Chapter 34: Fellow Sect Members
Strictly speaking, this was the first proper trip Ji Yuan had taken by boat since his transmigration.
Usually, he only traveled back and forth to Zengtou Market.
The last time he ventured deep into the Yunyu Marshlands, it had been with Qiu Qianhai... Thinking of this, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but recall that old friend of his.
It had already been four or five months since he left Zengtou Market.
During this time, Ji Yuan had secretly asked around for news of him in Zengtou Market.
The bad news was that he found nothing; the good news was also that he found nothing.
At least this meant that the Qin family hadn’t found any leads on him either.
As long as he hadn’t been caught by the Qin family, Ji Yuan believed that with his ruthless methods, Qiu Qianhai most likely had survived.
The white boat cut through the water at incredible speed.
Along the way, he passed quite a few fishermen on boats. But when they saw the white shadow flashing across the lake’s surface, they all slowed down.
Some even stopped completely, afraid of accidentally colliding with this “senior.”
To maintain his condition, Ji Yuan not only used spirit stones to power the magic boat, but also held a spirit stone in his hand at all times to ensure he stayed at peak condition.
Locust Tree Island was true to its name.
The island unusually had a large locust tree growing on it.
Cultivators passing by often rested here, so it was barely considered a peaceful area within the Yunyu Marshlands.
Few would dare to make a move here.
Two hours later, Ji Yuan landed on the island, putting the white boat back into his storage pouch.
Compared to before, his complexion had darkened considerably, and his chin was now covered with stubble.
He had gone from a handsome young man to a rather mature middle-aged man.
After arriving on the island, Ji Yuan headed straight for the locust tree.
Coincidentally, when he arrived, he saw that there was only a young female cultivator sitting under the shade of the tree.
Her appearance was ordinary, but judging from her posture… she looked like someone who was good for childbearing.
As for her cultivation, Ji Yuan saw through it at a glance—only at the third layer of Qi Refining, nothing special.
When Ji Yuan approached, she looked up at him.
“Bone-Corroding Flower?”
The female cultivator didn’t bother testing him, getting straight to the point with her opening words.
“Mm.”
Ji Yuan’s mind connected with the White Water Flying Sword in his storage pouch, and he nodded.
Hearing this, the female cultivator let out a small breath of relief. Just as she was about to speak, she saw two more magic boats landing on the shore.
“Let’s talk somewhere else.”
Ji Yuan turned and walked to the other side of Locust Tree Island, by the lakeside… If anything seemed wrong, he could take off in his boat and escape.
The female cultivator followed.
“You have the Bone-Corroding Flower?” Ji Yuan asked directly.
“Mm.”
The female cultivator nodded slightly. Without waiting for Ji Yuan to ask further, she reached into her chest and took out a small jade box.
She opened it to reveal a flower that looked like a balsam. It was entirely grayish-black, emitting faint wisps of black smoke, along with a musty smell.
“This is the Bone-Corroding Flower that Senior needs.”
The female cultivator held the jade box with both hands and offered it to him. Her boldness surprised Ji Yuan.
So, he didn’t take it. Instead, he silently stared at the female cultivator without saying a word.
“It’s just a single flower. It surely isn’t enough for Senior’s needs, so consider it a deposit.” The female cultivator smiled, her smile carrying a trace of sorrow.
“A deposit? Then how can I obtain the rest?”
Ji Yuan wasn’t moved by her sorrowful smile. Instead, he asked with a grin.
Seeing that Ji Yuan still didn’t accept the flower, she had no choice but to put it away again.
“I wish to ask Senior to kill someone for me. If Senior can do it, I will naturally offer the rest of the Bone-Corroding Flowers with both hands.”
“Who?”
This request was within Ji Yuan’s expectations, so he wasn’t surprised.
“Black Mist Island… the Ghost Island Lord.”
The female cultivator spoke each word with gritted teeth.
Ghost Island Lord… Ji Yuan frowned slightly. He had never heard of this person.
“Which marketplace are you from?”
