Chapter 266 : The Effects of the Level 2 【Scripture Repository】【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

Since ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍that was the case, did the 【Scripture Repository】 only increase cultivation technique proficiency, or could it also increase the proficiency of spells?

After ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍thinking it over, Ji Yuan could not help but wonder.

He ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍first cast the Black Mist Dispersing Body Art inside the 【Scripture Repository】.

As ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍a result, the text on the wall did not change in the slightest.

After ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that, he cast Shadow Following.

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍result was exactly the same.

Could it only increase cultivation technique proficiency?

That didn't seem right.

Ji Yuan could only summon the panel and, while he was at it, take a look at what the effects of the Level 2 【Scripture Repository】 were.

It was fine before he looked.

But the moment he did, he immediately understood why spell proficiency couldn't be increased.

【Scripture Repository: Lv2 (Cannot Upgrade)】

【Spiritual Effect 1: Cultivation technique proficiency increases at a faster rate.】

【Spiritual Effect 2: Frequently cast spells and diligently practice them to increase spell proficiency.】

【Upgrade Requirements: Nascent Soul cultivation technique ×1; Golden Core cultivation technique ×10; Foundation Establishment cultivation technique ×50; Third-Tier Demon Core ×3; Middle-Grade Spirit Stones ×1000. (Not Met)】

‘So that's why spell proficiency couldn't increase... It turns out only a Level 2 【Scripture Repository】 can do that.’

Ji Yuan immediately understood.

As for Spiritual Effect 1, its meaning was obvious.

At present, it took him over twenty days to gain one point of cultivation technique proficiency.

Once the 【Scripture Repository】 reached Level 2...

Perhaps it would only take a little over ten days to gain one point.

Looking at it this way, upgrading this building was extremely worthwhile.

After all, once cultivation technique proficiency increased, his cultivation would naturally rise along with it.

For example, his current Sword Manual proficiency was seventy-five.

If he could raise it to eighty sooner, that would mean condensing the next Flying Sword sooner as well.

As for the upgrade requirements...

He already had enough Golden Core cultivation techniques.

With the help of his fellow disciples, he probably had enough to upgrade the 【Scripture Repository】 to Level 3.

Even if he lacked Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques, they weren't difficult to obtain.

With a little effort, he could gather enough.

The Demon Cores were Third-Tier again.

Damn it...

Every building required Third-Tier Demon Cores.

Did they really think those things could be bought wholesale?

...If he really could find someone selling Third-Tier Demon Cores wholesale, that would be wonderful!

Finally...

There was the Nascent Soul cultivation technique.

That...

Was rather troublesome.

Because Nascent Soul cultivation techniques required inheritances.

They couldn't simply be copied onto a jade slip.

What was an inheritance?

At the very least, it required a Nascent Soul cultivator to spend an enormous amount of time and effort preserving the scenes of their cultivation, written explanations, methods of circulating Spiritual Energy, and everything else into a special inheritance item.

Those inheritance items themselves were also exceptionally rare.

Moreover, they had to be compatible with the cultivation technique being passed down.

For example...

The skull of a Fourth-Tier lightning-attributed avian demon beast would make an excellent inheritance item for a lightning-attributed Nascent Soul cultivation technique.

In short...

None of it was easy to obtain.

Otherwise, despite existing for thousands of years, the Water Dragon Sect would not possess only three Nascent Soul cultivation techniques.

Since that was the case...

He would simply do his best!

For example...

Perhaps one of the Six Immortal Sects might end up destroyed someday.

At that point, a Nascent Soul cultivation technique might circulate into the outside world.

Well...

As long as it wasn't the Water Dragon Sect.

After finishing that line of thought, Ji Yuan naturally began fantasizing about other things.

Now that he had the 【Scripture Repository】...

Whether cultivating techniques or practicing spells, he could now see their proficiency.

In other words...

Even cultivation, the most difficult thing of all, now had a visible progress bar.

Ji Yuan could not help imagining...

If there was a suitable building capable of displaying cultivation progress bars...

Then could there also be a suitable building that revealed an enemy's health bar?

As long as he could see an opponent's health bar...

Ji Yuan felt that anyone could potentially be killed.

However, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with any building that fit.

Being able to see cultivation progress bars through the 【Scripture Repository】 was already an unexpected delight.

After upgrading the 【Scripture Repository】, Ji Yuan once again enthusiastically immersed himself in cultivation.

After all...

Even before seeing a progress bar, he had already been obsessed with cultivation.

Now that he could actually see one...

There was even less reason to stop.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Naturally, his cultivation increased by another point of proficiency.

Originally, Ji Yuan had intended to push onward in one breath and raise his proficiency to eighty.

Instead...

A sudden message interrupted him.

Actually...

It wasn't just one message.

Several Messaging Talismans inside his Storage Pouch began vibrating one after another.

First came Ran Kui.

Then Feng Zhi Tao.

After that...

Real Person Xuanshui.

Then Yun Qianzai.

Finally...

Even Hua Yaoyue sent him a message.

Ji Yuan quickly stopped cultivating and took out Hua Yaoyue's Messaging Talisman.

“Come over.”

Just four simple words.

Ji Yuan immediately emerged from the 【Scripture Repository】.

After briefly giving Tu Yue a few instructions, he summoned the Wind Locust Flying Boat and flew directly toward Forgotten Worry Island.

Along the way, he took out the other Messaging Talismans one after another and listened to their contents.

Ran Kui:

“Little Junior Brother, something urgent has come up within the sect. Come immediately.”

Yun Qianzai:

“At the peak of immortality, I stand above the world. Before Heaven came Heavenly Pivot. Haven't you noticed? Even Martial Uncle Sect Master has to ask me for help.”

Feng Zhi Tao:

“Little Junior Brother, hurry over! The sect has assigned us a mission. It sounds like quite a troublesome one. Martial Uncle Sect Master personally came to us and wants all four disciples of our lineage to go together.”

Ji Yuan saved Real Person Xuanshui's message for last.

After injecting Spiritual Energy into the talisman...

Real Person Xuanshui's voice echoed within his mind.

“Little Friend Ji, are you currently within the sect? It's like this—there are far too many matters requiring attention, and we're rather short-handed. Since all four disciples of your lineage happen to be present, I can only trouble you all to help.”

A dignified Core Formation Cultivator repeatedly saying “please” and asking for help...

His attitude had been lowered to an extraordinary degree.

Ji Yuan replied to each message, informing them that he was already on his way from Wuyou Island and would arrive shortly.

After putting away the Messaging Talismans, he inevitably began thinking.

There probably wasn't any issue.

The sect really was severely short-handed.

On one hand...

Personnel continually had to be dispatched to Shang Mountain.

By now, two waves had already gone.

Most of those sent remained stationed there.

Some, whose strength had been lacking and whose luck had been poor...

Had already died there.

On the other hand...

The Water Dragon Sect itself was likewise under immense pressure.

Not only were Demonic Path cultivators causing trouble throughout Eastern Shang...

There were also rogue cultivators taking advantage of the chaos.

That alone created tremendous pressure.

Furthermore, the Water Dragon Sect had transferred many cultivators from various regions to Shang Mountain.

As a result...

The burden of guarding its own territory had grown even heavier.

Cities.

Spirit Veins.

Mineral deposits.

Various treasured lands...

Every one of them faced problems.

Thus...

A lineage like Ji Yuan's, where every disciple happened to be present...

Was probably the only one left in the entire Water Dragon Sect.

Moreover...

Real Person Xuanshui had personally requested all four of them.

That alone suggested this mission would be particularly troublesome.

However...

Ji Yuan felt no fear.

Firstly...

He possessed sufficient strength himself.

Secondly...

Each member of their lineage concealed an entire minor realm.

Ran Kui, for instance, was already a genuine Core Formation Cultivator.

Yet outwardly, he still appeared to be merely a Pseudo-Core cultivator.

Real Person Xuanshui did not know Ran Kui had already formed his Golden Core.

Therefore, he naturally believed that this mission only required a Pseudo-Core cultivator.

In reality...

A true Core Formation Cultivator would also be accompanying them.

There shouldn't be any major problems.

Lost in thought, Ji Yuan traveled at full speed.

