Chapter 171 Investigation

"Yu Han, another cup of Yun Ding Yin Hao."

Also, tell Fellow Daoist Liang to have an extra meal at noon.

Ji An handed over the small jar containing the spirit tea. The spirit tea was quite precious, so he kept it with him and didn't store it in the warehouse.

I only dare to have a drink every few days, and now there's not much left.

Ji An invited Liu Yu to sit down and then asked:

"Senior brother, you're transferring to the mid-Foundation Establishment group. Do you have enough points on the leaderboard?"

He guessed that the other party would continue to participate in the competition, which meant that his future opponents would be cultivators at the fifth or sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

"Enough, of course it's enough."

In the early stages of Foundation Establishment, I was the number one in my group!

Now, having entered the mid-Foundation Establishment group, they are ranked seventh.

Liu Yu sat down, his eyes filled with determination:

"I have two more years. While I'm increasing my points, I'll also work hard to cultivate. Every point I can raise in cultivation is a point I'll strive for."

Even at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, I'm fairly confident I can achieve a decent ranking.

His initial aptitude was top-grade, and over the years, he has persisted in nourishing his immortal veins, so his aptitude is not far from reaching the earth-grade level.

In addition, possessing a fire-elemental body, his comprehension of cultivation techniques and fire-elemental spells far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators.

He felt that his Exploding Fireball spell was not far from the Great Perfection level, at which point he would be able to unleash an attack at the Foundation Establishment Perfection level.

Compared to other mid-to-mid-level cultivators, his only disadvantage was insufficient mana.

Ji An nodded slightly and said:

"Senior brother, I have commissioned a defensive magical artifact. If needed, you can borrow it during the competition."

We're fellow disciples from the same lineage, and we have a good relationship, so I should help them out if I can.

Liu Yu was surprised:

"Why did you suddenly decide to order a defensive magical artifact? It's still a long way off before the demonic calamity breaks out."

He pointed to the mulberry fields and laughed:

"Even if a demonic calamity breaks out, just because you can cultivate so many top-grade spiritual trees, the sect will not assign you combat missions unless absolutely necessary."

While both were in Mingfeng Mountain, he and Du Huaiyuan met several times a month, and from Du Huaiyuan, he learned about Chiyan Peak.

Since Junior Brother Ji was able to cultivate a second-tier Crimson Cloud Peak, the sect will definitely recognize its value.

Ji An sighed and said:

"As you know, I originally wanted to participate in the Three Sects Competition, and I had already started preparing to refine a defensive spiritual weapon."

However, the selection rules set forth by the sect were too unfavorable to me, so I had no choice but to give up.

After weighing the pros and cons, he still felt that staying on Crimson Flame Peak to engage in planting was more promising, so of course he had to give it up.

He took out his magical artifact, waved it, and said:

"Let me know if you need it."

"It's actually an apricot-yellow flag, what a treasure."

Unfortunately, my magical power is insufficient to support the consumption of spiritual energy for two items. Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother.

Liu Yu declined, saying that his senior brother in the Enforcement Hall was in charge of wielding the Apricot Yellow Banner, and he was well aware of the defensive effects of such a magical artifact.

However, he always preferred offense to defense in battle; defensive counter-attacks were not his style.

During the fight, he was prepared to either quickly defeat his opponent or admit defeat, decisively and cleanly.

He did not become a sword cultivator, but his style of doing things was exactly the same as that of a sword cultivator.

Ji An put away the apricot-yellow flag and said:

"If you need it, please let me know."

How long do you plan to stay at the sect this time?

The opponent will inevitably return to Mingfeng Mountain to continue hunting demons, so as to maintain a fighting state.

"Yesterday I returned to the sect, exchanged some cultivation resources in the secret vault, and paid my respects to my master."

I've come to visit you for a few days, junior brother, and will depart by flying boat in three days.

The two began to chat about their cultivation experiences, and Xia Yuhan served them spiritual tea:

"Uncle-Master, please have some tea."

Liu Yu took a breath and smiled:

"You can tell it's good tea just by its smell."

Half an hour later, Xia Yulian came over and said:

"Uncle-Master, lunch is ready. Shall we serve the dishes now?"

Ji An smiled and said, "Serve the dishes, and also bring out two jars of top-grade pine nut wine."

He turned and said:

"This year I brewed some second-grade pine nut wine. After aging it in the cellar for a few years, I will give a jar to my senior brother."

"Haha, I'm in for a treat!"

