Chapter 88: [Chicken Coop] + [Spiritual Field] = ?
Even while seated on the returning flying boat, Ji Yuan's heart remained unsettled.
The four of them had agreed to join the Water Dragon Sect together and aimed to become Foundation Establishment cultivators. How much time had passed since then?
And yet, one of them was already gone.
Luo Tian was a man of few words and didn't enjoy socializing, but Ji Yuan could sense that he had a warm heart.
He might have been indifferent to strangers, but he treated his own people exceptionally well. Not to mention, upon their first meeting, he had gifted Ji Yuan a Water Thunder Bead—a valuable item sold at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
It wasn't cheap.
One bead cost 40 spirit stones.
Moreover, before their departure last night, seeing Ji Yuan's apprehension, Luo Tian had considered giving him another Water Thunder Bead for protection.
But now, due to a "must-win" duel, he was buried in those mountains, leaving not even a corpse behind.
Could this be attributed to a lack of caution?
No.
Upon reflection, not only had he been cautious, but even Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi had exercised great care.
Facing two ninth-layer Qi Refining demonic cultivators, their side had mobilized two ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivators, one eighth-layer, and one seventh-layer proficient in formations—by all accounts, they held the advantage.
What they hadn't anticipated was the enemy's cunning.
Engaging in such deceitful tactics.
Thus, regardless of what happens in the future, no matter the circumstances, one must never consider oneself clever.
The only things one could rely on were personal strength and an array of hidden cards.
Like today, if not for the power of the Thunder Falcon Boat allowing him to forcibly shake off that tenth-layer Qi Refining demonic cultivator, he might have had to face him alone.
An eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator against a tenth-layer—Ji Yuan wasn't confident.
Though he possessed numerous trump cards, his cultivation spanned only a few years, whereas the opponent had trained for decades.
In terms of combat experience and hidden techniques, could he be lacking?
Against eighth or ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivators, Ji Yuan wasn't overly concerned. But a tenth-layer, especially an older one who had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment bottleneck for years?
Extreme caution was necessary.
No room for negligence.
The opponent might possess second-tier talismans suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators or other hidden techniques.
This thought led Ji Yuan to recall the Qin family patriarch from Zengtou Market, also a tenth-layer Qi Refining cultivator.
He wondered if, as Lu Wan had mentioned, the patriarch had truly passed away.
The path of cultivation was indeed arduous.
Ji Yuan looked up and sighed deeply.
"Fourth Brother, are you alright?"
Yao Jingfeng, having recovered somewhat, turned his attention to Ji Yuan's well-being.
"I'm fine."
Ji Yuan's expression remained somber.
Yao Jingfeng mirrored his mood.
At this point, words seemed futile.
As Luo Tian had said before departing, it was merely the struggle for the Great Dao.
Besides, no matter the blame, the man was already dead.
"Did you find anything of Third Brother's? His family—his father has passed away, leaving behind an elderly mother and a younger brother who's already married."
Yao Jingfeng spoke pensively.
"Nothing."
Du Wanyi, awake at some point, lay motionless on the flying boat, her eyes vacant as she stared upward. "He detonated eight Water Thunder Beads, dragging those three demonic cultivators into a forced self-destruction. With such power, even his storage pouch would have been obliterated, let alone himself."
Ji Yuan responded with a soft "Mm."
"And you—"
Yao Jingfeng hesitated to ask.
Tears slid down Du Wanyi's cheeks, falling onto the flying boat without a sound. "Third Brother had a top-grade magical item resembling a long rope. He feigned weakness, waiting for the three demonic cultivators to approach before activating it, binding himself and the three together, giving me three breaths to escape."
"But he—he..."
At this point, Du Wanyi couldn't hold back her sobs.
Ji Yuan didn't know how to comfort her.
He had done his best; had he not swiftly defeated his opponent, Yao Jingfeng wouldn't be lying here now.
