Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 157 The Portable Cave and Array Chamber

Ji Yuan took out the communication talisman that was flashing slightly, while thinking to himself.

When I get to the Island of All Things, I'll need to buy some blank communication talismans. Now that I've successfully established my foundation, I can use divine sense imprints and thus have my own communication talismans.

I can send my message talisman to Dong Qian, Du Wanyi, and Grandpa Xu so they can easily contact me if there's any emergency.

"I wonder when they will be able to return from the Nine Netherworld Cave. Judging by the days, they should already be on their way back."

Ji Yuan was still quite worried about Du Wanyi. After all, while she was strong at the peak of Qi Refining, she wasn't among the strongest.

As the thought flashed through his mind, Ji Yuan's divine sense also swept over the communication talisman in his hand.

Li Changhe's voice echoed in his mind.

"Brother Ji, how's the island selection going? When's the opening ceremony? Remember to let me know, and I'll send you a big gift then, haha."

Ji Yuan thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

After a moment's thought, he didn't directly tell Li Changhe that he wasn't going to hold the island opening ceremony.

He just said that he wasn't ready yet and that he would have to wait a while, and that he would let him know as soon as the date was set... If he had said it directly, Li Changhe would definitely have given him some advice.

But if we wait for that group of people who went to the Nine Netherworld Cave to return after some time...

Among people like Feng Yichen, there must be some who can establish their foundation. When that time comes, they will naturally forget about it.

Ji Yuan can then continue to farm in peace.

After replying to the message, the two chatted for a few more minutes. Li Changhe mostly asked Ji Yuan if he needed anything, such as setting up formations. He told Ji Yuan that if there was anything he found troublesome, he could tell him.

Before long, Ji Yuan, dressed in the standard dark blue robe that only Foundation Establishment stage disciples could possess, landed on the Island of Myriad Things.

As soon as he landed, he felt the eager gazes of the disciples around him. Some of the more "sensible" ones bowed to Ji Yuan from a distance.

Ji Yuan nodded at them expressionlessly, but actually... he was quite pleased inside.

Ultimately, it's my state of mind that's not right; I'm being disturbed by external things. But then I think, isn't cultivation all about seeking clarity of mind? In this situation, my mind is clear, and that's enough.

Ji Yuan then found a shop that specialized in dealing in demon beasts and sold the mid-stage second-tier demon core that Feng Zhi Tao had given him, plus the four early-stage second-tier demon cores that Ji Yuan had saved up.

This time, he didn't go to Feng Zhi Tao's Suspended Demon Shop.

It's not really right for someone to give you a demon core and then sell it in their shop.

Five demon cores were sold for a total of 128 mid-grade spirit stones, of which four early-stage demon cores sold for 83 stones and the mid-stage ones sold for 45 stones.

For a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, it's not considered wealthy, but for Ji Yuan at his current level, it's barely enough to sustain his current cultivation needs, plus for upgrading the [Fish Pond].

As for Foundation Building Pills, Ji Yuan doesn't plan to sell them now.

It won't fetch a good price here; you'll have to go to an auction house.

After selling all the demon cores, Ji Yuan inquired whether the shop had any essence blood of ice-attribute demon beasts.

No, ice attribute is considered a rare spiritual root among human cultivators.

They are also rare among monsters.

Ji Yuan searched four or five monster shops before finally finding one, but the price wasn't cheap either; a mere one or two taels cost 20 mid-grade spirit stones.

It's worth a second-stage early-stage demon core.

To upgrade to level 3 [Fish Pond], the panel requires "one pot", but it doesn't specify how big that pot should be.

Ji Yuan had originally planned to cheat and buy half an ounce, putting it in a small pot, but in the end he gave up on the idea.

Building upgrades are not suitable for cheating or shirking responsibility.

Afterwards, Ji Yuan went to the Treasure Pavilion and bought 3 more Xuanbing Crystals, which cost him 9 mid-grade spirit stones.

The remaining communication symbols... come in two types, one white and one gold.

The difference between the two lies in the transmission distance.

White communication talismans can only transmit messages within Dragon Hatchery Island at most, but the golden ones can travel much farther, transmitting messages throughout the entire Water Dragon Sect.

For distances beyond that, talismans won't work; you'll have to rely on specially made flying swords for communication.

The price isn't cheap either; two white communication talismans cost 1 mid-grade spirit stone, while one gold communication talisman costs 5 mid-grade spirit stones.

Giving someone a golden communication talisman is equivalent to giving away 5 mid-grade spirit stones.

The true value of social interaction.

A foundation building project, along with numerous building upgrades, plunged Ji Yuan, who had finally managed to become a wealthy farmer, back into poverty.

He only purchased 3 gold talismans and 8 white talismans.

