Chapter 320 Mid-grade Dao Seed

Ji An, holding the jade bottle, exclaimed in surprise:

"The elixir is named after the red pine tree. Could it be that Senior Sister has experimented with a formula that uses pine nuts as the main ingredient?"

He glanced at Jia Yu beside him and thought to himself that it must be true, otherwise he wouldn't have brought his senior brother from the Treasure Pavilion here.

Han Yan covered her mouth and laughed:

"The name of the elixir is too easy to guess; it is suitable for those in the late Foundation Establishment stage."

By comparison, its medicinal potency is 20% of the Fire Dragon Heart-Refining Pill, but its various costs are less than 10% of the Fire Dragon Pill.

Her eyes were full of pride. For an alchemist, this was a remarkable achievement, the culmination of her years of accumulated expertise in alchemy.

With this formula, she will have a very high status among alchemists throughout the Western Continent.

The main ingredient of the Fire Dragon Qi Refining Pill is the Dragon Blood Fruit, which is 300 years old, while pine nuts are produced every year.

Jia Yu said in a deep voice:

"This means that as long as other medicinal materials can keep up, a large batch of Red Pine Pills will be produced every year, which can greatly make up for the shortage of pills for disciples who cultivate fire-element techniques."

The sect's strength will rapidly increase if the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators practicing fire-based techniques is the largest.

He suppressed his excitement and continued:

"The raw material for Chisong Dan is second-grade low-grade pine nuts. If second-grade mid-grade or higher pine nuts are used as raw materials, can a pill that can be used by cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage be refined?"

The patriarch has already learned of the situation and has ordered Junior Sister Han to experiment with this type of elixir formula.

If successful, the speed at which cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage can open their Fire Element Divine Palaces will be greatly accelerated.

Ji An nodded excitedly and said:

"This is fantastic news! Is there anything I can do to help?"

Next, he planned to open the Fire God's Mansion, just when he was sleepy, someone delivered a pillow.

Han Yan's smile blossomed like a peony as she spoke gently:

"Junior brother is the most important link. Without a continuous supply of second-grade pine nuts, even the best pill formula is just a waste of paper."

In addition, second-grade pine honey is also an important raw material; if large quantities of pills are being refined, the demand for pine honey will be very high.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; without ingredients, everything is in vain.

The number of second-tier Crimson Cloud Pines in Crimson Flame Peak accounts for half of the sect's total, and this number is increasing year by year.

Other regions produce pine honey at all because the cultivation is scattered.

Jia Yu said solemnly:

"The ancestor is closely monitoring the progress of the matter and plans to find another mid-grade second-tier spirit field to plant Crimson Cloud Pine."

Starting today, the number of Tier 2 pine nuts that can be exchanged for minor merits will increase by 20%.

The price of second-grade low-quality pine honey has been increased to ten small coins per kilogram.

The sect has requested the Agricultural Department to adjust the planting volume of relevant medicinal herbs in order to expedite the large-scale production of Red Pine Elixir.

Han Yan carefully took out a jade slip and instructed:

"This is the formula for the Red Pine Elixir. Junior brother, calculate the ripening time and proportions of the medicinal herbs and plant them in the herb garden."

However, it's important to remember that the ratio of planted quantity to actual demand cannot be the same.

Jia Yu coughed and lowered his voice to say:

"Junior brother should know the importance of this, but I still have something to say."

The Red Pine Elixir is of paramount importance, embodying Junior Sister Han's hard work and the sect's expectations. The formula is strictly forbidden from being leaked; otherwise, the sect will hold those responsible accountable.

A new elixir formula means a continuous stream of benefits and an increase in the sect's foundation; one can never be too careful.

"Don't worry, senior brothers and sisters, I know what's important."

Ji An placed the jade slip on his forehead and quickly memorized the elixir formula.

He crushed the jade slip and said:

"Senior sister, I'm also an alchemist. Will I be able to refine the Red Pine Pill in the future?"

