novelraw Chapter 212 : 【Spirit Energy Cannon: lv2】
Chapter 212 : 【Spirit Energy Cannon: lv2】
Chapter 212:【Spirit Energy Cannon: lv2】
“Hmm?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the few members of the Yun Family present all raised their heads in unison, seemingly a bit surprised as they looked at Yun Qianzai.
Especially the younger aunt sitting across from Ji Yuan, who even wore an expression as if she suspected she had misheard.
Admitting in front of outsiders that their family owned a Spirit Energy Cannon was one thing—after all, these two outsiders… could be considered their own people.
But what was this about giving it away?
The Spirit Energy Cannon was not some common item found on every street.
“What, as the esteemed ancestor of the Yun Family, can I not even manage this much?”
Yun Qianzai still stood with his hands behind his back, speaking casually, as if… he hadn’t considered them at all.
The few Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Yun Family, seeing this, knew that Yun Qianzai wasn’t joking—he was serious. So they quickly turned their gazes to Yun Wannian.
The only one present who might be able to dissuade Yun Qianzai was his father.
But only might… they knew Yun Qianzai’s temperament well—if pressured too much, he could end up arguing even with his own father.
I may call you Father, but you must call me Ancestor!
Ji Yuan glanced left and right, realizing he needed to step up and speak—otherwise it would put the others in a tough spot.
“Cough cough.”
He had just stood up, not even having the chance to speak, when he realized Yun Qianzai was already standing in front of him, back turned.
“With me here, sit down.”
…This move, if used on a female cultivator, likely few could resist.
Unfortunately, Ji Yuan was not a female cultivator. He stepped sideways and forward, entering the center, and cupped his hands slightly toward Yun Wannian seated at the head:
“Uncle Yun, I appreciate Second Senior Brother’s kind intentions. This Spirit Energy Cannon is indeed something I need. I am willing to pay spirit stones for it.”
The main party had spoken.
Yun Wannian secretly breathed a sigh of relief… thankfully, this one knew how to behave. Otherwise, if Yun Qianzai refused to budge, as head of the family, he really would have to give away a Spirit Energy Cannon.
First, he couldn’t embarrass Yun Qianzai in front of his fellow sect members.
Second, it was a good opportunity to build rapport with a potential Core Formation cultivator. In Yun Wannian’s eyes, anyone accepted as a disciple by Real Person Wangyou must at least have peak Foundation Establishment potential.
But even so, it would still be quite a loss for the Yun Family.
Now that Ji Yuan had stepped forward, all was well. They wouldn’t offend Yun Qianzai, and they could reduce their own losses.
Yun Wannian raised his hand and closed the hall doors.
Yun Qianzai frowned:
“As the Island Lord of Heaven Pivot, I conduct myself openly. What need is there… to speak behind closed doors?”
Yun Wannian didn’t respond this time and instead smiled at Ji Yuan: “This Spirit Energy Cannon… our Yun Family does indeed have one…”
“Isn’t there three in the treasury? Where are the other two? Did you sell them?” Yun Qianzai interrupted.
At this point, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think… Second Senior Brother really was a good person.
Yun Wannian’s expression darkened. “There are three, but as you likely know, your sect prohibits private transactions of Spirit Energy Cannons. So they’re technically contraband. We must be cautious. I hope you understand.”
“I understand, I understand.” Ji Yuan nodded quickly.
Yun Wannian gave a slight nod, then turned to the bearded man, “Third Brother, go fetch a Spirit Energy Cannon from the treasury and give it to our dear nephew.”
“Yes.”
Third Uncle Yun rose, cupped his hands, and then formed a hand seal, transforming into mist and vanishing from the hall.
This reminded Ji Yuan of his 《Black Mist Dispersing Body》 technique—it did seem similar to the Yun Family’s escape arts.
Speaking of which, Ji Yuan thought again of his sect, Great Love Sect. He wondered if Sect Leader Mourning Taoist was still alive—would he live long enough for Ji Yuan to get revenge?
These past two years, Ji Yuan had inquired into Ghost-Seeking Pit, but most of what he heard was about demonic cultivators fleeing into it.
Nothing about Mourning Taoist.
Yun Qianzai, having heard Yun Wannian agree to give it, now sat down again, satisfied.
Not long after, Third Uncle Yun returned.
He nodded at Yun Wannian first, then turned to Ji Yuan with a grin: “Nephew, you may want to step back a little. Otherwise, it won’t fit.”
“Oh?”
Ji Yuan had never seen a Spirit Energy Cannon before, so upon hearing this, he quickly returned to his seat.
