Chapter 65: The Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society
This high-grade offensive talisman, the Earth Sword Talisman, had naturally been found in Liu Er's storage pouch.
In this confrontation, whether it was the talisman used at the start, the later flying sword, or even the deadly needle, all of them had merely been decoys.
The true killing move had only been this high-grade talisman!
In order to ensure success in a single strike, Ji Yuan had even exposed the deadly needle hidden within the White Water Flying Sword, using it to lull his opponent into carelessness.
Hu Da was now dead, and Ji Yuan raised his hand to recall his flying sword and flying needle.
"Search the body, then leave this place quickly."
After saying this, Ji Yuan went straight to Hu Da’s corpse.
He first raised his hand and collected his storage pouch.
Ji Yuan had been eyeing that flying dagger magical artifact for a while.
Being of mid-grade quality, it could be used as a single dagger or split into five, making it an excellent weapon for sneak attacks.
His boots were also magical artifacts, enhancing speed—a very useful item.
Whether in battle or in escape, such an item was extremely valuable.
The robe on his body was a magical robe as well, but unfortunately, it had been damaged by the Earth Sword Talisman.
It could only be sold for some money now.
After ensuring there was nothing else of value, Ji Yuan tossed a drop of Corpse-Dissolving Water onto the body, ending the matter.
On the other side, Qiu Qianhai had also finished searching Zhang Kai's corpse. After destroying the body to erase all traces, the two regrouped.
"Hmm? You’re injured?"
It was only then that Ji Yuan noticed blood faintly seeping from Qiu Qianhai’s waist.
"Just a scratch, nothing serious. I’ve already taken some pills."
"Alright, let’s go."
The two headed toward the shore, preparing to summon their magical boat and leave.
But just as they were about to leave, a flying boat descended from the sky, landing on the water in front of them.
A figure dressed in a black robe stood on the flying boat.
The robe was wide and fully covered the figure, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female.
Qiu Qianhai instinctively summoned his curved blade.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan tensed up as well… Anyone capable of piloting a flying boat to this place had to be a cultivator in the later stages.
Could this be someone from the Qin family?!
With this thought in mind, Ji Yuan slowly spoke, "I wonder what business this friend has here? If you come in peace, I, Liu Changsheng, naturally welcome you. But if you come with ill intent…"
While speaking, Ji Yuan once again took out the Yin Ghost Banner and planted it in the sandy shore, his voice sinking.
"Could it be that you wish to test the power of my Great Heavenly Godfiend Formation?"
No matter what, he might as well announce a powerful name first to intimidate the opponent a bit.
"Pfft—"
A woman’s laugh came from beneath the black robe. Then the figure lifted the hood and casually shook out her cascading black hair.
She raised her head, her affectionate peach blossom eyes looking at Ji Yuan as she smiled slightly:
"Since when did the Yin Ghost Formation get such an impressive name?"
Seeing her face, Ji Yuan was slightly surprised. He naturally recognized the woman before him.
She was none other than the peach-eyed woman he had met earlier when purchasing the Withered Bone Flower at Shop A-18. He hadn’t expected to encounter her here today.
Moreover, judging by her demeanor, she must have witnessed him killing those two Qin family members.
Late-stage Qi Refining… Ji Yuan split part of his attention to glance at his storage pouch.
Including the items he had taken from Liu Da and Liu Er’s storage pouches, he still had three high-grade defensive talismans, two Iron Wall Talismans, and one Water Escape Talisman.
He also had two high-grade offensive talismans left: one Demon Suppression Talisman and one Thousand Blade Talisman.
"What’s wrong? Thinking about whether you can kill me or not?" Du Wanyi said with a smile.
Exposed at a glance, Ji Yuan quickly forced a smile. "Senior, you must be joking. This junior is just a little pleased to meet you here…"
He couldn’t keep up the act any longer.
Ji Yuan cleared his throat and had no choice but to forcibly change the subject. "I wonder what brings Senior here today?"
He had originally thought to add another line, offering help if she needed it.
But when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back.
What if she really asked for help? What would he do then?
"I came looking for you," Du Wanyi stated directly.
"For me?"
Ji Yuan could hardly believe it and quickly searched his memory, trying to recall when he had any dealings with them.
