Because the materials were not sufficient, the Pudun was slightly thin, only half as thick as a normal meditation cushion.

Ji An sat on the new Pudun, and soon felt strands of coolness rising in his Sea of Consciousness, making his thoughts more agile.

Golden Fur suddenly let out a roar, and his body instantly ballooned, his demonic power surged dramatically, reaching the Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment.

"Good!"

Ji An praised, as this Demon Beast, who had accompanied him for the longest time, had finally advanced in cultivation.

After the Spirit Beasts had individually refined their Demon Cores, he assigned them to the night watch, then drank his Spirit Tea, and activated the Dharma Gate to open the Water Element Divine Mansion.

In an instant, magical power surged like a tide through the Immortal Vein, constantly impacting the kidneys.

The cloud patterns on the surface of the kidneys fluctuated unpredictably, like a mountain cloud sea rippling in the wind, presenting a magnificent spectacle.

With the combined enhancement of the Soul-Calming Grass and Spirit Tea, Ji An cultivated for a long time without feeling fatigued, though his magical power became exhausted first.

He stopped cultivating, with his eyes sparkling in the night, like water under the moonlight.

Ji An felt invigorated, with the black Soul-Calming Grass Pudun, he could open the Divine Mansion even faster.

He took out a bamboo tube, gently tapped his fingers to release the Geng Metal Finger, creating holes amidst flickering golden light, then drank a small portion of Cyan Leaf Wine, starting cultivation and refinement.

The night passed.

Ji An opened his eyes in the morning breeze, the sun had not yet risen, the horizon just turning a fish-belly white.

The Spiritual Qi was too scarce here, unsuitable for cultivation to enhance one’s cultivation level, so he began practicing Magic Techniques.

After releasing the Muddy Gold Profound Armor Spell, golden stripes emerged on his body and slowly seeped into his skin.

He activated the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword, golden light surged like waves, the sharp and devastating aura sweeping across.

Although he wasn’t attacked directly, the wild grass and moss in the stone crevices quickly withered, their life force entirely depleted.

Even the Qi Mechanism leaked from the Magic Techniques, they couldn’t withstand.

The sun leapt over the horizon, sunlight shining brightly, urging people forward.

Ji An stopped practicing Magic Techniques, faced the sun, "Ah!"

Exhaling and inhaling, he swallowed a thread of Sun’s Bing Fire Qi into his abdomen, stopped after consuming two threads of Qi. Without pairing it with Qi of Ding Fire to balance Yin and Yang, it would be wasted.

Ji An took out a Jade Slip to check the map, after confirming the next destination, he placed Dahuang and Golden Fur into the Spirit Beast Bag, mounted the Golden Feathered Eagle and flew northeast.

He planned to fly around the sect’s perimeter for a week, exploring every area possibly containing Earth Element Qi, eventually returning to Red Flame Peak.

Ji An didn’t idle, though he couldn’t cultivate while traveling, he could still practice Magic Techniques.

He formed Magic Formulas, his body shimmering with golden light, and then began practicing the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword.

In the area flown over by the Golden Feathered Eagle, the golden light flashed, a sinister aura filled the air, ordinary birds would instantly be sliced into pieces by the residual Magic Intent.

Even strong Demon Beasts, if not sliced to death, would be left scarred, their vitality slashed, shortening their lifespan by at least several months.

...

A month later, walking under the sunset’s glow, Ji An returned to the sect.

This external venture mostly resulted in futile effort, but he had drawn a more detailed map, marking where various Earth Element Qi could be found.

Next time he ventures out, it will save a lot of time.

He felt somewhat fatigued, eating Earth Element Qi was mind-draining, with Spiritual Qi being scarce in various places, most time wasted on the journey, and this month the Stone Turtle absorbed very little Spiritual Mechanism.

Losing opportunities in one place, gaining in another, practicing Magic Techniques yielded substantial results, additionally refining one tael of Spirit Silk.

[Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword (Perfection 89%→91%)]

[Muddy Gold Profound Armor Spell (Perfection 54%→55%)]

The progress in Chao Origin Stage Techniques far exceeded Ji An’s expectations. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The Golden Feathered Eagle let out a cry, announcing their return, it landed steadily beside the Cold Pool, Ji An patted its back:

"Good work."

During this period of travel, most of the journey was spent riding the Golden Feathered Eagle.

He took out a Jade Bottle, tossed a Spirit Feeding Pill, the Golden Feathered Eagle raised its head to swallow, gave a low cry, spread its wings, and flew towards its nest.

Ji An released Dahuang and Golden Fur from the Storage Bag, similarly gave each a Spirit Feeding Pill, and sent them away.

