From Celestial Official to Great Celestial Venerable

Chapter 29 Burning Wood
The Spirit Gathering Technique can only be practiced at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

It is obvious that this is already a mid-to-high-level Qi cultivation spell that can be compared with serious combat techniques such as Fireball and Giant Vine.

Old Huo noticed the unusual expression on Qin Chuan's face, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out, revealing a hint of a smile:
"Now do you understand? The reason I didn't teach you this spell before was because your cultivation level wasn't high enough..."

He paused for a moment, then said:
"However, since you have made such progress, it is fine to inform you in advance."

With Qin Chuan's talent, reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining is only a matter of time. Since he can even master the Yi Wood Azure Heaven Technique in a short time, it wouldn't be a bad thing for him to become familiar with the Spirit Gathering Technique sooner. After all, this technique is considered an essential skill in the study of spiritual plants.

"Alright, then this disciple will go down and study diligently."

Qin Chuan suppressed his eagerness—since only the fourth level of Qi Refining could be used, he should improve his cultivation as soon as possible. As long as he could complete the cultivation before the Spirit Orange Tree withered on a large scale, he would have a chance to verify his thoughts.

"Wait a minute, I have another method to teach you today."

As he spoke, Old Huo took out a jade slip from his sleeve:

"This technique is called the 'Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique'."

"The Art of Burning Wood and Separating Fire?"

Qin Chuan was both surprised and delighted. He hadn't expected to not only obtain the Spirit Gathering Technique today, but also a fire-based spell. Just hearing its name made it sound much more impressive than the basic "Fireball" spell.

Seeing Qin Chuan's delighted expression, Old Huo sighed softly:
"The reason I am passing on this method to you now is because I did not expect your progress in cultivating the Yi Wood Azure Heaven Technique to be so astonishing. I did not have time to remind you before—we cultivators must pay attention to the mutual generation of the five elements and the balance of yin and yang within our bodies. Although the Yi Wood Azure Heaven Technique is very effective in treating spiritual plants, as you practice it more deeply, it will also cause the Yi Wood Qi in your body to become excessive, leading to an imbalance of the five elements. Over time, there will be a major drawback: the body will gradually become stiff."

"What?" Qin Chuan exclaimed in surprise.

The Yi Mu Qing Tian Jue has such a hidden danger?

Old Master Huo said slowly:

“I originally estimated that if you could master it within six months, that would be extremely fast. At that time, the Yi Wood True Qi in your body would be newly generated and not yet unbalanced, making it appropriate to then teach you the Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique. I did not expect your progress to be so rapid... At this rate, I am afraid that in less than a month, the Yi Wood True Qi in your body will become excessive and harm yourself. Therefore, you need to practice the Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique now to balance the five elements.”

Qin Chuan's expression was solemn: "So, this Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique is specifically cultivated to resolve the drawbacks of the Yi Wood Azure Sky Technique? But if what Elder Huo said is true, once the Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique is cultivated to the upper realm, will the fire energy become too strong, and then water energy will be needed to balance it?"

Master Huo's eyes showed approval: "You can draw inferences from one instance to another, you are a promising student. This is precisely the path that we practitioners of the Five Elements True Qi must take. Although it is not as balanced and peaceful as other methods, each additional element of True Qi in the body can not only restrain the violent Qi, but also help each other, thus promoting cultivation and making progress far superior to that of ordinary people."

Qin Chuan understood, but after a moment of silence, Old Huo said again:

"However, there is a major hurdle: you are currently only a fire worker. If you want to go down this path, you must find a way to become a full-fledged practitioner and obtain the 'Heavenly Register' that allows you to cultivate up to the ninth level of Qi Refining. Only then can you continue to cultivate other Five Elements techniques after reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining. Otherwise... you will have to disperse your cultivation. Otherwise, when the wood and fire energies become so domineering that they cannot be controlled, you will be in danger of going into qi deviation."

After speaking, he looked at Qin Chuan.

I want to hear what he thinks.

Unexpectedly, Qin Chuan responded firmly after only a moment:

"Disciple understands and is willing to cultivate."

