Chapter 231 Second-Order Heavenly Yuan Pear

Ji An returned to his cave dwelling, took out the jade slip containing the Golden Jade Bone Body, and recited the cultivation method word by word, carefully studying it.

The practice of Dharma cultivation involves meditating, absorbing spiritual energy into the body, refining it into magical power, and storing it in the dantian (lower abdomen).

When meditating and circulating energy, the body remains still, and magic is used to defend against enemies. Although spiritual energy entering the body can nourish the body, the effect is much less.

Body cultivation involves dynamic exercises. When practicing the method, there are corresponding breathing and movements. The spiritual energy inhaled into the body is guided by the method to nourish the internal organs and cultivate blood and qi. Only a small portion of it flows into the dantian.

Physical cultivation is comparable to that of a humanoid demon beast; in the early stages, one cultivates physical strength, and in the later stages, one cultivates supernatural abilities.

Their magical power is much less than that of other magic cultivators of the same level, only enough to cast some auxiliary spells or methods unique to body cultivators.

Although Dharma cultivation and physical cultivation can be practiced simultaneously, the differences in their philosophies become increasingly pronounced as one progresses.

One emphasizes gathering spiritual energy to form a method, while the other emphasizes dispersing spiritual energy to nourish the body.

Cultivators have limited time and energy; they don't have enough time to absorb spiritual energy while simultaneously managing two different methods.

Some special demonic beasts or demonic cultivators who have refined strange true blood can achieve both physical and magical cultivation. However, the basis for doing so is that they have a longer lifespan than human cultivators of the same level, which is something that cultivators cannot match.

Humans are close to the Dao, and their cultivation progresses faster than most races. However, their lifespan cannot compare with that of other races, which can be considered a kind of balance in the Dao.

If cultivators could live as long as demonic beasts, cultivating both physical and magical abilities would not be a pipe dream.

Otherwise, the cultivation world would have long been dominated by humans, and other races would have been wiped out in large numbers. This might not necessarily be a blessing or a curse for humans.

Cultivators can now obtain cultivation resources by hunting demonic beasts. But what if there are no demonic beasts to hunt, yet the number of cultivators is increasing rapidly?

It is likely that internal strife will be inevitable, with low-level cultivators becoming cultivation resources for high-level cultivators. How are cultivators any different from demonic cultivators?

Think about it, it's not impossible. If there are no external conflicts, then there must be internal conflicts.

Ji An had just finished studying the essence of the technique when it got dark.

He stepped out of the cave and leaped towards the icy pool, feeling the wind whistling past his ears.

From afar, he could see several streaks of light shimmering on the edge of the pool.

When he arrived at the cold pool, he saw Huang Xuan and the others surrounding a Tianyuan pear tree.

The roots of the spirit tree trunk radiated a moist luster, and some of the leaves also emitted a spiritual light.

It turns out that this Tianyuan pear tree is undergoing a transformation. Once the transformation is complete, it will become a second-tier spirit tree.

Xia Yulian was the first to see Ji An arrive, and quickly bowed and greeted him with a smile:

"Congratulations, Uncle-Master, another high-grade spirit fruit tree has been added to Crimson Flame Peak."

The remaining disciples also offered their congratulations, creating a joyful atmosphere.

"Congratulations! Huang Xuan, give everyone five spirit stones as a reward later."

Ji An was overjoyed, as Tianyuan Pear and Dragon Blood Fruit were both spiritual fruits favored by body cultivators.

Dragon blood fruit focuses more on increasing qi and blood, while Tianyuan pear is used to nourish the internal organs and repair hidden injuries to the body.

He was about to begin practicing the true body-refining technique when the Dragon Blood Tree and Heavenly Yuan Pear successively advanced to the second rank. Could it be that even the heavens wanted to help him refine his body?

"Thank you, Uncle-Master."

The disciples thanked them and then quickly set out the dinner.

Huang Xuan filled the wine cup with mulberry wine from the bamboo tube, and its delicate fragrance slowly spread.

