Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 676 Reunion

Welcoming the sunrise and bidding farewell to the sunset, Ji An flew for a month and arrived at the immortal city of Chongming Mountain.

Eight thousand miles north of the Immortal City lies the Divine Wood Sect, six thousand miles to the southwest is the Phoenix Mountain Range, and seven thousand miles to the east is the Taihao Sect. These are all Nascent Soul cultivators, with the Divine Wood Sect being the top-tier sect.

Around the Immortal City, there are dozens of Golden Core forces of varying sizes. It is said that there are nearly 10,000 independent cultivators in the City at the Chaoyuan stage, and every year, as few as seven or eight, or as many as twenty, cultivators break through to the Golden Core stage by using the cave dwellings in the Immortal City.

This is the largest immortal city in the northern region of Zhongzhou, controlled by several major forces and some top-tier Golden Core forces.

Ji An inquired and learned that ten years later, merchant airships would fly along the ocean coastline to the far north, so he decided to take the airship and leave.

He couldn't let himself suffer while waiting, so he rented a cave dwelling at a third-tier high-grade immortal vein node, with a rent of 650 high-grade coins per year.

The price is slightly higher than that of Yunhai Xiancheng, there are no discounts or exemptions, and there is only a small medicinal herb garden of about two acres.

After tidying up the cave, Ji An released Golden Fur and Blue Shell to guard it, and then entered the gourd world himself.

Upon learning that he had rented a third-tier superior-grade cave dwelling, True Monarch Lianshan frowned:
"Why waste so much? You don't need to cultivate in the cave. Don't be stingy with spirit stones that are necessary, but cut back on unnecessary support!"

In his opinion, renting a third-grade low-level cave dwelling would be sufficient, and there was no need to waste money.

“My Lord, I have other considerations.”

Ji An replied with a smile that he had not yet told the other party about the stone turtle.

If it weren't for the desire to keep a low profile, he would have rented a top-grade cave dwelling so that he could absorb more spiritual energy each year.

For him, there is no need to learn new spells for the time being. These inspirations will accumulate and will bring him a brilliant moment of glory after he breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Having received the most essential inheritance of the Five Elements Sect, they are not lacking in magical arts.

Here you'll find high-level offensive and movement spells that the Tingfengxuan shopkeeper has repeatedly mentioned, such as the Taibai Extinguishing Spirit Sword, the Chaos Five Elements Thunder, and the Golden Light Across the Earth, as well as planting spells like the Dragon Soaring to All Things and the Vermilion Bird Profound Brightness Technique.

Ji An changed the subject, saying:

"We've settled down now, and I'll visit Master Feiyun tomorrow to continue our cooperation."

From now on, I will cultivate without leaving home, dissolving the physical body and spirit I condensed using the method of visualization, and then focusing all my efforts on improving my cultivation level.

With the cultivation techniques and elixirs in hand, and by utilizing various spiritual teas and soul-nourishing wood to nourish his soul and accelerate the recovery of his divine consciousness, his cultivation progress will undoubtedly be much faster than before.

Lianshan Zhenjun nodded, "That's how it should be. You have no shortage of external resources for cultivation now, so it's a good time to improve your cultivation."

I heard you talk about the situation of the True Demon Tribulation, and I feel that this great calamity may cause an impact greater than the last one. The higher one's cultivation level, the more confident one will be.

By the way, is there anything you've forgotten?

Ji An smiled and lowered his head, "I'll keep in mind the matter of customizing a flying artifact for a True Monarch."

"Well, children can be taught."

True Lord Lianshan took out two items and said generously:

"It's a reward for you."

The Earthly Kindness Pearl and Phoenix Pattern Gold he had obtained a few days ago were useless to him.

"Thank you for your generous gift, True Lord."

The following day, Ji An left the cave and went to the Wanbaolou branch.

Wanbaolou's weapon-refining skills are among the best in the entire Central Continent, and they have shops in most of the major immortal cities.

Ji An found the weapon refiner and took out the flying magical artifact forged by Wan Jinrong:

"Fellow Daoist, I want to customize a spiritual artifact, made according to this design."

The weapon refiner took the magical artifact, manipulated it with hand seals for a while, and then smiled:
"The crafting techniques and spiritual restrictions of this magical artifact also originated from Wanbaolou. Once I fully understand the methods, it won't be difficult to customize another one. Leave it to me."

"Fellow Daoist, are you entrusting the refining to us, or will we take full responsibility for it?"

Commissioned crafting means the client provides the main materials to the craftsman for crafting, while full responsibility means all materials are provided by Wanbaolou, which is relatively expensive.

"You'll provide the materials. How many spirit stones will it cost in total?"

The weapon refiner smiled broadly, "Two hundred high-grade spirit stones, please."

Ji An smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, this flying artifact of mine was crafted by my friend, True Person Jinrong, for only one hundred and fifty high-grade spirit stones. Could you possibly offer a discount?"

He felt that Wan Jinrong was a good person and that the price was reasonable.