Han Yan raised her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly, and said in surprise:

"Of course you can. I haven't heard you mention that you can already refine late-stage Foundation Establishment pills, Junior Brother?"

Ji An chuckled a few times and shook his head:

"I haven't tried refining it yet; at present, I can only refine the Azure Lotus Pill skillfully."

"Once I have enough materials, I'll try to refine Red Pine Elixir."

His alchemy skills could increase his chances of obtaining the Azure Lotus Burning Heart Flame, so he would definitely have to learn them in the future.

Jia Yu laughed, "Other cultivators who want to exchange for pill formulas have to pay a small amount of merit, and you're no exception!"

He had heard that the other party was learning alchemy, but he hadn't paid much attention to it. He thought that the other party was just bad at it, but he never expected that the other party was already able to refine pills for the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Han Yan waved her hand, "Junior brother doesn't need to pay any small merits."

When other alchemists exchange pill recipes, she can obtain 90% of the merit points, which is an extra reward given by the sect.

As long as she lives, she will have this income.

Moreover, from the moment the Red Pine Pill could be mass-produced, she would also receive a small amount of merit for every pill that other alchemists submitted, a practice that continued for thirty years.

The sect provides tremendous support for the research of pill formulas, not only in terms of formulas, but also in the development of new weapon-refining techniques, beast-taming secrets, and so on.

Therefore, when disciples achieve something, they are willing to hand it over to the sect, because the benefits they gain far outweigh those of keeping it to themselves.

"Since Junior Sister Han has spoken, then we'll skip it."

"In the future, when you refine Red Pine Pills, please try to submit them to the sect in exchange for minor merit points. This will be a form of support for Junior Sister Han."

Ji An grinned, "I will remember those who dug the well when I drink the water."

That being said, as long as you can get enough resources, I'm willing to hand over all the output to the sect.

Putting everything else aside, as long as there's enough Soul Incense, that's fine.

With enough Soul Incense, doubling his speed of opening his cultivation realm is no problem.

Jia Yu was speechless; he was most afraid of these fellow disciples who possessed a large number of minor skills.

He glanced at Han Yan subtly, knowing that she would soon be the same kind of person.

Junior Brother Ji is a cultivator who exchanges resources for minor merits, while many of the other party's minor merits are rewards obtained out of thin air.

Han Yan noticed his expression and chuckled:

"Junior Brother Ji, why are you bringing up something you don't want to talk about?"

She paused, then said softly:

"The sect's high-level resources are indeed insufficient to meet the demand."

Jia Yu scratched his head, "It will get better soon. The sect's main spiritual vein has been cultivated to the third level for decades, and the high-level spiritual herbs that have been planted will be harvested one after another."

With Junior Brother Ji overseeing the Agriculture Hall, the sect's spiritual farming training will gradually catch up with Fallen Maple Valley. In addition, with his own efforts, the production of spiritual fruits and herbs will increase year by year.

The pill formula my junior sister developed can create a lot of additional value for the sect.

Ji An's face showed a slight bitterness; these words sounded like they were adding to his workload.

The three exchanged cultivation insights for a while before the two guests rose to take their leave.

Jia Yu instructed:

“Junior brother, the sect will secretly purchase spiritual herbs. In a few years, as our spiritual herbs mature, the demand for second-grade pine nuts and pine honey will be very high. Junior brother, you need to increase the supply of materials.”

"Understood. I will reduce the production of pine nut wine and also order the queen ant to gradually reduce the colony size."

The second-grade pine nut wine in Crimson Flame Peak has a stock of nearly 10,000 jin, enough for many years of consumption.

Ji An decided that starting next year, he would only use 10% of the total production for brewing.

After seeing the guests off, Ji An found Lin Mao and said:

"Palace Master Lin, could you please provide me with the information on the sect's second-tier low-grade spirit fields?"