Had Yao Jingfeng died, that tenth-layer Qi Refining demonic cultivator would have been free to join forces with the others.
Even if Ji Yuan could escape using the flying boat, Luo Tian and Du Wanyi wouldn't have stood a chance.
After a prolonged silence, as they neared Yunyu Marshlands, Ji Yuan retrieved the storage pouch and the damaged silver flying boat obtained earlier.
"This is the storage pouch from that tenth-layer cultivator. It's all I found. The Dragon Gallbladder Grass should be inside."
Ji Yuan hadn't refined it yet and was unsure of its contents, merely speculating.
Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi glanced at it.
"Fourth Brother, you keep it. Without you, we'd be dead. Material possessions are the least of our concerns," Yao Jingfeng said with a bitter smile.
Du Wanyi nodded in agreement. "Fourth Brother, you keep it."
Ji Yuan said nothing, merely infused the storage pouch with spiritual energy, refining it swiftly.
Soon, five herbs tied with red strings appeared on the flying boat, emitting a faint fragrance that refreshed the mind.
"This must be the Dragon Gallbladder Grass?"
"Yes."
Du Wanyi, her injuries lighter and having taken a healing Qi and Blood Pill earlier, managed to sit up.
"Fourth Brother, you keep it," she said, her face pale.
Ji Yuan replied, "There are five stalks; I'll take three."
Without further discussion, he handed two stalks to Du Wanyi and Yao Jingfeng.
He then took out over two hundred lower-grade spirit stones and one middle-grade spirit stone from the storage pouch, dividing them into three portions.
"I don't need the spirit stones. Eldest Brother, Second Sister, each of you take a share. The remaining portion, one of you can deliver to Third Brother's family."
"Let's not divide the rest. Fourth Brother, you keep it."
Du Wanyi looked at the small pile of spirit stones before her and spoke again.
Ji Yuan wasn't one for false modesty. "Alright."
He put away the storage pouch and asked, "Eldest Brother, Second Sister, where are you headed? Shall I take you, or would you prefer to recover at my place?"
"Take us home. These injuries can heal there."
Yao Jingfeng forced a smile.
"Alright."
Du Wanyi resided at House A-3 in Tai'an Alley.
Yao Jingfeng lived at House A-13 in Huaiyin Alley.
Since they were closer to Huaiyin Alley, Ji Yuan first took Yao Jingfeng home, along with the portion of spirit stones meant for Luo Tian's family.
Given his closer relationship with Luo Tian, it was most appropriate for him to deliver them.
Finally, Ji Yuan piloted the flying boat skyward once more.
Only then did Du Wanyi speak, "Eldest Brother's injuries are severe; I'm afraid they might have affected his foundation."
With a pseudo-spiritual root, achieving Foundation Establishment was already challenging. If his foundation were damaged, the prospects would be even bleaker.
"Let's hope not."
Ji Yuan could only say this.
If his foundation were truly damaged, there was little he could do.
"Looking back, Fourth Brother, you were right. One shouldn't be greedy—"
Du Wanyi shook her head, unsure how to continue.
Ji Yuan pondered for a long time before finally saying, "It's not that one shouldn't be ambitious, but it's better to be cautious until one's strength is sufficient."
"But in cultivation, there's always someone stronger. When can one truly say their strength is sufficient?"
Du Wanyi's voice carried a hint of despair and helplessness.
Ji Yuan didn't have an answer.
He only knew that if it were just him, he wouldn't have taken such a risk.
After this incident, even if others invited him, he wouldn't take such risks again.
What about obtaining the century-old Dragon Gallbladder Grass?
He would wait until his cultivation reached the peak of Qi Refining, leave Zengtou Market, and seek to purchase it elsewhere.
Purchasing would require spirit stones, but with the Building Upgrade Panel and his abilities in talisman drawing and pill refining, Ji Yuan wasn't lacking in spirit stones.
"We've arrived. I'll take you home first, Second Sister. If anything comes up, feel free to reach out to me anytime."
