Chapter 358: Chapter 315: Two Years
Ji An and his companion left the Molten Rock Land and returned to the lounge by the Cold Pool.
The maid brought over the brewed Spirit Tea, Ji An raised his cup and said:
"Senior Brother, have a taste, this is the Middle-grade Cloud Peak Silver Needle from my Red Flame Peak.
In a few years, we might be able to taste Top-grade Spirit Tea."
This was the Spirit Tea he specially reserved to entertain guests.
Otherwise, it would have been used to restore Divine Sense after opening the Divine Mansion.
Li Haoran sipped and immediately felt a returning sweetness, with strands of coolness emerging in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Good tea, Junior Brother, you have quite a few good things here."
He had discussed the value of Spirit Plants in Red Flame Peak with his master before, and they agreed that given time, Ji An would become the wealthiest Chao Origin Stage Cultivator in the Sect.
The speed at which he cultivated Spirit Plants was simply too fast, far exceeding ordinary Spirit Farmers.
The two chatted for a while, then Li Haoran stood up and said:
"I have to return to Yingyue Peak to refine my Flying Sword, Junior Brother, farewell."
Many cultivators only saw his talent but subconsciously overlooked his effort.
In his life, refining Flying Swords and comprehending Sword Intent occupied most of his time.
After Li Haoran left, Ji An activated the Teleportation Array to Ningcui Cliff, just as if he were visiting.
He stepped into the Grotto Mansion and cupped his hands, saying:
"Greetings, Master, I have something to report.
The Spirit Root given to me by Senior Brother Li Haoran has sprouted.
It has just sprouted at Tier One Upper Grade, and its branches and leaves contain treasure light."
’It’s a treasure!’
Ge Ying was stunned for a moment, her mouth slightly agape.
As a Spirit Farmer, she understood the significance of her disciple’s words.
"Tell me about the appearance of the sprout!
Haha, I’ve always said you have good luck, but it seems I’ve underestimated your luck!"
It’s undoubtedly a Treasure Plant!
The disciple’s Dao Field now has two Treasure Plants; the Sect only has one Soul Nourishing Wood as a Treasure Plant.
Ji An described the condition of the Treasure Plant seedling in detail, and asked warmly:
"Master, have you heard of this kind of Spirit Plant before?"
Ge Ying thought long and hard, then shook her head:
"I have no impression of such Spirit Plants, alas, the sect has too little inheritance in high-tier Spirit Plants."
The Sect has ample inheritance in Artifact Refining, Beast Taming, and even Alchemy, but the inheritance of Spirit Farmers and Spirit Chefs is rare.
After chatting for a while, Ji An took out a Peach Seed and shook it, smiling:
"Master, I have something else today."
Ge Ying saw the seed crack open and understood, rising to her feet:
"Let’s go, I want to see what Chao Origin Stage Planting Technique looks like!"
She opened the Dharma Prohibition, the wall turned virtual and disappeared, revealing the Medicinal Garden, with dense Spiritual Qi spreading out.
They flew over the Medicinal Garden, passed through a passage, and arrived at the orchard on the mountain wall.
Ji An planted the Peach Seed, releasing the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill, and Cloud Dragon Rain Technique in succession.
As the nourishing Spirit Rain fell, the Peach Seed took root and sprouted, its tender green branches and leaves swayed elegantly in the rain.
In the play of light and shadow, Ge Ying’s pupils continuously contracted, exclaiming:
"It’s been so little time since you became a Chao Origin Stage Cultivator, and you’ve already practiced Magic Techniques to this level?!"
She had never seen Chao Origin Stage Planting Techniques but could sense the intense pulsations of Magic Intent.
Compared to her disciple, her Magic Techniques fell short in terms of Magic Intent pulsations!
Ji An smiled without speaking, his hands forming Dharma Seals, releasing the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill.
An arm-length, lifelike Cyan Dragon emerged, its dragon roars echoed, and the sky was lit with azure brilliance, illuminating the eyes of both.
The peach tree grew unbridled, and when the Spirit Rain ceased, it was already over one and a half feet high, thicker than a thumb.