Since the temple placed the responsibility of producing the spirit orange on his shoulders, Qin Chuan had no way out.
Even if he doesn't cultivate the Five Elements True Qi, does he think he can have good results after reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining just because he is a fire craftsman?
"Since you have such awareness, I will certainly lend you a hand."

Old Master Huo's expression was solemn as he spoke slowly:
"I have pondered your matter of being promoted to a higher position for a long time. The senior members of the temple have already made their decision, so it is unlikely that you can find a way out from within. The only way to break the deadlock now is to find the one who tied the knot to untie it."

Qin Chuan, quick-witted and perceptive, immediately understood: "Teacher, you mean...the county temple?"

"This matter was originally a key task personally decided by County God Sun," Old Man Huo said thoughtfully. "I will try to mediate and see if I can send a message to the county temple, requesting County God Sun to visit Lingcheng Field again. At that time, you must do your best to perform. If you can catch the County God's eye, there may be a chance for your promotion." Qin Chuan was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Since their first meeting, although Elder Huo valued him, he was unwilling to get too involved. Now, not only has he imparted many magical arts to him, but he is also willing to personally intervene and use his own connections to pave the way for him. This change clearly shows that he regards him as one of his own who can inherit the lineage.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, teacher." Qin Chuan bowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion.

Master Huo accepted the greeting readily, acknowledging the master-disciple relationship, and then instructed: "These days you should focus on practicing the Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique. Wood can generate fire, which will greatly benefit your cultivation progress. If you can break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining before the county god's second inspection, everything may fall into place naturally."

Qin Chuan kept this in mind. Seeing that Old Master Huo was deep in thought, he knew that he was making arrangements for his future, so he dared not disturb him any further and bowed to take his leave.

As Qin Chuan left the wooden house, he pondered to himself:

“Since my teacher has gone to great lengths for me, I cannot sit idly by and wait for my doom. I must find a way to make the county magistrate notice me and this orange orchard.”

He suddenly remembered his fellow practitioners at the chanting group.

While it's impossible to guarantee that everyone will lend a helping hand, having more options means having a better chance of success. Ultimately, one's own future must be earned by oneself; if one relies entirely on others to pave the way, this path... is unlikely to be long-lasting.

Back at his own spiritual field, Qin Chuan spent two or three days pondering the intricacies of the Spirit Gathering Technique and the Wood-Burning Fire Separation Technique.

Because his cultivation level was insufficient, he struggled for two or three days with the Spirit Gathering Technique, and couldn't even get the Heavenly Essence Furnace panel to record the cultivation requirements.

On the contrary, the Burning Wood and Separating Fire Technique, because he had already mastered the basics of the Yi Wood Azure Sky Technique, allowed him to generate fire from Yi Wood. Without much effort, a wisp of true fire energy appeared in his body.

Peng!
The instant a ball of red flame leaped from his palm—

[The Art of Burning Wood and Separating it from Fire - Level One]

This spell has finally been added to the panel.

Qin Chuan was still not satisfied.

"We can't just keep going like this... We still need to find Fayun."

However, one could observe that the farm tools of the ordinary firemen in the field had long been looted clean by him, and now, even if one tried to touch them again, not a trace of magical essence could be extracted.

His mind raced, and he remembered magical artifacts like the Rain Decree.

Therefore, Qin Chuan submitted an application directly to the Department of Utensils of Nongling Temple.

"Spirit Gathering Array Plate? Sun Mirror? Temperature-Constant Jade? Earth-Fertilizing Pearl?"

The clerk in charge of the warehouse stared wide-eyed at the young, unpromoted cook, his voice suddenly rising:

"Are you crazy? Why would a mere Qi Refining Level 3 Fire Craftsman apply for so many valuable magical artifacts? Is this the kind of application you should be submitting?"

Qin Chuan frowned: "Brother Dao, are you unaware that I am currently undertaking the spirit orange planting project personally instructed by the County God? These are naturally for taking care of the spirit oranges—the Spirit Gathering Array increases spiritual energy, the Sun Mirror supplements sunlight, and the Constant Temperature Jade and Fertilizer Pearl each have their uses. What's wrong with that?"

Having said that, he narrowed his eyes slightly:

"Or is it that you, fellow Daoist, are intentionally hindering the County God's plans?"

(End of this chapter)