He made a promise, and the matter began when he asked the disciple if there were any additional requests. As a result, failing to meet the disciple’s requests in the end might affect the disciple’s mood.

This time, when the Central Continent Business Alliance arrives, the sect needs to purchase two Gold Core Pills, and another two would be needed in thirty years.

This is a huge expenditure, which will severely deplete the sect’s resource reserves.

Ultimately, the sect is not wealthy; no matter how many resources are obtained, it’s still not enough.

The accumulation of a power’s foundation is a very difficult process, requiring a huge cost to purchase "cultivation techniques" that can be replicated.

Ji An nodded and smiled:

"The disciple understands."

When it comes to the sect’s Golden Core Inheritance, all other matters have to take a backseat.

He only needs to do his part, but the ancestor has a lot to consider.

Once the matter was settled, Master Yuxiao smiled and said:

"After the top-grade Spiritual Peach is cultivated, how long until it begins to bear fruit?"

Only when it begins to stably bear fruit can the Spirit Wood generate continual profits.

Ji An shook his head; he lacked experience in this area and didn’t know how things would turn out.

Ge Ying lightly coughed and said solemnly:

"According to the sect’s records, the previous top-grade Spiritual Peach began to bear fruit in the sixteenth year after it was cultivated.

Now that the Spirit Vein grade at Ningcui Cliff has been improved, coupled with Ji An’s skillful techniques, I believe it will bear fruit within ten years."

She was very concerned about the cultivation of the Spiritual Peach and had looked into a lot of information.

"Ten years? Very good!"

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded; in this way, by the next time the Central Continent Business Alliance comes, the top-grade Spiritual Peach will be put to use.

He pointed to another top-grade Spiritual Peach with a smiling expression:

"Based on the example of the top-grade Spiritual Peach, this Spirit Wood should also be cultivated to top-grade within thirty years, right?"

Ji An smiled and nodded, saying:

"Theoretically yes, I am also confident."

The Spiritual Peach trees were planted by his own hands, and he was very aware of the condition of the seeds. In thirty years, he is very likely to have already cultivated top-grade Spirit Plants at Red Flame Peak.

He thought of something and suddenly changed his tone:

"It might not be certain; in a few years, I plan to go on a journey and practice Wood-eating Qi."

If he were to take care personally, he would have the confidence, but if someone else were to take care of it in his absence, the likelihood would be much lower.

He now understood that the watering at the Chao Origin Stage level of planting techniques played a significant role in cultivating high-tier Spirit Plants.

Only this explanation could clarify why the sect, despite a thousand years of accumulation, had so rarely cultivated Tier Two top-grade level Spirit Plants.

Daoist Master Zhengxiao grinned and said:

"I’m increasingly reluctant to let you leave the sect; each year you’re gone is a loss."

After everyone left the Medicinal Garden, a Communication Golden Sword swiftly flew to Ji An’s side. He injected his Divine Sense to read the information inside and nodded secretly.

The message was from Brother Zhang Zizhao from Diligence Hall, asking him to stay at Red Flame Peak tomorrow. He and Chu Huai’ge would arrive before 7:00 AM tomorrow.

The message also mentioned that he’d already informed Jia Yu from the Treasure Pavilion, so there was no need for him to notify.

...

Ji An returned to Red Flame Peak, as usual consuming some Wood Element Qi and Ding Fire Qi in Wood, refining a little heart liquid and liver liquid.

The Spiritual Liquid could nourish the Primordial Life Fire, indirectly strengthening the Earth Element Spiritual Flame, with some slightly dissipating into his Dantian, transforming into pure magical power.

The last glimmer of light in the sky faded. What was originally a magnificent cloud quickly darkened as it blended into the night.

Ji An raised a Fire Cloud under his feet, flying into the mountain slope’s Grotto Mansion. He entered the Quiet Chamber, fetching a Jade Bottle containing the Five Elements Essence, nourishing the Earth-Departing Flame Banner and Wuji Xinghuang Banner respectively.

Under his cost-heavy nourishment, the spirituality of the two Spiritual Artifacts improved to varying degrees, especially the Earth-Departing Flame Banner.

When it "got full," it would let out a phoenix-like cry, circling him three times before returning to his Dantian for nurturing.

Ji An sat cross-legged on the Black Soul-Calming Grass Pudun, took out an Earth Soul Soothing Pill, and swallowed it, hurriedly running the Earth Element Chapter of the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture for refinement.

The pill had a earthy taste, the worst tasting pill he had ever consumed without a doubt.

With the operation of the cultivation technique, the Spiritual Qi and Earth Element Qi within the pill were soon refined, and the Spiritual Qi in the Grotto Mansion frantically gathered towards him.

