Starting My Immortal Life by Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 134: Effect of Level 2 【Comprehension Room】

Jian Zong had considerately prepared for Ji Yuan the drawing methods for the two second-grade talismans: the “Thousand Sword Talisman” and the “Copper Wall Talisman”.

As for second-grade pill formulas, Ji Yuan had already purchased the formula for the “Water Spirit Pill” earlier on Everything Island.

This was a required condition for upgrading the 【Pill Refining Room】to level 2. Ji Yuan was most eager for this, so naturally, he had prepared it in advance.

Moreover, among the many second-grade pills, the Water Spirit Pill wasn’t considered too difficult. Its effect was actually not much different from the Gathering Spirit Pill.

The difference was that the Gathering Spirit Pill could enhance the cultivation of cultivators of all five elements, while the Water Spirit Pill could only accelerate the cultivation speed of water-element cultivators.

Ji Yuan’s realm in both pill refinement and talisman crafting had already reached first-grade high quality, just one step away from second grade.

Naturally, he first attempted to break through in pill refinement inside the 【Comprehension Room】, but after half a month, he was still short of that final step.

On the contrary, it was in talisman crafting that he first achieved a breakthrough.

A successful “Copper Wall Talisman” elevated him to a second-grade talisman master.

Good news: he could now attempt to draw second-grade talismans and earn Spirit Stones from Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Bad news: the Talisman Room still could not be upgraded.

【Upgrade Requirements: Middle-Grade Spirit Stones ×20, Mica Clusters ×10 jin, Scarlet Marrow Thunder Jade ×1, Successfully draw a complete set of Five Element Talismans (Not achieved)】

Among the upgrade conditions for level 2 【Talisman Room】, the first few items were manageable and even the missing ones could be attempted for purchase.

But the Five Element Talismans were a rigid requirement.

Ji Yuan planned to return to the Water Dragon Sect in a few days to see if he could purchase the method for these Five Element Talismans.

Once the 【Talisman Room】was upgraded to level 2, he would obtain the “Shapeshifting Talisman”. At that time, he would have another method of disguise.

When going out, he would no longer need to worry about being seen through by the spiritual senses of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

A month passed.

Ji Yuan had broken through in talisman crafting, while pill refinement was still in the process of being pursued.

And just by casually comprehending some techniques, he managed to learn the third layer “Ninefold Wave” of the 《Canglang Sword Manual》.

If he fought others in the future, he would now have an additional killing technique.

As pill refinement had not made a breakthrough, Ji Yuan could only shift the battleground from the 【Comprehension Room】to the 【Pill Refining Room】.

He continued to refine first-grade high-quality Gathering Spirit Pills, accumulating pill refining experience and preparing for the next advancement.

About ten days passed like this. The herbs Ji Yuan had accumulated were all used up, and he had no choice but to take some time to return to the Water Dragon Sect. He emerged from his closed-door cultivation Cave Dwelling.

First, he received the low-income support accumulated over this period from Tu Yue, intending to exchange it for Spirit Stones on Everything Island.

During this month, the Great Toad had also caught two second-grade early-stage demonic beasts. The demon cores were still intact, but it had eaten everything else edible.

What it couldn’t eat, Ji Yuan planned to sell on Everything Island.

Every bit must be collected; nothing should be wasted.

After handling all the matters on the island, Ji Yuan finally summoned the Red Dawn Boat and headed north straight toward the Water Dragon Sect.

This time, he first returned to his residence on Hatchling Dragon Island.

Having been away from home for a long time, he had to check on how his Cave Dwelling was.

By now, it had been over a year since he joined the Water Dragon Sect. It was summertime, and coincidentally, the two summer peach trees planted in his courtyard by a senior had just ripened.

After returning home, he looked at the two lush peach trees and the fist-sized, crimson-red summer peaches.

He casually picked one, cleansed it with a technique, and started eating it.

Juice overflowed upon entry, very plump, with a strong peach flavor, and even a faint trace of spiritual energy.

Obviously, much effort had been put into cultivating these two peach trees.

At the very least, they were better than the two trees Ji Yuan had planted in Zengtou Market.

After finishing the peach, Ji Yuan rested at home for a while before summoning the flying boat again and heading directly to Everything Island.

