Starting My Immortal Life by Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 125: The Giant Toad Breaks Through

The giant toad once again saw Ji Yuan’s figure emerge from the mist, but before it could even speak—

A massive black shadow was thrown over.

It immediately opened its mouth and shot out its tongue, curling around that shadow.

With its huge jaws wide open, half of a Spiritual Pig was swallowed into its belly in just a few bites.

After devouring this Spiritual Pig, it looked up again only to see another dark shadow being tossed its way. It ate again.

By the time Ji Yuan reached it, the toad had already swallowed three Spiritual Pigs in succession.

One giant toad, two bites per pig.

At first, Ji Yuan had fed it himself, but after doing it for a while, he got too lazy.

This kind of task that required no technique at all—he might as well hand it off to Tu Yue.

He simply tossed a few storage pouches to Tu Yue and explained clearly: as long as the Spiritual Pigs on the ground were eaten up, just keep taking out more.

Ji Yuan, meanwhile, returned to his cave dwelling to refine pills and draw talismans.

For the past few months, he'd been running around over the matter of the Spiritual Pigs and hadn’t even had time for his side jobs.

Now that his physique had finally reached the Foundation Establishment stage, Ji Yuan planned to draw some talismans and refine a few pills to sell back at the sect for Spirit Stones, to cover household expenses.

While he was at it, he would also check how the missions he had posted a few months ago were progressing.

If he managed to obtain the Illusory Heart Flower all in one go, that would be ideal. He could return and upgrade the [Comprehension Room].

But if not, then he’d have to come up with another plan.

Ji Yuan secluded himself in the cave dwelling to cultivate, leaving all the chores outside to Tu Yue.

In this manner, about half a month passed.

While he was drawing a talisman, he suddenly sensed a wave of powerful energy sweeping in.

His hand trembled, and the talisman paper instantly turned to ash and scattered.

Yet Ji Yuan wasn’t annoyed—on the contrary, he was overjoyed.

He stepped out of the cave, and with another step, he arrived in front of the giant toad.

At this moment, the giant toad—was even bigger!

Previously just over ten meters long, it now seemed to exceed twenty meters. Squatting on the island, it looked like a small mountain.

The bumps on its back were larger and more numerous, and there was clearly an extra layer of stone-like scales, likely greatly enhancing its defense.

Especially above its eyelids.

The two bulges there were almost like horns, adding a touch of dominance.

Perhaps because it had just broken through, its demonic aura was still unrestrained.

Even standing in front of it, Ji Yuan could feel a faint pressure.

Damn, this beast—really was absurdly powerful.

The giant toad seemed not yet fully awake from its breakthrough state.

Ji Yuan stood very close and could hear its heart thumping heavily—“thump, thump”—without pause, and it went on for nearly half an hour.

Suddenly, the giant toad opened its eyes, and the previously unleashed aura immediately withdrew.

“Guwaa—”

The moment it opened its mouth, its former domineering presence completely vanished.

Especially the way it looked at Ji Yuan—there was even a hint of... flattery.

With its breakthrough, the giant toad’s wits had sharpened somewhat. How could it not understand that everything it had now was entirely thanks to the good big brother in front of it?

If it wanted to get even stronger in the future, it would definitely need this big brother’s help again.

“Guwa guwa—”

“Alright, stop nuzzling.”

Before, Ji Yuan couldn’t really handle the toad’s affectionate behavior. But now, as long as the toad didn’t use force, Ji Yuan could easily push it away with strength of his own.

Seeing the toad look a bit aggrieved—

Ji Yuan had a thought. He pointed toward the direction of Yunyu Marshlands, made an eating gesture, then tossed a piece of Spiritual Pig meat to the ground and lit a fire.

The giant toad instantly understood. Its two lantern-sized eyes lit up.

“Guwaa—” it called out, then leapt dozens of meters in a single bound, plunging into the Yunyu Marshlands.

This toad had already reached late-stage Tier 2. In the Yunyu Marshlands, it was essentially a local tyrant.

In that case, what use was there in keeping it around just to freeload? Of course it had to go out and become a wandering toad—occasionally bringing back the corpses of demonic beasts or aquatic treasures. That was more like it.

He had spent so much money and so many Spiritual Pigs raising it—it needed to earn him some returns, didn’t it?

Ji Yuan had just counted: to push the toad to its breakthrough, he had used up exactly 148.5 Spiritual Pigs.

That debt—the toad owed him.

Afterward, Ji Yuan activated the [Kitchen] function, started a fire, and began grilling meat.

Just as the meat was nearly done, the wandering toad returned. And not only did it return, it brought back the carcass of an early-stage Tier 2 demonic beast.

A Blade-Scaled Loach.

Among Tier 2 beasts, it was a formidable one. If encountered by a typical early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, they’d take a detour. But unfortunately—

It met a late-stage Tier 2 giant toad.

