Chapter 332 Prologue
Jia Yu felt happy for his fellow disciples, but at the same time, a faint sense of bittersweetness also welled up inside him.
Each year, five more pills are produced, which is conservatively estimated to be equivalent to consuming seven thousand strands of Qi.
Both the core of the Divine Palace and the Flame of Life will be significantly nourished and strengthened, which will also lead to a rapid increase in cultivation level.
Once a cultivator reaches the Chaoyuan stage, their aptitude should generally reach the Earth-grade standard, and their speed of refining spiritual energy will further increase.
For truly talented cultivators, the speed of their cultivation improvement is not much slower than that of the Foundation Establishment stage.
He didn't receive such treatment back then. As for his other fellow disciples, only two senior disciples surnamed Lin and Li Haoran have enjoyed preferential treatment so far.
The three of them can receive an extra nine pills each year, as the ancestor hopes they can improve their cultivation as soon as possible and break through to the Golden Core stage.
Golden Core seeds also have different priorities. Currently, Junior Brother Ji is not the highest priority in the Ancestor's heart.
Master Zhengyang then said:
“There are many fire-elemental spiritual fruits in Crimson Flame Peak. If Ji An can maintain this speed and break through to the third stage of the Chaoyuan realm, his treatment can be improved again.”
If a core disciple has the ability to quickly improve their cultivation, the sect will definitely do its best to cultivate them. This is also the strategy that the Golden Spirit Sect has implemented since it moved from the Central Continent.
The results are remarkable.
The sect was able to rise from a small to medium-sized force in the Chaoyuan stage to the second largest Golden Core force in the Western Continent.
Jia Yu composed herself and smiled:
"The ancestor's arrangements were very appropriate."
We were already quite familiar with each other when Junior Brother Ji was still in the Foundation Establishment stage.
Whether it's improving cultivation or nurturing high-level spiritual plants, he has never disappointed.
He paused for a moment and added:
"Not only do they not disappoint, they always exceed our expectations."
At that moment, he suddenly remembered a joke Ji An had once made: "Let my senior brother call me Ancestor."
He grinned; this joke might actually come true!
"Yeah?"
Master Zhengyang raised his eyebrows with interest, revealing a bright smile:
"Let's look forward to his performance."
As the two were talking, a voice came from outside the hall:
"Disciple Li Haoran requests an audience with the Ancestor."
The voice was clear and cold, with a chilling quality reminiscent of a fierce wind sweeping across a snow-capped mountain peak.
Jia Yu felt as if swords and blades flashed before his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat:
"This kid's sword intent seems to have changed again!"
A sense of awe rose in his heart, and a new layer of change appeared in his sword intent, indicating that the sword cultivator's strength had probably increased by several times!
From this perspective, even though the opponent is at the second stage of the Chaoyuan realm, I am no longer their match.
"Come in."
The restrictions were lifted, and Li Haoran strode in, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Ancestor. Greetings, Senior Brother Jia."
Master Zhengyang nodded kindly and said:
"No need for formalities! Haoran, is there any doubt you have about your cultivation?"
The more he looked at this disciple, the more satisfied he became; he was certain that the disciple would become the strongest cultivator in the Western Continent in the future.
Li Haoran's eyes were clear and bright as he said:
"There is no doubt now. The purpose of my visit today is to bid farewell to the Ancestor."
"It has been two years since I broke through to the second stage of the Chaoyuan realm, and the sect's few water veins are no longer sufficient to meet my energy needs."
In order to quickly improve his cultivation and strengthen his divine palace, he had no choice but to leave the sect and travel.
"Have you informed Qiu Bai?"
"I have already informed my master, and he has agreed."
Master Zhengyang sighed softly and said:
"Where do you plan to go, and approximately how many years will it take before you return to your sect?"
If possible, he hoped that this disciple would break through to the Golden Core stage before going out to travel, as that would be safer.
However, this is the actual situation of the sects. Among the three sects in the Western Continent, the situation of Falling Maple Valley is better, while the water veins of the other two sects are not prosperous.
"I'm going to the far north of the Western Continent. In the vast snowfield, I can comprehend a different kind of sword intent."
Taking into account the time lost along the way, I estimate the trip will take anywhere from ten to fifteen years.
"There are some materials about the far north in the sect's transmission hall. Have you looked them all up?"
"I have already checked it."
Master Zhengyang pondered for a moment and said:
"I agree to your travels, but we'll have to wait a while longer."
He turned his head and said:
"Jia Yu, you and Han Yan go to Falling Maple Valley immediately and purchase one hundred Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pills, no matter the cost."
"The elixirs and magical artifacts in the secret vault are at your disposal."
As an alchemist, Han Yan knew best which resources could impress the cultivators of Falling Wind Valley.
"I will take care of it immediately."
"Come see me immediately after you return to the sect and finish your business."
"Yes, ma'am," Jia Yu replied, cupping his hands in greeting before quickly walking out of the main hall.
He rode away on a fiery cloud, leaving a long trail of flame in the sky.
