Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 455 Raising Rare Arowana
The growth cycle of Pearl Blood Rice is three years. Of course, this time is affected by many factors, such as the quality of the spiritual field and the level of the planting spell.

Spirit rice belongs to the second tier, and theoretically it can only thrive when planted in a second-tier spirit field.

In the Calabash World, there are only first-grade top-quality spirit fields, which will affect the ripening time and yield of spirit rice.

Fortunately, there are several perfect planting spells, and the soil here is different from the outside world, which can make up for the lack of quality of the spiritual field.

The next step is to verify whether the soil here is suitable for the growth of Lingmi rice.

Ji An took off his storage bag and found the bag containing Crimson Flame Sand. This was a special spiritual soil containing fire elemental power. The particles were small and the surface looked smooth, but it felt rough when rubbed with his fingers.

If you hold on tightly, you will feel a burning sensation after a while, as if you are holding a lump of red-hot iron sand.

He bypassed the lava flow zone and spread the Crimson Sand as evenly as possible across the land.

Like other regions with black soil, this area has about one-third less arable land than other regions.

After doing all this, he activated the Yellow Dragon Enhancing Yuan Technique, and a rumbling sound came from the depths of the earth as the Crimson Sand rapidly seeped into the soil.

He rode a cloud to the fire coral and found that the crystals on its surface were brightly colored and growing well.

However, fire crystal ants were already lurking nearby, clearly eyeing the spirit plant.

Ji An drove away the fire crystal ants and took out several array plates to seal off the path to the spirit plant. In this way, the only way to reach the location of the fire coral is to swim across the lava or take the air route.

The number of fire corals is too small to be wasted. We will only consider lifting the ban when there are dozens or hundreds of them.

He activated the magic array, and the yellow light screen rose and then slowly disappeared.

After doing all this, Ji An sprinkled the white clay, black clay, blue clay, and earth yellow crystal into the corresponding areas in turn.

He adjusted the position of the spirit-binding stake, refilled the magic circle with spirit stones, and activated the magic circle.

Starting from the central point, the spirit-binding stakes lit up with a soft, crystalline yellow light in sequence.

The magic array requires more than one hundred mid-grade spirit stones every year, which is a considerable expense.

In the future, to obtain a spot to comprehend the divine will of metal, one will also need spirit stones, which are said to be quite expensive.

Ji An stood in the center of the small world. At this moment, the Soul-Devouring Insects had rebuilt a nest that was more than two feet high, which made people marvel at their efficiency.

Clearly, these spirit insects really liked the environment here, and he hoped to see their population expand when he came back next time.

The following day, Ji An began processing the armored lizard's skin in the cave. He carefully peeled off the scales, separating the broken pieces from the intact ones.

These scales can be used to make defensive magical artifacts; the scales of Chaoyuan-stage demon beasts are quite good for making defensive magical artifacts.

After processing the scales, he used the Lesser Cloud Rain spell to rinse them while scraping off any remaining bits of meat from the animal hide.

After everything was done, Ji An used tools to stretch the animal hide taut and released a fire spell to bake it, evaporating any remaining moisture.

Three days later, Ji An left the Immortal City and took a stroll around the surrounding area.

The purpose of doing this was to create the illusion of a connection with a 'friend'. He purchased spiritual soil for cultivating the spiritual field, using a method of 'creating a friend out of thin air'.

Half a month passed quickly. One evening, Ji An finished drawing the Fire Dragon Talisman and, as usual, went out of his cave to go to the restaurant for a meal.

He stepped out and found Li Zhonghe standing not far away, carrying a large wooden bucket that was about half a person's height.

"Senior, I'm lucky today. I managed to acquire six precious spirit fish through a friend."

He had been here for over an hour, feeling extremely uneasy. If the other party didn't come out by nightfall, he would be in trouble.

The spirit fish definitely wouldn't survive the night in the wooden tub, but he didn't have the courage to make a fuss outside the cave; otherwise, the fifty spirit stones would be wasted.

“Very good,” Ji An said with a smile as he approached the other person and peered into the wooden tub.

The small fish are two inches long, while the large ones are only the length of a palm. Their scales are oval-shaped and shimmer with a pale golden sheen.

The Arowana has two pairs of barbels at the corners of its mouth, one pair long and one pair short. The short barbels are about two inches long, while the long barbels are about the same length as its body.

The fish swam gently and slowly, and the water in the bucket rippled as if sunlight were shining into it.

"Six spirit fish, according to the price we originally agreed on, I need to pay you one hundred and twenty spirit stones, and I will add ten more as commission."

As Ji An spoke, he readily took out spirit stones and handed them to the other party.

Li Zhonghe's mouth was stretched from ear to ear. He had earned eighty spirit stones in just half a day, which was more than his usual full-day income.

He took the spirit stones with both hands and put them into his storage bag, then handed the wooden bucket over, saying earnestly with his eyes:
"Senior, do you need me to acquire four more?"

If we buy a few more, we should earn at least another fifty spirit stones!