"Please wait a moment, Your Highness," Lin Mao said, taking the account book and placing it on the table.

Ji An estimated the planting area for various medicinal herbs and compiled a table:

"The medicinal herbs planted in these gardens will all be destroyed within two years, and replaced with the ones I specify, with the planting area strictly in accordance with the requirements."

The destroyed medicinal herbs were all substitutes for the Red Pine Elixir.

"Master, this is against the rules."

The Diligent Work Hall will assess our planting efforts, which would be tantamount to us making a major mistake.

Lin Mao looked rather troubled. This action by the other party meant that there was a problem in the strategy, and he would inevitably be punished by the Diligent Work Hall.

"The decision was made on short notice, and I will explain the situation to Senior Brother Zhang."

Ji An understood perfectly well that the other party was unwilling to take responsibility.

He took out the golden sword for communication, briefly explained the reason for doing so, and then noted and imprinted his magical power mark on the jade slip.

After the establishment of the Department of Agriculture, most disciples of the sect did not feel any difference.

The Lingnong disciples found that every month, a late-stage Qi Refining disciple would explain cultivation methods and answer their questions.

Aside from that, there doesn't seem to be much difference.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Si Nong Hall, Ji An stopped circulating the Pi Fu Dharma and pressed his temples to physically relieve the fatigue caused by excessive consumption of his spiritual energy.

Doing this is actually useless, but it can create a psychological suggestion.

The wood element spiritual energy in the Si Nong Hall area is not as concentrated as that in the Crimson Flame Peak, so he spends most of his daytime cultivating his inner energy.

Although the speed of cultivation improvement has been slightly slower in recent years, the results of opening up the mansion are even more fruitful.

Currently, thirty-one veins have been opened in the inner layer of the Fire Element Divine Palace, and five more are needed to complete the merit.

At that time, one can consume fire and circulate qi, doubling the joy of daily cultivation.

There is also extremely good news: after comparison, Ji An has confirmed that the pure spiritual energy spewed out by the stone tortoise every year provides the upper limit of the primordial fire!

In other words, his foundation is much deeper than that of other cultivators of the same level. This increases his resources and the success rate and quality of refining the Golden Core.

As his vital energy grows stronger, he can now consume eleven strands of wood-based energy daily.

The number of second-tier and above wood-elemental spiritual plants in Crimson Flame Peak has increased significantly compared to three years ago. In addition, the supplies from the Agricultural Palace and several Ningcui Cliff herb gardens can fully meet his growing needs.

Ji An brewed a cup of medium-grade Yunding Yinhao tea and sipped it quietly.

When the water he added had lost its flavor, he focused his mind on his dantian and connected with the stone tortoise.

[Master: Ji An]

[Tao Yun: Gold 2.2, Water 0, Wood 0, Fire 0.6, Earth 3.1]

[Spiritual clues: Kan (坎) spirit 168.2, Gen (艮) spirit 185.4, Zhen (震) spirit 544.5, Xun (巽) spirit 1814.6, Kun (坤) spirit 88.6, Qian (乾) spirit 272.8, Dui (兑) spirit 7981.9, Li (离) spirit 162.3]

Detoxification Technique (Perfect 18%)

Azure Dragon Awakening Technique (Perfect 99%)

Cloud Dragon Rain Technique (Perfect 49%)

Zhu Rong Divine Fire Spell (64% complete)

Yellow Dragon Vitality Enhancement Technique (Perfect 52%)

Earth Escape Technique (Mastery 12%)

Ji An smiled reservedly to himself. This was the moment to witness the first Chaoyuan-stage spell reach the Great Perfection level.

"Refine the spiritual energy to enhance the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique."

His consciousness entered the stone tortoise space, and his feet stepped on the Zhen and Xun directions, blurring the boundary between emerald green and dark green.

The details of the illusory image of the divine consciousness were more complete, and his appearance could be recognized from his face.

