Chapter 750 - 589: The Mutation of Wulan Mountain

Profound Wood Daoist Master’s eyebrows gently raised, "Fellow Daoist is very confident."

He couldn’t help but feel suspicious, wondering if the Golden Spirit Sect was hiding another Golden Core Stage Spirit Farmer.

However, he quickly dismissed this guess. If the Golden Spirit Sect had the foundation to produce two Golden Core Stage Spirit Farmers, it would have unified the Western Continent long ago.

Ji An’s eyes sparkled, and his gaze seemed to traverse thousands of mountains and rivers to see the depths beneath Red Flame Peak, softly saying:

"I do have that bit of confidence."

His voice was so gentle, yet full of determination, with a hint of reverence.

Is that Soul Nourishing Wood doing well now? It should have reached Tier Three Middle Grade by now, right?

The Soul Nourishing Wood once received the ashes of an early-stage Golden Core cultivator and later received the ashes of Senior Brother Zhengyang, the sect’s first Golden Core cultivator, a sixth-layer Golden Core cultivator.

In a certain sense, Daoist Master Zhengyang’s significance to the sect was equivalent to that of the founding ancestor. Even in death, he thought about making a contribution to the sect.

The founding ancestor was the source of the sect, while Daoist Master Zhengyang played the role of advancing the sect to new heights, serving as a bridge between past and future, opening up a new Chapter for the sect.

The Golden Spirit Sect was originally a small Chao Origin Stage sect in a remote corner of the Central Continent. To reach where it is today, it is the result of countless generations of disciples quietly making sacrifices.

By the time Ji An left, the sect had already established a completely new mechanism, with various halls unleashing greater potential.

If they could smoothly overcome the True Demon Tribulation and develop steadily, there would certainly be a possibility of becoming a Nascent Soul Power in the future.

If he could obtain the techniques and inheritance from the Five Elements Sect relics, he would certainly send them back to the sect.

An effective mechanism can solidify the foundation of the sect, and given the opportunity, it could undoubtedly soar to new heights.

Profound Wood Daoist Master detected the emotions contained in his words and couldn’t help but feel even more curious about the Golden Spirit Sect.

"Haha, I hope to trade for some Tier Three Azure Dragon Wood; I wonder if that can be achieved?"

Ji An nodded gently, "There’s a good chance."

When he left the sect, he had already cultivated several Tier Three Azure Dragon Wood. If the sect needed resources in exchange, they would choose to cut them down.

After chatting for a while, Ji An bid farewell, stood up, and said:

"Fellow Daoist, I wish you a safe journey on your long trip.

I wonder from where the merchant flying ship will set sail; may I escort you there?"

Profound Wood Daoist Master smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"No need, the flying ship will depart from Wanshou Villa on Purple Sun Mountain, and the area will be under strict security at that time."

...

A month later.

Ji An left the Little World and returned to his grotto mansion, feeling many magical power fluctuations coming from outside the grotto mansion.

The only waves that could penetrate the Sealing Array were the Communication Golden Swords.

It’s not that the Communication Golden Sword is so formidable, but it relies on the Immortal City’s Mountain Protection Array, capable of crossing other small Sealing Arrays within the city’s jurisdiction in a special way—this is the suppression power of the Immortal City’s formation.

He quickly walked out of the grotto mansion, with a change of magic seal in his hand, undoing the Dharma Prohibition. The Communication Golden Swords, trapped outside the magic array, flew to his side like a school of swimming fish.

Ji An’s heart skipped a beat, thinking something was amiss.

He collected all the golden swords and first checked the magical marks, finding that most were from Master Feiyun, with a few from Master Qingfeng and Qingxu Daoist Master.

Extending his divine sense, he quickly reviewed the contents of all the golden swords, and his face immediately darkened.

"Damn! How unlucky is this?!"

He summoned the Earth-Departing Flame Banner, and the magical treasure flew out from his dantian, transforming into a Fire Phoenix, its clear cry echoing across the sky.

Leaping onto the Fire Phoenix, "Set off for Cloud Sea Immortal City, as fast as possible."

Once the magical treasure transforms, it can fly on its own without the cultivator’s urging, saving a lot of energy.

The Fire Phoenix cried again; its tail feathers swayed gently, and the four tail plumes shone brightly.

Like thunder and lightning, it left only an afterimage in place, instantly rushing tens of meters away.

In the air, it left behind four trails of red, yellow, blue, and white flames, lingering for a long time.

The Earth-Departing Flame Banner swiftly flew, its momentum impressive, while Ji An frowned in thought, considering a beast-taming arrangement to guard the grotto mansion.

If he encounters this situation again, he would be passive, unable to understand outside changes while in the Little World.

Having a cultivator come to find him might arouse suspicion from others.

However, whether a beast can independently enter the Little World remains uncertain, and an experiment is necessary in the future.

A far-off true cultivator saw the Fire Phoenix rushing boldly and hastily made way, thinking about what urgent matter it might be, but before he could figure it out, the Fire Phoenix had already skimmed past, flying into the distance.

Ji An landed in front of the Certification Association’s entrance, striding in with great pace, nearly bumping into the exiting Master Feiyun.

"Since seven o’clock this morning, I’ve sent twelve Communication Golden Swords to you. Why are you only arriving now? I was about to go to Black Stone Mountain to get you myself."

Master Feiyun was puzzled as to why the other party seemed to ignore her messages and wondered if he was away from Black Stone Mountain, wanting to confirm.

