Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Guu Tai picked up an armor plate and saw a small hole on it, surrounded by a pitch-black area, which turned to powder and fell off with a light touch of his hand.

He looked at the other armor plates and found many in a similar condition to the one in his hand.

"Fellow Daoist, could you tell me what happened to these armor plates?"

Ji An responded with a "hmm" and said:

"A Tribulation Cultivator wearing such armor attacked me and was killed by me with the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword."

Guu Tai’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he bared his teeth, saying:

"To be honest, this kind of Spirit Armor is the specialty defensive spiritual artifact Celestial Soaring Armor of our shop, and it’s a unique business in Red Rock Immortal City.

Judging by the embossed pattern on it, this Spirit Armor is a top-grade spiritual artifact, yet it couldn’t withstand your magic attack..."

He had heard of the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword but never knew magic could be so powerful.

High-Tier Cultivators prefer to use spiritual artifacts or magical treasures for attacks because delving into magic techniques to reach a combat level requires a lot of time and effort, often without success.

If magic techniques do not reach Perfection Level, casting them takes time and is utterly unsuitable for the ever-changing nature of battle.

Ji An could feel the other party’s low spirits and said:

"I cast the spell multiple times to achieve this result."

"You don’t have to comfort me, thank goodness there aren’t many cultivators like you, otherwise no one would commission Spirit Armor anymore."

Ji An changed the subject and asked:

"To what tier can you craft Spirit Armor, Fellow Daoist?"

Guu Tai answered:

"Tier Two Top Grade, because of my cultivation, I can’t melt Tier Three materials. Otherwise, I would try to refine Spirit Armor into a magical treasure."

"If I want to craft a Tier Two Top-Grade spiritual artifact, do you have any suggestions?

I don’t have any materials on hand; you’ll have to collect them, Fellow Daoist."

Guu Tai looked at Ji An with a gaze like looking at a spirit stone and said:

"Spirit Armor is also divided by the Five Elements. Refining an Earth Element Spirit Armor offers the strongest defense and is the most applicable.

The set of armor plates you have is Fire Spirit Armor, which is stronger against Metal Element attacks and more effective against Sword Cultivators."

"If I wanted to craft one, would you have time to take the order, Fellow Daoist? To refine Earth Element Spirit Armor."

"Sure, but I don’t have many relevant Tier Two Top-Grade materials on hand. Collecting them will be a long process, so Fellow Daoist will need to be patient."

"How much is the fee?"

"This is a defensive spiritual artifact, so the price is quite a bit higher than an attacking spiritual artifact. If I provide all the materials, it would require two hundred and sixty top-grade spirit stones.

If you confirm that you want it refined, a deposit of ten spirit stones is required, which will be non-refundable if you change your mind."

Ji An generously took out ten top-grade spirit stones. This spiritual artifact’s defensive effects could stack with the Wuji Xinghuang Banner, making it ideal for him.

The only downside is that it can’t be deposited into the dan tian for nurturing after being refined.

But as long as he breaks through to the Golden Core Stage, this problem will be easily resolved.

A Golden Core Cultivator can nurture a far greater number of top-grade spiritual artifacts than a Chao Origin Stage Cultivator can.

However, cultivators do not usually do this since top-grade spiritual artifacts hold little significance for Golden Core Cultivators.

Guu Tai took the spirit stones, pulled out two jade slips, and praised:

"You are quite straightforward, Fellow Daoist. Starting tomorrow, I will spread the word to gather materials; let’s sign the agreement."

After discussing the terms, they signed the agreement and left the shop to go to Drunken Immortal Inn.

...

Snow Dragon Ridge.

Zhang Dong descended from the clouds and reported with a cupped fist:

"Fellow Daoist True Ones, another cultivator went missing near here a few days ago. We suspect the Demon Cultivator’s lair is within this mountain range."

The Law Enforcement Team, upon receiving information from Yuan Hong and others, quickly identified the identities of Pei Xiu and his wife. Combined with High-Tier Cultivators’ divination techniques, they narrowed down the search range.

Cangmiao Zhenren scratched his head, smiling bitterly:

"Snow Dragon Ridge spans eight hundred li; how do we search such a huge area?"

He felt exhausted. The target area was too large, and they were severely understaffed.

Daoist Master Chi Yun watched the snowflakes fluttering in the sky and said:

"It’s time to inform the major families of the real situation, mobilizing as many people as possible to search.

We should ask the Daoist Monarch to issue an order; no one would dare disobey."

When dealing with Demon Cultivators, one can never be too cautious.

Cangmiao Zhenren sighed, "I guess we have no choice. Which of us will return to report to the Daoist Monarch?"

