Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 231 Breakthrough, Late Foundation Establishment Stage! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Senior Brother, you're too kind. There's no need for such things between us."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he rubbed his hands together.

His eyes held a hint of curiosity, mixed with a touch of embarrassment, which made Ran Kui laugh heartily. "I wonder what Junior Brother is lacking right now? Just tell me."

...I'm currently missing a teleportation token; that's what can truly save my life.

Ji Yuan shook his head. "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother."

Ran Kui raised an eyebrow. "Your personality is no good. You should be like your junior sister... your third senior sister. When she saw me, she wanted to empty my storage bag."

Ji Yuan just smiled, unsure of what to say.

"Alright, I'll pay for it then."

After Ran Kui finished speaking, he seemed to be picking and choosing in his storage bag. After a while, he took out something from the storage bag and placed it on the jade plate. It was covered with a red cloth.

"Um?"

Ran Kui placed it on the table between the two of them, stroked his beard, and chuckled, "Open it and take a look."

Ji Yuan lifted a corner of the red cloth to take a look, and after sensing the aura inside, he quickly covered the red cloth back up.

"This is too valuable, Senior Brother, you should take it back."

"Look at you, you pathetic sight." Ran Kui laughed loudly. "Alright, to tell you the truth, I had already prepared this gift for you when I learned about the apprenticeship. I just hadn't had a chance to give it to you before. Now that I've found out, take it quickly."

Ji Yuan wanted to speak again, but Ran Kui waved his hand, seemingly impatient, and said:

"If you acknowledge me as your senior brother, then accept this; if not, then don't take it."

Since Ran Kui had already put it this way, Ji Yuan had no choice but to take out what was covered under the red cloth.

This is... a poisoned needle.

As for the level, Ji Yuan had already sensed it clearly the moment he saw it.

This is a magical artifact!

The natal magic weapon created by a Golden Core cultivator is just like the Heavenly Net in his storage bag.

This thing is too valuable, which is why Ji Yuan has never dared to accept it.

"Don't be too happy yet. This is just an incomplete magic weapon. There are thirty-six complete 'Heavenly Poison Needles' in total, and this is just one of them."

"But it's just right for you right now. Even if you were given the complete Heavenly Poison Needle, you wouldn't be able to use it."

Ran Kui explained.

"That's true."

Ji Yuan quickly nodded, because he had a magic treasure in his storage bag, just as Ran Kui had described.

The poisoned needle in his hand reminded Ji Yuan of the deadly needle he obtained from Wu Laochuan when he first returned to Zengtou City.

A damaged, mid-grade magical artifact.

That deadly needle saved Ji Yu from danger several times back then, but unfortunately, as his cultivation level rose, the deadly needle had to be retired.

Now, I've obtained this magic weapon-level Heavenly Poison Needle once again...

Ji Yuan was overjoyed.

Such a fine item is hard to buy even with spirit stones.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Ji Yuan quickly stood up and bowed to him.

"Hehe, junior brother, there's no need to be so polite."

Once Ji Yuan was seated again, Ran Kui inquired about his whereabouts.

"I cultivate the Li family's Sword Manual. This trip north is to go to Mirror Lake to condense a flying sword embryo there."

Ji Yuan had nothing to hide from his senior brother.

"Go to Mirror Lake? Sure, it's not far. I'll take you there."

"Well... then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother."

We've already accepted such a valuable treasure, so a little favor won't make a difference.

"You're too polite, kid. Come on, it's our first time meeting as fellow disciples, we should at least celebrate." Ran Kui said, standing up.

Ji Yuan quickly offered, "I'll do it. My skills are pretty good. Senior Brother, you'll know once you try it."

"Oh? You know these things too? That's rare. Unlike that guy Yun Qianzai, who talks big but makes such awful stuff that even a dog wouldn't eat it."

"..."

After a while.

Ran Kui ate the food prepared by Ji Yuan and drank the wine that Ji Yuan offered.

This made him, who was already happy, even happier.

They ate meat and drank alcohol with gusto, almost swallowing their tongues.

After a good meal and drinks, Ran Kui began to instruct Ji Yuan on his cultivation, whether it was on the Sword Canon he had been studying or on any spells he didn't understand... Of course, what truly surprised Ji Yuan was Ran Kui's mastery of weaponry!

He can actually forge top-grade magical artifacts!