"Alright."
After escorting Du Wanyi home, Ji Yuan finally let out a long sigh of relief.
He circled around Yunyu Marshlands several times to ensure no one was following him before taking a detour back to his own residence.
By then, he had changed his clothes, and his dantian's spiritual energy had fully recovered.
He appeared as if nothing had happened.
Even when he encountered Wen Lin stepping out, there was no sign of anything unusual.
He had left just last night and returned early this morning.
Nothing had changed at home.
Ji Yuan sat in the living room and first took out the three stalks of century-old Dragon Gallbladder Grass.
According to the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, refining a batch required exactly three stalks of century-old Dragon Gallbladder Grass.
However, Ji Yuan then retrieved a small, exquisite jade box from the storage pouch.
This jade box had been placed alongside the Dragon Gallbladder Grass. Ji Yuan surmised that its contents might also be related to Foundation Establishment. He raised his hand and opened it.
"These are... seeds?"
Ji Yuan took one out and placed it in his palm.
They were undoubtedly seeds, but he didn't know what kind they were.
Being stored with the Dragon Gallbladder Grass, could they be its seeds?
Even if not, they were likely some kind of medicinal herb used for Foundation Establishment.
With this thought, Ji Yuan's gaze shifted to the small patch of [Spiritual Field] outside the house.
He had been troubled by not having anything suitable to plant in the [Spiritual Field].
However, planting them in the front yard might be too conspicuous.
After some thought, Ji Yuan decided to open up a small patch of [Spiritual Field] next to the [Fish Pond] in the backyard.
There weren't many seeds, only a dozen or so.
Given the limited space, the [Spiritual Field] Ji Yuan prepared was only about the size of a small square table.
Recalling the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, the main ingredients required millennium-old spiritual herbs, but even the auxiliary herbs needed to be at least a hundred years old.
Even if he upgraded the [Spiritual Field] to level 2,
It would only reduce the growth cycle of crops by 40%, meaning they would still need to grow for 60 years.
Sixty years? If he hadn't reached Foundation Establishment by then, there would be no hope.
Ji Yuan pondered and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
Currently, the [Spiritual Field] only had basic building effects without any additional bonuses.
But what if he added the spiritual soil produced by the [Chicken Coop]?
At level 1, the [Spiritual Field] only reduced the growth cycle by 30%. Perhaps adding spiritual soil would bring some changes.
The [Chicken Coop] produced 1 qian of spiritual soil daily, 1 liang in 10 days, and only 1 jin in 100 days.
Over the past year or so, Ji Yuan had accumulated over 3 jin of spiritual soil without using any.
This small patch of land wouldn't require that much spiritual soil.
After retrieving a specially made cloth bag containing the spiritual soil from the storage pouch, Ji Yuan spread a layer over the [Spiritual Field].
Even so, it only used a little over 1 jin of spiritual soil.
But just as he finished spreading it and was about to stand up, he noticed that the small text floating above the [Spiritual Field] had an additional line.
Previously, the text read: [Spiritual Field: Lv1]
Now, it had changed slightly.
[Spiritual Field Lv1: Enhanced by spiritual soil, crop growth cycle reduced by 50%]
!!!
Promising!
It actually gained a 20% bonus.
This meant that once he upgraded the [Spiritual Field] to level 2 and gained an additional 10% bonus, the crop growth cycle would be reduced by 60%.
A hundred-year-old herb would mature in just 40 years.
Damn, even so, that's still a long time.
But it's better than having no effect at all, right?
A hundred-year-old herb with a 60% reduction would mature in 40 years.
A thousand-year-old herb with a 60% reduction would take—400 years!
Damn it.
Ji Yuan's previously excited mood instantly cooled down.
Indeed, history teaches us that farming won't make you rich; it only keeps you from starving.
Looking at the newly cultivated [Spiritual Field], Ji Yuan decided to plant these unknown medicinal herb seeds and see what they would grow into.