As the flames gradually faded, Master Zhengyang withdrew his gaze and gave a final instruction:
"There are Golden Core stage demon cultivators lurking here. When you leave, do not choose to cross the Western Continent. Instead, go around to the east. I will notify you once the pills are purchased."
When the disciple leaves, he will bestow upon him two additional treasures for protection.
Li Haoran listened attentively. He hadn't expected his ancestor to support him with so many pills, and he felt the weight of his elder's expectations.
Other cultivators can obtain at most a few Heavenly Water Soul Cleansing Pills when exchanging them.
After the patriarch finished speaking, he respectfully responded:
"Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor. I have another question to ask you."
"When I return to the sect years later, I will surely have established a Wood Element Divine Palace. Will the sect be able to guarantee a sufficient supply of Wood Element Qi?"
The sect's resources are definitely enough to support several cultivators simultaneously in consuming wood and circulating qi.
If several cultivators happen to open up the Liver Wood Palace, he can't very well squeeze out someone else's position.
Master Zhengyang carefully recalled the cultivation progress of the many cultivators in the Chaoyuan stage within the sect, deduced the situation they would face ten years later, and smiled:
"You don't need to worry about that. Since your junior brother Ji An broke through to the Chaoyuan stage, the number of high-level spiritual plants in the sect has been increasing day by day."
Crimson Flame Peak alone can meet your needs.
Ji An consumes wood and circulates qi, without ever requesting support from the sect.
In another ten years, the number of high-grade spiritual plants on Crimson Flame Peak will surely increase significantly, possibly enough to supply two cultivators with both wood and qi at the same time!
Yuanhe Mountain, Qitian Peak, Zixiao Hall.
Master Nanshan paused for a moment, listening to the iron horses under the eaves neighing in the wind, sighed softly, and then stepped into the main hall.
Smoke curls from the bronze incense burner, carrying the delicate fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.
Master Beichen sat at the back of the main hall, with maps scattered haphazardly on the table.
He raised his head, gazing at the slowly approaching cultivator, and said:
"Is something not going well? I can feel the heaviness in my steps."
Master Nanshan stepped forward, nodded, and said:
"Fallen Maple Valley did not grant our request. The number of pills we received in this exchange was only half of what we needed."
Their reasoning was that their disciples had a great need for supplies, and that during the demonic and monster calamities, disciples in the Chaoyuan stage from various sects died in battle.
They suffered the most severe losses in the Canglan Secret Realm incident.
Having lost a large number of elite disciples, they won't have many new disciples breaking through to the Chaoyuan stage in recent years.
Even though a Golden Core cultivator personally visited, the other party didn't give him much face.
He snorted coldly and continued:
"In my opinion, Maple Valley's move is an attempt to indirectly hinder our development."
If things go as expected, the Golden Spirit Sect will receive the same treatment.
The demonic calamity isn't completely over yet; demonic cultivators and monster cultivators are still lurking in the Western Continent. They've already begun to be wary of their allies. Bah!
Master Beichen remained silent for a moment, then said:
“A weakened Yuanhe Mountain is what they want to see, and I expected this outcome.”
In twenty years, the merchant ships from Central Continent will arrive. Then we can exchange resources with the cultivators of the Cloud Sea Merchant Alliance.”
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said:
"Some families that are affiliated with the sect have been slow to hand over enough resources. I will leave the sect tomorrow to see what tricks they are trying to play!"
The disciples of Yuanhe Mountain suffered heavy losses, and their control over the surrounding area was greatly weakened, which led some families to set their sights on them.
This was something he couldn't tolerate, and he planned to make an example of a few to deter others.
"Senior brother is the sect leader. If you were to handle such a trivial matter now, others would think that the sect is incompetent!"
Tomorrow I'll go on my senior brother's behalf and get me the list of those families.
Master Nanshan said fiercely. He had been humiliated in Falling Wind Valley and needed to vent his anger.
"Alright, junior brother, don't go too far. We still need to rely on these families to collect resources."
"Don't worry, senior brother, I know what I'm doing."
Ji An stepped off the teleportation array, activated the magic barrier, and walked out of the stone house.
Wei Songtao cupped his hands in greeting, his face as radiant as a blooming flower:
"Grandmaster, good news!"
Today, while inspecting the spirit fields, I discovered that a mid-grade, second-tier Jade Leaf Mulberry had actually blossomed. Its leaves were crisp and clear, like jade, and emitted a spiritual light about half a foot long.
Based on past experience, it's still three or four months before the mulberry tree blooms, which is definitely not the time for it to bloom.
The aura emanating from the other mid-grade spiritual mulberry trees was barely five inches long, leading him to deduce that the spiritual plants had been upgraded to the second-tier high-grade.
Ji An raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding the meaning behind the other person's words.
"Come on, let's go take a look. You show me the way!"
A fiery cloud, as brilliant as rosy clouds, rose from beneath their feet, streaking towards the spirit field beside the icy pool like a shooting star.
Following the guidance, Ji An flew over the icy pool and immediately spotted the most dazzling spiritual plant among the myriad trees.
