Chapter 354: Chapter 312: Planting Spiritual Peaches
Half a month later.
The vast sky was a clear blue, with fluffy white clouds resembling floating cotton candy.
A Golden Feathered Eagle sped through the air, its golden crest occasionally standing upright, flashing brilliantly in the sunlight, and its iron feathers had a muted metallic sheen.
Han Yan saw the golden-red mist rising in the distance and lightly patted the back of the Golden Feathered Eagle.
"Adjust your direction, fly toward that black mountain spewing red mist."
The Golden Feathered Eagle let out a clear chirp, gently flapped its wings, and flew straight toward Red Flame Peak.
After entering the Mountain Protection Array, it chirped again, began to slow down, and prepared to land by the Cold Pool.
In the mountain forest, a similar chirp echoed, and it turned its neck, spotting a fellow Golden Feathered Eagle circling in the distance.
It let out a clear chirp, asking its master for permission.
Han Yan, having raised it using the Blood Contract Technique, understood its thoughts and wanted to go ’play’ for a while.
Beast Taming creatures could only fly within their master’s Dao Field, making them quite lonely.
"Once you drop me off by the water’s edge, you can leave.
But, be sure not to attack any creatures; this is not our territory, understood?"
The Golden Feathered Eagle let out a series of short, joyous chirps, signaling it understood its master’s orders and would stay out of trouble.
It landed on the open ground by the Cold Pool, nuzzled its head against its master’s chest a few times, then bent its legs slightly, pushed off, and soared into the sky.
Upon seeing the visitor, Wei Songtao, who was leisurely playing chess under the shade near the stone house, suddenly stood up and said in a low voice:
"Old Tian, I can’t play anymore. The Elder is currently cultivating in the grotto mansion. I’ll go entertain the guest."
Not aspiring for greater progress in cultivation, he typically spent only half an hour to maintain his cultivation level, leaving him with plenty of leisure time.
For entertainment, he and Tian Tiezhu both enjoyed playing chess, though neither was very skilled.
During the celebration at Red Flame Peak, he remembered today’s visitor well.
Among the Chao Origin stage cultivators coming and going, there weren’t many female cultivators, yet they were all exceptionally beautiful.
Although he only glanced with the corner of his eye, they left a deep impression.
"Go ahead," Tian Tiezhu waved his hand, contemplating his next chess move.
Wei Songtao jogged over to greet the visitor, speaking as calmly as possible:
"Elder Ji is in the grotto mansion. Based on his usual routine, it’s estimated he’ll come out in about a double hour. Do you need me to pass on a message?"
Han Yan glanced at the position of the sun, waved her hand, and said:
"I sent a Communication Golden Sword this morning and arranged a time with Junior Brother Ji, so he should come out soon; no need to pass on a message."
She had anticipated this scenario before coming and notified in advance.
Wei Songtao said in a low voice:
"In that case, Elder, please wait in the guest room."
"Lead the way."
Two quarter hours later, Ji An emerged from the grotto mansion, flew on a cloud to the Cold Pool, and saw Wei Songnian waving at him from the guest room door.
He landed in the guest room, stepped inside, and cupped his hands:
"Senior Sister, sorry to keep you waiting."
Han Yan put down the pine nuts she was holding, stood up, and said:
"I just arrived too, how can it be called waiting long?
Besides, the hospitality here is excellent, so waiting a bit longer doesn’t matter."
Tier Two Middle-grade Pine Nuts are not something you can eat whenever you want, you know.
"Haha, please have a seat, Senior Sister."
Ji An warmly invited, indicating the seats for host and guest.
Han Yan took out a small, dark red wooden box, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile:
"Junior Brother, eight Tier Two top-grade peach seeds, delivered on the special instructions of the ancestor."
With that, she activated the Object Control Technique, sending the box before him.
"Thank you for your effort, Senior Sister."
Ji An opened the box, using his Divine Sense to assess the seeds’ life force.
He couldn’t help but frown slightly; out of these seeds, two were full of vitality, while the rest seemed ’inherently insufficient.’
Perhaps the Spirit Peach Tree had nearly exhausted itself while producing these Spirit Fruits.
Noticing his expression, Han Yan said:
"Junior Brother should be aware of the Spirit Tree’s situation. This year’s fruits are not only fewer in number but also contain less spiritual energy and medicinal power than before.
What a pity, going forward, the sect will have no more top-grade spiritual peaches for alchemy."
Without top-grade spiritual peaches, her chances to refine high-tier elixirs would decrease.
Ji An said gravely:
"In a few years, Senior Sister, you will see new top-grade spiritual peaches being cultivated."
"Younger brother is so confident; I’m looking forward to it.
By the way, the Diligence Hall has already approved my pill formula experiment, and I hope Junior Brother can deliver more second-level pine honey to the Treasure Pavilion. Currently, only Tier Two lower grade pine honey is needed."
Han Yan’s plan was first to refine pills suitable for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to gain experience in creating pill formulas.
If all went well, she would then attempt to use Tier Two middle-grade Pine Nuts as the main material to refine Chao Origin Stage Pills.
This is a long-term research project, and the sect has given her ten years for experimentation.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister. Once the pill formula is successfully developed, it will be a great merit, and all the sect’s cultivators will remember your contribution.
However..."
Ji An changed his tone and continued:
"Due to limited stock, if Senior Sister wants a large quantity of pine honey, you’ll need to wait a few more months.
By then, this year’s pine nuts will mature, and the Fire Crystal Ants will produce more pine honey."