Third Uncle Yun pointed to the center of the hall with his right hand. A massive object appeared before them.
The Spirit Energy Cannon.
Its appearance was not at all like the cannons Ji Yuan imagined. It had no barrel or chamber—clearly a product of cultivation world’s weapon refinement and formation arts, quite different from technological weapons.
The base of the Spirit Energy Cannon was a golden gilded platform, covering at least ten square meters.
Above the base floated rings of silvery halos, textured like mica iron, inscribed with arrays and glowing with a white light.
“This must be the main body of the Spirit Energy Cannon.”
Ji Yuan looked up at the nearly 20-meter-high glowing rings and estimated silently.
“It is currently in its activated state.”
Yun Wannian had somehow come to Ji Yuan’s side, also looking up. He formed a few hand seals and struck the base.
The glowing rings instantly retracted, and the silver rings slowly settled onto the base, becoming still once more.
Without the bright halos, Ji Yuan noticed traces of age and wear on the silver rings.
The array patterns were no longer very visible.
It looked worn… definitely second-hand.
“A normal Spirit Energy Cannon is like this.”
“I see. Uncle, how many spirit stones does it take to activate the Spirit Energy Cannon?” Ji Yuan asked.
Yun Wannian stroked his beard and smiled: “The Spirit Energy Cannon has three levels of attack. The first level is equivalent to a full-strength strike from a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. It takes about 80 middle-grade spirit stones per use.”
“Second level equals a peak Foundation Establishment strike—300 spirit stones per use.”
“Third level equals a full-strength attack from an early Core Formation Real Person. Activating third level… takes at least 900 middle-grade spirit stones.”
“And the third level causes severe damage to the cannon. This one here could likely only be used twice at third level before becoming completely useless.”
Yun Wannian explained in detail, matching Ji Yuan’s own estimations.
Take second level for example—a peak Foundation Establishment full-strength strike was similar to a Heavenly Thunder Seed.
But one Heavenly Thunder Seed cost around 500 middle-grade spirit stones, while this Spirit Energy Cannon cost 300 per activation… cheaper, but immobile and less convenient.
So a cheaper activation price made sense.
“In short, when you see the patterns on the cannon beginning to fade, stop using it,” Yun Wannian warned.
“Okay, thank—”
Before Ji Yuan could finish, a white blur flashed, and suddenly someone stood before him, back turned.
“This is no trouble. I’ll handle it.”
Yun Wannian widened his eyes, staring at his son, “You know how to repair Spirit Energy Cannons??”
“Heh.”
Yun Qianzai waved his sleeve with a cold snort: “This is no trouble!”
Third Uncle Yun stood as well, glaring: “Last time we messaged you, you said you didn’t know. You rascal, you don’t even help with family matters.”
Yun Qianzai glanced at him, tilted his head slightly, and said flatly: “Please refer to me as Ancestor.”
Listening to their family squabble, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but twitch his mouth… having someone like Yun Qianzai in the family must be love-hate—powerful, but with a seriously quirky personality.
“Uncle Yun, how many spirit stones for the Spirit Energy Cannon? I’ll buy it.”
Afraid things would escalate, Ji Yuan quickly tried to mediate.
“No need for spirit stones. Since you need it, it’s yours,” Yun Wannian said cheerfully.
“Yes, it’s just gathering dust in the treasury. Take it,” Third Uncle added.
“That won’t do. This is too valuable. Here, Uncle, please accept this… I hope it’s not too little.”
Ji Yuan handed over a Storage Pouch to Yun Wannian.
Inside were some spirit stones, a mid-grade spiritual artifact, several second-tier pills and talismans, and even a first-tier Foundation Establishment Pill—altogether worth about 1500 middle-grade spirit stones.
A brand-new Spirit Energy Cannon went for about 3000.
For a second-hand item, 1500 was high, but Ji Yuan offered it to avoid accumulating too many favors.
Too many favors hindered cultivation.
The overpayment was deliberate.
To appear as if he had emptied his fortune to buy this cannon—otherwise, casually pulling out 1500 spirit stones would be suspicious.
“No need for spirit stones. Little Junior Brother, take it back,”
Yun Qianzai took the pouch from Yun Wannian and tossed it back to Ji Yuan.
“Yes, exactly. Nephew, just take it,” Yun Wannian quickly added.
But Ji Yuan still extended the pouch, then flipped his hand to store the Spirit Energy Cannon. “Second Senior Brother, no need to persuade me. If you don’t accept the spirit stones, I won’t accept the cannon.”
“You…”
Yun Qianzai frowned slightly, but knowing Ji Yuan’s personality, he didn’t insist.
