novelraw Chapter 241 : Secretly Scheming the Level 4 [Pigsty]
Chapter 241 : Secretly Scheming the Level 4 [Pigsty]
Chapter 241: Secretly Scheming the Level 4 [Pigsty]
"I’m not going this time, just came to see off my Second Senior Brother. What about you, Brother Li?"
Ji Yuan spoke without even turning his head.
Right on cue, Li Changhe walked up from behind him. He first nodded to the two women nearby, then crossed his arms and looked ahead at the crowd, saying:
"The Six Sects Alliance has issued a command to our Water Dragon Sect, ordering us to establish a large Pill Refining Room at the foot of Wangcheng Mountain to supply the stationed cultivators atop Shang Mountain."
"Naturally, our Water Dragon Sect entrusted this task to our Li family and the Huang family, which Third Elder belongs to. So I’ll be heading to guard the area around Wangcheng Mountain."
"Indeed, it’s an important task."
Ji Yuan nodded, though in his mind, the topographic map of Shangdong had already surfaced.
During this time, he had long since memorized all the notable places across Shangdong. No matter what, understanding the terrain always came first.
When the time came, it could mean running faster than others.
And Wangcheng Mountain... it lay in the southeast of the Shang Mountain range, quite far from the Water Dragon Sect.
"If you can avoid going, don’t go. Our Li family knows what happened during the past Righteous–Demonic Wars. By the time it’s over, the cultivators who survive on Shang Mountain... not even one in ten remains."
Li Changhe naturally didn’t say this out loud, but sent the message through Divine Sense to Ji Yuan.
"Alright, I’ll have something to discuss with Brother Li later."
Ji Yuan was planning to approach the Li family to see if he could gather the materials needed to upgrade the [Pigsty].
If it worked out, that would save him a major task.
"Sure."
Li Changhe readily agreed.
On the other side, as more Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered at the scene, the two Golden Core cultivators leading the Water Dragon Sect finally arrived.
One violet and one white stream of escape light flashed past and finally landed atop the platform. Ji Yuan also saw clearly who the two were.
One was the master of Island Lord Zhu Ying—Real Person Suxin.
And the other was the master of that Senior Brother Huang, who had ambushed Ji Yuan at Misty Island—a Golden Core cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect, possessing a lightning-type variant spiritual root... Hunter Owl!
It was said he chose that title because, when he was at Peak Foundation Establishment, he had forcefully slain a Third-Tier owl beast high above the clouds using lightning techniques alone.
After earning great fame from that feat, he adopted the title “Hunter Owl.”
One had to admit, that name did carry an air of intimidation.
At least, until Ji Yuan learned his real name… Wang Erniu.
Best not to mention it. Really, just best not to.
“Is everyone here?”
Real Person Hunter Owl stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the entire square.
At the front of the crowd, Island Lord Zhu Ying stepped up and cupped her hands slightly toward the two Golden Core cultivators on the platform. “Reporting to Martial Uncles, we’re still missing Heaven Pivot Island...”
Before she could finish, a brilliant white light streaked down from the sky. Just as it seemed about to crash into the square—causing many Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby to instinctively back away—it suddenly halted. The figure hadn’t even appeared when a voice echoed across the square.
“Heaven Pivot Treads the Dipper, Halts the Star Path with One Thought to Seal the Abyss and Suppress the Tides!”
“What kind of showy nonsense is this!”
Real Person Hunter Owl slapped the air. The beam of light landed, transforming into a handsome figure in white robes, who stumbled and had to take several steps back to steady himself.
“Sometimes, being his junior sister is honestly so embarrassing.”
Feng Zhi Tao’s voice drifted softly.
Ji Yuan quickly followed up, “Same for being his junior brother.”
On the platform, Real Person Hunter Owl waved his arm. A massive flying boat appeared out of thin air above the square. He was the first to leap aboard and shouted loudly:
“Let’s move!”
At his command, stream after stream of light rose into the air and landed on the flying boat.
After all, most were older cultivators. Young ones like Yun Qianzai were few and far between.
At this moment, he stood on the deck of the flying boat, looking at Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao. Gone was his earlier pompous flair; now he seemed… more like a real person.
Like the others, he waved farewell to his juniors.
For a moment, Ji Yuan found himself moved.
But just then, Yun Qianzai’s voice rang out in his mind via Divine Sense.
“Little Junior Brother, I’m heading to Shang Mountain. Please take good care of Third Senior Sister and Master.”
