The Cyan Deer ran like the wind, but Ji An didn’t feel any bumps, highlighting its speed and steadiness.

Before long, they arrived near a few tea trees.

Ji An jumped down, a verdant mist emerged beneath his feet, lifting him into the air as he seriously searched for seeds on the tea trees.

After about a quarter of an hour, he descended to the ground slightly disappointed, gently shaking his head.

The two Tier Two Upper Grade Cloud-Top Jade Trees produced only twelve seeds, while the Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Tree had just three.

Even though he was mentally prepared, this number was far less than expected. With just a few seeds, he planned to plant them all on Red Flame Peak.

However, such Spirit Trees usually take a few years to bear fruit again; for now, he could only hope the interval wouldn’t be too long, allowing for a gradual increase in tea tree numbers.

These tea trees had taken Ji An over forty years to cultivate to fruition. Although his Magic Technique and Spirit Field grades had improved, growing new trees that could bear seeds would still take at least thirty more years.

He had once envisioned planting Ghost Moon Cyan Jade Trees all over the Sect, but now it seemed it would take hundreds of years to achieve that goal.

"Youyou!"

The Cyan Deer sensed its owner’s slight disappointment and made a comforting call.

"Haha, how considerate indeed."

Ji An patted the Beast Taming’s back, retrieving a Tier Two Lower Grade Biluo Fruit from the Void Realm Space.

Using Middle Grade Spirit Fruit to feed it would be wasteful, considering it’s still a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast.

The Cyan Deer swallowed the Spirit Fruit in one gulp, chewing like a cow chewing peonies for a few moments before its tongue ejected the pit onto the ground, swallowing the pulp.

It grinned, revealing good teeth, and made a pleasing noise, "Youyou!"

Ji An cast the Small Cloud Rain Technique, generating a millstone-sized mist that let raindrops fall with a patter.

He then used the Object Control Technique to cleanse the pit. These seeds served two purposes: first, using the Life and Death Technique to siphon life force to cultivate other seeds.

Since they were the same species, this method had been proven effective.

The second was to hand over the seeds to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and Diligence Hall, which could earn some Contribution Points; every little bit counts.

After cleaning, Ji An placed the pit into the Grotto Void Stone and rode the Cyan Deer:

"Youyou, let’s go back."

When the Cyan Deer returned to the Cold Pool, Ji An said:

"Songtao, find an Artifact Refining Apprentice to craft a collar with several bells, and make sure the sound is crisp. We’ll put it on Youyou then.

Use Windmill Copper to craft it, so it can last longer."

Wei Songtao chuckled and said:

"Understood, I’ll handle it tomorrow."

The master’s approach seems much like raising horses in the Mortal World.

...

The next day.

Han Yan rode a cloud to the Agricultural Hall but couldn’t find Ji An, so she approached Lin Mao and asked:

"Has Hall Master Ji not come today?"

"He has, we spoke half an hour ago.

If there’s nothing else these days, the Hall Master usually goes to the back mountain to practice Magic Techniques. Please wait a moment, Junior Martial Uncle, I’ll report to the Hall Master."

Lin Mao took out a Communication Talisman Sword, inscribed a message with Divine Sense, and swiftly sent it out.

Due to the short distance, there was no need to use a Communication Golden Sword.

A quarter of an hour later, red Auspicious Clouds sped toward them, and Ji An greeted warmly:

"What wind blew you here, Senior Sister? Please, have a seat in the back hall."

The two of them walked into the back hall and sat down. Ji An flicked his finger, sending a blue flame the size of his fingertip into the Wind Furnace, causing the Spiritual Charcoal to ignite immediately.

Han Yan smiled and said, "Junior Brother should have a disciple around to assist."

"No need. I’m a simple person; having someone serving would make me uncomfortable."

The two of them chatted a bit and soon the Spirit Spring Water on the stove began to boil.

Ji An rinsed the teacups with boiling water and brewed Cloud Peak Silver Needle Tea, the tea color akin to amber with an elegant fragrance.

Han Yan took a small sip, her eyes showing a trace of envy:

"Good tea! It seems Junior Brother is the only one in the Sect who can regularly drink Top-Grade Spirit Tea.

Having said that, with so much good tea, Junior Brother should put some up for sale instead of enjoying it all alone."

She usually reserved her good tea to entertain guests, but this Junior Brother drank it daily.

Ji An explained in a relaxed manner:

"Senior Sister misunderstands me. In the past, the tea barely sufficed for personal use, so I could only keep it to myself.

Now that the tea trees on Red Flame Peak have borne seeds, in a few more years tea production can increase substantially; by then, I’ll either sell it or submit it to the Treasure Pavilion."

"No telling how many years that’ll be. Your words aren’t convincing, Junior Brother."

Han Yan shook her head and took out two gray elliptical seeds about the size of a finger, saying:

"A few years back I got a Tier Two Middle Grade Longevity Peach from you, Junior Brother. Since then, I’ve asked friends outside the Sect to help collect rare Spirit Seeds.

Yesterday, I received two Water Element Spirit Seeds; can you tell what Spirit Plants they are?"

Her tone had a testing edge, with a faint dimple on her left cheek.

Ji An took the seeds and examined them closely. They were cool to the touch and had a rough surface with blue and white cloud-like patterns.

"If I’m not mistaken, these should be seeds of the Canglan Spirit Mist Tree, could it be?"

He extended his Divine Sense to assess the life levels of the two seeds; one reached Tier Two Upper Grade, the other Middle Grade, quite impressive.

Han Yan’s eyes lit up with delight, and she said with a smile:

"As expected of the best Spirit Farmer in the Western Continent, your vision really is sharp!"

