novelraw Chapter 178 : Withering One After Another
Chapter 178 : Withering One After Another
Chapter 178: Withering One After Another
“Beishan City?!”
“Isn’t Old Master Xu currently in Beishan City? Not long ago, Island Lord of Iron Hammer even said that Old Master Xu was about to return, and they were going to have a meal together—could it be… could it be…”
Ji Yuan dared not think further.
He stepped in front of the Qi Refining disciple who had just spoken.
Seeing this, the latter quickly cupped his hands and saluted. “Greetings, Martial Uncle.”
“The flying boat that was plundered by the Demonic Cultivators—did you just mention it? Is there a passenger list of the cultivators on board?” Ji Yuan asked aloud.
“I-I haven’t heard about that yet.”
The Qi Refining disciple replied, “But I heard the sect is verifying it. Once the list is confirmed, it will be announced on Water Dragon Island.”
Before the disciple could finish, Ji Yuan had already activated his flying boat, lifting off from Thousand Mechanisms Island and heading straight to Water Dragon Island.
To Ji Yuan, tasks related to the Bloodthirsty Venom Bees were nowhere near as important as this matter.
Xu Fugui could be considered a major benefactor in his cultivation journey—whether it was his guidance on techniques in Zengtou Market or helping to introduce him to the Island Lord of Iron Hammer upon arriving at Water Dragon Sect.
One could say that without Xu Fugui, Ji Yuan wouldn’t have come to know the Island Lord of Iron Hammer.
Without the Island Lord of Iron Hammer, Ji Yuan’s physique would likely still be stuck at the peak of Body Refining without breakthrough.
At this moment, there was only one thought in Ji Yuan’s mind: may Xu Fugui’s name not be on that list!
After some time, when Ji Yuan finally arrived at Water Dragon Island at full speed, he saw the list had already been posted. Many Qi Refining cultivators were gathered there, while some Foundation Establishment cultivators merely swept past on flying boats, took a glance with Divine Sense, and left.
Ji Yuan did the same—one sweep with Divine Sense, and he had already read the names on the list.
Disciples from Hatchling Dragon Island: Huang Da, Xu Fugui...
Standing atop the flying boat, Ji Yuan stopped immediately.
Old Master Xu—he really was on that flying boat...
It made sense. Beishan City was just a city, with only a few stationed disciples from Water Dragon Sect. Flying boats were infrequent—one round trip every ten days or half a month was normal.
And the city was extremely far from Water Dragon Sect, so large flying boats were usually piloted by Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Who would’ve thought that the Demonic Cultivators would dare to plunder even large flying boats flying the Water Dragon Sect’s flag?
For a moment, Ji Yuan didn’t know what to say.
As for Old Master Xu’s habit of always going out, he and the Island Lord of Iron Hammer had both tried to advise him. On the contrary, they’d mention it every time they drank and ate meat together.
They’d tell him, “You’re already old. Unless it’s necessary, don’t go out so much. Just stay in the sect, find an easy job, and enjoy retirement.”
He always said “yes, yes, yes,” but once he returned to Hatchling Dragon Island, he’d follow Hundred Treasure Pavilion out again.
According to his drunken words, he just couldn’t sit still. And retirement, to him, was staying inside Hundred Treasure Pavilion without needing to fight—just that was already retirement.
If he were really forced to stay inside Water Dragon Sect, unable to even leave the sect grounds, he’d rather be dead.
“But how could you actually die!”
Bitterness overwhelmed Ji Yuan’s heart.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t given Old Master Xu good things—Second-Tier Talismans, for instance. He’d given quite a few, and the Island Lord of Iron Hammer would too.
But in the face of an ambush that even Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t survive, what could a Qi Refining cultivator do, no matter how many tricks he had?
It would still end in death.
With such a disparity in cultivation levels, there was simply no way to change fate.
Ji Yuan sighed deeply. He didn’t immediately go looking for the Island Lord of Iron Hammer. Now that he was already at Water Dragon Island, he naturally had to ask Sect Master Real Person Xuan Shui about what exactly had happened.