In the meantime, he could also upgrade the [Spiritual Field] to level 2 and see if level 3 would offer better spiritual effects.
The good thing about this incident was that Ji Yuan discovered that combining building effects from the panel could produce synergistic effects greater than the sum of their parts.
In the future, when he had more buildings or some free time, he could consider experimenting with different combinations of building effects.
After finishing this task, Ji Yuan continued to examine the contents of the storage pouch obtained from this venture.
As for magical artifacts, only the damaged flying boat remained.
This item was valuable; Ji Yuan had noticed its potential during his brief encounter with the demonic cultivator.
This silver shuttle-shaped magical artifact could serve as a flying tool, an offensive weapon, and even a protective item.
Truly a versatile tool.
Unfortunately, it was severely damaged. He wasn't sure if it could be repaired.
Regarding pills, they were mostly common ones used for cultivation, except for one bottle that Ji Yuan didn't recognize.
He took it out and saw a paper label on the bottle, likely to prevent confusion.
"Yin Nourishing Pill."
Ji Yuan opened it and found five pills inside, each the size of a fingertip, exuding a heavy yin aura, indicating they weren't benevolent medicines.
Just as he was about to put them away, a thought struck him.
Could the Yin Nourishing Pill be used to nourish yin ghosts?
After all, those two entities loved such yin-evil items.
With this thought, Ji Yuan took out the Yin Ghost Banner.
The black flag spun continuously in his hand, and then two black shadows flew out, circling around Ji Yuan.
Upon sensing the aura of the Yin Nourishing Pill, they immediately lunged forward.
The ghostly faces formed from black mist were filled with greed and desire.
Indeed, items from demonic cultivators were best suited for demonic cultivators.
After confirming their usefulness, Ji Yuan used the Art of Controlling Objects to take out two pills, giving one to each yin ghost.
As the Yin Nourishing Pills were thrown, the yin ghosts immediately pounced and swallowed them. In just an instant, their auras became significantly stronger.
Yet, they still hovered around the remaining pills, unwilling to leave.
There were three pills left. Ji Yuan took out two more and distributed them.
After each yin ghost consumed two Yin Nourishing Pills, they seemed somewhat "intoxicated," swaying unsteadily, with the black mist of their ghostly aura rolling continuously, showing signs of intensifying.
Ji Yuan quickly summoned them back into the Yin Ghost Banner.
It seemed they were about to refine the Yin Nourishing Pills.
He wondered if, after successful refinement, these two sixth-layer Qi Refining yin ghosts could break through to the late stage of Qi Refining.
If that were possible, with two late-stage Qi Refining yin ghosts reinforcing the Yin Ghost Banner, Ji Yuan would be confident in battling a peak Qi Refining cultivator!
After all, the Yin Ghost Formation at that point would likely be able to trap a peak Qi Refining cultivator.
The Yin Nourishing Pill was indeed a good item. Ji Yuan stored the remaining pill and then looked at the other items in the storage pouch.
There were quite a few talismans, most of which were top-grade.
Among them were six offensive talismans and ten protective talismans!
This bastard had quite a collection of good items.
Fortunately, he hadn't chosen to fight him head-on at the time; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to outlast him.
However, despite all his treasures, he couldn't withstand Luo Tian's earth-shattering explosion.
Of the three demonic cultivators at that time, only this one managed to escape a short distance, preserving his storage pouch.
Presumably, he had relied on numerous protective talismans for defense.
Yet in the end, he still couldn't escape death.
A single high-grade talisman typically cost between twenty to thirty spirit stones. Just from these talismans alone, Ji Yuan could recoup his costs.
The remaining items were mostly miscellaneous things.
There were ores suitable for weapon crafting and herbs used in alchemy.
Logically speaking, since they had fished for such a long time, they must have caught others too—so why was there nothing in their storage bags?
It was likely that those items were on the other people.