Meanwhile—

On an island resembling a phoenix on the outskirts of the Water Dragon Sect.

A female cultivator in a fiery red long dress suddenly opened her eyes. A streak of gold flashed in her long and narrow pupils, but quickly returned to normal.

Sensing something, she turned her head toward Hatchling Dragon Island and muttered to herself:

“So my courtyard finally has newly inducted junior disciples?”

“If so, then I should go back and take a look.”

With that thought, she stood up and summoned a fiery red flying boat, then flew off into the distance.

Ji Yuan had many matters to attend to on Everything Island this time.

He first went to the familiar Demon Trading Shop to deal with the Great Toad’s recent gains. The demon cores couldn’t be sold, and most of the other spiritual materials had already been eaten by it. Naturally, the remaining scraps didn’t fetch much money.

From the remains of three second-grade early-stage demonic beasts, he didn’t even get 30 middle-grade Spirit Stones.

Ji Yuan didn’t feel it was a loss. After all, the gains brought back by the Great Toad were practically free to him.

After selling those things, he strolled through various shops on Everything Island.

He browsed and selected everywhere, searching for the herbs he needed, as well as talisman ink and talisman paper for drawing. If he found something suitable,

he would bargain with the shopkeeper or compare prices among several stores before making a purchase.

Cultivation was not easy; earning Spirit Stones was even harder.

So naturally, there was no need to spend recklessly. He understood the principle of being frugal where possible and generous where necessary.

As he walked, he eventually reached the end of an alley. Looking up at the nearby shop, he found it quite familiar.

This shop was built in a corner. Its doorframe and walls were made of black stone, and there was a soul-banner-like item hanging by the door, which made the place appear even more eerie.

Previously, when Ji Yuan was searching everywhere for Profound Yin Soil to upgrade the 【Spiritual Field】, he finally bought it from this shop.

Upgrading the Spiritual Field to level 3 required Profound Yin Soil; the same was true for upgrading it to level 4, just in much larger quantity.

Previously, 5 jin sufficed; now, 20 jin was needed.

Additionally, Scarlet Sun Soil had been added.

Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and entered the shop. The shopkeeper was still the same handsome white-robed cultivator.

Seeing a customer enter, he stood up from the lounge chair. When he saw Ji Yuan’s face, he looked somewhat puzzled,

but quickly recognized him.

“Fellow Daoist, I wonder if my Profound Yin Soil served you well?”

“You actually still recognize me?”

Ji Yuan was rather surprised.

The white-robed man took out a feather fan from his storage pouch, gently waving it as he smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist’s bearing is gallant and handsome—how could I not be deeply impressed?”

Damn, smooth talker, but I’m a man, brother—Ji Yuan complained inwardly, merely smiling without speaking.

The white-robed man immediately sensed that Ji Yuan might not appreciate such flattery, so he quickly changed the subject and introduced himself.

His name was Bai Piao.

After introducing himself, he made sure to clarify: it was the “Piao” as in “drifting beyond worldly matters,” not “white,” and certainly not “old customer.”

Since there were no conflicting interests between Ji Yuan and him, Ji Yuan naturally gave his real name in return.

“Fellow Daoist Ji, have you come again for more of that Profound Yin Soil?”

Bai Piao asked with a smile.

Ji Yuan did need it, but he didn’t plan to buy it just yet. That stuff was too expensive, and even with it, he wouldn’t be able to upgrade the 【Spiritual Field】.

Spirit Stones were scarce, so the good steel had to be used on the blade’s edge.

“No, I’ve come to inquire something of Fellow Daoist Bai—what exactly is this Scarlet Sun Soil?”

Ji Yuan respectfully cupped his fists and bowed, adopting a posture of seeking instruction.

He hadn’t been able to find any solid information despite searching through many books.

“Scarlet Sun Soil?”

Bai Piao pondered briefly before remembering.

“‘Scarlet Sun Soil’ is its formal name. In many places, it’s simply called ‘furnace ash’.”

Bai Piao explained with a smile.

“Scarlet Sun Soil is just furnace ash?”

Ji Yuan’s eyes lit up—he truly hadn’t known that. No wonder he couldn’t find it in the references.

“Exactly. But it has to be ash from refining second-grade pills or higher to be considered Scarlet Sun Soil. The ash from first-grade pill refining doesn’t count.”

