The Wuji Xinghuang Banner quickly shrank, merging into Ji An’s body, flowing into his Dantian along the Immortal Vein, quietly entering the Yellow Spiritual Flame.

He nodded in satisfaction, stood up, and lit a tray of Soul Incense in the Beast Ear Furnace, the blue smoke wafting gently.

The current situation is better than initially estimated; the rest depends on the actual situation when the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner is acquired.

Fellow disciples say that sacrificing the Primordial Life Fire to refine too many Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts is too burdensome; whether this is true for him remains to be tested.

The Wood Element Spiritual Flame is the strongest Spirit Flame within the Primordial Life Fire; it has reached the limit of the Chao Origin Stage level.

Ji An still felt quite confident in his heart.

Re-seated on the Pudun, he extracted a Canglan Treasure Light Pill, consumed it, and then began to cultivate his cultivation technique to refine it.

In order to gather more spiritual energy in the Cold Pool, when consuming pills for cultivation, he would cultivate in the Grotto Mansion or Agricultural Hall.

As he cultivated the Water Element Chapter of the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture, the spiritual energy within the pill was quickly extracted, flowing like a small stream into a surging river through the Immortal Vein.

He heard the sound of waves from within, as if he were amidst the ocean at high tide.

In the acupoints, two Water Element Dao Seeds alternately shimmered, integrating their mysterious aura into the strands of Water Element Qi.

The Water Element Qi flowed and transformed within the vein patterns, then was absorbed by the core of the Divine Mansion.

The color of the kidneys was profound, the surface cloud patterns rolling, occasionally sparkling with water light.

The Divine Mansion manifested in the five colors of green, red, yellow, white, and black, with the Spirit Light lingering, its brightness waxing and waning.

About half an hour passed, as the sound of rolling waves gradually diminished, the medicinal power of the Canglan Treasure Light Pill completely refined.

Ji An ceased cultivating and opened his eyes, a vision of surging water flickering in his pupils, the shadows on the cave walls reflecting like moonlit lake water stirred by the wind at night.

...

The next day.

Ji An emerged from the Grotto Mansion, bathing in the mountain breeze, driving the cloud to descend by the edge of the Cold Pool.

At this moment, the sky was just dawning, floral scents wafting through the air; peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, mulberry blossoms, a mix of fragrances intoxicating.

Wei Songtao was organizing tools, having hired disciples to work today, sawing Profound Yang Wood powder for storage.

Seeing the golden auspicious cloud descend, he immediately approached with cupped hands, smiling:

"Good morning, Master Ancestor!"

Ji An responded with a smile, speaking kindly:

"Good morning, there’s something I need you to inform your brother of. I require Wood Element Essence; please help purchase it in unlimited quantities."

The day when the Merchant Flying Ship arrives at the Western Continent is not far off, and at that time, a large amount of Wood Element Essence will be necessary to cultivate the spiritual nature of the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner.

Such essences are relatively easy to obtain in Western Continent and do not need to be stored too far in advance.

The Cyan Spirit-stealing Fiend he possesses is only slightly over fourteen thousand strands; even if the Cyan Lotus Treasure Banner’s spiritual nature is high enough, Wood Element Essence still needs to be used for supplementation.

"Alright, I’ll take the message to Little Bamboo Mountain today."

Wei Songtao grinned, saying. Considering Five Elements Essence is a significant Spiritual Object with stable pricing, if purchasing in bulk, the price can be negotiated lower.

Listening to the meaning in Master Ancestor’s words, this kind of transaction will continue for many years, opening an additional revenue stream for the family.

Ji An faintly bowed his head; he could now perceive the decaying aura on Wei Songtao, like an old tree gradually drying up; he had to find a new manager promptly.

Tian Tiezhu’s lifespan could only sustain a few more years; an appropriate replacement must also be found.

After a moment’s contemplation, Ji An took out the Communication Talisman Sword, recorded the information, and activated it, requesting Liang Hill to assist in finding suitable candidates.

...

At the summit of Sunrise Peak, the golden auspicious cloud descended from the sky.

The sunlight illuminated the plaque, the words "Wuji Hall" gleamed brilliantly.

The door to the grand hall was open; inside, near the entrance, two Three-legged Crow Copper Furnaces, the size of water buckets, were placed.

Thin wisps of smoke rose, straight upward.

"Disciple requests to see Ancestor."

Golden light reflected upon Ji An’s side profile, revealing a silhouette of determination.

"Come in!"

Upon seeing the disciple enter the grand hall, Daoist Master Zhengyang spread his arms and kindly said:

"Wonderful, this state is very good; it seems you’re not far from achieving perfection in the Water Element Divine Mansion. Sit down and talk!"

He observed the disciple’s face, crystalline like jade, with restrained and profoundly rich light in his pupils, growing ever more satisfied in his heart.

The Celestial Grade Talented Li Haoran’s cultivation speed couldn’t keep up with this disciple’s; he felt he could witness more than one disciple breaking through to Golden Core Cultivator in his lifetime.

"Thank you for the seat, Ancestor."

Ji An sat down, briefly exchanged pleasantries before stating his intent:

"Grandmaster, my Wuji Xinghuang Banner has further advanced yesterday, attaining the spiritual nature your requirements stipulate. I respectfully request permission for access to the Netherworld Soul-Suppressing Fiend."

Saying this, he summoned the Spiritual Artifact.

The Treasure Artifact unfurled, the golden Qilin pattern on the flag emitting a gentle yellow radiance, a deep and mighty roar reverberating in the hall.

The incense within the hall abruptly dispersed, the iron horses beneath the eave outside rang clear.

"Excellent! The aura is indeed formidable, embodying the divine intent of the Earth Qilin suppressing all directions and encompassing all things."

Daoist Master Zhengyang laughed heartily; his Lifebound Magical Treasure is of the Earth Element, naturally discerning the degree of spiritual nature the Wuji Xinghuang Banner reached.

He took out a Communication Golden Sword and activated it, saying:

"I’ve already notified Jia Yu that you may use the Netherworld Soul-Suppressing Fiend at will."

He never delays in meeting the legitimate needs of disciples, provided, of course, the Secret Vault contains them.

"Thank you, Ancestor."

Ji An felt assured in his heart, then asked:

"Ancestor, how many strands of these Spiritual Fiends can the Sect store each year?"

"Oh, so you’re inquiring into the sect’s resources?"

Daoist Master Zhengyang grinned and said:

"I need not keep these figures from you; allow me to explain them slowly."