novelraw Chapter 244 : “Nameless Rogue Cultivator, Ji Yuan!”
Chapter 244 : “Nameless Rogue Cultivator, Ji Yuan!”
Chapter 244: “Nameless Rogue Cultivator, Ji Yuan!”
“A water element cultivator coming to this seaside is basically like returning home... It’s just that the weather here is goddamn hot.”
“Hot’s not bad at all. Haven’t you noticed? Most of the female cultivators in Southern Sea City wear pretty revealing clothes. Look, just look at that one. Damn, that’s huge. Could probably smother me to death.”
“……”
Ji Yuan leapt down from his flying boat and landed just outside the northern city gate of Southern Sea City, only to overhear this exchange.
Sometimes, he felt his superhuman physique was more of a curse than a blessing—like his exceptional hearing. No matter how quietly others spoke, as long as they didn’t use sound transmission... he could still hear everything.
So Ji Yuan followed the gaze of the two righteous cultivators.
Hmm… indeed, quite large.
He didn’t know whether flight was allowed in Southern Sea City, but it was always better to err on the side of caution.
So, despite being in the mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, Ji Yuan obediently queued up to enter the city and even paid 1 lower-grade Spirit Stone as the entry fee.
This frightened the late Qi Refining Stage gatekeeper cultivator so much that he trembled all over, calling him “Senior” with every word.
Once inside the city, Ji Yuan found that things were exactly as those two outside had described. In Southern Sea City, cultivators—male or female—all dressed lightly.
Especially the female cultivators.
Not only did they flaunt their snow-white long legs, even their chests were barely covered with just a single wrap. The slightly more endowed ones jiggled noticeably as they walked.
But most cultivators had more or less been tanned to a wheat-colored skin tone.
Those with fair skin were mostly newcomers from other regions.
As for someone like Ji Yuan, who wore a long robe, it was even more obvious—he was clearly from the north, which made all the local errand-runners keep an eye on him.
If not for his intimidating Foundation Establishment cultivation, quite a few would have already come up to him.
Until a female cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining Stage boldly stepped up to Ji Yuan and cupped her hands in salute.
“Junior Xie Wan. May I ask if Senior needs a guide?”
The scene reminded Ji Yuan of that errand-runner Ning Shanshan he’d met in Lanshan City. He wondered how she was doing now.
“Then follow along.”
Ji Yuan replied casually.
Xie Wan felt a rush of joy inside and hurriedly followed with quick, dainty steps, introducing, “Our Southern Sea City is the southern gateway of the Joy Palace. It connects with many surrounding cultivators, and even some sects based overseas trade with us here.”
“That’s why there’s always a Golden Core cultivator stationed in the city year-round. Foundation Establishment cultivators like Senior number in the dozens.”
“That many?”
Ji Yuan raised his eyebrows. Even Linhai City didn’t have that many.
“Yes, but most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators have only arrived in the past two years. It’s said that due to the Righteous–Demonic War, many rogue cultivators fled to Southern Sea City for refuge.”
“Some overseas rogue cultivators did the same.”
“Indeed… Continue, give a more detailed introduction. This is my first time here. If possible, I might even settle down in Southern Sea City.”
Ji Yuan clasped his hands behind his back and spoke casually.
Hearing this, Xie Wan was even more delighted. If this Senior settled in Southern Sea City, that would be wonderful.
Leading the way for him, even without charging any Spirit Stones, would earn her a favor.
A favor from a mid-Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator... was far more valuable than any amount of Spirit Stones.
It might even help with her own Foundation Establishment one day.
If she got lucky and succeeded in Foundation Establishment, she’d have a fellow cultivator at mid-stage Foundation Establishment by her side.
So Xie Wan’s introductions became even more thorough.
Ji Yuan listened to everything and allowed her to lead him around several of Southern Sea City’s “famous landmarks.”
All he could say was… not bad at all.
Quite exotic, in fact.
“By the way, did you just say two Foundation Establishment cultivators from Ice-Fire Island have come over too?”
Inside a quiet teahouse, Ji Yuan sipped his chilled tea and asked casually.
“Exactly.”
“I heard the scenery there is quite something, and there’s even a famous giant volcano known across Eastern Shang?”