Ji Yuan knew that Locust Tree Island bordered Jing’an Market, which was a public area among the many marketplaces of the Yunyu Marshlands.
“I’m from Huaiyin Market.”
Before Ji Yuan could question further, she added, “That Ghost Island Lord is also from our Huaiyin Market. He has the cultivation of the fifth layer of Qi Refining, but since he occupies the easily defendable Black Mist Island, many of us from Huaiyin Island can’t do anything to him…”
As the female cultivator continued explaining, Ji Yuan finally understood what this was about.
The female cultivator’s name was Wei Caishan, a cultivator from Huaiyin Market.
Years ago, when her parents were out on a boat, they had merely passed by Black Mist Island and were killed and robbed by that Ghost Island Lord.
According to Wei Caishan, the reason was that the Ghost Island Lord had taken a liking to her mother’s beauty… In short, it was the usual story of a cultivator robbing and killing.
Wei Caishan herself had no hope of avenging them, so she could only pin her hopes on others.
“Both the Ghost Island Lord and I are in the mid-stages of Qi Refining. Going after him would mean risking my life. A few Bone-Corroding Flowers… aren’t worth my life.”
Ji Yuan shook his head. “Keep them. Farewell.”
With that, Ji Yuan turned to leave, but Wei Caishan hurriedly called after him.
“Senior, Senior.”
“What is it?”
Ji Yuan turned back, frowning.
Although the Bone-Corroding Flower was rare, as far as he knew, no one else needed it besides himself.
This meant that Wei Caishan could only come to him… Since they both had needs, there was no reason for him to risk his life.
Ji Yuan could simply offer more spirit stones and let Wei Caishan find someone else to do the job.
That was his real plan.
“If Senior is willing to help, besides the Bone-Corroding Flower… you can do anything you want to me.” Wei Caishan lowered her head deeply as she spoke, her ears turning red. “Anytime you want.”
For a moment, Ji Yuan didn’t know how to respond.
So, after a brief silence, he cupped his fists slightly. “Take care, fellow cultivator.”
Leaping onto the lake, the white boat appeared beneath him on its own. It carried him away in a streak of white light.
“Senior…”
Wei Caishan seemed like she wanted to call out again, but Ji Yuan’s figure had already disappeared.
She could only let out a long sigh.
Ji Yuan had left, but he hadn’t gone far.
Once he was out of Wei Caishan’s sight, he quickly landed on the back side of a nearby island, concealed his presence, and used the cover of the reeds to silently observe Wei Caishan.
Huaiyin Market was near Black Water Market, quite far from here.
Given Wei Caishan’s strength, it was impossible for her to travel such a distance just to meet him on Locust Tree Island. In that case, she most likely lived nearby in Jing’an Market…
Ji Yuan wanted to follow her and see what was really going on.
Judging from their earlier conversation, Ji Yuan didn’t really believe Wei Caishan’s story… Her words had many inconsistencies, whether it was about her parents or her supposed origin in Huaiyin Market.
After waiting for only a short while, Ji Yuan saw Wei Caishan piloting a pitch-black magic boat away.
A Qi Refining cultivator from a run-down outer market… who could afford a magic boat?
Interesting.
Ji Yuan summoned the white boat and followed from a distance.
He kept his distance as he tailed her.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he noticed that Wei Caishan wasn’t heading toward nearby Jing’an Market but was heading straight north.
Something was definitely off… Just as Ji Yuan considered turning back, a pitch-black magic boat suddenly emerged from the nearby island.
A tall man in black robes stood on the boat. He looked at Ji Yuan and cupped his fists slightly.
“Fellow cultivator, if you seek Bone-Corroding Flowers… I have plenty.”
Ji Yuan stopped his boat and glanced at Wei Caishan, who had already circled back. How could he not realize that he had fallen into a trap?
He silently summoned the White Water Flying Sword and held a stack of Water Arrow Talismans hidden in his sleeves.
Seeing Ji Yuan remain silent, the black-robed man smiled slightly and said,
“Fellow cultivator, don’t be nervous. Since you know the secret of the Bone-Corroding Flower, that makes us… fellow disciples.”