By the banks of the Bihui Lake, Ji An finished casting his spells over the spirit fields and strolled back to his courtyard.
The gray-feathered sand goose, finally given a bit of free time, had dashed off toward the lake to catch fish and shrimp.
Opening the protective formation, Ji An stepped inside. He was just about to perform another spell when his eyes caught something unusual: a few flower buds had appeared on the spirit apricot tree.
He quickened his pace and examined them closely several times, feeling both joy and mild frustration.
A spirit fruit tree blossoming meant that fruits would soon form, which was normally a good sign. But transplanting it in this state would drain much of its spiritual essence. After the move, the tree would need several years to recover before it could bloom again, delaying the fruiting period. Ji An wasn't sure how much his new Foundation Establishment–level cultivation techniques could offset that drawback.
He sighed softly. He had hoped to taste spirit fruit sooner, but it seemed he'd have to wait a few more years.
Still, since things had come to this, there was no use brooding. He began casting his spells.
He alternated between the Flame Incantation and his three Foundation Establishment–level planting arts, filling the courtyard with a thick, vibrant aura of spiritual energy. The Firecloud Ginseng would certainly mature faster under such care.
Once he finished and left the courtyard, Ji An spotted a talisman bird flying swiftly toward him.
Ji An smiled and called out, "Daoist Wei, it's been a while! You've been well, I hope?"
The other man had once been his senior brother, but now, with Ji An's breakthrough, their roles had reversed. Calling each other "Daoist" felt more natural, less awkward.
Before the bird even landed, Wei Songnian leapt down from it, landing with a dull thud.
He cupped his hands respectfully, his expression somewhat conflicted.
"Greetings, Uncle Ji."
When he'd heard from Huang Feihu that Ji An had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he'd felt both shocked and happy.
The two had always shared a good relationship, and with Ji An's advancement, Wei stood to benefit as well. But the fact that Ji An hadn't told him immediately left him uneasy.
Ji An laughed.
"Haha, let's just call each other Daoists.
Things have been busy these past days, so I haven't had the chance to notify old friends yet. I plan to invite everyone once I move into my new cave residence and hold a small celebration.
Ah, by the way, my new cave is at Chiyan Peak in the northwest part of the sect. It'll take a few months before I can move in.
Once I'm settled, I'll send out message talisman swords to invite everyone properly."
He patted Wei Songnian's shoulder with a grin.
"Better start preparing a good congratulatory gift, Daoist Wei."
These talisman swords were a special kind of communication charm, crafted only by skilled talisman makers. They were relatively complex to produce and could be used anywhere within the sect's territory.
Each sword costs one spirit stone, something Ji An would have once considered extravagant.
But now that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his time was far more valuable than a few spirit stones.
"I'll definitely be there," Wei Songnian said with relief. Seeing that Ji An wasn't just being polite, he felt reassured that their long-cultivated friendship was still intact.
After the two exchanged spirit mark imprints, a kind of magical signature, Ji An said with a smile,
"I happen to be free today. Why don't we go find Daoist Liang and freeload some of his Tailfin Spirit Fish? Wouldn't that be a delight?"
After settling into Chiyan Peak, Ji An quickly realized that cultivating only thirty mu of spirit fields would never be enough for him.
He studied the sect's regulations for Foundation Establishment cultivators and planned to lease the entire surrounding area. As long as he turned in the required amount of materials and resources each year, the sect would allow him to manage it all himself.
There was only one cave dwelling on Chiyan Peak, so there was no need to negotiate with anyone; he could do as he pleased.
The sect actually encouraged such behavior; by letting capable cultivators take charge, they reduced the need for additional manpower while maintaining the same yield and increase in efficiency for everyone.
There was also a deep pool near Chiyan Peak. Ji An intended to convince Liang Qiu to move there and raise spirit fish for him. Liang Qiu's cooking was excellent if he came along, Ji An wouldn't have to prepare his own meals anymore.
That remark helped bridge the slight distance that had grown between Ji An and Wei Songnian after Ji An's advancement in status. Wei Songnian laughed heartily.
"Then let's go together!"
