novelraw Chapter 209 : 【Spiritual Energy Cannon】
Chapter 209 : 【Spiritual Energy Cannon】
Chapter 209:【Spiritual Energy Cannon】
Liu Yuan’s message was extremely simple—it only said that he had found a lead related to the assassination and asked if Ji Yuan was free to come over and listen.
As long as it didn’t involve leaving the Water Dragon Sect, Ji Yuan was always available.
Moreover, he was already on Everything Island, not too far from Liu Yuan’s island.
Half a day later.
Inside Liu Yuan’s cave dwelling, the two sat facing each other.
“Brother Liu, how’s your injury?”
“The injury’s fine now. Come, give me some wine. I haven’t had a good drink in a while—I’m practically dying of thirst.”
As Liu Yuan spoke, he removed the wine-red gourd hanging at his waist, placed it on the table, and lightly patted its side.
Ji Yuan rolled his eyes. “So, are you asking me here to discuss matters or just to drink my wine?”
Though he said so, he still took out a jar of spirit wine from his Storage Pouch, one that had been enhanced by the 【Wine Cellar】, and placed it on the table.
Liu Yuan took it, casually removed the sealing clay, and inhaled. The spirit wine within was drawn out by spiritual energy, forming a ribbon of liquid that flew straight into his mouth.
After gulping down a few mouthfuls, he grinned. “Both, both.”
“All right, let’s get to business first. How’s your investigation going?”
Ji Yuan was curious about this matter—if Liu Yuan truly found something, wouldn’t that mean they could root out the remnants of Shang Court hiding within the sect?
“Very difficult.”
Once serious topics came up, Liu Yuan stopped drinking. He spoke in a deep voice, “Over the years, I’ve made many friends. Most of them know I love drinking Black Grape Wine. That much is fine. But if the remnants of Shang Court weren’t familiar with me, then they must have bought information from one of my friends. In that case, the investigation becomes even harder.”
“And what’s the lead you mentioned?”
Ji Yuan had come because Liu Yuan’s message said he’d found a clue.
“Take a look at this.”
Liu Yuan handed him a slip of paper.
On it was written: The one who killed Liu Yuan was Xiao Chengyi.
“Xiao Chengyi?”
Ji Yuan immediately remembered who this person was—the Great Elder’s chief disciple, at the Foundation Establishment peak, who ran a shady shop on Everything Island. He had even swindled Ji Yuan once, almost ruining the Ice Flood Dragon.
“Who gave you this note?”
“It wasn’t given to me—it was given to Junior Sister Yun Miao… Some days ago, she went to the northern Dongyu Market. She said a Qi Refining early-stage cultivator delivered this note to her on someone’s behalf. When she tried to pursue him afterward, the messenger had already disappeared.”
Liu Yuan explained.
“This…”
Ji Yuan weighed the slip of paper in his hand. “Did you tell the Great Elder and Martial Uncle Sect Master about this?”
No matter the case, it wasn’t something they could handle alone—only the Golden Core Real Persons within the sect could deal with it.
“I did. After my master heard about it, he and Martial Uncle Sect Master went together to question the Third Elder about it.”
“And the result?”
Looking at Ji Yuan, Liu Yuan said slowly, “Xiao Chengyi went to Shang Mountain and hasn’t returned yet.”
“Hiss… Could it really be him?”
Ji Yuan’s eyes flickered—he couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this was strange.
“Not sure. Martial Uncle Sect Master said it’s unlikely. Even if Xiao Chengyi truly were a remnant of Shang Court, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to personally act. More likely, he would have hired someone to do it.”
“He believes this was someone deliberately sowing discord—trying to make our Water Dragon Sect turn on itself.”
Liu Yuan’s tone was calm, as though he were talking about someone else’s problem.
Ji Yuan nodded slightly… That explanation made sense. The Great Elder and Third Elder were already at odds—if a dispute arose over this disciple incident, peace within the Water Dragon Sect would be out of the question.
“So what did your master say?”
For matters like this, Liu Yuan thought it useless to worry—only his master’s judgment mattered.
“My master said, ‘What’s true can’t be faked, and what’s fake can’t be true.’ If it really was Xiao Chengyi, he’ll slip up sooner or later. For now, the Third Elder has already sent a message ordering him to return from Shang Mountain.”
“Then that’s all we can do for now.”
Ji Yuan naturally understood what that meant—let the matter drop.
After all, they couldn’t just rely on a single slip of paper to accuse someone of murder. If that were enough, someone could just write another slip and say Ji Yuan was the killer.
“In any case, we should avoid going out too much.”
