Ji An inspected the location Liu Yu pointed out and indeed found many plants with black spots on their leaves and stems.
He cupped his hands in gratitude:
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
This is a common type of aphid, which won't affect the harvest if handled promptly.
But if discovered late, once the aphids multiply in large numbers, it will undoubtedly lead to a reduced yield.
"No need to be so polite, Junior Brother. Just having the Sharp Gold Technique at an entry level can solve the problem."
Liu Yu waved his hand, bid farewell, and left.
After the other person walked away, Ji An took out a neatly folded piece of gray cloth from his bosom, placed it in his palm, unfolded it, and picked up the straw-colored paper goose.
He infused it with magical power, and the paper goose gradually enlarged.
He straddled it, and the talisman bird wobbled as it took off, requiring constant adjustments to maintain stable flight.
The talisman bird's skin is made from talisman paper and its bones from spiritual bamboo. Perhaps it was because it was nearing its end of life, as any movement caused it to creak and groan under the weight, making for an unpleasant flying experience.
Despite this, Ji An was very happy, this being his very first flying talisman artifact.
On his second ride on the talisman bird, he felt much more at ease compared to the nervousness of his first time. Looking down at the mountains and trees beneath his feet, he felt a sense of exhilaration.
After about three double hours, he reached his destination – Cui Bamboo Peak.
This is one of the many peaks managed by the Beast Taming Hall, where Zhao Mengyao is cultivating.
The talisman bird itself wasn't fast, and Ji An didn't dare to push this nearly worn-out bird too hard, lest it fall apart in the air, leaving him to plummet to the ground.
There were quite a few disciples coming and going in the air over Cui Bamboo Peak. He even saw several people riding beasts, making him feel envious for a long time.
He looked down at his wobbly talisman bird and instantaneously felt his joy dashed.
Rich bastards!
Ji An muttered to himself as he descended onto the mountainside.
He dispersed the remaining magical power in the talisman bird, returning it to palm size.
He wrapped the talisman artifact carefully in the gray cloth and placed it back into his bosom, feeling the spiritual energy here much denser than that at the Spirit Field by Jade Water Lake, and felt a wave of envy.
Most Spirit Fields near Jade Water Lake relied on spiritual energy dissipated from spiritual veins, while Cui Bamboo Peak was built atop a branch of a spiritual vein.
Remembering that he came for serious business, Ji An began inquiring about Zhao Mengyao's whereabouts.
...
After half a double hour, Ji An met the person he was looking for:
"Senior Sister Zhao's merit is improving, congratulations."
"Junior Brother is making progress as well, let's both celebrate."
Zhao Mengyao felt a bit puzzled, uncertain about why this junior brother was looking for her.
Ji An didn't beat around the bush, straightforwardly saying:
"I've come this time to ask Senior Sister to lend me some spirit stones urgently needed."
Did he take me for a charity? Just asking outright to borrow spirit stones!
Having once been hoodwinked into parting with three spirit stones, Zhao Mengyao couldn't maintain her composure, her eyebrows furrowing as she sharply eyed Ji An.
Before she could speak, Ji An immediately offered his terms:
"I've been assigned to plant Spirit Grain at Jade Water Lake, and I found that I have a talent for planting techniques.
With a month of diligent practice, I surprisingly managed to achieve a Minor Success Level in both the Small Cloud Rain Technique and the Life and Death Technique.
Perhaps Senior Sister isn't aware, but for the first year, spirit farmer disciples do not have to pay field rent to the sect, nor contribute points.
If I can seize this opportunity, I can accumulate some savings. After a year, I'll be able to return some spirit stones to Senior Sister."
This statement had a dual meaning: first, to subtly showcase his talent for magic technique, and second, to promise that he would pay back the spirit stones later.
Borrowing spirit stones now is a direct favor that won't be repayable with just a few spirit stones in the future.
As expected, Zhao Mengyao's expression instantly turned from gloomy to cheerful.