The divine sense began to practice the spell, and the azure dragon circled in the air.

A sky full of emerald light danced, like countless green jade beads, each containing a tiny green dragon.

As his inspiration dwindled, Ji An felt his spiritual awareness rising, and the earth was desolate after winter, with ruins everywhere he looked.

Suddenly, a deep, ancient dragon's roar resounded, like the first thunder of spring, causing all trees to sprout and snakes and insects to awaken from their hibernation.

The warm breeze swept away the last trace of winter's sorrow, and green burst forth from the withered and gray grass, with tender leaves sprouting from the branches of the trees.

Grass grows tall and birds fly, all creatures vie for attention.

The desolate world has been transformed by lush greenery, with flowers blooming in profusion, butterflies fluttering their wings and playing among the blossoms, and swarms of bees buzzing busily.

Ji An regained consciousness and began to perceive his body again.

【Azure Dragon Awakening Technique (Perfect 99% → 100%)】

The handwriting resembled ink dropped into clear water, quickly spreading and eventually disappearing without a trace.

[The Seed of Dao - The Birth of All Things (Middle Grade), hidden in the Huagai acupoint, allows one to comprehend the true meaning of the Jia Wood Dao spell 'Flourishing Growth,' enhancing their understanding of Jia Wood Dao spells.]

[Taoist Seed - Yi Wood Rejuvenation (Middle Grade), hidden in the Jade Spring Cave, allows one to comprehend the true meaning of the Yi Wood Dao spell 'Life, Death, Withering and Flourishing,' enhancing their understanding of Yi Wood Dao spells.]

The Wood Element Divine Palace shone brightly, and its core trembled violently, visibly expanding.

Ji An was greatly surprised that both Jia and Yi Wood Dao Seeds had been upgraded to the middle grade. The description of the improvement of comprehension no longer contained qualifiers such as "a little" or "some".

Improving one's Dao Seed also brings another benefit: the effects of Wood-type spells will be enhanced again.

In other words, even if the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique has not yet reached the Great Perfection level, its spell effect will be much stronger than before.

Ji An's gaze fell on the line of words about detoxification techniques. With the increase of the Dao Seed's grade, the spiritual energy required to enhance the spell would inevitably decrease accordingly.

"Refine the spiritual energy to enhance detoxification techniques."

The spiritual energy of Zhen and Xun decreases simultaneously, while the magical insight increases rapidly. When the spiritual energy is exhausted, the screen freezes.

[Detoxification Technique (Perfect 18% → 46%)]

Opening his eyes, Ji An clapped his hands and laughed, "That felt good!"

The consumption of inspiration energy is only 40% of what it used to be, and enjoying the discount makes people feel happy.

This spell can only be improved quickly through actual use. Since the Rock Armor Bear became thick-skinned and unafraid of spirit bee stings, he has not practiced it.

The cost of upgrading spells has been reduced, and it won't be long before they can be upgraded to their maximum potential.

This is excellent news for someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

From then on, only the Spirit Sealing Spell remained in the spell list.

This spell requires all kinds of spiritual energy to improve, and he plans to wait until all his Dao seeds are upgraded to the middle grade before making any further plans.

In high spirits, Ji An walked out of the main hall and into the woods behind the mountain.

For the past three years, this piece of Azure Dragon Wood has received the same treatment as the medicine garden, and he casts a spell every two days.

Now all the spirit trees have been upgraded to the second tier, and there are six mid-grade trees.

This was entirely voluntary labor; he didn't receive any merit from the sect. The benefit he received was that he could consume four strands of qi every ten days.

Ji An activated his magic, and his magical power flowed from his dantian, circulating rapidly through his immortal meridians. The emerald light of the Wood Element Divine Palace flickered, and the Jia and Yi Wood Dao Seeds in his acupoints shone like stars.

The Azure Dragon Awakening Technique has reached the perfect level. How can I not show it off after so much hard work and practice?

(End of this chapter)