Even so...

It still took him half a day to reach Forgotten Worry Island.

By the time he arrived...

Real Person Xuanshui had already finished assigning the mission and returned to Water Dragon Island.

Recently...

Even this Core Formation Cultivator had been worked to the bone.

Firstly, there were simply too many matters to handle.

Secondly...

The pressure resting upon him was enormous.

At present...

The future of the entire Water Dragon Sect rested upon Real Person Xuanshui's shoulders.

Although above him stood Nascent Soul Patriarch Kong Xifeng...

That individual never involved himself in affairs.

Some time ago, while casually chatting with Du Wanyi, Ji Yuan had heard from his Second Senior Sister that Real Person Xuanshui seemed to have aged considerably during this period.

To drive even a Core Formation Cultivator to such a state...

The burden he bore must have been unimaginable.

“This disciple greets Master, Senior Brother, and Senior Sister.”

After landing, Ji Yuan greeted all four of them in turn.

“Mhm.”

“Little Junior Brother, we've accepted this mission.”

“Our four disciples have never carried out a mission together before.”

“This is a good opportunity to improve our teamwork.”

“When we face Demonic Path cultivators in the future, we'll have greater confidence.”

Ran Kui spoke first, smiling warmly.

“Alright.”

Ji Yuan swept his gaze across everyone.

Without hesitation, he nodded.

Some matters could be declined.

Others...

Could not.

Something like this could not be refused.

Firstly...

This was a matter concerning the sect.

As a disciple of the Water Dragon Sect, it was naturally his responsibility.

Secondly...

Ran Kui had already accepted the mission.

That settled the matter.

“Good.”

“Third Sister, explain the mission to Little Junior Brother.”

Ran Kui instructed.

Feng Zhi Tao nodded and led Ji Yuan aside before patiently explaining everything.

Some time later...

Ji Yuan finally understood.

In short...

A sect under the protection of the Water Dragon Sect had encountered trouble.

They had come seeking the protection of their superior sect.

After discussing the matter, Real Person Xuanshui and several elders concluded that intervention was necessary.

Thus came the current mission.

The sect was called Black Dragon Island.

It was an overseas sect.

Roughly speaking...

Travel east from Linhai City.

Then head northeast across the sea.

Eventually, one would arrive at Black Dragon Island.

Its strength was fairly respectable.

Its strongest cultivator was an early Core Formation Patriarch.

His cultivation was roughly comparable to Ran Kui's.

As for the rest...

The Sect Master was a Pseudo-Core cultivator.

Most of the remaining elders were at either Late or Peak Foundation Establishment.

The reason the Water Dragon Sect had originally accepted this sect under its protection...

Was because Black Dragon Island possessed Black Dragon Stone.

Black Dragon Stone produced a Spiritual Liquid known as Dragon Saliva.

This Spiritual Liquid could be used to improve cultivation.

With such a valuable resource...

The fact that the Water Dragon Sect hadn't simply seized the island outright already demonstrated considerable restraint.

As for why they had come seeking help this time...

It was because something strange had occurred on Black Dragon Island.

Disciples had begun mysteriously disappearing one after another.

At first...

Only Qi Refinement disciples vanished.

Black Dragon Island investigated internally.

After searching for an entire month...

They found absolutely nothing.

Instead...

The disappearances continued.

Afterward...

Foundation Establishment deacons also began disappearing.

Likewise...

They vanished without reason.

Without leaving behind the slightest clue.

At that point...

The Sect Master and elders of Black Dragon Island began panicking.

They sent messages requesting assistance from the Water Dragon Sect.

The request was refused on the grounds of insufficient manpower.

Then this time...

Even a Late Foundation Establishment elder disappeared!

Black Dragon Island was completely terrified.

Its Sect Master, Li Yuan, rushed overnight to the Water Dragon Sect to plead for help.

He also reported that the recent disappearances had all involved disciples responsible for guarding the Black Dragon Stone.

Only after careful consideration did the Water Dragon Sect decide to dispatch Ji Yuan's group of four.

“So our mission is to investigate these disappearances?”

After listening to Feng Zhi Tao's explanation, Ji Yuan asked.

