Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 309 All good things must come to an end [Seeking monthly votes]

Liu Yuan came, and then Liu Yuan left.

When he learned that Ji Yuan had given him a sea chart that led to the Abyss Continent, he breathed a sigh of relief.

In this way, his biggest concern about his escape route was resolved, and he had nothing left to worry about.

As for what lies ahead, he and Ji Yuan agreed to go their separate ways for the time being.

Ji Yuan is going to Jing Lei Ze to refine his body, so he can't take him with him.

Liu Yuan's words also seemed to have his own secrets. He had previously thought that he had no choice but to leave Canglu Continent, but now that he has decided not to leave, his thoughts have naturally changed.

He was about to leave the Water Dragon Sect ahead of everyone else.

He only said he was going to Shuibei, but didn't specify where.

Later, the two agreed on a place and method for leaving a message, so they no longer worried about losing contact.

Ji Yuan was confident that he could survive.

Liuyuan also has it.

Before leaving, Ji Yuan prepared 200 jugs of Peerless Wine for Liu Yuan, hoping to help him take a step forward in the art of wine.

Liu Yuan initially didn't take it seriously, but after experiencing the effects of the Peerless Wine...

He kept calling him Brother Ji.

Ji Yuan was in a great mood and gave him another 50 pots, which finally satisfied him.

Of course, the main reason was that Ji Yuan saw him drink the first pot and seemed to have gained some insight.

Then give us more. Anyway, Ji Yuan produces this stuff every day, so we can't possibly use it all.

After bidding farewell to his friend, Ji Yuan's loneliness dissipated somewhat. Just like Liu Yuan, he felt the same way. Knowing that they were both on the Canglu Continent, neither of them felt so lonely.

And if something really happens, you'll have someone to rely on.

After Liu Yuan left, Tu Yue came out and stood obediently beside Ji Yuan. Apart from that, there were no other living creatures on the island.

...Well, Tu Yue can hardly be considered a living creature.

"Forget it, I'll just put you away for now, so we don't have to rush when we leave."

Ji Yuan summoned the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain from his dantian, making it float above Tu Yue's head. A suction force emanated from it, and soon the small corpse puppet disappeared into the even smaller Fangcun Mountain.

The place she went to was naturally Ji Yuan's cave dwelling. Just like back then, when Ji Yuan went out to kill people, she stayed at home to tidy up and take care of the various buildings.

The same applies now. Ji Yuan's cave dwelling has a lot of things, but they are all very messy. This is a good opportunity to have her help tidy it up.

With Tu Yue gone, Ji Yuan's Worry-Free Island became even more deserted.

Seeing that the problems on the island had been mostly resolved, he thought for a moment, then leaped off the mountaintop and plunged into the vast, distant swamp.

Wait until your body enters the water.

He then summoned the Sky-Splitting Flying Boat from the bottom of the water, and his figure disappeared from the bottom of the water like an arrow, heading straight south.

His destination was to find the giant toad, the earliest and longest-serving spirit beast to follow him.

He hasn't forgotten.

At first, when they were traveling through the Water Dragon Sect, Ji Yuan didn't sense anything unusual.

However, once he left the sect's protective formation, the situation he perceived was different, because some demonic cultivators were actually lurking underwater, plotting to launch a sneak attack.

Those who use simpler methods hide in some nooks and crannies.

Those with more methods either hide in the mud or use magic to conceal themselves in various places at the bottom of the lake.

It's gloomy.

That's fucking insidious!

Both Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators were present, but Ji Yuan couldn't guarantee a fatal blow and was also worried about alerting the enemy, so he didn't make a move and instead passed through silently.

After adjusting their direction several times, they finally arrived near Misty Island.

His divine sense, comparable to that of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, swept over the area, and his heart sank.

The Misty Island remains the same, with no trace of demonic cultivators, but the giant toad is also gone.

It ran away?

That shouldn't be the case. It didn't want to follow me at all, so how could it have run away?

Could it be that, like last time, they've encountered some formidable opponent?

The traces of the giant toad that remain on Misty Island are from a very long time ago.

Many places are already overgrown with weeds and shrubs.

These are traces from at least one or two years ago.

So Ji Yuan searched the misty area carefully again, and found several other second-tier demonic beasts, but judging from their cultivation levels, none of them could put any pressure on the giant toad.

After all, through Ji Yuan's careful cultivation over the years, the giant toads have all advanced to the peak of the second tier.