But the battlefield had been too chaotic. Ji Yuan wasn't sure if the storage bags had been blown to pieces, and he hadn't dared to stay there for long.
Such an earth-shaking explosion would most likely attract Foundation Establishment cultivators to investigate.
What he had managed to take was already enough.
“.”
Just as Ji Yuan was contemplating, a jade slip suddenly appeared in his hand—it was something he had retrieved from the demonic cultivator’s storage bag.
A jade slip of inheritance.
He had no idea what kind of spell it contained.
Injecting spiritual energy, Ji Yuan immediately received a message from within the jade slip.
A spell—“Corpse Puppet Technique”.
A demonic cultivation method.
Ji Yuan carefully read through it. Initially uninterested, his expression gradually brightened as he read on.
This Corpse Puppet Technique allowed one to refine corpse puppets—wasn't this a perfect way to find a free laborer?
Usually, he personally fed the chickens, pigs, and fish. It wasn't tiring per se, but it did take time to do it every day.
Moreover, whenever he went into seclusion for cultivation or stepped out of the courtyard, he had to make sure to deal with the spiritual fish and such in advance.
He had considered asking someone else for help—for example, he could have asked Lin Hu to take care of things when he went out.
That was feasible, but unnecessary.
These buildings were tied to his greatest secret, and Ji Yuan dared not let down his guard in the slightest.
But now, with this Corpse Puppet Technique, if he could refine a corpse puppet for himself, things would become much easier.
The puppet would obey his commands completely, like an extension of his own will. Whether he was in seclusion or away from home, he could entrust everything to it—and if needed, it could even act as a bodyguard.
Hmm… once the puppet was refined, he would definitely have to replace the spiritual chickens in the backyard.
Otherwise, the Red-Crested Chicken—natural nemesis of yin creatures—would be a problem.
What to replace it with?
He recalled hearing from a chicken-raising cultivator that in the Yunyu Marshlands, there was a breed called the Reedwater Chicken.
Also a first-rank demon beast, its meat was tender beyond comparison, though it was notoriously hard to catch alive.
Pushing aside these distracting thoughts, Ji Yuan carefully studied how to refine a corpse puppet.
First, the corpse had to be intact. If the injuries were too severe, or if it was missing limbs, it wouldn't work.
Nor could it be someone who died of old age.
Corpses that died from old age had no value.
The best choice was a body that had died within twelve hours.
Next, three Soul Control Talismans were required.
These were mid-grade first-rank talismans.
The “Corpse Puppet Technique” even provided the method to draw them—this part wasn’t difficult.
Then came the corpse processing steps.
First, the body had to be thoroughly washed with rootless water, and any lingering spiritual energy in the dantian had to be cleansed.
Next, spirit needles were to be used to pierce the twelve main meridians, and the entire body coated in Yin Fiend Mud. It would then be nurtured using one’s own spiritual energy for twelve hours.
Finally, just as it broke free from the mud, a Soul Control Talisman was to be affixed to its back, and the character “Puppet” inscribed on its chest in seal script.
It was a bit troublesome, but the thought of freeing his own hands after crafting the puppet made Ji Yuan feel it was well worth doing—and absolutely necessary!
He couldn’t personally handle everything forever.
In terms of cultivation level, just like Yin Ghosts, corpse puppets could never exceed the master’s cultivation.
Moreover, it depended on the level the original person had before death.
But where was he to find a suitable corpse?
Was he to kill someone himself?
That method wasn’t bad, but Ji Yuan couldn’t bring himself to do it right now.
Mainly because he didn’t have a suitable target.
Given that, he could only buy one.
Corpses of cultivators were also considered cultivation resources. And since they were resources, they could be bought and sold.
Although the trade channels were a bit limited, Ji Yuan had been in Zengtou Market for a few years and had managed to gather a few leads.
With this in mind, he didn’t delay any longer. He changed into a different outfit and steered his boat to a butcher shop in Zengtou Market.
