Chapter 76

Chapter 76: [Spiritual Field: Lv1]

“—Two gram for 25 spirit stones.”

Originally, one grams of Blood Essence cost only 20 spirit stones, but now it had risen to 25, indeed a significant increase.

Blood Essence was produced daily, and since the buyer had come directly to him, Ji Yuan naturally exchanged all he had in his storage pouch for spirit stones.

It wasn't much, only six gram, which converted to 150 spirit stones.

After bidding farewell to Manager Wu, Ji Yuan returned home, silently pondering.

Had the Water Dragon Sect's demand for Blood Essence increased?

Blood Essence was used to refine Qi and Blood Pills for healing injuries.

Judging by this, it was likely that the Water Dragon Sect's need for these pills had surged.

If they needed Qi and Blood Pills, then perhaps a war was imminent?

Or perhaps battles had already begun?

After all, only during conflicts would so many cultivators be injured. However, Ji Yuan wasn't certain; these were merely his speculations.

The next morning.

While Ji Yuan was still cultivating at home, he sensed two late-stage Qi Refining auras rapidly approaching from afar.

They were extremely conspicuous, without the slightest attempt at concealment.

It was as if they were deliberately announcing their arrival to everyone—or more precisely, to Ji Yuan.

Who was coming?

Ji Yuan rose from his courtyard, piloting his Thunder Falcon Boat to meet them.

Smiling, he cupped his hands and said, “Greetings, Daoist Du.”

He then looked toward the unfamiliar middle-aged man.

This man wore a dark-white Daoist robe, his smile warm and his aura stronger than Ji Yuan's, likely at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

“I am Yao Jingfeng. Greetings, Daoist Ji.”

“Greetings, Daoist Yao.”

The three of them hovered mid-air on their flying boats, exchanging pleasantries.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Lin Hu and Wu Qin stood under their eaves, gazing upward at the scene, their eyes filled with astonishment.

“Is that Brother Ji?”

Wu Qin could hardly believe it.

Lin Hu took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

“Brother Ji has already reached the late stage of Qi Refining.”

Wu Qin murmured, “Then, the next time we see him, should we address him as Senior Ji?”

Wu Qin was well aware that both she and Lin Hu were still in the early stages of Qi Refining, while Ji Yuan had already advanced to the late stage.

Other late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in Zengtou Market were rarely seen.

Even if one did encounter them, greeting them wouldn't guarantee a response.

“Brother Ji isn't that kind of person,” Lin Hu slowly shook his head. “If we were to call him Senior Ji, he might actually be displeased.”

Elsewhere, in the Wen household, Wen Lin and his wife watched the scene silently.

After all, they had long known of Ji Yuan's strength.

Only Wen Ling’er ran back and forth between them, giggling, “Big Brother Ji can fly! I want Big Brother Ji to take me flying too!”

After a brief exchange, Ji Yuan naturally invited them into his home.

The three of them each took a seat inside.

Du Wanyi curiously examined the furnishings.

Ji Yuan had already deactivated all building effects, so he let her look freely.

“Brother Ji's home is the cleanest I've seen among male cultivators,” Du Wanyi remarked earnestly.

Ji Yuan's home had always had the "Dust Repelling" effect active, naturally keeping it spotless.

“It's nothing,” Ji Yuan smiled.

Du Wanyi rolled her eyes. “Look at Yao Jingfeng—he appears polished on the surface, but you haven't seen his home. It's a complete mess—”

Before she could finish, Yao Jingfeng blushed and coughed, interrupting her, “Let's discuss the main matter.”

Ji Yuan also smiled, shifting the topic, “So, the gathering is set for tomorrow at Shop A-18?”

This Shop A-18 was, of course, in Zengtou Market.

“Exactly.”

Yao Jingfeng smiled slightly, “Speaking of which, your Zengtou Market truly is a feng shui treasure. At the beginning of the year, a Heavenly Spiritual Root appeared, and now two more have broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining.”

“By the way, you know that Wu Yan has also advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining, right?”

“I do.”

“Then, this gathering is also to welcome the two of us?”

“Indeed.”