Ge Ying watched intently into her disciple’s eyes, speaking in a solemn tone:
"You once said you want to cultivate Tier Three Spirit Plants; I now have no doubt about this."
Within just one year, reaching this level with Magic Techniques, she realized she could no longer fathom her disciple’s gift for Magic Techniques.
Such a talent aiming to cultivate Tier Three Spirit Plants is no empty talk.
Ji An pointed to the Tier Two High-grade Spiritual Peach and smiled:
"Next step, let me cultivate it into a Top-grade Spiritual Peach!"
Ge Ying’s eyes sparkled with anticipation:
"I hope I can witness such a day."
...
Half a month later.
In a stone house by the Cold Pool, there were four large wooden frames.
On each frame, there were several large baskets measuring six feet square.
Most of the baskets were empty, but some still held wilted tea leaves.
The tea leaves were either dark cyan or white with gold patterns.
Zhang Cuihua and Xia Yu Lian were frying Spirit Tea, the rich tea aroma wafting out.
When the evening glow slanted over the window lattice, the two finally completed the frying process.
As the tea leaves cooled, they skillfully measured and packaged them.
Zhang Cuihua wiped the sweat from her forehead and joyfully smiled:
"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Xie, for helping, otherwise I would have been busy for another day."
Every time Spirit Tea frying, Spirit Fruit harvesting, or Spirit Wine brewing occurred, Elder Ji would distribute rewards.
As few as five Spirit Stones, as many as ten.
The elder’s tea had been finished months ago, just waiting for the new tea to be ready!
This year’s Spirit Tea production has increased again, so more rewards should be expected.
Xia Yu Lian waved her hand, "No need for thanks, it was just a little effort."
She had business at Red Flame Peak today and arrived just in time for tea frying, so of course, she helped.
"You’ve been busy for a few double hours, how can it be just a little effort!
I was rewarded a Top-grade Celestial Essence Pear by the elder, I’ll give it to Junior Martial Uncle later."
"Hehe, alright! That means I’m benefiting from you."
Xia Yu Lian didn’t stand on ceremony anymore; the person was able to come to Red Flame Peak because of her recommendation.
She is currently cultivating the Water Element Cultivation Method, making the refinement of the Top-grade Celestial Essence Pear just right for her.
Zhang Cuihua pointed outside and said:
"It’s getting late, Junior Martial Uncle, if you want to see Elder Ji, it’s best to wait outside.
Not long after reaching the Chao Origin Stage, the Elder stopped having dinner.
He goes directly into cultivation after Qi Eating, so if you miss the time, you’ll likely have to wait for a few double hours."
"So that’s how it is, I’ll go and wait outside."
Xia Yu Lian ran out of the stone house, gazing eagerly at the mountainside.
Two double hours later, she saw a green Auspicious Cloud flying over and immediately waved to greet:
"Junior Martial Uncle!"
Ji An heard the call and descended on the cloud, smiling:
"Yu Lian, it’s been a long time."
Xia Yu Lian, grinning, said:
"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle, I’m here today to return Spirit Stones."
She took out twenty Middle-grade Spirit Stones and respectfully handed them over.
After reaching the Foundation Establishment, she called him Senior Brother, never expecting that after just a few years, she would have to call him Junior Martial Uncle again.
Perhaps this title would be used for a lifetime.
Ji An accepted the Spirit Stones, saying:
"Not bad, the amount is just right, I’ll take them.
To have accumulated enough Spirit Stones in just a few years, you seem to be doing quite well!"
The vast majority of cultivators who have reached Foundation Establishment take several years to regain their momentum.
"My sister and I opened a tavern together, and life is quite manageable."
"Hmm," Ji An looked up at the setting sun, saying:
"Yu Lian, I still need to go perform Qi Eating, pardon me, but tonight let Cuihua take good care of you."
He never takes Qi Eating lightly.
"Elder’s cultivation is important."
At this moment, Zhang Cuihua approached, beaming:
"Congratulations Elder, this year’s spirit tea production greatly increased, yielding a total of six jin and six taels of Tier Two Lower Grade Jade Dew Golden Bud, and twenty-four jin and six taels of Tier Two Middle Grade Cloud Peak Silver Needle.
