Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 586 Wan Jinrong's Dedication
Ji An walked out of the certification association, pondered for a moment, and then rode a cloud to Wanbaoge.

The future situation shows signs of being entirely predictable, but he can't say how things will develop.

If things go smoothly, that's fine. But if the speed at which the True Demon Tribulation erupts suddenly increases, he won't have enough time to prepare calmly.

A maidservant came forward and said sweetly:
"Senior, are you buying magical artifacts or selling materials?"

"I need to see Master Jinrong to commission a magic weapon. Please inform him that Master Xuanqing is visiting."

"Please wait a moment, senior," the maid announced as she went into the backyard.

A moment later, Wan Jinrong strode out, his face etched with exhaustion:
"I've been so busy lately that I'm exhausted. Fellow Daoist's visit has given me a reason to rest. Come on, let's go to the VIP room to discuss this."

Refining demon-repelling metals, on a small scale, involves the accumulation of family wealth; on a larger scale, it involves the battle against the True Demon Calamity.

This metal has always been used to forge magical or spiritual weapons that have been enhanced, making them particularly effective against true demons with physical forms.

When the last True Demon Calamity broke out, the cultivation world relied on two methods to reverse its previous decline and gained the upper hand in the battle against the True Demon and the Demon Lord.

The first method is to cultivate demonic arts. Cultivators use demons as their main source of cultivation resources. The Yin Demons and Illusion Demons that were previously avoided have become stepping stones for demonic cultivators to improve their cultivation.

The second type of metal is the refining of demon-slaying metal. This spiritual material was inspired by Buddhist monks, who refined suitable materials using special methods to give them a special killing effect on true demons.

True demons possess extremely strong self-healing abilities; limbs can regenerate as easily as a child's play. If you encounter a true demon cultivator and cannot resolve the battle in a short time, you should consider fleeing.

Because true demons can exchange injury for life, but cultivators do not have this ability.

After the True Demon Calamity erupts, demonic energy will soon engulf most of the cultivation world. For demons and true demons, unless they attack the gates of human forces, everywhere is their home ground.

The two walked up the stairs to the VIP room on the second floor. A maid brought out some fine tea, and Wan Jinrong drank three cups before stopping.

"When you get busy, you don't care about anything else."

He paused and asked:
"What kind of magic weapon do you wish to refine, fellow Daoist?"

"The alchemy furnace should be made according to this design."

As Ji An spoke, he summoned the Fire Crane Elixir Furnace. Unbeknownst to him, this elixir furnace had been with him for nearly a hundred years.

He activated the Azure Lotus Heart-Burning Flame, fully revealing the characteristics of the alchemy furnace.

Looking at the changing flaming crane relief on the surface of the alchemy furnace and the moving incantations of the Fire-Separating Ceremony inside, Wan Jinrong said:

"You can stop now. The craftsman who created this magical artifact has clearly put a lot of thought into it. Let me take control of it myself."

He took over the alchemy furnace and manipulated it with hand seals. The alchemical fire activated by the alchemist became even more explosive, but he was still able to perform precise operations.

After a while, he put down the alchemy furnace and asked:

"It's not difficult to replicate the effect of this alchemy furnace. What grade of magic weapon do you plan to refine, fellow Daoist?"

Refining alchemy furnaces wasn't his forte, but simply imitating creative ideas was quite easy for him.

Ji An smiled wryly, "I can't afford a high-grade alchemy furnace right now. Fellow Daoist, could you tell me what the price is for refining low-grade and mid-grade third-order alchemy?"

Unless he uses his own Tier 3 resource reserves, the resources he has on hand are insufficient to support him in refining a high-level alchemy furnace.

Even if he were to refine a top-grade third-tier alchemy furnace, his cultivation level would likely make it difficult to control, and nurturing it would also be a major challenge.

Wan Jinrong nodded slightly, "Fellow Daoist, this alchemy furnace uses second-tier mid-grade spiritual materials, Crimson Flame Mystic Crystal and Blood Red Copper. I also discovered that it has been smelted with second-tier high-grade Earth Vein Fire Crystal."

If I were to replicate it, I would use the same spiritual materials. I roughly estimated that the amount of Crimson Flame Mystic Crystal would be around ten catties, half of which I would use mid-grade third-level spiritual materials, and the other half of which I would use low-grade third-level spiritual materials.

As for the Blood Red Copper, all materials of the third tier (lower grade) will suffice; for the Earth Vein Fire Crystal, choose the third tier (lower grade).

His tone carried a hint of pride, "With just these materials, I can refine a mid-grade third-tier alchemy furnace. Do you have these two kinds of spiritual materials, fellow Daoist?"

Other Tier 3 materials need to be added, but the amount needed is much smaller, and his own inventory can handle it.

Ji An felt relieved. "How much of each of the Blood Red Copper and Earth Vein Fire Crystal is needed?"

The sect started out by refining weapons, and these materials are all for refining weapons; they are all included in the resources given to him.

