Chapter 626 - 497: Two Soul Nourishing Wood Saplings (2)

"In the future, I must seek out more quality partners."

He enjoyed drinking and also enjoyed brewing, a passion that hadn’t changed over the years, and Red Flame Peak could no longer satisfy his hobby.

Ji An laughed heartily, "That’s a wise choice, the chances of needing your expertise are getting fewer by the day."

Once the spirit plants’ tiers are raised, their quantity must be reduced, otherwise the Spiritual Qi in the Spirit Field would be excessively consumed, affecting the enhancement of the Spiritual Vein’s tier.

Additionally, High-tier Spirit Plants have a longer fruiting period. Take the Red Cloud Pine, for instance; a Top-grade Spirit Pine takes three years to mature, while a Top-grade Pinnacle Spirit Pine requires five years.

As a result, the materials for brewing have greatly diminished.

Now, Red Flame Peak solely aims for a high-end route; perhaps one day, there will no longer be any spirit plants below Tier Two Upper Grade here.

If the Spiritual Vein can be upgraded to Tier Three and Ji An remains in the Sect for a few more years, achieving such a wish isn’t very difficult.

If Spirit Plants can’t be cultivated to Tier Two Upper Grade in such an environment, then it must be due to the inherent limitations of the Spirit Plants themselves, and they need to be removed and replanted.

"Hey, you can’t be so heartless."

Du Huaiyuan showed a grievance of being abandoned, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

He laughed too and changed the subject:

"Senior Sister Zhong, no, Dean Zhong, how does it feel to preside over Dan Ding Institute?"

After breaking through to the Chao Origin Stage and resting for three years, Zhong Yuefei was assigned a new position.

She gently waved her hand, "I’m just the Vice Dean; Dan Ding Institute is still under Senior Sister Han Yan’s supervision. In the future, Junior Brother, you don’t need to call me that.

If someone with intentions overhears it, they might attempt to sow discord between Han Yan and me."

Du Huaiyuan nodded and corrected himself earnestly:

"Alright, Vice Dean Zhong."

Some matters cannot be ignored; there are always some cultivators with sinister tendencies.

Zhong Yuefei laughed and then said:

"Initially, there was a desire to wield authority over others, but it was soon drowned by various tasks.

Dan Ding Institute needs to supply pills to all the cultivators of the Sect and coordinate with the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Diligence Hall, Agricultural Hall, and Beast Taming Hall.

If there are pills the Sect cannot refine, we still need to coordinate with the Treasure Pavilion to discuss whether to trade with other factions.

There’s much to do, far from the ease of before.

Junior Brother Ji, you’re the Hall Master of the Agricultural Hall, and you have many mundane affairs under your jurisdiction. How do you manage them?"

"I let the people below handle them and only grasp the general direction."

Ji An spoke up; he had no thirst for power. The thrill brought by improved cultivation was much stronger than directing Low-Tier Disciples.

Zhong Yuefei patted her forehead, a hint of exhaustion showing on her face:

"I used to think there were many drawbacks in the Dan Ding Institute’s regulations, but after truly taking over, I discovered that the various rules had their reasons for existence.

Making changes is difficult; the slightest tweak affects the entire system."

She originally wanted to implement some reforms but found the difficulty was immense, beyond what her prestige could push through.

Ji An shook his head, "Senior Sister, adhere to the existing rules first. Even if changes are to be made, they should start from the most minute areas."

Reform is a difficult task across any world.

He disliked seeking trouble for himself. When he made changes to the Agricultural Hall, it was over ten years after he became the Hall Master. The key was that it effectively reduced everyone’s burden and increased their gains, thus facing much less resistance.

Zhong Yuefei exhaled, "Let’s not talk about this. Junior Brother, the matter you mentioned in the Wuji Hall the other day, the ancestor didn’t issue a strict gag order. Won’t you inform your junior brothers and sisters?"

"Of course, I have to tell them."

Ji An’s expression became solemn as he recounted the Demon Cultivator incident:

"If there’s no need to venture out, everyone should try to stay within the Sect.

Also, don’t spread this matter recklessly, to avoid causing unnecessary panic."

During the Wuji Hall meeting, the ancestor asked if he could submit the method of drawing the Purifying Talisman to the Sect. He explained the Daoist Oath situation.