“Yes, Senior truly is well-informed and knowledgeable.”
Xie Wan smiled sweetly with a compliment before continuing:
“That volcano is called Blazing Flame Volcano. It’s said that if it ever erupts fully, not even Foundation Establishment cultivators can escape from Ice-Fire Island… Since you know about it, you must have heard of that strange pond on the island too?”
“I have. I came this time because I want to see Ice-Fire Island for myself. I heard it can only be accessed from Southern Sea City?”
Ji Yuan feigned curiosity.
“Yes. Although Ice-Fire Island seems close to our mainland, it’s actually quite far. Only Golden Core Real Persons can go directly; Foundation Establishment cultivators need to travel by large ship.”
“And the main issue is that around Ice-Fire Island, there’s a storm zone.”
“Storm zone?”
This was Ji Yuan’s first time hearing about that.
“Yes. That’s actually the main reason Foundation Establishment cultivators can’t land on the island—it’s extremely dangerous and even houses Second-Tier wind beasts.”
Xie Wan explained seriously:
“Even a small mistake can cause a Foundation Establishment cultivator to perish. So to go to Ice-Fire Island, you either cross the storm zone directly as a Golden Core cultivator, or pay Spirit Stones to ride someone else’s large ship.”
“Then tell me in detail about this ship-riding arrangement.”
Ji Yuan straightened up.
Although he did have that semi-reliable Golden Core corpse puppet, Real Person Heaven Silkworm, it wasn’t exactly stable.
If something went wrong in the storm zone, it wouldn’t be worth the risk.
Compared to that, spending a few Spirit Stones for safety was a no-brainer.
After all, he had so many Spirit Stones now he could hardly spend them all.
“Yes, Senior.”
Xie Wan had already noticed that this Senior clearly wanted to go to Ice-Fire Island.
In that case, she had to make an extra effort.
If she managed this well, she could really gain his favor.
Because she was someone this Senior needed.
“If you’d come a year ago, there was only one ship to Ice-Fire Island. But now, there are two.”
“One is an old-established one—Southern Sea City’s Luo Family operates a transoceanic vessel. For a long time, they controlled the only safe route through the storm zone.”
“So the Luo Family’s ship is very reliable, with no danger at all. But the price… is a bit steep.”
“Luo Family… Is that the Golden Core family you mentioned this afternoon?”
Ji Yuan recalled and asked.
“Yes, that very Luo Family.” Xie Wan nodded lightly.
Earlier in the afternoon, while introducing the city, Xie Wan had brought up the Luo Family.
They were similar to the Yun Family in Linhai City, but more powerful. They had Golden Core Patriarchs in their lineage.
And naturally, the Joy Palace had already absorbed that patriarch.
Though “absorbed” in name, in reality, much of Southern Sea City still belonged to the Luo Family.
For example, the only route to Ice-Fire Island was still under their control.
One could say that within Southern Sea City, the Luo Family still held overwhelming power.
“How much Spirit Stone to ride their ship to Ice-Fire Island?” Ji Yuan asked curiously.
“The Luo Family’s vessel is called the ‘Whale Patrol’. It’s said to be entirely crafted from the corpse of a Third-Tier whale-type demon beast. It’s a supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact-class ship with extremely strong defenses. So the price… a one-way trip costs 15 middle-grade Spirit Stones.”
“If taking the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol for both departure and return, the total is just 20 middle-grade Spirit Stones.”
Xie Wan knew the details well and explained thoroughly.
“That’s really not cheap.”
Ji Yuan was a bit wide-eyed.
Though the price was nothing to him, even for an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, it wasn’t cheap.
A one-way trip at 15 middle-grade Spirit Stones was equivalent to 1,500 lower-grade Spirit Stones—definitely not cheap.
“True, but actually not that bad. For someone like Senior, just bringing some good items in your storage pouch to sell on the island would be enough to recoup the Spirit Stones.”
Xie Wan softly reminded him while continuing to advise Ji Yuan.
“Oh? So there are quite a few people on the island?”
“Yes... though this junior hasn’t been there myself. These are all rumors from around town. It’s said that some Foundation Establishment Seniors rely on this very route—cooperating with the Luo Family while making Spirit Stones.”