He didn't know how much of the sect's reserves his senior brother Yuxiao had taken out, but he felt that at least half of the sect's thousands of years of accumulated wealth had been taken away.

"Fifty catties of red copper and about five catties of earth vein fire crystal are needed."

Wan Jinrong provided an estimate, stating that the quantity he quoted was slightly larger than the actual quantity, ensuring there wouldn't be a shortage.

Red copper is a relatively light mineral with excellent thermal conductivity, making it the main material and therefore used in the largest quantities.

“Apart from the third-grade mid-level Crimson Flame Mystic Crystal, I can take out all the other materials, but I have to go back to my cave.”

Ji An said that he was actually carrying all his wealth with him, but he couldn't let others know, so he said he had to go back to his cave.

“I will find a way to obtain the third-grade mid-level Crimson Flame Profound Crystal, but I need you to exchange it for sixty catties of Pill Blood Red Copper.”

Wan Jinrong replied that the uses of Danxue Red Copper are very extensive, and most fire-element magic treasures use it. The consumption is huge, so it's always a good idea to stock up on more.

Ji An thought for a moment and nodded:
"Yes, how much will it cost to refine?"

He had the most red copper in his hand, weighing a full two hundred jin.

"Two hundred high-grade spirit stones, half as a deposit. Also, fellow Daoist, you need to leave the alchemy furnace here for one night so I can conduct a detailed study."

The price of refining a mid-grade third-tier alchemy furnace is not expensive, because there will inevitably be some third-tier materials left over, which will all be profit.

Ji An took out one hundred high-grade spirit stones and placed them on the coffee table. "No problem, I will send the materials over tomorrow."

By the way, how long does the refining process take? I have a pill-refining mission coming up soon, which is a good time to nurture the furnace.

Provided it is not damaged, the longer a pill furnace is used, the more valuable it becomes, because a pill furnace that has been nourished by various spiritual herbs for a long time will develop a special spirituality, making it easier to control when refining pills.

A level 3 mid-grade magic weapon can only be nourished by spiritual herbs when it is refined into a third-grade or higher elixir.

Wan Jinrong's expression turned serious. "If we want to expedite the refining process, the refining cost will be higher."

"How long will it take at the earliest, and what will the cost be?"

"Haha, just kidding. I can refine the alchemy furnace in half a month."

Ji An solemnly cupped his hands in greeting, "I owe you a favor, fellow Daoist."

Wan Jinrong also cupped his hands in return, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

A favor from a promising fellow cultivator is far more valuable than a top-grade spirit stone.

The two discussed the details of the refining process, and Ji An took his leave.

Back in his cave and into the small world, Ji An sorted out the resources he would need for tomorrow and put them into his storage bag, letting out a soft sigh.

He felt a pang of regret at losing a third of the resources he received from the sect. If he wanted to refine the Plain Cloud Banner and the Profound Origin Water Control Banner in the future, he planned to refine magic weapons of the highest possible grade. His current resources were definitely insufficient; he needed to accumulate more third-tier resources.

What we can offer now are spiritual materials such as third-tier Azure Dragon Wood, Purple Gold Wutong Wood, and Vajra Bodhi Wood. However, there is a very real problem: long-term trading of these spiritual materials will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble.

The best way is to trade various third-tier pills and talismans with other cultivators. With the cover of being an alchemist and talisman maker, this would minimize the risk. He felt it was necessary to have a deeper level of cooperation with the certification association.

He has already obtained the method for drawing the Gengjin Divine Thunder Talisman, but it would take at least ten years to refine the suitable talisman paper on his own. He needs to rely on the power of the platform to accelerate his growth.

The puppet delivered the food, which Ji An devoured in a flash. He then began practicing the Bing Fire Divine Thunder technique.

There's no time to improve all the thunder techniques at the same time right now, so he decided to focus on practicing the Bing Fire Divine Thunder technique from now on, so that he can reach the Great Perfection level as soon as possible.

Crimson light burst forth in the sky, and rolling thunder echoed in the small world.

After consuming most of his magical power, Ji An took off his Taoist robe, applied medicinal mud to his entire body, and then practiced the Immovable King Technique.

He now seems to have returned to the state he was in when he first entered the sect, seizing every moment to improve himself.

White mist rose from above his head, and his physical strength was constantly being depleted. When he felt that his body had reached its limit, he slowly stopped practicing.

With his arms, which felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, he cast a hand seal and released the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, then took a comfortable shower.

Dragging his weary body, Ji An sat down under the Gathering Yuan Tree. He first ate a Fire Yuan Pill, and then began to cultivate the Five Elements Revolving Scripture.

The physical exhaustion sharpened his mind, and he quickly entered a state of tranquility.

As the cultivation technique was activated, spiritual energy from all directions converged on him, gradually forming a vortex of spiritual energy above his head.

Along with the spiritual energy, various spiritual energies from the spiritual fields also converge, which can be transformed into the Five Elements Spiritual Liquid within their respective divine palaces.