“Actually, that slot for Third Junior Sister was already confirmed. I found another Senior Brother to take her place. Don’t tell her—I did it because Shang Mountain is too dangerous. She might be strong enough to kill some Second-Tier beasts, but against cunning demonic cultivators, she’s not ready.”
“I was afraid something would happen to her, so I had to keep her here this way.”
“And Master too. If you stay in the sect, visit her often. She’s actually quite afraid of being alone.”
“You must cultivate diligently. If my judgment is correct, while your spiritual root may be weak, your other talents surpass all three of us. Diligence can make up for deficiency. You must believe—having a False Spiritual Root doesn’t mean there’s no chance at forming a core.”
“That’s all. Take care!”
As Ji Yuan listened to Yun Qianzai’s heartfelt advice, his expression subtly changed.
He hadn’t expected that his seemingly show-off Second Senior Brother could be so thoughtful.
Even the fact that Feng Zhi Tao wasn’t going to Shang Mountain… turned out to be his doing behind the scenes. For a while, Ji Yuan even wondered if there was any way to help boost Yun Qianzai’s strength.
But before he could think further, Real Person Hunter Owl had already activated the flying boat, lifting it into the sky toward the west.
In the rush, Ji Yuan could only respond with a simple:
“Take care, Second Senior Brother.”
As he watched the flying boat disappear into the clouds, Ji Yuan finally realized:
Yun Qianzai came from a prestigious cultivation family and was renowned in the Water Dragon Sect as a formation master... Never mind his showy antics—his achievements in formation arts were likely recognized even among the Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong.
And he himself was Golden Core… no, now he should be considered a disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
How could someone like that lack life-saving techniques?
He didn’t need Ji Yuan’s help. Really, Ji Yuan had worried too much.
As that thought passed through his mind, he turned and looked at Feng Zhi Tao.
Only then did he realize her eyes were slightly red.
Feng Zhi Tao glanced at him, quickly wiping her eyes. “Second Senior Brother could’ve just gone quietly. Why say all those emotional things? Totally misjudged him.”
“Second Senior Brother… truly worthy of being Second Senior Brother.”
Ji Yuan couldn’t help but sigh as well.
“Well, although he always bullied me before, at least he acted like a proper senior brother.”
Those who were meant to depart had already left, and the remaining ones also scattered.
“Junior Brother, are you going to visit Master?”
Feng Zhi Tao asked.
“No, I’ve got something to discuss with Brother Li.”
“Alright then, I’ll head back first. If anything comes up, remember to find me.”
With Yun Qianzai gone, Feng Zhi Tao felt the bonds of kinship between senior and junior disciples more deeply.
“Of course, I will.”
Feng Zhi Tao left, and Dong Qian also nodded to Ji Yuan. “Junior Brother, I’ll head back too.”
“Mm.”
Li Changhe stood silently by, watching. He didn’t speak until both women were gone, then couldn’t help but remark, “Looks like Junior Brother’s got his own troubles too.”
Ji Yuan rolled his eyes. “Come on, let’s talk somewhere else.”
“Sure.”
The closest place to Water Dragon Island was naturally Mountain and Water Island, so half an hour later, the two of them were seated in a mountainside pavilion on Mountain and Water Island.
Compared to the past, Mountain and Water Island was now much quieter.
Fewer cultivators came to stroll and relax. Most were focused on ways to improve their strength.
“You brat never climbs the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. Go on, what do you need this time?”
Li Changhe lifted his right foot onto the wooden bench and asked directly.
Ji Yuan thought about it and realized it was true. So, a bit sheepishly, he rubbed his hands. “Well, Brother Li, you are known for your vast connections.”
“Alright, spill it. After this Righteous–Demonic War, it’s uncertain whether the Li family will still exist. Better to use what good stuff we’ve got while we can.”
Li Changhe not only said this grimly but also wore a deeply unpleasant expression.
It made sense. If Shang Mountain fell, the Six Immortal Sects would bear the brunt. Prestigious thousand-year-old families like theirs would be primary targets of the demonic cultivators.
If they were toppled, who knew how many treasures the thousand-year heritage of such a clan might yield?
Probably enough for those demonic cultivators to enjoy for quite some time.
Not knowing how to respond, Ji Yuan simply changed the topic.
“Well, I need five jin of Fire Vein Spirit Marrow, three Three-Eyed Dark Beast Spine Bones, and one Taiyi Azure Light Talisman. Can you get them, Brother Li?”
After asking, Ji Yuan looked at Li Changhe with hopeful eyes.
After all, these were materials required for a Level 4 building upgrade and undoubtedly extremely rare. He wasn’t sure if the Li family would have them.