“Fire up the grill!”

Ji Yuan called Tu Yue to start the fire while he eagerly rushed forward to give the Blade-Scaled Loach “CPR”.

Hmm—he took its demon core.

CPR failed.

With this, plus the demon core from that snake demon earlier—

Ji Yuan now had two Tier 2 demon cores, which were needed for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

He was still short one stalk of Millennium Cyan Galingale.

It looked like he would need to investigate leads on that item more seriously.

A while later, Ji Yuan was eating BBQ enhanced by the [Kitchen], drinking fine wine produced by the [Wine Cellar], and beside him was a beauty—oh no, a beautiful corpse—helping grill the meat.

This life—was simply too enjoyable to describe.

Even the roasted meat he was eating was from a Tier 2 demonic beast.

Tell me—how many Qi Refining cultivators could enjoy this kind of treatment?!

But once he was full and satisfied, Ji Yuan sobered up. This lifestyle—was way too decadent. He couldn’t afford to fall any further.

The most urgent task now was to return to the Water Dragon Sect and gather information.

Oh right, he also had to bring a few jars of Spiritual Wine along and submit the mission.

Those merit points from Bai couldn't be forgotten.

So Ji Yuan ended up eating and drinking at home for another three days. During that time, he and Big Toad went out on a boat, and under the waters of the Yunyu Marshlands, they hunted down an early-stage second-tier demonic beast.

Ji Yuan led the fight, while Big Toad provided backup.

That battle gave Ji Yuan quite the wake-up call.

No other reason—he simply didn't win.

Had Big Toad not been nearby, he might have been forced to activate the Thunder Falcon Boat and flee.

There was no helping it—second-tier aquatic beasts were just too powerful. Even with a Foundation Establishment physique, without the mana and myriad techniques of the Foundation Establishment realm, Ji Yuan still found it extremely difficult to take one down.

But he could still protect himself well enough. That second-tier demonic beast couldn't kill him, and vice versa.

Ji Yuan figured that if they had been on land, he might have been able to regain the upper hand.

Even then, he'd likely end up seriously injured.

Demonic beasts were vicious.

Caution was still necessary.

He must not become arrogant just because of a small breakthrough in strength.

A few days later—

Ji Yuan returned to Hatchling Dragon Island and first went to find Du Wanyi. But unexpectedly, his second sister wasn't around. He had no idea where she'd gone. Ji Yuan guessed she had probably joined one of the halls and was out on duty.

With no other choice, Ji Yuan went home first, planning to head to Thousand Mechanisms Island to investigate the situation.

But before he could even reach his front door, he saw a pure black law boat appear in the sky above Hatchling Dragon Island.

A streak of golden light shot out from it.

“Whoosh—”

The golden light descended with a sharp whistle, transforming into a golden iron cage that directly locked onto... the house next to Ji Yuan’s—House No. 19.

Moments later, several figures in pitch-black robes flew out from the law boat.

Each of them held an iron chain, and as the chains connected, they formed what looked like a formation. When they landed, they further sealed off House No. 19.

Ji Yuan, who had almost reached home, immediately halted in his tracks.

Though his time in the Water Dragon Sect hadn't been long, he still knew the basics. Those people, and that law boat—

They were standard equipment of the Law Enforcement Hall!

So this scene clearly meant the Law Enforcement Hall was enforcing the law!

Ji Yuan looked at House No. 19, now tightly sealed in layers of restraints—that was where the child Tang Ran lived. What Water Dragon Sect rule had he broken?

To warrant such a drastic measure from the Law Enforcement Hall?

Ji Yuan had already arrived at the door of House No. 17. Perhaps sensing the disturbance outside, the old weapon refiner Pi Fangzhi came out.

He was briefly stunned to see Ji Yuan again after so long, then quickly reacted.

“Brother Ji, it’s been a while.”

“Mm, I took a mission and went out for a bit.”

A perfectly reasonable excuse—always worked like a charm.

“Brother Ji really is an adventurous sort, constantly taking missions right after arriving.”

Pi Fangzhi remarked with a sigh, then turned to look at the distant House No. 19. At first he looked flustered, but then sneered.

“Law Enforcement Hall? Hmph, I warned that kid to rein himself in, but he wouldn’t listen. Now he’s paying the price. Once you get taken into the Law Enforcement Hall, even if you don’t die, you’ll shed a layer of skin.”

“What happened to him?”

Though Ji Yuan usually minded his own business, he couldn’t help but feel a bit curious and puzzled about something happening right next door.

“Probably fooling around with women,” Pi Fangzhi said, righteous indignation in his tone. “Calling several female cultivators ‘Mother’ and living with them under one roof.”

“Our Water Dragon Sect is a righteous sect, not a demonic one!”

“How can that be tolerated?”