After thinking for a while, the only connection he could think of was when he bought the Withered Bone Flower.
Du Wanyi nodded slightly, glanced at Qiu Qianhai, and then looked back at Ji Yuan.
"If you trust me, come over here to talk."
After speaking, she turned and piloted her flying boat to a nearby small island.
Ji Yuan turned to glance at Qiu Qianhai. If they really started fighting, Qiu Qianhai wouldn’t be able to help and Ji Yuan would have to divide his attention to protect him.
Qiu Qianhai clearly realized this as well and smiled, "Since Senior is looking for you, I won’t intrude."
He glanced in the direction of Jingde Lane, signaling that he would wait ahead.
"Alright."
Ji Yuan nodded in agreement.
The two then parted ways. Ji Yuan followed to the island where the female cultivator had gone… Running was out of the question, as her magical boat was clearly of a higher grade.
Since that was the case, he might as well see what she wanted to say.
There was no enmity between them, and judging by her approach, she likely wasn’t here as an enemy.
"Sen—"
"No need to call me Senior. My name is Du Wanyi. Just call me by my name."
"I am Liu Changsheng. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Du," Ji Yuan slightly cupped his hands and smiled.
Du Wanyi rolled her eyes. "Ji Yuan is Ji Yuan. What’s with the fake name? Do I really look like some villain, or… a rogue cultivator? You’re being overly cautious."
Exposed again, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but blush.
"Ahem, just a habit."
"Fine, you seem like someone who’s destined for longevity. Let me get straight to the point. I’m not here for anything bad. On the contrary, I’ve got some great news for you."
"Great news?"
Ji Yuan was a little surprised. What great news could possibly involve him?
"Yes. With the Yin Ghost Formation in hand, you must already have late-stage Qi Refining strength. And by the looks of it, you’ll break through to late-stage Qi Refining soon. So it’s not too early to invite you to join."
Du Wanyi sized him up as she spoke.
"Invite me to join? Join what?"
Ji Yuan asked, not understanding.
"Have you ever heard of the 'Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society'?"
Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society… Ji Yuan shook his head. "No."
"Sit down, let’s talk."
Du Wanyi spoke while pulling out two chairs from her storage pouch.
Ji Yuan had no choice but to thank her and sit down.
Du Wanyi thought for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts, and then spoke, "With your talent, joining the Water Dragon Sect is almost a sure thing. But honestly, even if we join, we’re just the most ordinary of disciples."
"In order to meet our cultivation needs, we have to take on all sorts of menial tasks assigned by the sect, like serving as staff at the Treasure Pavilion in Zengtou Market."
Ji Yuan naturally understood this… For others, joining the Water Dragon Sect was indeed a great thing.
But for someone like him who had the Building Upgrade Panel, it was a mixed blessing at the moment.
However, if he waited until he reached the peak of Qi Refining, when it was time to plan for Foundation Establishment, then it would be entirely advantageous.
"Although all Water Dragon Sect disciples seem equal on the surface, they are actually divided into different classes. The best, of course, are those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, the true seeds of cultivation. As soon as they join, they are taken as disciples by Golden Core Elders."
"Next are those with Dual or Triple Spiritual Roots from cultivation families. They have excellent talent and influential backgrounds, so they thrive within the sect."
"After that are ordinary-born cultivators with Dual or Triple Spiritual Roots. Though they lack backing, their decent talent makes them promising candidates for Foundation Establishment, so they still attract attention from various parties."
At this point, Du Wanyi sighed heavily.
"The ones who have it the hardest are people like us, with no background and poor spiritual roots, relying solely on our late-stage Qi Refining strength to join the Water Dragon Sect."
"In the eyes of some, we are hopeless for Foundation Establishment. Coupled with our lowly origins, we are seen as the perfect labor force—easily manipulated with a few small benefits."
Ji Yuan looked up, clenched his fists in solidarity, and said in a low voice, "But we must not and should not accept this fate."
"Exactly!"
Du Wanyi nodded vigorously. "And that’s where the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society comes in."
"I’m eager to hear the details. Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist Du."
Ji Yuan felt this might really be something worthwhile. Whether it would benefit him or not, he had to understand it first.