The rest... well, we'll just have to wait for someone else to deliver them.

Generally speaking, when Foundation Establishment stage cultivators exchange communication talismans, it indicates that their relationship is not ordinary, such as the relationship between Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao, who are from different sects.

In ordinary times, fellow Daoists will take the initiative to offer their communication talisman to whoever sees the other as having the greatest value.

Ji Yuan had originally thought about learning how to draw these communication talismans to see if he could make some money, but after asking a question at the last minute, he gave up on the idea.

Messenger symbols can be used repeatedly, and the attenuation rate is too low.

It's far more profitable to use offensive talismans with high attrition rates.

So Ji Yuan bought a lot more second-tier talisman paper and ink, waiting to go back after finishing this busy period, and it was time to properly go into seclusion.

After buying what he needed on the Island of All Things, Ji Yuan first thought of going to find Hua Yaoyue, but halfway there, he kept thinking about forging the iron box magic artifact to serve as his [cave dwelling].

"Forget it, I'll go find Lord Iron Hammer Island first, finish this matter, and then go find my master."

Before leaving, Ji Yuan first sent a message to the Iron Hammer Island Master to confirm that he was in the sect, and then landed the flying boat and arrived at the residence of Old Master Xu on Dragon Hatchery Island.

As the saying goes, "To return home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night."

The foundation has just been successfully laid, and I haven't had a chance to share the good news yet.

Ji Yuan knocked on the door, and soon Xu Fugui's mumbling voice came from inside.

Then... the door opened.

The first thing Xu Fugui noticed was Ji Yuan's dark blue robe.

Seeing the clothes that only Foundation Establishment cultivators could wear, Xu Fugui didn't even have time to look up before he naturally raised his hands and cupped them in greeting, "Greetings, Martial Uncle."

Ji Yuan, with his hands behind his back, coughed and asked, "When have you ever seen me before?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Xu Fugui abruptly raised his head. He looked at Ji Yuan in front of him, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment.

"You're so young...when did you reach the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Xu Fugui instinctively wanted to yell "You brat!" but he swallowed the words back down.

"Just recently, I just reached the Foundation Establishment stage and wanted to share the good news with Grandpa Xu."

Ji Yuan, as before, said with a grin.

"Foundation Building is good, Foundation Building is good."

Xu Fugui was overjoyed to see Ji Yuan establish his foundation, and said, "Come in quickly and tell me."

But the moment he turned around, Ji Yuan sensed a subtle hint of loneliness.

Admittedly, Xu Fugui knew that he had little hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, and Ji Yuan was someone he had watched grow from the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

When the two first met, Ji Yuan was only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, while Xu Fugui was already at the peak of Qi Refining.

But now several years have passed.

Ji Yuan successfully established his foundation, but Xu Fugui remained at the peak of Qi Refining... This feeling was somewhat unpleasant.

After all, this is Foundation Establishment... something that countless Qi Refining cultivators dream of.

After entering the house, the two exchanged pleasantries.

It had been more than a year since they last met, so Ji Yuan inquired about Xu Fugui's recent situation.

"The same old story, just retirement. I mostly stay in one market town and then move on to another. Nothing much happens, except for Master... sigh."

"Senior Iron Hammer? What happened to him?"

Even after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Ji Yuan still used the same title as before.

"Six months ago, during a weapon forging session, a defective ore caused an explosion in the furnace, and I was seriously injured. I'm only just starting to feel better now," Xu Fugui said, taking a puff of his pipe and exhaling a long puff of smoke.

"It's good that you're feeling better."

Ji Yuan nodded. There was nothing that could be done about it; it was just like how the furnace could explode when refining pills.

Anything that brings rewards will always involve some risk.

"After all, he's getting old. If he were younger, he could tell whether there was a problem as soon as he got his hands on the ore."

"Well, I haven't told Senior Iron Hammer about my Foundation Establishment yet. Grandpa Xu, if you're free, let's go visit him together."

Ji Yuan suggested.

Xu Fugui casually flicked the ash from his cigarette. "I'm busy this time. I just received a mission from the sect. I have to head to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Beishan City soon for a six-month shift."

"Beishan City? That's quite far."

Having spent several years working his way up in the sect, Ji Yuan naturally knew a lot about these things.

Beishan City is located north of the Falling Star River, which is quite far from the Water Dragon Sect. It would probably take a month to get there.

"Yes, it's alright. We'll all go together since we'll be escorted by the sect."

"..."

Not long after they started chatting, Xu Fugui received a message from Shui Yitang that it was time to leave.

Ji Yuan also gave him his own golden communication talisman, telling him that he could send him a message anytime if anything happened.

The two parted ways, and Ji Yuan summoned his Thunder Falcon Boat, heading west.

