Chapter 186 Flying Tiger Foundation Building
Xia Yulian came out of the kitchen, bowed, and said:
"When will breakfast be served, my two senior uncles?"
Uncle Ji had instructed that breakfast should not wait for him.
Normally, Ji An would finish his morning practice around 9 AM, while the other Qi Refining disciples would eat breakfast first.
Ye Changqing frowned slightly and whispered:
"When visiting someone's cave dwelling, it always feels a little awkward not to wait for the host for breakfast."
Du Huaiyuan grinned:
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm used to it. It's already quite late by the time Junior Brother Ji finishes his cultivation."
During the years he brewed wine at Chiyan Peak, his fellow apprentices never ate breakfast together.
He sighed inwardly, realizing that his junior brother's self-discipline in cultivation was something he could only dream of.
He often gets drunk at night and sleeps in late in the morning, then he makes a firm resolution to change, and in the end, he only changes his mind after making that resolution.
"Let's have breakfast. We'll eat first."
Du Huaiyuan gave an instruction to the maid, and then said to Ye Changqing:
"Senior brother, please take a seat."
Junior Brother Ji is diligent in his cultivation, so I will host him on his behalf.
The two sat down, and the maids brought out the dishes.
The dishes—braised venison with Lingjiu wine, stir-fried bamboo shoots, pan-fried fresh fish (both cooked), honey osmanthus cake, and honey rice porridge—were all exquisitely prepared and generously portioned.
After taking two bites, Ye Changqing exclaimed:
“When I was practicing cultivation, my diet was not this lavish.”
Even after he has achieved foundational cultivation for twenty or thirty years, he cannot afford to eat spiritual food of this standard every day.
His life only started to improve after he broke through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Not long after Junior Brother Ji moved to Crimson Flame Peak, his standard of living surpassed that of most Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Who isn't like that? I wonder if I would be better off if I had chosen the path of Lingnong."
Du Huaiyuan muttered to himself as he ate heartily.
In the past few years, he couldn't even enjoy the spirit wine to his heart's content, let alone the delicacies he ate every day.
He had pondered this question many times. If he chose to be a spiritual farmer, he could grow the spiritual herbs for brewing wine himself.
That way, we can save a lot of spirit stones and probably achieve freedom in making spirit wine sooner.
"If you choose the 'Lin Farmer' path, you'll most likely be struggling financially."
Ye Changqing smiled. If a spirit farmer's planting magic doesn't reach a certain level, the harvest can barely sustain the costs of cultivation.
This is something that the sect has verified over thousands of years. The rules for collecting rent are not something that the higher-ups made on a whim; there are reasons behind them.
Most spirit farmers' output is enough to support their own cultivation, but they can't accumulate many spirit stones each year.
Du Huaiyuan drinks spirit wine every day, so it's highly unlikely that he could accumulate a single spirit stone as a spirit farmer.
Ji An finished his cultivation and returned to the stone house. He cupped his hands in greeting to his senior brother, who was enjoying tea, and said:
"I apologize for the poor hospitality and for neglecting my two senior brothers."
"The food is plentiful, and there is not a trace of neglect. My junior brother has been diligent in his cultivation, consistent as always, which makes this old man ashamed."
Ye Changqing waved his hand. He had just asked his junior brother about his daily cultivation schedule and found that he hardly had a moment of free time except for eating and sleeping.
The other party has done everything in their power, and their current achievements are well-deserved.
"I know I'm not very talented, so I can only hope that hard work can make up for it."
Ji An humbly said that every effort he made in practicing magic was recognized, and he enjoyed it immensely.
Du Huaiyuan stood up and smiled:
"I came here as soon as I returned to the sect. I haven't even gone back to my cave yet. Junior brother, I'll take my leave now."
With that, he summoned his flying shuttle and prepared to leave.
Huang Feihu stepped forward and said:
"Uncle-Master, you still haven't told me the price of the pills."
Although Foundation Establishment Pills made primarily from demon cores are less effective than regular Foundation Establishment Pills, obtaining high-quality pills can make up for much of the difference.
"The normal price for this type of Foundation Establishment Pill is 1,500 spirit stones, but because it is a high-quality pill, it needs to be increased by 500."
