Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 531 Obtaining the Crimson Gold Carp
Ji An took on the job after careful consideration.

When he goes out to travel and explore, he will refine the raw materials in the small world into finished products for sale. He will be known as an alchemist and a talisman maker.

Using the sect's materials to increase one's alchemy proficiency is a good thing.

Besides, he will take away a seed of the Heavenly Spirit Fire in the future, and he will need to make corresponding contributions.

What needs to be addressed is to cultivate an alchemist who can take over before leaving.

Lin Jiuxiao frowned slightly and asked:

"When did you learn alchemy?"

Among the many Golden Core cultivators in the sect, only two had skills: True Person Yuxiao could draw talismans, and Ji An had the skills of spiritual farming and talisman making, but he never knew that the other party could also refine pills.

Ji An explained with a smile:
"I have been involved in alchemy for over a hundred years, but I have never taken on many alchemy tasks from the sect."

The highest-grade pill I ever refined was the Vermilion Bird Flame Grass Pill, with a success rate of over 70%.

Master Zhengyang nodded:

“I approve of my junior brother’s willingness to share the burden for the sect.”

Once the merchant ships from Central Continent arrive, the sect will purchase several batches of pills.

However, merchants are profit-driven and shrewd. They have partnered alchemists, so purchasing materials will inevitably incur a high premium. Junior brother, you need to adjust your condition as soon as possible.

He initially wanted to train Han Yan, but refining third-tier pills required a higher level of spiritual strength because it involved many very subtle operations.

Han Yan was only a cultivator at the Chaoyuan stage, and he was worried that he would not be able to handle the task. If he failed too many times, the alchemist would also be under great pressure, and the sect would not be able to bear the losses.

He had been hesitant. It was imperative for the sect to train alchemists capable of refining third-tier pills. The sect only had two alchemists at the Chaoyuan stage, so there weren't many options.

Now that Ji An has volunteered, he is very reassured, because the other party's past experience naturally inspires trust.

Yu Xiao Zhenren said:

"With an alchemist capable of refining third-tier pills, the current predicament will gradually be alleviated."

However, acquiring medicinal herbs from other forces is not a safe bet. While we cultivate them ourselves, we need to establish channels for acquiring medicinal herbs.

We need strongholds in both the Southern Continent and the Northern Lands.

"How can we ensure the safety of the outpost?"

“Taking turns to guard the position is a good option and can be considered a mission, since the sect originally did not clearly define the responsibilities of Golden Core cultivators.”

Receiving rewards without putting in any effort is not allowed in the current situation of the sect, because it lacks the resources to support doing so.

Lin Jiuxiao nodded slightly; he had always had responsibilities within the sect.

Lin Qiubai and his disciples nodded in agreement. The sect was in a period of growth and resources were not abundant. They were all pioneers and no one had the mentality of "winning without effort".

Master Yuxiao was very satisfied with everyone's reaction; it was a blessing for the sect that the higher-ups did not shirk responsibility.

"If we establish strongholds in other continents, the magical artifacts, puppets, and low-grade pills refined by the sect will have stable sales channels."

In that case, you're making a living on someone else's turf, so try to avoid making enemies.

The sect's power cannot reach other continents, nor is it a powerful force crossing the river; it can only act discreetly and make money peacefully.

Master Zhengyang glanced around discreetly and said:

"If we want to establish bases in other regions, we need to discuss and come up with a reasonable plan."

A sect needs to be managed to grow stronger. Now is a critical juncture for determining the course of action. It is best to clarify everything that can be explained and define the responsibilities of everyone.

Clearly defined responsibilities and powers are essential to reducing internal friction.

Master Yuxiao had already considered contingency plans and began to speak eloquently:

"We need to establish a base in the western continent and the far north, and then we can use these bases as a base to expand outwards."

When the stronghold was first established, in order to deter potential opponents, I thought we should send two Golden Core cultivators to be stationed there.

In a few years, everything will be on track, and we will only need to keep one person in charge.

As for the term of service for those remaining in their posts, we need to discuss how many years would be reasonable. Additionally, we need to discuss how much extra salary they could receive for missions outside the area.

When going out on missions, one inevitably has to worry about trivial matters, so appropriate compensation is necessary.

After discussion, everyone decided that each mission would last for three years, and a portion of the store's profits could be used as a reward.

The True Man Zhengyang personally recorded the resolution in the jade slip, and then asked:
"How do we select the personnel to carry out the mission?"

Master Yuxiao pondered for a moment and said:

"Disciples will be dispatched to the Refining Hall, Puppet Hall, and Alchemy Academy. As the scale expands, more personnel will be dispatched as appropriate."

