Chapter 42: Breakthrough
Wherever the White Water Flying Sword passed, faint ripples of pale blue waves could be seen spreading.
Ji Yuan urged the flying sword to turn around and directed this “Entangling Wave” effect onto himself. In that instant, he felt as if he had fallen into a quagmire.
Even lifting his legs became extremely difficult.
However, this sticky effect lasted only for the span of a single breath.
After that moment passed, Ji Yuan felt himself return to normal.
But thinking it over, this was already impressive enough.
When it truly came down to a life-and-death struggle, even a moment could be enough to turn the tide of battle.
Even if it was just to escape, give Ji Yuan a single breath of time, and he could ride the Black Wind Boat far into the distance.
In direct combat, if the opponent fell into “Entangling Wave”, then whether it was using the Life-Taking Needle to claim a life or unleashing the second layer of Water Drop Finger’s “Piercing Stone” armor-breaking strike, it would all become much easier to execute.
“Whew—”
Having grasped the entry-level sword technique, Ji Yuan let out a long breath, even feeling that the fireworks blossoming overhead looked much more beautiful now.
Afterward, he didn’t continue cultivating. Instead, he took a hind leg from the Spiritual Pig he had slaughtered a few days ago and stewed it.
He also stir-fried a few Spiritual Eggs and, after some thought, went to the Fish Pond and fished out a Semi-Spiritual Fish for steaming.
He had originally considered slaughtering a Green-Yellow Chicken to celebrate as well, but in the end, he gave up on that egg-killing act.
What he already had was more than enough.
Celebrating the New Year alone.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ji Yuan drew a mid-grade talisman, recovering the cost of the Semi-Spiritual Fish he had just killed… one Semi-Spiritual Fish was worth 1 Spirit Stone.
One mid-grade talisman was worth 10 Spirit Stones.
A small profit of 9 Spirit Stones—perfect.
The next morning was technically the first day of the Lunar New Year, and Ji Yuan was awakened by Lin Hu’s loud voice coming over to offer New Year’s greetings. Later, he also received the family of Wen Lin.
After exchanging New Year’s greetings with them, Ji Yuan thought to himself that he should also go and pay his respects to others.
He didn’t have many people in mind: Luo Tong, the butcher in Zengtou Market, Old Master Xu of Hundred Treasure Pavilion, and after some thought, he decided to bring along the Lu family as well.
First, because they had always had a decent relationship, and second, because when Ji Yuan was learning talisman crafting, Lu Wan had indeed helped him.
As for New Year’s gifts, he naturally brought along the Spiritual Eggs he had grown tired of eating, a few jin of Spiritual Pig meat, and a small piece of Blood Essence—not expensive, but not shabby either.
He first went to the Luo family, and Luo Tong was, of course, extremely happy to see him, insisting repeatedly that he stay for a meal.
After politely refusing, Ji Yuan headed to Hundred Treasure Pavilion.
Just as he arrived at the entrance, he saw Old Master Xu, Xu Fugui, walking out of Hundred Treasure Pavilion.
“What are you here for?! Couldn’t grasp the sword technique?”
Xu Fugui looked at Ji Yuan with great interest. He had originally thought this kid would come asking for advice just a few days after going home, but surprisingly, Ji Yuan had held out until now.
So young, he thought to himself, overly confident in his own abilities.
Ji Yuan took out his New Year’s gift from his storage pouch and smiled. “Today’s the first day of the New Year. I came specifically to offer New Year’s greetings to you, Grandpa Xu.”
“New Year’s greetings?”
Hearing this long-forgotten phrase, Xu Fugui paused in surprise.
He couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since anyone last came to offer him New Year’s greetings. “Alright, I appreciate the thought.”
He casually accepted Ji Yuan’s gift without even looking at it. “There’s an urgent command from the sect. I have to return to Water Dragon Sect. I’ll bring you something good next time I come back.”
Ji Yuan hadn’t expected a return gift. He was just about to make some polite remarks, but Xu Fugui didn’t give him the chance.
“I’m in a hurry to get back to Water Dragon Sect. If you have questions, ask quickly. I don’t have time for chit-chat.”
“Questions?”
Ji Yuan instinctively repeated the word. He hadn’t quite caught up with the shift. He had come to offer New Year’s greetings, how did this turn into asking for advice?
“Aren’t you here to ask me about the sword technique? New Year’s greetings, huh. Cultivators don’t care about such things,” Xu Fugui said, thinking he had cleverly exposed Ji Yuan’s real motive, expecting him to feel awkward.
