Starting My Immortal Life by Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 92: The Water Dragon Sect's Selection Arrives Early

Ji Yuan stood by the window, holding a letter in his hand, unable to speak for a long time.

Qiu Qianhai had disappeared; that much was certain.

Just as he had said himself, Ji Yuan didn't know whether he was alive or dead, but his disappearance was undeniable.

The Qin family?

The Qin family was indeed the most likely culprit.

Considering the passing of the old blind man from the Qin family... Could it be that the old blind man personally went to kill Qiu Qianhai, resulting in both their deaths?

Unlikely.

If Qiu Qianhai had the strength to perish alongside someone at the peak of Qi Refinement, Ji Yuan wouldn't have needed to rescue him back then.

It was highly probable that the old blind man from the Qin family had died, but whether it was related to Qiu Qianhai's disappearance, Ji Yuan did not know.

However, without the old blind man, destroying the Qin family would be simple.

Currently, the Qin family had only Qin Long and He Laosan, both at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. Ji Yuan was confident he could take them down.

But to be safe, he decided to wait until he reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement or the peak before making a move.

After all, as Qiu Qianhai had said, if nothing else, he could outlast them.

If it were another enemy or a demonic beast that killed him—Ji Yuan didn't know.

Regardless of whether it was the Qin family, Qiu Qianhai's disappearance would be attributed to them.

Even if not for Qiu Qianhai, for the sake of his deceased parents, Ji Yuan had to settle the score with the Qin family.

So, in Ji Yuan's heart, the Qin family was essentially sentenced to death.

He looked down at the letter in his hand again, then flipped it and stored it in his storage pouch, leaving only the rough hand-drawn map.

A second-tier movement technique suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage was indeed a valuable asset.

It could even be considered a treasure among treasures.

If this technique were an offensive or defensive spell, Ji Yuan might not have paid much attention, but movement techniques were rare.

If he could learn it, it would serve as a life-saving measure.

Whether in combat or escape, it would be a valuable skill.

In the previous battle with the demonic cultivator, Ji Yuan had already experienced the benefits of the Thunder Falcon Boat.

In combat, one might not have strong offensive or defensive capabilities, but speed was essential.

If he could fight, he would; if not, he would flee. After fleeing, he could return to fight when ready.

As long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood.

Ji Yuan wouldn't be foolish enough to fight to the death.

When it was time to run, he would run.

Given this... should he first check out the island Qiu Qianhai had described?

The thought existed in Ji Yuan's mind for only a moment before he dismissed it. Deep within the Yunyu Marshlands, where second-tier demonic beasts roamed, not to mention the island where the opportunity lay, it was certain that a second-tier demonic beast resided there.

A second-tier demonic beast's strength was equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Even if it wasn't a flying beast, Ji Yuan didn't dare to take the risk—what if it was?

He was currently only at the eighth level of Qi Refinement; there was no need to take such a risk. Even if he did and obtained the technique, he wouldn't be able to learn it now.

The third layer of the "Water Drop Finger," "Accumulated Burst," had barely been initiated.

The third layer of the "Azure Wave Sword Technique," "Ninefold Wave," hadn't even been started.

When it came to spells, quality mattered more than quantity.

As for whether the opportunity would be taken by someone else due to his delay—if someone else took it, so be it.

That would only mean the opportunity wasn't meant for him.

As long as he stayed alive, why worry about lacking opportunities?

After storing the letter and map, Ji Yuan sat by the window for a long time.

At present, whether seeking revenge on the Qin family or pursuing the opportunity, both were unstable endeavors.

The most reliable course of action was to quickly improve his cultivation and strength.

Days passed by.

The struggle between the Water Dragon Sect and the Joyous Palace continued, with reports of casualties among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, the battlefield was too far from Zengtou Market.

After all, Zengtou Market was already near the Water Dragon Sect, practically adjacent to it.

As long as one crossed the vast Yunyu Marshlands, they could reach the Water Dragon Sect located by the Falling Star River.

So, although the fighting persisted, Ji Yuan didn't feel much impact.

The only noticeable changes were the continuous price increases of blood essence and various talismans and pills.

Therefore, he didn't remain idle. With the assistance of building effects, he had already saved up eleven spirit stones.

Mid-grade spirit stones!

Previously, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of such a thing.

Of course, to sell enough to accumulate these eleven mid-grade spirit stones, he had essentially traveled all over the Yunyu Marshlands.

Despite his high cultivation, he didn't dare to frequent the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Zengtou Market.

Otherwise, if they noticed his high success rate in talisman drawing and pill refining, they might forcibly recruit him into the Water Dragon Sect. What would he do then?

If he were captured—oh no, recruited.

What would happen would entirely depend on the Water Dragon Sect's whims.

However, Ji Yuan still hadn't sold the remaining 30 jin of Cold Iron Sand because the price was still rising.

Previously, one jin of Cold Iron Sand was worth 20 spirit stones.

Now, over a year later, the price had risen to 30 spirit stones per jin.

Who knew what the Water Dragon Sect needed this material for?

They wanted so much of it.

If this continued, the Qingbo Pond might be "reclaimed by the sect."

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

After the New Year, a piece of news suddenly spread throughout Zengtou Market, or rather, the Yunyu Marshlands: the Water Dragon Sect's selection had been moved up!

It had been advanced by an entire year!

Originally scheduled for next year, the Water Dragon Sect's selection was unexpectedly moved to this year.

Moreover, the timing was tight.

