Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 269 Feng Yichen - Old Demon Situ [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Ji Yuan didn't pause in his steps at all, and didn't even make eye contact with Feng Zhitao.

Because he knew that if Yun Qianzai could tell him, he would naturally tell the other two as well.

"So, these disappearances are most likely the work of Li Yuan?"

Feng Zhitao's voice rang in Ji Yuan's mind again.

"Not necessarily, but it's most likely related to Li Yuan."

Yun Qianzai continued.

The senior and junior students communicated with each other telepathically, just like they had set up a simple "chat group".

Ran Kui, who was walking at the front, listened to his junior brothers and sisters' words and finally couldn't help but transmit his voice, saying, "Based on my many years of experience traveling outside, don't rush to draw conclusions about a matter."

"This is the world of cultivation. Many times, even what you see with your own eyes may not be the truth."

"For example, when I was on Shangshang Mountain, I encountered a situation where a giant-mouthed clam was devouring the corpse of a fellow Daoist from the Yuling Sect. When another Daoist saw this, he killed the giant-mouthed clam without saying a word."

"But we only found out later that the giant-mouthed toad was a spirit beast that fellow Daoist from the Spirit Control Sect hadn't contracted. The giant-mouthed toad saw him dead and wanted to take him home, but in the end..."

Ran Kui wanted to use his experience as someone who had been through it all to teach his junior brothers and sisters some lessons.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan fell silent for no apparent reason.

He also noticed something amiss with the elders of Black Dragon Island. If he hadn't been given the opportunity, he would have used his Eye of Truth to take a look while they were in the main hall.

The relationships between those elders do seem a bit strange.

Moreover, they all seemed to know something, but none of them dared to say it.

The one who could transmit his voice for thousands of years probably had a pretty good relationship with him and knew what kind of person this "Ancestor of the Yun Family" was, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to make that request.

"In short, there is something strange about Black Dragon Island. You all stay with me and don't scatter. Be careful."

Of the four fellow disciples, Ran Kui was the most experienced, and as the eldest disciple, he naturally had to protect his junior brothers and sisters.

Although he had only been there a short while, he sensed something different about it.

Since his senior brothers and sisters had spoken, Ji Yuan also transmitted his voice to the three of them, saying, "At this point, it is indeed a bit strange that Li Yuan still dares to send those two elders to guard the Black Dragon Stone alone."

"If this Black Dragon Stone is really that important, he should have sent more elders to guard it."

"Instead of having those two elders stay there to guard the place, that would be basically sending them to their deaths."

Feng Zhitao followed up with a telepathic message, "And didn't you notice? Our Water Dragon Sect, as a superior sect, has sent people. A pseudo-core cultivator is leading the way, and there are four Golden Core disciples among them."

Even in the other five immortal sects, a Golden Core cultivator would have come out to greet us with this kind of reception. But the Black Dragon Island's Xuan Turtle cultivator didn't even show up, which shows they don't take our Water Dragon Sect seriously at all.

"Li Yuan already mentioned that."

Ran Kui replied, "They said that True Man Xuan Gui is nearing the end of his life and has gone into seclusion for a final retreat. Otherwise, they wouldn't be in such a passive position."

"I still think that the one who killed people behind the scenes is this Xuan Gui Zhenren. Maybe he's nearing the end of his life, so he cultivated some kind of demonic art that steals people's essence and blood to prolong his life, and he's been killing people all this time."

Yun Qianzai stuck to his opinion.

Ji Yuan also felt that there was some truth to it, because his second senior brother's analysis was very logical.

However, Ran Kui ignored it. Before there were any substantial results, everything was just wild guessing. Moreover, the real task given by Master Xuan Shui was to guard the Black Dragon Stone.

As for the matter of Black Dragon Island, it is not included in the mission.

After Ji Yuan and the others left the main hall, they each summoned their flying boats and headed towards the cliff. However, before they even left the Black Dragon Island complex, Ji Yuan saw a magic ship bearing the flag of the Water Dragon Sect rise from the island.

Then it flew towards the western continent.

"Um?"

Ji Yuan saw it, and Ran Kui, who was at the very front, naturally saw it too. He slowed down his flying boat and bowed to the people on the magic ship, asking:

"May I ask which fellow disciple is here? I am the Lord of Wudao Island."

Ji Yuan then used telepathy to ask Feng Zhitao, "Why are there still people from our sect here on missions?"

"Since the sect leader didn't say, I don't know either. Let's see who it is."

