Chapter 319 Red Pine Elixir
Ji An nodded slightly. "Where are the disciples?"
Jia Yu and others had already discussed the matter of taking on apprentices several years ago.
Now, offering 'delivery' to his door is clearly a way of not giving him any room to refuse.
Let's just accept it. It'll make things more lively in Crimson Flame Peak, and we can get a few free laborers.
Cultivators value the master-disciple relationship highly, even more so than blood ties in some respects.
With proper training, this disciple could be a great asset.
Tian Qingbai turned to the side and said:
They're all waiting outside.
Uncle Zhang informed me that I had specially selected ten of this year's most outstanding disciples.
Their aptitudes are all top-grade, not far from the Earth-grade, and their aspirations for the Dao are equally commendable.
This year, only one of their senior uncles at the Chaoyuan stage was planning to take on disciples, so he brought the best candidate.
"Let's go take a look."
Ji An stepped out and saw his disciples standing in two rows.
They were all full of energy, with bright, piercing eyes.
When they arrived, they were told that a cultivator in the Chaoyuan stage was accepting disciples, and everyone was very excited.
Becoming a disciple of such a cultivator would undoubtedly make breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage a breeze, and might even offer a glimpse into the Chaoyuan realm!
Ji An tilted his head slightly and asked:
"Did you tell them why the sect asked me to take on disciples?"
Tian Qingbai moved his lips and shook his head.
Of course, he didn't tell them that the talented disciples were probably not content to be just spirit farmers.
Ji An raised an eyebrow slightly, faced the disciples, and said in a deep voice:
"I am Ji An, the Master of the Department of Agriculture."
The main purpose of this apprenticeship is to cultivate outstanding spiritual farmers for the sect.
Therefore, if one becomes my disciple, the teachings will primarily concern planting.
Before one's cultivation magic reaches a perfect level, one is not allowed to learn other spells or cultivation techniques.
Even after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, one must first be a Spirit Farmer.
He stated it bluntly: his apprentices must first be a spirit farmer before they can choose to become an alchemist or something similar.
If a disciple's mind is not on the spiritual field, then his training will be wasted.
As soon as he finished speaking, many disciples' expressions changed, because Ji An's requirements were too harsh.
'My purpose in diligently cultivating is simply to become a spiritual farmer?!'
These disciples all possess superior aptitude; even if they don't become disciples of cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage, their future is still bright.
They can become disciples of the Weapon Refining Hall and the Beast Taming Hall, and it will not affect their ability to become disciples of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.
Ji An glanced at the expressions on everyone's faces and then said:
“The matter of becoming an apprentice is of great importance. Masters choose their disciples, and disciples also choose their masters. Those who do not intend to become Lingnong can step forward now.”
The disciples looked at each other, wanting to step forward but not daring to be the first.
Tian Qingbai sighed inwardly. He now thought there was nothing wrong with being a spirit farmer, especially since his master's name was 'Ji An'!
The sect's first Spirit Farmer in the Chaoyuan stage possesses unparalleled expertise in planting throughout the entire Western Continent.
In the past few days, he inquired about Ji An's whereabouts and learned that Crimson Flame Peak possessed a large number of second-tier spiritual plants, leaving him deeply shocked.
The silence didn't last long. A disciple stepped forward, bowed, and said:
"This disciple dreams of becoming a sword cultivator, please forgive me, Grandmaster!"
His gaze was calm, and there was a straight scar about an inch long on the left side of his forehead.
His tone was calm and neither humble nor arrogant.
"Everyone has the right to choose and can listen to their own inner voice, which is good."
Ji An waved his hand, signaling the other person to stand aside.
"Make a decision as soon as possible, I'm very busy."
"Grandmaster, this disciple wishes to become a weapon refiner."
"Grandmaster, I am fascinated by all kinds of spirit beasts and would like to become a beast tamer."
One by one, disciples stepped forward, and soon only two remained.
A slightly dark-skinned boy and a pretty girl with bright, lively eyes were dressed in faded, starched Taoist robes.
Ji An smiled:
"Are you all willing to become my disciples?"
I will not change my mind. Unless you break through to the Chaoyuan stage, you will first and foremost be spiritual farmers.
The boy lowered his head and said simply:
“I have experienced the pain of hunger and thirst, and I think it’s good to be a spiritual farmer.”
His parents were just independent cultivators who both perished after the demonic calamity broke out, and they went through a very difficult period.
The girl smiled sweetly and said:
“I dislike fighting, so becoming a spirit farmer is a good choice for me.”
Tian Qingbai nodded almost imperceptibly, thinking to himself that these two disciples had seized the opportunity.
Ji An made the decision:
"Just the two of them, no need to choose, just the two of them."
This result is good; it saves me the trouble of making comparisons.
Congratulations to my junior brothers and sisters on finding such a good teacher!
Tian Qingbai immediately changed his form of address, and said:
"Uncle-Master, this disciple takes his leave."
He took out the flying boat, made a hand seal to enlarge it, and then called out:
"All disciples, follow me."
As the flying boat sailed away, Ji An said:
"You two, state your names and ages."
The dark-faced disciple said:
"Disciple Han Shan, fourteen years old this year, with Qi Refining Level 2 cultivation."
"Disciple Lin Lan is fifteen years old this year and has reached the third level of Qi Refining."
Ji An smiled and nodded, "Everything is fine, better than when I was a teacher."
From now on, Lin Lan will be the senior sister.
"We'll have another tea ceremony tonight. Come with me and meet your grandmaster."
