Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 451 Fire Coral

"Senior brother, have you gained anything?"

Jiang Chuchu asked with concern, her long, dark eyebrows furrowed, and her slightly pointed chin revealing a mean-spirited appearance.

The spiritual energy shifted too quickly; before she could gain much insight, she discovered that the spiritual tide had receded, and her attempt to comprehend it had failed.

"I've gained some results, but I still feel like something's missing."

Zhu Mingli shook his head slightly, his brows furrowed with helplessness. He felt that if he extended the time by another half breath, he might be able to break through that barrier.

"Junior sister, let's hurry and go to other places to see if we can catch the surge of spiritual energy."

The lava caverns are filled with a complex network of interconnected holes, including not only major passages but also numerous tiny openings that make it impossible for cultivators to pass through.

This has resulted in the fact that the outbreaks of spiritual tides do not occur simultaneously, and the timing of their decline is also inconsistent.

According to the information they obtained from their master, during the great outbreak of spiritual tides, they were able to repeatedly perceive how the spiritual energy transforms when fire generates earth.

"Okay," Jiang Shuying smiled sweetly, feeling relieved. Since her senior brother hadn't been able to comprehend it either, she felt much more at ease.

She glanced at them indifferently, then activated a fire-based technique. Her body seemed to be bathed in flames before dissipating like a wisp of smoke.

As the light and shadow disappeared, the person also vanished.

One of the major effects of the spiritual tide eruption is that the interior of the cave's rocks is scorched red, making it highly likely that earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a type of magic technique) will be interrupted midway.

If a cultivator gets stuck halfway through their escape journey in the middle of rocks that are as red-hot as burning coals, things will be serious.

This is also a drawback of the Five Elements Escape Technique: if there is serious interference from the external environment when the technique is used, it will be interrupted.

It is said that Nascent Soul cultivators can change the five elements in the environment with just a few gestures.

If one's understanding of escape techniques is not profound enough, one will absolutely be unable to escape from these cultivators using escape techniques.

Zhu Mingli smiled and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Fellow Daoist, farewell."

Having said that, his figure became ethereal, like a burning piece of paper, and disappeared after a wisp of smoke rose.

In the empty cave, only Ji An remained. He was seized by a playful impulse and left the words "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven was here" in the cave before using the same fire escape technique to leave.

Suddenly, his body was enveloped in crimson flames, and he appeared outside the passage.

Each of the five elemental escape techniques has its own strengths. Earth escape technique allows one to travel through soil and rocks, reaching any place where earth elemental energy directly touches.

Earth Release Technique allows one to travel through the interior of visible matter, while Fire Release Technique allows one to travel through areas rich in fire elemental energy, essentially traveling through "special air".

Fire Release techniques surpass Earth Release techniques in both range and speed, but they are less resistant to interference.

Ji An was in a good mood. When he left, he did not rush on his way, but checked each cave as he walked, hoping that a spiritual object might activate it.

At this time, the spiritual tide had just begun to recede, and many treasure-hunting cultivators had not yet entered the area, so he reaped quite a harvest.

Although most of them are Tier 1 resources, the thrill of constantly "picking up money" is not diminished much by the small amounts; it feels like a windfall.

The reason why cultivators from the outside world do not choose to enter the underground cave at this time is because of the bloody lessons learned. For the vast majority of cultivators, entering at this time would be no different from sending themselves to their deaths.

The intense fiery energy would quickly scorch their internal organs. Even knowing that they would live to take the money but not live to spend it, the most greedy cultivators would learn to wait.

Two hours later, Ji An stepped into a cave and was immediately attracted by a crimson flame after scanning the area.

It was a coral-like spiritual plant, about the thickness of an arm and half a foot long, with a trunk as black as ink and covered with tiny red crystals the size of rice grains.

The crystals are bright and soft, giving off a warm feeling, like sitting around a fireplace on a cold winter day.

He released his divine sense and cautiously explored his surroundings. Finding nothing amiss, he slowly approached the spiritual plant.

Inside the cave is a miniature lava pool the size of a millstone. Judging from the remaining traces, the lava once spewed out three feet. The spiritual plant is located above the traces.

When Ji An obtained the spiritual plant, he found that its main root and a large number of fibrous roots were still relatively intact. He sensed its vitality and found that it was only at the first-grade upper level. A slight smile appeared on his face.

This spiritual plant is highly recognizable; he recognized its origin at a glance—it's a fire coral that grows in magma areas.

It has little medicinal value, only its flowers can be used as medicine, but it is an excellent "pasture" that is loved by various fire-eating insects.

Moreover, if it is ground into powder, it can replace the fire-elemental spiritual soil used to cultivate spiritual veins of various grades.

The growing conditions for this spiritual plant have always been very demanding, making it impossible for cultivators to cultivate it on a large scale.