Although it would take a long time, it was at least possible. As for the other high-grade spiritual artifacts, they were no problem for him.

So Ji Yuan asked him a lot of questions about weapon crafting. Ran Kui answered all his questions without reservation, wishing he could pass on all the knowledge he had learned about weapon crafting to his junior brother Ji Yuan.

In the blink of an eye.

Ji Yuan studied under Ran Kui for half a month, and during that time, Ran Kui didn't mention anything else, focusing solely on teaching.

is the day.

Ran Kui looked at the iron ingot that Ji Yuan had hammered out, examined it from top to bottom, and said, "That's about enough. You've pretty much learned my 'Martial Lament Hammer Technique.' The rest is just a matter of diligent practice."

"call--"

Ji Yuan, who was shirtless, let out a long breath. "Alright, I'll practice properly when I get back to the sect."

"Okay, junior brother, pack your things, I'll take you to Mirror Lake as soon as possible."

Three days ago, Ran Kui became somewhat anxious after receiving a message.

Ji Yuan told him that if he had something to do, he could go and do his own thing first, but Ran Kui shook his head and said bluntly:

"My junior brother's matter is more important than exorcising demons."

After hearing this, Ji Yuan stopped arguing and started studying even more diligently.

Now, when Ji Yuan finished tidying up and came to the courtyard, Ran Kui was already waiting there.

"Senior Brother, please keep these talismans safe."

Ji Yuan stepped forward and placed two stacks of Transformation Talismans, totaling 100, into Ran Kui's hand.

This is what he drew in the past two weeks, rushing to finish it. Ran Kui has been walking on both the righteous and the evil paths for many years, and what he does is like walking a tightrope.

The shape-changing talisman was of great help to him.

"What kind of talisman is this?"

Ran Kui took it, looked it up and down, and didn't recognize it.

"The Shapeshifting Talisman, once used, can change your aura and appearance, like the one I'm using now." Ji Yuan said as he stuck a Shapeshifting Talisman on himself. In the blink of an eye, he had become a different person in front of Ran Kui.

"When I use it, even a Golden Core cultivator can't see through it; only a Nascent Soul cultivator can."

"Senior Brother, you'll need this while you're traveling."

The moment Ran Kui saw Ji Yuan's aura change, his eyes lit up. How could he not see how precious this thing was?

"OK!"

As Ran Kui spoke, he also stuck a shape-changing talisman on himself.

Soon, his appearance changed from a burly man with a thick beard to a handsome young man.

He raised his hands, causing his robes to shrink to a perfect size. "Damn it, I wish I were born like this."

Ji Yuan smiled but remained silent.

"Junior brother, this talisman of yours is indeed of great use to me. I thank you in advance."

After a brief moment of joy, Ran Kui clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ji Yuan.

"You're too kind, Senior Brother. I'll prepare more for you next time you return to the sect."

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

After some casual conversation, the two, who had used the shape-shifting talisman, left Lanshan City through the nearest east gate. Once outside the city, Ran Kui summoned his top-grade spiritual artifact flying boat and carried Ji Yuan straight north.

If Ji Yuan were to travel by himself using the airship, it might take him about ten days.

But Ran Kui is there, and he estimates that it should take three or four days to arrive.

The flying boat ascended into the air, soaring above the clouds. Ji Yuan, seemingly making conversation, asked, "By the way, Senior Brother, do you know Senior Brother Qinghe?"

Ran Kui, who was standing in front of the flying boat, turned around and asked telepathically, "You saw him in Lanshan City?"

"Um."

Ji Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Qinghe is someone I called over. He's one of my kind. He was the one who sent me messages several times in the city."

Ran Kui did not hide anything from Ji Yuan, but told him the truth.

"I see……"

Ji Yuan recalled the time at the auction house when Qing He was trying to befriend the Foundation Establishment cultivator... who seemed to be the cultivator from Corpse Driving Mountain.

I was wondering why he seemed so strange; it turns out he was actually doing something for his senior brother.

After learning this, Ji Yuan's original worries and doubts about Qing He disappeared.

"Junior brother, remember to keep this a secret. What we did was very dangerous, so it's best not to let outsiders know. I made him come to Lanshan City secretly."

Ran Kui transmitted his instructions telepathically.

"it is good."

Ji Yuan, knowing the gravity of the matter, agreed to it.