In the sect’s surrounding area, countless cultivators had searched many times, no high-tier Spiritual Medicine was found, and the black Soul-Calming Grass was his most valuable gain.

Wei Songtao quickly approached, cupped his hands and greeted:

"Elder, welcome back to Red Flame Peak.

A fortnight ago, Elder Jia Yu visited and left a message, requesting you to visit the Treasure Pavilion upon your return."

Ji An nodded slightly, asked:

"Did he specify what the matter concerned?"

If it wasn’t urgent, he intended to rest for two days before going.

This month he had been roaming desolate mountain wastelands, seldom sleeping, needing a good rest.

Wei Songtao immediately understood his intention, said:

"Elder Jia merely asked you to retrieve something, as for what it was, he didn’t elaborate further."

"Then it shouldn’t be urgent."

Ji An said, took out a Communication Golden Sword, recorded a message and sent it out.

As the golden light faded, he instructed:

"Let Cuihua know to prepare some exquisite dishes today, and bring two jars of Spirit Wine."

Having endured exposure to the elements outside, his mouth lacked flavor.

"Alright, I’ll go immediately."

Wei Songtao agreed, bringing out a Storage Bag, saying:

"Elder, this is the Fire Element Essence acquired this month, totaling sixty-eight thousand strands, all expenses recorded in the ledger."

Ji An received the Storage Bag, briefly scanned it, nodded:

"Very good, keep up the acquisition.

Also spread the word, starting the purchase of Earth Element Essence, if unable to acquire much within the sect, you may inform your brother to assist in contacting shops outside the sect."

Extracting Earth Element Essence involves Earth Veins, with strict restrictions in place by the sect.

Not only the sect, cultivation clans also limit disciples, minimizing extraction within family regions.

"Disciple understands."

...

Half an hour later, Ji An drank some wine, and began feasting.

As the moon rose over the treetops, he satisfiedly patted his belly, laughed, saying:

"How comfortable!"

He sat cross-legged and refined the Spiritual Food, then began casting spells for the Spirit Field.

Dragon whispers sounded, brilliance brighter than the moon above, later receiving Jia Yu’s reply, learning it was not urgent.

Two double hours later, he flew around Red Flame Peak, entering the underground cavern at the foot of the mountain.

The Soul Nourishing Wood swayed under the moon, flaunting its elegance, but Ji An’s gaze was captivated by the Earth Spirit Fruit Tree beside it.

The Earth Spirit Fruit Tree sprouted oval, coin-sized buds, exuding a gentle Spirit Light, appearing extremely brilliant in this relatively dim environment.

Moreover, another Earth Spirit Fruit Tree nearby also began shedding its bark, evidently showing signs of transforming into Tier Two Upper Grade!

He stepped forward, extending his Divine Sense to carefully feel the life force within the Spirit Tree, a smile appeared on his lips.

No mistake, this was the second Upper Grade Earth Spirit Fruit Tree.

In that case, once the Spirit Tree bore fruit, he might gather enough Earth Spirit Fruit for the Earth Dragon Beast all at once, even if a few were missing, it wouldn’t be much.

Then he could discuss with the Earth Dragon Beast to obtain Essence Blood to soak the Golden Spot Spider Silk earlier.

He successively formed the Azure Dragon Shocking Skill and Yellow Dragon Essence Enhancement Skill, then used the Earth Escape Technique to leave the cavern.

Back at the Grotto Mansion, Ji An cast spells for the Celestial Essence Ginseng and other Spiritual Medicines in the Medicinal Garden, then took out a Jade Bottle containing Fire Element Essence, summoned the Earth-Departing Flame Banner.

The Spiritual Artifact cheerfully swallowed the essence, devoured over two thousand strands, then again became petite, merging into Ji An’s body, entering the Dantian, floating in the Primordial Life Fire amidst red flame.

...

Ji An walked out of the Grotto Mansion, feeling refreshed, squinting slightly.

By now, it was almost noon, after adjusting to the intense light, he flew down to the Cold Pool below the mountain, asked:

"Cuihua, how long have I slept?"

He didn’t believe he had only slept for one night.

"Replying to elder, this is your third day since returning."

Zhang Cuihua paused, then said:

"Elder, lunch hasn’t been prepared yet, shall I first prepare some Wild Beef and dried fruit for you?"

"Just bring me a piece of Wild Beef."

Ji An said, the Wild Beef was all pre-cooked, ready to eat, giving him time to do something else.

"Please wait."

Zhang Cuihua dashed back to the kitchen and returned with several long strips of Wild Beef, which Ji An received before entering the living room, eating while pondering the design of the Fire Dragon Talisman.

From Liu Yu, he obtained Chao Origin Stage Beast Hide and Essence Blood, both derived from Fire Element Demon Beast.