Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 657 News
Master Huayin stopped circulating his cultivation technique as he felt the elixir being completely refined. He bit his lip lightly, his eyes revealing his unyielding and stubborn nature.

When her cultivation broke through to the ninth level of the Golden Core stage, she thought that her suffering was about to end, but who knew that the cold poison would erupt again.

Hope was followed by deep disappointment, causing a brief period of mental imbalance, but thankfully she quickly recovered.

She told herself that she had come this far, and she absolutely could not give up, for the sake of herself and her loved ones.

The pill's effects were unexpectedly good. The ice crystals in the immortal veins were completely refined, and the formation of ice crystals was greatly suppressed. At the same time, the improvement in cultivation level could be clearly felt.

The Phoenix Nirvana Pill refined by her fellow disciples could maintain her condition for half a year, but this pill was even more effective, and its remaining medicinal power would surely buy her even more time.

Stepping out of the room, she saw her cousin waiting outside and smiled happily.

Master Zhenyue looked at the previously pale face now flushed pink, and a relieved smile spread across his lips and in his eyes:

"Judging from your current condition, the pill is working very well, haha, and this is only a regular quality pill!"

Do you know? It took you a full nine hours to refine the elixir!

There is a very intuitive way to judge the potency of a medicine: the longer the refining time, the stronger the potency.

Master Huayin tilted his head slightly, his eyes curving into crescents:
"I remember that the Phoenix Nirvana Pill I refined last time took about three hours."

"Yes, the difference in effect is too great. If you take high-quality pills, the cold poison in your body should be completely suppressed!"

"It has been completely suppressed. The ice crystals in the immortal veins have completely melted, and the production of ice crystals has been greatly suppressed. Even if some are produced occasionally, they will quickly melt away."

Master Zhenyue's smile widened even more, "The effect is so good?!"

"Yes, logically there shouldn't be such a big difference. I guess there must have been some strange changes between Fellow Daoist Xuanqing's Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire and the elixir."

Where is Fellow Daoist Xuanqing? I would like to thank him in person.

"I'm meditating next door; I need to have a good talk with him about the payment."

The True Man of Huayin bowed gracefully and solemnly said:
"To me, fellow Daoist's elixir is a blessing akin to being reborn. Please accept my bow."

With the cold poison suppressed, she can focus all her energy on improving her cultivation level as quickly as possible.

Ji An stepped aside and smiled:
"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. It is my honor to have glimpsed such a wonderful pill formula. I am not worthy of such a great gift."

Please have a seat, let's talk slowly.

Without the other person's illness, how could he have obtained the Phoenix Nirvana Pill formula? This is a pill that increases the chances of forming a Nascent Soul, and normally it would be impossible for it to fall into the wrong hands.

After everyone took their seats, Zhenyue Zhenren solemnly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "We truly owe you a favor, which we will repay later."

"We haven't discussed payment during the alchemy process. Perhaps you could bring it up?"

Previously, the reward for asking the other party to sell the Three Yang Meridian Opening Pill was the Purple Cloud Jade Mushroom Pill, but that was only a mid-grade third-tier pill. Now, the pill being refined is a top-grade third-tier pill that has reached the threshold of the fourth tier, so naturally the reward has to be increased.

Ji An pondered. He thought he would go and observe when the other party broke through. He wondered how much Dao essence the Nascent Soul Tribulation could provide, and the other party would probably agree.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch wouldn't be able to detect the stone tortoise inside his body if he were face to face, but that might not be the case if the stone tortoise came outside.

Moreover, he was worried that the arrays within the Nascent Soul sects could detect the anomaly. Although the Daoist essence was precious, it wasn't worth risking exposing the stone tortoise.

After a moment's thought, he asked another question that he was very concerned about:

"Fellow Daoist, I once chatted with you and heard that the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture is also recorded in the Taixu Sect. I wonder if such a cultivation method can be traded?"

If he can't, he'll give up. If he can, he'll find out what he needs to make a deal, which is a backup plan.

He felt that trading here was safer than trading with Tingfengxuan, since he had a genuine relationship with Zhenyue Zhenren, while his relationship with Tingfengxuan was merely a trading one.

Zhenyue Zhenren pursed his lips and pondered for a moment, then gently shook his head:
“I understand that what you want is the complete Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture, but according to the rules of our sect, you cannot obtain it.”

I will inquire about it for you after I return to the sect, but don't have too high hopes.

Even tradable cultivation techniques are broken down into different parts and sold stage by stage.

If the other party is a cultivator from a Nascent Soul sect, they only need to pay a sufficient price to obtain the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture for study and reference.

However, for cultivators who are not at the Nascent Soul stage, this type of cultivation technique is a closely guarded secret, because it could potentially create a new Nascent Soul stage.