“That is only the official mission.”

Ran Kui said thoughtfully.

“Then what's the real mission?”

“To guard the Black Dragon Stone.”

“And if necessary...”

“Bring the Black Dragon Stone back.”

Feng Zhi Tao immediately continued.

...Indeed.

That was very much the style of a major sect.

Ji Yuan couldn't help recalling his time in Cloud Rain Marsh.

Back then...

The Water Dragon Sect and the Joy Palace had fought over a Spirit Vein.

They had deceived wandering cultivators into serving as cannon fodder in exactly the same manner.

This situation was much the same.

Their own interests came first.

Everything else...

Was irrelevant.

“Demonic Path cultivators.”

“Nine times out of ten, Demonic Path cultivators have infiltrated the island.”

Ran Kui narrowed his eyes.

“I'm very familiar with their scent.”

“To them...”

“Other cultivators are merely cultivation resources.”

“Abducting people to cultivate is one of the things they're best at.”

Yun Qianzai, dressed in white with his arms folded across his chest, glanced sideways at Ran Kui before calmly saying,

“I already know who's secretly abducting people.”

“Who?”

Feng Zhi Tao blurted out immediately.

Even Hua Yaoyue, seated within the nearby pavilion, raised her head.

However...

She quickly lowered it again.

No one understood her Second Disciple's personality better than she did.

“The one secretly abducting people...”

“Must be the one person who has yet to appear.”

“The early Core Formation Patriarch.”

“The Black Dragon Island Patriarch—Real Person Black Tortoise!”

Yun Qianzai declared with complete confidence.

Ran Kui quietly replied,

“Your Yun Family has managed Linhai City for generations.”

“You must have had plenty of dealings with Black Dragon Island.”

“So are your words true?”

“If that's the case...”

“We should immediately report this to Martial Uncle Sect Master.”

“He should dispatch a Core Formation Martial Uncle instead.”

Having survived until now on Shang Mountain...

Ran Kui naturally understood the importance of caution.

Although he himself possessed Core Formation cultivation...

It remained concealed.

Outwardly...

He still appeared to be only a Pseudo-Core cultivator.

As soon as he finished speaking, he took out Real Person Xuanshui's Messaging Talisman.

However...

Yun Qianzai hurriedly pressed down upon the talisman with one hand.

“Mhm?”

Ran Kui looked at him in confusion.

“What?”

“You think the sect lacks manpower and want me to take action?”

“I don't mind.”

By this point, Feng Zhi Tao had already realized something.

She cautiously asked,

“Second Senior Brother...”

“Were you actually serious just now?”

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Yun Qianzai's face.

Then he released his grip and flicked his sleeve.

“Isn't that how novels always go?”

“When a sect encounters trouble...”

“Isn't the first person to have problems always the sect patriarch?”

Ran Kui: “...”

“If you were my son...”

“I'd slap you straight into the wall!”

Ran Kui roared furiously after being tricked.

“So...”

“When do we leave?”

Ji Yuan felt that among everyone in their lineage...

He was the only normal one.

Returning to serious matters, Ran Kui no longer paid any attention to Yun Qianzai's nonsense.

“All of you return and prepare.”

“Whenever leaving the sect on a mission, always exercise the utmost caution.”

“Bring every means at your disposal.”

“We'll depart tomorrow morning.”

“At that time, we'll gather on Third Sister's Fire Phoenix Island.”

“Understood.”

Everyone agreed.

The four then approached Hua Yaoyue.

As First Senior Brother, Ran Kui naturally stood at the front.

Beside him stood Yun Qianzai and Feng Zhi Tao.

Ji Yuan, the youngest disciple, naturally stood at the very back.

“Master.”

“We'll be setting out first.”

“As for tomorrow...”

“I'm afraid we won't come to bid farewell again.”

Ran Kui cupped his hands respectfully.

“Very well.”

Hua Yaoyue did not rise.

Instead, she merely pointed with a finger.

A wine cup landed in Ran Kui's hand.

Then she said,

“Protect yourself.”

“And bring all of your Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters back safely.”

“This disciple shall certainly do his utmost.”

Ran Kui carefully stored away the wine cup.