As for the selection of the cultivators to oversee the sect, the sect leader cannot make any decisions lightly. Ji An needs to cultivate high-level spiritual plants for the sect. How about dividing the rest of the people into two groups?

It's impossible for a sect leader to personally manage the strongholds in other continents, so Ji An shoulders the important responsibility of increasing the sect's foundation.

If the sect had ten Tier 3 spiritual plants that could sustainably generate value, the sect's situation wouldn't be so dire.

After discussing the general direction, everyone agreed on the plan.

Master Zhengyang nodded, "Next, I will communicate with the Hall of Diligent Work and the Hall of General Affairs, as they understand the details of management better."

Once the plan is finalized, we'll begin implementation, issuing recruitment orders and selecting suitable disciples to go out on missions.

Master Yuxiao said, "It's not worth making a separate trip to choose a location. In another six months, the sect will send out spirit boats to sell the stockpiled goods, and then we can choose a location then."

With the general direction set, everyone's tone became more relaxed.

They are ruthless in suppressing demons and killing enemies, but when it comes to managing a sect, many are not good at it and can only scratch their heads.

Master Zhengyang coughed a few times and said in a deep voice:

"The invitations have been sent out; now it remains to be seen how our former allies will view our rise."

In principle, major conflicts should be avoided, but if there is any covert provocation, a firm response must be taken.

Due to historical reasons, there are no resources worth seizing within the territory controlled by humans, so severing ties with allies is not a good choice; even a rabbit won't eat the grass near its burrow.

The only attractive place is the gate of Falling Maple Valley, which is a third-grade low-level spiritual vein.

However, the Golden Spirit Sect is not strong enough to conquer such a mountain gate, and attacking an ally would have a negative impact.

Furthermore, it is estimated that it will also affect the attitude of the Central Continent towards the sects, as a unified Western Continent is not something that some people want to see.

Lin Qiubai smiled coldly, "Understood!"

If one is not combative, one would not choose to become a sword cultivator.

Master Yuxiao laughed and said, "It would be best to limit the scope and intensity of the conflict to the level of low-level disciples. If Golden Core cultivators get involved, it would mean that the pretense of civility has been completely broken."

"The purpose of the meeting has been achieved," Master Zhengyang said, rising to his feet.
"That's all for today. Next, we'll prepare for the Golden Core Ceremony."

The news of Lin Qiubai and his disciples holding the Golden Core Ceremony was released by the sect, and unsurprisingly, it aroused heated discussions from all sides.

All factions are speculating about the future direction of the Western Continent, and the Golden Spirit Sect's power surpasses that of the other two sects in every aspect.

Many people anticipated conflict, but everything returned to calm after the Golden Elixir Ceremony concluded.

Three years have passed in a flash, and the Golden Spirit Sect has already established two strongholds: the Red Rock Immortal City in the far north and the Rongman Immortal City in the southern continent.

Red Rock Immortal City is an open immortal city, with Nascent Soul cultivators in charge, and maintains good order. In addition, there are many large mineral veins nearby, which are very suitable for the Refining Hall to operate.

Zhu Xiangrong came here with his sect to oversee things, and Gu Hongming returned with him.

Shenhuo Street, Shenbi Lingjia Pavilion.

The two weapon refiners chatted happily. Although they didn't exchange core techniques, the intellectual exchange between the masters was very beneficial to them.

Zhu Xiangrong stood up and said:

"It's getting late, I need to hurry back to the sect's headquarters. I'll visit you again another day when I have the chance."

Gu Tai sighed:

"Sigh, when I talk to you, fellow Daoist, I always feel that time seems to pass much faster."

Haha, I feel the same way.

"Hongming, you can stay home tonight. Just be at the weapon-refining shop on time tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Master," Gu Hongming replied with a smile. He was just about to go home and chat with his family.

After seeing Zhu Xiangrong off, the grandfather and grandson chatted together.

Gu Tai stroked his beard and sighed, "I never imagined that Senior Ji would break through to the Golden Core stage so quickly. Your sect has been enjoying great fortune these past few years!"
Do you think it would have been better if you had become a disciple of Senior Ji back then?

A family with six Golden Elixir cultivators is definitely a sign of prosperity.

Gu Hongming shook his head. "If I had become an apprentice of Elder Ji, I would be a spirit farmer tending the spirit fields right now. Does Grandpa want me to become a spirit farmer?"

Gu Tai quickly shook his head, "Then forget it."

The family's craft must not be lost; the grandson will achieve great things in a thriving clan.

He pondered for a moment, then said:

Do you still remember the recipe I told you?

Gu Hongming pointed to his head with his finger, "Every night before I go to sleep, I recall it, as if it were engraved in my mind."

Grandpa, what's this recipe?

He remembered his grandfather's seriousness at the time; this was the Gu family's top-secret recipe.