The Yun Family hadn’t given it away for free, and Ji Yuan got what he needed—this meeting ended quite happily.
As Ji Yuan sat back down, he sent his Divine Sense into the Storage Pouch.
On the Spirit Energy Cannon… no familiar line of text appeared.
No white text.
Could it be that the Spirit Energy Cannon wasn’t considered a building?
Was it not upgradeable?
That didn’t make sense. This thing should count—defensive structures were still buildings.
It wasn’t his before, so not being upgradeable was normal. But now that it was his… Ji Yuan thought hard, then suddenly had a flash of insight.
He looked at everyone now seated, and with a thought, brought the Spirit Energy Cannon back out and placed it in the center.
“Hmm?”
Yun Wannian immediately looked over, frowning in puzzlement.
The others looked about the same.
Ji Yuan let out a dry laugh. “I was delighted… couldn’t help but want another look.”
“Hahaha, good, dear nephew, look all you want.” Yun Wannian stroked his beard and laughed.
“No more looking, no more looking.”
Ji Yuan beckoned with his hand and stored away the【Spirit Energy Cannon】back into his Storage Pouch.
Objective achieved.
Because just a moment ago, he had confirmed his guess—and gotten the answer he wanted.
The Spirit Energy Cannon had turned into【Spirit Energy Cannon】.
‘Seems like this kind of building has no effect and cannot be upgraded while inside a Storage Pouch, just like my【Cave Dwelling】—you have to take it out for it to be functional.’
Ji Yuan had just realized this and then understood.
After he took the Spirit Energy Cannon out of the pouch—sure enough, it worked.
From then on, Ji Yuan no longer cared what Yun Wannian and Feng Zhi Tao were chatting about, because he had already summoned the panel—and with just one glance, he noticed something off again.
Ordinary buildings started from level 0 when upgraded, but this【Spirit Energy Cannon】was different.
It started at level 1.
【Spirit Energy Cannon: lv1】
【Spirit Effect: Charges energy with momentum, the cannon steadies rivers and mountains. Can annihilate early Core Formation cultivators.】
【Upgrade Requirements: Middle-Grade Spirit Stones × 200; Second-Tier Weapon Refiner; Second-Tier Formation Master; Crystal Energy Stone × 5; Silvermoon Meteorite Rock × 10 jin.】
A simple and brutal spirit effect.
It matched what Yun Wannian had described.
So what about level 2 Spirit Energy Cannon?
Ji Yuan looked further down.
【Spirit Energy Cannon: lv2 (Not Upgradeable)】
【Spirit Effect: Charges energy with momentum, the cannon steadies rivers and mountains. Can annihilate peak Core Formation cultivators.】
【Upgrade Requirements: Middle-Grade Spirit Stones × 2000; Second-Tier Weapon Refiner; Second-Tier Formation Master; Spirit Energy Stone × 5; Silvermoon Meteorite Rock × 50 jin; Third-Tier Demon Core × 1. (Not Fulfilled)】
A level 2【Spirit Energy Cannon】could kill peak Core Formation cultivators?!
Damn, that’s insanely powerful!
The excitement in his heart flashed and faded. Ji Yuan quickly calmed down. A level 1【Spirit Energy Cannon】could theoretically kill early Core Formation cultivators—but that was only in theory. Unless one just stood there motionless, waiting to be executed.
Level 2【Spirit Energy Cannon】was about the same. Although marked for killing peak Core Formation cultivators, in reality, killing a late-stage Core Formation or mid-stage would be impressive enough… even so, that’s damn strong!
Right now Ji Yuan had plenty of defensive means—even ordinary Core Formation cultivators couldn’t kill him.
But his offensive methods were lacking.
At least, he had nothing that could threaten a Core Formation cultivator.
Now, the appearance of this【Spirit Energy Cannon】filled that gap… If level 2 was said to be capable of killing a peak Core Formation cultivator, then it probably had some kind of special ability, right?
Like maybe it could lock on to a target—no matter how they fled, as long as they were in range, they’d have to take the hit?
Of course, this was just Ji Yuan’s guess. Either way, he’d only know after upgrading.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Yun Wannian turn and look at him.
He quickly returned a smile.
Feng Zhi Tao saw this and had to send him a voice transmission, saying: “Uncle Yun asked you to take the Spirit Energy Cannon out and give it to Second Senior Brother so he can repair the array patterns—it’ll help you get a few more uses out of it.”
“Thank you, Second Senior Brother.”
Ji Yuan cupped his hands and once again took out his newly obtained【Spirit Energy Cannon】.
