Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 154 Foundation Building and Island Opening [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Disciple greets Sect Leader, Martial Uncle."

Ji Yuan bowed slightly to Xuan Shui Zhenren inside the main hall of the Water Dragon Sect.

"Oh? Nephew Ji has arrived. Please come in."

Compared to before, Master Xuanshui's smile is much more genuine now.

It was as if they had completely forgotten what had happened before.

That's fine...

Ji Yuan was happy with this arrangement; otherwise, if Master Xuan Shui kept bringing up the previous incident, he wouldn't know how to deal with him.

It's good that we get along so naturally now... But then I thought about it, and realized that Master Xuanshui is indeed worthy of being the sect leader. His magnanimity is truly extraordinary.

With a thought flashing through his mind, Ji Yuan stepped into the main hall of the Water Dragon Sect.

"Sit down, my dear nephew, please sit down and we can talk."

Master Xuanshui took the lead and sat down behind the main table.

"Yes."

After bowing slightly, Ji Yuan sat down to the side, waiting for the next part to continue.

"We have summoned you here today for two reasons: firstly, it is a tradition of our Water Dragon Sect, and secondly, to discuss the matter of opening the island."

"I will follow your instructions, Uncle."

Ji Yuan replied with a smile, showing great respect to the True Man Xuan Shui.

"Hmm, my dear nephew, to have successfully established your foundation at such a young age must have required a great deal of hard work. I wonder if you have any suggestions for our sect..."

What followed was a series of questions.

Ji Yuan said he was being picky, but since it was all just a formality anyway, and Xuan Shui Zhenren couldn't make a decision on what suggestions he could give the sect.

And inquiries about Ji Yuan's feelings toward the sect.

Don't ask.

Asking is excellent.

After the formalities were completed, Master Xuanshui pondered for a moment before saying, "Our many disciples are the foundation of our Water Dragon Sect, while Foundation Establishment cultivators like you, my nephew, are the mainstay of our Water Dragon Sect."

"As you probably know, our sect doesn't have many Foundation Establishment cultivators, only about five or six hundred in total. But the sect has a lot of affairs to attend to, so we will inevitably assign you some tasks."

"But don't worry, my dear nephew, these missions are not dangerous. There are just some places where Foundation Establishment cultivators are needed to help out."

This last sentence can be described as completely honest.

Ji Yuan already knew about the task assignment; Feng Zhi Tao had mentioned it when they left Wangyou Island.

Just as True Person Xuan Shui said, there are too few Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect, so every Foundation Establishment cultivator has to shoulder some responsibility.

Of course, the rewards from the sect will be substantial.

If there are really fewer... all the Foundation Establishment cultivators will definitely have run away.

As for the missions, they are similar to the previous selection by the Yunyuze Water Dragon Sect. Each market needs a Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee it, or the various halls within the sect also need Foundation Establishment cultivators to be stationed there.

Or perhaps they could go to other sects for exchanges, or go to a certain city to serve as guards, and so on.

"Of course, Sect Leader will give the instructions when the time comes."

Ji Yuan stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Um."

Master Xuanshui stroked his beard and smiled, "Here, this is a congratulatory gift from the sect for your successful Foundation Establishment, my nephew."

As they spoke, a storage bag fell into Ji Yuan's hands.

He probed into it with his divine sense and immediately understood.

The package includes 20 mid-grade spirit stones, a dark blue protective robe of low-grade spirit weapon level, a water-flowing flying sword of low-grade spirit weapon level, a spell called "Water Dragon Technique", three bottles of second-tier spirit gathering pills for cultivation, plus ten second-tier talismans, five offensive talismans, and five protective talismans.

This can be considered a "Foundation Building Gift Package" from the sect.

"Now that you have successfully established your foundation, my dear nephew, you will be able to cultivate our sect's core technique, the 'Water Dragon Technique'."

"In addition, the sect has some precious cultivation sites, whether for absorbing spiritual energy or refining techniques, which are open to you, my nephew. You can find out about these later, so I won't go into details. Next, my nephew should choose your island first."

As Master Xuanshui spoke, he swept his right hand across the area, and a huge geomantic map appeared between the two of them.