Ji Yuan gave a slight nod... Reselling, huh? That the Luo Family didn’t monopolize the business completely but instead left a small opening—this did surprise him a bit.
“And the other ship you mentioned? From what you’re saying, it only appeared this past year?”
“Yes, that ship is called the Ephemeral Bloom Boat, and it only emerged a year ago. The crew calls themselves the Ephemeral Bloomers. Many say they’re demonic cultivators…”
“They risked their lives in the storm zone and discovered a second safe route.”
Xie Wan lowered her voice further as she continued, “And when they first launched the Ephemeral Bloom Boat, they apparently fought with the Luo Family. Somehow, in the end, the Luo Family allowed them to operate.”
“Oh?”
“Also, according to those who’ve ridden the Ephemeral Bloom Boat, the route the Ephemeral Bloomers use isn’t exactly safe. Though not life-threatening, it’s still prone to being hit by storms—quite frightening... so their fare is cheaper.”
“How much?”
Ji Yuan asked.
“One way is only 7 middle-grade Spirit Stones. A round trip on the Ephemeral Bloom Boat is 10—exactly half the price.”
“That’s indeed quite a discount.”
Ji Yuan picked up his tea while noticing Xie Wan’s lips were a bit dry from all her talking. With a wave of his hand, he used Object Manipulation Technique to lift her tea cup.
Startled, Xie Wan quickly stood and caught it with both hands.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator serving tea to a Qi Refining one—how could she not be terrified?
“So, which ship do most cultivators choose these days?”
Ji Yuan sipped his tea, moistening his throat before continuing his inquiry.
Xie Wan drained her cup in one go while still standing with both hands, only daring to sit once she’d finished.
“For Foundation Establishment cultivators like Senior, most of them naturally choose the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol Boat.”
“As for the Ephemeral Bloom Boat of the Ephemeral Bloomers, most of its passengers are Qi Refining cultivators like myself, gambling our lives to resell resources on Ice-Fire Island for a shot at earning Spirit Stones.”
Ji Yuan gently rubbed the teacup in his hand.
His thinking was exactly as Xie Wan described.
To reach Ice-Fire Island, he would take the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol Boat.
No need to save a few Spirit Stones on trivial matters like this. If he was going, he’d go the safe route.
And as he listened to Xie Wan’s description, a bold thought even crossed his mind… Could those Ephemeral Bloomers actually be the Mourning Scattered Cultivators who had vanished from Great Love City?
After leaving the Ghost-Seeking Pit, perhaps they had settled in Southern Sea City.
Of course, such speculation was a bit far-fetched.
Just a possibility—but an unlikely one.
“If I want to take the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol Boat, how do I go about it?”
Ji Yuan didn’t hide his intentions and asked directly.
“The Whale Patrol Boat sails once every two months. As for the next departure date…”
Xie Wan calculated for a moment before replying, “It’s five days from now. So if Senior wishes to go, you must head to the dock now, find the Luo Family, pay the Spirit Stones, and they’ll give you the boarding certificate.”
“Five days later, show the certificate in the morning and you’ll be received and escorted aboard to depart for Ice-Fire Island.”
“In that case.” Ji Yuan drained the tea in his hand in one go. “Let’s go. We’ll head to the dock now and take a look.”
“Certainly. This junior will lead the way.”
Xie Wan stood up happily.
Ji Yuan glanced at the spirit fruits on the table… Had they been high quality, he would’ve taken them already.
Just like he did back on Everything Island.
But for someone already in the late Foundation Establishment Stage, these spirit fruits—though passable for Qi Refining Stage—were of no use to him.
“Take the spirit fruits with you. Leaving them here would be a waste.”
“Ah?”
Clearly, Xie Wan hadn’t expected this either. She’d been wanting to try one all along.
“Quickly now.”
Ji Yuan said as he turned and left the private room first.
“Yes, yes—many thanks, Senior! Thank you!”
Xie Wan bowed deeply to Ji Yuan’s departing back, then hastily swept the spirit fruits into her storage pouch and hurried out.
Southern Sea City faced the sea to the south, so naturally the dock was located there.
And the teahouse they were currently in was on the eastern side of the city, so after leaving, the two headed straight south.
Not long after, night had completely fallen.
Yet Southern Sea City didn’t dim with the dark. On the contrary, it seemed even brighter.
