Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

After consuming a wisp of Earth Qi of Wu, Ji An ended his Qi Eating.

Similar to the situation of strengthening the Fire Mansion, the Earth Qi of Wu and Qi of Ji Earth must harmonize Yin and Yang to be absorbed by the Earth Element Divine Mansion.

Consuming Qi of Ji Earth requires extracting the earth vein, which is the main reason the sect discourages disciples from Qi Eating in the spiritual vein.

To consume Qi of Ji Earth, one must venture into the depths of the earth or in secluded valleys, seeking suitable places outside the sect.

With nothing to do for the moment, Ji An began to practice the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword and Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell, occasionally performing the Earth Escape Technique.

On the mountain top, golden light flashed, swift as a rushing thunder, vast as rivers.

A sharp, extinguishing aura of golden light sliced through, causing the air temperature to drop rapidly.

At the double hour, Ji An concluded his practice, rode the auspicious cloud down the mountain, and activated the teleportation array to leave.

In an instant, he stepped down from the teleportation array at Ningcui Cliff and arrived at the neighboring grotto mansion.

Ge Ying sat in a chair, holding a Communication Talisman Sword.

Her brows were furrowed, her eyes filled with silence, seemingly unaware of her disciple’s arrival.

"Greetings, Master."

Ji An bowed, discerning his master’s slightly despondent expression, he cautiously said:

"Master, you seem to have something on your mind."

Ge Ying returned to her senses and weakly lifted the talisman sword, speaking in a low voice:

"Junior Brother Ye Changqing passed away last night."

She had already bid farewell to many familiar cultivators and thought she had come to terms with life and death, yet realized she was far from it.

Ji An was silent. Ever since he broke through to the Chao Origin Stage, his contact with Ye Changqing had diminished greatly.

Although he still sent spirit wine, honey, mulberries, and other goods to Red Flame Peak every year, the chance for personal meetings had vanished.

Looking back, their last meeting was seven or eight years ago.

"Junior Brother Ye had no kin. He once took a few disciples, all of whom fell on the Immortal Path before him.

The sect’s Diligence Hall is responsible for his funeral, adhering to his wishes of cremation and burying the ashes under a spirit tree."

Ge Ying’s lips showed a bitter smile as she continued:

"Changqing, on the Immortal Path, who can truly remain evergreen!

Most cultivators strive and seek, yet their lifespans cannot surpass that of a tree in the mortal world. It is both sad and lamentable."

Her mood was very low, her life essence rapidly draining, feeling unable to support herself for much longer.

Ge Ying raised her head and softly said:

"Will you attend the funeral? It will be held three days later at his grotto mansion on Profound Transformation Peak."

Ji An nodded, "I will attend. I met Fellow Daoist Ye after breaking through Foundation Establishment and should see him off on his final journey."

Back then, when he had bought large batches of tree cuttings, Ye Changqing busied himself, saving him sect-based tasks fitting his skills.

The past shone like the setting sun reflecting off the sea, glittering brightly.

One by one, what he thought he had forgotten surfaced in his mind.

He sighed deeply, expelling troubled emotions.

The passing of fellow disciples and friends instead solidified his determination in pursuing the great Dao.

While unimpeded by bottlenecks, he must cherish time and not squander it.

Seize all powers within his grasp, carve paths amidst mountains and bridge waters, to pave a broad and bright road.

...

Lin Mao’s head lay tilted against the chair back, lost in thought, his face full of sorrow and sadness, a Communication Talisman Sword resting by the table edge.

Ji An stepped into the room and asked:

"Did you also receive Fellow Daoist Ye’s news?"

Lin Mao was startled from his reverie and quickly stood up, "Hall Master, I got distracted just now, what did you say?"

"I asked if you also received Fellow Daoist Ye Changqing’s news?"

"Yes, Diligence Hall sent a talisman sword this morning."

Lin Mao’s voice carried a sadness for one’s kindred. He was only a dozen years younger than Ye Changqing, whose lifespan had reached its end, and his own life was like incense, with only a last segment remaining.

"Hall Master, there’s nothing urgent at the Agricultural Hall recently; I request to attend Fellow Daoist Ye’s funeral in three days."

"Approved, I’ll be going that day as well.

Today, I need to make a trip to Sunrise Peak, so take charge in the hall if anything arises."

"Understood."

Ji An nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Lin Mao subsequently exited the room, watching the fire-red auspicious clouds, radiant as glowing sunset, depart, his eyes filled with deep envy.

"A Chao Origin Stage Cultivator at only a hundred, breaking through to the Golden Core seems not a difficult task!"

Sadness again welled in his eyes as he shook his head, sighed, and returned to the room.

A Golden Core Cultivator’s lifespan extends for thousands of years, what worldly splendors could they witness, as for him...

...

Sunrise Peak, Wuji Hall.

"Disciple Ji An, pays respect to the ancestor."

Daoist Master Zhengyang chuckled warmly:

"No need for formality, sit and talk.

Just yesterday, I mentioned you to Jia Yu, and here you are today. Do you have any questions about cultivation?"

Disciples who open the Earth Element Divine Mansion should practice the Earth Element Chapter of the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture.

Since he hadn’t delved into the Fire Element Technique, he should have many questions.

Ji An scratched his head and replied:

"Report to the ancestor, disciple currently faces no issues."

He had been cultivating following the technique with no sense of confusion; everything was progressing smoothly.

"Really none?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang felt a hint of disappointment, intending to give a detailed lecture on cultivating the path of earth.