Ordinary second-tier demonic beasts couldn't even hurt it.

But the problem is... where did it go?!

It's as if this thing just vanished into thin air.

There was no trace of it in the entire foggy area.

If we really think about it carefully, the most likely conclusion is... someone came straight to this Misty Island and took the giant toad away.

Moreover, the giant toad went with him willingly; otherwise, if the giant toad had resisted even slightly, traces of their fight would have been left behind.

Who is this person?

After much thought, Ji Yuan realized that the only likely candidate was the original owner of the giant toad.

That is, the monk who left behind the book "Like a Shadow" on the island.

"That's all we can hope for."

Having no other choice, Ji Yuan, unable to find any trace of the giant toad, had no choice but to return to his sect.

Not long after returning to Worry-Free Island, Ji Yuan received a letter from the sect leader, Master Xuan Shui, who even delivered it personally. The contents of the letter were, of course, the list of people to be transferred this time.

After Ji Yuan took it, Master Xuan Shui looked at him with a complicated expression before softly saying:

"Nephew, the list was personally finalized by my grandfather and me."

Ji Yuan held the jade slip in his hand, seemingly able to guess what the sect leader wanted to ask.

"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle-Master and Ancestor."

"But you're not on the list."

When Master Xuanshui said this, there was a hint of bitterness in his eyes, "When I got the list, the first thing I did was ask Senior Sister Wangyou."

...What did Master say?

Ji Yuan didn't ask, because Master Xuan Shui quickly sighed and said, "It seems we've been misunderstanding you all along, my dear nephew. I never imagined... I never imagined that we old folks would become more and more backward as we get older."

Master Xuanshui stepped forward and patted Ji Yuan on the shoulder before sitting down to the side.

"I remember when I first started cultivating, my master told me that all cultivators in the world are competing for the best, but what they are really competing for is that last breath. Once that breath is gone, their cultivation is almost over. At that time, he said that his last breath had already been gone, and his cultivation had come to an end."

"But I didn't. He said I was the future of the sect, but now it seems that my spirit has dissipated. In the end, the sect still depends on you young people."

Ji Yuan remained silent.

He was simply curious about what Hua Yaoyue had said to Xuan Shui Zhenren that had given him such a reaction.

Master Xuanshui stopped talking after saying that, as if waiting for his answer.

Having no other choice, Ji Yuan could only say, "The world is on the verge of collapse. Sometimes someone has to stand up, and sometimes someone has to do something."

When Xuan Shui Zhenren heard this, he looked at him in astonishment, and finally stood up.

He took a jade thumb ring off his left thumb and presented it to Ji Yuan with both hands.

"Uncle-Master, what's wrong...?"

Upon seeing this, Ji Yuan also quickly stood up.

Master Xuanshui did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Ji Yuan with great seriousness and remained silent for a long time before saying in a deep voice, "The fifth-generation sect leader of the Water Dragon Sect, Feng Xiao, is here. Where is Ji Yuan, the sixth-generation disciple of the Water Dragon Sect?"

"Disciple is here."

The occasion was so formal that Ji Yuan had to bow to Master Xuan Shui.

"Operation!"

After Xuan Shui Zhenren finished speaking in a deep voice, he shoved the jade thumb ring in his hand into Ji Yuan's hand without saying another word.

"Um?"

Ji Yuan picked up the jade thumb ring and examined it.

The jade thumb ring was light blue in color and smooth in texture. It felt very comfortable to hold. The entire ring was carved with a soaring dragon. Although it was called a jade thumb ring, it was more like wearing a real dragon on your hand.

"This is the Xuan Seal of our Water Dragon Sect's leader. From now on, you, Ji Yuan, will be the sixth leader of our Water Dragon Sect."

Master Xuanshui stroked his beard and smiled as he spoke, appearing much more relaxed. His previously hunched posture straightened up a bit.

"This Sect Leader's Seal is not very useful to us Golden Core cultivators; it's just a symbol of status. Wearing this seal means that you are the Sect Leader of my Water Dragon Sect."

"However, it is still somewhat useful for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like my nephew, because it contains a protective array that can be activated to transform into a water dragon to protect oneself. As for its effect, it can protect a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Moreover, it can be slowly restored by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon afterward. It can be used roughly once every three years."

Ji Yuan, who had initially thought he had inherited a mess, suddenly became somewhat interested upon hearing this.

However, he still spread his hands out when he spoke.

"No... Uncle-Master, isn't this just a mess?"