This afternoon, Junior Martial Uncle Yu Lian also helped with the tea production."
Ji An laughed heartily, saying:
"Very good, go collect twenty Spirit Stones as your reward, and also have Songtao prepare two Top-grade Celestial Essence Pears as a gift for Yu Lian."
This year, there’s no need to give Liu Yu so much Jade Dew Golden Bud, one jin is enough, leaving me with over four jin, twice as much as last year.
As for Cloud Peak Silver Needle, I can keep twenty-one jin, six jin more than last year.
Roughly calculated, if used sparingly, these tea leaves should last until next year’s harvest.
"Thank you for the reward, Elder," Zhang Cuihua beamed, smiling from ear to ear.
"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle," Xia Yu Lian’s smile was as radiant as a flower, refining two Top-grade Spiritual Fruits is at least equal to two months of arduous cultivation.
Ji An nodded slightly, then instructed:
"Cuihua, pack the Jade Dew Golden Bud tea into eight gift boxes, one containing one jin, one containing half a jin, the rest containing one tael each;
Cloud Peak Silver Needle should be similarly packed into eight gift boxes, each containing two taels.
Put the remaining tea leaves into the Secret Vault, I’ll retrieve them after my cultivation tonight."
"As you command."
...
Time flows like water, two years passed in a blink.
Ji An finished cultivating, his mind sinking into the Dantian, connecting with the Upper Stone Turtle.
[Master: Ji An]
[Dao Rhyme: Metal 2.2, Water 0, Wood 0, Fire 0.6, Earth 3.1]
[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 249.7, Gen Spirit 266.2, Zhen Spirit 127.5, Xun Spirit 146.6, Kun Spirit 159.3, Qian Spirit 136.7, Dui Spirit 6898.2, Li Spirit 124.7]
[Spirit Sealing Technique (Great Success 7%)
Antitoxic Technique (Perfection 18%)
Azure Dragon Shocking Skill (Perfection 59%)
Cloud Dragon Rain Technique (Perfection 25%)
Zhurong Divine Fire Spell (Perfection 36%)
Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill (Perfection 28%)
Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword (Perfection 13%)
Earth-to-Steel Technique (Perfection 8%)
Earth Escape Technique (Minor Achievement 65%)
Opening the Wood Element Divine Mansion, eating Qinghua Qi, coupled with the support of the Lower Grade Dao Seed, the enhancement in Azure Dragon Shocking Skill was faster than anticipated.
The other few Planting Techniques also showed various levels of improvement, progress that Ji An was quite satisfied with.
Now he could perform the Earth Escape Technique, able to burrow over five zhang deep.
It can be used to dodge attacks as well as for quick escapes, given its ability to delve into deeper layers.
Ji An opened his eyes, nodding with satisfaction.
At this pace, within three years, the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill could reach Great Perfection Level, with a substantial increase in the magic technique’s effect.
He looked forward to all four Planting Techniques being honed to their apex, wondering what kind of impact that would have.
In the past two years, the Stone Turtle had exhaled two more puffs of Cyan Spirit Qi to strengthen the Primordial Life Fire.
Currently, Ji An is certain that this behavior of the Stone Turtle has become routine.
His cultivation enhancement is progressing steadily, able to practice Qi Eating ten threads per day, and the core of his Divine Mansion has reached the size of a pigeon egg.
With a relatively ample supply of spirit tea, six new inner vein patterns in the Fire Element Divine Mansion have been opened, bringing the total to eight.
Ji An stood up, extending his arms skyward, exclaiming:
"The three-year term is up, time to take charge of Ningcui Cliff and Agricultural Hall!"
Recently, a message from Diligence Hall indicated that Agricultural Hall is set up to the northwest of Ningcui Cliff, for convenient access.
Each month, the Spirit Stones needed to activate the teleportation array will be delivered to Red Flame Peak at the beginning of the month.
The sect has been so considerate, he also must shoulder the responsibility.
An Auspicious Cloud ascended from beneath his feet, and Ji An rode the cloud in flying escape to the stone house at the foot of the mountain.
He loaded the Spirit Stones, activating the teleportation array.
