Chapter 569 - 463: Road Encounter (Part 2)
Relying on one’s own gradual absorption of spiritual energy to enhance cultivation, it is absolutely impossible to shatter the pill to form a nascent soul before the deadline.
Gu Mingyuan pondered for a moment and said:
"In three years, the clan leader of my Gu Clan will meet with other Daoist Masters to discuss the use of the Earth Element Spirit Realm.
Once there’s a result, I will inform Fellow Daoist. As for whether you can get a spot to enter the secret land, I cannot promise, apologies."
The Spirit Realm opens once every twelve years, each time for three months.
Although he is a candidate for the next clan leader, he is not the sole heir, and as a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, his influence in major decisions is not substantial.
Ji An hurriedly said:
"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. With your help, I’ve saved a lot of effort and time.
I would like to ask, if I want to get a spot, what do I need to offer?"
He knew very well in his heart that others helping is a kindness, not helping is the norm.
"This spot is a scarce resource. Powers holding spots will hold auctions, accepting top-grade spirit stones and Tier Two Upper Grade resources or higher for bidding.
Before the meeting ends, I cannot ascertain whether the clan will secure a spot."
The clan holds a certain percentage of ownership in the Spirit Realm, getting a spot at each meeting, but sometimes the clan leader makes trades on-site with other powers.
Ji An nodded slightly. The resources he currently holds include some spirit fruits, five catties of Sword Bamboo Golden Leaf, two pieces of top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood, several Tier Two Top-grade Talismans, a Soul Nourishing Pendant refined from top-grade Soul Nourishing Wood, and over two hundred top-grade spirit stones.
He is wealthy and unafraid of competition unless others offer something the auctioneer desperately needs; otherwise, he’s confident of acquiring the spot.
"I have two more years to prepare. By then, Fellow Daoist, remember to invite me to the auction."
"Certainly."
After discussing the serious matters, the atmosphere at the wine table became more harmonious.
Ji An turned to the maid and said:
"Please bring two sound cultivators up here for us to listen to some tunes."
Gu Mingyuan laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist, you finally understand the importance of cultivating one’s character."
Ji An showed a simple smile; he doesn’t really need to cultivate his character!
Other cultivators listen to music to cleanse their mindset, to remove inner depression for an unburdened journey, but he lacks such burdens.
Perhaps because of the strong power of his spirit soul, coupled with being an ordinary mortal with only a hundred-year lifespan in his previous life, he longs for eternal life.
His own diligent cultivation, along with a little help from the Stone Turtle, accelerated his cultivation improvements significantly, thus his Dao Heart is stable.
Elevated and upward-looking, with no burdens in his heart, today’s music is merely to entertain his guest well.
...
Half a year passed.
The Nu Lan River flows westward, white waves surging.
A figure emerged from the vast misty waters, it was Ji An, who was thrust forward by the rushing river, even spinning uncontrollably, understanding what it means to be at the mercy of the current.
He had just attended a banquet at the Black Tortoise Snow Mountain and took the opportunity to practice magic techniques.
Over the past six months, besides cultivation, he often went out to practice various escape techniques, likely benefiting from the help of the Dao Seed, as cultivating the Five Elements Escape Techniques wasn’t strenuous, and he could visibly notice progress.
He once again performed a magic technique, his body transforming into water flow and disappearing, reappearing a hundred and fifty zhang away.
The Earth Escape Technique had reached Great Perfection Level, with a traveling distance of no more than a hundred zhang, Ji An thought this was due to the different "mediums."
Occasionally, he would escape to the underwater realm to search for Water Element Spirit Grass or Spirit Fish, Turtle, and Clam.
Surprisingly, these days he did gain unexpected rewards, acquiring two Tier Two Lower Grade spirit grasses and hunting a late-stage Foundation Establishment Clam Demon.
The clam demon was sent to the Drunken Immortal Inn and directly cooked into Spiritual Food, tasting delicious.
The water quality of the Nu Lan River is better than that of the Cold Pool at the Red Flame Peak, and the fish, shrimp, and river clams are quite tasty.
After another twenty odd escapes, Ji An landed on a rock cliff.
The consumption of divine sense by the Five Elements Escape Techniques surpasses other magic techniques, for safety’s sake, he never depletes his divine sense below the safe line.
Sitting on the boulder, with the chilly wind blowing and his Daoist robe flaring like a flag waving against the wind.
