Chapter 382 The Azure Dragon's Evening Song

Zhang Zizhao laughed:

“I suddenly had a bold idea. My junior brother has the ability to quickly cultivate second-tier spiritual plants. If the survival rate of transplantation is acceptable, cultivating and selling spiritual plants would be more profitable than selling spiritual fruits.”

"It's uncertain. Let's see if these two Tianyuan pear trees can survive."

Ji An had conducted experiments long ago and found that the survival rate of transplanting first-tier top-grade spirit wood was relatively low. He had not tested second-tier spirit wood and was reluctant to do so.

Logically speaking, the higher the level of the spiritual plant, the stronger its vitality should be, and transplanting it should not be difficult.

However, in reality, the higher the grade of the spiritual plant, the lower the survival rate after transplantation, far less than in the previous life.

The reason for coming to the Qin Gong Hall to discuss this matter is that, in case we succeed, we can both receive some rewards and benefit the sect.

"The survival rate of transplanted high-level spiritual plants is extremely low, and we don't know why."

Zhang Zizhao sighed, "If the transplant survival rate is high enough, with Junior Brother Ji's help, the sect will be able to obtain a massive amount of second-tier spiritual plants within a few decades."

"I seem to have read somewhere that this is related to the earth's ley lines energy."

The higher the grade of the spiritual plant, the more special a symbiotic relationship it will develop with the earth's veins.

Leaving the earth's veins that nurture us is like a fish in a river entering the ocean.

Upon hearing the explanation, Zhang Zizhao sighed softly and asked:

"Will there be more and more cases of spirit trees needing to be transplanted to Crimson Flame Peak in the future?"

Ji An nodded:

"Yes."

"In that case, once the transplanted spirit tree survives, we will issue the reward according to the sect's reward for cultivating spirit plants of the corresponding grade, also for a period of five years."

"Okay, let's do as you say, senior brother."

There's one more thing I need to report to my senior brother: once the merchant airship from Zhongzhou arrives, I will be leaving.

At that time, we would like to request that the sect construct magic arrays at various spiritual vein nodes to cultivate second-tier Ueda.

The situation at Chiyan Peak is special. Although the main node has reached the second-tier high-grade level, most of the nodes are still at the second-tier mid-grade level.

“I’ve already started making preparations for this. Junior Brother Chu told me that upgrading larger spiritual vein nodes to the second-tier high-grade level will help accelerate the spiritual vein’s upgrade to the top-grade level.”

Zhang Zizhao said gently, "Of course I take the things that the ancestor specifically instructed me to do very seriously."

Ji An solemnly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother. I am still in the sect, and casting spells can better nourish the earth veins."

I suggest waiting until I'm traveling before cultivating the spiritual vein nodes; that way, much less spiritual material will be needed.

Backed by the Yellow Dragon Enhancing Yuan Technique, a Great Perfection level technique blessed by the Middle Grade Earth Dao Seed, its effect on nourishing the earth veins is exceptionally good.

"Haha, that's what I think too."

After settling their business, the two began exchanging cultivation insights. Before they knew it, the setting sun shone obliquely through the window, casting an orange glow on their hair.

Ji An rose to take his leave:

"Senior brother, it's getting late. Let's meet again tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Ji An rode the cloud back to Crimson Flame Peak, summoned Wei Songtao, and went to Tianyuan Pear Garden, where they marked the two spiritual trees closest to the Cold Pool.

"Tomorrow at dawn, you and Tian Tiezhu will wait for me here. We need to transplant these two spirit trees."

"Yes, ma'am."

The following day, Ji An cut down most of the marked pear tree branches and leaves, leaving only a few sturdy branches.

The two disciples, keeping the clods of earth the size of cars, dug out the spiritual plants and carried them onto the spirit boat.

The pear tree was too big to be moved into the teleportation array.

Even if he could move it up there, Ji An wouldn't do it; who knows what unexpected results might occur during the teleportation?