The news hadn't even fully spread when the Water Dragon Sect's "recruitment army" had already stationed themselves in various markets.

If it weren't for Wen Lin making a trip to Zengtou Market that morning to buy medicinal herbs and bringing back the news, Ji Yuan wouldn't have known.

However, this sudden news disrupted all of Ji Yuan's plans. He had intended to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement by next year's selection.

With the Yin Ghost Formation's aid, he would dare to face even those at the peak of Qi Refinement in battle.

Even if he joined the Water Dragon Sect, he would be able to gain a foothold.

If he had broken through a little earlier, he could have made a trip to the island Qiu Qianhai had described, to see if he could obtain that opportunity before heading to the Water Dragon Sect.

But now—not only was his cultivation unprepared, even the various buildings at home hadn't been dealt with.

The effects of the buildings could be deactivated, but the Spiritual Fish and Green-Yellow Chickens inside... never mind!

Maybe he should just abandon them.

They weren’t worth much anyway—better to let the Lin and Wen families take care of them.

Joining the Water Dragon Sect was the priority. If he missed out today, he might have to wait another three years. Ji Yuan could afford to wait one year, but not three.

Let’s go!

With a single thought, Ji Yuan summoned Tu Yue and stored her in his storage pouch.

Fortunately, this puppet had no spiritual intelligence and wasn’t considered a living creature—otherwise, it would have been a troublesome issue to deal with.

But why had the Water Dragon Sect suddenly advanced their selection?

And they were in such a rush, not even allowing people any preparation time.

The news had only spread today, and the selection was already happening today.

Normally, they should at least give people a few days to prepare.

After all, many late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators were still scattered across the Yunyu Marshlands or out beyond the markets.

Even if they received the news and rushed back, it would still take time.

Dong, dong dong—

A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard. Ji Yuan went to open the door and found several people standing at the entrance.

The Lin and Wen families had both come. Lin Hu even brought his one-year-old daughter in his arms.

The six of them stood at the door, looking at him.

Seeing this made Ji Yuan feel a bit embarrassed.

Before he could speak, Lin Hu, who had the closest relationship with him, took the initiative to ask, “Brother Ji, are you heading to the Water Dragon Sect?”

“Brother Ji’s strength is already sufficient. There’s no point in staying in Zengtou Market any longer. It’s indeed time for him to head to the Water Dragon Sect,” Wen Lin said with a sigh.

His words carried some reluctance, as he was not only Ji Yuan’s neighbor but also his friend.

Over the past six months, the newly promoted mid-tier first-grade alchemist had often shared alchemy experience with him.

Through their interactions, Ji Yuan had even given him several pointers, which helped improve his own alchemical skills.

But from Wen Lin’s words, Ji Yuan also heard another meaning—he was worried Ji Yuan would forget their agreement after joining the Water Dragon Sect.

“I’m going to take a look first,” Ji Yuan replied, not saying anything too definite to avoid the risk of making a fool of himself if something unexpected happened.

“If I do join—”

Before Ji Yuan could finish, he suddenly looked up sharply.

A streak of azure-blue light flashed across the sky, followed closely by a white beam of light shooting straight down, aimed directly at his courtyard.

“Not good!”

Instinctively thinking it was an ambush, Ji Yuan raised his hand and summoned the Hundred-Fish Shield.

The shield expanded to six feet wide with the wind, protecting the people outside the courtyard.

Then he raised his other hand, and the Azure Moth Sword appeared.

Azure and blue light reflected against each other, and several mirrors appeared above the courtyard.

But as the white light drew closer, Ji Yuan could see more clearly—it didn’t seem like an attack. It looked more like a letter, only imbued with spiritual energy, which made it resemble a spell.

Who sent this letter?

Ji Yuan leapt into the air, his Thunder Gathering Boat flashing briefly as the stacked mirrors disappeared. He reached out and caught the letter.

Landing back in the courtyard, he looked up at the sky.

The earlier streak of azure-blue light had vanished; the person was already gone.

Ji Yuan had no idea who it was.

After looking around and confirming that no one else was nearby, he put away the Hundred-Fish Shield.

“All right, it’s nothing.”

Only then did Lin Hu and the others raise their heads, all of them looking slightly shaken. “Brother Ji, what was that—”

“No idea. You all head back first. I’ll tell you more once I figure it out.”

Ji Yuan’s expression was somewhat grim.

They all nodded repeatedly.

Among them, Wen Lin had the highest cultivation at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. If Ji Yuan had really gotten into a conflict with someone...

Spells from the late stages of Qi Refinement might be nothing to Ji Yuan, but if they landed on any of them, it would be a death sentence.

So, after watching Ji Yuan return to the house, Lin Hu and Wen Lin exchanged a glance.

Neither of the two families spoke a word and quietly set off toward Zengtou Market.

It wasn’t about abandoning their friend. But if a fight really broke out, they wouldn’t be able to help.

They’d not only risk getting caught in the crossfire but also become a distraction to Ji Yuan.

Once back inside, Ji Yuan immediately took out the letter.

After scanning it several times with spiritual energy to confirm it contained nothing harmful, he summoned Tu Yue to help him open it.

If the puppet died, he could always get another. But if he died, that would be the end of everything.

Fortunately, the letter contained nothing unusual. Its contents were even just a single, short sentence.

The handwriting was messy, as if it had been written in a hurry.

Still, Ji Yuan managed to make it out.

There was even a signature at the end.

The signature read: Xu Fugui.

The message was:

“It’s a trap. Don’t go. Everyone joining today will be sent to the front lines.”