Cold Qilin True Man laughed and said:

"Does that need asking? You and I are not affected in battle in this environment, so Fellow Daoist Chi Yun should return to the Immortal City to report."

Being titled Chi Yun, he was most skilled in Fire Element Techniques.

Daoist Master Chi Yun nodded, "I won’t refuse then; there’s no time to lose. Let’s all take action separately."

Demon Cultivators nurture Demon Infants within themselves. Once these infants emerge, they will inevitably be used in sacrificial refinement to become Demon Soldiers.

If the Demon Soldiers reach a certain number, Red Rock Immortal City would be in disaster.

...

A mass of red clouds descended upon Red Rock Immortal City, and Daoist Master Chi Yun hurried to the grotto mansion’s entrance at the top of the city’s mountain and knocked on a bronze bell hanging from a tree.

This was a spiritual artifact capable of emitting a sound that penetrated the magic array, enough to awaken the Daoist Monarch inside the grotto. It was strictly forbidden to ring the bronze bell unless in emergency situations.

The melodious bell sound spread in the twilight; Daoist Master Chi Yun stood respectfully in front of the grotto mansion door.

Yellow dharma prohibition lights twinkled, and the Dragon-breaking Stone at the entrance slowly rose.

"Enter."

A majestic voice came from inside the grotto, and Daoist Master Chi Yun stepped inside.

"Greetings, Daoist Monarch."

A lean cultivator with snow-white hair, with an ethereal and immortal demeanor, sat cross-legged on the pudun. His eyebrows were equally snow-white, with long tails hanging down to his cheekbones.

"Speak directly about what’s going on."

"Demon Cultivator traces were found near the Immortal City. Our Law Enforcement Team has pinpointed their hidden location in Snow Dragon Ridge.

I implore the Daoist Monarch to issue an order, summoning cultivators from all major families to join in the capture."

Tianshui Daoist Monarch abruptly stood up, speaking in a solemn tone:

"Demon Cultivators? Tell me the entire story in detail."

In his early years, as a Qi Refining Cultivator, he experienced a Demonic Calamity outbreak, and unfortunately, at that time, his family became sacrifices for the Demon Cultivators’ demonic artifact refinement.

Luckily, a passing High-Tier Cultivator saved them, leaving only him and a cousin surviving from the entire family.

Soon after, for many years, the scenes of his family’s deaths continued to linger in his dreams.

As a result, he harbored a deep-rooted hatred towards Demon Cultivators.

"This is how it happened: a few days ago, a cultivator sent two corpses; Demon Cultivators attempted to kill him, but he fought back and killed them instead..."

He explained the situation’s entire course and their corresponding responses in detail, emphasizing the infants nurtured within the Demon Cultivators.

Tianshui Daoist Monarch’s expression grew heavier; it was impossible for Demon Cultivators to use themselves as a womb to nurture Demon Infants. The mastermind, capable of using a cultivator’s body as a vessel, implied that if Demon Cultivators became any stronger, they could quickly raise an army.

"I will issue the order now; notify me after informing each family. I will accompany you in person."

Daoist Master Chi Yun was overjoyed, "As you command!"

With the Daoist Monarch in charge, no family would dare to shirk their responsibility, and the Demon Cultivators had nowhere to escape.

...

Half a month later, at 7:00 AM.

Ji An stepped into the Divine Brush Spirit Armor Shop, where the clerk immediately greeted him.

"Senior, the Master instructed that upon your arrival, you may go straight to the backyard to find him. Please, follow me."

Following the clerk into the Earth Fire Chamber, Guu Tai was enjoying a small drink, the clear aroma of wine spreading in the air.

"Fellow Daoist, you arrived so early! Please sit down, let’s have a few drinks."

Ji An waved his hand, smiling wryly, saying:

"After we parted last time, my Talisman Brush only lasted eight days before it was damaged, severely affecting my talisman drawing.

The matter is urgent, let me see the Talisman Brush first."

He had a transaction with Wey’s Treasure Talisman Shop in half a month, and time was tight, making him restless.

Guu Tai chuckled, then laughed:

"Haha, is that so."

He downed his cup of wine and placed the Talisman Brush on the table.

"Please, give it a try, Fellow Daoist."

Ji An picked up a red talisman brush and infused it with magical power.

The magical power flowed seamlessly into the brush, reaching the tip, where the flame pattern on the pen body glowed brightly.

"The power transmission is very smooth; your craftsmanship is excellent, Fellow Daoist."

He praised and continued to test other Talisman Brushes.

Guu Tai showed a reserved smile; the recognition from someone strong was very satisfying.

"When you start drawing talismans, Fellow Daoist, you’ll further appreciate how these Talisman Brushes differ from the ones you previously used."

He wanted to shout out loud, ’The Talisman Brushes you used before were all trash!’