But upon hearing the list, Li Changhe furrowed his brow.
Ji Yuan started to panic.
This was bad.
“What heaven-defying thing are you working on, needing materials like these at Foundation Establishment?”
Li Changhe didn’t bother being polite—he always spoke plainly to Ji Yuan.
“Well… it is a bit difficult, which is why I had to turn to you, Brother Li.”
Ji Yuan spread his hands, indicating he was out of options.
Li Changhe shook his head and stated bluntly, “Not gonna lie, we don’t have a complete set of any of the three items.”
“What?!”
Ji Yuan’s first reaction wasn’t to suspect deception—it was to curse how damn hard it was to collect the upgrade materials for a Level 4 [Pigsty].
“If you’d come a year or half a year earlier, I might’ve gotten the five jin of Fire Vein Spirit Marrow for you. But now, it’s too late. What little we had, our Li family already traded to the Zhou family—that Nascent Soul family from Medicine King Valley.”
“They’ve got a lot of fire-attribute cultivators who need it, so we made a trade.”
“You want the spine of a Three-Eyed Dark Beast… Do you have any damn idea how ferocious that monster is?”
Ji Yuan shook his head. He only knew it was a Third-Tier demon beast, and an extremely rare one at that, with few documented sightings.
“Let me put it this way—if that useless old man of mine ever ran into a Three-Eyed Dark Beast, he’d be dead for sure.”
Li Changhe never went easy when badmouthing his father.
“No way, Real Person Duocai is at the mid-Golden Core stage! And yet—”
“And yet this thing can only be dealt with by someone at the late-Golden Core stage.”
Li Changhe followed up smoothly.
“As for that Taiyi Azure Light Talisman you want, I’ve never even heard of it.”
Li Changhe shook his head as he spoke.
“This…”
Ji Yuan stared blankly at Li Changhe in front of him, seemingly unable to believe it.
Li Changhe said faintly, “You don’t even know how rare the things you’re asking for are?”
“I really didn’t.”
Ji Yuan honestly shook his head.
“But I can point you to two clear paths.”
Li Changhe’s words brought Ji Yuan’s dying hope back to life… Damn it, I knew the Li family couldn’t be that useless!
“I’d like to hear the details.”
Ji Yuan cupped his hands respectfully.
Li Changhe rubbed the stubble growing on his chin. “You should be able to forge a flying sword embryo now, right?”
“I can.” Ji Yuan didn’t hide it and admitted openly, “I was originally about to head out and forge a flying sword, but now that the demonic cultivators have launched an all-out war, I can’t easily go outside.”
“Remember those places I told you about?”
“I do. Last time, I went to Mirror Lake.”
And nearly died there… Ji Yuan didn’t dare say that part aloud.
“One of those places is called Ice-Fire Island.”
“Yes, it’s a journey south, and then offshore. There’s a strange pool on that island… I was planning to go there later, but I was thinking of visiting Thunder Marsh first.”
Ji Yuan nodded as he spoke.
Thunder Marsh had Thunder Punishment Profound Liquid, capable of forging the Thunder Punishment Sword imbued with lightning techniques.
Ji Yuan figured he would inevitably have to deal with demonic cultivators in the future, so a Thunder Punishment Sword was a must.
“If you urgently need those materials, then go to Ice-Fire Island first and forge your flying sword there. On the way back, take your time to contemplate everything, and if your insights grow deeper, you can detour to Thunder Marsh on your return trip.”
Li Changhe explained, “The reason I suggest Ice-Fire Island is because there’s a huge active volcano on the island, and at its base lies a fire vein.”
“Many fire-element cultivators train there year-round. They have methods to extract Fire Vein Essence. Just bring more Spirit Stones and trade with them.”
Ji Yuan nodded and memorized it. “So that’s the lead for the Fire Vein Essence. What about the other path?”
“The other path concerns the spine of that Three-Eyed Dark Beast you’re after. It’s also on Ice-Fire Island.”
“What, there too?”
Ji Yuan was overjoyed at hearing this. It seemed that going to Ice-Fire Island was now a must.
“Right.”
“There’s a Golden Core Real Person on that island, known as Old Man Ice-Fire, at the late-Golden Core stage and extremely powerful… It’s said he’s the only one who ever fell into that strange pool and came out alive.”
“He originally cultivated fire techniques, but after emerging from the pool, he also gained ice techniques. Quite bizarre, and his personality became somewhat eccentric. My Li family knows he once slew a Three-Eyed Dark Beast in his early years, so there’s a chance he still has the spine you need.”
