Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

He unlocked the Dharma Prohibition and activated the two Talisman Swords, and silvery lights flew out from the Grotto Mansion, one after the other.

Ji An entered the Quiet Chamber, boiled a pot of water, and brewed Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, drinking it all.

Afterward, he lit Soul Incense in the bronze-colored Beast Ear Furnace, then took out the treasured Black Soul-Calming Grass Pudun from the Void Realm, seated himself cross-legged, and began operating the Dharma Gate to open the Jin Mansion.

Counting the Soul Nourishing Pendant, he already had four methods for recovering Divine Sense.

Now he could persist in opening the Divine Mansion for one double hour, a vast improvement compared to the initial half a double hour.

Silver inner vein patterns appeared on his lungs, resembling tiny Flying Swords pieced together, and the entire lung lit up with silvery white brilliance.

Whenever Ji An opened the Jin Mansion, he wondered how his condition would be perceived by doctors if he returned to Earth for an X-ray, seeing his pristine white lungs.

At this moment, a sigh would arise from the depths of his heart; the world was different, and many of the foundational laws, while seeming similar, had fundamentally changed.

His liver was now emerald green, his heart fiery red, his spleen color normal; however, upon perfection of the Earth Element Divine Mansion, it would turn a warm yellow jade color, which would have been deemed a pathology in his past life.

Magical Power surged from his Dantian, channeling through the Immortal Vein into his lungs, making the inner vein patterns even brighter.

...

Ji An felt waves of fatigue flooding in like tides, prompting him to stop operating the Dharma Gate.

He brewed a pot of Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, rested his eyes briefly, then exited the Grotto Mansion.

The twilight sun slanted overhead, casting orange radiance that couldn’t reach the entrance.

Clouds like smoke and mist arose at his feet, as Ji An rode the fiery Auspicious Cloud down to the Cold Pool.

Wei Songnian rose, cupping his hands in greeting:

"Fellow Daoist, riding upon clouds with fluttering robes, you truly seem like a True Immortal descending to the mortal realm!"

Ji An withdrew the Auspicious Cloud, shaking his head with a smile:

"Fellow Daoist praises me too highly. Speaking of which, I was remiss; why did I not come down to the guest hall?"

Inviting others yet failing to greet them, leaving guests waiting, was indeed a bit unbecoming.

"The breeze by the pool lightly caresses, observing the sunset reflection upon the water; the shimmering ripples invoke free thoughts, such sights are unavailable in the guest hall."

Wei Songnian smiled amiably, his cultivation stalled yet his mental state became calm.

"Fellow Daoist, in the moonlight tonight, why not we sail, drink, and revel? Pity this pool is not vast enough to behold boundless mist and waves."

"Splendid!"

The two sat together, reminiscing past years and humble old affairs, a sense of distance from cultivation disparity lessened greatly.

Wei Songnian picked up dried mulberry and put it into his mouth, the fragrance spreading between his lips and teeth.

For Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Tier Two Middle Grade Mulberry was excessively rich in Spiritual Qi, while not surpassing Pills. However, long-term consumption proved more effective than Pills.

Natural mulberry did not contain Pill Poison.

"Fellow Daoist, the Sect has lifted restrictions, allowing family-born disciples who meet the conditions to leave; I have been notified, and I will be able to depart next month.

This departure, I will no longer be a disciple of the Sect.

Wei Songnian sighed; if Fellow Daoist Ji had not invited him today, he would have found occasion to visit.

The Wei Clan of Little Bamboo Mountain was in poor condition, the old Clan Leader nearing the end of his lifespan, and surrounds, a few Loose Cultivators arising, forcing alliances between the squabble-prone Little Bamboo Mountain and Great Bamboo Mountain.

Returning now to stabilize the situation was imperative.

Despite stalled cultivation, his Dao Companion had reached Third-Layer Foundation Establishment. Coupled with several Top-Grade Magical Artifacts, they could contend with Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators without disadvantage.

Maintaining connections with friends from the Sect was key to retaining family control.

Ji An responded:

"On the day Fellow Daoist departs, I will see you off and visit Little Bamboo Mountain."

The Sect strictly prohibited disciples from interfering in worldly disputes, and he naturally wouldn’t provoke trouble, but standing up for an old friend was acceptable.

Wei Songnian was overjoyed, immediately rising to bow:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Hence, the news that Little Bamboo Mountain held connections in the Chao Origin Stage would spread, enough to deter some cultivators from reckless actions.

