"Alright, everyone, please wait a moment. I need to calculate the resources needed."

Chu Huai’ge sat on a chair and started calculating with a counting rod.

Ji An noticed the sky outside was starting to darken and instructed,

"Cuihua, go prepare dinner. Tonight, I will drink with the senior brothers.

If you can’t manage, let Songtao and the others help you."

"As you command," Zhang Cuihua quickly walked out of the living room with small steps.

Half an hour later, Chu Huai’ge let out a long breath and handed over the Jade Slip:

"All the resources needed for enhancing the spiritual vein are detailed inside. The resources consumed this time to enhance Red Flame Peak are more than four times that of last time, with a significant portion being Tier Two top-quality resources.

To sustain the operation of the magic array, an annual investment of around 300,000 Spirit Stones is required."

In his heart, he was very envious. Such a massive investment carried the ancestor’s earnest expectations.

After the spiritual vein is enhanced to the top-grade level, Junior Brother Ji’s Dao field will be the top field second only to Sunrise Peak, capable of fully supporting cultivators in reaching the Golden Core level.

In the sect, there are fewer than fifteen Dao fields that have reached Tier Two top-grade spiritual veins.

The other Dao fields were passively enhanced due to the sect’s main spiritual vein’s promotion, whereas Red Flame Peak was specially cultivated; the significance is naturally different.

Zhang Zizhao took the Jade Slip, copied it, and said,

"The 300,000 Spirit Stones consumption is nothing; a large number of low-tier resources are available in the Diligence Hall.

But the Tier Two resources are diverse. Junior Brother, see if you can gather enough."

He discovered many rare top-grade spiritual objects listed in the Jade Slip and wasn’t overly hopeful about gathering the needed resources.

Jia Yu pressed the Jade Slip to his forehead and compared it with another Jade Slip documenting the Treasure Pavilion’s inventory occasionally.

After cross-referencing them, he laughed,

"Fortunately, all the resources can be gathered. Extra resources purchased when the sect enhanced the main spiritual vein are still available, and I’ll bring the resources to Red Flame Peak tomorrow."

Originally, the extra resources were thought to be traded away when the merchant flying ship from the Middle Continent arrived, but now they can be used directly, avoiding an exchange at a loss.

Zhang Zizhao’s eyes brightened, "It’s great. I can also allocate resources by tomorrow afternoon."

"Junior Brother Chu, you move into Red Flame Peak the day after tomorrow to set up the magic array for enhancing the spiritual vein as soon as possible."

Chu Huai’ge nodded,

"No problem, this time I’ll invite a few disciples to complete the task, and we’ll finish the magic array in a little over half a month."

...

Two months later, at 1:00 PM.

Chu Huai’ge looked somewhat helpless, and said with a wry smile,

"When I assisted the array masters from Central Continent, they seemed to complete it effortlessly; however, it was a complete mess when I was in charge."

He boasted that he would complete the magic array construction in a little over half a month, but it took four and a half months. Luckily, his dark skin didn’t show blushing.

Red Flame Peak prepared abundant Spiritual Food daily, and he felt guilty for delaying the project.

Ji An comforted,

"The first time is the hardest. Completing the task perfectly without prior experience in leading such magic array constructions is already impressive."

The Path of Arrays is profound and vast, much more difficult than artifact refining or alchemy, and from his view, the other party had indeed done very well.

For a Tier Two top-grade magic array to be built in just two months, being called the sect’s first array master is no exaggeration.

Indeed, he deservedly is the first array master of the sect since there is only one array master at the Chao Origin Stage in the sect.

Chu Huai’ge quickly waved his hand with an embarrassed smile,

"Please, Junior Brother, stop speaking. I’ll feel utterly ashamed if you continue.

The magic array is now activated, and I will come to Red Flame Peak every year for these few days to maintain the array and replenish Spirit Stones; farewell."

He cupped his hands in farewell, hurriedly left with his disciples, staying any longer, he feared his face would require ice water to cool down.

Ji An watched the guest off, unable to help but smile.

He could sense the other party’s feelings of embarrassment; this senior brother indeed had a strong sense of responsibility.

At this time, Zhang Cuihua approached, slightly bowing,

"Ancestor, I have thoroughly researched the basic techniques for breeding Spirit Fish, and I’m ready to invite Junior Martial Uncle Liang over."

Ji An nodded, took out two Communication Golden Swords, recorded messages, and activated them, saying,

"I invite Fellow Daoist Liang and Fellow Daoist Huang to visit Red Flame Peak in three days; prepare the banquet."

...

At 7:00 AM, Liang Hill and Huang Feihu arrived one after the other.

Huang Feihu circled a few times over the Cold Pool on his Flying Shuttle before slowly landing on the open ground, beaming,

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, the number of Tier Two Spirit Plants in Red Flame Peak has reached a new high!"

He still remembered the scene when he left here; back then, Tier Two Spirit Plants were not many, but now, to his surprise, the non-Tier Two Spirit Plants had become scarce.

All the orchards were filled with Tier Two Spirit Plants.

Ji An pointed to the stone bench, responding,

"Congratulations to you too, come, sit and talk."

The three discussed their recent circumstances, but the conversation lacked the former warmth.

After finishing lunch, Ji An pointed to the Cold Pool, saying,

"Now that the spiritual vein of Red Flame Peak is enhanced to Tier Two Upper Grade, the Cold Spring at the bottom of the pool has also risen to this level.

I am thinking of breeding some new Spirit Fish species, hoping Fellow Daoist Liang can provide a solution."

