Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique-Chapter 197 - 194: Spiritual Artifact Embryo

During breakfast, Xia Yuhuan clasped her hands and said:

"Junior Martial Uncle, I would like to borrow your Flying Shuttle to go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. Yu Lian will take care of lunch and dinner."

The Spiritual Stones in my hand are already sufficient. It’s best to exchange them for the Foundation Establishment Pill as soon as possible to be at ease.

Ji An swallowed a piece of grilled fish and glanced at the two sisters standing side by side, asking:

"Is it Yu Lian’s turn to go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall tomorrow?"

He understood the urgent desire of Qi Refining Disciples to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. He himself had rushed to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall the day he gathered enough Spiritual Stones.

Xia Yu Lian smiled and said:

"That’s our plan. If you have other arrangements, Junior Martial Uncle, it’s okay to wait a few days."

Ji An took out the Flying Shuttle and said:

"You two should go today. At noon, have Huang Xuan stew fish and meat and steam some Jade Marrow Rice."

If you’re unlucky and delay for one day, you might have to wait five years for the exchange, which could cause resentment.

The human heart is a mysterious thing.

Xia Yu Lian hesitated slightly:

"I think I’ll stay here."

"Go, both of you together."

Ji An waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

After the two left, he called over Huang Xuan and Li Cheng, and said:

"Both of you have also reached the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining. What’s your plan for the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Having already supported the two sisters, it’s no problem to support these two as well.

Huang Xuan pondered over his Martial Uncle’s intentions and slowly said:

"To report to Martial Uncle, I plan to save up Contribution Points for two more years, and then borrow some Spiritual Stones from familiar friends. If that’s not enough, I will shamelessly seek help from you, Martial Uncle."

Li Cheng said:

"That’s what I am thinking too."

Cultivating at Red Flame Peak incurs almost no expenses, except for the occasional purchase of Pills.

The two of them have also cleared Spirit Fields outside Red Flame Peak, planting Yellow Sprout Rice and Talisman Grass to all be submitted to the Sect in exchange for Contribution Points.

Most of the rewards they received were saved up and converted into Spiritual Stones.

Ji An acknowledged, satisfied, and said: 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Very good, but there’s fierce competition for the Foundation Establishment Pill, so it’s better to exchange sooner to feel at ease.

How many Spiritual Stones do you each need? Let me know, and I’ll top them off for you. Go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall tomorrow to exchange."

These two disciples are quite sincere. Back in the day, I had to shamelessly borrow Spiritual Stones from my master.

Huang Xuan, perceptive, thought of Xia Yuhuan and Xia Yu Lian borrowing the Flying Shuttle to go to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, probably to exchange for the Foundation Establishment Pill, likely having borrowed Spiritual Stones from Martial Uncle.

While he was still considering, Li Cheng joyfully spoke up:

"Thank you for your kindness, Martial Uncle. I am short by 1,700 Spiritual Stones."

Huang Xuan collected his thoughts and responded:

"I am short by 1,500 Spiritual Stones."

Ji An took out the corresponding Spiritual Stones and handed them to the two of them, saying:

"Take these and use them. You can pay me back after reaching Foundation Establishment.

You two are also Spirit Farmers. If I cultivate Tier Two Spirit Fruits, I can save some seeds for you."

Over the years, with the sales of Mulberry Leaves, Azure Fall Fruits, and Spirit Wine, despite his large expenditures, the number of Spiritual Stones in his possession continued to steadily increase.

Keeping Spiritual Stones in hand won’t make eggs hatch; taking them out to foster goodwill might prove useful in the future.

The two bowed deeply:

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

For Spirit Farmers, planting high-tier Spirit Wood is akin to sowing hope.

Ji An nodded slightly and said with a smile:

"In the future, if you come across seeds or seedlings of high-tier Spirit Plants, you can bring them to me in exchange for Spiritual Stones or various Spiritual Objects."

In a few years, Red Flame Peak will have a Tier Two Mid-grade Spirit Field, urgently needing to supplement the diversity of Spirit Wood.

Huang Xuan said seriously:

"If there are such finds, I will definitely bring them to you, Martial Uncle."

Encountering rare Spirit Plants, handing them over to Martial Uncle to cultivate can make them grow faster. If we were to cultivate them ourselves, who knows how long it would take to see results.

...