If she hadn’t had pressing matters, she probably would have already flown to Black Stone Mountain.

"Had a little issue with cultivation, so I didn’t come."

What can Ji An say? He could only lie a little.

"Come on, let’s discuss it in my room."

...

In the room, Feiyun Zhenren waved away the maid who had served the tea, then after a moment of silence, said:

"I’ll keep it brief. Three days ago, an abnormal surge of demonic qi erupted in Wulan Mountain, and the area covered by the demon fog has significantly expanded.

The Business Alliance, Taihua Sect, and the Void Sect have decided to continue sending reinforcements to Wulan Mountain, with a large number of cultivators to be forcibly summoned.

Additionally, my family has informed me that a new demon cave has appeared near the Phoenix Dance Mountain Range, less than three thousand miles from our family settlement.

It’s not just the Phoenix Dance Mountain Range; several regions in the Central Continent also showed anomalies three days ago, with new demon caves forming."

She sighed, biting her lips tightly and said:

"We must prepare for the True Demon Tribulation to erupt fully in advance, or else this disaster would gravely harm the Primordial Qi of the entire Cultivation Realm."

Although the True Demon Tribulation hasn’t fully erupted, the days left for human cultivators to calmly prepare are numbered.

Ji An exhaled softly, "So, I’m also summoned, and in the first batch to go?"

The message from the other party hinted at this, and he felt somewhat frustrated that he, ostensibly a master craftsman, was put in the vanguard against the True Demon Tribulation.

Feiyun Zhenren nodded and said:

"The official order hasn’t been issued yet, but there’s an 80 to 90 percent chance that it will be so. However, your task, fellow Daoist, would be alchemy and talisman making within the purification array, without participating in the battle formations.

The demonic qi concentration in Wulan Mountain is stronger, and resources to withstand it are quickly being consumed.

The Daoist Monarchs are worried about non-essential casualties due to transportation delays, so they summoned a large number of skilled cultivators in the first batch to enter the Wulan Mountain region."

She paused, smiling bitterly:

"You can refine the Vajra Pill and draw the Purifying Talisman and Spirit Stabilizing Talisman; these are all in high demand."

Even without any protection, a cultivator wouldn’t feel intense discomfort entering a demon qi-covered area for a short time as long as they could withdraw in time.

When the True Demon Tribulation reaches its peak, there will be a period when the entire Cultivation Realm is engulfed in demon qi.

To delay and weaken the arrival of the True Demon Tribulation, purification arrays have been built in many areas near demon caves, like small fortresses.

These arrays, driven by spirit stones and earth vein spiritual energy, can purify demon qi.

These fortresses are like nails embedded in the Demon Realm; the longer they hold, the more they weaken the enemy’s purpose.

Ji An also gave a bitter smile, "I have no choice, do I?"

The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. Even if he was unwilling to pay the price, someone would make sure he did.

"When will the order be issued?"

"About two to three days later, the official order will be given, and everyone will have one day to prepare.

Fellow Daoist, do you have enough pill resources for your cultivation?"

"They’re adequate, but if you can spare me some Vajra Pills, I’d appreciate it greatly."

Ji An replied, currently in a bottleneck period with his cultivation. He didn’t need Fire Element Pills; only Vajra Pills that could purify contamination were necessary backups.

Over the years, he had stored some Vajra Pills, but resources like these can never be too abundant, potentially becoming scarce in the future.

He merely mentioned it, not expecting Feiyun Zhenren to nod in agreement.

"I have some Vajra Pills. I’ll sell you a hundred pieces at the current market price; how about it?"

Ji An was overjoyed and immediately nodded, cupping his hands in thanks:

"Thank you, fellow Daoist! I will bear this favor in mind."

Feiyun Zhenren smiled in return, "Currently, the price of a Tier Two Top-grade Vajra Pill is five hundred spirit stones. Just give me four top-grade spirit stones."

Ji An took out spirit stones and completed the transaction with the other party, feeling more at ease.

If he was just staying at the settlement for alchemy and talisman making, he’d still have time to advance in his cultivation and break through the bottleneck.

Feiyun Zhenren put away the spirit stones and sighed lightly:

"In a few days, I’ll be leaving the Immortal City to return to my family. Take care, fellow Daoist."

She had always planned to recruit Ji An as a guest cultivator for her family, but plans changed unpredictably, forcing her early return. She only hoped for a reunion one day when everyone could safely weather the disaster.

Ji An was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, "Take care, fellow Daoist."

His counterpart’s family was in the Phoenix Dance Mountain Range, likely a member of the Ge Clan, a family that once boasted two Nascent Soul Daoist Monarchs at the height of its power.

The two spoke for a while, then Feiyun Zhenren said:

"I won’t hold you up any longer; use your time in the Immortal City to gather resources and arm yourself as much as possible."

She paused, offering a kind reminder:

"Don’t be stingy with spirit stones; the more thorough your preparation, the better."

If summoned to Wulan Mountain, acquiring resources would become difficult.

"I understand; survival is paramount; hope lies in staying alive."

Ji An stood, bowed respectfully to the other party, and left.

He left the room and found Master Qingfeng, who informed him about the impending forced conscription of cultivators by the Immortal City.

Master Qingfeng understood that Ji An, being close to Feiyun Zhenren, likely already knew the news. Yet knowing and being informed by him were two separate matters.