a handful of pine nuts.

Du Huaiyuan said:

“Qingwan and Spiritual Jade are still at Mingfeng Mountain and won’t return for another six months. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it back in time.

Both of you breaking through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment consecutively has put a lot of pressure on me.”

It had only been two years since he broke through to the third layer of Foundation Establishment, just catching up with the others, yet now the gap widened again.

Liu Yu shook his head, lowering his voice, said:

“You’re just too laid-back; among us, you’re the latest to break through to the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

If you don’t hurry up, Qingwan and Spiritual Jade will soon break through as well.”

Zeng Rui, Jiang Wanrong, and Wu Yan came over together, with Wu Yan being the head of the Beast Taming Hall sub-palace.

Ye Changqing, Zhao Lei, and Liu Suyun arrived together, followed by Mo Mountain and Han Qingshan, who arrived last.

Once all were present, Ji An instructed:

“Fellow Daoist Liang, let’s start the feast.”

These are connections he has accumulated over his years in the Sect, not many in number, but among them are five late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The spiritual food was abundant and the drinks well-prepared. As the moon rose over the eastern hills, its serene radiance merged with the glow of the Luminous Beads, and as the evening breeze blew, everyone enjoyed the drinks.

After the guests and hosts had fully enjoyed themselves, the gathering came to an end, and people began to disperse, leaving only Liuu Suyun and Du Huaiyuan behind.

…

The next day.

Ji An finished his cultivation and flew back to the stone house.

Liuu Suyun stood by the Cold Pool with her hands behind her back and said:

“Junior Brother just broke through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and by running the cultivation technique, you can absorb both Wood and Water Spiritual Mechanism. Your future is limitless.

In just a few years, I’ll be attending Junior Brother’s late-stage Foundation Establishment celebration.”

She had been here for a while, able to observe the other’s cultivation movements.

However, due to the angle, she hadn’t noticed the third type of Spiritual Mechanism.

“Senior Sister’s praise is too high; you’re making me feel like I’m about to float away.”

Liuu Suyun smiled:

“Junior Brother, there’s no need to be so modest.”

As they were speaking, Du Huaiyuan returned from the distance on the Flying Shuttle, pleasantly surprised:

“I took a close look; we can already harvest the pinecones.

Those Tier Two Red Cloud Pines are laden with fruit, and the average yield is sure to exceed previous years.”

It’s once again the season for brewing Pine Nut Wine, his joyous time is about to begin.

Ji An nodded:

“Flying Tiger already arranged manpower a few days ago. The warehouse and winery have been thoroughly cleaned. We can harvest the pinecones today.”

“Alright, I’ll draft a material list and send someone to purchase them later.”

After breakfast, Du Huaiyuan and the others got busy, while Ji An and Liuu Suyun headed towards the underground cave.

“How many fruits are there this year?”

Liuu Suyun asked with a smile, feeling that since she met Junior Brother Ji, her luck had improved.

The Copper Patterned Mulberry had received ample supply, and the Earth Spirit Fruit was gradually meeting demands.

What made her even happier was that the growth cycle of the Earth Spirit Fruit had shortened, reducing by a full six months, which was incredible news.

“A total of 175 fruits, I’m planning to keep 18. All the Earth Spirit Fruits beyond the stipulated agreement can be sold to Senior Sister.

But I have a request; I’d like to select the best-quality ones first because I’m also planning to plant Earth Spirit Fruit Trees.”

According to the agreement, each plant requires handing over 30 fruits to the owner, leaving Ji An with 55 fruits under his discretion.

“No problem, I agree.

Everything now is due to Junior Brother’s efforts, and I’ve already gained a lot.”

Liuu Suyun agreed readily. If she were still the one cultivating the Earth Spirit Fruit Trees, producing a top-grade specimen might still be uncertain.

Now there are four top-grade Spirit Trees, far exceeding her expectations.

She paused and added:

“Junior Brother, as per the agreement, two more have been cultivated to top-grade, requiring me to give you four catties of top-grade Spider Silk, which I can provide now.”

Ji An waved his hand:

“Senior Sister, convert it to Spirit Stones.”

For him, Tier One top-grade resources no longer held allure.

“Alright then.”

…

The two of them reached the bottom of the cave, where compared to before, a narrow, winding tunnel had appeared on the stone wall.

Golden Fur was squatting alertly under the Spirit Tree, beside it were seven or eight Earth Spirit Fruits.

The skin of the Earth Spirit Fruits was yellow, as crystalline as jade, with a faint shimmer.

Evidently, some fruits had naturally ripened and fallen during this time.

Sensing someone approaching, Golden Fur turned its head to glance and uttered a pleasing chirp:

“Chirp chirp.”

Liuu Suyun observed the dozens of sparsely hanging fruits on the Spirit Tree and was somewhat taken aback:

“These fruits ripen so quickly?”

A few days ago, she received the Communication Talisman Sword informing her of Ji An’s upcoming celebration and that the fruits were beginning to mature.

In just three to four days, there were already few fruits left hanging on the tree.

Ji An nodded, saying:

“I’m not sure why, but within just a few days, the Earth Spirit Fruits have matured in large quantities. I suspect it has something to do with my Magic Technique level.”

As he spoke, he formed a seal and cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell.

With the diffusion of yellow Spirit Light and Magic Intent, a dozen more fruits gradually fell.

From previous experience, the timeframe from the first fruit dropping to the last is about half a month.

But this season’s fruits can mature completely in no more than seven to eight days.

“The Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell has been perfected to the extreme, and I’ve fully comprehended the Spell’s Divine Intent, greatly deepening my understanding of the Dao of Ji Earth.”

“Chirp chirp.”

Golden Fur chirped joyfully, catching the fruits and placing them in the fruit pile, continuing to gaze upwards expectantly.

Liuu Suyun was silent for a long time before she slowly spoke:

“Junior Brother, have you considered how other Spirit Farmers will feel upon learning of your current Magic Technique level?”

She interpreted his words to mean that the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell should have reached perfection much earlier.

Some Spirit Farmers have reached the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment yet have not perfected any spell of the Foundation Establishment Stage.