Ji An took a sip of his aperitif and nodded contentedly:

"In a few years, you will be able to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, and after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you will have to leave."

Crimson Flame Peak needs to find new disciples to manage it. You should look for some kind and honest people.

My requirement is that new disciples serve Crimson Flame Peak for a sufficiently long time; disciples who can stay for at least thirty years are the best choice.

Do you understand what I mean?

Liang Qiu, Huang Feihu, and the current four disciples have all only spent a little over ten years at Chiyan Peak.

Once he gets used to a disciple, he doesn't want to switch to another one.

However, his disciple had to leave after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, which caused him considerable trouble.

"Understood, we will carefully search for a reliable candidate."

Huang Xuan replied that he understood what his martial uncle meant.

In recent years, the number of disciples recruited by the sect has increased significantly; with careful searching, one can always find a suitable one.

Ji An nodded slightly:

"You guys should put in more effort and keep a close eye on things."

He didn't want to get involved in many trivial matters unrelated to cultivation.

After having dinner, he left and began to cast a spell on the spirit field. Several disciples gathered together to discuss the matter.

Xia Yuhan said softly:

"According to my uncle, he probably wants to find those late-stage Qi Refining disciples who have lost hope of Foundation Establishment."

There are no disciples raising spirit fish nearby, so we'll have to go to the Azure Lake to choose one.

"Yulian, we need to split up and finalize the personnel as soon as possible."

She has now reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage and feels that her magical power is gradually becoming more complete. In addition, she has some high-quality Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea to drink, so she is very confident in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

“Well, then one of us will stay at Crimson Flame Peak, and the other will go to Azure Lake to search. We’ll have to borrow Uncle’s flying shuttle for that.”

Xia Yulian agreed, saying that selecting personnel early and conducting "on-the-job training" would take at least one or two years.

Since we're going to get things done, we should do it perfectly and satisfy our senior apprentice.

The disciples they choose do not have high requirements for breeding, because Crimson Flame Peak has a mature breeding operation system, and they only need to prepare the relevant feed.

However, the other party must have extremely high culinary talent, and finding a replacement for the two of them is quite difficult.

"I have errands to run tomorrow, so I'll take a trip to Biyue Lake. You can stay at Chiyan Peak, sister."

"OK."

Li Cheng laughed:

“Choosing a spirit farmer is much easier now. There are many spirit farmers nearby, and quite a few of them meet the criteria.”

Huang Xuan nodded slightly, "We had done some research before, thinking that it might be useful when our senior master is choosing new disciples."

However, the selection criteria have changed, and a new screening process is required.

Their original choices were similar to Huang Feihu's selection criteria, but they didn't expect their uncle to be pursuing stability now.

However, the base number of Lingnong is large enough that it only requires time to search again.

The following day, in the afternoon.

Ji An found a secluded spot and officially began cultivating the Golden Jade Bone Body.

He assumed a fighting stance, adjusted his breathing rhythm, and absorbed spiritual energy into his body, which then traveled along a specific route.

As the blood and qi surge, spiritual energy slowly permeates into the internal organs.

He is currently in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, which allows him to absorb and exhale more spiritual energy. In addition, he is cultivating a Qi Refining stage technique, so he quickly began to feel the effects.

A warm feeling spread through my body, somewhat similar to the state of practicing the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique after sunrise.

Sweat seeped from the pores, and a light mist rose up.

Ji An was overjoyed; the Aoki Changchun Technique had given him an unexpected reward.

He only started to feel slightly tired after more than half an hour of intense training.

As dusk fell, Ji An finished his cultivation and returned to his cave. He used the Lesser Cloud Rain Technique to cleanse himself, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

This feeling of pleasure is different from practicing the Green Wood Everlasting Spring Technique; it's a kind of comfort in a different sense.

After dinner, Xia Yuhan took out a storage bag and said:

"Uncle-Master, these are the medicinal herbs we bought. They cost 50 spirit stones."

