The bark of this spirit wood is grayish-white, covered with red flame patterns like clusters of fire clouds, hence its name.

The fruit of the Lingxiao Cloud Tree somewhat resembles longan, with a smooth outer skin that turns red when ripe.

Ji An performed the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill, and countless green light spots descended like a meteor shower, dyeing the evening sky a clear turquoise.

Reflected in the evening glow, it looked exceptionally beautiful.

Amidst the dragon's roar, the light spots merged into the leaves and trunk, most of them absorbed by the fruit.

When the green light dissipated, a rainbow appeared in the sky and then rapidly vanished.

He then cast the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell and the Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill before rushing to the next location.

...

Two double hours later, Ji An left the Copper Patterned Mulberry Field on a cloud, passed through the Profound Yang Wood forest, and arrived at the underground cave at the mountain's base.

He used the Earth Escape Technique, precisely appearing beside the Soul Nourishing Wood.

This black spirit wood was noticeably thicker than a few days ago, sprouting more branches resembling dense shrubs.

A wind blew along the passage, whispering lowly as the black leaves rustled under the moonlight, emitting a half-foot-long purple glow.

In such a short time, as it grew thicker, the spirit wood's bark cracked, and a layer fell to the ground.

"Chirp chirp!"

Golden Fur jumped up on its hind legs, seemingly delivering good news.

Ji An grinned, "What lucky days are these? Advancing in clusters!"

Clearly, the Soul Nourishing Wood had already transformed into a Tier Two Upper Grade. Reaching this level before the sect's spirit wood was only natural, but Ji An did not expect it to be so fast.

"Looks like the ashes of the Golden Core Cultivator can bring me even greater surprises."

He laughed heartily, pointing at Golden Fur and scolding jokingly, "You fool, why didn't you tell me?"

"Chirp chirp!"

Golden Fur called out in grievance, sending a mental communication.

Upon learning the backstory, Ji An gently tapped Golden Fur's head.

"The fallen bark is close to Tier Two Upper Grade, and you dared to eat it. Sleep yourself to death!"

Turns out Golden Fur discovered the spirit wood's mutation, picked up the bark, began eating it, and fell asleep, just waking up now.

Ji An gathered all the bark and sternly warned, "The spirit plant's tier far exceeds yours; eating it secretly has more harm than benefits. Being able to sleep beside a top-grade Soul Nourishing Wood is your blessing.

If I catch you sneaking snacks again, you'll move up with Dahuang. Understand?"

After a round of scolding, Golden Fur showed its teeth, "Chirp chirp!"

Ji An cast the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill and Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill, enlightening the cave walls with radiant growth and soul-nourishing magic intent.

He was filled with expectations for this spirit wood's future, hoping to see it become a Tier Two Top-grade Spirit Wood soon.

Ji An fed the beast with a Spirit Feeding Pill and then used the Earth Escape Technique to reach the mountainside.

He paused at the grotto mansion entrance, placing his hand on the Spirit Pine's trunk, using magical power to nourish the spirit wood.

These two spirit pines had reached Tier Two Upper Grade half a year ago; without other fortunes, this tier was their limit.

Golden light streaked across the night sky like a meteor, pausing near Ji An; he realized it was a Communication Golden Sword.

Receiving the sword, he read its message with his divine sense; it was from his ancestor, instructing him to wait at Ningcui Cliff tomorrow.

Ji An's fingertip produced a flame, burning the Communication Golden Sword.

Nourishing the Spirit Pine for a moment, Ji An found a spacious place and began practicing magic techniques. Instantly, spirit light shimmered as various techniques came effortlessly.

...

The next day at 7:00 AM, Ningcui Cliff.

A yellow and a red Auspicious Cloud descended rapidly from the horizon, soon landing at the mountain's peak.

Ji An took a step forward, respectfully cupping his hands, "Disciple pays respects to the two ancestors."

Master Yuxiao laughed heartily, "No need for formalities. Another Spiritual Peach Tree has been cultivated; I must come and have a good look."

What truly attracted him was the Spiritual Peach Tree blooming, offering the prospect of enjoying top-grade Spiritual Peaches in years to come, lifting his spirits.

Daoist Master Zhengyang also had a joyful smile, saying, "Lead the way quickly!"

The three entered the Medicinal Garden, arriving at the platform along the mountainside. Ji An pointed at the Spirit Wood, saying, "The sect's harvest of Tier Two Upper Grade Peach Blossom Honey will increase."

