Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 143 Danger! The Golden Core cultivator has come knocking!

"Let's not talk about money; talking about money is vulgar."

The Iron Hammer Island Master waved his hand.

"Then what are we talking about?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan was overjoyed. Could it be that this Foundation Establishment senior was not accepting spirit stones and was going to give them to him directly?

"Let's talk about fate," the Iron Hammer Island Master said with a smile.

"edge?"

"Yes, that's 300 spirit stones." The Iron Hammer Island Master said with a smile, "I selected all the materials myself, and they cost about 250 mid-grade spirit stones in total. I won't charge you more; 300 mid-grade spirit stones will do."

Ji Yuan: "..."

Admittedly, this price is not expensive.

Compared to other mid-grade spiritual artifacts, alchemy cauldrons are already much more expensive.

Mid-grade spiritual artifacts are priced at around 300 spirit stones, let alone this alchemy cauldron.

Xu Fugui, who was standing to the side, did not plead for him anymore, because this price was indeed a price given to the Iron Hammer Island Master after considering their relationship. If this were taken outside, it would be worth at least 400 mid-grade spirit stones.

Moreover, alchemy cauldrons made from the Iron Hammer Island Master's pills have no trouble finding a market; alchemists outside are scrambling to get them.

This price... Ji Yuan can afford it.

But to take it all out at once would be a bit too extravagant.

Many early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't even come up with 300 spirit stones in one go, yet he, a peak Qi Refining cultivator, could... He thought for a moment and tentatively said:

"The price is a bit high. I'll pay 200 mid-grade spirit stones first, and the rest on credit, how about that?"

If the Iron Hammer Island Lord is willing, that would be best.

If he was unwilling, Ji Yuan would excuse himself and go back to raise the funds, pay a deposit first, and then bring the spirit stones over in a few days to complete the transaction.

Just say you borrowed it yourself, that's fine too.

"Um?"

The Iron Hammer Island Master stared at Ji Yuan in astonishment. Even these 200 mid-grade spirit stones were enough to surprise him.

Xu Fugui, standing to the side, was even more so.

Hearing Ji Yuan's words, he was almost speechless with shock.

"How much...?"

The Iron Hammer Island Master thought he had misheard.

"200 pieces."

Ji Yuan speaks the truth.

For him, these 200 spirit stones were less than half of his current wealth, but judging from the reactions of the two people in front of him, it seemed that he had overestimated the amount.

But the words have already been spoken, and shouting them out loud won't change anything.

The Iron Hammer Island Master turned to look at Xu Fugui, glaring at him, and asked, "How many spirit stones do you have on you right now?"

Xu Fugui was also a peak Qi Refining cultivator. Without the slightest hesitation, he blurted out, "16 mid-grade spirit stones, 34 low-grade spirit stones, and 4 broken spirit stones."

Ji Yuan: "..."

Are you all that poor?!

Dude!

Ji Yuan casually gave a number that was more than ten times that of others. What could be done? He could only explain it... Ji Yuan shrugged and smiled.

"I've practiced alchemy a lot, and I also often go out to hunt monsters. Of course, the main thing is that I've saved a lot. Grandpa Xu knows that I've always been frugal."

"Besides, body cultivators always have more ways to make money."

"Body cultivators should be forging iron, not refining pills. There's no future in refining pills." The Iron Hammer Island Master waved his hand.

"Alright, since you've got the skills, why not sell this alchemy cauldron to you?!"

So Ji Yuan spent 200 mid-grade spirit stones to acquire the cauldron. He planned to give the rest in a few months, saying that he had earned a lot of spirit stones from the cauldron.

Having obtained the elixir cauldron, Ji Yuan naturally fought alongside the Iron Hammer Island Master.

The two fought evenly at first, with every punch landing hard. After a full half hour, Ji Yuan realized he had fallen into Iron Hammer Island Master's trap due to his lack of experience. He was knocked down by a single punch and couldn't get up several times. In the end, he had no choice but to admit defeat and surrender.