Liang Hill asked,

"What are your requirements, Fellow Daoist? Are the Spirit Fish intended for trade or consumption?"

Ji An laughed heartily and said:

"There’s no need for trading; use them all for consumption, the more delicious, the better."

He no longer hoped to obtain much spiritual qi from the spirit fish. Spirit fish at the Foundation Establishment level could hardly meet his needs, but cultivating spirit fish to the level of the Chao Origin Stage would take unknown years.

This was the downside of cultivation; it required more time to gain benefits.

For him, this method was inefficient, as he could not use magic techniques to accelerate growth.

"Recently, I’ve recorded various tasty fish species, and I’ve chosen some suitable for breeding in cold water."

Liang Hill took out several jade slips and looked through them, recording the relevant information into a blank jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist, here are six types of spirit fish, and you can obtain fry from the sect.

Additionally, I’ve recorded the cultivation methods as well. Just follow the method, and there should not be any mistakes."

"Thank you."

Liang Hill forced a smile and said:

"You’re welcome."

Coming to Red Flame Peak again today, he always felt extremely uneasy, restrained by some inexplicable feeling.

Ji An received the jade slip, placed it on his forehead, and explored its contents with his divine sense before handing it to Zhang Cuihua:

"See if you have any questions. While Fellow Daoist Liang is here, you can promptly inquire."

"Yes," Zhang Cuihua said, taking the jade slip, placing it on her forehead, and seriously studying it before engaging in an exchange with Liang Hill.

Half an hour passed, and she cupped her hands in respect and said:

"Thank you, elder, for dispelling my doubts. I have no further questions."

She originally wanted to address him as Junior Martial Uncle, but since that would result in a generational difference with Elder Ji’s title, it was awkward.

Their group referred to each other as Fellow Daoist, as having a generational gap would be quite embarrassing; she could sense the subtle tension in the atmosphere.

After chatting for a while, Huang Feihu exchanged a glance with the others, and they all stood up to say:

"Fellow Daoist, thank you for your warm hospitality, we’re deeply grateful.

There are important matters in the grotto mansion that we haven’t completed today, so we’ll take our leave."

Ji An nodded lightly and said:

"Since the two of you have matters to attend to, I won’t hold you any longer. I’ve prepared some spirit fruits for you all; please don’t refuse.

Cuihua, bring the gift boxes up."

The gift box for Liang Hill contained four Tier Two Lower-Grade Celestial Essence Pears and two Middle-Grade Celestial Essence Pears, as he chose the Water Element Cultivation Method.

The gift box for Huang Feihu contained the same grades and quantities of spirit fruits; however, as he practiced the Earth Element Cultivation Method, he received Earth Spirit Fruits.

Zhang Cuihua took out the gift boxes. After Huang Feihu and Liang Hill politely declined for a moment, they accepted the gifts, and together they left on a flying shuttle.

Ji An watched the flying shuttle leave Red Flame Peak and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

He had now advanced to the Chao Origin Stage, while these two fellow Daoists were one at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment and the other at the Fourth Layer.

As the gap in cultivation steadily widened, the once-close relationships gradually developed estrangement, never to return to the way they were.

Liang Hill and Huang Feihu were not the type to cling to others. In the future, their paths might become parallel lines, never intersecting again.

The friendships forged upon entering the sect have dimmed over time, ultimately turning to dust.

Ji An strolled along the edge of the Cold Pool, hands clasped behind his back, pondering whether he would end up in loneliness at the end of his cultivation journey.

Many from his initial acquaintances, like Old Huang and Chu River, were no longer alive. His connections with Zhao Mengyao and Zhang Yuanshan were also gradually diminishing.

Wei Songnian had returned to Little Bamboo Mountain, meaning the distance between them would only grow. The only one at a similar level was Senior Brother Liu Yu.

He shook his head gently. Each stage of cultivation had its unique scenery, allowing him to meet different people and experience different events.

Old friends became distant for various reasons, just as new friendships formed under different circumstances.

Whether in past or present life, in the ordinary world or cultivation realm, life was a process of constant gain and loss.

Time faded many once-cherished relationships, but it could never deny the sincerity of past friendships.

Ji An raised his head. The setting sun was like blood, yet the misty clouds were splendidly colorful.

Facing the sunset, he spread his arms wide, and the orange light bathed his cheeks. He embraced the air as if holding the whole world.

...

Two years later.

Outside the sect, withering leaves fell, displaying a scene of decaying yellow.

The autumn wind wailed, and the dry leaves rustled noisily, powerless against the frost, only to endure in silence.

At Ningcui Cliff, the heavily wrinkled Ge Ying walked more briskly than usual. She emerged from the grotto mansion, gazing at the golden-red morning glow in the distance, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

It was yet another brand new day. She turned back and called loudly:

"Jin’Er, bring my chair out; I want to watch the sunrise!"

The maid, Tian Jin, brought out the Master’s Chair made of Profound Yang Wood, covered it with fox fur, and helped Ge Ying sit down:

"Be careful, Senior Martial Aunt."

The past month, she had been coming out every day to watch the sunrise.

Ge Ying removed her hand from the maid’s assistance and smiled:

"I’m not that frail yet."

She slowly settled into the chair, quietly watching the increasingly radiant sky.

The red sun leaped out from the horizon, selflessly spreading its light and warmth across the land.

In her eyes, joy sparkled as she felt her body lighten. A gust of mountain wind seemed ready to lift her up.

With a faint smile on her face, her consciousness slipped into a state of chaos, and her body slowly slumped, eyes gently closing as if in sleep.

In the air, a yellow leaf swirled down with the wind, slowly settling.