She secretly clicked her tongue in amazement, thinking to herself that alchemy and weapon crafting were indeed the most costly cultivation techniques.

The medicinal materials purchased were mostly Polygonatum and ginseng that were less than 20 years old, as well as a few bags of yellow sprout rice.

Both Polygonatum and ginseng are common herbs, and the pills refined from them are the most ordinary Qi Refining stage pills, yet they still consume so many spirit stones.

If you don't have a certain amount of wealth, don't even bother with alchemy.

Ji An took the storage bag and smiled:

"In the future, I want to try refining pills. After I've refined them, you can help me sell them."

"No problem, what kind of pill is Martial Uncle refining?"

"The pill I dislike the most is the Bigu Pill. The refining method for this type of pill is relatively simple, making it most suitable for alchemy apprentices to practice with."

Being able to refine an edible pill with low toxicity is considered the beginning of alchemy.

Huang Xuan scratched his head. Among the people he knew, the market for Bigu Dan (a fasting pill) was limited.

Everyone here is a Qi Refining stage cultivator, so there's no need for long-term seclusion to comprehend profound mysteries.

On ordinary days, steaming a few bowls of yellow sprout rice is enough to solve the problem of food. Those who live a hard life can mix spirit rice and ordinary rice together in the pot.

The most precious pills are those that help break through realms; pills that increase cultivation level have the largest market and are consumed in huge quantities.

Secondly, there are healing pills, which everyone usually keeps a few on hand.

Then there are pills with special uses, with the Bigu pill being the least valued.

Ji An took in everyone's expressions and said:

"I will destroy all inferior pills directly. All pills that come out of my hands will at least be genuine."

The matter of the elixir cannot be taken lightly; the reputation cannot be ruined. He must maintain the high-end image of Crimson Flame Peak.

After dinner, the sun completely set and the bright moon rose in the east.

Ji An began his evening study. He strolled to the edge of the cold pond and began to practice the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique.

The Tianyuan pear tree was shrouded in a misty rain, with raindrops drawing streaks of silver that shimmered under the moonlight.

A moist atmosphere filled the air, and spirit fish gathered at the edge of the pool, occasionally leaping out of the water and creating ripples.

Ji An then arrived at the orchard of fire-elemental spiritual plants. He activated the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra, and the nourishing spiritual energy permeated the air, covering the black soil with a warm, yellow spiritual light.

He changed his hand seals, and orange-red light superimposed on the yellow light, causing the leaves of the spirit tree to emit a faint red glow.

The leaves of the dragon blood tree are the most dazzling, and the fiery tree under the moon is exceptionally enchanting.

The wood-elemental spiritual plants occupied the largest piece of the second-tier mid-grade spiritual field, but for Ji An, releasing them was just a matter of three spells.

The yellow light gradually faded, and as emerald green radiance fell like raindrops, the sky above the mulberry fields resembled a galaxy falling to earth, with the leaves rustling and playing the magnificent symphony of life.

Ji An released the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, causing white mist to swirl and billow, like a dragon hidden within the clouds, with glistening specks appearing in the mist.

From the air, it looks as if countless round and lustrous pearls are hidden inside.

The raindrops fell on the leaves of the Yuyu tree in the moonlit night, making a crisp sound like jade striking jade, the sound flowing in a continuous stream, like heavenly music.

He launched his flying shuttle and continued forward. The Crimson Cloud Pine Forest in the distance resembled a swirling sea of ​​fire, its branches swaying in the evening breeze like flames flickering.

Ji An cast the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Spell and the Flame Fire Spell in the Crimson Cloud Pine Forest, and then went to the Mysterious Leaf Sword Bamboo area to cast spells.

After circling Crimson Flame Peak, he returned to the Azure Jade Tree near the Cold Pool and practiced the Green Wood Everlasting Technique until after midnight.

Ji An took some spirit charcoal from the warehouse and returned to his cave. He had received the medicinal herbs today, and he wanted to start a furnace to see the effect.

Happy Lunar New Year's Eve.

(End of this chapter)