Zhang Zizhao smiled and said:

"I suddenly have a bold idea. Junior Brother, you have the capability to rapidly cultivate Tier Two Spirit Plants. If the survival rate of transplantation is acceptable, cultivating Spirit Plants for sale might be more profitable than selling Spirit Fruits."

"It’s uncertain. Let’s see if these two Celestial Essence Pears can survive."

Ji An had done experiments a long time ago, and the survival rate of transplanting Tier One Top-Grade Spirit Wood was relatively low. Tier Two Spirit Wood had not been tested, nor was he willing to try.

Logically, the higher the tier of the Spirit Plant, the stronger its life force should be, and transplantation shouldn’t be difficult.

But the reality is that the higher the tier of the Spirit Plant, the lower the survival rate of transplantation, far less than in the past life.

Coming to the Diligence Hall to discuss this time was also with the attitude that if successful, he could get some rewards, and the sect could benefit as well.

"The survival rate of transplanting high-tier Spirit Plants is extremely low. I don’t know what the reason is."

Zhang Zizhao sighed. If the survival rate of transplantation were high enough, with Junior Brother Ji’s help, the sect could acquire a massive amount of Tier Two Spirit Plants in a few decades.

"I seem to have read somewhere that it is related to the Earth Vein Essence Qi.

The higher the tier of the Spirit Plant, the more it forms a special symbiotic relationship with the Earth Vein.

Leaving the nurturing Earth Vein is akin to fish from a river entering the ocean."

Upon hearing the explanation, Zhang Zizhao softly sighed and asked:

"Will the need to transplant Spirit Wood to Red Flame Peak become more frequent in the future?"

Ji An nodded:

"Yes."

"In that case, once the Spirit Wood successfully transplants, we will distribute rewards according to the sect’s tier-specific cultivation incentives, also with a five-year term."

"Alright, let’s do as Senior Brother said.

There’s another matter to report to Senior Brother. After the Merchant Flying Ship from Central Continent arrives, I will depart.

At that time, I hope the sect can construct a Magic Array at each Spirit Vein Node to cultivate Tier Two Upper Fields."

The situation at Red Swallow Peak is unique. Although the main node has reached Tier Two Upper Grade, most nodes are still at the Tier Two Middle Grade level.

"I have already been preparing for this. Junior Brother Chu informed me that elevating the larger Spirit Vein Nodes to Tier Two Upper Grade aids in accelerating the Spirit Vein to Top-Grade Level."

Zhang Zizhao gently said. The matter specifically instructed by the ancestor, of course, received his full attention.

Ji An solemnly clasped his hands:

"Thank you for your efforts, Senior Brother. Now that I am still in the sect, releasing Magic Techniques can better nourish the Earth Veins.

I suggest cultivating the Spirit Vein Nodes when I go traveling, as it will consume far fewer Spiritual Objects then."

With the support of the Great Perfection Level Yellow Dragon Enhancement Skill, bolstered by the Middle Grade Ji Earth Dao Seed, the effect of nourishing the Earth Vein is exceptionally good.

"Haha, I thought the same way."

After finishing official matters, the two began to exchange insights on cultivation. Before they knew it, the setting sun cast a slanted light on the window sill, tinting the ends of their hair with an orange glow.

Ji An rose to take his leave:

"Senior Brother, it’s already late. Let’s continue our conversation tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Ji An rode a cloud back to Red Flame Peak and summoned Wei Songtao to the Celestial Essence Pear Garden, marking the two Spirit Woods closest to the Cold Pool.

"Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, you and Tian Tiezhu will wait for me here. We need to transplant these two Spirit Woods."

"At your command."

...

The next day, Ji An cut most of the branches and leaves of the marked pear trees, leaving only some sturdy branches.

Two disciples retained a car-sized clod of earth, excavating the Spirit Plant and transporting it onto the Spirit Ship.

The pear tree was too large to be transported to the Teleportation Array.