He was seventeen years old when he finally succeeded in opening his meridians.
The three arrived at the adjacent cave dwelling, and Ge Ying raised an eyebrow slightly:
"You've made your choice already?"
When Tian Qingbai came to Ningcui Cliff, he visited her and told her the purpose of his trip.
There's no choice, only two left!
Ji An nodded and turned around to say:
"Quickly pay respects to your grandmaster."
"Disciple Lin Lan (Han Shan) pays respects to Grandmaster."
"Good, it's your good fortune to become Ji An's disciples."
After a brief conversation, Ji An cupped his hands in greeting:
"Master, I still need to go to the Ministry of Agriculture, so I will take my leave now."
Ji An, accompanied by two disciples, rode a cloud to the Si Nong Hall. He could feel his disciples' rapid heartbeats.
What kind of cultivation method do you practice?
"In reply to Master, we have all chosen the Qingyuan Sutra."
"Have you ever practiced magic?"
No.
Just then, a gentle voice came:
"Lord, Lin Mao has something to report."
Ji An made a hand seal to break the magical barrier and gave the instructions:
"You two go next door to cultivate, and have lunch with the others."
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
After the two disciples left, Lin Mao cupped his hands and said:
"Lord Temple Master, I'd like to report on today's arrangements."
Ji An listened quietly, then smiled and said:
"Palace Master Lin has considered everything carefully; I approve."
From now on, you and Lord Kong can discuss these kinds of daily arrangements.
I usually cultivate in the back hall, so please take good care of me.
The implication is that you shouldn't contact me unless it's something serious.
He plans to lie low for a few years before proceeding with his plans.
Reforms are definitely necessary, but not now.
Lin Mao, being an old and shrewd man, naturally understood the implied meaning in his words and smiled:
"I will certainly live up to the Palace Master's expectations."
After chatting for a while, he made an excuse to say goodbye and leave.
Ji An lit a censer of incense, sat cross-legged on a futon, and began to practice the method of opening the Fire Element Divine Palace from the Five Elements Revolving Scripture.
With the help of the Soul Incense, he could maintain his cultivation for a longer period of time.
Ji An opened his eyes again. The incense in the censer had burned out, and four hours had passed.
He went next door and said:
"Come with me, I'll take you back to Crimson Flame Peak today."
That is my training ground; you will practice there from now on.
A second-tier, mid-grade spiritual vein is sufficient for the cultivation needs of two disciples without the need for elixirs.
"Yes, ma'am!" the two disciples replied, overjoyed.
He rode a cloud and flew northwest. His two disciples were only at the early stage of Qi Refining, so there was a certain degree of danger in taking the teleportation array.
After flying for an hour, the auspicious cloud descended by the cold pool.
Ji An summoned his three other disciples, and in their presence, a simple apprenticeship ceremony was held.
After drinking the tea for the apprenticeship ceremony, he said in a deep voice:
"Songtao, tomorrow you withdraw twenty spirit stones, give ten to each of them."
Also, take them to the General Affairs Hall to select planting spells and object manipulation spells.
Wei Songtao immediately responded:
"Yes, ma'am."
He was filled with envy; these two disciples were truly incredibly lucky!
With the support of my grandmaster, I might be able to break through to the Chaoyuan stage in the future.
Giving them any resources from Crimson Flame Peak would easily help them break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Thank you for the reward, Master."
The two disciples were also excited; ten spirit stones were no small sum.
Ji An said seriously:
"Lin Lan and Han Shan, you two must diligently practice after you receive the magic jade slips."
At the beginning of each month, I will test your cultivation level and mastery of magic, and I will also answer your questions.
"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I will certainly cultivate diligently."
Ji An turned his head and gave another instruction:
"Cuihua, later you can show them around the area and arrange accommodations for them."
Give them a share of the spiritual food you receive each month.
The three disciples in charge of miscellaneous tasks receive spiritual food such as dried fruit, dried meat, pine nuts, and honey every month.
With the help of spiritual food, the two disciples should be able to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining soon.
With a certain level of cultivation, one can also have enough magical power to practice spells.
Zhang Cuihua bowed her head: "Yes, ma'am."
Ji An waved his hand and said:
"You guys go ahead with your work, I'm going to eat some Qi."
After saying that, he rode away on a cloud.
Zhang Cuihua extended her hand in invitation:
"Junior Uncles, please follow me. Today, I will first take you on a tour of the area around the Cold Pool."
Three days later.
Han Yan and Jia Yu landed in the Sinong Hall, both with smiles on their faces and beaming with joy.
Lin Mao came forward and said with a smile:
"Uncle Jia, Uncle Han, I was unaware of your arrival. Please forgive my lack of hospitality."
He wondered to himself what the two men had come for.
Jia Yu waved his hand and asked:
"Xiao Lin, now that you've taken on a task from the Ministry of Agriculture, has it affected your cultivation of spirit fields?"
The other party is responsible for taking care of some very important spiritual plants, such as the Soul-Nourishing Wood, and these things are very important.
"Of course not, this disciple will perform the spell at night."
"That's good. By the way, where's Ji An?"
"Palace Master Ji is cultivating in the back hall. Should I inform him?"
"No need, let's go find him directly."
The two arrived at the rear hall, and Jia Yu shouted:
"Junior Brother Ji, I need your help with something good!"
Ji An invited the two into the main hall and said with a smile:
"Tell me what good news it is?"
Han Yan took out a jade bottle, her eyes filled with pride:
"This is the Red Pine Pill I refined. Please take a look, Junior Brother."
(End of this chapter)
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