Ji An affixed spirit-sealing talismans to the clods of earth and the tree trunk, then instructed:

"You two set off in the spirit boat to the Si Nong Hall. I will wait for you at the top of Ning Cui Cliff."

Don't be stingy with spirit stones. Travel as fast as you can. I have an appointment with another Hall Master Zhang from the Diligent Work Hall, and I can't keep them waiting too long.

Wei Songnian and the other man nodded:

"Don't worry, Master, there will be no delays on the way."

The airship took off and quickly disappeared into the sky.

Ji An ingested a few strands of wood-elemental energy in the Emerald Mulberry Field, and then rode a cloud to the top of Crimson Flame Peak to begin practicing his magic.

He focused on practicing earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a technique for escaping through obstacles), so that he could make a quick getaway should he encounter an insurmountable enemy.

As the sun rose, he inhaled a few wisps of the sun's fiery energy, then rode a cloud down the mountain and left via a teleportation array.

Two hours later, a flying boat arrived at Ningcui Cliff.

After leaving the cave, Ji An and his companion arrived at the foot of the Ningcui Cliff Waterfall, planted the spirit tree, and once again used the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique and the Cloud Dragon Rainmaking Technique.

Zhang Zizhao stood with his hands behind his back and said:

"Hopefully one of them will survive."

"Let's hope so!"

Ji An spoke in a wishing tone, not holding any particular expectations, but still harboring a beautiful prayer in his heart.

Zhang Zizhao took out the jade slip, recorded the transplantation of the Tianyuan Pear, and made a copy.

He handed over the jade slip and said:

"Junior brother, keep the jade slip safe. It's the proof of receiving the reward after the spirit tree survives."

"I still have matters to attend to at the Hall of Diligent Work, so I won't stay here any longer."

"Take care, senior brother."

In the evening, Ji An returned to Crimson Flame Peak and flew to the Cold Pool on a cloud.

Wei Songtao stepped forward and said:

“Grandmaster, Lao Tian and I have done our best to find the remaining roots, and the large pit has been covered and compacted with soil from other places.”

“Good job. Go to the warehouse and get twenty spirit stones. Ten for each of you.”

Ji An smiled. His disciple was very thoughtful, and he didn't need to give any extra instructions, which saved him a lot of trouble.

"Thank you, Grandmaster. This disciple will take his leave now."

Wei Songtao left with a smile. As long as you do things diligently, your master never hesitates to reward you.

Ji An planted the two spirit seeds and released the Yellow Dragon Enhancing Mantra by making a hand seal.

This spell's effect of harmonizing the earth's energy allows new soil to quickly blend with the energy of the surrounding soil.

A warm, yellow aura covered the ground, and nourishing spiritual energy permeated the air. A pulse emanated from the depths of the earth, like a powerful heartbeat.

A layer of fish-scale patterns appeared on the soil surface, arranged neatly as if it had been precisely measured.

His hand seals changed, and magical power surged from his dantian, rapidly circulating through his immortal meridians.

Within the acupoints, the Ren and Gui water channels are deep in color, flashing rapidly with light, and the veins of the two kidneys light up, drifting erratically like smoke and mist.

Dark clouds hung over the spirit field, with flashes of lightning intermittently, and raindrops as clear and bright as white jade falling gently.

A moist atmosphere filled the air, and the water mist quickly spread and enveloped the area.

A moment later, the clouds and mist dispersed, and two spiritual plants with blue spots on their trunks grew to about a foot tall. The edges of their leaves had blue serrated patterns, and the center of the leaves was covered with white speckles.

Ji An's hand seals changed again, and a lifelike, domineering, and powerful azure dragon emerged from the void.

A beam of cyan light spread out, and the burgeoning spiritual energy lingered around it. The spiritual tree grew at a visible speed, growing another half foot taller.