Furnace ash referred to the medicinal residue left from failed pill refinement, which, after further refinement within the pill furnace, turned into ash.

“I see. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Bai.”

Ji Yuan bowed once more. So it seemed that once he started refining second-grade pills, the failed residue could all be saved.

Unfortunately, he failed too rarely. Gathering ten jin of Scarlet Sun Soil at that rate… who knew how many years it would take.

He would probably still have to buy some from others.

Having gotten the information he needed, Ji Yuan was just about to leave when another thought struck him.

The Yin Ghost still lacked yin-type items for upgrading.

During his time on Misty Island, Ji Yuan had tried creating a place for gathering yin energy, like a 【Grave Mound】or a 【Corpse Storage Room】.

But perhaps because he didn’t have enough corpses, the attempts always failed.

Helpless, he turned his thoughts once again toward obtaining yin-type items.

Technically, the Profound Yin Soil in front of him was already a yin-type item, but its yin energy wasn’t strong enough. Using it to cultivate the Yin Ghosts would be overkill.

Seeing Ji Yuan’s hesitant look, Bai Piao smiled and asked, “Fellow Daoist Ji, do you need something else?”

Ji Yuan thought for a moment and rephrased it more tactfully.

“I wonder if Fellow Daoist Bai has anything with a bit more yin energy—just a bit more than Profound Yin Soil would suffice.”

“Oh?”

Bai Piao’s eyes lit up upon hearing that, and his expression even showed a trace of delight.

With a wave of his hand, he closed the shop’s door.

This move startled Ji Yuan, though he was also a bit hopeful. Could this guy really have something?

“Fellow Daoist is seeking yin-type items?”

Bai Piao asked directly.

Ji Yuan didn’t reply—this wasn’t the sort of thing easy to admit.

But unexpectedly, Bai Piao admitted it openly. “I have some.”

His candid response made Ji Yuan feel a little embarrassed. He cleared his throat. “Ahem, Fellow Daoist—”

“No need for concern, Fellow Daoist Ji. We are both of the righteous path. Cultivating with yin-type items doesn’t necessarily make one a demonic cultivator. Some just have an interest in it, that’s all. And since you previously purchased Profound Yin Soil, you must already know—some herbs or spiritual plants can only be cultivated using yin-type items. So there’s no need to worry too much.”

“The sect is aware of situations like ours. It’s an unspoken rule among everyone. As long as you don’t actually engage in demonic acts, the sect won’t interfere.”

Seeing Ji Yuan’s concern, Bai Piao explained everything in detail.

Ji Yuan let out a genuine sigh of relief after hearing that.

This matter… really was just as he had thought.

Otherwise, if using yin-type items made one a demonic cultivator, that would be utterly unreasonable.

“In that case, I do indeed need some yin-type items for herb cultivation. I wonder what Fellow Daoist Bai might have?”

“How yin do you need it?”

Ji Yuan contemplated and said, “The more yin the better.”

His Yin Ghosts had already reached late-stage Qi Refining. If he wanted to keep advancing them, the yin energy couldn’t fall short.

“This—”

Clearly, Ji Yuan’s response surprised Bai Piao. He paused for a moment, then suddenly activated a small isolation formation within the room. Only then did he take something out from his storage pouch.

“Fellow Daoist Ji, what do you think of this?”

Ji Yuan was already surprised to see him activate a formation, but what truly shocked him was what Bai Piao held in his hand—it was a palm-sized black coffin, suppressed with several Demon-Suppressing Talismans.

The moment it was taken out, the room’s temperature seemed to drop by over ten degrees. Even Ji Yuan, who cultivated the body, felt a chill.

“Fellow Daoist Bai, this is—”

“Dug up from a Ten Thousand Corpses family’s estate. I don’t know exactly what it is, only that the yin energy is extremely strong. It should meet your needs.”

“Can this coffin be opened?”

“It can’t. I’ve tried. The black coffin is a single piece, carved from a single stone.”

Ji Yuan took it with both hands. Even when manipulated with Object Manipulation Technique, he could feel the oppressive chill. This was definitely a valuable item—if used, the two Yin Ghosts could probably reach the peak of Qi Refining.