How had the Demonic Cultivators become so rampant?
Ji Yuan first sent a message to Real Person Xuan Shui.
But the result was like a stone sinking into the ocean—there was no response.
Ji Yuan didn’t think Real Person Xuan Shui was ignoring him. If he were in the sect and had received the message, no matter how busy he was, he’d at least say something.
That being the case, he was most likely not in the sect.
Ji Yuan made his way to the main hall of Water Dragon Island and asked the on-duty senior brother there.
The answer he got was: “Sect Master Martial Uncle and Martial Uncle Qingyu have gone to Beishan City to investigate the matter of the Demonic Cultivators’ disturbance.”
As expected.
Moreover, Water Dragon Sect had dispatched two Golden Core Real Persons at once. This showed that the matter was indeed no trivial affair.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Since Real Person Xuan Shui wasn’t present, Ji Yuan cupped his hands in thanks and left Water Dragon Island.
He hovered in midair, flying boat drifting, a golden Messaging Talisman in hand—just retrieved from his storage pouch. It belonged to the Island Lord of Iron Hammer.
Ji Yuan wasn’t sure whether he knew about this matter.
Perhaps he did.
Or perhaps not yet.
Should he tell him?
After some thought, Ji Yuan decided to first send a message: “Senior, are you in the sect?”
Shortly after the message was sent, the Messaging Talisman flashed. Ji Yuan injected spiritual energy, and the voice of that elder rang in his mind.
“I already know. Come here.”
His voice held no joy or sorrow. Through the talisman, Ji Yuan couldn’t discern what he was truly feeling.
“Alright, I’ll be right there.”
Several hours later.
Ji Yuan arrived at Iron Hammer Island and saw the Island Lord of Iron Hammer seated inside, drinking tea.
Just like in the transmission, his expression now showed no hint of joy, anger, sorrow, or delight.
“You just found out about him, didn’t you?”
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer poured Ji Yuan a cup of tea and asked.
“Yes.”
Ji Yuan sat across from him.
“Last night, the sect already messaged me, saying my disciple... died.”
When speaking of Xu Fugui’s death, the Island Lord of Iron Hammer couldn’t help but be moved.
“I had already expected this. With all the chaos in the world today, he was still only at the Qi Refining stage, and he always liked to go out. It was only a matter of time. In fact… I had planned to break his legs once he came back this time, to stop him from always running off. But… but…”
But man proposes, and heaven disposes.
No one had expected such a thing to happen.
Ji Yuan sighed heavily, at a loss for words.
Condolences?
That would just be meaningless chatter.
“I just came from Water Dragon Island. Sect Master Martial Uncle and Martial Uncle Qingyu have already left for Beishan City,” Ji Yuan said.
“Good. With Sect Master Martial Uncle and the others there, that’s enough.”
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer also breathed a sigh of relief. Then he looked at Ji Yuan, as if forcing out a smile, and said, “You were worried I’d go seek revenge for that old man, weren’t you?”
Ji Yuan hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I was worried about that on my way here.”
“Don’t worry. I may be old, but I’m not suicidal.”
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer shook his head and said, “The Foundation Establishment cultivator who died on that flying boat was Senior Brother Fei Ye. He was a late Foundation Establishment cultivator especially skilled in combat. Even he died, so I suspect a peak Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator was involved. If I went, I’d just be courting death. I won’t go.”
“Good that you won’t.”
Ji Yuan crossed his hands over his abdomen and turned to look outside the door. “Sect Master Martial Uncle and the others have gone. They’ll surely uncover some clues. As for this matter… Senior, don’t worry. I will avenge Old Master Xu.”
“You?”
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer gave him a look. “Well, I did hear about you killing two fellow-stage Demonic Cultivators a year ago. Then you better stay alive—live on, and avenge that old fellow.”