"Act according to your actual situation, Junior Brother, how many Tier Two Red Cloud Pines are there now in Red Flame Peak?"
"206 Tier Two Lower Grade Red Cloud Pines and 16 Middle Grade ones."
Han Yan revealed her white teeth, her eyebrows raised:
"That’s really good news. I think the sect’s most scarce fire-elemental spiritual objects will gradually become sufficient."
Two hundred Red Cloud Pines can produce tens of thousands of pounds of pine nuts each year. Even if this Junior Brother only submits half, the sect’s Treasure Pavilion will have a revenue of thirty thousand pounds.
Just these pine nuts alone can meet the needs of over a dozen Foundation Establishment disciples cultivating Fire Element Techniques for refining spiritual objects each year.
The two chatted for a moment, and Han Yan, somewhat embarrassed, said:
"Junior Brother, when the Middle Grade Spiritual Peaches here mature this year, remember to let me know, I’d like to buy some to have on hand."
In two or three more years, a batch of spirit medicines from the sect’s medicinal garden will mature, and then she can start alchemy.
Good materials need to be prepared in advance, otherwise when needed, they might not be available for purchase.
"No problem, this year Red Flame Peak will have three Middle Grade Spiritual Peaches bearing fruit. How many fruits do you need, Senior Sister?"
A Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Peach tree produces about twenty fruits each time. He plans to keep ten for himself for future needs and submit or trade the rest.
"Is thirty pieces okay?"
Han Yan asked with slight apprehension; the number was indeed quite considerable.
Ji An pondered, finally reluctantly agreeing:
"Senior Sister, since it’s your first time asking, I’ll agree."
The implication was that in the future, if she requested such a large amount again, it would be difficult for him.
"Thank you, Junior Brother," Han Yan said with a bright smile.
There are quantity restrictions on exchanging pill materials at the Treasure Pavilion, and every year a certain quota is set. The sect uses these materials to issue alchemy tasks.
Half an hour later, Han Yan, satisfied, rode on the Golden Feathered Eagle and left.
The two Golden Feathered Eagles let out cries, as if in farewell.
...
Not long after sending off the guest, the golden-red mist atop Red Flame Peak sank into the mountain.
The intense gold and fire spirit mechanism quickly dissipated, and the small Demon Beasts that had hidden away crawled out of their caves and began foraging.
Ji An held the Spiritual Peach seeds in his palm, casting the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.
The magic technique’s effect was confined within a small area, enveloping his palm.
A cyan little dragon, about the size of a finger, floated above his hand, drops of emerald light like jade beads fell and entered the seeds.
A vibrant life force appeared, and the aura of vigorous growth spread.
The peach seeds absorbed the magic intent greedily, like travelers in the desert who hadn’t had water for days.
After casting the spell twice, Ji An finally replenished a bit of life force to all the seeds.
The seeds no longer absorbed the magic light, and he stopped casting the spell.
After contemplating for a moment, he made a decision and used the Life and Death Technique.
Constantly, green light was drawn out from the weakest two peach seeds, nurturing the other seeds.
These peach seeds shared a common life aura, using this method could cultivate seeds with greater potential.
Although two seeds were lost, the future potential brightened a bit.
Ji An put away the peach seeds and instructed:
"Songtao, bring out all the stored peach seeds from the warehouse; I’ll need them shortly."
In recent years, Red Flame Peak has produced a lot of Tier Two Middle-grade Spiritual Peaches.
He intentionally collected the seeds for this day.
The Fire Element Plant Garden still had two acres of vacant land; it was time to plant all Spiritual Peach trees.
"As you command."
Wei Songtao ran to the warehouse, fetched the spirit seeds, and presented them, saying:
"Elder, there are a total of thirty-six spirit seeds."
Ji An extended his Divine Sense, selected fifteen seeds with the most vibrant life force, and placed them on the stone table, then cast the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.
A palm-sized miniature Little Cyan Dragon emerged from the void, its scales intricate and form elegant.
Its eyes were glossy, exuding an air of pride and disregard for the world.
The jade beads containing the image of the Cyan Dragon eagerly seeped into the seeds, with the shells posing no hindrance.
Beside him, Wei Songtao heard the Dragon’s Roar, feeling as if thunder was rumbling in spring, shaking the heart.
The vigorous Wood Element Spiritual Energy nourished the peach seeds. Ji An employed the Life and Death Technique, extracting life force from the weaker seeds to bolster the others, until the seeds could hold no more life Qi.
Ji An went to the orchard and took a Tier Two Top-grade Spiritual Peach seed to put in the Storage Bag.
He evenly planted the remaining twenty seeds in the vacant land, then cast the Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill.
The yellow spirit light slowly seeped into the land, nurturing it, with profound magic intent lingering.
His hand seals changed, casting the Cloud Dragon Rain Technique.
In an instant, dark clouds gathered above, and lightning flashed.
The nourishing Spirit Rain came down in torrents, and water mist spread.
The Spiritual Peach saplings broke through the soil, and when the rain stopped, they had grown to knee height.
Ji An checked the dryness level of the soil and then used the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell.
A humanoid flame apparition appeared for a moment, and red flames rose from the ground.
The flames were an illusion manifested by the magic technique, not physical.
The Ding Fire lasted briefly, suddenly transforming into generated dark-gold Bing Fire, further stimulating the life force of the Fire Element Plants.
"Hehe," Ji An chuckled softly and nodded in satisfaction.
Now, Red Flame Peak finally had no idle Spirit Fields left.