The environment of the small world is unique, and the spiritual energy of the five elements is relatively balanced. Ji An has made comparisons and found that the cultivation speed in the small world is about 20% faster than in the cave.

Over time, his cultivation level will improve at a rate far exceeding that of others.

Given enough time, he could quickly advance to the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, but unfortunately, nothing in this world is ever smooth sailing.

The next day.

Ji An arrived at Wanbaolou and took off the storage bag from his waist and handed it over:

"Fellow Daoist, please take stock of the resources."

Without any hesitation, Wan Jinrong took the storage bag, took out the spiritual item, and weighed it carefully.

“No problem,” he said with a smile, handing over the Firecracker Elixir Furnace.

"I studied it all night and have come up with a detailed refining plan. It may take less than half a month to refine it."

Since the other party has already said they owe him a favor, there's no need to drag things out and slowly refine it.

He planned to put aside other matters and refine the alchemy furnace as quickly and efficiently as possible, so that his friends could also witness his craftsmanship.

Ji An put away the alchemy furnace, a hint of joy appearing on his brow:
"This is great news! Once we get the alchemy furnace, I'll host a banquet at Dingxiang Pavilion. We'll drink until we drop!"

Putting everything else aside, he was satisfied with the other party's efficiency in refining weapons.

Previously in the sect, it would take Zhu Xiangrong a month to refine a second-grade top-quality spiritual weapon. This shows that the sect's weapon-refining tradition was still far behind that of the top weapon-refining forces in the Central Continent.

“Alright,” Wan Jinrong packed up the resources. “In order to let you use the alchemy furnace as soon as possible, I’m going to start refining it now.”

Receiving an order to refine a mid-grade third-order alchemy furnace is also a test of his skills.

He himself has a passion for weapon crafting, which is why he was able to become a certified Tier 3, 2-star weapon crafter at this age.

"Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist," Ji An said, bowing as he left. He greatly admired such a professional attitude.

Leaving Wanbaolou, Ji An rode on crimson clouds to the Certification Association.

"Fellow Daoist is a rare guest," Master Qingfeng was very surprised to see the uninvited guest. He rarely saw him unless he had a task to draw talismans.

Ji An chuckled and brushed it off, saying:
“Fellow Daoist, does the association have any tasks recently involving drawing Gengjin Divine Thunder Talismans? I am already very familiar with the techniques of drawing talismans, but this kind of craftsmanship cannot be done without doing it myself.”

He originally planned to enhance his reputation in alchemy and talisman making after his cultivation level reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm, but because of the news from Master Feiyun, he felt that the plan should be brought forward.

Master Qingfeng shook his head with considerable difficulty and said:

"To draw a third-tier talisman, you either need animal hide and blood essence of the Golden Core level, or third-tier talisman paper and cinnabar."

Both of these materials are relatively scarce. The association can occasionally obtain a batch of materials, but they are all supplied to the talisman makers with whom they have cooperated for a longer period of time.

Fellow Daoist, if you wish to purchase talisman-making materials, you can inquire in the talisman section of the Immortal City. There is a shop called Changmao Treasure Talisman Shop, which mainly deals in high-quality second- and third-tier talismans. You can go and inquire there.

The association and high-level talisman makers have formed a chain of interests and have been cooperating for a long time, so the status quo will not change easily.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist, for informing me."

Ji An was unaware of the intricacies involved, but he knew that cultivators who controlled resource allocation inevitably had the power to redistribute it.

He didn't continue the conversation, chatted with the other person for a while, and then got up to take his leave.

"I won't bother you any longer, fellow Daoist. I've been quite busy lately and haven't had time to offer you tea. Just leave the tea leaves here."

He left behind a can of third-grade low-quality Cloud Peak Silver Needle Tea. Giving a small gift wouldn't get him a talisman-making task directly, otherwise, where would he put his face?

However, if you send gifts a few times, the other party will eventually have to reciprocate.

For him, the cost of spirit tea is relatively low, and it is worthwhile to exchange spirit tea for talisman-making resources.

He decided to find a way to make it seem reasonable for him to contribute various spiritual plant resources.

"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I cannot accept such a reward without having done anything in return."

Master Qingfeng waved his hand and continued:
"Fellow Daoist brought these things all the way from the Western Continent, I cannot take them."

As he spoke, he picked up the porcelain jar, making a gesture as if to return it.

A sudden inspiration struck Ji An, and he smiled:

"The sect has developed rapidly in recent years, established the Department of Agriculture, and cultivated a number of third-tier spiritual tea plants."

My journey to the Central Continent also carries the responsibility of seeking cooperation opportunities. The sect wishes to exchange various spiritual plant resources for other resources, and in the future, fellow disciples will carry resources on merchant flying ships.

He made up a story offhand, saying that no one could possibly verify it with his sect anyway, and besides, he really intended to send the message back so that his sect would send someone over.

In this way, it would seem reasonable to outsiders that he has high-grade spiritual materials for sale.

(End of this chapter)