Chapter 193 Testing Cadres

"In recent years, the Enforcement Hall has been expanding its scale and has absorbed a large number of disciples with experience in hunting demons."

Various sects took the lead in integrating the strength of cultivation families to form a highly mobile team of cultivators to deal with the demon cultivators who had entered the heartland of the human race.

Junior brothers and sisters, when the demon calamity breaks out in full force, the days when everyone can stay in the sect and enjoy peace will be over. You must not underestimate your combat abilities.

At that time, the three sects will inevitably have to do their utmost to maintain stability in the Mingfeng Mountain area and the surrounding areas.

The strength of the cultivators in the various sects' enforcement halls is far from sufficient; everyone will inevitably be conscripted to carry out missions.

Liu Yu earnestly said, "When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Once the war reaches its climax, every bit of strength must be used."

The joyful atmosphere of the banquet turned somber as Ji An thought about how he had been a member of the sect for almost thirty years and that the demonic calamity would break out within the next one or two decades at the latest.

What can be accomplished in one or two decades?

Ji An indicated that he could break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage and practice all the spells he had mastered to the Great Perfection level.

In the Refining Essence into Qi stage, the most crucial factors for a cultivator to improve their cultivation are aptitude and resources. With his aptitude steadily improving and resources plentiful, there are few obstacles before reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Mu Qingwan said:

“I set aside half an hour every day to practice my spells. I have now mastered the Explosive Flame Spell to perfection, and the Explosive Fireball Spell to mastery. For defensive spells, I have chosen the Rocky Mountain Spell, but it is only at the minor mastery level.”

She understood perfectly that when war came, only the power she controlled was truly reliable.

Liu Yu nodded slightly and smiled:

"Very good. Both the Explosive Flame Technique and the Explosive Fireball Technique focus on the way of Bing Fire. Practicing them together will allow us to learn from each other."

My junior sister's Crimson Fire Danxia Technique focuses on Ding Fire, so practicing Bing Fire spells might bring her additional benefits.

It would be even better if you could prepare a magical artifact, or at least a top-grade magical artifact; ideally, you should have one offensive and one defensive artifact.

Mu Qingwan smiled sweetly:

"Thank you for the reminder, senior brother. I will get started preparing."

Li Lingyu's expression was somewhat solemn as she said:

"I'm so envious of you two. I chose the Wood element technique, which is good at healing and control, but weak in attack and defense."

Even if I mastered the Fireball spell to the same level as you, its power would still be less than yours.

She focused on practicing Entangling Technique, Plants as Soldiers, and Rejuvenation Technique, positioning herself as a support character in combat.

The Rejuvenation Technique has reached the Perfect level, while the other two spells are at the Minor Completion level.

He also studied the Exploding Fireball and Rock-Solid Technique as supplementary skills, but only achieved minor mastery in both.

Liu Yu commented:

"Junior sister can make up for her lack of attack power with magic weapons and talismans, and junior brother Ji can make top-grade explosive talismans. You deserve to have them."

"A top-grade explosive talisman? When did Junior Brother Ji get such a good thing without telling everyone?!"

Li Lingyu exclaimed, deeply anxious about her lack of offensive power, and preparing to purchase a defensive magical artifact.

Having a dozen or so top-tier explosive talismans would put my mind at ease.

Ji An coughed lightly and said:

"In a few years, I will give each of you two Explosion Talismans. Right now, apart from Senior Brother Liu, you don't need them."

I can also draw high-grade talismanic weapons, which is equivalent to a mid-stage Foundation Establishment physical cultivator.

Nurturing it daily with magical power can also enhance the power of the talisman soldiers.

"Given enough time for nurturing, it might even be able to develop into a late-stage Foundation Establishment talisman soldier."

"I want one, how many spirit stones?"

"I want one too."

Liu Yu already had one, and the other three all wanted to buy one.

"You'll have to wait. I'll make it when I have the right materials and save it for you."

Five hundred spirit stones per sheet, cost price, fair and square.

Du Huaiyuan said:

"Junior brother, you must have some in stock. Why don't you just sell us one?"

Ji An began to explain:

"Senior brother, you may not know this, but the high-grade talisman weapon in my hand has already been nurtured."