He landed on the ground, smelled the delicate fragrance of flowers, and immediately felt a sense of comfort.
He gripped the trunk of the mulberry tree, probed with his divine sense to feel the fluctuations of life force, and a smile bloomed on his lips.
Ji An turned his head and said excitedly:
"I remember this area. The first second-tier spirit mulberry in Crimson Flame Peak was born here. I also remember that two of them appeared at once."
He had always believed that the first second-grade high-quality spiritual plant would be born in this spiritual field, and sure enough, it was.
"Congratulations, Grandmaster! Crimson Flame Peak will surely become the most prosperous training ground in the sect!"
Haha, it definitely will.
Songtao, go to the warehouse and withdraw two hundred spirit stones. You take one hundred, and the other two each take fifty. This is your reward money.
In addition, your compensation will be increased by 30%, which will be implemented in the next payout.
The disciples of Crimson Flame Peak are paid their wages every three months.
"Thank you for your reward, Master."
Wei Songtao grinned. One hundred spirit stones, plus an additional 30% in future rewards, made working here increasingly pleasant.
The number of high-level spiritual plants in Crimson Flame Peak is constantly increasing, but the density of spiritual plants is constantly decreasing, resulting in less work and higher rewards.
As the sun gradually sank behind the distant mountains, Ji An's excited emotions calmed down.
The first second-grade superior spiritual plant has been born. Will the second one be far behind?
This is just the beginning; many more superior spiritual plants will be cultivated in the future.
He took out a golden communication sword, entered a message, and said:
"Disciple Ji An reports that a Jade Leaf Mulberry on Crimson Flame Peak has been cultivated to the second-tier superior grade today. I have come to report this good news to the Ancestor."
A golden light streaked across the sky and flew towards Chaoyang Peak.
Ji An rode a cloud to the Fire Spirit Fruit Garden. The sun had completely set by then, and time was of the essence.
He struck a pose and made a "ha" sound.
The turbid air in his heart was expelled, and a wisp of warm air entered his mouth, flowing into his heart along the immortal meridian.
The crimson Ding Fire Qi and the golden Bing Fire Qi intertwined and merged together, and were then quickly devoured by the core of the Divine Palace.
Ji An consumed twelve strands of Qi, thus making full use of the Bing Fire Qi he had absorbed during the day.
Consuming a single element of Bing Fire or Ding Fire consumes far less of one's spiritual energy than consuming Wood-elemental energy, which is why he was able to consume twelve strands of Qi.
The clouds in the western sky turned from fiery red to leaden gray, the last glimmer of light disappeared, and all the splendor returned to silence, merging into the vast night sky.
The moon had not yet risen, and the stars shone brightly in the sky.
Ji An looked up at the starry sky, the wind whispering in his ears, and felt that everything was quiet and beautiful, making him feel relaxed and happy.
He made hand seals, and his magical power flowed rapidly through his immortal meridians. At that moment, he felt a sudden inspiration, and the hand seals in his hands changed abruptly.
The magical power that was originally mixed together in the immortal vein immediately split into two distinct streams, one dark green and the other emerald green, spiraling and intertwining together.
The spell was activated, and a blue dragon appeared from the void, accompanied by a vast dragon roar, with a pillar of emerald light shooting straight into the sky.
The Dharma spirit was thriving and permeated the air, but the usual phenomenon of light raining down from the sky, and the ground covered with lush grass and blooming flowers did not appear in the slightest.
"I get it!"
Ji An grinned. Just now, his intuition had a flash of inspiration. He slightly adjusted the hand seals and used his powerful divine sense to separate the yin and yang of the Jia and Yi wood.
It fulfilled the wish of the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique: only growth and flourishing of magical intent permeated the air, without any wood-elemental spiritual energy falling away.
In this way, both Earth-elemental and Metal-elemental spiritual plants should be able to be "accelerated" using the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique.
However, fire-elemental spiritual plants need wood-elemental spiritual energy to nourish their fire elemental source. This spell was perfect, but the effect on the spiritual plants was not as good as before.
"One more time!"
Ji An chuckled and activated the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique once more.
A blue dragon appeared, its roar echoing through the mountains and forests. Emerald light filled the sky, like jade beads falling like rain.
A blue dragon swims within the jade bead, while fragrant grasses grow lushly on the ground, and a hundred flowers vie for attention.
The wood elemental energy flowed into the spiritual plants like moths to a flame; the leaves of the dragon blood tree blazed like fire, and the dragon blood fruit emitted a crimson spiritual light.
In this orchard, all the spiritual plants have reached the second level, including the spiritual peach trees that were planted just a few years ago.
Among them are four mid-grade dragon blood trees, six mid-grade spirit apricot trees, and twenty-one mid-grade spirit peach trees.
As the light and shadow faded, Ji An nodded in satisfaction and released the Zhu Rong Divine Fire Spell.
A humanoid figure wreathed in flames appeared in the void, and the ground instantly turned into a sea of fire.
The intense light brings warmth and vitality, possessing an infectious, passionate energy.
(End of this chapter)
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