I won't say much in thanks. If you ever need anything, junior brother, please don't hesitate to ask.

Ji An smiled:

"Whenever you need your senior brother's help, you'll be there for the ride."

I've heard that the spiritual items cultivators refine to enhance their cultivation techniques are always in short supply in the sect's inventory. I wonder if Senior Brother needs to refine some pine nuts from a second-tier Crimson Cloud Pine?

In a few years, he will surely be able to cultivate more second-tier Red Cloud Pine.

"Thank you, junior brother. What I need right now for the Blazing Sun Furnace Scroll that I'm cultivating is a spiritual item related to the Bing Fire Dao."

"I'll ask my junior brother when I need to comprehend the Dao of Ding Fire in the later stages of Foundation Establishment."

The Blazing Sun Furnace Scroll emphasizes the explosive power of the Bing Fire. Only when breaking through the Chaoyuan stage and igniting the Yuanming Fire does one need to unite Yin and Yang to comprehend the true meaning of the Great Dao of Fire.

"I see. It seems that Senior Sister Mu will need second-tier pine nuts after reaching the mid-Foundation Establishment stage."

As the two women were talking, Xia Yuhan and her sister began serving the dishes.

Spicy rabbit meat.

"Stir-fried bamboo shoots with red-tailed squirrel".

Braised grouper.

"Stewed fish tail".

Spicy fish head soup.

Four dishes and a soup, served on large trays, with generous portions.

Each person gets half a basin of chalcedony rice, each grain as clear as jade and with a fragrant aroma.

Add two jars of pine nut wine, and you'll feel incredibly refreshed.

"Compared to my junior brother's life, the demon hunters all have a much harder time."

Liu Yu sighed, "It's alright when we're on missions in the Enforcement Hall, but when we're hunting demons, we often have to rely on fasting pills for ten or more days."

Ji An smiled lightly and said:

"Since we live on a sacred mountain, our food should be exquisite."

His ability to maintain rapid progress in cultivation is also largely due to the spiritual food he consumes daily.

However, the Fire Fang Rabbit and the Red-tailed Squirrel were only Qi Refining stage demon beasts, and the spiritual energy they contained gradually became insufficient to meet his needs.

Ji An had once wondered if he should raise some herbivorous monsters that could grow to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, there are no purely carnivorous demon beasts. Once they become powerful, demon beasts don't mind devouring cultivators to change their taste.

Without a suitable candidate to raise it, we had to give up.

A few days later, Liu Yu bid farewell and left, and Crimson Flame Peak welcomed a new guest.

Ye Changqing pointed to the silver-haired female cultivator beside him and solemnly said:

"Junior Brother Ji, let me introduce you. This is Senior Sister Li Minghui, the Vice Hall Master of the Beast Taming Hall."

Time has etched its marks on the female cultivator's face, but judging from her bone structure, she was extremely beautiful in her youth.

Ji An cupped his hands and said:

"The presence of Senior Sister Li brings great honor to our humble abode, Crimson Flame Peak."

Li Minghui cupped her hands in greeting:

"Junior brother, you are too polite."

After hearing Junior Brother Ye describe the situation here, I thought I'd come and take a look, to see if it's possible to establish a branch temple nearby to raise various spirit silkworms and spirit beasts.

A few days ago, when Ye Changqing transported Fei Ye Sang and Tong Wen Sang to the Beast Taming Hall, she wanted to come and take a look, but she was too busy and had not been able to make the trip.

Ye Changqing said:

“If a branch hall is established, my junior brother can trade his mulberry leaves and green berries directly with them, which will be much more convenient.”

He wanted to do his best to promote this matter. The fact that the Beast Taming Hall established a branch here also shows how much the sect values ​​Junior Brother Ji.

Ji An asked:

"I wonder what the senior sister's assessment entails?"

"The quantity of top-grade Emerald Leaf Mulberry, Copper Pattern Mulberry, and Green Ivy Tree."

Li Minghui said that the sect's demand for high-grade spiritual plants is not large.

"Let me report to my senior sister. As of now, there are more than 710 top-grade Jade Leaf Mulberry trees, more than 420 Copper Pattern Mulberry trees, and more than 540 Green Ivy Trees in Crimson Flame Peak. Now we can go to the site to take a look."

Ji An paused for a moment, then said:

"Crimson Flame Peak is a second-tier spiritual vein, with a total of 350 mu of Emerald Leaf Mulberry, 150 mu of Jade Vine Tree, and about 1,000 mu of Copper Pattern Mulberry."