He could submit the Talisman to the Sect, but he could not disclose the drawing method.

Du Huaiyuan bared his teeth, "Golden Core Stage Demon Cultivator! Luckily, I don’t like running around."

The banquet lasted two double hours, ending as the sun set at an angle.

As he bid everyone farewell, Ji An gifted each person two Purifying Talismans and several ounces of Tier Two Middle Grade Jade Dew Golden Tooth Tea.

He kept Li Lingyu and Mu Qingwan behind and said:

"Senior Sisters, there is plenty of Jade Dew Golden Tooth Tea produced now at Red Flame Peak. Feel free to come to me if you ever need any.

If I’m not around, you can find Lin Lan, I’ve instructed them."

The help he could offer was limited to this. As for how far they could go in the future, it depended on their fortune.

"Thank you, Junior Brother," Li Lingyu’s expression was a bit unnatural; the gap between them was growing, and she didn’t know how to interact anymore.

...

Wei Songnian stood on the Flying Ship, gazing at the distant eruption of golden-red clouds, his heart filled with emotion, finally turning his many words into one sentence:

"The Spiritual Mechanism of Red Flame Peak is more intense. The Spiritual Mist’s hue wasn’t this vibrant back in the day."

His temples were streaked with grey, and his brows carried more authority and less warmth than before.

There were two tasks for this trip; the first was to engage in trade, acquiring sought-after goods from the Golden Spirit Sect and Red Flame Peak, and the second was to have a private conversation with an old friend.

Yinn Qiuyun stood beside him, whispering:

"Songtao mentioned that when we left, Red Flame Peak’s Spiritual Vein was only Tier Two Middle Grade, and now it’s Tier Two Top Grade."

Her appearance was much better than her partner’s, now an Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, still charming.

"Songtao..."

Melancholy flashed in Wei Songnian’s eyes; his brother had already passed away from old age.

The Flying Ship maintained a steady pace, eventually entering Red Flame Peak.

Upon receiving the report, Ji An personally went out to greet them. Familiar faces disappearing from life made him cherish old friends even more.

People like them would only become fewer in the future, many High-Tier Cultivators pay little regard to friendships, perhaps because they are accustomed to life and death.

Time is the most ruthless killer; everyone is caught in its web.

Wei Songnian and Yinn Qiuyun hurried forward a few steps, full of smiles, cupping their hands in salute:

"Friend, you still have the same style, enviable to us all."

Ji An cupped his hands in return and laughed, "Haha, please come inside, both of you."

He led them to the guest room, where the host and guests settled in, and Zhang Xueling served Spirit Tea and snacks, standing by the side.

After some pleasantries, they began talking about each other’s past experiences over the years, mostly reminiscing about old times.

Half an hour passed, and Ji An noticed the other party occasionally glancing at the maid with a hesitant look, so he instructed:

"Xue Ning, please step out for now."

"Understood," the maid walked out, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

Ji An softly said:

"Friend, whatever matter you have, feel free to speak now."

Wei Songnian stood up, a mysterious smile on his face:

"A few years ago, I got hold of something good, waiting for your return to present it to you."

As he spoke, he took out a large gray jar as thick as a bucket and carefully placed it on the ground.

The jar had a lid with several thumb-sized holes punched in it.

The body and the rim of the jar each had a Sealing Spirit Talisman attached.

Ji An’s interest was piqued, "What kind of Spirit Plant?"

At his current level, he wasn’t interested in Low-tier Spirit Plants; only those with at least Tier Two Top Grade potential would catch his eye.

"Why not see for yourself?" Wei Songnian teasingly suggested, gesturing with his arm in invitation.

Ji An felt a growing anticipation, tore off the talisman from the lid, and looked inside.

Inside was a six-inch tall sapling, without branches, entirely black, and as thick as a thumb, with several faint white broken patterns on its bark.

At the top, there were three wilting spoon-shaped leaves, black with a slight purple tint, the veins were white, creating a unique black-and-white beauty.

Ji An was stunned, memories of the past flashed in his mind, revealing the same kind of jar back then.

"I remember there was a strong aroma in the jar back then. Your luck is unmatched in my life."

It was another Soul Nourishing Wood, gifted by the same person, along with the Gathering Essence Tree, he owed too much to this person.

Wei Songnian chuckled, "It’s your good luck, I’m just a courier."