Ayun hurried over, smiling before she spoke. "My lord, we just discovered that two Ghost Mushrooms have been cultivated to the fifth tier. Another thirty or so are currently transforming.
"Before long, Ghost Mushrooms will also enter the fifth-tier era."
Ji An smiled. "It hasn't been easy. It's far too difficult for this kind of spirit plant to break through its tier."
He had obtained the Ghost Mushrooms nearly seven hundred years ago. Even with the exceptional conditions of the Gourd World, it had taken this long to cultivate them.
Still, it had all been worthwhile. With fifth-tier Ghost Mushroom seeds, he could cultivate far more fifth-tier Ghost Mushrooms in bulk.
Using Ghost Mushrooms of this tier as fertilizer would shorten the time needed to cultivate the Soul Nurturing Wood to fifth-tier mid-grade by thirty to forty percent.
"Once the fifth-tier Ghost Mushrooms mature, use the spores from these plants for all future seeds. Send someone to uproot every other plant at fourth-tier high-grade and below immediately."
Ayun nodded. "Understood. Before the fifth-tier plants mature, all newly sprouted plants will also be uprooted regularly."
Ji An gave a slight nod. "Just make a proper plan. This Daoist is going into cultivation. Go attend to your work."
After a pause, he continued:
"Oh, inform Big Yellow and the others on watch. This Daoist is preparing to enter seclusion. Unless Yun Miao Sanren sends word that a Three Flowers Realm Late Stage sea beast needs to be hunted, decline all social engagements for me."
He did not have many social obligations. Every seven or eight years, he would emerge from seclusion to meet with his fellow Daoists and maintain their friendships.
"Yes, my lord."
Ji An let out a long whistle and summoned back the Five Directions Banners.
Once all the Five