"Given enough time, provided the spirit trees themselves have sufficient potential, I can cultivate them all to the highest grade."

Now is the time to showcase your value; you should still make the boasts you want to make.

He was only talking about the theoretical possibility; in reality, it would be much more complicated.

Li Minghui covered her mouth and chuckled softly:

"I do know a bit about farming, but this is the first time I've seen a fellow cultivator as confident as my junior brother."

"Oh my, I've met an expert."

Ji An smiled calmly and said:

"It's time to show your true skills, senior sisters and brothers, please follow me."

He led his men toward the experimental field by the cold pool, preparing to perform magic on the spot.

The density of top-quality Emerald Leaf Mulberry trees is highest here, allowing you to see the results of his hard work most clearly.

As far as he knew, his master Ge Ying's Jade Wood Transformation Technique had reached the Great Perfection level, while the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra and the Spring Breeze Transforming Rain Technique were at the Perfection level, which was exactly the opposite of his own.

However, his master had been cultivating for 210 years and had reached the eighth level of Foundation Establishment, while he had been cultivating for less than 30 years and had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage in a little over a decade, reaching the third level of Foundation Establishment.

Ji An had shown his face to the cultivators in the Rising Sun stage of the sect and confirmed that the cultivators in the Origin stage could not see the existence of the stone turtle, so he did not mind showing off in front of others.

As his cultivation progressed, his perspective broadened considerably, and he realized that there were many theoretical possibilities for achieving his current state.

Ji An walked to the mulberry field and used a magic hand seal to perform the Jade Wood Transformation Technique.

It was nearly noon, not a good time to perform planting magic, but there's no time to show off.

This spiritual field is adjacent to a water vein, so the spell's effect should be around 80-90% intact, and the aura of the spell's intent will not be diminished.

The emerald green light seemed to fall from the Milky Way, scattering like raindrops, shimmering in the sunlight, its vibrant and energetic aura spreading and quickly being absorbed by Fei Ye Sang.

Li Minghui nodded slightly and said:

"Not bad. Your perfect level of the Azure Wood Transformation Technique is top-tier among early Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Before coming, she had studied Ji An's information in detail and knew that he cultivated the Green Wood Transformation Technique, in which the technique and magic complemented each other.

Therefore, she was not surprised by this, otherwise the other party would not have been able to cultivate so many top-grade spirit trees in such a short time.

Ji An maintained his smile, his magical power flowing through his immortal veins. A warm, yellow spiritual light spread across the earth, and within the nurturing and inclusive magical intent, a profound and mysterious aura permeated the air.

Li Minghui's eyes widened suddenly, her pupils contracted, and she could no longer maintain her composure.

Judging from the pervasive Dharma intent, the true meaning of the Earth element contained in the opponent's magic is beyond the reach of perfect-level magic.

She paused for a moment, then asked urgently:

"Have you mastered the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra to its ultimate level?"

Ji An nodded slightly and smiled:

Indeed.

"well!

"With your abilities, Junior Brother, I'll report back to the Hall Master as soon as I get back. If all goes well, we should be able to establish a branch hall nearby next year."

Li Minghui said twice that among the existing Lingnong in the sect, no one has yet raised the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra to its ultimate level.

I haven't even finished installing it yet, and it's already done?

Ji An felt it wasn't enough, and smiled:

"Please have my senior sisters and brothers appreciate my Spring Breeze and Rain Technique."

There's no need to hide it; taking this opportunity to demonstrate one's value is perfectly natural and will inevitably catch the eye of the two hall masters, the Diligent Work Hall and the Beast Taming Hall.

He made a hand seal, and a cloud of mist rapidly expanded as it churned, with bright spiritual light appearing and disappearing within it.

The nourishing raindrops pattered down, striking the mulberry leaves with a crisp, tinkling sound.

Ye Changqing raised an eyebrow and said softly:

"If it were just the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique at the perfect level, it would be impossible for it to cover such a large area, and the Dharma intent would not be so strong."

He had never witnessed Junior Brother Ji casting a spell before, and seeing it today brought him immense shock.

A cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment actually mastered two Foundation Establishment planting techniques to their fullest extent, and also reached perfection in another one.

Even if such a cultivator were placed in Fallen Maple Valley, he would be the top-tier spiritual farmer, without exception.

"Junior brother, you were born to be a spiritual farmer!"

Ye Changqing laughed loudly, thinking to himself:

"Ye Changqing, you have such a keen eye! You discovered this hidden gem so early on!"

(End of this chapter)