Master Yuxiao nodded incessantly, watching the Purple Crystal Bees flying to and fro.

Daoist Master Zhengyang inspected the Spirit Wood, his face beamed with exuberance: "Another five thousand Great Merit in hand, what do you think?"

Ji An smiled lightly, responding, "I wonder, if more Tier Two Top-grade Spirit Plants are cultivated, will the sect continue to reward so generously?"

He had confidence in cultivating more Tier Two Top-grade Spirit Plants.

Daoist Master Zhengyang broadly waved, "Ha ha, are you worried the sect can't afford the rewards? Use your full ability; I'll even use the Secret Vault's Jiazi Hall to reward you.

There are some spirit plants on Yunhe Mountain needing special care; want to give it a try?"

The sect's Tier Two Top-grade Spirit Trees all needed better care; he wished for disciples to take over all responsibilities.

Ji An slightly shook his head, smiling wryly, "Not yet, I'll see in a few years."

He was willing to plant as his hands directed but felt running around constantly would defeat the purpose.

Daoist Master Zhengyang was merely jesting, saying: "Cultivation is key; I look forward to the sect's Golden Core Stage spirit farmers, a sight exclusive to a Nascent Soul Sect."

Master Yuxiao beside him suddenly sighed deeply, murmuring, "Nascent Soul Sect! How many more years must we strive to have such an opportunity?"

To gradually become a Nascent Soul Sect requires ten thousand years, or even more, of accumulation.

In the past few thousand years, only the Southern Continent's Earth Evil Sect rose to become a Nascent Soul Sect.

He vaguely felt that the Nascent Soul Sects seemed to have united to prevent other sect disciples from advancing to the Nascent Soul layer.

Daoist Master Zhengyang resolutely declared, "As long as we accumulate a richer foundation for our successors, it will be realized one day."

On the path of cultivation, ambition must not wane, for it signifies a halt.

Individually and as a force alike.

He paused, then said, "Ji An, I will notify Jia Yu; remember to get your Great Merit transferred if you visit the Treasure Pavilion."

"Disciple will note it down."

...

Time flowed like water outside of the Golden Spirit Sect, with vegetation withering and flourishing as a year passed.

The snow-white moonlight shone on the earth, the golden-red mist erupted from the summit of Red Flame Peak, accompanied by rising black smoke.

At this moment, Ji An was meditating in the Quiet Chamber within the grotto mansion, cultivating and refining the Canglan Treasure Light Pill.

Inside him, the spiritual qi cascaded like rushing rivers, its sound reverberating, rapidly refined into ink-black magical power flowing into the dantian, transforming into crystal-clear droplets like white jade.

Magical power thickened like paste; the Stone Turtle could rest atop the Sea of Magical Power, with the Primordial Life Fire's glow flickering.

The Water Element Dao Seed within the acupoints sparkled, with the Gui Water Dao Seed emanating a quiet and profound aura, the Ren Water Dao Seed evolving into a surge of waves.

Strands of Water Element Qi were extracted, entering the kidneys along the immortal vein.

The core of the Divine Mansion was nearing complete fusion with the kidneys, just short of one tiny bit.

Ji An's divine sense, like an immortal seated high in the heavens, serenely observed it all, without joy or sorrow.

Another strand of Water Element Qi was absorbed by the Divine Mansion core, causing black light to suddenly swell as the ethereal core became a tangible presence, merging with the kidneys.

A droplet of kidney essence condensed, as dark as ink and deep as an abyss, encompassing endless meekness yet amassing unmatched strength, with contrasting auras harmoniously coalescing, signaling the Water Element Divine Mansion's Perfection!

The kidney essence flowed within his veins, the next moment merging into the dantian, dripping into the Primordial Life Fire, the black flame suddenly leapt forth,

Ji An seemed to hear a "click," as though a clock began its inaugural tick, black radiance twinkling, like drizzle nourishing silently.

Within his chest and abdomen, green, red, yellow, and white hues lit up sequentially, the five elements began to flow, forming a perfect circle.

Ji An's mouth half-opened as he instantaneously absorbed the hidden spiritual qi from the entire grotto mansion, including the spirit vein node beneath.

Realm stabilized, Five Mansions Perfection achieved.

His divine sense fell from high dimensions, ending the cultivation technique's operation, exhaling deeply.

Only one pill remained in his hand; if unable to achieve perfection for the Water Element Divine Mansion, he would have to wait for the merchant flying ship from Central Continent to arrive, something he was unwilling to witness.

Now, the momentum was set!