"So you know Jinrong Zhenren, fellow Daoist. But this price is the most sincere I can offer."

Fellow Daoist may not know our situation. The cost for Master Jinrong to exchange materials from the warehouse was significantly lower than what I, a member of a collateral branch, spent."

Since the other party was unwilling to budge, Ji An didn't want to waste any more time negotiating. He took out two hundred spirit stones and placed them on the table.
"Approximately how long will it take to pick it up?"

"A month later."

"Okay, let's sign the agreement."

After leaving the Immortal City, Ji An rode his golden cloud and flew swiftly southwest, arriving at Phoenix Mountain Range on the evening of the second day. After reporting his arrival, he was seated in the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion.

The pavilion is surrounded by green bamboo and pine trees, creating a picturesque scene. In front of the pavilion, there is an artificial hill, a stream, and a fishpond.

An hour later, Master Feiyun arrived and, after exchanging pleasantries, led the person to his own courtyard.

Returning to the familiar place, the two strolled along the garden paths.

Ji An gazed at the garden full of flowers and plants, enjoying the delicate fragrance, and smiled:
"Others prefer to live in cave dwellings near spiritual vein nodes, but your courtyard has a unique elegance."

Master Feiyun responded gently:

"I always feel that the cave is not as bright as here. The courtyard is also within the range of the spiritual vein node, so I spend more time living here."

The two entered the living room, and Ji An told the other person where he lived, and then said:
"If there are any more alchemy tasks in the future, you can simply send someone to my cave."

If anyone inquires about me in the name of the Western Continent Golden Spirit Sect, please inform me directly.

By the way, I have dealings with Zhenyue Zhenjun of the Taixu Sect. If he comes here, you can tell him my address.

Initially, he did not intend to disclose his address to the other party because of the potential threat, but after Lian Shan Zhenjun was frightened away from the enemy's rear, his situation improved a lot.

"Fellow Daoist has actually made friends with the youngest True Monarch of the Taixu Sect. Congratulations."

"I was just commissioned by the other party to refine medicine. I met Zhenyue Zhenjun when I was on a mission in Wulan Mountain. He knew that I possessed the Azure Lotus Burning Heart Flame."

Later, he needed to refine a fire-elemental elixir, and the Azure Lotus Burning Heart Flame had a strong effect on enhancing the efficacy of this elixir, which is why he became familiar with it.

Ji An offered a few explanations, thus changing the subject:

"There is something I need to tell you in advance: ten years from now, I will be leaving Zhongzhou on a merchant airship, and it will be very difficult to find me to refine pills again."

I'm leaving now, so send me any orders quickly!

Master Feiyun sighed inwardly and said:

"The Western Continent is barren after all. Fellow Daoist has the potential to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, so why not stay here?"
Wouldn't it be better to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and then return home in glory?

“I always feel like I’m living under someone else’s roof in Zhongzhou. It’s prosperous and bustling here, but there’s a sense of alienation around me.” I always have to find an excuse to leave, so Ji An came up with a very subjective one.

"After the full-scale outbreak of the True Demon Tribulation, no region in this world will be spared. The spiritual veins of the Western Continent are not of high quality, so you should be careful, fellow Daoist."

"Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. Although the Western Continent will be affected by demonic energy, the impact is far less than that on the Central Continent, and I am capable of protecting myself."

Master Feiyun stopped trying to persuade him and chuckled:

"I must inform my family to search for more medicinal herbs, otherwise I will have to cross continents to ask you to refine pills in the future."

One year later, at the Crimson Flame Pavilion.

Li Haoran and Qin Yan entered the shop, followed by two disciples, who were Qin Yan's apprentices.

The purpose of bringing the apprentices was to have someone to assist with the weapon forging process, and also to expose them to the weapon forging philosophy of the Lower Central Continent, so as to broaden their horizons.

Li Qingqiu noticed the color change of the luminous pearl embedded in the ceiling and immediately stepped forward:
"Seniors, what do you need?"

The luminous pearl is connected to the detection array, and spiritual pressure at the Golden Core level will trigger a color change.

Qin Yan glanced around the shop's layout, then coughed lightly and said:

"We come from the Western Continent to see Senior Brother Xuanqing."

Li Qingqiu immediately said, "Please come upstairs, everyone. Let's talk in the living room."

Once in the living room, he explained the whole story: "Now the Crimson Flame Pavilion belongs to our Li family. We don't know where Senior Xuanqing is, but he left a message saying that we can go to Phoenix Mountain to find True Person Feiyun."

He took out a jade slip and said:

"Here is a map, which shows in detail the route from Cloud Sea Immortal City to Phoenix Mountain Range."

Li Haoran took the jade slip, pressed it to his forehead to examine it, asked a few more questions, and then got up to take his leave.

As the group walked out of the shop, Qin Yan said:
"Brother, what do you think?"

Something was amiss; there was no reason for Senior Brother Ji to abandon a shop that was supposedly quite profitable.