Liu Yuan sighed deeply. He was someone who loved to drink and practice swordsmanship—asking him to stay confined within the Water Dragon Sect was pure torment.
“Come on, let’s drink.”
As Ji Yuan spoke, he pulled out another jar of wine from his Storage Pouch.
Liu Yuan, in turn, took out some snacks to go with the wine.
After half a day of drinking and chatting, Ji Yuan finally left Liu Yuan’s island.
Upon returning to Wuyou Island, Ji Yuan went back to forging. Before visiting the Miraculous Medicine Shop, he bought some ores from other stores for weapon refining.
As for his refining ability, at present, he could only create simple mid-grade magical artifacts.
Anything slightly more complex would fail—he’d hammer it to pieces before completion.
Whether it was pill refining or weapon forging, even with the bonus effects from his Building Upgrade Panel, there were no shortcuts. Pill refining required furnace after furnace of effort; weapon forging required hammer after hammer of strikes.
Cultivation was the same.
So after nearly half a month of forging, Ji Yuan turned back to Misty Island.
Forging was too tiring—cultivation was better.
Thus, Ji Yuan’s days settled into a peaceful rhythm. He either cultivated on Misty Island, relying on the 【Spirit Vein】, or returned to Wuyou Island to refine pills and artifacts.
When he had nothing else to do, he’d visit friends within the sect to eat, drink, and chat.
Or he’d visit Martial Aunt Wangyou on Wuyou Island to pay his respects.
Life was carefree and leisurely.
Of course, that ease came only because he stayed within the sect—others bore the burdens for him.
Outside, however, the world was anything but calm.
Though Ji Yuan remained in the sect, he often went to Everything Island or Mountain and Water Island to gather information, aided by Li Changhe, who was well-informed about everything.
Thus, while he couldn’t say he knew every detail, he was at least well aware of the overall situation.
To begin with, regarding Shang Mountain, the demonic side had already started small-scale assaults. Typically, a Golden Core Real Person led each group, along with about ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, commanding several hundred Qi Refining cultivators.
They didn’t seek to break Shang Mountain’s defenses—their aim was attrition.
They came prepared, attacked, and retreated immediately, never engaging in prolonged battles.
If the righteous cultivators atop Shang Mountain tried to pursue them, those Foundation Establishment cultivators would stay behind to cover the retreat.
Like maggots clinging to bones—impossible to get rid of.
As for the Eastern Shang region, one word summed it up—chaos!
Two words—utter chaos.
Three words—complete madness.
Even ignoring other areas, within the Water Dragon Sect’s territory alone, Ji Yuan could summarize it with four words:
Sparks everywhere.
Or rather, unending turmoil.
Everywhere, one area would erupt into disorder right after another settled down.
And those causing the chaos weren’t all Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators—most were Qi Refining demonic cultivators, and even some rogue cultivators. You kill and burn, I’ll kill and burn too.
In the end, all blame was conveniently pinned on the demonic path.
So why be afraid?
Some who already harbored ill intent felt as though they’d discovered a whole new world.
At night, they disguised themselves as demonic cultivators to commit atrocities; by day, they returned to their righteous façades—refined and virtuous in appearance.
Based on many cases, the Water Dragon Sect inferred that most of the so-called demonic rebellions in Eastern Shang weren’t truly demonic.
Rather, many were righteous cultivators of Eastern Shang taking advantage of the chaos.
From one example, the rest could be inferred.
If it was so within the Water Dragon Sect, then the same likely applied to the other five great sects as well.
Truth and lies intertwined—no one knew the full picture.
Ji Yuan had even discussed this matter once with Hua Yaoyue.
“Once the hearts of men fall into disorder, even if the Demonic Path from Western Shang doesn’t invade, the East Shang region will still plunge into chaos. It’s only a matter of time.”
That was a rather casual way to put it.
From a cultivator’s perspective, however, the evaluation would be this:
“When the world cultivates the Dao without cultivating the heart, countless Outer Demons are born. Now that these demons invade from within, they have become the inner devils of the hearts of all cultivators across the entire Cangluo Continent. As demonic energy rises, such turmoil was inevitable.”
In the end, Hua Yaoyue summed up the matter in a single line:
“This is a calamity—one that belongs to the billions upon billions of living beings of Cangluo Continent.”
Ji Yuan sat quietly beyond the mountain, observing the changes in silence.
……
A year later.
On Wuyou Island, Ji Yuan—who had just forged an upper-grade magical artifact—was lying at his doorway, resting. Looking at the still-warm Ghost-Headed Blade in his hand, he swung it a few times casually, blade aura surging out.