"I wouldn’t say sharp, it’s just that this Spirit Tree is relatively rare in the Western Continent and is a primary ingredient in Pills commonly used by Chao Origin Stage Cultivators, so I’ve studied it specifically."

The Canglan Spirit Mist Fruit is the main ingredient for the Canglan Pill, a pill used to augment the core of the Water Element Divine Mansion. Cultivators from the Western Continent generally purchase it from the Central Continent Business Alliance, and it doesn’t come cheap.

The Canglan Spirit Mist Tree is widely cultivated in the East Sea Cultivation Realm, where it’s much cheaper.

Ji An praised the seeds, "The Central Continent Business Alliance never sells this type of spirit seed to the Western Continent. It’s truly fortunate that Senior Sister was able to get hold of them."

"These were acquired from a friendly cultivation family. Many years ago, a disciple from their family was taken in by a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Central Continent, which is how they managed to obtain the spirit seeds."

Ji An pondered and said:

"Senior Sister, I got some rare spirit seeds from fellow disciples. After nurturing the spirit plants to Tier Two levels, they give a certain proportion of the harvest as rewards. These two Canglan Spirit Mist Trees will be no exception."

Han Yan had heard of his practices before and, now receiving confirmation directly, smiled even more:

"I’ll definitely work harder to search for spirit seeds in the future."

She glanced around mischievously and whispered:

"Junior Brother, how much longer do you estimate it will take for the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire to be fully nurtured?"

She was determined to acquire this Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire.

Ji An thought for a moment and replied:

"I estimate it will take about a hundred years, maybe a little less.

Since it’s my first time encountering this kind of spiritual fire, I can’t predict the timing precisely."

This person has created two pill formulas, and when the Cyan Lotus Heart-Burning Fire matures, they will surely get a fire seed.

Han Yan blinked, revealing a satisfied smile:

"The timing is just right. At the current pace of my cultivation progress, I should be able to break through to the Fifth Transformation of the Chao Origin Stage."

Ji An said solemnly:

"This is Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire. I also wish to acquire a fire seed to experience its profound mysteries.

In the future, I plan to practice alchemy more, and I hope Senior Sister won’t be stingy with guidance."

"Oh? Then we would become competitors! No need for guidance then."

Han Yan joked, flicking her teacup with a finger:

"Spirit Tea is indeed delicious."

Ji An chuckled lightly, "In a few days, I’ll gift Senior Sister one tael of Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea as a consulting fee."

"Junior Brother, you’re thoughtful."

Han Yan’s expression turned serious as she said:

"Junior Brother, in a few months we’ll be setting off for the Southern Continent. Recently, I acquired a top-grade attack spiritual tool. Have you prepared a defensive or attack spiritual tool?"

A spirit farmer and a pill master—this combination can’t really fight.

Now that she had a top-grade spiritual artifact, she should be able to handle most situations on the attack front. If the other party lacked a good tool, she hoped he’d prepare a defensive tool.

Though a pill master, she had a heart ready to repay kindness and exact revenge.

"Rest assured, Senior Sister. I have two top-grade spiritual tools, one for attack and one for defense."

Ji An’s top-grade spiritual tools have been nurtured for nearly ten years, possessing considerable spirituality.

"You rich man!"

Han Yan ’grumbled’ in faux frustration, this Junior Brother, having broken through to the Chao Origin Stage less than thirty years prior, yet possessing two top-grade spiritual tools—how wealthy!

She wished to be this wealthy as well.

Ji An earnestly retorted:

"It’s enough to call me rich; why add the word ’earth’?"

Han Yan began to argue, "Spirit farmers love the land, so adding ’earth’ is a sign of respect."

"Makes sense."

"Speaking of which, I’m a bit afraid to go to the Southern Continent. It’s said that the cultivators there excel at raising Gu Worms, making them hard to defend against."

"It can’t be that mystical, otherwise, the strongest continent would be the Southern Continent, not the Central Continent.

Besides, the ancestor said before leaving that he would give us a detailed introduction of the Southern Continent’s situation, so we should just be careful at that time."

The two chatted for a while longer, and after sending Senior Sister off, Ji An rode the clouds to the back mountain to continue practicing magic techniques.

...

A few days later, Ji An, not needing to report to the Agricultural Hall, rode the clouds to the Diligence Hall.

Zhang Zizhao teased:

"Junior Brother hasn’t visited the Diligence Hall for a long time. What wind blew you here?"

Ji An laughed, having said the same thing to Senior Sister Han Yan just a few days prior.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he said:

"Senior Brother, a few days ago I acquired two seeds of Canglan Spirit Mist Trees and wish to plant them on Red Flame Peak.

However, the current Spirit Field on Red Flame Peak is quite crowded; I need to clear some space before planting.

The area I intend to plant currently has Celestial Essence Pears, a Tier Two Lower Grade spirit plant. It would be a shame to just cut them down, so I thought of transplanting them to another part of the sect with a water vein.

What do you think, Senior Brother?"

"Of course, that’s a good idea. Do you have an appropriate location in mind?"

"The pool below the waterfall at Ningcui Cliff is good; the spirit vein node reaches Tier Two Middle Grade and has space."

Zhang Zizhao nodded slightly:

"Tomorrow I’ll wait at Ningcui Cliff. I entrust you with the matter of transplantation.

If the transplantation succeeds, we will pay you fifty Great Merits and fifty thousand Contribution Points per plant. If it fails, you still keep the spiritual materials.

A five-year period; should the spirit plant die within this timeframe, it will count as a failure. How does that sound?"

"The price is fair. I agree."

Ji An expressed his approval; cultivating Tier Two spirit wood for the sect also merits similar rewards.