“It should be useful, but this kind of good item—I'm afraid it won’t be cheap, right?”

Ji Yuan carefully asked about the price.

Bai Piao smiled. “I got this by chance as well. As for the price—I'm not planning to trade it for Spirit Stones. I want to exchange it for a second-grade demon core.”

“A second-grade demon core?”

That was not a cheap price. A decent second-grade demon core could go for twenty to thirty middle-grade Spirit Stones.

“Yes, a second-grade low-grade one will do,” Bai Piao said with a smile, as if a second-grade low-grade demon core would be very inexpensive.

Naturally, Ji Yuan intended to make the trade, just not immediately. If he took out a second-grade demon core for a direct trade right now, it would make him appear too wealthy. So, he acted as though he struggled with the decision for a while before returning the small black coffin.

“How about this—Fellow Daoist Bai, give me a few more days. I’ll try to gather the rest. If it doesn’t work out, I can pay a deposit first.”

Ji Yuan gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“No need for a deposit. You and I are kindred spirits. Naturally, I’ll hold onto this item for you,” Bai Piao replied.

Isn’t it because it’s a yin-type item and almost impossible to sell in the Water Dragon Sect? That sounds prettier than it is—Ji Yuan mocked inwardly, though his face showed a deeply touched expression.

“Excellent. From now on, Fellow Daoist Bai is a friend of Ji Yuan!”

“Brother Ji.”

“Brother Bai!”

The two of them looked as though they had long been old friends meeting again after years apart.

After that, Bai Piao put away the black coffin, removed the formation, and opened the door. Returning to the sunlight, the two also returned to their calm, composed expressions, as if none of what just happened had ever occurred.

Ji Yuan planned to return for the trade when heading back to Misty Island.

So for now, he left and went to the Hundred Treasure Pavilion at the highest point on Everything Island.

Once there, he could trade freely.

So, he sold the Water Essence Dew, Blood Essence, the various talismans he had drawn, and the pills he had refined over the past period.

He even sold some miscellaneous items he had gotten from Jian Zong but couldn’t use.

He didn’t sell Jian Zong’s flying boat—doing so might bring trouble. Ji Yuan planned to deal with it in a city outside later on.

But even without selling the flying boat, just selling off the rest brought him nearly 40 middle-grade Spirit Stones. Adding those to what he previously received from Jian Zong—

After deducting what he had spent earlier on medicinal ingredients, he now carried 137 middle-grade Spirit Stones.

Just like that, he had unknowingly accumulated another hefty sum.

Spirit Stones definitely shouldn’t be stored away. Saved Spirit Stones were practically meant for others to take—like Jian Zong.

So next, Ji Yuan went to upgrade the magic tools he used regularly.

His original top-grade Azure Flying Sword was replaced with an ultimate-grade magic weapon flying sword, “Purple Lightning”.

Not only was it much faster, but each attack also carried lightning effects. Its power was formidable.

The top-grade Spiritual Water Needle he used for ambushes was replaced in one go—with a low-grade spiritual artifact.

This spiritual artifact needle remained singular and was named Mirage Needle.

The needle emitted illusions to confuse the enemy. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators with weak spiritual senses might not detect it.

Its killing effect was astonishing.

Naturally, the price was equally astonishing.

This was Ji Yuan’s first time purchasing a spiritual artifact. Along with the ultimate-grade magic weapon flying sword, the two items together cost him 96 middle-grade Spirit Stones.

Just the Mirage Needle alone cost him 80 middle-grade Spirit Stones.

But since it was all to enhance his strength, Ji Yuan didn’t feel bad about spending it.

After buying these items, he went to the Talisman Tower to inquire about the price of a complete set of Five Element Talismans. He wouldn’t have minded not asking—but after he did, he was shocked.

Complete sets of Five Element Talismans came in three types:

One was Five Element Offensive Talismans.

Another was Five Element Protective Talismans.

And the third was Five Element Escape Talismans.

Among the three, even the cheapest Five Element Protective Talismans cost 30 middle-grade Spirit Stones. The Offensive Talismans cost 40, and the Escape Talismans cost 50.

They were expensive for good reason.

For example, the Five Element Protective Talismans—when used together in a set of five—could form a protective talisman array, significantly boosting its power.