‘Not bad. Among upper-grade magical artifacts, this should count as a rather fine one. If I can forge a few more, I might be able to attempt crafting a supreme-grade artifact next.’
Ji Yuan put away the Ghost-Headed Blade, planning to sell it at the Miraculous Medicine Shop next time.
“Shake faster.”
Ji Yuan spoke without even lifting his head.
Behind him, a young woman at the peak of the Qi Refining Stage—well, a corpse—gently began to rock his lounge chair.
This corpse servant was the ninth one, revived only a month ago. Because her death was not disfigured and her movements were fairly natural, Ji Yuan had brought her to Wuyou Island to handle small chores.
Just like now—rocking a chair suited her perfectly.
The habit of lying on a soft chair was one Ji Yuan had picked up not long ago, learned from Hua Yaoyue. At first, he hadn’t thought much of it, but after a few days, he found himself unable to part with it.
As for weapon refining… after a rough calculation, in just over a year, he had progressed from a First-Tier lower-grade weapon refiner to a First-Tier upper-grade weapon refiner.
That speed already counted as extraordinary talent.
What made such speed possible were three main factors:
First and foremost, the 【Weapon Refining Room】, which was the greatest contributor. Without that building, Ji Yuan felt he would have been lucky to make even mid-grade magical artifacts by now.
Second was his own cultivation. His Foundation Establishment Physique allowed him to endure countless hammer strikes without fatigue, while his Foundation Establishment Magic Power granted him more refined control over spiritual energy.
Third was the manual left behind by the Island Lord of Iron Hammer Island—the 《True Explanation of Weapon Refining》.
Its detailed descriptions of artifact crafting had helped Ji Yuan immensely.
Take the Ghost-Headed Blade he had just made for example—Island Lord of Iron Hammer Island had left a small tip in the manual: tempering it with Second-Tier Ghost-Shadow Bug blood could enhance its quality.
‘Still not enough. To merge the four arts of Pill, Formation, Talisman, and Artifact, I must at least craft a single Spiritual Artifact.’
‘No need to rush, no need to rush. I’ll visit Du Wanyi first. She’s been back resting a few days—it’s about time to pay her a visit.’
With that thought, Ji Yuan rose from the lounge chair and began tidying up.
As for Dong Qian, she had returned from her mission three months ago.
She had been stationed in Maple Leaf City to the east of the Water Dragon Sect, a peaceful place where nothing major happened.
Du Wanyi, however, had not been as fortunate. Her mission was in Yulan City, to the west of the sect—a city as grand as Great Love City, lying right at the border of Medicine King Valley.
So it was chaotic.
Several demonic rebellions had erupted there.
Du Wanyi had even crossed swords with Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivators.
She had returned three days ago, and Ji Yuan hadn’t gone to visit immediately—one had to let her rest first.
Now, after three days, it seemed the right time.
Just as Ji Yuan dispelled his forging fatigue inside the 【Meditation Room】, he received a message talisman from Dong Qian.
“Junior Brother Ji, are you ready? Senior Brother Han’s already here.”
Right after Dong Qian’s transmission ended, another message arrived—from Han Feiyu.
“Junior Brother Ji, what’s taking you so long? I came from far away and I’m already here.”
“Coming, coming.”
Ji Yuan replied to both, then hurriedly rode his Sky-Slicer Boat away from Wuyou Island.
The last time Ji Yuan had seen Han Feiyu was over half a year ago.
Back then, Ji Yuan was gathering information on Mountain and Water Island, where he’d happened to encounter Han Feiyu meeting friends. The two had only exchanged brief greetings before parting.
Now, however, Han Feiyu carried an unmistakable air of a Sect Master’s personal disciple.
Clad in a black robe that was itself an upper-grade Spiritual Artifact, he stood upon an all-black flying boat, the prow shaped into a ferocious wolf’s head that exuded a faint sense of pressure.
Even his features looked more resolute than before, radiating a natural aura of authority.
Ji Yuan respected him, but didn’t enjoy socializing—one reason he seldom interacted with Han Feiyu.
Today, though, the three had agreed to visit Du Wanyi, so Ji Yuan had no choice but to join.
“Senior Brother Han.”
Guiding his Sky-Slicer Boat forward, Ji Yuan cupped his hands with a smile.
With only an inferior flying artifact and early Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, he looked like a junior in front of the mid-stage Han Feiyu.
Ji Yuan didn’t mind—being inconspicuous suited him just fine.
After all, the incident years ago outside Linshui City, where he had slain two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, had long faded from people’s conversations.
There was always new gossip—no one clung to his story forever.
“Junior Brother Ji.”
Han Feiyu looked Ji Yuan up and down, his gaze… somewhat complex, but only for a moment before he burst into a hearty laugh.