Ji An waved her hand gently, "No need."

Regardless of whether the spirit fish can be bred in the gourd world, he will no longer buy the precious dragonfish.

A look of disappointment flashed in Li Zhonghe's eyes as he cupped his hands and said:

"Okay, senior, please feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything. I'll take my leave now."

After the other party left, Ji An returned to the cave and contacted the stone turtle.

"Enter the world of gourds."

He set foot on the yellow earth once again, and each time he entered, he did so near the Juyuan Tree.

He picked up the wooden bucket, rode the clouds to the pond in the center of the black soil, and poured water and spirit fish into it.

After being put into the water, the arowana happily wiggled its tail fins and showed no signs of discomfort.

After observing for a moment, Ji An whispered:

"I'll come see you again tomorrow."

He felt both anticipation and trepidation. He glanced deeply at the pool, then left the small world, walked out of the cave, and headed towards the restaurant.

After having dinner at Zuixianju, Ji An paid the bill and left, where the innkeeper warmly saw him off.

A customer who eats a pricey specialty dish every day is undoubtedly the most desirable customer.

As the bright moon shone obliquely, Ji An returned to his cave and immediately went to the quiet room to begin circulating the Five Elements Refining Scripture to refine the spiritual food.

To improve one's cultivation, one must understand the mutual generation of the five elements and accumulate magical power.

Both aspects must be advanced simultaneously; any weakness will hinder progress.

The process of circulating the cultivation technique is also a process of nourishing the immortal veins. Once a cultivator breaks through to the Golden Core stage, their aptitude will be completely fixed.

This is just like the growth and development of ordinary people. If you miss the growth period, your height will not increase no matter how good your nutrition is.

Spiritual energy circulated rapidly through the immortal veins, the Dao seeds in the acupoints shone brightly, and the radiance of the Five Elements Divine Palaces shone in turn.

Ji An's body is like a microcosm, with its own set of rules.

Once the cultivation technique completes a full cycle, spiritual energy is refined into magical power, flowing into the dantian like a surging river.

The magical power poured down like rain, and the flames of the primordial life fire surged high. The stone tortoise tilted its head back and swallowed the tortoise whole, the eight trigram stripes on its shell shimmering like rippling water.

An hour and a half later, Ji An finished his cultivation. The spiritual energy in the cave was already insufficient, and continuing to cultivate would greatly reduce his efficiency.

Second-tier high-grade spiritual vein nodes were insufficient to meet his needs for spiritual energy, and the rental price of a cave dwelling on a top-grade spiritual vein node was too expensive, a significant burden on his current wealth. He needed to keep enough spirit stones and resources on hand for unforeseen circumstances.

After finishing his cultivation, Ji An made a hand seal, and flames appeared at his fingertips to ignite the wind furnace. He then brewed a pot of Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea and took out a plate of Soul Incense to light.

Wisps of smoke curled upwards, spreading like mist, and a delicate fragrance filled the air, bringing a refreshing coolness to the mind.

After a short while, once the water boiled, he drank the spiritual tea and waited for his consciousness to recover before taking out the Fire Crane Danyang Furnace and placing it on the ground.

He sat cross-legged on the futon and activated the elixir fire, using the gentle fire method of the Three Yang Elixir Fire Technique to heat the elixir furnace with spiritual flames.

Since he grasped the principle that fire generates earth, his understanding of the fire element has reached a new level, and the surface of the flames he ignited has begun to turn white.

The spells released by cultivators or the flames they generate can be red, yellow, blue, white, or purple, with white representing the Golden Core stage.

Once he breaks through to the Golden Core stage, the flames he activates will turn completely incandescent white.

Beneath the fine, dark gold patterns on the surface of the alchemy furnace, it seemed as if magma was flowing, and the fire essence held in the beak of a flying crane shone brightly.

As the furnace temperature gradually rose, the feathers became increasingly bright, as if a divine bird were about to take flight.

He put the spiritual herbs into the furnace to refine the divine essence. This was a batch of Fire Dragon Heart Refining Pill ingredients that he had purchased from the Spirit Pill Pavilion.

Inside the alchemy furnace, the cryptic seal script characters slithered like living snakes, creating a stunning interplay of light and shadow, and filling the quiet room with a mysterious aura.

The dragon on top intermittently spewed out waves of fire, and a howling sound could be heard from it.

Ji An's fire control technique was skillful and had not become rusty in the slightest despite not having used the furnace for a long time.

He quickly extracted the essence of various materials and began formally refining the elixir.

As one portion of divine essence after another was poured into the alchemy furnace, the seal characters inside moved even faster, until only afterimages remained.

The divine essence and liquid perfectly merged into one, which Ji An could clearly see. The fire elemental energy in the alchemy furnace transformed into a red dragon coiling around the pill embryo.

'Is this alchemy furnace really that good?'

This was his first time using the Fire Crane Elixir Furnace to refine pills, and he was surprised to find that the spiritual energy in the furnace could actually take on a physical form.