Seeing this, the Iron Hammer Island Master, despite being beaten black and blue, still put his hands on his hips and laughed heartily.

"Not bad, not bad. You've got guts to beat me, Liu Tiezhu, to this extent!"

Liu Tiezhu... Iron Hammer Island Master, your real name is truly imposing.

After a moment of emotional resonance, the Iron Hammer Island Master began to set up a table and prepare a banquet.

As the only junior member, Ji Yuan naturally took on the task of grilling meat and cooking.

Ok……

With the kitchen cheat activated and the spirit wine stored in the wine cellar for several months taken out, the two old men immediately forgot all their troubles.

"Young man, I think you should give up alchemy. I'll give you spirit stones, and you can open a restaurant on Wanwu Island. I promise to stay there and make sure you have business every day."

The Iron Hammer Island Lord ate and drank so much that he practically swallowed his tongue.

The grilled spirit pig meat was nothing special, but after being grilled by Ji Yuan, the taste immediately changed.

As for the spirit wine, Iron Hammer Island Master, being a qualified old wine connoisseur, could naturally tell that this spirit wine was just ordinary Crimson Cloud Brew.

It costs no more than 10 low-grade spirit stones.

In the past, if someone brought this wine, the Iron Hammer Island Master would not have been willing to drink it.

But the Crimson Cloud Wine that Ji Yuan brought today tastes surprisingly good.

Ji Yuan ate and drank along with them, and was extremely satisfied with his cooking skills.

"So it seems that even when I get old, at least I'll have something to do."

"I must say, kid Ji, your cooking skills are truly amazing. Next time I come to my master's place, I'll definitely bring you some."

Xu Fugui said vaguely.

Then I'll definitely hide on Misty Island next time... Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly, "No need for you to tell me, Grandpa Xu, I'll do it myself."

After a good time eating and drinking, the drunk Ji Yuan took a short nap before he was fully refreshed.

After a while.

On the flying boat returning to Thousand Machine Island, Ji Yuan was also secretly pondering.

Judging from the exchange with the Iron Hammer Island Master, this senior has actually begun to temper his acupoints. Although it is unknown what method he is using to temper his acupoints, he is indeed on the path of physical foundation building.

But they didn't go very far.

Ji Yuan wondered if he could lend him a hand... This senior was indeed a good person, good to him, and if he really achieved the Foundation Establishment stage, his lifespan should also increase.

As for Old Master Xu, his physique is not yet fully developed, and although his magical power is already at the peak of Qi Refining, at his age... Ji Yuan has learned about it.

If a cultivator hasn't successfully established their foundation by the age of sixty, then they have no hope of ever achieving it in this lifetime.

Because once a cultivator passes the age of sixty, their vital energy and blood begin to decline.

For someone like Grandpa Xu, who is in his eighties or nineties, no amount of Foundation Establishment Pills would be of any use.

Even if I were to help, I would have to wait until I had established my foundation. Moreover, I definitely couldn't take out the Tempering Pearl directly. Something that could directly help one establish their foundation was simply too abnormal.

Even though the old master of Iron Hammer Island treated him very well, Ji Yuan didn't dare to take this thing out.

We'll see if we can come up with another solution later.

……

The owner of Qinghe Island has been feeling rather down lately.

A while ago, he went to deliver wine to the Forget-Worry Immortal Hua Yaoyue again, and unsurprisingly, there was nothing that could satisfy this drunkard... no, wine immortal.

Hua Yaoyue then asked why the Qi Refining stage disciple hadn't brought any wine.

How did the Lord of Qinghe Island know about this?

There was always a possibility that the person was dead, so he could only vaguely say that it would be over soon.

To be honest, there's no point in trying to reason with a Foundation Establishment cultivator facing a Golden Core cultivator, and few Golden Core cultivators are willing to listen to a Foundation Establishment cultivator's reasoning.

So after returning to Thousand Machine Island, the Island Master of Qinghe Island began to look forward to Ji Yuan's arrival day and night.