“Junior Sister Dong has arrived too. Let’s go see Junior Sister Du first.”
Han Feiyu led the way.
Ji Yuan and Dong Qian exchanged a brief glance and a nod—that was greeting enough.
A cup of tea’s time later.
The four, long separated, finally gathered again on Tai’an Island.
Seeing Du Wanyi for the first time in years, Ji Yuan couldn’t help feeling a touch of joy.
Naturally, the three of them brought gifts to celebrate her return to the sect. Ji Yuan gave her a set of Fivefold Protection Talisman Formation—not extravagant but still valuable. Dong Qian gifted several Second-Tier Foundation-Nourishing Pills.
Han Feiyu… presented her with a mid-grade Offensive Spiritual Artifact.
That could hardly be called anything but generous.
Du Wanyi dared not accept, yet Han Feiyu insisted until she did.
They exchanged pleasantries; the conversation inevitably turned to the topic of the Demonic Path uprisings, with Du Wanyi speaking most of the time—sharing the hardships she’d faced defending Yulan City.
She spoke of several sieges by demonic cultivators, where she had fought with a resolve to die—yet somehow, she survived each time.
Han Feiyu said that if she ever ran into trouble again, she could come to him for help, displaying the demeanor of an elder brother.
As they chatted, the topic naturally drifted to the death of Yao Jingfeng.
When Dong Qian calmly recounted the matter, Du Wanyi grew visibly unsettled.
Of the group, she had known Yao Jingfeng the longest. Back in Yunyu Marshlands, she had been closest to him.
“Temperament determines the immortal path. His nature was hypocritical; failing to form his foundation was inevitable.”
Han Feiyu showed little surprise at the news.
After hearing the details, Du Wanyi fell silent for a moment before sighing softly. “Back when we were fighting for the Spirit Vein of Liancheng Mountain, didn’t he go there once and later return?”
Ji Yuan thought about it—it was true. After that trip, Yao Jingfeng had turned as withdrawn as an old man.
“I remember. Why?”
Dong Qian recalled as well and asked.
Du Wanyi gave a bitter laugh. “Actually, things were fine for him at Liancheng Mountain. The reason he was expelled was because he stole a senior brother’s treasure.”
“There was such a thing?”
Ji Yuan was slightly surprised—Du Wanyi had never mentioned it before.
“There’ve been precedents. He deserved his end.”
Han Feiyu shook his head, clearly unwilling to dwell on it.
After some more idle chatter, Han Feiyu took his leave.
Just as they were parting, he seemed to remember something, turned, and asked, “Junior Brother Ji, will you be free in a few days?”
If I say I’m free, he might make me work.
If I say I’m busy, he might want to treat me to dinner… Without hesitation, Ji Yuan smiled lightly. “My Senior Sister Fire Phoenix has asked me to join her in slaying demons. I must depart early tomorrow.”
“Then forget it. Here, take this.”
Han Feiyu said, tossing a Messaging Talisman to Ji Yuan before summoning his flying boat and departing.
As Ji Yuan stood there puzzled, Han Feiyu’s voice echoed in his mind through Divine Sense Transmission, cheerful and light:
“A few days ago, my Senior Sister Yun mentioned you. I told her we happened to be from the same hometown… so I was thinking of inviting you both out together sometime.”
“But since you’re busy, that’s fine. This is Senior Sister Yun’s Messaging Talisman—you two can contact each other privately.”
Senior Sister Yun… Ji Yuan blinked, then realized who Han Feiyu meant.
It was none other than the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with whom he had once shared guard duty over the Spirit Vein of Liancheng Mountain—Island Lord Yun Miao.
She was the second disciple of Real Person Xuan Shui, thus Han Feiyu’s senior sister by direct lineage.
And from what Han Feiyu had just said, Ji Yuan could clearly tell… this was a matchmaking attempt.
Island Lord Yun Miao wants to become my Dao Companion?
No matter how he thought about it, something felt off.
Ji Yuan mused for a moment—the Messaging Talisman couldn’t be destroyed, for if he did, Island Lord Yun Miao would surely know. So he simply tucked it into his Storage Pouch, planning to read-but-not-reply later.
Afterward, Ji Yuan returned to Wuyou Island.
He didn’t rush to start forging again but instead opened his 《True Explanation of Weapon Refining》.
The thick tome was already more than halfway read; after finishing the section on mid-grade Spiritual Artifacts, the next part would cover upper-grade ones.
Flipping a few pages ahead, his eyes fell upon a peculiar upper-grade Spiritual Artifact.
Its name was—
【Spiritual Energy Cannon】.