Pi Fangzhi sounded all righteous and incensed.

But Ji Yuan found it hard to believe.

Would something like that really mobilize the Law Enforcement Hall on such a scale?

Just then, a Foundation Establishment cultivator walked out from the law boat in the sky. Sword-riding, he descended to hover above House No. 19, reached out with one hand—

A chain flew from his sleeve and plunged into the courtyard, then yanked fiercely.

The child Tang Ran was pulled out, tightly bound, and carried back to the law boat in the sky.

Then the remaining Law Enforcement Hall disciples went about their tasks. Some entered the house, seemingly to seal it.

Two others in black robes walked toward Ji Yuan and Pi Fangzhi, holding a jade slip.

In such circumstances, Ji Yuan could only stand still obediently. He also recognized one of them—it was his old acquaintance from Yunyu Marshlands, Fang Jie.

“You two are the owners of Houses No. 17 and No. 18—Pi Fangzhi and Ji Yuan, yes?”

Fang Jie held the jade slip and asked as a routine inquiry.

“That’s us.”

“Good. Don’t leave the sect these next few days. Be ready for a summons from the Law Enforcement Hall at any time.”

Fang Jie gave Ji Yuan a meaningful glance.

Standing half a step behind, Ji Yuan slightly shook his head.

Fang Jie’s furrowed brows then relaxed.

Ji Yuan understood the hint—so long as he wasn’t close with Tang Ran, there wouldn’t be a big issue.

At most, they’d just ask him some questions.

After speaking, Fang Jie tossed them each a pitch-black talisman, which landed in their hands.

“If the talisman lights up, come to the Law Enforcement Hall within one day.”

“May I ask, fellow Daoist, when can we leave? This old man made plans with friends to go hunt demonic beasts.”

Pi Fangzhi fiddled with the talisman and asked.

“Wait for instructions.”

With that, Fang Jie and the other Law Enforcement disciple turned and left, appearing incomparably authoritative.

But to Ji Yuan, it didn’t really feel like much. In this world where might could be channeled through individuals, no matter how powerful something appeared on the surface, it was never as useful as increasing one’s own strength.

Like Fang Jie standing before him—although he looked formidable right now, it was all just the power of the Water Dragon Sect being channeled into him.

If it came down to an actual fight, Ji Yuan conservatively estimated that his Foundation Establishment-level physique could take on at least two Fang Jies.

As for why he only estimated two, even after achieving Foundation Establishment with his body—well, he already said, it was a conservative estimate.

Ji Yuan had always been a conservative person.

So rather than wasting time working for the Water Dragon Sect, he’d rather put all his energy into improving his own strength.

“What a bunch of pointless trouble… Damn that Tang Ran.”

After grumbling, Pi Fangzhi shook his head and sighed before returning to his home.

But judging by his demeanor, Ji Yuan felt that the relationship between him and Tang Ran wasn’t as bad as it looked on the surface.

There was probably some other connection between the two.

That would explain why he seemed so anxious upon seeing Tang Ran get arrested.

But that had nothing to do with Ji Yuan. He had always conducted himself openly and uprightly, and wasn’t afraid of being investigated. If the Law Enforcement Hall tried to force a confession or falsely accuse him—

Ji Yuan could always rely on his connection with Li Changhe.

Nothing to be afraid of.

After waiting at home for over half an hour and seeing the Law Enforcement Hall people leave, Ji Yuan summoned his flying boat and headed for Thousand Mechanisms Island.

When he arrived, he first used the talisman given to him earlier by the Island Lord of Qinghe.

Before long, a Foundation Establishment uncle-master hurriedly came out, his face lit with joy.

“Junior Nephew, you’re finally here.”

Ji Yuan presented the excuse he had prepared beforehand.

“This wine wasn’t easy to procure. I had to travel all over to gather the ingredients and just barely managed to brew three jars.”

“Three jars?”

The Island Lord of Qinghe seemed slightly disappointed at first—perhaps finding the amount too little—but still said:

“Three jars is fine. Three jars will do.”

Ji Yuan handed over the three jars, but still kept another three in his storage pouch as backup.

“I’ll credit you with merit points shortly. If you get more of this Spiritual Wine in the coming days, be sure to let me know. As long as we’re within the Water Dragon Sect, I’ll come find you myself.”

“In the coming days…”

Ji Yuan could only offer a bitter smile. “I’ll certainly do my best.”

Watching the Island Lord of Qinghe hurry away excitedly, Ji Yuan grew a bit curious about who the real wine addict behind the scenes might be.

At first, he had suspected it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But if that were the case, would the Island Lord go to such lengths?

Could it actually be a Golden Core master?

The thought had barely surfaced when Ji Yuan quickly shook his head, dismissing it. Then he approached a duty disciple, took out his token, and asked:

“Senior Brother, could you help me check if this mission has been completed?”