Chapter 72: Xu Fugui’s Gift
In the evening, the setting sun cast its glow over the courtyard, stretching the shadows of the surrounding walls long and thin.
Ji Yuan heard that Lin Hu had just returned, and shortly after, the gate of his courtyard was knocked upon.
“Ji, Ji-ge!”
Upon seeing Ji Yuan, Lin Hu became visibly more excited.
“Mm, come in and let’s talk.”
Ji Yuan smiled.
He had quite a few matters he wanted to discuss with Lin Hu.
Although Lin Hu's strength was still lacking, he went out fishing every day and sold fish at the Fish Market, making him quite familiar with the situation in Zengtou Market.
Once the two entered the house, Lin Hu continued to rub his hands together excitedly.
“Ji-ge, I’m so happy to see you back. I thought—I thought—”
“You thought I died in Yunyu Marshlands?”
Ji Yuan asked with a smile.
“No, no,” Lin Hu quickly waved his hands. “I thought you had joined the Water Dragon Sect.”
“Enough of that.”
“By the way, Ji-ge, I—I—” Lin Hu scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I’m going to be a father.”
“Then congratulations in advance. From now on, your responsibilities will be heavier.”
“Mm!”
Lin Hu, whose skin had been tanned dark by the sun, nodded vigorously, a complex expression on his face.
Thinking it over, he was only nineteen, yet he was about to become a father.
Ji Yuan then asked, “During the time I was away, did anything major happen in Zengtou Market?”
“No major events occurred; everything is pretty much the same as before.”
Lin Hu pondered before replying.
Ji Yuan nodded slightly.
That made sense.
In the past two or three decades, the biggest event in Zengtou Market had been the emergence of that Foundation Establishment Cave Dwelling.
It had caused quite a few deaths.
The rest of the time had been relatively peaceful.
After all, the Water Dragon Sect also needed a stable Yunyu Marshlands.
“If no major events happened, then were there any minor ones?”
“Hey, Ji-ge, you’re right.”
Lin Hu chuckled. “The most talked-about event was about Qiu Qianhai and the Qin family. I heard that Qiu Qianhai killed two sixth-level Qi Refining cultivators from the Qin family at Qingbo Market. He’s really fierce.”
Hearing about the Qin family’s misfortune made Lin Hu quite happy.
“Oh? Qiu Qianhai did it alone?”
Ji Yuan asked in surprise.
“Yeah, impressive, right? He killed two sixth-level Qi Refining cultivators by himself. He’s probably in the late stage of Qi Refining now. I remember he’s not much older than us.”
A hint of hope flashed in Lin Hu’s eyes.
Ji Yuan nodded.
It seemed this news was likely released by the Qin family themselves.
Otherwise, it would be hard for outsiders to know about it.
Moreover, since the Qin family could find out about this, they must also know that Qiu Qianhai wasn’t acting alone, but with someone else. If so, why did they only mention Qiu Qianhai?
Perhaps they had discovered Ji Yuan’s identity and knew he was also in the late stage of Qi Refining, so they didn’t want to make an enemy of him—
But that was an optimistic guess.
A less favorable interpretation would be that the Qin family was up to something again.
“Indeed impressive. Anything else?”
Ji Yuan asked.
“There’s also news about the eldest son of the Wu family—the one who previously courted Lu Suo and was rejected. I heard that a few days ago, he broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining. Master Wu held a two-day banquet to celebrate.”
“Wu Yan?”
This news surprised Ji Yuan, but upon reflection, it made sense.
It was said that the eldest son of the Wu family had been at the sixth level of Qi Refining for many years.
With Wu Wenbin’s wealth, spending a few years to help Wu Yan reach the late stage of Qi Refining was a natural progression.
“Yes, that’s him.”
Lin Hu nodded vigorously but then looked a bit disdainful. “Born into the Wu family, and only reaching the late stage of Qi Refining in his thirties. Look at Qiu Qianhai—no background, just over twenty, and already in the late stage of Qi Refining.”
As Lin Hu spoke, it was clear he was comparing himself.
Before Ji Yuan could ask further, Lin Hu continued talking about who had caught Spiritual Fish or who had sold mid-tier first-grade Spiritual Fish.