Li Haoran pondered for a moment and said:

"We may encounter other unforeseen circumstances and have to leave to seek refuge. We should leave immediately and head to Phoenix Mountain."

"I will go to find that Flying Cloud Master then; you and your disciples should hide."

He couldn't be sure if Li Qingqiu's words were true or false, but if he didn't go to Phoenix Mountain Range, he had nowhere to stay.

Now that the two of them are carrying a large amount of supplies, they cannot stay here and take risks; they must make a trip to the Phoenix Mountains.

"Okay, let's do it."

Qin Yan scratched his head. He had originally wanted to find a place to hone his skills, but now it seemed things were about to take an unexpected turn.

A month passed.

In the world of gourds, beneath the soul-nourishing wood tree.

Ji An used a secret technique to refine his body and spirit, and Da Huang entered the small world from the outside world, letting out two low growls.

He stopped practicing his internal energy and left the small world with his beast, returning to his cave. He immediately sensed the fluctuations of the golden communication sword.

He made a hand seal to break the magical barrier, and golden light, like lively swimming fish, trembled around him.

Grasping the golden sword for communication and probing it into his consciousness, Ji An immediately left the cave and met Li Haoran, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Haha, the sect only sent one junior brother this time? Come and sit in the cave."

Li Haoran smiled, waved to someone in the distance, and said:
"Junior Brother Qin Yan and I came together. When Senior Brother left Cloud Sea Immortal City, we thought something bad had happened."

Qin Yan received the hint and flew over with his disciples. After exchanging greetings, they entered the cave and took their seats as host and guests.

Ji An said:

"Junior brother, you arrived a step too late. The Five Elements Sect ruins opened ahead of schedule, and I have already explored them."

Thanks to the blessings of the spirits of our ancestral masters, I have made some progress. In a few years, I plan to depart on a merchant airship bound for the far north. You may all come with me then.”

There are always various dangers on the intercontinental route, and with his current strength, he is not qualified to traverse it alone.

Qin Yan said somewhat anxiously:
"Senior brother, I strongly agree with your plan to maintain exchanges with Zhongzhou."

Now that you've decided to leave, will the sect continue to support your exchanges with Central Continent?

He wanted to learn more about the art of weapon crafting. Because he had obtained a secret treasure that could assist him, he had more time to study the techniques and refine his crafting experience. He had also learned and digested all the weapon crafting traditions collected by the sect.

As Ji An gazed at Qin Yan, he couldn't help but reminisce. He had only recently joined the Golden Spirit Sect, and Qin Yan had once given a lecture to the new disciples, explaining the path of cultivation and the idea of ​​nourishing one's immortal veins to improve one's aptitude. It was from Qin Yan that he had heard this.

He sighed inwardly, "Time flies so fast; so many years have passed without me even realizing it."

"Junior brother, the calamity of the true demons is about to erupt, and the Central Plains will be the first to bear the brunt."

We have no roots here and are very likely to become tools in the hands of others. It would be more secure for us to return to the Western Continent.

"It's not too late to resume normal communication with Central Continent after the demonic calamity ends."

He paused for a moment, then said jokingly:
"In addition, I obtained some jade slips on the Five Elements Sect's art of weapon crafting, which I can give to my junior brother for research. However, he will have to pay me a great contribution after returning to the sect."

Qin Yan's eyes lit up when he heard his words, as if he had seen some priceless treasure:
"Haha, thank you very much, senior brother. It's worth it no matter how much effort it takes to see the weapon-refining inheritance of a former top Nascent Soul sect."

Li Haoran said softly:

"I don't want to return to the sect. There are too few places to hone my skills in the Western Continent. I need to stay here to hone my sword techniques and sword intent. The arrival of the great calamity is the perfect opportunity."

He was very dissatisfied with the speed at which his cultivation had increased. He had just broken through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, but his junior sister Han Yan said that the other party was already a sixth-level Golden Core cultivator, which aroused his competitive spirit.

When they first met, he was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, while the other was only at the early stage. Now the situation was reversed, and he felt his pride had been crushed.

For sword cultivators, battle is the best catalyst for breakthroughs.

Ji An was silent for a moment and said:

"Junior brother, the True Demon Tribulation is a battle between two worlds. You should prepare for the worst."

In his view, the other party's cultivation was like walking on a narrow mountain path with a bottomless abyss on one side, and the difficulties were like rocks rolling down the mountain.

One can only rely on the sword in hand to cut through all obstacles; if the resistance is too strong, the sword may break.

Li Haoran smiled calmly,

As a sword cultivator, one should possess the heroic spirit to cleave through ten thousand miles of clouds with a single sword in hand. I am well aware of my purpose in coming here, and I thank you for your concern, Senior Brother.

His first purpose in coming to Central Continent was to enter the ruins, and his second purpose was to hone himself by fighting against the True Demon.

Now that his first objective was no longer a concern, he prepared to head to the Demon Cave for the ritual.

The forces in the Central Continent are increasing their manpower to resist the invasion of demonic energy, and if he goes to join them, he will surely be gladly accepted.

(End of this chapter)