But to his surprise, Ji Yuan actually did look a bit awkward.
“The sword technique… I’ve already mastered the basics.”
“You’ve mastered it? This fast?!”
Now it was Xu Fugui’s turn to look disbelieving. “Show me.”
“Alright, I’ll trouble Grandpa Xu to give me some pointers.”
The two of them moved to an open space beside Hundred Treasure Pavilion. Ji Yuan activated the flying sword with a thought, simultaneously executing ‘Entangling Wave’.
Pale blue ripples spread outward, leaving moisture on the ground.
Xu Fugui’s eyes widened in surprise. “Good lad, you actually managed to learn it.”
Ji Yuan withdrew the flying sword. He didn’t ask Xu Fugui how long it had taken him to learn it—whether fast or slow, someone would end up feeling bad if they compared.
So, he just smiled and said, “It was just luck.”
“Good. Since you’ve grasped the basics, keep practicing. There’s nothing more I can teach you. I’m heading back to Water Dragon Sect. We’ll talk when I return.”
With that, Xu Fugui took out the Water Dragon Sect’s standard flying vessel—the Water Dragon Boat—from his storage pouch.
The magic boat expanded as it caught the wind, lifting Xu Fugui into the sky and carrying him away.
After watching him leave, Ji Yuan glanced around. The surrounding cultivators who had been watching all gave him friendly looks.
Someone who could be on good terms with a Water Dragon Sect cultivator was surely someone worth befriending.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan could already guess that after today, he would likely catch the attention of certain people.
But he wasn’t afraid. His cultivation was about to reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
Among the mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators of Yunyu Marshlands, he believed he had no rivals.
Once he entered the sixth layer… with his formations and various techniques, he would even dare to challenge someone at the seventh layer!
Afterward, he headed to the Lu family, only to find the gate firmly locked on New Year’s Day.
Seeing the bolted gate, Ji Yuan didn’t even bother knocking.
He simply bought some more talisman paper, talisman ink, and some Semi-Spiritual Fish and other supplies before returning home.
After the New Year passed, Ji Yuan’s life returned to simplicity.
Cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.
However, he found another use for the Comprehension Room.
Since he had already grasped the basics of Water Drop Finger and the sword technique, he turned his focus to studying the Yin Ghost Formation.
He wanted to try completing the formation, so the Yin Ghost Flag could be of real use.
Ten days later, on a certain night—
Ji Yuan swallowed a Qi Gathering Pill and held Spirit Stones in his hands while cultivating. His aura suddenly surged, but was quickly restrained.
The surrounding spiritual energy gathered around him, forming a small vortex.
The Spirit Stone in his hand visibly turned to powder.
After absorbing six Spirit Stones in succession, Ji Yuan finally opened his eyes and let out a long breath.
After cultivating for so long, he had finally reached the sixth layer of Qi Refining!
Sixth layer—within Yunyu Marshlands, he could now be considered a minor expert. Beyond that was the late stage of Qi Refining.
Once he reached that stage, he would be considered peak combat power in Yunyu Marshlands.
Any stronger, and he would have to join Water Dragon Sect.
The thought stirred excitement in Ji Yuan’s heart.
After all, this year was the triennial selection of Water Dragon Sect. Should he… give it a try?
He knew he wasn’t qualified to join based on cultivation alone. He had heard that the sect’s selection required candidates to single-handedly slay a late-stage first-rank demon beast.
In that case, his only chance to join would be through talisman crafting.
At not yet twenty years old, being able to draw mid-grade first-rank talismans wasn’t without hope.
But after careful consideration, Ji Yuan ultimately gave up on the idea.
Once he joined Water Dragon Sect, he would lose the freedom he currently enjoyed.
Especially in a sect filled with experts, it would be difficult to place his buildings freely.
It would be better to stay in Zengtou Market and cultivate until he reached the late stage of Qi Refining.
Otherwise, without enough strength, even if he joined Water Dragon Sect, he would just end up as a talisman-making workhorse.
After his breakthrough, Ji Yuan continued cultivating at home for another half a month, until the day of Water Dragon Sect’s selection finally arrived, prompting him to prepare to go out.
Even if he didn’t plan to join, it was still worth going to watch the excitement.
If he missed this chance, he would have to wait another three years for such a grand event.
Moreover, Lu Wan was expected to join Water Dragon Sect this year.
As her friend, Ji Yuan felt he ought to go and see her off.