Starting My Immortal Life by Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 97: Acquiring the Second-Tier Movement Technique

Over the past few years, besides his cultivation, Ji Yuan had diligently studied various classical texts.

A cultivator named "Beilin Sanren" had once authored a book titled Records of Exotic Beasts, which contained a detailed description of the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad.

This creature, the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad, was not inherently violent; in fact, among many demonic beasts, it was considered relatively gentle.

However, it had a notable characteristic—gluttony, with an enormous appetite.

Moreover, once it tasted something delicious, it became extremely picky, refusing to eat anything less palatable.

Some cultivators often exploited this gluttonous nature, poisoning the creature or luring it out of densely populated demonic beast areas to kill it individually.

Indeed, when Ji Yuan first confirmed that this toad was a Big-Mouth Devouring Toad, he contemplated poisoning it.

Coincidentally, he had a potent poison in his storage pouch.

It was the one he had extracted from Tu Yue.

Yet, just as he entertained this thought, he reconsidered.

If he could pacify this Big-Mouth Devouring Toad and later establish a cave dwelling on this island, wouldn't it serve as an excellent hiding place?

This misty area was already an ideal place to conceal oneself, and the presence of the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad on the island would further deter other cultivators from approaching.

The area was shrouded in mist; if he upgraded his [Cave Dwelling] to level 3 and obtained the Starry Cloud Barrier Formation, wouldn't that formation seamlessly integrate with the surrounding mist?

At that point, could there be a safer place?

Ji Yuan's mind became active with possibilities.

Moreover, once he advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage and obtained the right to open an island in the Water Dragon Sect, he could occupy an island as his official cave dwelling, while secretly using this place as his hideout.

With this thought, the world seemed full of opportunities.

Ji Yuan had been worried about the safety and cramped conditions of his small house in Zengtou Market. If he could settle here, it would be the perfect place.

Given that, the current issue was to first pacify this Big-Mouth Devouring Toad.

Otherwise, everything else was moot.

Ji Yuan looked down at the toad crouching on the mountain peak. Its gaze remained somewhat clear yet foolish, and it occasionally opened its mouth, appearing unsatisfied.

It probably had never tasted Spiritual Pig meat before.

Especially since Ji Yuan's Spiritual Pig meat had been enhanced by the panel, granting it a slight body-tempering effect, making it taste even better than ordinary Spiritual Pig meat.

However, Ji Yuan currently had only three of these in his storage pouch, so he could only offer them sparingly.

Observing the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad's incessant mouth-opening, Ji Yuan pondered and then slowly lowered his flying boat, approaching the toad's attack range.

Only then did Ji Yuan halt, and he cut off over two pounds of meat from his storage pouch and tossed it over.

This time, the toad reacted even faster, sweeping its tongue and instantly drawing the meat into its mouth.

After swallowing, it emitted a joyful croak from its throat.

It looked at Ji Yuan with clear eyes, appearing increasingly eager.

But this time, no matter how it looked, Ji Yuan didn't offer more meat.

The toad croaked a few times. Seeing no response from Ji Yuan, it became anxious, turned, and hopped down the mountain. Yet, after a few steps, it turned back to look at Ji Yuan.

"Croak—does this mean... you want me to follow?"

Ji Yuan seemed to grasp the toad's intention.

After some thought, Ji Yuan summoned the Hundred Fish Shield to protect himself, activated a top-grade protective talisman, and then turned on the Xuan Light Shield on his wrist. Only then did he lower the flying boat and slowly followed.

This way, even if the toad was cunning and launched a sudden attack, he would still be well-protected.

Man and toad proceeded together.

Ji Yuan noticed that as long as he didn't show hostility, the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad was genuinely docile. After a few hops, if it saw Ji Yuan hadn't caught up, it would stop and wait.

Only after seeing Ji Yuan catch up would it continue.

Man and toad.

One hopping, one flying.

In this manner, Ji Yuan followed it from the mountain top to the base, eventually arriving at the foot of a cliff.

The toad stopped. After Ji Yuan approached slightly, it extended its tongue again.

Ji Yuan thought it was about to attack and even released his flying sword, but unexpectedly, the toad's tongue extended toward the base of the cliff.

Its massive, crimson tongue swept across, clearing all the shrubs and weeds at the cliff's base, swallowing them in the process.

Perhaps having just eaten the delicious Spiritual Pig meat, tasting these weeds now made the toad gag, but it still forced them down.

A toad that doesn't waste food.

With the weeds cleared, Ji Yuan could see what lay at the base of the cliff.

On the stone wall, a large area was inscribed with characters, some sections even depicting human meridian diagrams and spell techniques!

This was the opportunity that Qiu Qianhai's grandfather had discovered—the second-tier movement technique!

Ji Yuan had initially thought it would be troublesome to obtain this opportunity, but who would have thought? A few pieces of Spiritual Pig meat did the trick?!

Moreover, it hadn't been taken by anyone else. It seemed this movement technique was destined for him!

With this realization, Ji Yuan found the toad amiable.

"Croak croak—"

Seeing Ji Yuan unresponsive, the toad hopped in place a few times, croaking discontentedly, as if saying, "I've given you something good; where's my reward?"