"Junior Brother has such a strong comprehension of magic techniques, it's enviable.
I also learned the Small Cloud Rain Technique, and after a month, I just reached the mastery level. My fellow senior sisters mentioned that it generally takes at least half a year for someone to reach the Minor Success Level."
"Senior Sister also learned the Small Cloud Rain Technique?"
Isn't the Beast Taming Hall's job to tame spirit beasts? Ji An was puzzled.
Seemingly noticing his confusion, Zhao Mengyao explained:
"Some spirit beasts need fresh spirit grass for feeding, and grass plots and herb fields are developed on Cui Bamboo Peak.
The Small Cloud Rain Technique is also a mandatory magic technique, though it's not the main focus."
She paused, smiling brightly:
"Junior Brother, I need to take care of an acre of Purple Leaf Grass, and today is the time for another rain spell.
Why don't you help me with the rain spell first, what do you say?"
"No problem, please lead the way, Senior Sister."
Got it!
Ji An knew that passing this small test would allow him to borrow the spirit stones.
Specifically, how much he could borrow would depend on how generous this younger junior sister is.
Zhao Mengyao led the way, and they came to a spirit field.
The Purple Leaf Grass looked like clover, with purple leaves.
Ji An unhesitatingly cast the Small Cloud Rain Technique twice, covering the entire spirit field.
This fellow truly had an epiphany! Understanding the Cyan Water Meridian Method was not just a fleeting insight; he might be worth befriending if his character is decent.
Watching the spirit rain pouring down, Zhao Mengyao's evaluating gaze turned to one of appreciation:
"With such comprehension, Junior Brother is sure to hold a place in the sect in the future.
How many spirit stones do you wish to borrow?"
The ball was back in his court, and Ji An started pondering.
If he asked for too much, aside from whether he could borrow it or not, it would surely leave the opposite party with an impression of greed
He extended two fingers:
"Two spirit stones will suffice, Senior Sister.
I wish to exchange with the sect for the Jade Slip containing the Spell for the third layer of the Small Cloud Rain Technique and the Life and Death Technique, which requires twenty contribution points, costing one spirit stone.
Additionally, I plan to buy some pills to quickly enhance my cultivation.
With higher cultivation, I can cultivate more Spirit Fields and reap greater harvests."
"How can just two be enough? Let me lend you three spirit stones, Junior Brother."
Zhao Mengyao took out three spirit stones for Ji An, saying:
"In the future, Junior Brother Ji might also consider breeding Spirit-Seeking Rats for sale. The elder of our family once said that the Spirit-Seeking Rats bred by Uncle Ji had the greatest spiritual nature he had seen, even better that bred by some Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators."
If I had the Beast Taming Method, I would have reproduced a hundred copies and sold them already, why would I still be borrowing here and there!
Father insists on waiting for me to reach the Qi Refining Stage before teaching it to me, really a major decision blunder.
Ji An smiled wryly and said:
"To breed the premium Spirit-Seeking Rats, the cost of materials is quite high; I'll need to wait until I have sufficient crystal stones to bear the risk before trying."
Zhao Mengyao nodded slightly, acknowledging that raising sufficiently outstanding spirit beasts was indeed expensive, indicating the person ahead was quite clear-headed.
In her heart, she gained a newfound respect for Ji An.
Ji An thanked her and took the spirit stones, and they spoke of their experiences after entering the sect.
Since Zhao Mengyao had work to attend to in the afternoon, they parted ways.
Ji An left Cui Bamboo Peak, flying to Red Copper Mountain to find Zhang Yuanshan and Chu River.
Using his unbeatable tongue, he managed to borrow two spirit stones from each of them.
After leaving Red Copper Mountain, he hurried to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to exchange for the third-layer spell of the Small Cloud Rain Technique and other magic techniques, as well as the spells for the Sharp Gold Technique and the Flame Fire Spell.
With this, he had learned all five planting techniques!