Since upgrading the 【Talisman Room】required it, Ji Yuan had no choice but to grit his teeth and buy it. Inwardly, he swore that once he succeeded, he would do nothing else before earning back the Spirit Stones he had spent on this talisman set.

After finishing these purchases, he returned to Hatchling Dragon Island.

But just before reaching his door—right as he descended from the Red Dawn Boat—he saw someone standing in front of his home, clearly waiting for him.

It was a woman. She was wearing a cross-collared scholar's robe made from Scarlet Flame Flowing Cloud Brocade. The silk clung tightly to her curving figure,

from her collarbone to her waist embroidered with Ninefold Golden Thread dark patterns, flickering like light on snowy hills as she walked.

Her waist was slender—seemingly less than a handful.

As the evening breeze blew, the split hem of her robe revealed a leg like a jade sculpture.

Seeing this, Ji Yuan was about to take a step forward and ask, but as soon as he sensed the aura on her body, he quickly cupped his fists and bowed: “This junior, Ji Yuan, greets Senior Aunt.”

Anyone whose aura he, a peak Qi Refining cultivator, couldn’t sense—was certainly a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

So calling her Senior Aunt wasn’t out of place.

Feng Zhitao looked at the young man bowing before her—especially after seeing his face—and her mood improved. Thankfully, the new tenant wasn’t an old man this time. On the contrary, he was a rather handsome junior.

So she smiled cheerfully and stepped forward. “Calling me Senior Aunt makes me sound old.”

Ji Yuan, guided by instinct, bowed again. “Greetings, Senior Sister.”

“Hmph, you’ve got some eyes after all.”

Feng Zhitao turned to look at the courtyard, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

“My name is Feng Zhitao—you should’ve heard of me, right?”

“Pre—Senior Sister, did you used to live in this courtyard?”

Ji Yuan had seen the inscriptions on the wall, so of course he’d heard the name.

“Yes, I planted those two peach trees in the courtyard myself. It was only because you ate one that I knew a newcomer had arrived.”

“Hurry up and open the door. I still want to go in and take a look.”

Feng Zhitao urged.

Ji Yuan quickly acknowledged, then glanced at the Panel again to make sure that all the building effects in the house were deactivated before stepping forward to open the door and invite Feng Zhitao inside.

The moment Feng Zhitao entered, she picked a peach and took a big, satisfied bite.

“Very good, still the same taste!”

Standing beside her, Ji Yuan said with a smile, “Naturally. Since this junior entered the sect, he has carefully tended to the two peach trees. Every month, I even bury a few Spirit Stones beneath the trees to nourish them.”

Feng Zhitao gave him a once-over from head to toe.

“You like eating peaches too?”

“Of course. Back at my old home in the Yunyu Marshlands, I also planted two peach trees. The taste is quite good. The neighbor’s kids often drool over them.”

Ji Yuan spoke quite seriously.

Because he was telling the truth.

He really did plant peach trees, and Wen Ling’er really did drool—though it was from sourness.

Still counts as drooling, doesn’t it?

“Looks like we really are a bit fated.”

After finishing the peach, Feng Zhitao clapped her hands and said, “According to the tradition of this residence, each previous occupant must leave something for the next. I left a pill refining manual for that old man. He should have left you something too. Technically, I don’t need to leave anything again.”

“But seeing as we are so fated, I’ll still give you a gift. Tell me, is there anything you need?”

What a pleasant surprise—Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then asked in return, “Senior Sister is a pill refiner?”

“Indeed.”

Feng Zhitao lifted her chin and said, “And I’m a second-grade high-quality pill refiner. Don’t tell me you want me to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for you?”

“That wouldn’t be out of the question—but I’d have to charge you for it.”

“No, no, this junior wouldn’t dare ask for such a favor. It’s just... I’ve been unable to grasp the knack for refining second-grade pills. I hope Senior Sister can offer me some guidance.”

For Ji Yuan, the most pressing matter at the moment was to successfully refine a second-grade Water Spirit Pill and thereby upgrade the 【Pill Refining Room】to level 2.

“What? You can refine pills too?”

This truly surprised Feng Zhitao. It really did seem that she and this junior had some sort of connection.

Ji Yuan spread his hands and smiled slightly. “Senior Sister just said so—we’re a bit fated.”