Several times he even thought about going to the ancestral hall to find out where Ji Yuan lived and go directly to his door, but in the end he didn't dare to do such a taboo thing.

He could only think of delaying it a little longer.

As long as Ji Yuan doesn't arrive, we won't go to deliver wine to Master Wangyou.

is the day.

As usual, the Lord of Qinghe Island was drinking tea in the back hall of Qianji Hall when he suddenly noticed something unusual in his storage bag.

His divine sense swept over it, and his eyes instantly brightened.

"What's wrong, Brother Qinghe? Is there some good news?"

A bald man in black sitting opposite him touched his bald head and chuckled as he spoke.

The long-faced man in a blue robe sitting to the left put down his celadon teacup and said slowly, "Could it be that you've found us a sister-in-law? Let's hope she's not from the Palace of Joy."

The old master of Qinghe Island's face darkened, and he stood up with a flick of his sleeve.

"Two bastards!"

After saying that, he stormed out.

The remaining two burst into laughter.

The bald-headed island master laughed loudly, "Old cunning, you're the one! If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten about it."

The Lord of Yinshan Island stroked his goatee and smiled without saying a word.

What he said was not unfounded; it was because, in his early years, the Lord of Qinghe Island had been tricked by a cultivator from the Joyful Palace.

It's roughly about a man from the Joyful Palace who cultivated a spell that could change one's appearance. He transformed into a woman and became extremely close to the Lord of Qinghe Island, and it seemed they were about to become Daoist partners.

Just as they were about to reach the final step, a Golden Core elder from the Water Dragon Sect happened to witness the event, recognized the male cultivator from the Joyful Palace, and revealed the truth on the spot.

Afterwards... the Master of Qinghe Island went into seclusion for a full eight years.

Eight years later, he finally dared to come out and meet people.

As soon as the Lord of Qinghe Island came out of the back hall, he looked around and soon spotted the excessively handsome young disciple in the crowd.

Even though he was wearing the most ordinary Water Dragon Sect robe, he still stood out among the many Water Dragon Sect disciples wearing the same clothes.

"Young friend Ji, you've finally arrived."

The Lord of Qinghe Island stepped forward and breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Yuan: "Huh??"

"Has my martial uncle been waiting for me all this time?"

The Qinghe Island Master's expression remained unchanged, and he said with a smile, "No, there isn't one."

Ji Yuan didn't think much of it and immediately took out three jars of spirit wine from his storage bag. But before he could make a next move, the Qinghe Island Master had already reached out and pressed his hand down.

"Um?"

Ji Yuan looked at him in confusion, and subconsciously thought, "Could it be that he's not going to accept the drinks?"

"Please come into the back room for a chat, my junior brother."

"Island Master Qinghe said solemnly."

"This...does it mean you don't want this spirit wine anymore?"

Ji Yuan couldn't understand why he had to go to the back room when he had only come to hand in a task.

"No, it's just that the price might go up a bit, but we'll have to discuss the specifics with you, that's all."

The master of Qinghe Island presented the excuse he had prepared over the past few months.

Ji Yuan listened.

"Please, Uncle-Master!"

One jar costs 200 merit points, and the value can keep increasing. Ji Yuan is planning to take out a few more jars today, otherwise he'll seem too inconsiderate.

But then I thought about it again, and something seemed off.

Could that old drunkard behind the scenes really be that rich?

He's willing to spend hundreds of merit points to drink a jar of wine, could he really be a Golden Core elder... cough cough, a Golden Core senior?

If that's the case, after this job, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue.

Ji Yuan had not yet established his foundation, and he did not want to get involved with these old Golden Core cultivators. If something small happened to them, it would be a huge problem for him.

The two entered the back room one after the other.

Qinghe Island Master did not take Ji Yuan to meet with Yinshan Island Master and the others. This achievement belonged to Qinghe Island Master alone. How could he share such a thing with others?