“A trivial matter.”
Yun Qianzai accepted the Spirit Energy Cannon, then stepped onto a formation and departed—clearly off to work.
After that, Yun Wannian led Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao around Yun Family Fort, giving them a brief history of the family. When evening came, things got even livelier.
The main Yun family brought dozens of people, as if it were a grand celebration, singing and dancing to show their welcome.
It was a bit overwhelming for Ji Yuan.
The next day, he planned with Feng Zhi Tao to enter the city. Initially, he’d wanted to return to the sect right away without lingering—but now that Yun Qianzai had taken on a task, he could only wait for him to finish.
As soon as Yun Wannian heard they were going into the city, he assigned Yun Qianzai’s younger aunt to accompany them.
Once in the city, no matter what Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao looked at, she would rush to pay for it.
Or simply say, “Put it on the Yun Family’s tab.”
With that, Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao didn’t feel comfortable buying much and ended up just strolling around.
While walking, Ji Yuan suddenly spotted a somewhat familiar figure ahead—standing in front of a shop, haggling with the owner.
“Junior Brother, do you know him?”
Feng Zhi Tao naturally noticed Ji Yuan’s odd behavior.
“No, just looked a little familiar, that’s all.”
Ji Yuan shook his head and stopped paying attention.
Of course, he recognized that person—someone brazen enough to dig up his ancestral tomb. His name was Shui Kai.
Ji Yuan had thought their last parting would be the end, yet he never expected to run into him again in Linhai City—and he noticed Shui Kai no longer wore the Water Family’s strange hairstyle but kept his hair long like everyone else.
What Ji Yuan didn’t know was why someone who lived in Linshui City would come all the way to this distant Linhai City.
He didn’t bother to ask.
On the third day, Ji Yuan went to sea with Feng Zhi Tao—this was, after all, his first time seeing this world’s ocean… not much different really.
Not even that different from Yunyu Marshlands—just vast, endless waters.
From time to time, they even saw a sea beast or two rise to the surface to breathe.
The two wandered around all day, and at sunset, they stopped at a reef, watching the sun sink below the horizon.
Ji Yuan stared blankly at the breathtaking ocean sunset.
Feng Zhi Tao whispered beside him, “Junior Brother, to be honest, I’ve secretly thought about it—if the demonic path invades and we can’t win, I’ll escape overseas and hide away on some uninhabited island.”
“Don’t tell anyone, okay? It’s my secret.”
Feng Zhi Tao had no intention of perishing with the sect—obviously, she had to keep this secret. Coincidentally, Ji Yuan felt the same. He too had thought of fleeing overseas.
Though he thought this, he said aloud, “With our sect here, we’ll hold the line. Senior Sister worries too much.”
Feng Zhi Tao rolled her eyes at him.
“Someone as afraid of death as you definitely has a backup plan? Hmph, I don’t believe you.”
“I’m not—I'm just trusting Master.”
This time, Ji Yuan was being honest. Hua Yaoyue was his greatest source of confidence.
Feng Zhi Tao nodded seriously, but then seemed to remember something and looked a bit hesitant.
“What is it? Senior Sister, speak freely.”
Ji Yuan watched as, under the setting sun, a great whale leapt from the ocean, splashing water everywhere.
“One time, during idle chat, Master mentioned… she was leaving…”
“Leaving?”
“Yeah, she said she could protect us for a while, but not forever. The path of cultivation is one we must walk ourselves.”
“That makes sense… Did she say where she’s going?”
“No.” Feng Zhi Tao slowly shook her head, flicking her high ponytail. “But I guess she’s heading to another continent.”
“Another continent? Can’t we go with her?”
Ji Yuan genuinely had this idea. If Hua Yaoyue dared to go to another continent, she was probably at least at the Nascent Soul stage. Rather than being a lone cultivator here, it would be better to follow a Nascent Soul elsewhere.
“I asked. Master didn’t say. Maybe she’s still thinking about it. If she decides, she’ll definitely tell us in advance.”
“Mm.”
Ji Yuan nodded, and a vague guess rose in his heart… perhaps Hua Yaoyue had originally come from another continent.
The two chatted for a while longer, watching the sun sink into the sea—until the world, along with the two of them, was swallowed by darkness.
The next day, Yun Qianzai finished repairing the Spirit Energy Cannon, and the three of them returned to Water Dragon Sect together.
But as soon as they returned to Forgotten Worry Island, Ji Yuan received Messaging Talismans from Dong Qian and Du Wanyi.
Both of them said Han Feiyu… had run into big trouble.