In the afternoon, Jiang Wanrong maneuvered the Flying Ship into Red Flame Peak, and the rich Spiritual Qi invigorated her spirits.

"Senior Brother Ji can cultivate at a Tier Two Spiritual Vein while still in the Foundation Establishment Stage. How fortunate!"

The Spiritual Vein at Luoyan Mountain is only a Top-Grade Tier One, with a noticeable difference in Spiritual Qi concentration compared to here.

She overlooked the waves of lush mulberry fields, suddenly noticing a few places shimmering with light, and couldn’t help but exclaim "Huh!"

Thinking she was seeing things, she shook her head vigorously and rubbed her eyes before taking a closer look.

The leaf color was a lush green, enveloped in Spirit Light—there was no mistake, it was undoubtedly Tier Two Jade Leaf Mulberry.

"Senior Brother actually managed to cultivate Tier Two Spirit Mulberry in just a few years!"

Jiang Wanrong counted on her fingers the time since she had settled at Luoyan Mountain, and it had only been nine years. These Jade Leaf Mulberries had been planted the year she arrived.

The Flying Ship landed by the Cold Pool, and Xia Yuhuan greeted her with a smile, saying:

"Junior Martial Uncle, you haven’t visited Red Flame Peak for several months now."

Jiang Wanrong patted the wooden bucket beside her, "These are Top-grade Silkworm Pupae. I’m bringing some to Senior Brother; you can carry them down for me.

Also, where is Senior Brother now?"

She is currently primarily cultivating Top-Grade Spirit Silkworms and has little interest in these Top-grade Silkworm Pupae.

"Junior Martial Uncle should be in the Grotto Mansion right now and will be by the Cold Pool in a while.

Please wait a moment, and I will prepare some tea."

Xia Yuhuan said, fully aware of Junior Martial Uncle Ji’s daily routine.

She unloaded the wooden bucket and placed it in the kitchen. The Silkworm Pupae are a high-tier ingredient; there would be new delicacies to savor in the future.

...

In the Grotto Mansion, Ji An cast the Fire Control Technique, and the flames transformed into a large bird, a long snake, or a mass of flowers at will.

They changed shapes according to his wishes.

After practicing for a while, he directed the Earth Fire into the Purple Fire Gourd, and soon the gourd could no longer contain the flames.

"This one’s full too."

Ji An slightly frowned, closed the Earth Fire opening, and put away the Purple Fire Gourd.

The three magical artifacts in his hand were already saturated and he needed to acquire a few more.

He left the grotto mansion and returned to the Cold Pool, where Jiang Wanrong immediately stood up and waved:

"Senior Brother Ji!"

Ji An descended from the air and saluted:

"Hello, Junior Sister, what brings you here today?"

Since Red Flame Peak began to stably supply top-grade mulberry leaves, she devoted herself to the cultivation of spiritual silkworms.

The spiritual silkworms are different from Earth’s silkworms; they never undergo a metamorphosis stage. Each year they pupate, shedding their skin within the cocoon, and their level increases with each molting.

"I brought a bucket of top-grade silkworm cocoons."

Jiang Wanrong paused and said:

"Senior Brother, why didn’t you inform me of such a joyous event as cultivating Tier Two Spirit Mulberry? Did you think I wouldn’t be willing to spend Spirit Stones to buy them?"

If there was a steady supply of Tier Two Mulberry leaves, she could attempt to cultivate the Silkworm King, and eventually produce Tier Two Spirit Silk.

At that time, her status within the sect would naturally rise.

"Firstly, thank you, Junior Sister, for the silkworm cocoons. The Tier Two Spirit Mulberry was just cultivated recently, and it will take some time before I can pick the leaves.

Also, Junior Martial Uncle He from the Beast Taming Hall has pre-ordered these leaves for use in three years."

If I provide the leaves to you now and then stop the supply in three years, it would disrupt your plans."

Senior Brother Wu Yan from the Beast Taming Hall sub-palace visits Red Flame Peak monthly. With time, he has learned more about the cultivation of demon beasts and spiritual insects.

Cultivating a beast in a breakthrough requires a continuous effort and cannot be interrupted, or all previous efforts would be wasted.

Jiang Wanrong furrowed her brows slightly and nodded:

"I see, Junior Martial Uncle He must be aiming to cultivate the Five-Colored Deer.

