Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Ji An landed on the ground and said:

"According to my memory, the land here is flat for hundreds of miles, and it gets rather harsh after nightfall.

While there is still time before the sun completely sets, you can dig a trench or build snow walls on all four sides."

In this open environment, the gale has no obstructions and speeds up rapidly. It’s manageable for him, but it’s a bit challenging for a kid at the Qi Refining Stage.

There are only sparse pine forests nearby, so sheltering from the wind must rely on oneself.

"I choose to build the snow walls," Guu Hongming immediately stated, as digging through the frozen ground in the frigid Northern Land is a daunting task, at least for him now it is.

Ji An summoned Dahuang, the Flame Dragon Eagle, and the Golden Armor Puppet, commanding them to guard nearby and protect the child.

"No matter what, don’t leave the sight of my Beast Taming. I’m going to chop some snow pines for warmth."

He didn’t need warmth, but the other party did.

"No problem, I promise to stay here and not go anywhere."

A moment later, Ji An dragged back two pine trunks as thick as a human thigh. He quickly dug a two-foot deep hole of the same diameter in the middle of the snow wall and used the Flame Fire Spell to bake it several times.

While they were busy, Dahuang let out a low growl.

The sound wasn’t urgent; it was a warning signal indicating that other creatures were approaching.

Ji An looked up and observed for a while, seeing a cultivator flying in from the west, riding a snowy eagle. The fly escape speed was not slow, likely a Chao Origin Stage Cultivator.

He wasn’t alarmed; the Northern Land is vast and the chances of encountering a cultivator in the wild are rare but not impossible.

He communicated with Dahuang through spiritual power, ’Stay alert. If the distance closes and they still fly directly towards us, let out a roar.’

Soon, Dahuang roared, and the sound was much more urgent.

Ji An looked up and saw the cultivator on the Snow Eagle only three to four miles away, flying straight at them without slowing down.

He was now able to faintly make out the face of the cultivator, and a sense of caution arose within him.

In this white ice field, both Dahuang and the two puppets could be easily distinguished due to their colors.

The fact that the other party approached despite knowing there were other cultivators present suggested malicious intent.

"Hongming, be alert in a moment."

Ji An spoke as he cast the Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell, one for the kid, the other for himself.

At the same time, he put Dahuang into the Spirit Beast Bag since facing a Chao Origin Stage enemy, the Rock Armor Bear wouldn’t be of much help.

If he could also put Guu Hongming into the Spirit Beast Bag, he would have done so without hesitation.

Fortunately, this beast’s demon qi was becoming more harmonious, and he intended to help it advance to the Chao Origin Stage upon returning to his sect.

If successful, he would have a competent battle beast.

Guu Hongming realized they had encountered an enemy, his face paling even more. An enemy at the Chao Origin Stage could end him with a simple gesture.

He leaned against the snow wall with some fear and pressed his hand on his chest, silently praying.

Ji An gave a barely noticeable nod and directed the two puppets forward while he also advanced more than ten yards.

Meanwhile, the Wuji Xinghuang Banner flew out from his dantian, wrapping him in yellow spirit light as golden flowers appeared in the void.

The enemy’s malicious intent was clear, and he was fully prepared for battle.

Unless facing a Golden Core Cultivator, he wouldn’t shy away even against several Chao Origin Stage cultivators teaming up.

The Snow Eagle soon approached, halting at about fifty yards, and an arrogant voice rang out:

"Haha, look who’s here! Why isn’t Fellow Daoist Ji enjoying his time at Red Rock Immortal City? What’s brought you to such a remote place?"

Ji An stared at the other’s face, trying to recall. The person seemed familiar, but he couldn’t immediately remember where they had met.

The fact that this person recognized him and mentioned Red Rock Immortal City confirmed they had crossed paths, though Ji An had limited social ties there.

The cultivator wore a reddish-brown yin-yang fish Daoist Robe, a common magical robe beloved by unaffiliated cultivators, almost like "professional attire" for loose cultivators.

