"I will now perform a spell on the Spirit Field; both of you shall accompany me."

Ji An decided to guide his disciples one more time before his departure. With the help of the Cyan Deer, even in his absence from the sect, the two disciples would be able to complete their tasks relatively well.

In the Water Element Spirit Fruit Garden, Ji An formed the spell gesture, and with the music of the Spirit Rain, he spoke in a solemn voice:

"The potential of the Celestial Essence Pear has been exhausted, focus on cultivating the Canglan Spirit Mist Tree from now on.

By the way, do either of you have a Water-Resistant Bead?"

Lin Lan shook her head, "No."

Han Mountain also shook his head; he usually had no use for a Water-Resistant Bead and hadn’t prepared such a Magical Artifact since there was no need to leave the sect.

"Lin Lan, you must refine one, or borrow Snow Ning’s."

"Understood."

Lin Lan looked at the sparkling Spirit Light under the night sky, sighing softly in her heart.

The widespread nurturing Magic Intent intoxicated her, leading her to ponder whether she could achieve the accomplishments of her master one day.

Ji An took out a Water-Resistant Bead and led the two disciples to the bottom of the Cold Pool.

Lotus leaves swayed lightly, flashing a deep blue light.

"This is the Treasure Plant Pure Water Lotus; it doesn’t require special care, just perform the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill every four or five days."

The Pure Water Lotus was close to the Spiritual Vein’s node, where the Spiritual Qi was already dense enough.

Han Mountain admired, "I didn’t expect Master to have yet another Treasure Plant here!"

The significance of a Treasure Plant outweighs that of a regular Tier Three Spirit Plant. The Red Flame Peak already has the Soul Nourishing Wood, and in years to come, it will become a Dao Field fit for Golden Core Cultivators.

He felt a bit regretful, as in the Western Continent, Foundation Establishment cultivators mainly chose Fire Element techniques, with Metal and Earth elements secondary, while the price of Water Element Spirit Plants was high, their demand was very low.

Ji An led the disciples away from the Cold Pool and arrived at the Fire Element Spirit Fruit Garden.

As he performed the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, the virtual image of a fiery Divine Being manifested in the void, and the ground churned like a sea of flames.

"The Spiritual Apricot has no further potential; Tier Two Middle Grade is its limit. If I find other Spirit Plants to replace it, I’ll chop down all the Spiritual Apricot trees."

He had no hope of transplanting Tier Two Spirit Plants anymore,

Han Mountain’s heart surged; he practiced the Fire Element Technique, and if he could break through to the Chao Origin Stage, he would also take the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell as his main cultivation.

"Master, that would be a pity. Why not let me and Junior Brother transplant them?

If they don’t survive, we’ll return the Spiritual Materials to you."

Lin Lan looked with pity in her eyes; when had Tier Two Spirit Plants become so undervalued?

"Of course, you can. Here’s some advice: Tier Two Spirit Plants have begun requiring specific soil conditions.

Through years of observation and comparison, cultivating Spirit Fields focused on specific Spirit Seeds increases the efficiency of Spirit Plant growth."

The Red Cloud Pine Forest and the Fire Element Spirit Plant Garden had almost completed their Spirit Field transformation, and the soil here had turned red.

"I will heed Master’s teachings. I’ve also raised Fire Crystal Ants in the Spirit Field, preparing to transform all the Spirit Fields I have acquired into soil like yours."

Han Mountain laughed; he didn’t believe he could become as versatile as his master, so he was ready to pursue the Fire Element path to its end.

Within the sect, those cultivating Fire Element techniques were quite numerous, and in the future, whether it was planting Spirit Fruit Trees or Spirit Medicines, they’d be in demand.

"That’s fine. Have you studied the planting legacy purchased by the sect from the Middle Continent cultivators?"

"Disciple often reviews it and exclusively cultivated two acres of Profound Yang Wood to mix with the red sand discharged by the Fire Crystal Ants.

With time, returns shall come."

