Chapter 86: Another Letter from Lu Wan
Wu Qin had just given birth not long ago, so naturally Lin Hu wasn't in a rush to set out fishing, which gave him the time to head to Zengtou Market at noon.
Speaking of which, Ji Yuan had also learned the name of Lin Hu’s daughter a couple of days ago.
As expected, it had been named by Wen Lin—Lin Qiaoruo.
"A letter from Lu Wan?"
After hearing what Lin Hu said, Ji Yuan found it a bit unusual.
Because the last letter from Lu Wan had been received a year ago.
At the time, it was through her that Ji Yuan had learned of Qiu Qianhai’s whereabouts.
Since then, Ji Yuan had not received another letter from Lu Wan.
Nor had he seen her again in Zengtou Market.
He hadn't expected that today, he would actually receive a letter from her again.
Ji Yuan’s first reaction was that the Qin family might have taken some new action against Qiu Qianhai.
Otherwise, he couldn’t imagine what else would prompt Lu Wan to send him a message.
"Yes."
Lin Hu recalled the situation at the time and added, "But this time, Lu Wan didn't seem afraid at all. She handed me the letter openly and directly—not like last year, all sneaky and secretive."
"Alright, thank you."
"Heh, Brother Ji, you're too polite. This is no trouble at all."
With that, Lin Hu prepared to leave, but Ji Yuan suddenly thought of something.
"Right, Huzi, take this meat back with you. It'll be good nourishment for Wu Qin."
As he spoke, Ji Yuan took out the leftover Spiritual Pig meat from his storage pouch—only about five or six jin.
It wasn’t that he was unwilling to give more, but this stuff had body-tempering effects—Ji Yuan was afraid that if they ate too much, they might sense something unusual, which could risk leaking secrets.
This amount was just right.
"This—"
Lin Hu hesitated to accept.
"I'm giving it to you. Just take it."
Ji Yuan handed it over, and Lin Hu had no choice but to accept it. He then gave Ji Yuan a deep bow.
"Brother Ji, thank you!"
"It's nothing."
For Ji Yuan now, these things meant little. But for someone like Lin Hu, still in the early stages of Qi Refinement—
It meant a great deal.
After returning to his room, Ji Yuan opened the letter from Lu Wan.
As soon as he opened it, a faint ink fragrance wafted out. It seemed that Lu Wan was still being treated well in the Qin household—even the ink used was of superior quality.
Her handwriting was also much improved compared to a year ago.
Besides being neat and graceful, it now carried a certain firmness and strength.
"Brother Ji, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person.
It has already been over a year since we last met.
I had originally wanted to visit and offer my congratulations in person upon hearing of your breakthrough to the late stage of Qi Refinement, but considering my troublesome status, I decided not to bring you any trouble. I can only convey my congratulations through this letter and wish you well from afar.
Since your return to Zengtou Market with your late-stage cultivation, I’ve no longer heard any news about Qiu Qianhai within the Qin family.
And whenever Qin Long or others mention you, they do so with fear and caution—clearly, they fear your strength.
The reason I'm writing to you this time is because I’ve noticed something strange within the Qin family.
In the past, the Qin family was always domineering outside, fearing no one except disciples of the Water Dragon Sect. But recently, I’ve frequently heard Qin Long scolding the Qin clan, telling them to be cautious and restrained outside, to avoid stirring up trouble.
After extensive probing and speculation, I estimate that there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance that the Qin family's old patriarch has passed away.
I don’t know if this information is of any use to you, so I’ve entrusted this letter to inform you.
If needed, Brother Ji may reply to Room B-16. The person there is a trusted friend of mine.
That is all.
—Lu Wan, in her own hand."
The old blind Qin elder is dead?
Ji Yuan looked at the letter in his hand, quite surprised.
That old thing had been a peak Qi Refinement cultivator and even the head of the so-called Yunyu Marshlands Alliance—yet he had passed away at home, without a word?
Thinking deeper, it wasn’t impossible.
After all, there had been rumors years ago that the old blind Qin patriarch was nearing the end of his life.
Now, perhaps he had known his time was short and had tried to break through to Foundation Establishment one last time—only to fail and perish at home.
And come to think of it—Ji Yuan hadn’t heard of anyone being killed by the Qin family in recent times.
Could it be true?
With a flash of spiritual energy in his hand, a fireball appeared and reduced the letter to ash.
Ji Yuan didn’t plan to reply to Lu Wan—there was nothing to say.
As for revenge, he already had a plan, but wouldn’t act until he reached the peak of Qi Refinement.
Once he attained peak Qi Refinement, with his methods—
He would basically dominate the Yunyu Marshlands.
At that time, revenge would carry no risk.
Suppressing others by sheer cultivation level—Ji Yuan liked that very much.
But even the Qin family had no word of Qiu Qianhai—that was rather strange.
Ji Yuan pondered for a while but had no solution.
Without word from Qiu Qianhai, there was no way to find him.
Thus passed another three days.
During these three days, Ji Yuan had gone out several times in disguise to explore the surrounding markets and inquire about the Hundred-Year Gentian and the Three-Flower Jade Dew.
As expected—he found nothing.
Which was no surprise to Ji Yuan.
Since those items could be used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, it was unlikely they’d spread to Yunyu Marshlands—more likely, they were consumed internally or circulated in larger markets elsewhere.
Yunyu Marshlands, after all, was too small a domain.
Given this, the Water Dragon Sect’s recruitment in two years would indeed be an opportunity not to be missed.
Ten days passed in a flash.
And on the evening of the tenth day, Du Wanyi came by again.
Seeing her travel-worn but with a hint of excitement, Ji Yuan guessed she had indeed uncovered some useful information.
