Chapter 73: Flying Boat
Ji Yuan certainly remembered this matter.
It was during the New Year's Day when he visited Xu Fugui to pay his respects, coinciding with the old man's return to the Water Dragon Sect for some affairs.
At that time, Xu Fugui had said that upon his return from the Water Dragon Sect, he would bring something good for Ji Yuan.
However, Ji Yuan hadn't taken this to heart and had even forgotten about it, as he was not the type to rely on others.
Therefore, hearing Xu Fugui mention it again now brought him a pleasant surprise.
He quickly lowered his head to look.
What Xu Fugui took out was—a mirror?!
The mirror's surface was smooth, reflecting a clear image, while the back was made of bronze, appearing quite aged, with verdigris covering the bronze.
Moreover, he sensed a familiar aura emanating from the mirror.
Thus, he immediately retrieved his sturdy and reliable Heart-Protection Mirror from his storage pouch.
"Hey?"
Xu Fugui also noticed something unusual. "Where did you get this? Let me have a look."
"Oh, someone gave it to me," Ji Yuan replied with a smile, handing it over.
"Hah, did you crack someone's head open to make them give it to you?"
After receiving it, Xu Fugui carefully examined it, then picked it up and scrutinized it seriously.
After a while, he concluded:
"Both of our mirrors are fakes."
"Fakes?"
Ji Yuan asked in surprise, "What do you mean? Can magical artifacts be fake?"
"Yes, to put it plainly, it's about quality. These two mirrors should be replicas of a certain magical treasure. However, your mirror might have been replicated multiple times."
After speaking, Xu Fugui tossed both mirrors back to Ji Yuan.
"I'll inquire about it next time I return, to find out the origin of this mirror and why it was replicated."
It was only then that Ji Yuan realized that the bronze ancient mirror Xu Fugui had given him was actually a high-grade magical artifact!
Noticing Ji Yuan's surprise, Xu Fugui stroked his beard with satisfaction and said, "Ji boy, do you know why I gave you this magical artifact?"
"Naturally, it's because Grandpa Xu dotes on me," Ji Yuan replied with a natural smile.
Xu Fugui: "..."
"Have you mastered the Mirror Overlay Technique?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately understood Xu Fugui's intention and quickly said, "Not yet, Grandpa Xu. Are you saying this magical artifact can help me with the Mirror Overlay Technique?"
Xu Fugui nodded. "Yes."
"The Mirror Overlay Technique is similar to an illusion, and the function of this mirror is to project an illusion. The two have their merits. Take it back and study it carefully, and you'll understand. If you still have questions, come and ask me."
"Thank you, Grandpa Xu!"
Not only did he receive a high-grade magical artifact, but it was also one that could aid in cultivating a technique.
In comparison, the gifts Ji Yuan had given during the New Year's Day were truly insignificant.
"Yes, cultivate diligently and strive to join the Water Dragon Sect in three years."
Xu Fugui smiled, appearing quite pleased. "Go on."
Just as Ji Yuan was about to leave, he remembered something and took out a communication talisman from his storage pouch.
"Grandpa Xu, this was given to me by Senior Brother Hong Xiuwen during the last Water Dragon Sect selection. Do you know him?"
"Hong Xiuwen?"
Xu Fugui frowned and pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "The Water Dragon Sect has nearly ten thousand disciples; it's impossible to know them all. During the selection, which area was he responsible for?"
"The Talisman Area."
"Then he must be from Sifang Island. That's good. It's a good thing he values you."
Xu Fugui stroked his beard and smiled, his expression becoming even more cheerful. "Work hard. When you join the Water Dragon Sect, you'll realize how vast the Cangluo Continent is. The Yunyu Marshlands are nothing in comparison."
"Alright."
After leaving the Technique Area, Ji Yuan naturally proceeded to the Magical Artifact Area. However, before he could speak, Xu Fugui's voice came from behind.
"Old Huang, remember to give our Junior Brother Ji a discount."
"Hmm?"
Old Huang looked up, puzzled, and glanced at Ji Yuan. Sensing the late-stage Qi Refining aura, the middle-aged cultivator's face broke into a smile.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Ji."
Although he was a cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect, being at the same late-stage Qi Refining level, it was appropriate to address each other as fellow daoists.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Huang."
Ji Yuan cupped his hands slightly and said, "I wish to purchase a high-grade flying boat. What would be the price?"
Old Huang casually swept his hand over the counter, and three palm-sized flying boats appeared.
One was blue, one red, and one transparent.
"These three are standard flying boats sold by our Water Dragon Sect, classified as high-grade magical artifacts."
Old Huang slowly introduced, "The blue one is called the Black Tortoise Boat. Its main material is the shell of a black tortoise, with a black water protection array inscribed at the bottom, and a water-repelling pearl hanging at the stern."
"This allows it to provide both defense and water-repelling effects during flight. Once the black water array is activated, it can withstand three attacks from a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator."
"Oh?"
Ji Yuan was intrigued and began to examine the Black Tortoise Boat closely.
It was entirely blue, differing from the usual long shuttle-shaped flying boats. Its shape was flatter and rounder, with some black tortoise shell fragments visible on it.
"What about the price?"
"Eighty spirit stones."
Old Huang gestured with his hand.
"Eighty spirit stones?"
Compared to mid-grade flying boats, this was nearly double.
Damn, no wonder it's a high-grade flying boat.
Xu Fugui, standing behind, commented, "This thing flies as slow as a turtle. Even with the array, it's just there to take a beating."
Ji Yuan was moved by this and said, "Fellow Daoist, could you please introduce the other two flying boats?"
"Certainly. The red one is called the Scarlet Sky Boat, made entirely of Scarlet Flame Crystal and Flowing Cloud Iron. It has a Fire Burn Array inscribed on it. When activated, it can emit a wave of fire equivalent to a full-strength attack from a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Moreover, it consumes fewer spirit stones during the day. The price is eighty-five spirit stones."
Old Huang then pointed to the last flying boat, which was made of a transparent material.
"This one is the best among the three and also the most expensive, priced at ninety spirit stones."
"Oh?"
Ji Yuan wasn't afraid of high prices, only of inferior quality.
"This flying boat is called the Misty Boat, made entirely of Misty Stone. Its semi-glass texture makes it extremely concealed. Inside the hull is embedded the eyeball of a Phantom Mink. Once activated, it emits a faint mist that blocks detection. It's truly invisible and traceless."
As soon as Old Huang finished speaking, Ji Yuan made his decision.
He must choose the Misty Boat; there's no doubt about it.
Even if it's a bit more expensive, it's worth it.
Now is not the time to be frugal; he should buy the best.
Just as he was about to speak, Xu Fugui interjected, "These three are standard models. They're the most commonly used flying boats in the Water Dragon Sect."
"Old Huang, don't you have any special, custom-made ones?"
Is there more to buying high-grade flying boats?
Ji Yuan was surprised and felt fortunate that Grandpa Xu was present.
If he were alone, he might have already left with the Misty Boat.
Old Huang glanced at Xu Fugui, seemingly implying something, then smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Ji, if you had come a few days ago, there wouldn't have been any. But today, there happens to be one."
He then waved his hand again, and a black-purple flying boat appeared on the counter.
It resembled a willow shuttle, with the bow shaped like an eagle's beak, exuding an aura that could captivate anyone just by looking at it.