This is equivalent to a cultivator's spell manifesting the power of magic, but it is much more difficult. This phenomenon only occurs when the spirituality of the alchemy furnace exceeds a certain limit.

'Unfortunately, the alchemy furnace is only at the mid-grade level of the second tier.'

Ji An sighed, composed himself, and continued to focus on activating the pill fire.

The crimson dragon circled the elixir, shedding impurities with each rotation, the residue falling to the bottom of the furnace and transforming into a fiery red liquid.

He seized the opportunity, activated his object manipulation technique, and the moment the furnace lid was lifted, the eyes of the coiled dragon on the lid shot out a crimson light.

His hand seals changed rapidly as he activated the technique of separating the elixir.

The medicinal liquid resembled a blooming five-petaled flower, and five crimson pills spun in the air.

The fragrance of medicine spread, and three dragon-like patterns appeared on the surface of three pills.

"Great! My alchemy skills have improved again."

Ji An laughed a few times. This time he had performed exceptionally well, with a 100% success rate in pill formation and three high-quality pills. He had made a fortune.

He put the Fire Dragon Heart-Refining Pill into a jade bottle and used the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique to cleanse the alchemy furnace.

After resting for a while, he summoned the Azure Lotus Banner, took out a jade bottle covered with runes, and opened it.

Strands of emerald light burst forth, like bursting forth flower threads.

Before Ji An could control it, the Azure Lotus Banner unfurled, and the Azure Dragon on its surface shone brightly, stretching its body as if it were alive.

The Azure Dragon devoured the Azure Spirit, making the light on the Azure Dragon even more dazzling.

A moment later, not a single wisp of spiritual energy flew out of the jade bottle, and the Azure Lotus Banner circled unwillingly.

Ji An gently shook his head. "That's all."

This was his last remaining stock. Because the Azure Deer was not strong enough, and the growth of the Clear Spirit Bamboo also took time, the yield of Azure Spirit-Seizing Fiend was not high.

He retrieved the spiritual artifact into his dantian to nurture it, and slowly sighed.

Without the support of Crimson Flame Peak, he could only rely on talisman making and alchemy to survive.

As time goes by, the incense and spirit tea I carry will gradually run out, and then I will have to endure some hardship.

He now understands the difficulties faced by Lingnong; he only has value when he relies on a powerful force. Fortunately, he possesses a small world, and in the future, he can truly be his own master.

The next day at dawn, Ji An had breakfast at a restaurant and slowly returned to his cave with his hands behind his back.

He fed the beasts with spirit-nourishing pills, and then went to the quiet room to sit cross-legged on a futon.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, his mind sinking into his dantian, and commanded the stone tortoise to send him into the gourd world.

As his feet touched the yellow earth, the Wuji Apricot Yellow Flag flew out of his dantian and began to circle around the Gathering Yuan Tree.

Ji An felt that there must be some mysterious substance around this spiritual root that he could not detect, otherwise it would be impossible to explain why the spiritual artifact would automatically fly out every time he entered.

However, since this mysterious substance must be beneficial to Wuji Xinghuang Banner, he didn't think too much about it.

He caught more than a dozen spirit insects from the nest of the spirit-devouring insects, and a cloud of black mist rose from beneath his feet, carrying him to the pond. The moment of testing had arrived.

He used his telekinesis to scatter half of the insects into the pond, so that the insects were submerged in the water but did not sink.

Seemingly receiving a signal, the spirit fish in the water surfaced one after another and began to compete for the spirit insects.

A faint golden light came into view, followed by another.

Ji An's eyes were full of smiles. He counted them, and all six precious dragon fish were present, fiercely competing with the other spirit fish.

"Cool!"

His laughter echoed in the small world, and the dozens of acres of spiritual fields felt his joy.

He didn't know if it was the special nature of the small world or the special nature of the Gathering Yuan Tree, but he knew that achieving the freedom to eat fish freely in the future would be no problem at all.

Another half month passed, and Ji An finished his cultivation, tidied up, and left the cave.

He found the Spirit Pill Pavilion with ease, even though he had only been there once before.

Shopkeeper Zhu Hanshan warmly received him. There weren't many alchemists at the Chaoyuan stage in the Immortal City, and each one was a guest of honor at various pill shops.

Ji An confidently took out the jade bottle, activated his object manipulation technique, and sent it to the shopkeeper's side:

"This is the Fire Dragon Heart Refining Pill that I refined a few days ago. Please take a look, fellow Daoist."

They reached a verbal agreement, but they both understood that the quality of the elixir would affect their future cooperation.

"You're too kind, senior. Just call me Hanshan."

Zhu Hanshan smiled broadly. The senior addressing him as "fellow Daoist" was a sign of respect; he certainly didn't think he was qualified to be on equal footing with the other party, given the difference in their cultivation levels.

In the world of cultivation, strength has always been paramount. Although cultivation level is not the same as strength, the higher the level of a cultivator, the more difficult it is to bridge the gap in cultivation level.

(End of this chapter)