There weren’t many butchers in Zengtou Market—only two in total.
One of them was Luo Tong, a friend of Ji Yuan.
The other was the man before him.
Ji Yuan had previously bought Spiritual Pigs from this man. His name was Wang Yun, but due to the pockmarks covering his face, everyone called him Wang Mazi.
“What can I get you, fellow Daoist?”
Wang Mazi eyed the unfamiliar man before him. Unable to discern his cultivation, he assumed the man was at the late stage of Qi Refining—a rare and respectable level—and didn’t dare to offend him.
Thus, he greeted with an ingratiating smile.
“I want a person.”
Ji Yuan’s voice was indifferent and cold.
Wang Mazi was stunned at first, then he realized what Ji Yuan meant. He picked up a nearby rag and wiped his hands. “That can be arranged. Please, come inside, fellow Daoist.”
Once inside, Wang Mazi carefully closed the door behind them before cheerfully saying, “May I ask how you learned of my business? Not many in Zengtou Market are aware of it.”
“Old Blind Qin told me.”
When Ji Yuan mentioned this, Wang Mazi visibly paused and then grew even more respectful.
“Please follow me, fellow Daoist.”
He led Ji Yuan to the kitchen.
After fiddling with something, the floor suddenly opened to reveal a secret tunnel leading underground.
Even before entering, Ji Yuan could already feel a cold, eerie aura wafting from within, along with a pungent stench of the dead.
Wang Mazi pulled a torch from his storage bag, lit it, and entered the dim underground chamber, igniting several wall torches as he went.
Ji Yuan followed behind.
This guy was at the sixth level of Qi Refining and in his prime—definitely good corpse puppet material.
“Take a look, fellow Daoist. What quality do you want? We’ve got men, women, young, and old.”
Wang Mazi gestured toward the wall on the right.
There, ice coffins were stacked one after another.
Talisman seals for Cold Ice were affixed to the lids. Inside were the so-called cultivation resources—corpses.
Even though Ji Yuan had mentally prepared himself, the sight still gave him a jolt.
This world of cultivation was truly a brutal place—dog-eat-dog, the strong preyed on the weak.
If you weren’t strong enough, you'd be devoured by others.
Ji Yuan stepped closer, scanning them.
He immediately ruled out the elderly and children—he only wanted those in their prime. But all of these had clearly been frozen for a long time.
Some of the corpses were already starting to decay.
And their cultivation levels were lacking. Judging from the residual aura, they were all at the early stage of Qi Refining.
“Don’t you have anything fresher?”
Ji Yuan turned around and asked.
Wang Mazi was a little taken aback by Ji Yuan’s bluntness—he was a ruthless man.
“How fresh do you need?”
As fresh as you, thought Ji Yuan.
After a moment of consideration, he replied, “Within ten hours. Got any?”
“Yes. Our trade lives off collecting corpses from all over. As long as you’ve got enough spirit stones, anything’s possible.”
Ji Yuan neither confirmed nor denied it. “I want someone at mid-stage Qi Refining, body intact, dead within ten hours, young. No old ones.”
“How much?”
Wang Mazi thought for a moment. “Any gender preference?”
“No.”
“Fifteen spirit stones. Pay five up front, and we’ll have it ready by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
Mid-stage Qi Refining corpses could be sold for fifteen spirit stones—Ji Yuan suddenly felt like a whole batch of spirit stones had just slipped past his grasp.
But on second thought, compared to the small profit from selling corpses, Ji Yuan felt that destroying the evidence was more important.
“Corpses from you won’t bring trouble later, right?”
Ji Yuan took out five spirit stones.
“Absolutely not. We’re an old trade here. Most of our stock is from out of town—the corpses don’t circulate locally.”
Wang Mazi rubbed his hands together with practiced ease and smiled.
“Ha, your local gang sure is conscientious.”
“I’ll pick it up first thing tomorrow morning.”