Ji An took out twenty mid-grade spirit stones and said:
"I'll pay for Fei Hu's spirit stones first."
Huang Feihu didn't have that many spirit stones on him, so he asked for his help in advance.
"I'll accept it without hesitation."
Du Huaiyuan took the spirit stone, leaped onto the flying shuttle, and left.
Not long after Du Huaiyuan left, Li Minghui arrived at Chiyan Peak to check on Feiye Sang's situation.
In the mulberry field, Ye Changqing said smugly:
"Senior sister, how about two second-tier Emerald Leaf Mulberry trees?"
This is just the beginning; Junior Brother Ji will surely cultivate many more second-tier spirit mulberry trees in the future.
Judging from his tone, someone who didn't know better might think that he had contributed to the cultivation of these spiritual plants.
Li Minghui smiled and said:
“Very good. Master is still collecting medicinal herbs. After refining the pills for the Five-Colored Deer in a few years, a large amount of second-tier mulberry leaves and spiritual fruits will be needed to feed the beast.”
If my junior brother could cultivate a few more second-tier Jade Leaf Mulberry trees, it would solve our immediate problem.
There is a significant shortage of second-tier spiritual plants, which is a major concern for her master. If Crimson Flame Peak can cultivate spiritual plants that meet the requirements, it will provide another channel for obtaining resources.
Ji An inquired:
"When will Uncle He use it? How big is the gap?"
Once he understands the situation, he'll have a better idea of how much help he can provide.
"We will need it in about four or five years. The daily shortage of fresh mulberry leaves is 40 jin (20 kg), and this will continue for two to three years."
It wasn't too difficult in itself, but tender mulberry leaves had additional benefits for the Five-Colored Deer. Master planned to use only the tender mulberry leaves that grew within the last three days; after all, it was a breakthrough to the Chaoyuan stage, and no hope could be lost.
"If there are second-grade low-quality spiritual fruits, the need for tender mulberry leaves will be reduced. Any spiritual fruit with any of the five elements will be fine."
Li Minghui reported a figure slightly higher than the lowest estimate, after all, it's about having enough reserves for less use.
Ji An quickly calculated in his mind that each second-tier Emerald Leaf Mulberry could produce seven or eight catties of mulberry leaves, but he had not experimented with how many tender mulberry leaves it could produce in three days.
"Senior sister, do you have a conclusion on how many tender mulberry leaves a second-tier spirit mulberry can produce in three days?"
"About three jin, but with your abilities, Junior Brother should be able to get more."
Ji An scratched his head and said with a wry smile:
"The gap is a bit too big."
Based on this calculation, theoretically forty second-tier spirit mulberry trees would be needed, but the leaves cannot be harvested too frequently.
Doing this for two or three years will deplete the essence of the spirit tree, which cannot be compensated for by planting spells.
For Uncle He, sacrificing a second-tier spirit plant to cultivate a beast in the Chaoyuan stage is worthwhile, but it may not be so for the owner of the spirit plant.
"It is somewhat difficult. Master is trying to stockpile as many second-tier spirit fruits as possible."
Junior brother, please do your best. Master will not fail any cultivator who offers assistance.
Li Minghui paused, then said:
"Junior brother was able to cultivate the Jade Leaf Mulberry to the second tier so quickly, he will surely be able to cultivate more Spirit Mulberries in the next few years."
I will report the good news to Master, and I hope my junior brother will give us an even bigger surprise in a few years.
Ji An gave a polite smile:
"It is an honor to be able to help Uncle He. I will do my best to cultivate more second-tier spiritual plants."
Ye Changqing sighed and said:
"It's a pity that the five-colored deer don't eat pine nuts, otherwise it would be easy to handle."
Night falls, and the stars twinkle.
Huang Feihu launched another attack on the Foundation Establishment stage, and spiritual energy gathered into clouds above the stone house.
The members of Crimson Flame Peak were all sitting near the icy pool, with several Qi Refining disciples looking on with longing.
Huang Xuan pursed his lips, his fists clenching involuntarily; he was actually a little nervous.
Huang Feihu controlled many trivial matters within Crimson Flame Peak, and whether the other party could establish a foundation would have the greatest impact on him and Li Cheng.