The spirit tree has been planted; all that remains is to cast the spells step by step for it to grow strong and healthy.

At the spring at the bottom of the cold pool is a second-grade high-quality spiritual vein node, and water slowly seeps in to nourish this spiritual tree.

Half a month later, one of the Tianyuan pears transplanted to Ningcui Cliff died, and 50% of the effort was wasted.

Five days later, the other spiritual tree also withered quickly, making the transplanting efforts completely futile.

Ji An could only smile wryly at this; the current sample size was too small to determine just how low the survival rate of transplanted second-tier spirit wood would actually be.

Once enough samples have been accumulated and it can be confirmed that the transplant survival rate is ridiculously low, he may stop performing transplants and simply cut down the trees.

It's harvest season for tea leaves from Chiyan Peak again; another year has passed.

Red clouds fly across the horizon, the setting sun shines on the cold water, a gentle breeze blows, and the water ripples like the scales of countless red carp.

Zhang Cuihua was busy frying tea leaves, and the Xia sisters were also helping.

The orchard is full of colorful flowers, and the aroma of tea mixed with the fragrance of flowers creates a unique flavor.

Ji An rode a cloud to the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field, activated the Yellow Dragon Enhancing Yuan Technique, and yellow spiritual light covered the fifty acres of farmland, causing the earth to tremble as the light flashed.

The crystal-clear blue waves rolled and rolled, and the rich fragrance of mulberry blossoms wafted freely.

Ji An unleashed the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique, and the Azure Dragon roared in the sky. Emerald light rain fell like a waterfall, and the spiritual field witnessed a spectacular scene of falling petals and blooming flowers.

The Dharma's essence manifests itself, and a refreshing, light fragrance permeates the air, surpassing even the scent of mulberry blossoms.

Ji An was enjoying the fragrance of the flowers when he suddenly heard two dragon roars behind him, filled with a sense of vastness and arrogance.

He was startled and quickly turned around, only to see a faint phantom of a blue dragon appearing above two blue dragon trees not far away.

The next instant, the shadow vanished without a trace, as if in a dream, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

Ji An was stunned, then his eyes were lit up by the blue light. The two spiritual trees that manifested the phantom of the Azure Dragon seemed to be bound with countless small green light bulbs, dazzling and eye-catching.

He thought of a possibility and immediately rode the clouds toward the spirit tree.

As he got closer, he noticed cracks appearing on the bark of the spirit wood, revealing more intricate scale patterns inside.

This is a sign of shedding skin, but the Azure Dragon Wood never sheds its skin.

With a heart full of excitement, Ji An stretched out his trembling hand and placed it on the trunk of the spirit tree.

He immediately felt the vast dragon's roar echoing in his mind, exactly the same as the one he had just heard. He instinctively pulled his hand back, and the sound disappeared without a trace.

He placed his hand on it, and the sound returned; the vibrant life force of the spirit tree was like a surging river, telling a story of its vastness.

He put his hand back, and the sound disappeared again.

When I did the same thing to another Azure Dragon Tree, I got the same response.

Holy crap!

Ji An had a thousand words in his heart, but they all boiled down to these two words.

The second-tier top-grade spirit wood was entirely cultivated by him personally, without relying on anyone else.

The spiritual field where the Azure Dragon Wood grows is only at the mid-grade level of the second rank. According to the planting theories he knows, this is completely impossible.

"What the ancestor once said may be true. There is some kind of intrinsic connection between the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique and the Azure Dragon Wood that is unknown to everyone."

Ji An placed his hands on his chest, closed his eyes, and focused on deep breathing.

After calming down, he once again activated the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique.

A lifelike azure dragon appeared overhead, while faint azure dragon phantoms appeared above the azure dragon trees on the left and right.

The dragon's roar merged into one, and Ji An felt as if he had entered a giant bell, which someone happened to ring.

That tangy, refreshing feeling is just too much!

(End of this chapter)