What he didn't expect was that Qinghe, who seemed so carefree in the Water Dragon Sect, was actually busy with matters of the demonic path behind the scenes.

"It seems that appearances can indeed be deceiving."

"Just like me, who would have thought that someone with such a kind appearance could be... even kinder behind the scenes?"

For the rest of the journey, Ji Yuan remained seated in the back, cultivating. Aside from occasionally asking a few questions about cultivation, the two did not exchange many words.

Nothing happened along the way.

Four days later, at dawn, Ran Kui, who was at the front of the flying boat, suddenly said, "We've arrived."

Ji Yuan exited his cultivation state, opened his eyes, and looked down.

On this endless plain, a vast fairy lake lies serenely.

The lake surface is calm and smooth, like a mirror polished by jade for thousands of years, reflecting the flowing clouds in the sky. Its water is extremely clear and transparent, shimmering with blue light under the sunlight, making people feel relaxed and happy.

At this moment, on this Mirror Lake, some cultivators were wielding their swords and breaking through the surface of the lake, splashing water everywhere, as if they had smashed the entire mirror to pieces.

Surrounding this Mirror Lake are concentric circles of courtyards, standing side by side, creating a very peaceful atmosphere.

Looking down from the sky, Ji Yuan had a thought that popped into his mind... This is what you call a paradise on earth.

Unlike the turmoil and chaos outside, this place is quiet and peaceful, as if it were detached from worldly strife.

"When I get old, I'm thinking of buying a courtyard here and living in seclusion."

Ran Kui said half-jokingly.

"Indeed, this place is much more beautiful than the boundless swamp of our Water Dragon Sect."

Ji Yuan agreed wholeheartedly.

"Let's go. I have a few acquaintances here. I'll help you rent a courtyard first. You can then cultivate here in peace. I need to go back to Lanshan City in a bit."

"Alright, thank you for making the trip, Senior Brother."

Back in Lanshan City, Ji Yuan had already noticed that Ran Kui was in a hurry, but he still went to great lengths to send his junior brother Ji Yuan to Mirror Lake.

He even thoughtfully asked a friend to help him rent a suitable courtyard on the shore of Mirror Lake.

All I can say is that this was the most relaxing trip Ji Yuan had ever taken.

"Junior brother, just stay here and cultivate peacefully. If you have any problems, go to that shop and find the shopkeeper. Tell him you are my junior brother, Ran Kui, and he will help you."

"I should be staying in Lanshan City for the next while. When you go back, you can stop by and visit me."

After inspecting the courtyard and confirming that there were no problems, Ran Kui said with relief.

"Okay, I will."

Ji Yuan nodded. "When will Senior Brother return to the sect?"

"After this matter in Lanshan City is settled, I should go back and visit my master."

"Fine, you say Master is an old man? I'll go back and tell on him."

Ran Kui laughed loudly, "You? I dare to say that to my master's face."

Ji Yuan had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. You should focus on your cultivation here."

After Ran Kui finished speaking, he stepped forward and gently patted Ji Yuan on the shoulder. Then he summoned the flying boat, which took off and headed straight south.

After his senior brother left, Ji Yuan's smile faded.

In the following days, he didn't rush to condense his flying sword. Instead, he took a stroll around Mirror Lake and, after enjoying the beautiful scenery, returned home to prepare for his secluded cultivation.

During that time, he also saw a gift that was very suitable for Hua Yaoyue, so he bought it on a whim.

Since he was going into seclusion, Ji Yuan naturally activated the Star Cloud Barrier Array that came with his [Cave Abode], and then went to the [Enlightenment Chamber].

During this seclusion, as long as Ji Yuan absorbs the water flow of Mirror Lake and condenses the "Firefly Sword," his cultivation will naturally break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

His understanding and cultivation level were also greatly improved through dual cultivation with Dong Qian.

Therefore, this seclusion was not difficult for him at all.

is the day.

After Ji Yuan had everything prepared, he went to the Enlightenment Room, calmed his mind and focused his energy, and began to sense the water flow around him.

Ji Yuan has done this many times before and is quite skilled at it.

It's simply like absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, finding the water element contained in the air.

Moreover, this Mirror Lake is not like the Blood River on the ancient battlefield.

The blood river contained very little water energy, and it was extremely domineering. It was very difficult for Ji Yuan to separate the water energy from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

But Mirror Lake is different; it is a real lake.