Ji An took out his beast token and summoned the gray-feathered sand goose. The two of them flew over the shimmering surface of the lake, the reflected light dancing over their faces like fragments of gold.
After a while, Wei Songnian smiled wryly.
"Daoist Ji, you go on ahead to Daoist Liang's place and wait for me. This talisman bird is too slow; it'll only hold you back."
The gray-feathered sand goose beat its wings powerfully from time to time, sending gusts of wind that made the talisman bird wobble unsteadily.
It even gave Wei Songnian a disdainful look, which made him grit his teeth, though he could only swallow his frustration.
Ji An chuckled.
"Very well then. I'll stop by the Hundred Flavors Pavilion first to buy some spirit wine and vegetarian dishes for the meal."
He spurred the sand goose forward, gliding away like drifting mist.
After the meal of spirit fish, Ji An took his leave.
Liang Qiu and Wei Songnian stood in the bamboo house built over the water, silently watching as the graceful beast carried its master into the distance.
Wei Songnian sighed, emotion filling his voice.
"It feels like a dream. I still remember when I brought two new disciples from the Administrative Hall to the spirit fields at Bihui Lake, one was Liu Yu, the other Ji An.
Back then, old Huang was still with us. We used to drink under the moonlight; it was a good life."
"Ten years in a blink… both of those disciples have now reached Foundation Establishment, while I'm still stuck at the ninth level of Qi Refinement.
Sometimes I can't help but wonder how the gap between people can be so vast."
Late at night, whenever he looked back on those days, a quiet sense of frustration always crept into his heart.
Liang Qiu spoke calmly.
"I used to feel bitter too. But over these years, tending the spirit fish and watching the rippling water every day, I've come to see things differently."
Do your best and leave the rest to fate. Everyone has their own fortune. All he could do was walk his own path.
"Brother Liang," Wei Songnian said with a faint smile, "from what Daoist Ji said just now, it sounds like he plans to invite you to help manage his new cave estate.
Let me congratulate you in advance, being able to cultivate near a spirit vein means your luck has arrived!"
Liang Qiu chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't rush to congratulate me. It's not settled yet. But you should be the one I'm congratulating. Daoist Ji clearly said he'll take care of your talisman business from now on."
...
A few days later, atop Verdant Cliff.
"Master," Ji An said respectfully, "I've recruited a disciple to help tend the medicine garden. His Minor Rain Art and Thick Earth Technique are both at the perfected stage.
After observing him for several days, I find him diligent and reliable.
Right now, the garden is managed by Xiang Yong, and between the two of them, all the work should be well handled. When you have time, you can visit the garden yourself to see the results."
Ge Ying nodded slightly. This disciple of hers always handled things neatly and efficiently; she rarely needed to worry about him. That was good.
"I've also obtained the Evergreen Aetherwood Art from the Transmission Hall," Ji An continued. "During cultivation, I ran into a few difficulties. May I ask for your guidance?"
He carefully described each problem he'd encountered, and Ge Ying answered them all patiently, explaining every point in detail.
"Not bad," she finally said with clear satisfaction in her eyes. "Your understanding of the technique is far beyond that of someone who's only been practicing it for a few days."
Her disciple was proving more and more outstanding.
"What spells have you chosen?" she asked. "You must select both an offensive and a defensive spell and make time to practice them.
When the demon calamity erupts, all of you will inevitably have to take to the battlefield. Every member of the sect will be involved."
"Rest assured, Master," Ji An said solemnly. "I have a clear plan for the future.
As for spells, I've chosen Verdant Wood Vitalization Art, Spring Breeze and Gentle Rain Technique, and Golden Light Technique, seven Foundation Establishment–level spells in total. They'll cover both cultivation and combat needs, allowing me to defend and attack as needed."
Ge Ying's expression froze, then grew rather complicated. Her brows drew together sharply as she spoke in a strict tone:
Spells are only useful when cultivated deeply. Biting off more than you can chew brings no benefit.
And besides, you practice a wood-attribute cultivation method. Studying the Golden Light Technique will only make things more difficult for yourself!"
She suspected that her disciple had grown a little conceited ever since he'd grasped the intent of the Dao during his Qi Refinement stage.