This time, after a full-speed run, he finally arrived at Ironhammer Island before sunset, unlike before when he would arrive in the middle of the night.

"I've met you before, Brother Iron Hammer..."

Ji Yuan, dressed in a dark blue robe, casually cupped his hands in greeting to the Iron Hammer Island Lord.

Then I saw him in shock.

"Damn, how old are you? You still have pseudo-spiritual roots, and you've already reached Foundation Establishment? My goodness!"

The Iron Hammer Island Master even circled around Ji Yuan, finding it hard to believe.

Ji Yuan also looked him over. Compared to before, the Iron Hammer Island Master did have more wrinkles on his face, and even more white hair on his head.

It seems we need to find a way to get this Qi-Refining Bead as soon as possible, to see if it can help him build a solid foundation for his physique...

Having received a great favor from him, Ji Yuan naturally felt he had to find a way to repay the kindness.

"Just lucky, just lucky."

Ji Yuan's smile quickly vanished, and he asked instead, "I heard from Grandpa Xu that you were injured, Senior Iron Hammer?"

"That's nothing, ha! Back when I was in the Eastern Mountain Range, I was almost dead, but I'm still fine. This little injury is nothing, I can just sleep it off."

The Iron Hammer Island Master waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Alright, now that you've reached the Foundation Establishment stage, such a great thing is definitely worth celebrating. Let's have a fight first."

Seeing the Iron Hammer Island Master's appearance, how could Ji Yuan not understand?

It's just that they refuse to admit they're getting old.

Just these few words.

So Ji Yuan naturally fought with him again. This time, Ji Yuan didn't hold back much, but every punch he threw was quite rhythmic, with the aim of helping the Iron Hammer Island Master to improve his blood circulation.

After the fight, although the Iron Hammer Island Master looked bruised and swollen, he was in much better spirits.

Having immersed himself in physical training for many years, how could he not sense it?

He leaned against the ground, glanced at Ji Yuan beside him, hesitated for a long time, and finally couldn't suppress his curiosity, asking, "You've reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"How is that possible?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Does the Canglu Continent still have methods for physical foundation building? I'm just taking advantage of my youth, and since I just achieved foundation building, my internal energy and blood have increased quite a bit."

"Too."

The Iron Hammer Island Master nodded. That must be it. Physical Foundation Establishment... it was nothing more than his obsession. In fact, he had been to many places in Shangdong over the years and had met many people who had cultivated their bodies, but at most they had only achieved the Great Perfection of Body Cultivation. He had never heard of anyone who had achieved Physical Foundation Establishment.

"Come on, it's rare for you to come over, let's have a meal first."

After a while, the Iron Hammer Island Master patted his butt and got up.

Then Ji Yuan skillfully took out the wine. This time it was even more rare that the Iron Hammer Island Master personally cooked a table full of dishes for Ji Yuan.

"Come on, eat!"

The two clinked glasses and exchanged toasts.

Halfway through the meal, Ji Yuan shared his thoughts.

After listening attentively, the Iron Hammer Island Lord put down his wine cup. "What do you need such a magical artifact for? It can't kill enemies, and it would take a lot of good materials to withstand attacks. It's too wasteful."

A magical artifact that looks like an iron box and can change size at will—Iron Hammer Island Master couldn't figure out what use it could be.

"It doesn't need any fancy materials, just something that can change size. Nothing else is needed. As for its use... it will be more convenient for things like traveling and finding accommodation."

Ji Yuan really couldn't think of any excuse.

Fortunately, the Iron Hammer Island Master didn't ask any more questions. "Alright, if you don't need any other effects, this is simple. I'll teach you after dinner, and you can even hammer it yourself."

"Oh? Okay."

Ji Yuan became even more interested when he heard that the Iron Hammer Island Master was willing to teach him weapon crafting. He thought that once he learned it, he could go back and build another weapon crafting room.

As for learning a lot or learning a variety of skills... when you're out in the world, having many skills is never a bad thing.

After the two finished eating and drinking, the Iron Hammer Island Master tossed Ji Yuan a low-grade spiritual weapon-level iron hammer, saying, "There is something in common between weapon crafting and alchemy, which is that the tools you use cannot be inferior."

"You need a fine talisman brush, ink, and paper to draw talismans; you need a good alchemy furnace to refine pills; similarly, you need a fine hammer and an even better iron furnace to forge weapons."

"Actually, this is one of the main reasons why there aren't many weapon refiners. The investment in weapon refining is large, and the losses are also significant."

"If you want to refine some ordinary magical artifacts, that's fine, but if you want to refine spiritual artifacts, that will be difficult."

With someone giving guidance, Ji Yuan listened very attentively.

"Alright, have you prepared any materials?"