The surface of the spleen brightened with yellow light, and the Ji Earth and Wu Earth Dao Seeds in the acupoints radiated spiritual light.

The Ji Earth Dao Seed emitted a thick, burden-bearing Divine Intent, while the Wu Earth Dao Seed exuded a nurturing, profound Divine Intent.

The Spiritual Qi passed through the Wood Element Divine Mansion, acquiring a hint of green color and more vigor of life, then flowed through the Fire Element Divine Mansion, turning into a bright red color, blazing and unrestrained.

Ji An didn’t know how others cultivated, but he already saw some signs of the Five Elements Mutual Generation during his cultivation.

Thread after thread of Earth Element Qi converged on the spleen, devoured by the core of the Divine Mansion, as the vein patterns on the spleen surface shifted slightly, resembling changes on the earth.

An hour later, the medicinal power was completely refined, and Ji An sensed the enlarged core of the Divine Mansion with satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

He slowly opened his eyes, only to see that his pupils had turned yellow, emitting a gentle glow.

The yellow quickly faded, revealing a deep black, much like the night sky.

"It’s a pity the pills are exhausted; the next opportunity to obtain them is in two years."

He sighed lightly, got up to boil some Spirit Spring Water, and took a box out of the Void Realm Space, opening it.

Seeing the condition inside, his face turned sour, shaking his head repeatedly:

"Only the last plate of Soul Incense remains; hard times are ahead!"

He formed his fingers into a gesture for the Object Control Technique, pulling the Beast Ear Tripod Furnace near, lighting the Soul Incense to start meditation.

The kettle on the Wind Furnace gurgled, he brewed a pot of Jade Dew Golden Bud Tea, drank it all, then resettled himself on the Pudun, initiating a Dharma Gate to open the Water Element Divine Mansion.

His kidneys immediately turned pitch black, as dynamic white cloud patterns simultaneously lit up.

Magical power gushed out of the Dantian, flowing into both kidneys, while the Ren Water and Gui Water Dao Seeds in the acupoints were deep like ink, with a rich flowing aura converging into the Immortal Vein.

Time flowed like water, over an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and Ji An felt the Power of Spirit Soul was nearly exhausted, gradually ending his work.

Another inner vein pattern had been opened, putting a smile on Ji An’s face.

He immersed his mind into the Dantian, connecting with the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: Metal 15.2, Water 12.6, Wood 10.4, Fire 14.6, Earth 13.8]

He always believed that Dao Rhyme must have some undeveloped functions, yet he hadn’t found other uses.

After thinking for a while, he decided to keep a little of each Dao Rhyme at hand for unexpected needs, refining the remainder.

With the enhancement of Dao Seeds, the effects of magical techniques would also be enhanced, simultaneously reducing the Spiritual Mechanism consumption to raise those magical techniques.

Converting resources into power has always been his philosophy.

"Refine ten points of Water Element Dao Rhyme to enhance Gui Water Dao Seed."

"Refine ten points of Wood Element Dao Rhyme to equally enhance Wood of Jia and Wood of Yi Dao Seeds."

"Refine fourteen points of Fire Dao Rhyme to equally enhance Bing Fire and Ding Fire Dao Seeds."

"Refine twelve points of Earth Dao Rhyme for increasing Ji Earth Dao Seed."

"Refine fifteen points of Metal Element Dao Rhyme for enhancing Metal Dao Seed."

As each command was issued, the Dao Seeds gleamed brightly.

It seemed to trigger some mechanism; the Taiyuan Acupoint saw the pale golden Metal Dao Seed transform into a silvery-white hue, erupting with radiant brilliance, and Ji An’s Sea of Consciousness was filled with a dazzling white.

Startled, he opened his eyes but discovered the real world was affected too, with a white mass extending everywhere.

’What is happening!’

Just as he was bewildered, the Metal Dao Seed flew out from the Taiyuan Acupoint, following the Immortal Vein into the Gold Element Divine Mansion.

The anomaly in Ji An’s Sea of Consciousness vanished, and his sight returned to normal.

At this point, without his connecting to the Stone Turtle, lines of text appeared in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Dao Seed: Unrestrained Sharpness (Top Grade), hidden in the Lung’s Golden Mansion, comprehending the True Intent of the Metal Element Daoist Technique, ’Unbreakable, All Things Wither,’ enhancing the comprehension of Metal Element Daoist Techniques.]

The Extinction Magic Intent had now become All Things Wither, essentially the same meaning.

Success! Ji An was thrilled; he now had some understanding of Dao Seed Grades. Qi Refining Stage Dao Seeds were unranked, Foundation Establishment Stage ones were lower grade, and Chao Origin Stage was middle grade.

For the Metal Dao Seed to reach top grade, didn’t it mean it had achieved the Golden Core Level!