This time, Ji Yuan wasn't stingy.

He chopped off two pig trotters and threw them to the toad.

The toad leaped up and bit down in one go, but this time, it didn't rush to swallow.

Instead, it savored the taste before slowly consuming it.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan took the opportunity to quickly record the spell inscriptions on the stone wall.

He infused spiritual energy into his brush and ink.

Under the control of the Object Manipulation Technique, he essentially recorded everything after a single glance.

This second-tier movement technique was called Shadow Following Form.

It was divided into two volumes: the upper volume named "Shadow," focusing on short-range maneuvering, or more precisely, techniques for confronting enemies.

Once activated, it allowed one's figure to cling to the opponent like a shadow, enabling extremely fast short-distance movement.

It could be used to evade enemy attacks or to launch surprise assaults.

Ji Yuan was already contemplating how to combine this technique with the Water Needle Technique to execute surprise attack combos.

The lower volume naturally pertained to "Following." While the upper volume focused on confronting enemies, the lower volume was about escape.

With one's form following, the escape speed was extremely fast. When fully activated, it could even allow one to temporarily match the speed of flying spiritual artifacts.

Above top-grade magical artifacts were supreme-grade magical artifacts.

Above supreme-grade magical artifacts were spiritual artifacts.

Considering this, this second-tier technique was truly formidable—a perfect tool for escaping!

Worth it!

This trip was absolutely worthwhile!

To ensure nothing went wrong, Ji Yuan even made two copies.

During this process, he inevitably had to offer another two-pound piece of Spiritual Pig meat to the big toad.

After finishing transcribing the technique, Ji Yuan finally felt at ease.

After all, he hadn't expected this outing to go so smoothly. Initially, he had even considered whether he would have to risk his life against a second-tier demonic beast.

But now, looking at the pitiful expression of the big toad, Ji Yuan thought differently.

Having transcribed the technique, the next step was to attempt to tame this big toad, allowing him to settle on this island.

To establish a cave dwelling on this island, he first needed to make the big toad understand his intentions.

He had to ensure it wouldn't resist; only then could it serve as his free guardian.

So, Ji Yuan pondered for a moment, then pointed to himself, then to the stone wall ahead, and made a sleeping gesture.

Fourth-tier demonic beasts could attempt to undergo tribulation to transform into human form, so their intelligence wasn't much different from humans.

Third-tier demonic beasts had intelligence roughly equivalent to teenagers.

This second-tier demonic beast before him wasn't quite there—its intelligence was akin to that of a young child, driven by hunger and sleepiness.

But precisely because of this, Ji Yuan had been able to subdue it so easily.

The big toad's eyes were filled with confusion and ignorance.

It couldn't comprehend Ji Yuan's intentions at all.

Helpless, Ji Yuan moved to the side, raised his hand, and used his flying sword to cut down an ancient tree.

He then lay on it, pretending to sleep.

Finally, a glimmer of understanding appeared in the big toad's eyes.

Ji Yuan pointed to himself again, then to the ground.

Only then did the big toad seem to realize something, though its expression showed some hesitation.

Hesitation?

Hesitating about what? Was it that the meat he had given wasn't enough?

This time, Ji Yuan was more decisive.

With only three pigs in total, he directly cut off a pig's head and threw it over.

Seeing such a large piece, the big toad's eyes lit up.

Without hesitation, it leaped up and swallowed it whole.

Ji Yuan wasn't in a hurry; he patiently waited for it to finish.

After a while, the big toad seemed somewhat satisfied after consuming the pig's head. Without further hesitation, it turned and hopped in another direction.

"Croak croak—"

It urged Ji Yuan to follow quickly.

Ji Yuan naturally complied, curious to see what other treasures the big toad might have.

After circling around the cliff, they arrived at the northern side of the island.

This area was on the shady side, and coupled with the persistent mist, it felt particularly chilly.

Upon reaching this area, the big toad barely moved, inching forward slowly.

Even the sounds from its throat were somewhat mournful.

Ji Yuan followed unhurriedly.

Upon reaching a corner, he saw a protruding boulder beneath the stone wall.

The big toad stopped here, extended its tongue again, and pushed the boulder aside.

Behind the stone was a dark cave entrance.

It turned its head, shook it, and signaled Ji Yuan to enter.

But this... Ji Yuan looked at the scene before him, and a suspicion arose in his heart.

Perhaps this big toad had originally been raised here by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Later, whether that cultivator left or died, the big toad was left behind.

This cave might have been the cultivator's residence.

After the cultivator disappeared, the big toad blocked the cave entrance.

If that were the case, there might be valuable items inside!

Ji Yuan was already considering whether this could be the cave dwelling of a deceased Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Inside, there could be all his leftover treasures.

Things like spiritual artifacts, piles of mid-grade spirit stones, second-tier techniques, various talismans, pills, and so on.

Could it be that Ji Yuan truly had such an opportunity?!

The big toad continued to urge him, and Ji Yuan approached the cave entrance. Looking at the dark opening, he didn't rush in. Instead, he casually threw a "Illumination Talisman" inside.

He also attached a Night Vision Talisman to himself.

The cave wasn't deep.

As the light from the Illumination Talisman spread, the interior of the cave was fully revealed to Ji Yuan.