As everyone stopped, Li Yuan took the initiative to explain, "These are fellow Daoists from your sect who have come to our island to collect dragon's saliva. They come once every three months."

As the Dharma boat drew closer, Ji Yuan was able to see clearly who the newcomer was.

At first glance, he knew things weren't so simple.

Because the person leading this Dharma ship was none other than... Feng Yichen!

The one who was once the number one Qi Refining cultivator, who died in the Nine Nether Cave Heaven but still managed to return alive... Of course, back then his name was Feng Yichen.

Now that he's been possessed, he should be called... Situ Feng.

Han Feiyu had once told Ji Yuan the real name of this possessing monster, and Ji Yuan had always remembered it. He never expected to meet him here.

Ji Yuan squinted at his old friend from back then. When he came out of the Nine Nether Cave Heaven, he was only at the peak of Qi Refining. Only a few years have passed, and he has already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Even though Ji Yuan exhausted all his wealth and even took a Core Formation cultivator as his master, his cultivation speed was still not as fast as his.

Are you really not going to act anymore?

Ji Yuan saw him, and he naturally saw Ji Yuan standing at the back of the crowd.

Feng Yichen stood at the very front of the flying boat, first bowing to Ran Kui, "I am Feng Yichen, the master of Huangfeng Island, greetings to Senior Brother Wu Dao."

Situ Feng, also known as the Master of Huangfeng Island.

"So it's Junior Brother Huang Feng. I didn't expect you to be here on a mission. You've worked hard." Ran Kui said with a polite smile.

Feng Yichen also spread his hands in agreement, "There's no other way. The upper level of Shangshan needs manpower, and the sect also needs someone to manage things. To be honest, I've been working non-stop for several years now... Brother Ji behind me is a good friend of mine, and he knows me."

"Oh?"

Ran Kui turned to look at his junior brother.

Ji Yuan appeared to have taken a step forward from the Wind and Locust Flying Boat, but his body didn't move much. He cupped his hands towards Feng Yichen and smiled, "It's been a long time, Brother Feng. You are still as dashing as ever."

"Brother Ji, you're too kind."

Feng Yichen smiled as well, then looked at Li Yuan, the leader of Black Dragon Island, who had a slight frown. "May I ask, senior brothers and sisters, have you come here because of the disappearance of that cultivator?"

Ji Yuan didn't speak, and neither did Ran Kui.

Only Li Yuan was smiling, but he didn't dare to speak.

He also knew that even though they were all fellow disciples of the Water Dragon Sect, there were some things that had to be kept secret, just like carrying out a mission, which had to be kept confidential.

Seeing this, Feng Yichen smiled awkwardly, "It's like this, I've been here for a few days now, and I accidentally discovered something, which I was planning to tell my senior brother."

"What has Fellow Daoist Huang Feng discovered?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan hurriedly asked.

Feng Yichen glanced at him, but his gaze finally settled on Ran Kui before he said, "The one who secretly steals people is a third-tier demon beast, meaning a three-eyed dark beast that walks in the shadows and kills people invisibly. Please be careful, fellow disciples. I have a mission to complete, so I'll take my leave now."

After Feng Yichen finished speaking, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to everyone, and then urged the flying boat beneath his feet to turn around and leave the place.

"A three-eyed dark beast?! How could it be this thing?!"

Li Yuan was so frightened that his face turned pale.

After all, if it were really that thing, let alone him, even if the sect's patriarch came out, he wouldn't be able to withstand it for long!

...A three-eyed dark beast, does such a thing really exist here?

Ji Yuan had used this thing before when upgrading his skills. The thought flashed through his mind rapidly. He glanced at the departing flying boat, then suddenly unleashed his divine sense, comparable to a Golden Core cultivator, to catch up with Feng Yichen's figure. He then transmitted his voice, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Situ, is this statement true?"

Feng Yichen, who had already gracefully departed on his flying boat, was suddenly stunned upon hearing these words. His relaxed expression froze instantly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Oh? Who is this brother? I didn't expect our Water Dragon Sect to be so lively, everyone's crowding in here."

Feng Yichen slowed down the speed of the flying boat and spoke in his mind.

Ji Yuan didn't know who else was in the Shangting family, so he had no choice but to tell the truth.

"I follow Master Mei."

"True Lord Red Thunder? Fellow Daoist White Crane, or... Daisy? Daisy shouldn't be it. Are you Fellow Daoist White Crane or Fellow Daoist Red Thunder?"

Feng Yichen pressed for an answer.