Ji An smiled and nodded; this second disciple had a steady disposition, not rash, perhaps their future wouldn’t reach great heights, but wouldn’t be low.

He rode on clouds with his disciples to the Wood Element Spirit Plant Garden, performing spells before arriving at the tea trees.

"After I leave, if the Cloud-Top Jade Trees produce Spirit Seed, you can keep one tael and plant it yourselves."

There were thirteen Cloud-Top Jade Trees at Red Flame Peak, more than enough for his needs, yielding nearly a hundred jin of Spirit Tea each year to the sect. He was no longer planning to plant more of these Spirit Trees.

In the future, some tea tree seeds would be allocated to the Agricultural Hall, with the rest handed over to Diligence Hall, allowing whoever needed them to plant them.

There were only four Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Trees, and he needed to increase their number, aiming for at least ten.

"Thank you, Master; I’ve longed to plant these Spirit Tea Trees."

Lin Lan said with a mischievous smile; the Spirit Tea that accelerated Divine Sense recovery was highly favored by Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, and Puppet Masters.

She desired to plant Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Trees even more; Spirit Tea that nourished the Spirit Soul was coveted by cultivators across the sect.

Not only within the sect but the entire Cultivation Realm had an immense demand for such resources, though she was aware, her master wouldn’t release the seeds anytime soon.

Ji An looked at his disciples and added,

"The soil in the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field was originally yellow; it later converted to black, and now it’s turning green.

I yearly bury a certain proportion of Mulberry Leaves and large amounts of Biluo Tree leaves chopped into pieces, accelerating soil cultivation better suited for Wood Element Spirit Plants."

"Lin Lan, your chosen cultivation technique is Wood Element; the Spirit Field allocated by the sect is best cultivated in this manner."

"Reporting to Master, disciple has already done so, cultivating half of my allocated Spirit Field this way.

Alas, I regret not choosing the Fire Element technique; the price of Fire Element Spirit Plants is higher."

Ji An slightly raised his eyebrows; this disciple had become more reliable than before.

"Don’t chase solely after profit; your deeper comprehension of the Wood Element is fundamental.

The number of tea tree seeds will increase over time, allowing you to cultivate more tea trees for considerable returns."

Following this, he guided his disciples to perform a spell on all Spirit Fields, leaving the Magma Pool untouched.

Finally, they arrived at the underground cavern. Ji An pointed at the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree and said:

"The Soul Nourishing Wood has already reached top-grade. You can cut one or two branches every four or five years and hand them over to the Sect.

The Sect will make them into a Soul Nourishing Pendant and return it to me. Each of you can keep one piece.

However, I suggest you find someone to exchange them for Tier Two Middle Grade Soul Nourishing Pendants, this way there won’t be any waste.

As for the Soul Incense made from the leaves, you can keep five trays, and the rest should be stored in the Secret Vault."

He sighed inwardly. His disciples are now enjoying the benefits that he only received after breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage.

"Understood," Han Mountain agreed excitedly, "With Master’s support, our chances of breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage are even greater."

...

Ji An returned to the Grotto Mansion, cast spells over the Medicinal Garden, then went to the Secret Vault, transporting various potentially useful Spiritual Objects into the Void Realm Space, including various Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Tea, Soul Nourishing Pendants, Soul Incense, Top-grade Spirit Fruit, Top-grade Profound Leaf Sword Bamboo, Pill Furnace, and so forth.

If he has free time in the future, he would consider refining elixirs to enhance his Alchemy.

After checking the resources he carried, he sat down cross-legged, letting his mind connect deeply into the Dantian and link with the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: 0]

[Spiritual Mechanism: Kan Spirit 62.7, Gen Spirit 56.9, Zhen Spirit 21.7, Xun Spirit 46.4, Kun Spirit 59.2, Qian Spirit 68.3, Dui Spirit 67.4, Li Spirit 75.5]

[Spell: Spirit Sealing Technique (Great Success 37%)

Wood Escape Technique (Perfection 74%)

Fire Escape Technique (Perfection 9%)

Gold Escape Technique (Perfection 11%)

Water Escape Technique (Perfection 35%)

Spirit Roar (Minor Achievement 41%)

Silk Thread Spell (Great Success 98%)]

Since a large amount of Spiritual Mechanism was spent on nurturing the Gourd World, spells could only improve through practice.