He vaguely understood the attitude towards the True Lords; it seemed they didn't want too many Nascent Soul True Lords to appear.

Ji An bowed and said with a smile:
"It would be a great help if you could ask for my help, fellow Daoist. Thank you in advance."

He didn't have high hopes. Over the years, he had seen clearly how the major sects blocked cultivation techniques, and he had some doubts about the authenticity of Tingfengxuan's sale of Nascent Soul cultivation techniques.

Zhenyue Zhenren waved his hand, "The outcome of the matter is still undecided, so there's no need for thanks."

"Does fellow Daoist have any other needs? Perhaps I can help you directly."

The matter hasn't been settled yet; this is just asking a question, and it's not considered payment.

Ji An's most pressing need right now is cultivation techniques, followed by elixirs. He wants to improve to the sixth level of the Golden Core realm as soon as possible. The sect's cultivation techniques can only support him to this point. Breaking through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm requires special secret methods.

He was about to ask for some Purple Cloud Jade Mushroom Pills when he suddenly remembered the matter of magic treasures and changed his mind:
"I am very interested in the Five Directions Banners, a primordial spiritual treasure. I am currently looking for someone to help me refine the Plain Cloud Banner and the Profound Origin Water Control Banner. Do you have any information on this, fellow Daoist?"

The refining method is very valuable, but it is much easier to find someone to refine it if you have the materials.

Zhenyue Zhenren rolled his eyes a few times and said, "I'll go back and inquire, and get back to you as soon as possible."

He was unaware whether the sect possessed such a secret method for refining artifacts, as he was not interested in replicas of innate spiritual treasures.

Each innate magical treasure possesses its own profound mysteries and wonders. However, imitations only inherit the control over the five elements; in terms of attack, they are not top-tier among similar magical treasures, and the same applies to defense.

The cultivation world has developed for countless millennia, and the art of refining magical artifacts has continuously improved, making magical treasures more powerful. However, the refining techniques for various imitations of spiritual treasures have not improved much.

Master Huayin cleared his throat and said:
"The sect has the method to forge the Plain Cloud Banner, but I don't know if there are any weapon refiners who can forge it."

"If Master Xuanqing wishes to refine it, I will consult a weapon refiner when I return."

Master Zhenyue asked with a fond expression, "How did you know?"

“It’s not suitable to cultivate when the cold poison is flaring up. At that time, I will go to the Inheritance Hall. I know all the inheritance knowledge that the sect has.”

Many pieces of knowledge require a price to access, but simply looking at the tags and catalog requires no payment. She had already read through all the miscellaneous jade slips in the Inheritance Hall that did not require exchange.

Ji An smiled happily, "Then I'll have to trouble you, fellow Daoist."

If one of the Five Elements Flags is obtained, then only the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag remains.

Zhenyue Zhenren took out a jade bottle and said:

"Here are some Purple Cloud Jade Mushroom Pills. Congratulations on breaking through to the sixth level of the Golden Core stage. Breaking through to the late stage of the Golden Core stage is just around the corner."

After saying all that, it wouldn't be right not to give the other party any substantial compensation.

There were two pills in the jade bottle, originally intended as payment for the other party's request to refine the Three Yang Meridian Opening Pill. Now, it would be nice to give them away as a congratulatory gift. Ji An generously accepted the pills, "For me, the Purple Cloud Jade Mushroom Pill is the most practical resource."

After breaking through to the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, the effect of this elixir decreased somewhat, but it could still improve one's cultivation.

The group chatted pleasantly, and soon it was dawn. A faint light appeared outside the window. Zhenyue Zhenren stood up and said:
"We still have some matters to attend to at our sect, and we will be able to give you an answer as soon as possible. We will take our leave now, and I will treat you to a drink when we meet again."

His cousin's condition has completely stabilized, and he doesn't need to worry about her for the time being. It's time for her to return to the sect to adjust her condition and prepare for breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm.

When the two meet again, he will surely be a true lord.

After seeing off the guests, Ji An returned to his quiet room, took a short nap, and then began practicing his martial arts. He arrived at Wanbaolou at noon.

Flames roared in the weapon-refining room, filling it with an atmosphere of passion.

He raised the wine jar and laughed:

"Something came up yesterday and I was delayed, so I didn't come to pick up the flying artifact in time."

Wan Jinrong glanced back, revealing his pearly white teeth, and joked:
"I thought you were being stingy with your spiritual wine, haha."

"Fellow Daoist, please wait in the living room for a moment. I'll finish processing these materials; it won't take long."

"Okay, I'll go set out the spirit wine and side dishes."

In the living room, Ji An arranged two jars of Qingye wine and plated pastries, peanuts, dried fruit, and dried fish.