But Senior Brother made a mistake in one matter; my spiritual silkworms are still at the Foundation Establishment level, and I can cultivate a batch of high-tier silkworms in half a year.

Have these Tier Two Mulberry leaves been ordered by anyone? I’d like to purchase them."

Disciples from the Beast Taming Hall, all knew about Junior Martial Uncle He’s Five-Colored Deer.

This beautiful and powerful tamed beast is a creature all Beast Tamers long to possess.

"Not yet, as long as it doesn’t affect Junior Martial Uncle He’s use in three years, I’d be more than happy for Junior Sister to buy them.

How about this, in a month, I’ll be able to provide you with a stable supply of mulberry leaves, about twenty pounds per day, at five Spirit Stones per pound."

Ji An said, as long as the other party is confident, it’s fine.

Jiang Wanrong’s expression turned a bit awkward, and she said sheepishly:

"Senior Brother, I only need ten pounds a day.

Also, I don’t have enough Spirit Stones; can I pay in Spirit Silk or a Magic Robe instead?"

The effects of Tier Two Mulberry leaves on spiritual silkworms are excellent, but the price of good things is high, and the Spirit Stones she had were far from enough.

Ji An thought for a while and said:

"How about this, I’ll provide you with the mulberry leaves now, and we can settle the account after six months, how does that sound?"

He had considered such a solution for a long time and was willing to provide "interest-free loans."

Recalling when he first entered the sect, he was the one borrowing, and now he was in a position to become a creditor.

Jiang Wanrong’s eyes lit up, and she said:

"Really? That’s great! Thank you, Senior Brother, let’s sign the agreement."

This result was better than she had expected, and she hurriedly took out a blank jade slip to input the agreement content.

Once Ji An input his magical mark, she felt relieved.

Jiang Wanrong put away the jade slip and sighed:

"Senior Brother, there will be more and more Tier Two Spiritual Plants here; this place is truly a treasure."

There will surely be an increasing number of Tier Two Spiritual Plants being cultivated, and who knows how many Spirit Stones it will earn each year then.

She thought of another matter in her heart, ’What are Senior Brother’s criteria for choosing a Dao companion?’

Ji An smiled and shook his head:

"Junior Sister, the carrying capacity of the Spirit Field is limited. Each Tier Two Spiritual Plant born means more Tier One Spiritual Plants will be cut down."

Overall, the income from Red Flame Peak is increasing, but not as much as others might imagine.

...

After dinner, Jiang Wanrong maneuvered her flying ship away.

Huang Xuan stepped forward excitedly and said:

"Congratulations, Junior Martial Uncle! I just returned from the Red Cloud Pine Forest and found that a leaf of a gourd vine contains faint spirit light!"

Every few days, he and Li Cheng would take turns adding fertilizer to the Gourd Field.

The fertilizer, made from Red Cloud Pine Powder and Red Sand, was experimentally proven to be the most effective formula.

Every spirit farmer knows what a leaf containing spirit light on a Spirit Plant signifies. Li Cheng was taken aback by the news and jealously thought:

"Why couldn’t it have been me adding the fertilizer today!"

Reporting good news immediately would certainly be rewarded given Junior Martial Uncle’s nature.

Ji An laughed loudly, summoning his flying shuttle:

"Alright, I’ll go take a look."

The flying shuttle left a streak of light in the sky, flying swiftly to the Gourd Field.

The unique gourd vine was so conspicuous that Ji An spotted its location immediately.

He controlled the flying shuttle to dive down, the gust of wind rustling the gourd leaves.

The gourd vine was as vibrant red as a stove fire, with leaves of the same hue, and faint spirit light lingered around the Spirit Plant.

The gourds on the vine were still green; Ji An carefully observed the growth of the gourds, his brows furrowing.

He gently shook his head, plucking one of the gourds.

Vine-type Spirit Plants cannot nurture multiple high-tier fruits, so one must be sacrificed to concentrate the nutrients on the better-growing gourd.

The cultivated Tier Two Purple Fire Gourd naturally serves as a spiritual artifact embryo.

The flame nurtured from a spiritual artifact grade gourd could threaten a Chao Origin Stage Cultivator.

Ji An removed the vines surrounding the Tier Two Gourd Vine to prevent other Spirit Plants from interfering with its growth.

What he told Jiang Wanrong was true; the birth of each Tier Two Spiritual Plant spells doom for surrounding Spirit Plants.