Ever since he entered the Foundation Establishment Stage, his cultivation method has been the Earth Element Cultivation Method.

The Path of Earth, was the Five Elements Dao he understood the deepest.

He was already prepared to become a master, but it turned out the disciple said there were no questions!

"Well, it’s not exactly nothing," Ji An understood the implication, narrating his own experience in cultivating the method.

Listening beyond the words, this was ingrained in his bones.

Daoist Master Zhengyang listened carefully, guided the disciple’s cultivation, and his interest grew even more:

"The Earth Element carries the divine intent of bearing, nourishing, and embracing, carrying the weight of all things, nourishing plants, embracing all filth, and retreating from sinister spirits and evil objects..."

Two double hours had passed, he smacked his lips, nodding in satisfaction.

His heart was now content, people always have a desire to express themselves, enjoying explaining their proud achievements.

"I wonder when I can reach the level of ancestor," Ji An sighed lightly, offering a compliment.

It’s not exactly a compliment, more accurately it should be admiration.

The other party explained quite a lot, most of which he understood, realizing things could be done this way!

"Haha, once your Earth Element Divine Mansion expands to perfection, you will comprehend even more things."

Daoist Master Zhengyang leaned back completely against the chair, saying:

"You’ve come today, is there something you need?"

Just now you realize it... Ji An grinned:

"It’s like this, disciple has now opened the Earth Element Divine Mansion, and can eat Earth Element Qi..."

Daoist Master Zhengyang interrupted:

"Are you thinking of going out to eat qi now?"

If it were other disciples, going out during the Third Transformation of the Chao Origin Stage, he would be very assured.

But for a Spirit Farmer disciple to go out, he couldn’t be at ease.

"Not exactly."

Ji An shook his head, "Disciple does not leave the sect far, only operates within a thousand miles, collecting the qi of Wu Earth and Ji Earth.

Not to increase cultivation, but to forge the top-grade spiritual artifact, Wuji Xinghuang Banner."

The decaying aura on the master’s body grew thicker, he faintly sensed the person might only have ten years left to live.

During this time, he would not go far from the sect.

Just as well to use this opportunity to settle down.

Enhance his magic technique skills, sacrifice and refine top-grade spiritual artifacts, and study the talismans of the Chao Origin Stage.

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded slightly, saying:

"With Chao Origin Peak at the center, the five thousand miles around it are within the coverage of the Map of Mountains and Rivers.

If you encounter danger, you can immediately activate the Sect Jade Token for help.

I bestow upon you a talisman treasure that can resist attacks from middle-stage Golden Core Cultivators, further enhancing your safety."

He took out a talisman and handed it over, "Take it."

The talisman with inherent treasure light, sketched an earth-yellow Exquisite Treasure Tower.

"Ancestor, this is too precious.

Is it because there is great danger lurking in the Western Continent?"

Ji An certainly knew what a talisman treasure was, a consumable made by extracting the source of a magical treasure, possessing part of its might.

In the Golden Spirit Sect, there weren’t spare magical treasures.

His forehead furrowed into a ’川’ character, if not for lurking danger, why would the ancestor bestow him a talisman treasure.

After all, his activity range is only within the sect’s district, support can be available at any time.

"The Western Continent should have settled down, though the demon beasts haven’t returned deeper into the Ten Thousand Mountains, but also retreated to the Mingfeng Mountain area, tens of thousands of miles away from here.

The demon cultivators making secret moves have disappeared after the ninth-layer Golden Core Cyan Flood Dragon’s death.

The only remaining threat is the two early-stage Golden Core demon cultivators.

However, that day the demon cultivators were severely injured, burned their demonic qi source to escape, even if they luckily saved their lives, it’s highly probable their realm has declined, not worth worrying.

I gave you the talisman treasure for no other reason than AN extra layer of safety for you."

Daoist Master Zhengyang used the Object Control Technique to send the talisman treasure before the disciple:

"The talisman treasure has already been made, even if you don’t take it, the source of my magical treasure can’t return.

It’s not just you, Li Haoran, Lin Qiu Bai, Lin Jiuxiao, they all have my talisman treasures in their hands.

If I don’t give it to you now, and later when you leave the sect for a journey, you’ll still take the talisman treasure before I can feel at ease."

Protecting core Golden Core seed disciples is never too much.

For the sect, this signifies the continuation of legacy.

The more Golden Core cultivators there are, the more resources the sect can accumulate, and only then will there be a day to become a Nascent Soul Sect in the future.

Through generations of accumulation, the Golden Spirit Sect, with only Chao Origin Stage power of the ancestor, can emerge victorious from the battles.

"Thank you, ancestor," Ji An stood up, solemnly took the talisman treasure with both hands, and bowed.

Daoist Master Zhengyang transmitted the activation method of the talisman treasure three times, saying:

"The meaning behind the elder’s existence in the sect is to shield the younger generation, ensuring better continuation of the sect.

Someday, when you reach my height, I hope you can create better conditions for the younger generation."

Ji An was silent for a moment, and said:

"If this disciple can break through to the Golden Core, wanting to travel in Central Continent.

However, I promise that one day I will leave behind tier-three spirit plants for the sect.

If the disciple does not return, everything on Red Flame Peak will belong to the sect."

He couldn’t stay here indefinitely, if the sect couldn’t further elevate his growth, he would choose to leave.

Daoist Master Zhengyang watched the disciple quietly, saying solemnly:

"One day if the sect becomes a constraint to you, you are naturally free to leave.

But I hope that someday when you have the power, you can remember the Western Continent sect that accompanied you through your weak childhood."