There's a lava field in the gourd world; I wonder if it's possible to successfully cultivate gourds there.

The success rate of transplanting first-tier spirit plants is quite good. If they survive, the populations of fire crystal ants and amethyst bees can expand, and the cost of purchasing fire-element spirit soil can be saved.

The cost of purchasing spiritual soil for cultivating spiritual fields is not high now, but once the spiritual veins are upgraded to a higher grade, the price of such spiritual soil will be astronomical.

If there's no rush to use magic arrays and spirit soil to upgrade the grade of the spirit field, then we'll have to rely on time to slowly grind it up.

I don't know what others think, but Ji An believes that time is the most expensive cost, and if it can be solved with resources, he will definitely not be stingy.

As long as the spiritual veins of the Calabash World are upgraded to the second level, the output of spiritual wood within it can gradually sustain the expenses.

Ji An activated the Azure Dragon Awakening Technique, and a miniature azure dragon emerged from the void, its thunderous roar echoing through the cave.

The emerald light, like raindrops, falls and disappears into the fire coral like moths to a flame, reflecting a vibrant green on the rock face.

His fingers moved rapidly through the void, magical power emanating from his fingertips, drawing energy into a talisman. A spirit-sealing talisman, shimmering with green spiritual light, took shape in the air.

This spirit-sealing talisman reveals the wood element, which not only prevents the loss of vitality from the spiritual plant but also nourishes the fire coral.

Ji An stored the spiritual plant in his virtual space. At this moment, he lost interest in continuing his treasure hunt and only wanted to plant the fire coral in the gourd world as soon as possible.

He took out a map jade slip, placed it on his forehead, determined his current location, and then devised the fastest route back to the ground.

.

Yang Wu ruthlessly smashed the cultivator's chest, then stuffed the target's corpse into the Void Stone.

He flashed a smile, revealing a set of white teeth:

"The fifth one, but unfortunately I only encountered one cultivator at the Chaoyuan stage."

He was wearing a human skin mask, and at this moment he looked like a kind-looking old man. Judging from his appearance alone, it was impossible to connect him with the real person.

Cultivators recognize people based on soul fluctuations, but that requires them to be close to each other to perceive them.

The others were all wearing masks, which was to prevent some cultivators from being slippery and escaping after just one glance.

Several people let out low laughter, and Liu Meng grinned and said:
"Brother, don't be impatient. It's only just begun. The hunt will last for several days!"

A cultivator capable of exploring lava caves must at least be at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Such cultivators may not be rolling in money, but they are certainly not poor.

Yang Wu nodded slightly, "Brother, you are absolutely right. Let's continue searching for the target."

His thick fingers caressed the Void Stone Bracelet, his eyes slightly narrowed, like a fierce tiger ready to devour its prey.

He was also in a good mood. The strength of this spiritual tide was indeed unprecedented in hundreds of years, and it was able to unleash even more high-level spiritual objects.

A message has been sent to Silvermoon City that more and more cultivators will be gathering here.

This year he plans to go all out, make a big splash, and then leave for distant lands.

Liu Meng opened the spirit beast pouch, and a swarm of finger-length red mosquitoes flew out.

These are blood mosquitoes, which feed on fresh blood and possess an extraordinary sensitivity to the scent of flesh and blood, able to detect the presence of flesh-and-blood creatures from great distances. In the current environment of the lava cavern, these blood mosquitoes are like radar for locating cultivators, finding them with unerring accuracy.

These blood mosquitoes were Liu Meng's means of survival within his gang. He commanded the demonic mosquitoes, saying:
"Brother, let's follow them."

He started running, and the others kept a little distance and followed behind him.

The several burly body cultivators ran as lightly as cats, and the ground trembled very little.

These are specially customized magical shoes called the Cloud-Ascending Boots, which can slightly increase running speed and, most importantly, are completely silent.

.

Zhu Mingli had an uncontrollable smile on his face; he had already grasped the divine meaning of fire generating earth.

Jiang Chuchu said with bitterness in her heart but sweetness in her mouth:

"Congratulations, senior brother. When our master finds out, he will surely reward you handsomely."

She entered the sect half a year later than this senior brother, and their cultivation progress had always been a race to catch up. Now, however, the gap between them has widened significantly.

The two had been at the peak of the Five Palaces realm for nearly twenty years, and had experienced two major outbreaks of spiritual tides in the lava cave.

Now that the other party has grasped the concept of fire generating earth, this is not what she wanted to see, but she has no choice but to force a smile and offer her blessings, which makes her feel even more frustrated.

Zhu Mingli's smile faded, and he said in a deep voice:
"Thank you, junior sister. I was just lucky."

After spending so many years together, how could he not know his junior sister's personality?

Jiang Chuchu forced a smile and said softly:

"The spiritual tide has receded across the board now, there's no need to stay here any longer, let's go back."