"No..." Ji Yuan had originally planned to come and ask first, and if it was feasible, he would then go and buy it.

"Damn it, so you're really here to freeload, aren't you?"

The Iron Hammer Island Lord glared and immediately tossed over a black iron block the size of a human head. "Hammer!"

"Just hammer it directly? Shouldn't you heat it up first?"

Ji Yuan asked, somewhat dumbfounded.

He was an expert in weapon crafting, possessing a thorough understanding of the craft.

"This Blackheart Rock is different; it has to be hammered raw. You can't get the desired effect by hammering it raw," the Iron Hammer Island Master explained.

Ji Yuan obediently did as instructed and began his blacksmithing career. However, after he had spent a whole day hammering away at the black rock, he saw that the Iron Hammer Island Master had put it away.

"No, that's not it..."

"What is this? You don't need such good materials to make a magic weapon." The Iron Hammer Island Master glared.

"So, senior, you're treating me like a farmhand, aren't you?"

Ji Yuan said helplessly.

"Bullshit, this is tuition for you. Come on, I'll teach you a few tricks and you'll know whether you've gained or lost."

As the Iron Hammer Island Master spoke, he walked to the huge furnace, made a hand seal, and immediately ignited the earth fire. In an instant, a wave of heat rushed towards him.

Ji Yuan quickly stood up.

"When it comes to refining weapons, don't listen to their nonsense about tricks, like what kind of ore to put in at what temperature or for how long... You don't need to listen to the materials used for crafting spiritual weapons. Just remember one thing: burn it with a strong fire and smash it with a heavy hammer."

"Those tricks and such are because they are not body cultivators and can't hammer for that long, so they find so many shortcuts. But we don't need them. All we need to do is hammer."

"Iron Hammer Island Master said with considerable pride."

"I know that, miracles happen with great force."

This was the first time the Iron Hammer Island Master had heard this explanation. He paused for a moment, then said, "You're right, that's exactly how it is."

"..."

"Hit me hard, you fucking didn't eat, did you?"

"..."

"You got hit hard at this corner. You have to use a clever technique: three fires, one burn, and eight forging hammers. This is my unique secret."

"..."

For the next ten days, Ji Yuan didn't go anywhere. He stayed on Iron Hammer Island, learning weapon crafting from the island master. Fortunately, Tu Yue and the giant toad were there to help take care of him on Misty Island.

This relieved Ji Yuan of any worries.

Ten days later.

When Ji Yuan looked at the "house" he had painstakingly hammered out in his hand, it was a low-grade magic artifact. It was usable, but it looked rather ugly after being released. He originally wanted a rectangular house, but this one was thick at the top and thin at the bottom, and it was a bit shaky when turned upside down.

He worried that if he took it out during a battle, the house would collapse on its own before the enemy could even make a move.

"Damn it, you're useless, I'll do it!"

The Iron Hammer Island Master looked at Ji Yuan, who had forged a magic weapon in just ten days, and felt a little jealous. It had taken him eighty or ninety days to forge his first magic weapon, and it looked like a brick.

As the name suggests.

Despite being disliked, Ji Yuan still put the "house" away. It was the first magical artifact he had created, which had no practical value but was valuable for collection.

A day later, Ji Yuan realized the gap between himself and the Iron Hammer Island Master.

Using the same materials, I crafted a low-grade magic weapon, but the Iron Hammer Island Master crafted a mid-grade magic weapon. With a little more material added, it would become a high-grade magic weapon.

So in the end, Ji Yuan obtained two high-grade "cave dwelling" magic artifacts. Although they were the worst kind of cave dwellings, they were still at least good.

Once he got his hands on it, he couldn't wait to try it out.

If the Starry Cloud Barrier Array and the Stardust Illusion Killing Array could be activated directly through these two rooms, their effects would be much stronger.

After expressing his gratitude to the Iron Hammer Island Lord, Ji Yuan left with the two high-grade magic artifacts.

There was a protective array inside the sect, so Ji Yuan dared not try it here. If the patrol found something amiss, it would be troublesome. He preferred to spend more time going west from the Water Dragon Sect, out of the protective array, and arriving at an unnamed deserted island in an unnamed body of water before preparing to try it.

The cave dwelling was easy to handle. After thinking it over, Ji Yuan carved the two characters "Ji Mansion" inside the iron house. Then he discovered that a line of small characters that only he could see had appeared above the iron house.

[Cave: lv3]

Become!

Ji Yuan was overjoyed and immediately took out another iron house to try. He tried several methods, but pasting signs and carving words didn't work. Finally, he carved many array patterns inside the house.

The panel effects then became apparent.

[Formation Room: lv2]

He looked at the two iron houses in front of him, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Two arrays swept out instantly, covering the entire deserted island in a flash.

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(End of this chapter)