“If you die before those Demonic Cultivators, don’t talk about revenge. I might have to avenge you instead… oh, never mind, I forgot—your master is Martial Aunt Wangyou.”
Ji Yuan remained silent.
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer stood up and sighed.
“Alright, go back and cultivate. Improve your strength as soon as you can.”
“I need to cultivate too. I have to complete Foundation Establishment for my physique as soon as possible. Once I succeed, I’ll try to break through to late Foundation Establishment. Damn it, once I form my Golden Core, just see how I slaughter every last one of those Demonic Cultivators to avenge that old fellow!”
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer waved his arm broadly, his voice rumbling like thunder.
Ji Yuan could feel the fury of this elder from his words.
“Very well, I’ll take my leave then. If Senior ever lacks pills, feel free to send me a message anytime.”
He cupped his hands slightly and took his leave.
The Island Lord of Iron Hammer looked at Ji Yuan’s departing back and called out loudly, “Ji brat, thank you!”
This was the first time the Island Lord of Iron Hammer had ever thanked Ji Yuan. Even when Ji Yuan previously gave him pills, he only said he would repay him, but this time, he actually expressed gratitude.
Ji Yuan waved his hand behind him and steered his flying boat away.
Just as the Island Lord of Iron Hammer had said—strength was essential.
A suspected peak Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator had acted, while Ji Yuan himself hadn’t even reached mid Foundation Establishment… Even if he rushed to the north, what could he do? It would be utterly meaningless.
After leaving Iron Hammer Island, Ji Yuan returned to Thousand Mechanisms Island.
He hadn’t forgotten—he came back to the sect this time because someone had completed a task he had issued.
They had brought back the corpse of a Bloodthirsty Venom Bee.
Ji Yuan had already paid the spirit stones required for the task in advance. This time, he was merely picking up the corpse of the venom bee from Thousand Mechanisms Hall, acting as the “intermediary.”
The corpse of the Bloodthirsty Venom Bee was stored in a storage pouch. It was massive in size, and its venomous stinger emitted a vivid green glow.
Its body was covered in black and yellow stripes.
The fatal wound was a sword slash across the neck, nearly severing the corpse in two.
From the look of it, it must have been slain by a senior brother or sister especially skilled in swordsmanship.
To be cautious, when Ji Yuan posted the task, he even purchased the demon core of the Bloodthirsty Venom Bee along with it.
Now that this matter was resolved, he left Thousand Mechanisms Island with the corpse of the beast.
But just as he was heading south, returning to Misty Island, he received a message from Dong Qian.
She said she had already purchased the formation and asked when Ji Yuan would be free to summon the formation master to help set it up.
After receiving the message, Ji Yuan thought for a moment. Since he didn’t feel like settling down to cultivate anyway, he might as well help Dong Qian set up the island protection formation first.
With that thought, he slightly turned the bow of his flying boat, changing his destination from Misty Island to Wuyou Island.
Half a day later, Ji Yuan descended from the sky and landed just outside Dong Qian’s “Fox Moon Island.”
“Junior Brother, how come you came over already?”
Dong Qian was still quite happy to see Ji Yuan.
But this time, Ji Yuan didn’t have his usual smile. He tried to smile, but his mind was filled with memories of when Xu Fugui had guided him… how fate toyed with people.
“Didn’t Senior Sister say the formation needed to be set up?”
Ji Yuan asked directly.
Dong Qian noticed he was not in the right mood and stopped smiling. “Yes, but the formation master…”
“I can set it up.”
With a single plain sentence, Ji Yuan left Dong Qian stunned.
Indeed, the incident of Ji Yuan using formation to kill two Demonic Cultivators had only been circulated among Foundation Establishment disciples within the sect.
Qi Refining disciples had no way of knowing such secrets.
So up to now, Dong Qian didn’t even know Ji Yuan knew formations. All she knew was that Ji Yuan was an alchemist.
After all, when they went to Medicine King Valley to collect Illusion‑Heart Flower, it had been for alchemy.
