Chapter 69: Breakthrough, Late Qi Refining Stage!
Ji Yuan didn’t rent the lakeside cottage this time, but instead a courtyard within the marketplace of Jingde Square.
Houses in Yunyu Marshlands weren’t worth much, nor was the land, but safety—now that was valuable.
Therefore, the courtyards within this marketplace were naturally much more expensive.
Even though Ji Yuan only rented it for one month, it still cost him a full 5 spirit stones.
After the two of them spent half a day settling in, they sat in the main hall to discuss their plans. After a moment of contemplation, Qiu Qianhai said, “You should break through first.”
“Time is tight. If anything does go wrong, as long as you have the strength of the late Qi Refining stage, you’ll have nothing to fear.”
“But if I break through first, even reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining would be of little help.”
That was indeed the case, so Ji Yuan didn’t argue.
“Alright, then I’ll trouble you.”
After speaking, he rose and went into the adjacent room.
From his storage pouch, he took out a few sheets of white paper with the labels 【Comprehension Room】, 【Talisman Room】, and 【Pigsty】.
He then stuck the 【Talisman Room】 onto the wall.
After gaining its amplification effect, he began by drawing over a dozen first-grade low-tier Tranquility Talismans.
After putting the papers away, he stuck a Silence Talisman on the wall and another Tranquility Talisman onto himself.
Once his body and mind calmed, he activated the effect of the 【Cave Dwelling】.
He first took out six low-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch.
To break through to the late Qi Refining stage this time, a considerable number of spirit stones were required.
He didn’t even bother using Spiritual Eggs.
For someone already at the sixth level of Qi Refining, the spiritual energy provided by Green-Yellow Chickens or Spiritual Pigs was starting to fall short.
Holding three spirit stones in each hand, he stimulated his meridians and dantian.
Once they had become active,
Ji Yuan pulled out another six low-grade spirit stones.
After continuously absorbing thirty low-grade spirit stones, Ji Yuan felt sufficiently prepped.
He then took out two mid-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch.
These mid-grade stones were also milky white, but compared to the low-grade ones, they had significantly fewer impurities and a purer hue.
In places like the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, mid-grade spirit stones were taken out from jade boxes—
To prevent spiritual energy leakage.
Now, merely holding them in his hands, Ji Yuan could feel the dense, pure spiritual energy.
Without delay, he activated the Azure Sea Tide Technique.
As the refined spiritual energy surged into his meridians, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but let out a pleasurable moan.
For Ji Yuan, who had always absorbed low-grade stones—and initially even egg shells—this was his first time absorbing mid-grade spirit stones.
It felt like a car that had always run on 92-octane fuel suddenly got filled with 98—utterly refreshing.
Truly, utterly refreshing.
Moreover, the spiritual energy within these mid-grade stones was abundant.
Even after absorbing for half a day, it seemed hardly diminished.
He was giving his all in this breakthrough.
Outside the room, Qiu Qianhai was also cultivating. However, after every short session, he would get up and walk around.
The more he cultivated, the more frequently he got up.
Not only that, but he often frowned, as if struggling with something.
Eventually, he left the house altogether and waited outside.
The two had come to Jingde Square on a whim to make their breakthroughs.
They hadn’t properly prepared, let alone anyone else.
So though he was acting as guardian, there wasn’t much to guard.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In Shop No. 18 at Tai’an Square.
Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi sat across from each other.
“Recruiting Ji Yuan is no problem. With his formations, he already has late-stage Qi Refining strength at just level six. And he’s about to break through.”
As Yao Jingfeng spoke, his fingers gently tapped on the tabletop.
“In three years—the next Water Dragon Sect selection will be our turn. I estimate Ji Yuan will qualify too. Then the three of us can be fellow sect brothers of the Mutual Aid Association.”
“Mm.”
Du Wanyi lightly nodded. “Then let’s just be upfront with him and stay in touch more often.”
“Sounds good. Don’t forget Luo Tian either. As for the others—let’s wait and see. Those without some talent or fortune, forget them.”