"Pack up. We’re leaving."
Du Wanyi wasted no words.
"Where to?"
"To Twin Swallow Island first. Once Luo Tian arrives, we’ll talk. We’ve found something good."
Ji Yuan thought briefly, then nodded.
"Alright. Second Sister, you go first. I’ll pack and follow shortly."
"Okay."
Having passed the message, Du Wanyi left first.
Ji Yuan watched her back, pondering. Regardless of what might happen later, he would first head to Twin Swallow Island and see what they had discovered.
He shut down the effects of various buildings, tidied up his storage pouch, and confirmed there was nothing left behind before departing.
This time, he wasn’t the last to arrive at Twin Swallow Island.
Because Luo Tian hadn't arrived yet—only Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi were there.
Ji Yuan landed and accepted the chair Du Wanyi handed him, then sat down.
"Big Brother, you just got back?"
"Yes."
Yao Jingfeng’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Fourth Brother, guess what we found?"
"Gentian or Jade Dew?"
"Gentian!"
Yao Jingfeng said quietly, "Second Sister and I didn’t get into the auction, so we wandered the city—and unexpectedly stumbled upon a rogue cultivator selling Hundred-Year Gentian. Five stalks in total, and not cheap."
"We pooled our Spirit Stones, but still couldn’t buy them—someone else got them."
His voice paused there.
"Then you tried to steal it?"
Ji Yuan guessed.
"I wish." Yao Jingfeng shrugged. "But the buyer ran off immediately—didn’t give anyone a chance."
"Then I assume many followed him?"
"Yes, many know about the Foundation Establishment Pill formula." Yao Jingfeng said gravely, "We joined the pursuit. Outside the city, a melee broke out—everyone was trying to kill that guy."
"He was late-stage Qi Refinement, but still outnumbered."
"After a while, knowing he couldn’t escape, he threw out the five Gentian stalks—which were snatched by two demonic cultivators at Qi Refinement level nine."
"So what are you two planning?"
Ji Yuan looked at them.
Du Wanyi smiled. "I planted tracking incense on one of them. Big Brother and I intend for the four of us to go eliminate the two demonic cultivators and take the Gentian."
"Two at level nine."
Ji Yuan was currently level eight but confident—with six top-grade magical tools and his Yin Ghost Formation, he could handle one level-nine opponent.
Still, he didn’t like to take risks.
"Let’s wait for Luo Tian and hear his thoughts."
Du Wanyi, knowing Ji Yuan’s cautious nature, suggested.
"Alright."
About half an hour later—
Luo Tian arrived, piloting a crimson Chi Xiao Boat.
After hearing the story, he slapped his thigh and said, "Let’s go!"
"I don’t care about the Gentian—just can’t stand demonic cultivators. If I see one, I’ll kill one."
"Great," Yao Jingfeng laughed. "Then the Gentian isn’t yours—we three will split it."
"Get lost."
Yao Jingfeng chuckled.
"I’m at level nine now. Luo Tian, you too? Second Sister’s level eight, and Fourth Brother’s level seven—"
"But with his formation, he’s not far behind an average level eight."
Ji Yuan’s cultivation had reached level eight, but he habitually concealed his aura.
Without careful probing or significantly higher cultivation, it was hard to notice.
Yao Jingfeng concluded, "So this mission is highly feasible—it’s worth the risk!"
"I agree."
Luo Tian, capable of crafting Water Thunder Bombs, was a battle-hardened warrior, overflowing with killing intent.
"Big Brother is right—this is a rare chance. Miss it, and it’s gone." Du Wanyi added.
Seeing all three looking at him, Ji Yuan smiled.
"In that case, let’s go."
"That’s the spirit."
"In the great struggle for the Dao, what’s the point of always hiding? We cultivators must forge ahead!"
Luo Tian clapped Ji Yuan’s shoulder and handed him another Water Thunder Bomb.
"If things go south, throw this. As long as it’s not a Foundation Establishment opponent, it’ll save your life."
He had already given one before—and now another.
Ji Yuan felt awkward.
After some polite refusal, he returned it.
"I’m only good with the Yin Ghost Formation—not so skilled in combat. If things go bad, I’ll rely on you all."
Ji Yuan cupped his hands respectfully.
"You worry too much," Luo Tian waved him off.
"Yes, we got you covered," Yao Jingfeng agreed.
Only Du Wanyi, who had seen Ji Yuan slay those Qin cultivators, knew better.
Not skilled in combat?
She said nothing.
After settling the plan, the four set off one after another, flying through the sky.
Ji Yuan observed their flying boats.
Luo Tian and Du Wanyi used Chi Xiao Boats, while Yao Jingfeng had a slightly better Phantom-Tracing Boat—all standard models sold by the Water Dragon Sect’s Treasure Pavilion.
In terms of speed and quality, all were inferior to Ji Yuan’s Lei Ji Boat.
But he didn’t reveal this—instead, he deliberately held back to match their pace, giving the impression his flying boat was similarly ordinary.
They flew southward for nearly two hours, finally leaving the Yunyu Marshlands.
It was Ji Yuan’s first time leaving the Marshlands—naturally, he looked around curiously.
Unfortunately, the night was dark and moonless, and they flew too high to see clearly.
After another hour or so, Yao Jingfeng lowered his flying boat first, and the others followed, landing in a wild forest.
Du Wanyi took out a stick of incense from her storage pouch, lit it, and the smoke rose straight—pointing northwest.
"Follow it."
The boats lifted again, but this time flew lower, just above the dense forest canopy.
Ji Yuan brought up the rear, watching the incense in Du Wanyi’s hand, and grew more cautious—cultivators had many tricks. He would need to be even more careful in the future.