If a talisman is imbued with the magical energy of two people, nurturing it will not only fail to increase its power, but will actually reduce it.

After several years of nurturing, one of the several high-grade talismanic weapons in his possession has reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Is that how it is? Hehe, I'm not a talisman maker, I'm ignorant."

Du Huaiyuan chuckled awkwardly a few times and changed the subject:

"Senior Brother Liu, why don't you give us some guidance? It would help us all accumulate some practical experience."

Liu Yu nodded and smiled:

"Of course, we can start after lunch."

Ji An waved his hand and said:

"We, the fellow disciples, haven't seen each other for a long time and need to have a good chat."

Let's feast and drink today; we'll discuss the methods again tomorrow.

“Junior Brother Ji is right, I agree.”

Du Huaiyuan immediately chimed in, "What's more important than drinking than a contest of magic?"

The banquet lasted until dusk, when everyone was in high spirits and returned to their rooms to rest.

Ji An arrived near the Azure Dragon Tree, circulated his cultivation technique to refine the spirit wine, and quickly regained his clarity.

The moon is silent, the evening breeze blows, and the mulberry fields resemble a vast expanse of blue waves.

Ji An activated the Jade Tree Transformation Technique, and emerald "spiritual rain" poured down.

The sect was starting to experience a shortage of Azure Dragon Wood, and he wanted to cultivate second-tier spirit wood for his own use as soon as possible.

As the light rain dissipated, yellow spiritual light reappeared in the spiritual field, followed by a large cloud of white mist. The moist raindrops hit the leaves of the spiritual plants, making a crisp sound.

In the guest room, Du Huaiyuan fell into a deep sleep. Li Lingyu refined the spirit wine and then went to the Qingling Bamboo Forest to cultivate. The other two sat cross-legged on the futons in their own rooms and also began to cultivate.

Ji An finished casting his spell and returned to the mountainside, where he found two figures lingering at the entrance of the cave. He shouted sternly:

Who's there?

"Uncle-Master, I am Yu Han (Yu Lian). I have something I would like to discuss with you."

The figures were Xia Yuhan and her sister. They had come together after seeing their master drink heavily all afternoon.

"What's up?"

Ji An was suspicious. What could be so urgent that someone would come over in the middle of the night to discuss it?

As he got closer, he could see the two sisters' attire more clearly.

A light veil draped over her body, revealing her exquisite curves, adding an alluring haze under the moonlight.

Is this a test for the cadres?

Ji An remained silent, his eyes filled with amusement.

Feeling his aggressive gaze, the two sisters, already somewhat shy, felt their faces burning and whispered:

"Uncle-Master".

"Put your clothes on and come in to talk to me."

Ji Anwei shook his head almost imperceptibly. Although he could see in the night, it wasn't daytime, so he couldn't see very clearly.

Before the Chaoyuan period, he had no intention of losing his primordial yang energy, so he had to endure it.

He made a hand seal to open the cave entrance and went inside first.

Xia Yuhan hurriedly took out a storage bag from under the Crimson Cloud Pine, put on a Taoist robe over it, and whispered:

"I'm so embarrassed, what do I do now?"

The two wanted to exchange spirit stones for Foundation Establishment Pills, so they could use them when they reached the Qi Refining stage and avoid wasting time waiting.

If my uncle really has a thing for them and takes them as concubines, not only will he have no worries about Foundation Establishment Pills, but he also won't have to worry about cultivation resources after he reaches Foundation Establishment.

Xia Yulian put on her Taoist robe and forced herself to remain calm, saying:

"Just follow your master's instructions and go in. If he doesn't send us away immediately, we have a chance."

Her heart was pounding, and her voice sounded different than usual.

The two entered the cave, and the light from the luminous pearls inside shone on their faces, revealing a flushed complexion.

The two had never been to the cave before, but the structure inside was simple. Following the passage to the innermost part, they saw Ji An sitting cross-legged on a futon.

"Uncle-Master!"

The two sisters bowed to each other with their hands clasped, not daring to raise their heads.

"Speak, what do you want to discuss?"

"I wanted to borrow spirit stones from my martial uncle to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, but I was afraid he wouldn't agree, so..."