As spiritual energy was infused into it, the entire geomantic map seemed to come alive instantly, with islands appearing amidst the clouds and mist, and endless marshes rippling with waves.

It's as if the entire Water Dragon Sect has been encompassed within this geomantic map.

"Nephew, just come and take a look. You can tell me which place you like, or you can choose a general location here first and then go and see it in person later."

If it were anyone else, Master Xuan Shui would certainly not have been so patient.

Unfortunately, Ji Yuan was none other than himself.

He was a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator, and that Golden Core cultivator was named Hua Yaoyue.

Ji Yuan stood in front of this geomantic map, as if he were looking down on the entire Water Dragon Sect.

Further east of Chulong Island, to the east of the Water Dragon Sect, lies Hua Yaoyue's Forget-Worry Island.

Iron Hammer Island, the island lord's island, is located to the west of the Water Dragon Sect.

Yesterday, Feng Zhitao and Yun Qianzai also told them the location of their islands. Feng Zhitao's Fire Phoenix Island is not far from Hua Yaoyue's Forget-Worry Island, both located to the east of the Water Dragon Sect.

Yun Qianzai's Tian Shu Island was too far away. He placed the island north of the Water Dragon Sect, which wasn't too far from the Falling Star River.

In his own words at the time, "I will naturally guard the northern border for the sect!"

It is precisely because they can seize even the slightest opportunity to manifest their divine power.

Ji Yuan would naturally not choose the northern island, as it is connected to the Falling Star River and is frequented by powerful demons, making it an unsafe choice.

Secondly, the east side is also not an option, as it's too close to both Hua Yaoyue and Feng Zhitao.

Ji Yuan felt that he had too many secrets and dared not get too close to others.

The west is too far. If they encounter any trouble in the sect, it will take Hua Yaoyue some time to get here.

So after thinking it over, the south is still the most suitable place, and further south is where Misty Island is located.

"In the south, does Martial Uncle have any recommendations?"

Master Xuanshui was "kind-hearted," so Ji Yuan naturally changed his address for him from Master Uncle to Master Uncle.

Master Xuan Shui could not possibly be unaware of the changes, so he smiled and pointed, "In the south, this place has the most abundant spiritual energy."

As his finger fell, the geomantic map continued to zoom in, and the scene that Ji Yuan saw changed from the entire Water Dragon Sect to the last small body of water.

Ji Yuan looked at the scene and pondered for a moment.

"Perhaps I should go and take a look first, and then give my senior uncle an answer after I have seen the scene."

"That's fine too. Just take this flag and go there. When you find a place you like, just plant the flag there, and the sect will help you open up the island."

After Xuan Shui Zhenren finished speaking, he pushed out a blue flag, which fell into Ji Yuan's hands.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master."

"Okay, go ahead. Here's my communication talisman. If you have any further questions, just let me know."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan produced another golden communication talisman.

It seems that this sect leader uncle truly intends to befriend Master, and in any case, they won't become enemies. That's enough... Ji Yuan put away the communication talisman, bowed again to express his gratitude, and then left.

Master Xuan Shui tucked his hands into his sleeves and watched Ji Yuan leave with a smile.

In his view, whether it was giving Ji Yuan a communication talisman or letting him choose the island himself, those were minor matters.

He also felt that if such a small thing were done to Ji Yuan, he would most likely be moved to tears.

Not only can it make him forget the unpleasantness of the past, but it can also make him feel grateful... Ji Yuan, who has a pseudo-spiritual root foundation, is naturally not worth befriending, after all, no matter how good the relationship is... the foundation stage is the end of the pseudo-spiritual root.

In the thousands of years since the founding of the Water Dragon Sect, only one person has ever been able to form a core with a pseudo-spiritual root.

Master Xuan Shui did not believe that Ji Yuan could become the next one.

Feng Yichen has a higher chance of forming his core than him.

The person Xuan Shui Zhenren truly wanted to befriend was Hua Yaoyue, the Forget-Worry Zhenren behind Ji Yuan… If she could stand on his side, then even when facing the elders' council, he could speak more confidently.

Although the hope is slim, we'll give it a shot, no matter what.

Anyway, I'm not losing out.

With many thoughts swirling in his mind, Master Xuanshui couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Based on the timeline, the matter at Nine Nether Cave Heaven should have ended by now. I wonder if Feng Yichen has retrieved that treasure.