Ji Yuan spent less than 5 days separating the water from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

When a single thought arises in one's mind, the flow of heaven and earth and water gathers.

Immediately, Ji Yuan could clearly feel the water flow between heaven and earth, mixed with spiritual energy, surging wildly into his body.

It enters the body through the surface, then travels along the body's meridians, circulates around the body in a large cycle, and finally converges into the dantian.

Once the spiritual energy entered, it sank deep into the dantian and transformed into liquid spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

The water transport of Mirror Lake is suspended above this dantian, slowly rotating under the guidance of the other four sword embryos.

The rest was much simpler; it was just a matter of mechanically absorbing the free-flowing water in the world. As for spiritual energy, Ji Yuan didn't absorb much.

Because the real highlight will be the breakthrough later.

He had already prepared all the spirit stones needed for the breakthrough.

After absorbing the water energy for more than ten days, Ji Yuan discovered that the water energy in his dantian had solidified into a tangible form. Subsequently, it was guided and suppressed by the "Sword Canon" and gradually took on the shape of a sword embryo...

Another four or five days passed.

Ji Yuan's fifth sword prototype—the Flowing Firefly Sword—has finally taken shape.

Ji Yuan looked inward at his dantian and saw five sword embryos suspended in the air, all with their tips pointing downwards and pointing towards his dantian, slowly rotating, giving people an extremely domineering feeling.

Moreover, he could also sense that the five sword embryos seemed to have formed a small sword array within his dantian.

It slowly nourishes the spiritual energy within the dantian, giving it an additional layer of sword energy effect.

From this point on, the spells Ji Yuan cast were all several times stronger than before.

This is the benefit of advanced cultivation techniques.

If one were to cultivate an ordinary Foundation Establishment technique, even disregarding these additional effects, simply raising one's cultivation level to the peak of Foundation Establishment would already be quite impressive.

Ji Yuan took one last look at the five sword embryos in his dantian.

With the sword embryo complete, it's time to begin the breakthrough.

With a thought, Ji Yuan took out boxes and boxes of spirit stones from his storage bag. Each box contained 100 mid-grade spirit stones, and he took out 10 boxes in one go.

He didn't know if it was enough, but if it wasn't, he would just continue.

Let alone a few thousand mid-grade spirit stones, he has 100 high-grade spirit stones.

Um... Finally, I'd like to thank Master Tiancan for his gift.

After expressing his gratitude, Ji Yuan resumed using the "Sword Canon" and began attempting to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment... Well, it wasn't really an attempt, because this breakthrough was a natural progression.

The spiritual energy from the surrounding spirit stones was absorbed into Ji Yuan's body like a whale swallowing the sea. After circulating around his body for a full cycle, it finally converged into his dantian.

"Tick-tock—"

A faint voice rang out, and another drop of liquid spiritual energy formed.

In the short span of a breath, a vortex of spiritual energy centered on Ji Yuan was formed.

The spiritual energy gathered into the body... even more.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a month has passed. After absorbing a full 2000 mid-grade spirit stones, the spiritual energy in Ji Yuan's dantian has finally reached its peak.

This means that his cultivation level has not only reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

He has firmly established himself in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, even with the "Concealing Breath Technique" to conceal it, Ji Yuan's outward cultivation level is still at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage... I wonder if Master has an advanced version of the "Concealing Breath Technique." If only he could hide his cultivation level by a whole realm.

With this wonderful thought in mind, Ji Yuan got up and stretched.

But in a daze, he seemed to sense something was wrong.

Because the surroundings were... too quiet, so quiet that it made him feel uneasy.

In an instant, he felt the hairs on the back of his head stand on end, and his whole body seemed to bristle. He turned around abruptly.

Before he knew it, a young man dressed in a white robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist was sitting behind him, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

The tea was a little hot, so he gently stirred it with the lid and blew on it a few times.

As if only then noticing Ji Yuan had turned around, the young man looked up and smiled slightly, saying, "I'm afraid we're truly destined to be together, young brother Ji Yuan, what do you think?"

Looking at this Nascent Soul elder whom he had met once before, Ji Yuan took a deep breath, first using his divine sense to activate the teleportation token in his storage bag, then bowing respectfully and saying solemnly:

"Fate has been with me for half my life, and I only regret that I never met someone from a prestigious family."

"If you don't mind, senior, I'm willing to join... the Merchant Court."

(End of this chapter)