Ji Yuan silently noted down the Daoist names of the three people, then said unhurriedly, "A name is just a code. Fellow Daoist Situ, please tell us, is there really a Three-Eyed Dark Beast here?"

"We'll discuss the rest when we get back to the clan."

"No, it's fake. I was just kidding to scare a bunch of kids. How could a Three-Eyed Dark Beast possibly appear here? Haha, just kidding."

Feng Yichen chuckled.

By the time he finished speaking, Ji Yuan's figure had already moved beyond the limits of his divine sense.

With no further telepathic communication, Feng Yichen breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced back at the departing figures of Ji Yuan and the others, a smile playing on his lips.

Three-eyed dark beast?

Have it?

Maybe, I don't even know if that old man is still around.

Why should I, Situ Feng, tell you the truth? Have you forgotten that back in the Shang Court, everyone called me... Old Demon Situ!

"That's interesting. Staying here might have led to a good show, but alas, I have more important things to do, so I'll have to miss it."

"..."

"What Feng Yichen said is not to be trusted; it's a mix of truth and falsehood."

Ji Yuan first transmitted this message to his senior brothers and sisters, then thought for a moment and said again:

"He has already been possessed by the Nascent Soul stage monster of the Shang Court. His appearance here now means there must be some big problem here. I think things are probably not that simple."

"What?! He's been possessed by the Shangting people?!"

Ran Kui was the first to react, and then quickly transmitted his voice, saying, "Junior brother, are you serious? If so, we must inform Master and Sect Leader immediately!"

"No need, they already know, and it seems like they deliberately left these people from the Merchant Court in our sect."

Ji Yuan had already learned this from Hua Yaoyue, and it had also been confirmed by Kong Xifeng.

"But why is that?"

Feng Zhitao asked in confusion.

"I don't know. In any case, Feng Yichen's words are unreliable. The Three-Eyed Dark Beast can't be sure, but I'm certain that there's something fishy going on here."

Ji Yuan said with certainty.

People from Shangting never sell good goods.

"So, junior brother, do you mean we should return to the sect first and inform Master and the sect leader about this?"

"...If it were me, I would definitely do the same."

After hesitating for a moment, Ji Yuan finally revealed his thoughts.

Serving the sect is acceptable, but risking one's life for the sect... that's unacceptable.

"Let's see. I've finally reached the Core Formation stage. Even if other Golden Core cultivators from the sect come, they might not be as good as me."

With Ran Kui, the senior disciple, making the final decision, Ji Yuan had no further say.

Before long, the group arrived at the foot of the cliff, where there was a portal outlined with array talismans.

"The Black Dragon Stone is right here."

After Li Yuan finished speaking, he took the lead and went inside.

Ji Yuan and the others exchanged glances, and finally Ran Kui transmitted his voice, saying, "Follow me, I'll lead the way."

"I'll cover the rear."

Ji Yuan quickly transmitted a message.

Feng Zhitao and the other two had no objections, but they both released their divine senses and summoned their offensive spiritual weapons.

With one hand forming a hand seal, Ji Yuan first summoned the superior-grade protective spiritual artifact, the Dragon Beard Shield, and then made the Frost Flowing Flying Sword hover beside him.

Of course, the most suitable spiritual energy would be the Five Poisonous Serpent Staff given to him by the Mourning Hermit. Unfortunately, he was worried that if he took it out, Ran Kui would mistake him for a demonic cultivator and arrest him...

At the same time, he also took a look at the situation of his senior brothers and sisters.

Ran Kui, who was walking at the front, was holding a halberd that looked even more exaggerated than Ji Yuan's Mountain-Breaking Halberd. Feng Zhi Tao was holding a feather fan made of red bird feathers.

As for Yun Qianzai, he held a yin-yang array plate in his hand. He poured spiritual energy into it, and the array plate emitted a faint light, which also caused a protective light shield to light up around him... Indeed, in terms of prestige, Yun Qianzai was never inferior to anyone.

The passageway was deep and secluded.

Fortunately, there were fire pits on both sides of the cave walls. Ji Yuan probed them little by little with his divine sense and found traces of talismans that had been pasted on them. Judging from the residual aura on them...

These talismans are all used to ward off evil spirits.

Ji Yuan's right hand naturally fell down, and dozens of second-tier demon-suppressing talismans naturally appeared in his sleeve. At the same time, he did not forget to pass on this information to Ran Kui and the other two.

"It's alright, Junior Brother, just take good care of yourself."

Seeing that Ji Yuan had been thinking of the three of them all the way, Ran Kui couldn't help but speak up to comfort him.