To Lin Hu, these were minor events, but to Ji Yuan, they weren’t particularly noteworthy.
After seeing Lin Hu out, Ji Yuan returned to his room to continue cultivating.
Meanwhile, at the Wen family residence, Wen Lin, having just returned, was extremely surprised after hearing Zhao Yuechan’s account.
“Late stage of Qi Refining?!”
“You’re saying Ji Yuan has broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining?”
The sixth level of Qi Refining wasn’t valuable in Yunyu Marshlands, but the late stage of Qi Refining was.
Even the Yue family, where Wen Lin previously resided, had only three cultivators at that level.
Just like the Qin family in Zengtou Market.
“Mm.”
Zhao Yuechan nodded slightly.
She then glanced at the sleeping Wen Ling’er beside her and finally said, “Husband, do you think we should seek him out?”
Wen Lin didn’t respond immediately but got up and paced the room.
After pondering for a while, he slowly shook his head.
“Although we have some savings, hiring a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator to work for us, especially someone like Ji Yuan with limitless potential, would be extremely difficult.”
“Moreover, haven’t you noticed? While Ji Yuan seems friendly with us, he always maintains a certain distance. If you want to chat with him, he’s very approachable, but if you need his help, it feels like our relationship isn’t quite there.”
Wen Lin clasped his hands together lightly. “Let’s do this. The next Water Dragon Sect selection is in three years. Even if Ji Yuan has great talent, he’ll have to wait until then. In these three years, let’s build a good relationship with him—even if it doesn’t work out, at least we’ll have a friend in the Water Dragon Sect.”
“Mm.”
Zhao Yuechan smiled as she gently stroked Wen Ling’er’s forehead.
“Although Ji Yuan’s relationship with us is ordinary, he’s very kind to Ling’er.”
Speaking of his daughter, Wen Lin also smiled. “Indeed, who wouldn’t like Ling’er?”
The next morning.
Ji Yuan set off early by boat to Zengtou Market.
Buying fish and chickens wasn’t urgent; he planned to first check the prices of high-grade magical artifacts.
He intended to enhance his strength before considering other matters.
After a while, when he stepped into the long-missed Hundred Treasure Pavilion in Zengtou Market, he felt a sense of nostalgia.
People said this market could be dangerous, but compared to places like Qingbo Market, it was a peaceful haven.
Since he was at Hundred Treasure Pavilion, he naturally wanted to see if Old Master Xu Fugui was around.
It had been three or four months since the New Year; he should be back by now.
Sure enough, as soon as Ji Yuan entered the room selling techniques, he saw the white-haired old man, still as spirited as ever.
At that moment, a female cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining was inquiring about something, so Ji Yuan stood aside to wait.
Xu Fugui initially glared at Ji Yuan. “You rascal, I thought you’d forgotten about this old man!”
“How could that be?” Ji Yuan quickly smiled. “I’ve just been busy with a major matter recently, so I was delayed.”
“What major matter could you have? Gotten married?”
Ji Yuan slightly released some of his aura.
Xu Fugui, who had been sitting in a soft chair, immediately stood up in surprise. “My goodness, you’ve reached the late stage of Qi Refining?!”
His reaction startled the female cultivator who was selecting techniques.
She then sensed Ji Yuan’s aura and quickly cupped her hands in salute.
“Greet—greetings, Senior.”
Seeing this female cultivator, who was more than a decade older than him, address him as “Senior,” Ji Yuan couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.
“No need for formalities. You can finish selecting your technique first.”
“No—no need. Please, Senior, go ahead.”
With that, the female cultivator hurriedly left.
Ji Yuan could only sigh helplessly and then bowed to Xu Fugui. “Greetings, Grandpa Xu.”
At this moment, Xu Fugui had already walked out from behind the counter, came forward, and patted Ji Yuan’s shoulder forcefully, laughing heartily. “Good, good. Looks like it won’t be long before you become my junior brother.”
“Still a long way to go,” Ji Yuan replied modestly.
“Alright then. Last time you left, you said you’d bring me a gift. You’ve been gone so long, I almost gave it to someone else.”
Xu Fugui then took something out from his storage pouch.