Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 184: Chapter 181: Earth Spirit Fruit Tree

The spiritual food for lunch was abundant, but no banquet was held.

Huang Feihu failed in foundation building, so everyone lost interest in drinking.

After lunch, three Foundation Establishment cultivators came to the stone house, and Ji An said:

“Junior Brother Liang, I’ll briefly explain the cultivation during the Foundation Establishment Stage. Once you understand, you can pick the cultivation technique most suitable for you.”

Liang Hill cupped his hands and said: “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

He hadn’t studied under a master, so he lacked basic knowledge of these things.

Ji An nodded slightly and began:

“The magical power cultivated during the Foundation Establishment Stage begins to carry attributes of the Five Elements or characteristics like wind, thunder, or ice…”

He combined the knowledge previously imparted by his master with his own understanding, talking smoothly, while Du Huaiyuan occasionally interjected a few comments.

After half an hour, Liang Hill stood up and bowed:

“Thank you both for clearing up my doubts. I have already made a decision to choose the Water Element Cultivation Method. I’ll go to the Inheritance Hall tomorrow.”

He had been breeding spirit fish all along, and all his skills were in that area. He would choose a grotto mansion close to water and mountains, as cultivating in the Water Element would be more beneficial for future development.

Du Huaiyuan said:

“You need to go to the Diligence Hall first to handle your new identity jade token, then you can go to the Inheritance Hall to choose a cultivation technique.

The two halls are not far apart, both located halfway up Lingxiao Mountain.

Senior Brother Ye Changqing is the Vice Hall Master of the Diligence Hall. You’re quite familiar with him, so you can ask him about any unclear details.”

Ji An took out a flying shuttle and ten middle-grade spirit stones, saying:

“Junior Brother, use my flying shuttle for now. After establishing your foundation, you’ll inevitably need to purchase a large number of materials. Use these spirit stones, and if they’re not enough, come find me.”

Liang Hill paused in silence, then reached out to take the items:

“Thank you, Senior Brother. I won’t be overly polite with you. I’ll return the spirit stones as soon as possible.”

Moving into a new grotto mansion required spirit stones for many things, like purchasing magic arrays, flying ships, spirit fish fry, bait, and other equipment, and his spirit stones would certainly not be enough.

“Use them as you need, and repay me when you’re truly financially comfortable.”

Ji An and Du Huaiyuan respectively shared their insights on cultivation, and unknowingly, an hour passed.

Du Huaiyuan stood up, cupping his hands:

“I have to go meet a few friends, so I’ll take my leave first. I’ll visit you again another day.”

The atmosphere at Red Flame Peak wasn’t suited for drinking and having fun, so he felt it was meaningless and decided to go drink happily with his friends.

…

Just as Du Huaiyuan left, Wei Songnian landed his flying ship at the Cold Pool.

Upon seeing Liang Hill, he beamed with a pleased expression, resembling a lucky cat, and said sincerely:

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Liang!”

The two had known each other for over twenty years, and their relationship was quite deep.

After moving to Red Flame Peak, every year he managed to save some high-tier fish swim bladder glue, which was very popular with the puppet masters. Wei Songnian had bought them all.

Now that Liang Hill had established his foundation, he could become a partner.

“Congratulations to you too.”

Liang Hill responded with a smile, more composed than before.

Although he had never shown it outwardly, he had always felt inferior inside.

Initially, he secretly compared himself to Ji An and Wei Songnian, wanting not to fall too far behind them.

After Ji An advanced to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Wei Songnian became his new point of comparison.

A few months ago, when Wei Songnian broke through to the second layer of Foundation Establishment, his sense of inferiority grew stronger.

But now he felt much better. Although there was still a gap, at least they were cultivators of the same level.

“I’ll be staying in the sect recently. Junior Brother, please inform me immediately once you confirm the date for your foundation building celebration, so I can arrange my schedule.”

“Of course.”

Wei Songnian turned and said with a broad smile:

“I’ve been visiting friends these past few days. I just returned to my grotto mansion and found out that Senior Brother summoned me, so I came promptly. Is there anything you need?”

Ji An smiled:

“Indeed, I have a favor to ask of you. You know, Red Flame Peak has been brewing spirit wine for several years, and the spirit wines brewed a few years ago have been cellared long enough.

Now facing the issue of sales, you immediately came to mind. Are you willing to take it on?”

“Of course, I’m willing! To be honest, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I was planning to shamelessly bring up this matter to you.

Senior Brother, how much of the share do you plan to entrust me with?”

Wei Songnian’s eyes twinkled brilliantly. Since the establishment of Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City, a large number of sect disciples and loose cultivators had gathered there, and hunting demons or seeking spirit medicines in the undeveloped areas yielded great rewards.

With cultivaors holding more spirit stones, various shops were flourishing.

The spiritual food shops were experiencing shortages of spirit wine, and securing a source would bring significant profits.

Ji An said solemnly:

“Give me a quote, and if the price is right, I’ll entrust you with the entire share for you to manage.

To sell top-grade and top-grade mulberry wine, as well as top-grade pine nut wine, this year’s top-grade mulberry wine production is relatively low.

In a few years, our main production will be Tier One top-grade spirit wine and Tier Two lower-grade spirit wine.”

He casually painted a promising picture, not just an empty promise, but a goal that could genuinely be achieved.

If the Jade Leaf Mulberry cultivated on Red Flame Peak fails to reach top-grade or higher levels, it will be directly cut down and discarded.