Now Ji Yuan was claiming to be a formation master, capable of setting up a second-tier formation.
How could Dong Qian not be shocked?
With such talent, it was no wonder he had such strength… Dong Qian naturally assumed this was Ji Yuan’s hidden trump card, so she did not press the matter.
“Here’s the formation. I’ll leave it to you, Junior Brother.”
As she spoke, Dong Qian took out a formation disk and four formation flags from her storage pouch.
Ji Yuan glanced at it and immediately recognized it as a commonly used formation in the sect, called the Four-Direction Water-Shifting Formation.
It was a combined offensive and defensive formation.
Once activated, it could utilize water techniques for both attacking enemies and protecting oneself.
Back on Heaven Pivot Island, Yun Qianzai had once used this formation to explain the differences between first-tier and second-tier formations to Ji Yuan.
So Ji Yuan was fairly familiar with the Four-Direction Water-Shifting Formation, though this would be his first time personally setting one up.
“Thank you, Junior Brother.”
Dong Qian offered her thanks as Ji Yuan accepted the formation disk.
Then Ji Yuan first steered his flying boat around the entire island, searching for ideal positions to place the formation flags.
In addition, he had to understand the island’s Five Elements orientation. Only then could the formation gain a slight enhancement effect when set up.
The Four-Direction Water-Shifting Formation was a water-type formation.
If its formation core was placed at a fire position, the formation wouldn’t function at full capacity.
But if placed at a water position, its effect could be enhanced.
Such was the art of formation setup.
And similarly… it was also the art of formation breaking.
When trying to locate someone else’s formation core and lacking clues, one could start by examining the Five Elements orientation.
Half a day later, Ji Yuan had thoroughly mapped out the Five Elements orientation of Fox Moon Island.
Setting up the formation was naturally effortless.
Fox Moon’s curved crescent.
The four formation flags were placed two on each side.
The final formation core was positioned at the exact center of the island.
This way, no matter where the enemy came from, Dong Qian, stationed at the center, could face them with ease.
Once the formation was in place, Dong Qian let out a long sigh of relief.
To her, being on the island without a formation felt like being naked.
Just days ago, when several Foundation Establishment cultivators living nearby came to visit, she had felt completely uneasy.
Now that the formation was up, she felt a sense of security.
At the center of Fox Moon Island’s crescent hook, Dong Qian had built her residence halfway up the cliff.
There was a platform that jutted out over the edge, perfect for building a house.
This was Ji Yuan’s first visit here.
Holding the tea Dong Qian had handed him, he walked to the small courtyard, looking out. At first, his view was blocked by the neighboring islands, but the farther out he looked, the better the view became.
After gazing for a while, he felt slightly better.
Dong Qian, also holding her tea, stood beside him but half a step behind.
She quietly glanced at his profile and softly asked, “Junior Brother, is something troubling you?”
“If there is, you can talk to Senior Sister.”
Ji Yuan came back to himself and finished the tea in one gulp.
“It’s nothing.”
It wasn’t nothing—just nothing worth saying.
The death of a close friend—almost everyone in the cultivation world had experienced it.
Ji Yuan wasn’t at a point where he needed comfort.
“Alright.”
Since Ji Yuan didn’t speak further, Dong Qian didn’t press.
The two stood there on the mountainside, watching the sun set over the lake.
Wuyou Island was west of Fox Moon Island.
Fox Moon Island’s crescent faced west as well.
“Demonic Cultivators are rampant outside now. Senior Sister, do be cautious if you go out.”
Ji Yuan reminded her aloud.
He didn’t have many friends.
The more who could stay alive, the better.
“Alright. Don’t worry, Junior Brother. I will be careful.”
As for Dong Qian’s personality, Ji Yuan was indeed reassured.
“Good. Then I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, Senior Sister, just send me a message anytime.”
“Alright, same to you, Junior Brother. Now that I’ve reached Foundation Establishment, I’ll be able to help you.”
After a few more words, Ji Yuan returned to... Forgotten Worry Island.