After saying that, without waiting for a response, she used Fire Release technique to quickly leave.

The fire elemental energy here is quite abundant, but if you go any further up, you won't be able to use fire escape techniques to travel.

If she hadn't seized this opportunity, she didn't know how many years it would have taken her to catch up with the other person's pace.

Her standing in her master's eyes will inevitably decrease significantly, directly impacting her ability to gain support.

With this in mind, she made a decision: after returning home, she would bid farewell to her master and search for other areas where she could comprehend the principle of fire generating earth.

We absolutely cannot sit here and wait for the spiritual tide to erupt again; that would be too passive.

Zhu Mingli shook his head almost imperceptibly and slowly followed.

The blood mosquito suddenly returned and began a frenzied dance. Liu Meng whispered:

"There's a big fish!"

As he spoke, he immediately put the blood mosquitoes away.

Everyone immediately understood what he meant: there were Dharma cultivators at the Chaoyuan stage or Body cultivators at the late Foundation Establishment stage or above.

Blood mosquitoes judge their targets based on the strength of their blood energy; the more abundant the blood energy, the more the blood mosquitoes like them.

Yang Wu waved his hand and said:
"Scatter! If you are a Dharma practitioner, obey my command!"

If the target is a physical cultivator, there is absolutely no way to escape their grasp; if you encounter a magic cultivator, you need to have a complete plan.

Yang Wu and Liu Meng led the way, while the others followed about twenty feet behind. The group walked along the passage as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Chuchu turned a corner and encountered Yang Wu and his group. She frowned slightly and said:

"Excuse me, I need to return to the ground."

A top-grade spiritual artifact, as light as a crimson veil, flew out from her dantian, coiling around her like a fire dragon.

The passageway wasn't narrow, but there was always a risk of danger when passing through a group of strangers.

Although she didn't think anyone would dare to lay a hand on her, a Golden Core cultivator disciple, she still maintained a degree of vigilance.

Liu Meng was taken aback for a moment, then turned his head slightly to look at the leader.

How could someone who frequents Silvermoon City not know the city lord's close associates? Even if they haven't met them in person, they've certainly seen their portraits.

A fierce glint flashed in Yang Wu's eyes. He coughed heavily twice and loudly flattered:

"So you're a disciple of Master Huayang. Since we've met here, it's no problem to do you a favor."

He pressed himself against the rock face, gesturing for the other person to pass.

Seeing that her identity had been exposed, Jiang Chuchu felt a surge of pride and flew forward on her magical artifact.

Seeing that the other party had passed him, Yang Wu immediately took out a "Steel-Turning-the-Earth" talisman and activated it.

He knew all too well that the wealth of a Golden Core cultivator's disciple far exceeded that of an ordinary cultivator.

Perhaps the gains from just one person exceed those of hundreds of ordinary cultivators.

Upon receiving the signal, the cultivators behind activated the Frost Wind Talisman, dispelling the fire elemental energy and making it impossible for them to use fire escape techniques.

Ji An ran uphill quickly, then suddenly stopped to listen. He vaguely heard cries for help.

He held his breath and, sure enough, heard cries for help again, this time even more clearly.

Someone ambushed and killed cultivators who were searching for treasure.

Ji An immediately understood that exploring in the wild was a normal thing, and he had no intention of offering help.

The passageways here are intricate and complex, making the search somewhat difficult.

Besides, who knows if it's a fishing game?

He remained unmoved and continued to walk along the route he had planned.

.

Inside the cave, Zhu Mingli leaned against the rock wall, a short spear stuck in his chest, its tip protruding.

Someone dared to ambush his junior sister and succeeded. Although he rushed over and killed the three people, he was ambushed.

At this moment, he was plunged into despair. His opponent was a body cultivator equivalent to the Five Qi Gathering Realm, whose body could withstand his top-tier attacks.

His Fire Element Divine Palace was stabbed, and several of his main immortal meridians were severed. Using escape techniques to flee was now a pipe dream, and he no longer had the resources to fight to the death.

Yang Wu walked in and said with a smile:

"Hey Zhu, you're pretty fast!"

Zhu Mingli said resentfully:

"You're so powerful, your men wouldn't have died if you had gone to rescue them."

"Heh, why would I save those idiots? If fewer people share the spoils, wouldn't I be able to earn even more!"
Now that they have all died at the hands of you, my fellow disciples, I am avenging them and fulfilling my brotherhood.

Yang Wu was worried that his opponent might have some hidden desperate measures, so he was happy to chat with him for a while. Before long, his opponent would surely bleed to death.

In addition, his short spear contains a mechanism that releases a nerve-paralyzing toxin.

Suddenly, a flicker of magical energy in the distance caught their attention. Ji An used earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape into the ground) to appear in the cave, and then stared in astonishment at the scene of the two facing off.

(End of this chapter)