Xia Yuhan's voice grew softer and softer, and she felt her face getting hotter and hotter, as did her ears. At that moment, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Ji An was silent for a moment, then said:

"You really need to prepare for Foundation Establishment. How much should we borrow?"

Reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining definitely requires preparing Foundation Establishment Pills.

Xia Yuhan was overjoyed and said:

"Everyone wants to borrow two thousand spirit stones."

Judging from my uncle's tone, there's hope.

If she could borrow some, the spirit stones she had, plus the contribution points she had accumulated, would be enough.

Ji An took out forty spirit stones and said in a deep voice:

"You can return the spirit stones after you've established your foundation. Let's leave it at that."

"Thank you, Uncle-Master. Your kindness is immense and I will never forget it."

"Go out, and go back to work as usual."

Xia Yuhan and her sister left with profuse thanks. Ji An took out tea seeds and released the Jade Wood Everlasting Spring Technique.

Vibrant emerald light spots continuously merged into the seed until it could no longer absorb them.

It's very resilient; we can plant it tomorrow!

Ji An was satisfied. The increasing variety of spiritual trees on Crimson Flame Peak filled him with confidence.

The Soul-Nourishing Wood is not something we can count on in the short term, but the Azure Jade Tree of the Nether Moon is something we can rely on.

He put away the spiritual seed, calmed his mind, and swallowed a Green Lotus Pill before beginning to circulate his cultivation technique.

As the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique was activated, a vibrant spring atmosphere filled the cave, as if all trees were sprouting.

In the early morning, Liu Yu did not practice his cultivation techniques. He believed that practicing in the Blazing Sun Furnace after sunrise would yield better results.

He flew to a secluded spot and began practicing his magic.

He had mastered the explosive fireball technique to its fullest extent; he was now practicing earth-based spells such as the Rock-Solid Technique, Quicksand Technique, and Earth Rock Strike.

After the outbreak of the demonic calamity, most of the demonic beasts faced were land animals, making earth-based magic more concealed.

Li Lingyu went to the bamboo forest to cultivate, while Mu Qingwan sat cross-legged in the house to cultivate.

At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Du Huaiyuan awoke from a deep sleep and went outside his room. He saw a maid waiting for him, but no one else. He asked:

Where did they go?

Xia Yuhan lowered her head slightly and smiled:

"Replying to Uncle Du, the other uncles have gone to Crimson Flame Peak to spar and fight."

"You're all so diligent! Hurry up and serve breakfast, I'll eat a few bites and then I'll go too."

While Du Huaiyuan was having breakfast, Ji An was searching for a place to plant tea trees.

Ultimately, he chose to plant tea trees in the mulberry fields near the cold pool.

Located near a watercourse and protected by surrounding mulberry trees, the golden fire spirit is very faint.

Ji An designated an area and said:

"Huang Xuan, Li Cheng, begin cutting down all the spirit mulberry trees in this area, dig out the roots, and burn them in the middle."

"Uncle-Master, what a pity, they are all top-grade spirit mulberry trees."

Huang Xuan felt reluctant to part with them. He was also a spirit farmer, and he still remembered the scene of these spirit mulberry trees growing little by little from the branches.

Now that we can generate stable income, it's painful to have to cut down the trees.

Ji An sighed softly and said:

"I also feel it's a pity, but let's not dwell on it and get back to work."

The value sought is immense; once the Azure Jade Tree of the Deep Moon matures, its worth far exceeds that of these spiritual mulberry trees.

Li Cheng laughed:

"Yes, let's get to work quickly. Uncle must have a better plan."

Ji An released the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Spell to loosen the soil and reduce the difficulty of digging up the roots of the Spirit Mulberry Tree.

Huang Xuan and his companion gathered the excavated spirit mulberry trees near the edge of the open space, while Ji An took out the Purple Fire Gourd to burn the trees.

After years of nurturing, the flames stored inside emitted a blue glow. If a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast were to eat a gourd full of these flames, it would be cooked to at least half-done.

Huang Xuan scattered the ashes from the fire in the center of the open space and buried them. Ji An waved his hand and said:

"You've finished your work, you can go back to your tasks."

Planting at night is a tradition of Chiyan Peak.

(End of this chapter)