He then nodded toward the disciples behind him.

“That settles it.”

“You all return and prepare.”

“Yes.”

Ji Yuan and the other two bowed once more before departing separately.

Heavenly Pivot Island lay to the north.

Martial Mourning Island lay to the west.

Only Fire Phoenix Island and Wuyou Island were both situated to the south.

Thus...

Ji Yuan and Feng Zhi Tao traveled together for part of the journey.

While returning to Fire Phoenix Island, Feng Zhi Tao transmitted her voice to Ji Yuan.

“Little Junior Brother.”

“I'll tell you something.”

“But don't spread it around.”

“Alright.”

Ji Yuan readily agreed.

“In truth...”

“The Black Dragon Island Sect Master, Li Yuan, first sought out First Senior Brother.”

“I don't know how he learned of First Senior Brother's reputation.”

“He knew First Senior Brother was someone determined to eradicate every Demonic Path cultivator.”

“So he approached First Senior Brother first.”

“He claimed Demonic Path cultivators were behind everything and had already harmed many people within his sect.”

“After hearing that...”

“First Senior Brother personally brought him to Martial Uncle Sect Master.”

“And that's how everything afterward came about.”

After hearing Feng Zhi Tao's explanation...

Ji Yuan was somewhat surprised.

“So this mission had actually already been accepted by First Senior Brother beforehand.”

“Martial Uncle Sect Master's involvement was merely a formality?”

“Exactly.”

Feng Zhi Tao nodded.

“Martial Uncle Sect Master told Master.”

“And Master told me.”

“So the only one being kept in the dark was Second Senior Brother.”

Ji Yuan sighed helplessly.

“That's right.”

Feng Zhi Tao blinked.

“This is our little secret.”

“Alright.”

To Ji Yuan...

This was perfectly normal.

Because this was simply Ran Kui's personality.

He could understand it happening with Ran Kui.

But if it had happened with Yun Qianzai...

He would have found it incomprehensible.

After parting with Feng Zhi Tao...

Ji Yuan returned directly to Wuyou Island.

Admittedly...

He had not remained within the sect very long this time.

However...

Including the time he had spent cultivating on Ice-Fire Island...

This secluded cultivation session had actually lasted quite a while.

Given the current state of the world...

Being able to cultivate peacefully for such a period was already something exceedingly rare.

Besides...

Leaving home did not prevent him from cultivating.

During this trip to Black Dragon Island...

Ji Yuan intended to raise his cultivation technique proficiency to eighty.

That way...

When he returned...

He could travel to the estuary of the Falling Star River and draw upon the Water Fortune of the entire river to condense a majestic Flying Sword.

As for the final Flying Sword...

Hua Yaoyue would personally take action.

She had already said so.

Whenever he attempted to break through to Peak Foundation Establishment...

She would personally protect him.

Since she would be present...

Ji Yuan planned to travel to Medicine King Valley.

There...

At their Ageless Spring...

He would condense an Evergreen Sword.

With that Flying Sword...

His endurance in future battles would become even greater.

Thinking this over...

Ji Yuan began preparing everything he needed for the journey.

The first place he visited was naturally the 【Grave Mound】.

He first dug up Real Person Heaven Silkworm and Yin Child.

Since they had not been buried very long...

Real Person Heaven Silkworm's injuries had not yet fully recovered.

But there was no helping it.

Corpse Servants existed to be used.

Afterward...

He took out the Yin Ghost Banner and the Thousand Souls Banner.

As well as the numerous Demonic Path Spiritual Artifacts buried within the 【Grave Mound】.

He also had to bring the Spirit-Devouring Bees.

Although he had never actually used them during previous outings...

He still had to carry them.

As for the Frost Flood Dragon...

Bringing Monday alone would be enough.

It was an effective combatant.

Tuesday...

Forget it.

Ji Yuan was worried it would use him as a shield.

After finishing everything at home...

Ji Yuan planned to inform Dong Qian and Du Wanyi.

Otherwise, they might come looking for him later.

However...

The moment he took out Dong Qian's Messaging Talisman...

She unexpectedly contacted him first.

“Junior Brother, are you on the island?” I have something I'd like to tell you.”