Even if it could be moved, Ji An wouldn’t do it. Who knows what unexpected result might occur during teleportation?

Ji An affixed Sealing Spirit Talismans onto the clod and the trunk, then instructed:

"You two pilot the Spirit Ship to the Agricultural Hall, and I’ll wait for you at the top of Ningcui Cliff.

Don’t be stingy with Spirit Stones; travel as fast as possible. I have an appointment with Hall Master Zhang from the Diligence Hall and can’t keep him waiting long."

Wei Songnian and his companion nodded:

"Rest assured, Patriarch. We will not delay on the road."

The Flying Ship took to the air and quickly disappeared into the sky.

Ji An absorbed a few strands of Wood Element Qi in the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field, then rode a cloud to Red Flame Peak’s summit to practice Magic Techniques.

He focused on practicing the Earth Escape Technique, ready to escape in case of an irresistible enemy.

When the morning sun rose, he absorbed a few strands of the Sun’s Bing Fire Qi, then rode a cloud down the mountain to take the Teleportation Array away.

Two double hours later, a Flying Ship arrived at Ningcui Cliff.

Ji An and his companion left the Grotto Mansion, came to the waterfall below Ningcui Cliff, planted the Spirit Wood, and once again used the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill and Cloud Dragon Rain Technique.

Zhang Zizhao stood with his hands behind his back, saying:

"Hopefully, one can survive."

"Hopefully!"

Ji An said in a wishful tone, not expecting much, but still holding a beautiful hope in his heart.

Zhang Zizhao took out a Jade Slip, recorded the matter of transplanting the Celestial Essence Pear, and made a copy.

He handed the Jade Slip out, saying:

"Junior Brother, keep the Jade Slip well. It is the proof for receiving the reward once the Spirit Wood survives.

"I still have matters to attend to at the Diligence Hall, so I won’t stay here any longer."

"Take care, Senior Brother."

...

In the evening, Ji An returned to Red Flame Peak, riding a cloud to the Cold Pool.

Wei Songtao approached and said:

"Master Ancestor, Old Tian and I have done our best to find the remaining roots and have buried and compacted the large pit with soil from elsewhere."

"Well done, go to the warehouse and take twenty Spirit Stones, ten for each of you."

Ji An smiled, the disciples were thoughtful and meticulous, saving him the extra instructions—truly a relief.

"Thank you, Master Ancestor. Disciple takes leave."

Wei Songtao left with a grin, knowing that as long as he diligently did his tasks, Master Ancestor was never stingy with rewards.

Ji An planted two Spirit Seeds and cast the Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Spell.

The effect of this Magic Technique combed through the Earth Qi, quickly merging the new soil with the surrounding soil’s aura.

A warm yellow Spirit Light covered the ground, nurturing Magic Intent spread, and pulses from deep within the earth felt like a powerful heartbeat.

A layer of fish scale patterns formed on the soil’s surface, neatly arranged as if meticulously measured.

He altered the Dharma Seal in his hand, Magical Power gushing from his Dantian, flowing swiftly through the Immortal Vein.

In the acupoints, the Gui Water, and Ren Water Dao Seed shimmered with a deep hue, flickering with light, the meridian patterns of the kidneys lit up, floating away like smoke, like fog.

Dark clouds enveloped the Spirit Field, with tiny sparks of lightning occasionally flashing, and rain clear like white jade poured down in a dense mist.

The nourishing aura spread, and the mist swiftly expanded, enveloping the area.

Moments later, as the clouds scattered and the fog dispersed, two Spirit Plants covered with blue spots on their trunks grew to about a foot high, their leaf edges adorned with blue serrated patterns and the leaf centers dotted with white specks.

Ji An’s hand seal changed once more, and a vivid, majestic Cyan Dragon materialized from the void.

Cyan light beams spread, vibrant Magic Intent lingered, and the Spirit Wood grew visibly taller, extending by half a foot.

The Spirit Tree had been planted; from here, he only needed to proceed step by step with spellcasting for it to thrive.

At the spring eyes at the Cold Pool’s bottom lies a Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Vein Node, with the Water Vein slowly seeping in to nourish this Spirit Wood.

Half a month later, a Celestial Essence Pear transplanted to Ningcui Cliff died, wasting 50% of the effort.

Another five days passed, and another Spirit Wood also quickly withered, making the transplant effort entirely in vain.

In response, Ji An could only offer a bitter smile; the current samples were too few to determine how low the survival rate for Tier Two Spirit Wood transplants might be.

When enough samples accumulate to confirm the transplant survival rate is outrageously low, he might cease the transplanting entirely and resort to direct cutting instead.

...

Once more, it was the tea harvesting season at Red Flame Peak, another year slipped away.

Crimson clouds floated at the horizon, the evening sun lit the cold water, a gentle breeze wafted through, making the rippling light resemble the scales of countless red carp.

Zhang Cuihua was busy processing the tea leaves, with the Xia Yu Lian sisters assisting.

In the orchard, various blossoms bloomed, with the scent of tea blending with the floral fragrance, adding a unique flavor.

Ji An rode the cloud to the Jade Leaf Mulberry Field and cast the Yellow Dragon Essence Technique; a yellow Spirit Light covered the fifty acres of farmland, and as the brilliance flickered, the earth trembled.

Crystal-clear green waves rolled, and rich mulberry blossom fragrance drifted freely.

Ji An released Azure Dragon Shocking Skill, the Cyan Dragon’s Sky Chant resounded, as emerald light rain cascaded down like a waterfall, creating a sight of falling blossoms and myriad flowers blooming in the Spirit Field.

Magic Intent transformed, and a soothing light fragrance spread, a scent too powerful for even the mulberry flowers to mask.

Ji An was immersed in the floral scent when suddenly, two dragon roars echoed behind him, carrying vastness and arrogance.

Startled, he quickly turned around, seeing faint shadows of Canglan Dragons above two Azure Dragon Woods nearby.

The next instant, the shadows vanished without a trace, like a dream or illusion, as if everything earlier had been unreal.

Ji An was stunned, then his eyes were lit by a cyan radiance, noticing the Spirit Wood where the Canglan Dragon shadows had manifested seemed to be adorned with countless tiny green bulbs, dazzling and striking.

Thinking of a possibility, he immediately rode the cloud toward the Spirit Wood.

As he got closer, he noticed the Spirit Wood’s bark showing cracks, revealing more exquisite scale patterns within.

This was a sign of shedding skin, but Azure Dragon Wood never shed skin.

With a trembling heart, Ji An placed his hand on the Spirit Wood’s trunk.

He instantly felt the towering dragon roar resonate in his Sea of Consciousness, identical to what he had just heard. Instinctively, he withdrew his hand, and the sound vanished completely.

When he put his hand back, the sound returned, as the Spirit Wood’s lush life force surged like a mighty river, speaking of grandeur.

When he moved his hand away, the sound ceased again.

Moving to the other Azure Dragon Wood and performing the same action, he received the same feedback.

"Holy shit!"

Ji An’s heart was filled with countless words, yet they all transformed into these two words.

Tier Two top-grade Spirit Wood, completely nurtured by his hand, had emerged without anyone’s help.

The Spirit Field where the Azure Dragon Wood grew was only at a Tier Two Middle Grade level. According to the planting theories he knew, this was utterly impossible.

"Perhaps what the ancestor once said is true, that there’s some unknown intrinsic connection between Azure Dragon Shocking Skill and Azure Dragon Wood."

Ji An placed his hand on his chest, closed his eyes, and focused on deep breathing.

Once he calmed down, he cast the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill once again.

Above his head appeared a vivid Cyan Dragon, while faint Canglan Dragon shadows manifested above each Azure Dragon Wood beside him.

The dragon roars merged as one, making Ji An feel as if he was inside a giant bell just as someone struck it.

That overwhelming sensation was beyond words.