If he could obtain that thing, then his more than 100 years as the sect leader would have been worthwhile.

……

After obtaining the flag, Ji Yuan did not delay any longer and immediately flew south for most of the day before arriving at the area he had chosen.

As soon as he arrived, he could feel that the spiritual energy here was indeed much more abundant than in other places.

"The Water Dragon Sect is surrounded by spiritual veins. It seems this place must be a node within one of these veins?"

Ji Yuan guessed.

While he was in mid-air, he also surveyed his surroundings.

There are no islands developed by Foundation Establishment cultivators coming from the north.

There is only one island on each side, east and west. If I were to develop these islands, they would become my neighbors from now on.

Ji Yuan piloted the flying boat and landed on the water.

There are two or three islands in this area, but they seem rather small in comparison.

Since Ji Yuan has decided to develop the island, he naturally intends to manage it well and make it his home.

Of course, the same goes for Misty Island, except that it's like another home for me.

Cunning Rabbit Three Caves.

Ji Yuan may not be considered a cunning rabbit, but he still needs two burrows.

He circled the area once and finally chose a spot in the water for his island.

The waters are extremely far from the two islands on either side. Even if they were neighbors, they would be distant neighbors. Having experienced this on Hatchling Dragon Island, Ji Yuan is now not even very comfortable with his neighbors.

After selecting the location, he planted the flag in the middle.

Then the flag spontaneously emitted a light blue aura, enveloping the area selected by Ji Yuan.

Then Ji Yuan felt an earth-shattering power descend upon him, and he quickly steered his flying boat backward to avoid the area.

At this moment, the water area he had chosen was churning and surging, just like boiling water. He could clearly see with his divine sense that the sandy bottom of the lake was constantly rising.

Creating land out of thin air.

It was precisely the fourth-order protective formation of the Water Dragon Sect!

Ji Yuan had previously asked Feng Zhitao how the island was developed. Did he have to dig up rocks and fill in lakes to create land himself?

Feng Zhitao then explained the matter to him.

Fourth-order formations are capable of withstanding attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators, so altering the terrain is a piece of cake for them.

But seeing it with his own eyes now still gave Ji Yuan quite a shock.

Perhaps the land reclamation was too commotion, for in just a short while, he saw several streaks of light sweeping in from the east and west. They first stopped nearby to take a look, and then, after sensing Ji Yuan's location, they all flew over.

Everyone had a smile on their face.

"Congratulations to this junior brother on successfully establishing his foundation and opening up the island."

"Absolutely! From now on, we're neighbors, so we should visit each other more often."

"..."

There were three people who came, two men and one woman, all of whom Ji Yuan had never seen before.

But just as they said, from now on they would be neighbors, so Ji Yuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"My name is Ji Yuan. I was fortunate enough to have recently completed my Foundation Establishment and was chosen to be on this island. From now on, I hope that my fellow disciples will take good care of me."

"So it's Junior Brother Ji, I've heard so much about you."

The three of them then introduced themselves.

The two men were called the Lord of Yunyang Island and the Lord of Hanjiang Island, respectively, while the female cultivator was known as the Lord of Youlan Island.

They also inquired about Ji Yuan's title, but Ji Yuan had no idea yet and didn't know what to call the island lord, only saying that he would decide on it on the day the island officially opened.

They stayed there for a while, exchanged a few polite words, and then left one after another.

Ji Yuan also noticed that the Cloud Yang Island Master and the Cold River Island Master were both located in the west, while the female cultivator, the Youlan Island Master, lived in the east.

After the Lord of Hanjiang Island and the Lord of Yunyang Island left, the two exchanged telepathic messages:

"This newcomer, Ji Yuan, seems to have some tricks up his sleeve."

"Oh?"

The Lord of Yunyang Island didn't quite understand. "Please explain in detail, Brother Hanjiang."

"Um."

The Lord of Hanjiang Island glanced back before transmitting his voice again, saying, "Among all the places in this area, the one that Ji Yuan chose has the most abundant spiritual energy. When I opened the island, I also selected that place, but the sect leader refused on some pretext, saying that the land was for other purposes and could not be selected from outside."