Countless lights lit up the entire city. Even the streets grew busier with cultivators and mortals alike.
After all, the city was stiflingly hot during the day—only at night did it become bearable.
Ji Yuan took in the beautiful scene and unconsciously slowed his pace.
Just then, a youth in short sleeves ran down the street in the distance, shouting excitedly:
“Luo Family’s announcement: it will rain in three days! Rain in three days!”
Instantly, the street buzzed with joy.
Ji Yuan turned to look at Xie Wan.
She stepped forward to explain, “Usually, we get very little rain in Southern Sea City, so the Luo Family organizes their Foundation Establishment cultivators to cast Rain-Bringing Techniques over the city every few days to ease the heat.”
“Sounds like the Luo Family’s even doing the Rain Dragon King’s job now.”
Ji Yuan chuckled.
“That’s only because Senior isn’t a native of Southern Sea City…”
Xie Wan mumbled under her breath.
Ji Yuan: “Hmm?”
Xie Wan quickly replied, “Nothing, nothing.”
In truth, Ji Yuan heard everything clearly. The persecution of rogue cultivators by cultivation clans was all too common.
How could a clan rise to power without oppressing and exploiting rogue cultivators?
So the two strolled southward, stopping occasionally. Every time Ji Yuan saw something novel, he would stop to ask about it.
Xie Wan demonstrated the capabilities of a proper errand-runner—able to explain just about anything.
By the time they reached the southern dock, it was already the next morning.
There were even more people here. Day or night, the dock was always bustling.
Cargo ships from afar needed unloading, and the larger goods couldn’t fit in any storage pouch, requiring cultivators to manually transport them.
And that was when the beauty of spells truly showed.
No matter how heavy the item, one spell could move it with ease.
Ji Yuan stood nearby, observing. A regular Qi Refining cultivator would’ve been driven away already.
But as a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, anyone who saw him greeted him warmly.
He only watched briefly before Xie Wan led him to a row of riverside buildings.
One had a sign reading Whale Patrol. Ji Yuan entered, and the on-duty Qi Refining cultivator inside quickly rose to greet him.
“Greetings, Senior. Might I ask if you're heading to Ice-Fire Island?”
“Mm.”
Ji Yuan didn’t waste words—he simply tossed 20 middle-grade Spirit Stones onto the counter.
The cultivator hastily caught and stored them in his pouch, then handed over a jade token inlaid with gold edges.
“This is the boarding certificate. The next departure is in four days. Please return here on the morning of departure—someone will be here to receive you.”
“Mm.”
Ji Yuan casually stored the jade token in his pouch without even glancing at it.
He perfectly embodied the bearing of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Upon exiting the building, Xie Wan offered an explanation.
“Senior purchased a round-trip ticket, so the token has a gold inlay. A one-way token wouldn’t have it.”
“I see.”
The two then returned to Southern Sea City. Ji Yuan inquired about any upcoming auctions.
Whenever arriving in a large city, attending an auction to purchase rare items was a must for any luxury-loving cultivator.
Unfortunately, the next auction in Southern Sea City wouldn’t be held until a year later.
Naturally, Ji Yuan wouldn’t wait that long.
He gave up with a sigh.
Later, after coincidentally passing by a Water Dragon Sect shop, they reached a corner. Ji Yuan stopped and handed Xie Wan… a middle-grade Spirit Stone.
“Senior, this… this is too much.”
Earning a whole middle-grade Spirit Stone in one day just for strolling around—without any additional services.
He even gave her plenty of spirit fruits.
Those fruits alone were worth a middle-grade Spirit Stone.
“Just take it. That’s all. You don’t need to follow me anymore.”
Ji Yuan gave his dismissal. Xie Wan had no choice but to agree.
Yet as she watched him preparing to leave, she mustered her courage to ask:
“Se… Senior, may I know your name?”
When performing acts of righteousness and kindness, one naturally ought to give their real name.
Just like back in Lanshan City.
So Ji Yuan, with his back to Xie Wan, simply waved his hand as he walked off. When he was already far away—almost out of sight—
A warm, mellow voice rang in Xie Wan’s mind.
“Names don’t matter.”
“Nameless Rogue Cultivator—Ji Yuan.”