Ji An could clearly sense the malice in the other’s words and detected a hint of killing intent in their gaze, curving his lips into a mocking smile:

"Though it’s hurtful to ask, I must—who might you be?"

Clearly recognizing them as an enemy, he wasn’t about to be polite.

The person froze, then sneered coldly:

"Kid, you’ve succeeded in angering me once more. You’ll writhe in agony on the snowy ground, proving the wild strength I wield. I’ll help you remember when that time comes."

"Your arrogance brings back memories—you were the cultivator at the Wey Clan auction, with the surname Zhang.

What? Upset because I outbid you for the quota?

Let me tell you, you should be thanking me. The Nine Netherworld underwent upheaval, the Nether River surged, and only four cultivators left alive.

If I hadn’t purchased that quota, the number of survivors would have been three."

Ji An inwardly scoffed, aware that the auction’s rule favored the highest bidder. He hadn’t expected such intense hostility from someone who seemed merely irritable at the time.

Yet, it remained uncertain. If, in the other’s eyes, his actions thwarted their path, then it would be a "road to ruin."

Among cultivators, many act on impulse. If this person thinks that way, Ji An would have no choice but to profit from their demise.

Possessing lethal weapons often ignites a desire to kill. He almost hoped the enemy would strike first, freeing him from the burden of conscience when killing them.

The possibility of defeat wasn’t even a consideration for him.

Having faced few battles over the years, Ji An cultivated an unshakable confidence in his invincibility—at least among cultivators of the same stage. His only concern was if the opponent possessed a Tier Three Talisman like him.

One puzzled him: if the enemy truly harbored strong enmity, they would’ve likely attacked in the Red Rock Immortal City area, not waiting until he reached the vicinity of Silver Moon City.

’Could it be they were tailing me all along?’

Ji An subtly shook his head; he hadn’t sensed a cultivator’s tail.

Still, it’s possible the opponent used unknown secret techniques. Corpse Refining as search hounds had broadened his horizons.

"Did some disturbance occur in the Nine Netherworld?"

Zhang Daoyan paused, having left Red Rock Immortal City upon failing to secure the quota, unaware of such calamities.

A moment later, his expression turned cold, "Whatever you say, today marks your death."

As his words fell, numerous flying puppets materialized in the air, along with several sturdy puppets landing on the ground with heavy thuds, even the thick snow couldn’t muffle the sound.

Ji An’s eyes narrowed, instantly ordering his puppets, ’Defend, do not attack.’

The goal was to ensure Guu Hongming’s safety.

He wasn’t aware Zhang was a Puppet Master; he hadn’t considered him a potential enemy after acquiring the auctioned slot.

The Earth-Departing Flame Banner also flew from his dantian as Ji An stepped onto the Fire Element Cloud to attack.

Seeing so many puppets, he chose an aggressive approach, confident in himself. Yet, if these puppets bypassed him to attack Guu Hongming, it would be troublesome.

Zhang Daoyan, seeing his enemy advance, smirked disdainfully and ordered his puppets to surge forward.

Thanks to failing to secure the Nine Netherworld slot, he had retrieved the pledged puppets.

Now, he possessed six Tier Two Puppets, comprising one each of Tier Two Top-Grade and Upper-Grade Puppets, and four Tier Two Middle Grade Puppets, alongside twelve Tier One Top-Grade Puppets.

He only needed to control the puppets to eliminate his enemy.

At the same time, he performed a spell, and a Tier Two Upper-Grade Celestial Soaring Armor covered his body—specifically, a chest armor.

As a Puppet Master, Zhang Daoyan was keenly aware of his strengths and weaknesses, knowing remote puppet combat was the best strategy in preventing close-range attacks.

In response to Ji An’s clear intent to attack, all the flying puppets unleashed a crisscrossing barrage, instantly creating a tempest of fire clouds, wind blades, and ice spikes.

Zhang Daoyan commanded the beast taming to retreat, thinking contemptuously:

’Boy, if you have the guts, come at me.’

The next moment, he witnessed Ji An charge into the "Magic Rain" woven by the puppets, his mouth agape in disbelief.

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