The good news was that the Silk Thread Spell was about to reach the Perfection Level, and he would pause cultivating this spell even if it does.

Ji An’s Divine Sense withdrew from the Stone Turtle, and his Sea of Consciousness resumed its tranquility. He practiced the Silk Thread Spell for a while before sleeping deeply.

...

The next day at 5:00 AM, Ji An woke up on time.

He used the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill to bathe, then donned a brand new Daoist Robe and walked out of the Grotto Mansion.

He rode the clouds to the Red Cloud Pine Forest, entered the Magma Pool, and cast spells for the Phoenix Wood and Cyan Leaf Red Lotus.

Leaving the Sect has quite an impact on these two Spirit Plants, as the nurturing time for the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire would increase significantly.

Azure Dragon Shocking Skill, Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill — with each spell cast, the magma pool glowed with emerald, crimson-gold, and yellow light.

After casting spells, Ji An left the cavern and reactivated the Mimic Array.

He rode the clouds to the mountaintop, placed the Golden Feathered Eagle into the Spirit Beast Bag, and then descended the mountain to take away Dahuang and Golden Fur.

These beasts had tasks of combat and vigilance, and could not be kept in the Gourd World.

Ji An summoned the Earth-Departing Flame Banner, drove his Spiritual Artifact into the sky, gazed at the Spirit Field sparkling like a sea of stars beneath the Spirit Light, took a deep breath, and left without looking back.

The crimson flames pierced through the pre-dawn darkness, as if painting the sky with a flying fire meteor.

...

Three months later.

Ji An was flying leisurely atop the Golden Feathered Eagle, practicing the Silk Thread Spell.

Suddenly, over twenty Divine Sense tendrils split into fifty.

His mind connected to the Stone Turtle for an instant, and a smile appeared on Ji An’s lips.

[Spell: Silk Thread Spell (Great Success 99%→Perfection 1%)]

"Hehe, this level of spell mastery, I wonder how many in the Golden Puppet Sect can achieve it."

He felt pleased with himself, estimating that he could definitely achieve the level of a Chao Origin Stage cultivator in the Golden Puppet Sect.

A clear and sharp cry interrupted his thoughts, and Ji An opened his eyes to see the distant mountains with white snow lines on their peaks.

He patted the neck of his beast mount, "Accelerate forward!"

That place was the Beichen Mountain Range, the boundary between the Western Continent and the Far North.

Since leaving the jurisdiction of Yuanhe Mountain, the trees had become increasingly stunted, the landscape barren, and he had not seen a human figure in over two months.

If it weren’t for tasks at hand, loneliness would have been inevitable.

The Golden Feathered Eagle cried again, piercing the sky and slicing through clouds; its speed suddenly increased several times, far surpassing that of normal Chao Origin Stage cultivators riding the clouds.

The master had ordered it to fly slowly, making it impossible to feel the wind’s rhythm!

Ji An gazed at the distant mountains, occasionally correcting his beast’s direction.

The heights of the Beichen Mountains, having reached ten thousand feet, were challenging for birds to navigate. The air temperature was extremely low, compounded by rampant Gang Winds, making it impossible for Chao Origin Stage cultivators to cross; finding a low-lying valley was a must.

The place he chose for passage was called Gulal Pass; crossing it led to Silver Moon City, the closest Immortal City in the Far North to the Western Continent, reportedly even more prosperous than Cyan Cloud Immortal City.

Two double hours later, the Golden Feathered Eagle entered Gulal Pass, immediately buffeted erratically by strong winds.

Ji An put the beast into the Spirit Beast Bag, braving the cold gale, advancing on his own cloud.