As Yao Jingfeng spoke, his gaze unintentionally lingered on Ji Yuan, then he stood and began pacing the room.

Ji Yuan noticed he had something to say but was still deliberating, so he didn't rush him.

Instead, Du Wanyi took a sip of tea, turned, and fixed her charming peach blossom eyes on Ji Yuan, directly stating, “The Wu family only dominates a single market; they aren't significant. Not to mention, Wu Yan is a fool, and so is Wu Wenbin.”

“In our view, Brother Ji is the most promising to become our peer.”

Yao Jingfeng had been holding back for a while, but Du Wanyi beat him to it, causing his face to flush.

“Those who join the Water Dragon Sect in the same year are called 'peers.' Although we are all disciples of the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association, over the years, the number of disciples has grown, and naturally, relationships vary in closeness.”

Yao Jingfeng explained, “Generally speaking, peers have the closest relationships.”

With this explanation, Ji Yuan understood.

Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi were both at the eighth level of Qi Refining but hadn't joined the Water Dragon Sect this year. Thus, they were likely waiting for the selection three years later.

“Both of you are at the eighth level of Qi Refining, while I've just broken through to the seventh. What virtue or ability do I have to become your peer?”

Ji Yuan said with a wry smile.

Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi exchanged a glance, seemingly expecting this response from Ji Yuan.

Du Wanyi chuckled, “Brother Ji is truly cautious.”

“To be honest, both Yao Jingfeng and I, along with Luo Tian, who isn't here, have all had some fortuitous encounters to reach our current level at our age.”

“Brother Ji, you must be no exception. Therefore, if you wish to join the Water Dragon Sect in three years, it likely won't be a problem.”

Yao Jingfeng added, “Even if Brother Ji doesn't join in three years, waiting another three years isn't a big deal.”

“You're still young; there's no need to rush.”

“In that case, forming a peer group of four in advance is beneficial. When we join the Water Dragon Sect, we can establish ourselves more quickly.”

Ji Yuan didn't rush to respond.

In fact, Du Wanyi and Yao Jingfeng weren't wrong.

Anyone who stood out in the Yunyu Marshlands had some fortuitous encounter.

Like Han Feiyu, who drifted in the Yunyu Marshlands for years before returning, or Dong Qian, who rose after marriage, or Qiu Qianhai, now a prominent figure in Zengtou Market.

These encounters varied in magnitude.

Some obtained a cultivation technique, others a spell, or even a high-grade talisman during the early stages of Qi Refining.

All were considered fortuitous encounters.

“In that case, I appreciate both of you considering me.”

Ji Yuan stood and cupped his hands with a smile.

They came to form good relations; Ji Yuan had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, as they said, everyone had their own encounters.

With encounters and strength, one could gain benefits. Only by obtaining benefits did forming peer groups hold meaning.

Otherwise, why didn't they approach Wu Yan or Qin Long, but specifically sought out Ji Yuan?

Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi were pleased with Ji Yuan's agreement.

They then agreed to meet again after tomorrow's gathering, along with Luo Tian, for further acquaintance and exchange.

After seeing them off, Ji Yuan stood alone in his courtyard, looking at the small plot of land he had recently reclaimed.

Among all his buildings, only the [Spiritual Field] remained at level 0.

The conditions to upgrade the [Spiritual Field] to level 1 were merely 50 catties of plant ash and five low-grade spirit stones.

For Ji Yuan, these were trivial.

Since that was the case, he decided to upgrade it and see.

He could plant anything on it afterward.

With this thought, Ji Yuan went to a deserted island and set it ablaze.

Flames soared skyward.

Several passing fishermen came to investigate, but upon seeing a figure on a flying boat above the burning island, they all cupped their hands and departed.

With a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator present, they wouldn't dare say anything, even if he set an island—or a person—on fire.

After a while.

Ji Yuan looked at his small Spiritual Field, now covered in plant ash, and tossed five spirit stones onto it.

Then, with a thought, he chose to upgrade.

The number on the [Spiritual Field] changed from 0 to 1, and the panel displayed the effects of a level 2 Spiritual Field and the conditions for the next upgrade.