"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything else. You just need to lend your name. If the situation on the Canglu Continent changes and you feel the time is right, then just stand up in the name of the Water Dragon Sect and say that our Water Dragon Sect has never left. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Master Xuanshui waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Moreover, the lineage of our Water Dragon Sect has all gone to the Desolate Ancient Continent. Even if you want to do something, you will be isolated and helpless. It would be best if you just stayed alive."

"Then this Sect Leader's Seal..."

Ji Yuan picked it up and looked at it.

"Oh, this."

As he spoke, Master Xuanshui took out another sect leader's seal from his storage bag and put it on his left thumb, saying, "But the fourth sect leader accidentally lost this seal, so he made several more at once, which is why there are still some left."

Ji Yuan: "...A senior is indeed a senior."

"But don't worry, my dear nephew, I will report to the Ancestor about your appointment as the sixth generation sect leader. I will have a separate plaque for you in the Ancestral Hall. At that time, even if I pass on the position again, it will be the seventh generation sect leader. I just ask my dear nephew not to pass it on any further."

"All right."

Ji Yuan took the Sect Leader's Seal and looked at it; it wasn't very useful.

Just consider it an extra magical artifact, a defensive artifact that can be used repeatedly.

"We will depart in three days. If you have any questions during these three days, please feel free to ask me."

After speaking, Master Xuanshui nodded slightly and transformed into a beam of light, leaving Worry-Free Island.

Ji Yuan channeled his spiritual energy into the Sect Leader's Seal in his hand, refined it slightly, and then placed it on his left thumb. With a mental command, the Seal immediately transformed into a water-blue five-clawed dragon, firmly protecting him.

This feeling reminded Ji Yuan of the "Water Dragon Technique," whose second layer, "Sea Dragon Armor," has the exact same effect.

As for talismans, the "Black Dragon Armor" has the same effect.

However, after activating it, what was summoned was a ferocious black dragon.

After learning of the effect, Ji Yuan stopped paying attention and instead used his divine sense to invade the jade slip in his hand.

As a list entered his mind, Ji Yuan learned all the personnel who had been evacuated from the Water Dragon Sect.

From the Nascent Soul patriarch of the Water Dragon Sect to... a Qi Refining Stage 3 youth, judging from the information on the list, he is the direct son of an elder of the Water Dragon Sect who refuses to reveal his name.

For this transfer, the Water Dragon Sect gave each Golden Core cultivator two slots. How they used them was their own business, so it was inevitable that some of them would allocate the slots to their own sons.

Ji Yuan finished reading it.

There's no need to mention the Golden Core cultivators like Xuan Shui Zhenren, Yun Yuan Zhenren, Lie Xiao Zhenren, and Duo Cai Zhenren; there are also Foundation Establishment cultivators like Rou Yi, Xiao Chengyi, and Feng Zhi Tao.

Ji Yuan knew most of the people on the list.

After all, although the Water Dragon Sect has many Foundation Establishment cultivators, it only has a handful of Golden Core disciples, especially the powerful ones.

However, a familiar name on the list made Ji Yuan fall silent for a moment.

Wen Ling'er.

Admittedly, if Ji Yuan hadn't seen the name here, he would have almost forgotten about it.

It's perfectly normal for her name to appear here.

Kong Xifeng's only disciple was both his first and last disciple.

Given her already noble status, coupled with her unique spiritual root talent... Ji Yuan estimated that she might have already reached the Core Formation stage.

But if that's the case, why aren't Wen Lin and his wife on the list?

Ji Yuan was curious, but had no intention of finding out more.

Even if we find out the truth, what good will it do?

At this point, there's no time to worry about anything else.

Yu Zhe also paid special attention to the list, and sure enough, Liu Yuan and Ji Yuan were not on it.

"Luckily, no one else can get their hands on this list either, otherwise, I'm afraid many more people would be asking about it."

Ji Yuan muttered to himself, then put the jade slip in his hand into his storage bag.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will never see most of the people on this list again, so keeping this list can serve as a memento.

The Water Dragon Sect moved three days later, and that very night, Ji Yuan received a message from Hua Yaoyue, inviting him to her place for a get-together.

Since the sect is about to disband, it's only natural that we should get together.

What Ji Yuan didn't expect was that the next three days were spent on Forget-Worry Island. There was no cultivation or preaching; the five members of the sect just gathered together, eating, drinking, chatting, and laughing.