Wei Songnian took a thick ledger from his storage bag, quickly flipping to a particular page and handing it over:

“Senior Brother, please take a look. I’ve compiled information here with the selling prices of spirit wine from over a hundred spiritual food shops.

“Here are the proposals I made, indicating the purchase quotes.”

Ever since Red Flame Peak began brewing wine, he had been preparing for it.

Ji An took the album, looked at the other person with a meaningful glance, and said with a smile:

“Junior Brother, you are a natural businessman, impressive.”

Opportunities favor those who are prepared. Based on this sharp intuition alone, the other party is destined to achieve greater heights.

“I’m just trying to make a living with Senior Brother.”

Wei Songnian chuckled, feeling secretly proud. During the Qi Refining Stage, he had sponsored three cultivators, two of whom are now in the Foundation Establishment, and Senior Brother Ji is his biggest partner.

They established a stable and frequent trade, procuring Talismans, Talisman Discs, Talisman Soldiers, top-grade pine nuts, top-grade level Spiritual Charcoal, top-grade fish swim bladder glue, and acting as a purchasing agent for the other party, greatly expanding his network.

If he could take hold of the Spirit Wine trade rights, he would open up new channels.

Ji An took out a blank Jade Slip and copied down the collected information, saying:

“I’ll verify the prices and get back to you in two months.”

“Alright, Senior Brother will definitely see my sincerity.”

Wei Songnian smiled confidently, having made considerable concessions.

Because he knows that as long as he maintains this network, he will continuously earn more.

…

Underground cave.

Ji An cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, yellow Spirit Light enveloping several Earth Spirit Fruit Trees.

He tossed a Spirit Feeding Pill to Golden Fur, followed by an Earth Spirit Fruit.

Golden Fur swallowed the pill in one gulp, quickly devouring the Spirit Fruit, holding the seed in its paws, chirping flatteringly:

“Squeak squeak.”

The fruit was delicious and greatly beneficial to it.

Ji An squatted down to take the seed, stroking from head to tail a few times, with Golden Fur squinting and purring softly.

The Spirit-Seeking Rat’s fur now appeared more glossy and extremely fluffy, with an amazing texture.

The seed of the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree was the size of a phalanx, entirely yellow, with groove patterns, resembling a peach seed.

Currently holding six of the best-looking Spirit Fruit seeds, Ji An chose a suitable spot and cast the Golden Light Technique.

The golden crescent left a series of cracks on the rock with its sharp presence.

Golden Fur “whooshed” into the rock, peeping from afar, and the aura of magic was too strong, stinging its eyes, leaving two teardrops.

It’s too aggressive; I, the rat, want to stay far away.

Ji An employed another method to release the Golden Light Technique, a layer of golden light covering his right hand.

He raised his golden right hand, clawing out two foot-deep pits in the rock, placing the seeds in the midst of the stone dust.

Afterwards, he cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell, waiting for the Spirit Light and nourishing profound Magic Intent to fade, then performed the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill.

A white mist about a yard in size rose, moist, spreading along with the falling Spirit Rain, saturating the dry air in the dim underground.

Ji An sent his Divine Sense into the stone dust, feeling the seeds crack, and roots settle into the rock crevices.

Soon, a seedling emerged from the stone dust, its entirety slightly yellow, the original sprout of the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree.

Using the same method, Ji An planted four Spirit Trees at another Spirit Vein Node.

Hope was already sown, now it merely required performing magic every few days and waiting.

In the future, Red Flame Peak will have another kind of Spiritual Object for trade; he left the cave with a light step.

…

Huang Feihu let out a bitter smile, sighed and said:

“I initially planned to visit Little Bamboo Mountain after establishing my foundation to see my grandfather and tell him I fulfilled his long-cherished wish, but// ”

He felt somewhat choked up, unable to continue, as one Foundation Establishment Pill had depleted his family’s resources, and he now owed debts.

Getting another Foundation Establishment Pill would take unknown years; time waits for no one.

Ji An did not attempt to console him, saying:

“Looking at it from another angle, even though you failed in your Foundation Establishment, you have still gained.

You’re still young; with another Foundation Establishment Pill, you’re practically guaranteed to succeed.”

When the time comes, you can use a Foundation Establishment Pill refined with a Demon Core as the main ingredient, also saving a bunch of Spirit Stones.”

Ji An paused, then added:

“As for the Spirit Stones, don’t worry, I can lend you some more, and you can repay them slowly after you establish your foundation.”

In his view, the other party’s Magical Power was already harmonious; once the Spirit Soul healed, their Divine Sense would increase slightly, removing the last barrier to Foundation Establishment.

He had been following him for many years and always did his job diligently, deserving a helping hand.

Thousands of Spirit Stones are hard for Qi Refining disciples to earn, but much easier for Foundation Establishment cultivators; it’s unlikely he couldn’t repay them.

Huang Feihu stood up, performed a deep bow:

“Uncle’s great kindness will be remembered by Flying Tiger; he will surely repay in the future.”

Ji An hurried forward to help him up:

“Please rise, once you’ve established a foundation, we as Senior and Junior brothers will support each other.”

The two sat back down, and Ji An took out ten middle-grade Spirit Stones, saying:

“Take these Spirit Stones to buy some Spiritual Objects and Spirit Medicine beneficial to the Spirit Soul, recover soon.”

The sooner you establish your foundation, the better the Sect benefits you can enjoy.

From a pragmatic point of view, the better the other party develops, the more helpful they will be in the future; consider it as planting seeds for the future.

Eventually, his Spirit Stones will become more abundant; keeping them in hand won’t serve any purpose, it’s good to use them to build connections.