Before long, the group arrived at a huge stone chamber at the end of the passageway.

Torches with talismans pasted on them were stuck in the wall. If nothing unexpected happened, these torches would burn for a year without needing to be replaced. In the center of the stone chamber, a strange rock in the shape of a dragon was clearly visible.

It wasn't a finely carved dragon; it was only roughly recognizable as a dragon.

The black boulder transformed into a dragon, its mouth slightly open.

Ji Yuan scanned the area with his divine sense and found that there was indeed some moisture in the dragon's mouth, somewhat like morning dew condensing there.

Below the dragon's mouth was a black bowl of roughly the same color.

"This is the Black Dragon Stone."

Li Yuan stepped forward and walked to the Black Dragon Stone, explaining, "The two elders who were guarding the Black Dragon Stone earlier disappeared mysteriously afterward."

Ran Kui didn't say anything, but silently took out a formation flag from his storage bag and stuck it in the ground. Instantly, vines as thick as an adult's arm sprouted from the ground, climbed, and finally covered the entire stone chamber.

Holding the array plate, Yun Qianzai circled the black dragon stone several times. The array plate in his hand kept spinning, and white light in the shape of arcs spread out from it.

Before he had even spun around a few times, he realized:

"Gathering the spiritual essence of the four seas around the island, no wonder it can form this dragon saliva that aids in cultivation."

After saying that, he transmitted his voice to Ji Yuan and the other two again, explaining in detail:

"This place is a feng shui treasure land formed by heaven and earth. The sect has probably already investigated it thoroughly and is preparing to take this black dragon stone back and place it on the banks of the Falling Star River, which will have the same effect."

Ji Yuan could see some of the tricks, but not much.

Unlike Yun Qianzai, who may be pretentious, he does indeed possess genuine skills.

"Gentlemen, how is it...? Have you found any trace of the three-eyed dark beast?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan couldn't help but ask further.

Ran Kui slowly shook his head and sighed, "This thing is quite cunning and cannot be dealt with in a short time. Brother Li, you should go back quickly and guard the other disciples first. We will take care of the Black Dragon Stone."

"no."

Li Yuan's expression changed slightly. "Brother Wu Dao, shouldn't we go and search for traces of that demonic beast?"

"Hehe, Brother Li, do you really believe that? Are you sure you don't know at all whether the people harming us here are humans or demonic beasts?"

Since arriving at Black Dragon Island, Ran Kui has realized that Li Yuan was not telling the truth, and naturally, he no longer has a pleasant expression on his face.

"this……"

"That man's real target is someone from our Water Dragon Sect. In that case, we'll just wait for him to come here. Brother Li, if you don't want to be caught in the crossfire, you should retreat quickly."

After Ran Kui finished speaking, he sat down on the spot.

Li Yuan glanced at the remaining Ji Yuan and the others, and finally clasped his hands in a fist salute before turning to leave.

As soon as he left, Ji Yuan and the other two exchanged glances and gathered around Ran Kui.

"Even if there really is a three-eyed dark beast, it is raised by that demonic cultivator and is not fully mature yet. Otherwise... there would be no need for this trouble. All the living creatures on Black Dragon Island would be food for this three-eyed dark beast."

After Ran Kui finished speaking, he pointed to the passageway they had come from, "There are many traces of demon-suppressing talismans along the way. Li Yuan and the others probably knew about that demonic cultivator beforehand."

If there was any prior imprisonment, then that demonic cultivator is probably being held captive in this cave.

If Ji Yuan could detect those traces, Ran Kui could naturally detect them as well.

"What should we do now?" Feng Zhitao frowned slightly. "That demonic cultivator has most likely already set his sights on us. Killing these two elders is just a way to give us a warning."

Yun Qianzai glanced back at the Black Dragon Stone, which was covered in vines, and said, "If you were to ask Junior Brother, he would definitely say to remove the Black Dragon Stone now and return directly to the sect."

...Second Brother, you really know me well.

When Ji Yuan saw their gazes, he smiled but said nothing.

Because no matter what he says, the decision-making power for this operation rests with Ran Kui.

Just when he thought Ran Kui would be swayed by sentimentality and stay to guard the Black Dragon Stone, waiting for the demonic cultivator to come knocking, he heard the Martial Mourning Island Lord say in a deep voice:

"Second brother, you are proficient in formations, take this black dragon stone with you."

"Third brother, get ready. We're going to storm their door and capture that bastard Li Yuan!"

(End of this chapter)