Persevering through the most challenging next twenty to thirty years, he was confident in restoring Little Bamboo Mountain to its former glory, perhaps even advancing further.

Ji An bade his Magical Power to support Wei Songnian, preventing him from bending over:

"A mere matter—what I can do is limited.

When the Soul Nourishing Wood is cultivated to Tier One Top Grade, I can commission the Sect’s Artifact Refiner to craft it into a soul-nourishing Magical Artifact, selling it to Fellow Daoist."

To mention selling was to indicate that while friendship was valued, certain matters required boundaries.

He intended to develop the Wei Clan into an auxiliary in resource collection, potentially acquiring unexpected treasures as a complement to the Sect.

Of course, it’s a leisurely play, hoping for but not requiring returns; an unexpected success would be ideal, but a lack thereof was fine.

"No need for excessive gratitude; should Fellow Daoist have tasks in the future, the Wei Clan will spare no effort."

Wei Songnian spoke earnestly, with artifacts made from Soul Nourishing Wood, family disciples would greatly ease the Spiritual Sense Barrier when breaking through Foundation Establishment Stage.

"At present, there is indeed one matter I need Fellow Daoist’s assistance with—I require a large amount of Earth Element Essence. I would greatly appreciate your help in acquiring it, as much as possible.

By the way, do you have enough Spirit Stones?"

Earth Element Essence was scarce within the Sect, and it was unnecessary to trouble other members for purchase, as owing favors for trivial matters was unwise.

"More than enough; once Little Bamboo Mountain’s situation stabilizes, I’ll dispatch someone monthly to deliver to Fellow Daoist."

Wei Songnian was quite curious; he had already helped purchase a considerable amount of Earth Element Essence, yet the demand remained substantial, wondering what Ji An intended.

Following the Demon Calamity, the family’s assets on Mingfeng Mountain were under his control, and the liquidity of several tens of thousands of Spirit Stones was manageable.

Considering Ji An’s request, he planned to rent shops near Little Bamboo Mountain’s marketplace and Cyan Cloud Immortal City, quicker to open up opportunities.

Ji An nodded, "Agreed, my purchase has no limit, necessitating at least twenty to thirty years; proceed boldly."

Deep in conversation, they found themselves unaware as the Golden Crow set in the west, the Jade Rabbit rose in the east, and the serene Moonlight draped the earth in silvery veils.

Setting up tables and chairs on the boat, laden with wine and dishes, the two sailed on the Cold Pool.

The boat gently rocked, breaking the pool’s reflection of moonlight.

...

A month quickly passed.

During this period, Ji An did not go out consuming Qi, spending most of his time opening the Gold Element Divine Mansion or practicing Magic Technique, even developing a new inner vein pattern within the Jin Mansion.

Only when Magical Power was nearing depletion did he operate the Cultivation Technique to refine Spiritual Energy; regarding cultivation, no obvious improvement was observed.

In the morning, accompanied by the rising sun, a Flying Ship arrived at Red Flame Peak.

Ji An rode the clouds to meet it, where a group lined on the deck to greet him. Those sheltered by the Sect under the Wei Clan were now following Wei Songnian back to Little Bamboo Mountain.

Currently, Wei Songnian had already discarded the Sect’s standard Daoist Robe, donning a dark Magic Robe, his face adorned with a benevolent smile, cupping his hands:

"Being able to address Fellow Daoist Ji as ’Fellow Daoist’ is my privilege."

Old acquaintances from the Sect learned of his departure, hosting farewell banquets; yet only Ji An accompanied him as a guest to Little Bamboo Mountain.

Yinn Qiuyun, along with her Dao Companion, paid respects with a smile curling her lips.

Ji An returned the gesture:

"Fellow Daoist’s words are too kind; having received aid from Fellow Daoist, how could it not be a privilege for me?"

The initial years after entering the Sect were the most difficult for him, where every Spirit Stone made a substantial difference.

Regardless of intentions, owing considerable Spirit Stones was a reality, and receiving the Soul Nourishing Wood was a kindness.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Songnian turned:

"Bai Qi, Bai Lin, come and greet Uncle Ji."

The two youths stepped forward to pay respects, Ji An presented them with two Top-Grade Spirit Fruits as gifts.

Wei Songnian scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed:

"The Quiet Chamber has been tidied; Fellow Daoist may retire within. The Flying Ship is slow; it will arrive at Little Bamboo Mountain by noon tomorrow."

The cost of a large Spirit Ship was steep; the Wei Clan couldn’t afford one catering simultaneously to flying speed, thus this Flying Ship could also ferry passengers.