“Alright. But Ji Yuan has offended the Qin clan too. What about that old blind man?”
Du Wanyi wasn’t worried about the Qin clan itself, but the blind old man at the peak of Qi Refining—especially since he didn’t have many years left.
That made things trickier.
When such people went mad, who dared risk it against them?
“No worries.”
Yao Jingfeng smiled. “That old blind man wouldn’t want his lineage to end. He knows what’s important.”
“If needed, I’ll just ask Brother Han Feiyu to return for a bit.”
“That works.”
Meanwhile—
In the Qin clan’s main hall at Zengtou Market.
Qin Long, who was in the late Qi Refining stage, and Qin Lao Xiazi’s adopted son He Laosan, quietly listened as Qin Wei recounted everything about Ji Yuan.
“So, someone like Ji Yuan has risen in our Zengtou Market, and we had no idea beforehand?” Qin Long said with a frown.
“Not quite. When the Water Dragon Sect was recruiting, Ji Yuan caught the eye of two disciples simultaneously. That news spread widely. But Second Brother, you were recovering then and may not have noticed.”
He Laosan explained, “Back then, people only knew that he was favored by two disciples. No one mentioned his ties with Qiu Qianhai.”
“And the Wu family even initiated ties with Ji Yuan.”
“The Wu family?”
Qin Wei seemed to recall something and turned to Qin Long. “Father, should I summon Lu Suo to ask? She likely knows about the Wu family’s dealings, and she seems to know Ji Yuan personally.”
He Laosan quickly looked to Qin Wei. This might be a useful lead.
But Qin Long shook his head and said gravely, “Ji Yuan managed to kill Hu Da and Zhang Kai, and the Liu brothers at Qingbo Market likely fell to him too. He’s probably already reached late-stage Qi Refining.”
“If that’s the case, then the Mutual Aid Association has likely contacted him—like Du Wanyi.”
“Mutual Aid Association?!”
Qin Wei’s eyes lit up.
Outsiders didn’t know of the Mutual Aid Association, but as a direct descendant of the Qin family, he naturally did.
To be invited to the Mutual Aid Association, one had to at least have late-stage Qi Refining strength.
If Ji Yuan was invited at only sixth level, didn’t that mean he was practically guaranteed to enter the Water Dragon Sect?
“Then this matter is no longer ours to decide,” He Laosan said slowly.
Qin Long immediately stood up. “Mm, I’ll go ask Father how to handle this. Once Ji Yuan breaks through, even Qiu Qianhai won’t be someone we can touch easily.”
Roughly after a stick of incense’s time—
Qin Long returned. Qin Wei quickly rose and asked, “Father, what did Grandfather say?”
Not only him—He Laosan was also listening intently.
“Ji Yuan has grown his wings. We can’t do anything now. Let him be. As for Qiu Qianhai—Father said he’ll handle it personally.”
Soon after, Qin Wei left.
As Qin Long was about to depart, He Laosan seized the moment and asked, “Second Brother, you mean Father will personally deal with Qiu Qianhai?”
Qin Long halted his steps and gave a soft “Mm.”
“You’re thinking Father isn’t one to avenge his grandson like this, aren’t you?”
Qin Long turned and asked with a smile.
He Laosan quickly denied, “Of course Father is that kind of man! Just—just that I feel like there might be another reason behind it.”
“I’ve thought about that too. I even asked Father, but he wouldn’t say.”
Returning to the table, Qin Long asked softly, “Third Brother, do you know something?”
He Laosan was silent for a moment, then finally said, “This might have to do with that inheritance back then… and Eldest Brother’s death.”
“What?!”
***
Half a month passed.
That day, while sitting and cultivating in the courtyard, Qiu Qianhai suddenly opened his eyes and turned toward the room, his expression filled with joy.
Because from within the room came a presence that even made him feel slightly uneasy.
Late Qi Refining stage!
It was—Ji Yuan had broken through!