A moment later, Wan Jinrong walked in and took out a round, cloud-like spiritual artifact, about the size of a palm and three inches thick:

"This is the smallest form of a flying artifact. It can be powered by a high-grade spirit stone. Only one spirit stone is needed to enable it to fly for seven or eight hundred hours at normal speed. Fellow Daoist, you can have the puppet power the size of the Ruyi Spirit Restriction to test the effect."

Let's get down to business first, then we can talk about food and drink.

Ji An took the magical artifact, retrieved the puppet, and smiled:

"From now on, this will be your means of transportation. Give it a try."

The puppet smiled vividly, made a hand seal to activate its magical artifact, and a crimson cloud about ten feet in diameter appeared, its flames flickering.

Wan Jinrong explained:

"The fire elemental energy in this area is more concentrated, which is why it appears red. It's large enough to fit ten baskets in."

The puppet made hand seals to shrink the magical artifact, and then moved around the living room in a small area while standing on it. Moving forward and backward was very smooth.

It put away the magical artifact and nodded in satisfaction.

Ji An smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Jinrong, it is thanking you. I am very satisfied with the spiritual weapon. How much did it cost to make?"

Accounts should be settled clearly so that relationships can last longer.

"One hundred and fifty high-grade spirit stones."

After settling the bill, Ji An put away the puppets and magical artifacts. "Come on, let's have some wine."

"Then I won't be polite."

The two raised their glasses and drank to their hearts' content. Wan Jinrong used his telekinesis to pinch the rice cake and ate three pieces in a row.

"There aren't many spiritual foods that can nourish the divine palace. If I'm not mistaken, it's all thanks to the high-grade honey inside, right?"

Ji An nodded, "Third-grade mid-level honey, fellow Daoist can also try the dried fish. Although it's not as delicious as fresh spirit fish, it's still quite good."

Fried dried fish from the late Yuan Dynasty is a good snack to enjoy with drinks.

One month later, at the Crimson Flame Pavilion.

In the living room, Ji An frowned, scrutinizing the person before him, and said suspiciously:
"I feel that your temperament is completely different now, fellow Daoist."

Master Huayin covered his mouth and chuckled, saying:

"Let me introduce you to the newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator soldier of the Taixu Sect—True Lord Zhenyue."

Among the Golden Core cultivators, only she could speak to her cousin like that.

Ji An's expression froze for a moment, thinking to himself:

'Is breaking through to the True Lord level really that easy? Then the favor he promised carries far more weight!'

He immediately stood up, bowed, and said:
"Greetings, True Lord."

Zhenyue Zhenjun raised his hand and used his magic to support him, smiling gently:
"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I have received much help from you over the years. Let's continue to treat each other as equals."

Ji An smiled but didn't say much; he just listened to what Ji An said.

Their friendship wasn't established when they were both struggling; it was more like a mutually beneficial transaction.

He was in charge of refining the pills, and the other party paid him a fee. He probably felt a little grateful, but not much.

The friendship can still be maintained for now because of Master Huayin. However, once the hidden dangers on Master Huayin are eliminated, the friendship will inevitably fade over time, unless his cultivation level also improves.

Zhenyue Zhenren spoke again:

"I have inquired about the Plain Cloud Banner. Although the sect has the method to make it, there is no weapon refiner who is good at it. It will take some time before we can start making it."

According to the weapon refiner, imitations of spiritual treasures like the Five Directions Flag need to be perfectly integrated with the owner's aura in order to exert their greater effect.

Therefore, the highest grade that can be refined is a low-grade third-tier magic weapon. We can then gradually add spiritual materials to improve its grade. Are you willing, fellow Daoist?"

Through his conversation with the weapon refiner, he learned that although the Five Banners replicas were not as good as the current magic weapons when they were first made, they had one advantage: they were "relatively easier to upgrade in rank".

As long as the compatibility between the cultivator and the magic weapon is good enough, the magic weapon's grade can be upgraded by a weapon refiner at a relatively low cost.

Upgrading the grade of ordinary magic items requires more materials.

However, this benefit comes at a price; it requires cultivators to have a very profound understanding of the Five Elements. It seems simple, but it is actually very difficult.

Taking him as an example, his understanding of the Earth and Metal elements is sufficient, and his understanding of the Fire element is also passable, but his understanding of the Wood and Water elements is much weaker.

His master taught him that cultivators should know how to leverage their strengths and avoid their weaknesses in order to continuously break through their own limits within their limited lifespan.

Everyone has their own talents. If you work hard for a long time in a talent you are not good at, you can only reach the level that a talented cultivator can achieve with a little effort. This is why few cultivators choose replicas of the Five Directions Flag as magic weapons.

"I'm willing, what materials do I need?"

Ji An was of course willing. The moment he decided to choose the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner as his natal magic weapon, he was destined to work hard to collect all five spirit banners.

(End of this chapter)