Hua Yaoyue still didn't reveal her secret, nor did she tell any information about the Desolate Ancient Continent.

She simply recounted some of her past experiences cultivating at the Water Dragon Sect, and also told some embarrassing stories about the sect's elders.

It is said that Master Xuanshui once pursued Master Suxin and wanted to become her Daoist partner, but Master Suxin refused on the grounds that her heart was set on the Great Dao.

The real reason was that Master Suxin felt that Master Xuanshui's cultivation was too low, that he couldn't handle things, and therefore looked down on him.

The disciples burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Feng Zhitao and the others were telling each other embarrassing stories, while Ji Yuan listened silently with a smile.

But whenever his eyes met Hua Yaoyue's, their gazes were often complicated.

Ran Kui was simple-minded; for him, there was only one thing: killing demonic cultivators. He had been alone before, and he would be alone in the future. In addition, he hadn't told Hua Yaoyue about her departure.

So in his view, it was simply that his sect would be a little farther away from him in the future.

He was still laughing with Yun Qianzai and the others, saying that when he could no longer kill demonic cultivators, he would try to see if he could go to the Desolate Ancient Continent and return to his sect.

Feng Zhitao and Yun Qianzai were somewhat reluctant to part, because they were unaware that the Desolate Ancient Continent was a dead end, nor did they know that Hua Yaoyue was going to leave.

So they kept reminding Ji Yuan and Ran Kui to hurry up and come to the Desolate Ancient Continent.

It was said that the two of them would first establish a great reputation in the Ancient Wilderness Continent, and then when Ji Yuan and the other went to the Ancient Wilderness Continent, they could simply mention his name... These words were naturally spoken by Yun Qianzai.

Feng Zhitao said that demonic cultivators can never be completely killed; or that cultivation is not about where you are cultivating, so there is no need to push yourself too hard, and you should relax when it's time to relax.

The first part of the sentence was meant to comfort Ran Kui, the senior disciple.

The second half of the sentence was to comfort his junior brother, Ji Yuan.

Three days later, on that morning, as if they had been mentally prepared, everyone fell silent as the sky began to lighten.

In the dim, yet faintly glowing light, Feng Zhitao said, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother, have you packed your things?"

"alright."

"Um."

Ji Yuan and the other person responded.

Feng Zhitao then said, "Then walk with us a little further, how about... consider it... see us off."

When Feng Zhitao said this, her voice was visibly trembling.

Ran Kui chuckled and said, "You all have to go to Nanhai City before boarding the ship. I'll definitely see you off. I'll take you to Nanhai City, watch you board the ship, and then I'll come back."

Ji Yuan couldn't deliver it to Nanhai City, but it was close enough, so he nodded in agreement.

"I definitely have to send it."

In the darkness before dawn, Yun Qianzai spoke with a slight stutter, "I don't talk much and can't say anything sentimental. Senior Brother, Junior Brother, consider this my last little gift to you. Remember to open it after I board the ship and set sail."

After Yun Qianzai finished speaking, he stuffed the two storage bags into Ji Yuan and Ran Kui's hands.

"And mine too."

Feng Zhitao quickly followed.

Ji Yuan felt the two heavy storage bags in his hands, and he didn't know what to say, so he had no choice but to accept them.

"Junior brother, you don't need to see us off. You should stay on the Canglu Continent; you need these things more than we do."

Knowing Ji Yuan's temperament, Feng Zhitao quickly spoke up when she saw that he was acting strangely.

"Okay, I won't see you off."

Just as Ji Yuan's voice fell, a streak of light flashed across the top of Wangyou Island, and finally a figure appeared beside them.

Hua Yaoyue wore a white dress as always, but she took a rare look around, as if she was reminiscing or trying to imprint the Forget-Worry Island into her mind.

"If Master is reluctant to part with it, he can take this island with him."

Ji Yuan transmitted his voice.

He believed that Hua Yaoyue had the ability and means to do so.

"If something happens to me, they can use the aura of this island to find the Canglu Continent, and then none of you will be able to escape."

Hua Yaoyue replied telepathically.

But she said:

"All good things must come to an end. There's nothing to be sad about. Let's go."

Ji Yuan retorted for the first time:

"But this separation is for a better reunion next time, isn't it, Master?"

Hua Yaoyue remained silent for a long time, and finally said nothing.

-

(Spoiler alert: the chapter where Ji Yuan and Hua Yaoyue meet again is titled "Life is full of unexpected encounters.")

(End of this chapter)