He took Ji Yuan to a room alone, first making an excuse that he had something to do.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he immediately took out the communication talisman given to him by Master Wangyou and transmitted his thoughts through it, "Uncle-Master, that Qi Refining disciple who brews wine has arrived today, and I'm currently dealing with him."

After delivering the message, the Lord of Qinghe Island returned with a smile.

He also had a pot of tea in his hand.

"Nephew Ji, you must try my fine tea. I had someone bring it back from the Sword Ruins Snow Mountain, and it's quite expensive."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately stood up, a look of flattery on his face. "I never expected to have such good fortune today. Thank you, Martial Aunt Qinghe."

Although he said that, in his heart... Ji Yuan was already thinking about what excuse to use to run away.

There's a ghost.

There's a high chance it's a ghost.

I can't accept a reward without merit. I just came to submit a task, and the Lord of Qinghe Island is willing to treat me to such fine tea. If there's nothing fishy going on here, who would believe it?

The fact that he would treat me to such fine tea must mean that the benefits I bring him are far greater than the quality of the tea itself.

But what can I offer him? Could it be... that he's going to capture me and hand me over to that old drunkard behind him?

Upon realizing this, Ji Yuan's heart sank. If things really came to that, it would be a huge problem.

The image in his mind had already appeared... his cultivation was destroyed, and he was imprisoned in a dark underground place, where he would brew wine for a fat, big-eared, bulbous old man all day long.

If you brew it well, all is well; if you don't, you'll get a beating.

Suddenly, Ji Yuan seemed to sense something, his expression slightly surprised, and then he immediately stood up and said apologetically, "Uncle Qinghe, I'm really sorry, my brother Li just sent me a message saying that something urgent has come up at my doorstep, and I may have to go back first."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan took out a golden communication talisman with both hands.

"My elder brother's name is Li Changhe."

He thought that once he uttered this name, it would surely intimidate the Lord of Qinghe Island, allowing him to leave.

After all, Li Changhe has a Golden Core cultivator as his father, so it's impossible for the Qinghe Island Master to have one as well, right?

If that were the case, he wouldn't be guarding Thousand Machine Island.

The Qinghe Island Master, who was carrying the tea, remained silent and motionless. His gaze shifted from Ji Yuan to... what was behind Ji Yuan.

In an instant, Ji Yuan sensed something.

Unlike the feint just now, this time he really sensed something.

There seemed to be someone behind me.

The person was looking at him, and just by looking at him, he felt as if his whole body was ice cold. He stiffly turned around.

A tall woman in a snow-white dress stood behind him, looking at him with a half-smile.

Ji Yuan measured his height, 188.8 centimeters, extremely accurate. Even with such a height, the woman behind him was still about the same height as him.

Not only that, she was also extremely beautiful. At least among all the people Ji Yuan had ever met, only Feng Zhi Tao could rival her. No... now is not the time to focus on her appearance.

The one who could appear silently behind him and elicit such a reaction from the Qinghe Island Master must be a Golden Core Elder!

The thought flashed through Ji Yuan's mind in an instant. He had a sudden inspiration, and a polite smile appeared on his face. He was just about to speak.

Before he could even speak, the woman before him said, "You, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, tried to lure me into becoming a Golden Core cultivator, huh? Now that my Golden Core is here, what are you going to do?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan felt as if all the blood in his body had stopped flowing.

Not to mention the smile on his face.

Before he could speak, Hua Yaoyue continued, "Don't even think about Li Changhe. Even if he were here, he would have to kneel down and call me 'Senior Uncle'."

"As for his good-for-nothing father, he'd rather avoid me than see me. Do you understand what I mean?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan did not hesitate for a moment and immediately bowed deeply. As he bent over at a ninety-degree angle, more than a dozen jars of spirit wine were taken from the wine cellar beside him.

Not only that, all the seals on the spirit wines had been removed, and in an instant, a rich aroma of wine filled the entire room.

Ji Yuan said in a deep voice:

"I've long heard that my grandmaster uncle enjoys fine wine. If you don't mind, I'd be happy to brew some wine for you."

-

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(End of this chapter)