Li Changhe laid out the details plainly.
While taking mental notes, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “That’s all great, but I’m just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Will he even bother with me?”
“You forgot the token I gave you?”
Li Changhe crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, speaking with a proud smirk.
Ji Yuan suddenly understood. “So this Old Man Ice-Fire is the Li family’s connection on Ice-Fire Island?”
“Exactly. That strange pool is under his control now. Without his approval, how else would our Li family be able to go there to forge flying swords?”
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”
Ji Yuan couldn’t help giving Li Changhe a big thumbs-up.
With the Li family’s connections, they had every flying sword forging location firmly in their grasp.
“Heh, just some lingering prestige from our ancestors.”
Li Changhe waved his hand, as if it was no big deal.
Ji Yuan gave a slight nod. Whether or not he could secure those two items to upgrade the 【Pigsty】, at least there was a viable lead now.
And Li family was just his first option. Next, he could ask Hua Yaoyue—maybe she had information on the Taiyi Azure Light Talisman.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to bid farewell and leave, Li Changhe sent him a Divine Sense transmission, saying:
“Our Li family is about to fully commit to building the Pill Refining Room at Wangcheng Mountain. Once the market town is established, I’ll speak with the Sect Master Martial Uncle and get you transferred there… I remember you know Pill Refining too, right?”
“I do.”
Ji Yuan responded via Divine Sense as well.
“Good. Once you’re at the Pill Refining Room, you won’t have to go to Shang Mountain anymore. You’ll finally be able to cultivate in peace for a while.”
Li Changhe said this, patted Ji Yuan’s shoulder, and stood up, clearly ready to leave.
“Wait, wait!”
Ji Yuan quickly called him back.
“What else do you need?” Li Changhe chuckled.
“Two Third-Tier Demon Cores—one water-attributed, one fire-attributed. You do have those, right?”
As a Nascent Soul-level clan, they might even have rumored Fourth-Tier Demon Cores. Third-Tier ones were nothing.
“We do. I’ll fetch them when I return and have them sent to Forgotten Worry Island in a couple of days.”
“Much appreciated, Brother Li.”
Ji Yuan stood up and bowed. Li Changhe nodded slightly before turning to leave.
Ji Yuan turned and watched his departing figure, feeling a bit dazed.
It was true he had once saved Li Changhe’s life, but now it seemed… the Li family really had gone above and beyond for him.
Even in the face of a demonic invasion, they still wanted to pull him up with them. And judging from what Li Changhe said… it seemed the Li and Huang families had already reconciled to some extent and were preparing to invest their millennia-old savings into turning that Pill Refining Room at Wangcheng Mountain into a second stronghold.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows.
The Water Dragon Sect counted as one.
Wangcheng Mountain would be another.
Judging by their thousand-year-long planning, there was likely a third. Where that was, Ji Yuan didn’t know.
But for him, it was a good thing. At least someone was willing to take him in, and he knew where to go.
Indeed, being assigned to the Pill Refining Room was far better than going up Shang Mountain.
Once the Pill Refining and Weapon Refining Rooms were built, they would surely become prime locations for Foundation Establishment cultivators to fight over. And now, thanks to Li Changhe’s words, Ji Yuan had secured his spot in advance.
Thinking this, Ji Yuan sighed lightly and summoned his flying boat to head east.
Forgotten Worry Island.
When Ji Yuan arrived, Feng Zhi Tao was still lying beside Hua Yaoyue in a daze.
Seeing this, a sudden thought popped into Ji Yuan’s head… Feng Zhi Tao might have started seeing Hua Yaoyue as her mother. Once that idea surfaced, more and more vivid scenes formed in his mind.
And the more he thought about it, the more it seemed plausible.
“What is it now?”
Before Ji Yuan could even greet her, Hua Yaoyue glanced at him and asked directly.
“This…”
Why does everyone assume I only show up when I need something?
Can’t I just visit my Master out of courtesy for once?!
Since he’d already been seen through, Ji Yuan didn’t bother hiding it anymore and simply asked, “Master, have you ever heard of the Taiyi Azure Light Talisman?”
“I have.”
Hua Yaoyue lifted her head, eyeing her closed-door disciple with interest.
Ji Yuan felt a surge of joy and quickly asked, “Where?”
“You need this talisman?”
“Very much.”
Ji Yuan nodded earnestly.
Hua Yaoyue, who had only lifted her head, now slowly sat up and said:
“It’s on the Ancient Desolation Continent.”