"Master, I was wrong," Ji An admitted earnestly. "But since I've already purchased them and can't refund the contribution points, I'll just focus on the three planting spells and pick only two combat spells to practice."
Knowing his own situation was special, Ji An didn't try to defend himself; he simply admitted his mistake honestly.
Ge Ying's expression softened somewhat. Her tone, however, remained solemn as she said:
"Even when it comes to planting spells, you must learn to prioritize. You may think you have plenty of time now, but a Foundation Establishment cultivator's lifespan is barely two hundred years; you cannot afford to relax.
Remember, lifespan is the sword that always hangs over a cultivator's head.
I've seen many cultivators waste too much time studying techniques and spells. By the time they realized their folly, it was already too late. Cultivation itself, your realm is the foundation of everything."
Her gaze grew distant. She herself had once become too absorbed in alchemy, and as a result, her cultivation had stagnated for many years.
If she had balanced her alchemical studies with improving her realm, perhaps she might have had a chance to break through to the Origin Ascension stage.
"I will remember your teachings, Master," Ji An said sincerely. "I'll manage my time carefully and won't neglect my cultivation."
Ge Ying could tell he truly meant it.
"Master," Ji An continued, "I'd like to know what herbs are required to refine Peiyuan Pills and which among them are especially rare?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you planning? Don't tell me you're thinking of growing them yourself now so you'll have them ready when you reach the Origin Ascension stage?"
She couldn't help but look at him oddly. You've only just stepped into Foundation Establishment, and you're already thinking about Peiyuan Pills?
It was good for a cultivator to plan, but thinking that far ahead was a bit too ambitious.
"That's exactly my plan," Ji An said with a grin. "With my Minor Rain Art and Thick Earth Technique both at the perfected stage, I can accelerate the growth and aging of spirit herbs."
Ge Ying found her disciple's naïveté strangely endearing and couldn't help but laugh.
"Do you even know how old the main ingredients of a Peiyuan Pill need to be? Four to five centuries of maturity, at least.
And those key herbs must be planted on a second-grade inferior spirit vein to grow at a reasonable pace.
Your Minor Rain Art and Thick Earth Technique will barely make any difference. You'd need to cultivate Spring Breeze and Gentle Rain Technique and Thick Earth Returning Chant to perfection before they'd have any effect.
To put it bluntly, by the time your lifespan runs out, those herbs still won't have matured."
She paused for a moment before asking:
"By the way, where did you choose your cave estate?"
From what she knew, all second-grade spirit veins within the sect had long been taken. Unless a cultivator died, no such location would open up, and even then, it would never go to an early-stage Foundation cultivator.
Perfect timing, Ji An thought proudly, smiling as he replied,
"My cave estate is at Chiyan Peak; it happens to sit on a second-grade inferior spirit vein."
He then described the environment of Chiyan Peak in detail before adding,
"The sect is nurturing the main spirit vein. Once it advances in grade, the connected branch veins will rise along with it. When that happens, Chiyan Peak's spirit vein should also improve by at least one level."
Ge Ying was silent for a while before speaking slowly:
"The spiritual energy there is fierce and volatile. It's not an ideal place to raise your cultivation.
The only benefit is that such energy can refine your mana to a purer state, but that also slows your progress overall.
I just hope you won't regret your decision later."
Then she took out a jade slip, infused it with some information, and tossed it to him.
"This contains the list of herbs needed for Peiyuan Pills, along with their required ages. I have all the seeds, take them later.
They're not free, though. Give me one mid-grade spirit stone."
Spirit herbs were valuable, but their seeds were cheap.
"Thank you, Master," Ji An said cheerfully, handing over the stone. Then he added, "Master, I also plan to transplant my spirit fruit trees soon. Do you know of any way to reduce the damage they'll suffer during the move?"
"Go to the Transmission Hall and purchase a jade slip for the Spirit-Sealing Technique," Ge Ying said. "That spell can prevent spiritual energy from leaking. It's essential for transplanting spirit plants.
But be warned, this technique requires an understanding of all five elemental forces. It's easy to learn but extremely difficult to master. Only cultivators at or above the Origin Ascension stage can truly comprehend its depths."
-support me in Patreon for more chapter, 140+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader