"Who goes there?!"
Ji An barked sharply. A pale shadow stood at the entrance of his courtyard, immediately putting him on guard.
He did not approach. Instinctively, he activated his Wind Riding Technique, placing himself in a combat-ready stance.
Although the Bihai Lake area was technically within sect territory, situated on the periphery, vigilance was never a mistake. No serious incidents had been reported in years, but caution was always wise.
No sooner had his words left his mouth than he felt the pressure of Foundation Establishment spiritual force sweep across him. Ji An's cold tone softened instantly.
"I did not realize which Senior Uncle had honored me with his presence. Forgive me for failing to greet you sooner."
Damn it, which old fellow came knocking at my door? I haven't offended anyone lately, have I?
"Junior Brother Ji, you are truly difficult to track down. I have been waiting for more than an hour already."
The speaker was Liu Yu. He had been thoroughly vexed. That morning, he had searched for Ji An in vain. By midday, he had gone to Bihai Market and tracked down Wei Songnian, only to learn that Ji An had traveled to Azurecloud Immortal City. He was told Ji An would return before dusk.
Thus, Liu Yu had waited from early evening into the night. By now, he was impatient, yet he could not leave. Tomorrow, he would have to report back to his master, and if even this trivial task could not be executed properly, it would reflect poorly on him.
"You are… Senior Brother Liu Yu?"
Ji An, recognizing a faintly familiar voice, quickly pieced it together. Liu Yu had already entered Foundation Establishment, but still addressed him as Junior Brother. Such courtesy could not be ignored.
"Please, come in, Senior Brother. I was delayed earlier today."
He quickly retrieved his restriction token, activated the formation, and opened the gate. At once, Liu Yu perceived the difference inside.
Bathed in moonlight, the crimson leaves of Firecloud Ginseng curled gently, while two saplings nearly as tall as a man stood planted at either side of the bamboo lodge.
This did not surprise him. For a spirit farmer who had perfected both the Minor Rain Technique and the Thick Earth Formula, transforming a modest courtyard's geomantic vein into a low-grade spiritual field was hardly difficult.
Ji An invited him inside the lodge. As he went to prepare refreshments, Liu Yu raised a hand to stop him.
"There is no need. I only have a few words to deliver and will take my leave thereafter."
He had already consumed a Fasting Pill earlier in the day and felt no hunger.
"Junior Brother, your fortune has arrived. My master's medicine fields need a skilled spirit farmer, and I have recommended you.
Master has agreed to give you a trial. I will come fetch you tomorrow morning at the hour of Chen."
Liu Yu recounted the entire sequence of events, including Li Lingyu's comments.
Ji An ground his teeth inwardly. If I had known this, I wouldn't have wasted five spirit stones at the Administrative Hall. What rotten luck!
He nevertheless cupped his hands respectfully.
"I am indebted to you for this recommendation, Senior Brother. I will remember your kindness."
Liu Yu inclined his head with a slight smile.
"It was nothing. In the future, let us keep close ties."
If matters proceeded as expected, his master would likely accept Ji An as a named disciple. In that case, they would become sect brothers under the same master, a natural alliance of shared interests.
After exchanging a few updates on their respective situations, Liu Yu departed.
His figure, gliding under moonlight, soon vanished into the dark outlines of distant mountains.
Ji An lowered his gaze, walked into the kitchen, and set the spirit rice to steam.
The stove roared, orange light flickering in the firebox. Sitting quietly nearby, his angular features glowed and dimmed with the flames, golden light gathering at his fingertips bright as molten metal before bursting into a thousand shards of cold brilliance.
"Junior Brother, wait here. I will go inform my master."
Liu Yu put away his Spirit Cloud artifact, gave a brief instruction, and stepped into the cave estate.
Ji An remained outside the entrance, gazing at the lush, verdant slopes. In the distance, torrents of water cascaded down cliffs, catching the sunlight and forming a faint rainbow.
Higher up the mountain, faint white mist curled about the peaks. That was no ordinary mist; it was the manifestation of dense, concentrated spiritual energy.
The aura here is richer than what I can summon with my Spirit-Draining Formation… This must be a second-rank spiritual vein!
Excitement surged uncontrollably in his chest. Hidden within his sleeves, Ji An's hands clenched into fists. Verdant Cliff… this place must be mine.
Light footsteps sounded. Liu Yu emerged with a smile.
"Junior Brother, please come in."
The two entered the main hall of the cave residence. Liu Yu spoke softly:
"Master, I have brought Ji An."
Seated upon the main seat was a female cultivator. Were it not for her silver hair and the faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, one might have mistaken her for a young maiden.
Ji An stepped forward and bowed with composure.
"Disciple Ji An pays respects to Senior Aunt."
"There is no need for such formality. Be seated."
Her voice was warm, gentle like that of a kindly grandmother next door.
"With Senior Aunt above, to be permitted to stand here and speak is already the greatest of honors."
Ge Ying shook her head slightly. This youth did not seem like a freshly-joined disciple, but more like a seasoned rogue cultivator hardened by years of wandering through immortal cities.
"I imagine Liu Yu has already explained. My medicine garden is short of capable hands, so today, since I am free, I will personally test you.
Tell me, are you familiar with the methods of cultivating common spirit herbs?"
"Reporting to Senior Aunt: as I have never worked in a medicine garden, I know very little of spirit herb cultivation.
Thus far, I have only raised Firecloud Ginseng and two saplings of a fire-element spirit fruit tree. But I learn quickly, I will not fail to care for spirit herbs properly."
Ji An answered truthfully. Such knowledge could not be faked; one either knew or did not.
Besides, he understood clearly that it was not his farming skill that earned him this chance, but his mastery of spells.
Ge Ying asked further about the intricacies of the Minor Rain Technique and the Thick Earth Formula. Ji An responded fluently to every question.
"Not bad. For your stage, your comprehension of spellcraft runs quite deep. Let us go to the medicine garden and see you demonstrate."
She formed a hand seal and lifted the restriction.
Before Ji An's eyes, what seemed a solid wall blurred and dissolved. A wave of dense spiritual aura washed over him. His pores opened, and for a moment, he felt almost drunk on the richness of it.
Following her into the garden, Ji An could not help but marvel.
It was carved directly into the mountain, like a vast enclosed greenhouse.
More than ten zhang high, covering dozens of mu, divided into smaller plots of spirit fields.
Sunlight poured from the domed ceiling. Spirit herbs grew in profusion, dazzling in their variety: red as flame, green as vines, white as snow. The riot of colors was nearly overwhelming.
"Choose that plot to your left. Demonstrate the Thick Earth Formula and the Minor Rain Technique."
Calmly, Ji An began to cast. Earthen-yellow radiance swept across the field, covering the soil with dense vitality.
Ge Ying nodded slightly. His movements were smooth, without the slightest flaw. The fluctuations of spiritual power indeed bore the mark of perfection.
Then, fine mist rolled out, imbued with a faint inner glow. The rhythm of raindrops fell like an ethereal melody. The spell was complete.
Liu Yu's eyes narrowed sharply. This doesn't feel like the Minor Technique… The aura is far more profound!
Ge Ying stepped forward, letting the rain soak her sleeve.
Artistic Conception. She felt it clearly that within this water-element spell was the faint intent of nourishing all under heaven.
Though still weak, it was unmistakable. She herself had only begun to glimpse such Dao Intent after mastering the Foundation-level Spring-Rain Technique.
"Ji An," she said, her heartbeat quickening, "you are quite remarkable. I would take you as my named disciple. Would you be willing?"
She could not help but feel elated. With proper guidance, such a disciple might well surpass her in the future.
"Master, please accept this disciple's bow."
Ji An dropped to his knees in a full kowtow. There was no shame in clutching a sturdy thigh.
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