This was exactly why he didn’t like being neighbors with acquaintances.
It had been like this back on Hatchling Dragon Island, and now it was the same on Forgotten Worry Island.
He figured that once Du Wanyi achieved Foundation Establishment, she’d probably set up her island nearby too...
Oh well, one Senior Sister was easy to deal with. Two Senior Sisters? Even easier.
Just as Ji Yuan entered from the eastern side of Wuyou Island, he exited from the western side.
He concealed his breath and slipped underwater, disappearing without a trace.
Upon returning to Misty Island, Ji Yuan calmed his mind and waited for Hua Yaoyue’s summons.
Of course, Ji Yuan didn’t forget to meditate in the Enlightenment Room.
If he could comprehend the Sword Manual on his own without Hua Yaoyue’s help and break through to mid Foundation Establishment, that would be even better.
However, after waiting for half a month, there was still no word from Hua Yaoyue.
Ji Yuan asked Feng Zhi Tao, but even Third Senior Sister said their master had gone out and hadn’t returned yet.
Ji Yuan didn’t know where she had gone and had no choice but to wait silently.
But as he waited, he didn’t receive any message from Hua Yaoyue. Instead, he received one from Dong Qian.
She said that over the past few days, a male Qi Refining cultivator had been loitering outside Ji Yuan’s Wuyou Island, as if he had something to discuss.
When Dong Qian went to ask, the man only said he had accepted a task from Thousand Mechanisms Hall.
Any further questioning, and he said nothing more.
“A task from Thousand Mechanisms Hall? I haven’t posted anything there recently.”
Ji Yuan’s only recent posting had been the task involving the Bloodthirsty Venom Bee.
He asked Dong Qian to help inquire further, to see if the man had the wrong location.
But the Qi Refining cultivator instead asked Dong Qian whether this was Wuyou Island. If it was, then he was in the right place.
Once Ji Yuan heard that the man had indeed come looking for him, he steered his boat back from Misty Island.
He figured that with Dong Qian’s personality, she probably knew he had several backup residences, so she didn’t try to cover for him.
He descended from the sky and arrived in front of Wuyou Island.
Sure enough, there stood a male cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining.
“Greetings, Martial Uncle. May I ask if you are Martial Uncle Wuyou?”
“I am.”
Ji Yuan raised his hand, opening the island’s formation, clearly identifying himself.
The man gave a slight bow. “This disciple received a task at Thousand Mechanisms Hall. Someone entrusted me to deliver this storage pouch to Martial Uncle.”
“Storage pouch?”
“Who was it?”
Ji Yuan looked at the pouch the man handed over and asked instinctively.
“This disciple does not know.”
Seeing Ji Yuan take the pouch, the man rose and took his leave.
Ji Yuan, holding the storage pouch, returned to Wuyou Island, still puzzled.
Sensing something odd, Ji Yuan tossed the pouch far away before opening it with Divine Sense.
Inside… there were no tools of slaughter.
Only a familiar large iron furnace, a familiar iron hammer, and a thick book.
And a Messaging Talisman.
Seeing it, even Ji Yuan’s Divine Sense trembled slightly.
He focused his mind and took out the Messaging Talisman, holding it in his hand. For a moment, he didn’t even dare to listen to what was recorded inside.
After remaining silent for a long time, he finally felt calm enough and infused a sliver of spiritual energy.
A familiar voice rang out.
“Ji brat, sorry, I tricked you. I’m going to fetch that old fellow Xu Fugui.”
“He’s old, timid too. I’m afraid he won’t be able to sleep if left out there.”
“It’s just a pity, really. As his master, I had no strength. I still couldn’t bring him back. What, you ask how I knew in advance that I wouldn’t bring him back?”
“Because if I had brought him back, you wouldn’t have received this storage pouch. After all, this is my livelihood. How could I give it to you casually?”
“The fact that you’ve received my storage pouch means that my Soul Lamp… has gone out.”