"But today, the sect leader bestowed that piece of land upon Ji Yuan, allowing him to develop the island. Given that, don't you think he's a bit different?"

After listening, the Lord of Yunyang Island nodded repeatedly, "According to Brother Hanjiang, this Ji Yuan is probably someone of great importance."

"It's highly likely that it's related to a Golden Core senior uncle. Otherwise, the sect leader wouldn't have given him that much face."

"In that case, it seems we need to try and befriend him."

"Um."

The Lord of Hanjiang Island nodded and said, "In a few days, he will most likely hold an opening ceremony for the island. We will prepare more elaborate gifts for that time."

"Once he accepts our generous gift, he'll naturally understand our intentions. Then, when we visit him to establish a relationship, he won't be able to refuse."

"Very good."

But in the following days, they watched helplessly as the island emerged from the water. A few days later, it seemed that Ji Yuan had invited a formation master.

As soon as the array master arrived, he set up an illusion array, and from a distance, the island simply vanished into thin air.

They went there several times, but never saw Ji Yuan's true face again.

By the time they discovered the island had resurfaced, more than half a month had passed.

Even when they got close, they couldn't find him because the entire island was shrouded in mist. They tried calling out Ji Yuan's real name, but received no response for a long time.

In their view, Ji Yuan seemed to have only come to open up an island, and after the island was opened up, he would disappear.

Not to mention any opening ceremony, the island itself is nowhere to be seen.

Ji Yuan naturally knew about the island opening ceremony.

This should be considered a tradition of the Water Dragon Sect. Generally, after the foundation is established and the island is opened, an auspicious day is chosen to hold a grand opening ceremony.

At that time, some familiar or unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivators will show up to offer their congratulations.

It's also a good opportunity to expand your network.

Therefore, when Yun Qianzai was setting up the island protection formation for him, he mentioned this matter a lot, basically talking about it every day, about holding the island opening ceremony.

He will personally oversee the event and ensure that Ji Yuan's celebration is a resounding success.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan, who had initially had some ideas about holding the event, immediately put the idea out of her mind.

He could already imagine that he was going to hold this celebration... Even if Hua Yaoyue didn't come, she would send a congratulatory gift.

If that's the case, wouldn't the Li family do the same?

Li Gang will definitely not come, but Li Changhe will most likely come with the entourage of the Li family to bolster his own prestige.

Ji Yuan even guessed that the sect leader would send someone over.

With this kind of spectacle... if this celebration were to actually be held, Ji Yuan estimated that his reputation would not only be known within the Water Dragon Sect, but would even reach people in the Medicine King Valley and the Joyful Palace.

That won't do.

If things really escalate to that point, I'm afraid I won't be able to cultivate peacefully for the next few years.

Ji Yuan disliked pomp and circumstance and didn't want to show off. He just wanted to cultivate peacefully, so he completely gave up on the idea.

Even on the day the island's formation was fully completed, he only had a meal and drinks with Feng Zhitao and Yun Qianzai on the island.

Consider it a celebration.

Ji Yuan personally cooked, and with the help of the [Kitchen], even Yun Qianzai ate without caring about his manners.

He kept saying, "Let's have a meal at Master's place whenever we have time. Junior Brother can cook and have a drink with Master. Master would definitely be happy to do that."

Upon hearing this suggestion, Feng Zhitao wholeheartedly agreed.

Ji Yuan verbally agreed, but actually left the next day.

Of course, it wasn't that he was avoiding being a chef; it was just that he felt he had been in seclusion for a year and should go back to his Misty Island to take a look.

Although we have a new home, we can't forget our old home.

One day after heading south.

Ji Yuan piloted the Thunder Falcon Boat, breaking through the clouds and landing in the misty area. With just one glance, he sensed that something was wrong... extremely wrong!

Because his hometown, the Misty Island, which was originally shrouded in a misty array, was now filled with black mist and ghostly energy!

"Damn it, I've been in seclusion for a year, and someone raided my base?!"

-

P.S.: Let's crowdfund a suggestion for a good name for Ji Tianzun's island. I've thought of a few names but I'm not entirely satisfied. After all, if we choose a name, most of our fellow disciples will just call him "Island Lord So-and-so." (Also, please vote for me with monthly tickets!)

(End of this chapter)