If the other party successfully establishes their foundation, he and Li Cheng will also gain more power and intangible benefits.
Ji An nodded slightly. Judging from the speed at which the spiritual clouds gathered, the other party's accumulation was much higher than it had been three years ago.
He never mistreated anyone on Crimson Flame Peak. Although the others' diets were not as good as his, they still ate spiritual food every day, which was a luxury for Qi Refining disciples.
In his view, the Flying Tiger Foundation Establishment had no problem with the mana and physical body barriers, and should also have no problem with its spiritual consciousness.
As long as you have firm faith and a steadfast Daoist mind, you are almost certain to succeed in building your foundation.
Ji An stood up and said softly:
"You all stay here and watch, I'm going to the spirit field to cast a spell."
If we want to achieve better results, it's impossible to rely on these Qi Refining stage disciples; we have to come in person.
"Respectfully seeing off my martial uncle."
Ji An rode away on his grey-feathered sand goose, and Xia Yuhan said softly:
"Senior Brother Huang is so lucky. Without the help of his Uncle, he wouldn't have been able to recover so quickly and obtain the second Foundation Establishment Pill."
Xia Yulian responded softly:
"Yes, Uncle Ji knew Senior Brother Huang when he was in the Qi Refining stage. Uncle Ji is a person who cherishes old friendships."
She also envied Huang Feihu's fate. As an ordinary disciple without a family to rely on, it was impossible for him to have the opportunity to obtain two Foundation Establishment Pills.
Li Cheng lowered his voice and said:
"The competition for Foundation Establishment Pills in the sect is becoming increasingly fierce. Even if we save up enough contribution points to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, it will probably take us one or two decades to get them."
If I were to borrow spirit stones from my martial uncle now to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, do you think it would be possible?
Although Foundation Establishment Pills made from demon cores are cheaper, they are the last resort since demonic power cannot be fully refined. Taking regular Foundation Establishment Pills is the consensus among cultivators.
Huang Xuan gently shook his head:
"It's hard to say. There are four of us. If each of us asks our senior uncle for spirit stones, what will he think?"
Unless the need is small, it's best not to ask; it's not worth risking your martial uncle's displeasure.
If a Foundation Establishment Pill is converted into spirit stones, it would cost three thousand spirit stones. Before entering Crimson Flame Peak, these people would consider it a lot if they had fifty spirit stones, because maintaining cultivation is not easy.
Most of the spirit stones that disciples use to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills are those they accumulated when they were at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining.
The group fell silent. The evening breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, and the spiritual clouds above the stone house appeared even larger.
Under the moonlight, the silver leaves of the copper-patterned mulberry tree reflected the clear radiance, making the mulberry field resemble a vast lake, with a small golden island at one corner of the lake.
Ji An landed on the 'island', made a hand seal to release the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Spell, and a warm yellow spiritual light flickered, slowly seeping into the black soil.
In recent years, under the nourishment of the Thick Earth Returning to Origin Mantra at the Great Perfection level, most of the spiritual fields around Crimson Flame Peak have turned black and become even more fertile.
A cool night breeze blew, and the Xuan Ye Sword Bamboo Forest emitted a light and melodious sound, like wind chimes, while the mulberry fields provided a deep accompaniment.
Ji An took out a jade bottle from his storage bag, made a hand seal to release the earth element essence within, and nourished the sword bamboo.
Compared to the bronze-patterned mulberry, these sword bamboos have a higher growth potential and are more valued by him.
If Crimson Flame Peak can produce second-tier sword bamboo leaves, he can get in touch with the Weapon Refining Hall and establish relationships with both of the sect's two pillar industries.
After casting a spell on the mulberry field, Ji An rode his beast and flew towards the cold pool.
As he approached the icy pool, he suddenly heard a long howl, filled with boundless joy.
Huang Xuan and the others' voices rang out simultaneously:
Congratulations, Senior Brother Huang, on successfully establishing your foundation!
"Haha, thank you all for protecting me. I'm consolidating my cultivation now. We'll talk again tomorrow."
Ji An leaped down from his beast and laughed loudly:
"Everyone, you may leave now. We will hold a small banquet tomorrow at noon to celebrate Junior Brother Huang's success."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com