Ji An released the Golden-winged Bird puppet, letting it fly and guard the surroundings, while his mind sank into the Dantian and connected with the Stone Turtle, where lines of elegant characters emerged in the deep sea.
[Master: Ji An]
[Dao Rhyme: 0]
[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 738.4, Gen Spirit 912.8, Zhen Spirit 436.7, Xun Spirit 786.9, Kun Spirit 836.6, Qian Spirit 735.8, Dui Spirit 731.4, Li Spirit 650.8]
[Magic Techniques: Spirit Sealing Technique (Perfection 2%)
Fire Escape Technique (Perfection 14%)
Gold Escape Technique (Perfection 16%)
Water Escape Technique (Perfection 79%)
Spirit Roar (Minor Achievement 70%)
Silk Thread Spell (Perfection 1%)]
These days of diligent practice, he has elevated Wood Escape Technique to the Great Perfection Level.
The environment has a significant impact on escape techniques; when Wood Escape Technique was still at Perfection Level, he could cover over sixty zhang at Red Flame Peak and only fifty zhang in the coniferous forests of the Far North, showing a noticeable gap.
The Golden-winged Bird let out a sharp screech, and Ji An’s mind immediately withdrew from the Stone Turtle, seeing two red clouds flying swiftly from a distance.
Estimated to be four or five miles away, their flying escape speed is quite fast.
It’s normal to encounter cultivators on the road, so he didn’t pay them special attention, just heightened his vigilance.
A moment later, he clearly saw who they were, to his surprise, it was Zhang Le and Yuan Hong.
The red spirit clouds turned flying in their direction, and Zhang Le’s voice rang out before he arrived:
"Haha, running into Fellow Daoist on our return from demon hunting."
The two landed; Yuan Hong wearing a broad smile, said:
"It’s indeed rare, in my impression, Fellow Daoist seldom ventures out."
They were over three zhang away from Ji An, showing no intention to come closer. Relaxed by outward appearances, he replied:
"Received an invitation from Fellow Daoist Gu, attended a banquet at the Black Tortoise Snow Mountain."
The cautious string in his heart did not slacken, as his relationship with the other two was a trading one, not bonded by life-and-death experiences.
Besides, many demon hunting cultivators occasionally take up the role of a Tribulation Cultivator, which is an open secret.
Demon hunting cultivators, accustomed to slaughter and death, aren’t typically well-meaning.
When practicing escape techniques, he never ventured more than fifty li from the Immortal City to avoid such trouble, although unafraid, he wouldn’t "bait the fish either."
Possessing a treasure like the Little World, there’s no need to seek outside opportunities.
As the son of wealth, he did not sit in peril’s path, and his resources would steadily accumulate at an accelerating pace.
The Golden-winged Bird, following his command, perched on a nearby rock.
Yuan Hong said:
"Fellow Daoist’s network truly makes us envious; over these years, we’ve been running around, in the eyes of those shops, we’re merely high-level hired hands."
Zhang Le sighed with a wry smile:
"Sigh, demon hunting is a dangerous trade, I’m considering learning talisman making.
By the way, could Fellow Daoist help introduce some Gu Clan disciples? We’ve yet to connect with the mines, and understanding the Gold Generating Water Divine Intent seems out of reach."
Ji An was stunned, incredulous, he asked:
"Why is this?"
Their reason for coming to the Red Rock Immortal City was to comprehend Gold Generating Water and having obtained the Five Elements Spiritual Fiend resources from ancient ruins, they’ve been in the city for about ten years, surely the mining families should have been accessible.
Zhang Le looked troubled and said, "Sigh, it’s a long story."
Ji An slightly frowned, unsure of their real difficulties.
Just then, the Golden-winged Bird began chirping, indicating the presence of other cultivators.
"Help!"
A call came from afar, leaving Ji An bewildered, thinking how he finally left the Immortal City only to encounter such a clichéd situation!
Turning to look, he saw a female cultivator steering spirit clouds flying in their direction, pursued by another cultivator riding a red flying sword.
He looked at Zhang Le and Yuan Hong and asked:
"Fellow Daoist, what would you do in such a situation?"
Yuan Hong’s eyes turned cold, speaking harshly:
"The pursued cultivator clearly redirecting trouble eastward isn’t any good. Fellow Daoist, are you planning to earn some extra money?"