"This recipe was found by my grandfather in an ancient book; it's very precious."

If you ever become a master weapon refiner, you can try refining it, but don't tell anyone.

Gu Tai looked at his grandson, who had grown much taller than before, and smiled with satisfaction. His grandson was already a cultivator at the fourth level of the Foundation Establishment stage, which meant that he was being nurtured by the sect.

"If your cultivation speed at the Chaoyuan stage is decent, you can offer up the formula, and you'll definitely gain the sect's full support in return."

"Grandpa, what exactly is the recipe? I don't quite believe it."

Gu Hongming didn't think it was a formula for refining expensive resources, because if his family had such a formula, they would have become wealthy long ago.

"You brat, how dare you doubt your grandfather's judgment! You'll know once you break through to the Chaoyuan stage and refine your own spiritual artifacts."

Gu Tai waved his hand, changing the subject:
Do you still keep in touch with Senior Ji?

“Every year, Ancestor Ji would send me some Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, Cloud Top Silver Jade Tea, and Soul Incense made from Soul Nourishing Wood leaves.”

Gu Tai nodded slightly. "If you decide to give away the formula, you can inform Senior Ji."

Gu Hongming asked suspiciously, "Shouldn't you have informed my master?"

Although Elder Ji is a Golden Core cultivator, he cannot surpass his master.

Gu Tai sighed softly, and said dejectedly:

"Your master and I are the same; we don't have many days left. I estimate we only have twenty or thirty years left."

He had a secret method to sense the vital energy of cultivators, and he could sense that Zhu Xiangrong's vital energy was showing signs of decline.

Over the years, Ji An has stayed at Crimson Flame Peak to cultivate and plant crops, and his task is to take good care of the spiritual fields.

Everyone knows that the quantity of third-tier spiritual plants directly affects the treatment of Golden Core cultivators in a sect.

For him, life was peaceful and beautiful.

Although his cultivation progressed slowly, the sense of happiness he felt every day as he watched the spiritual energy absorbed by the stone turtle accumulate.

Ji An rode a cloud to the top of Crimson Flame Peak, took out the Fire-Avoiding Pearl, and then jumped down.

A rich stream of golden fire energy continuously spewed outwards, and he could clearly feel that the concentration of the energy was much stronger than before, and had become even more intense in recent days.

Perhaps the day when the spiritual vein's grade is upgraded is not far off.

Ji An skillfully arrived at each fire coral growth point and harvested the spiritual plants of the second-tier superior grade and above.

An hour later, he landed at the deepest part of the earth's veins.

The crimson lava lake churned continuously, and fire-elemental spirits occasionally appeared at its edges.

Ji An once picked up a second-tier top-grade fire crystal the size of a broad bean and put it in his pocket.

He rode the fiery cloud low through the sky, his eyes like radar, intently searching every inch of the land.

This is the final, reserved event. Finding a high-level spiritual object will bring him joy, which is different from the feeling of cultivating a high-level spiritual plant.

Suddenly, a dazzling golden light leaped out of the magma to the left, and Ji An subconsciously released a mental roar.

As he launched the soul attack, he turned his head to the location where the golden mass had appeared, only to find it was the shadow he had been dreaming of.

Its body resembles a carp, covered in dazzling red-gold scales, with two fleshy whiskers on each side of its mouth, one long and one short.

It has a small, pointed, red horn on its lips, which shines with a spiritual light; it is a Crimson Gold Carp!
Ji An activated the crimson spiritual cloud, instantly accelerating to the spot where the spirit fish had fallen.

He used his telekinesis to grab the unconscious spirit fish in his hand.

Looking at the very full belly of the Crimson Gold Carp, he immediately extended his divine sense into it and found that there were eggs inside, twelve eggs.

"Buy one get many free, are you that generous?"

Ji An was overjoyed; the gourd world was about to have a new inhabitant.

The Crimson Gold Carp and the Precious Dragon Fish—the Dao Ancestor, knowing his love for fish, feared that sending only one wouldn't be enough to satisfy his craving.

He lost interest in continuing his treasure hunt and immediately flew upwards on a cloud.

Unsure how long the spirit fish could survive outside the magma, Ji An found a side path and entered it, taking out a sealing array from the Void Stone to seal the entrance.

He probed the gourd-shaped stone with his divine sense and touched the silver spots.

Upon entering the small world, he immediately flew to the lava abyss in the crimson spirit field area and released the crimson gold carp into it.

The spirit fish appeared to be dead, its belly turned white, but Ji An was not worried.

This spirit fish possesses vitality at the fifth level of the Chaoyuan stage. Although its soul attack is powerful, it is impossible for it to cause fatal damage.

This is just a temporary coma.

(End of this chapter)