Chapter 267 : Each Goes Their Separate Way【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

“Yes.”

Ji ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yuan immediately replied with a brief message.

Very ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍soon, he opened a gap in the island-protecting grand formation, and Dong Qian passed through it before landing in front of him.

“Senior ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Sister, what's wrong?”

Seeing ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that her complexion did not look very good, Ji Yuan took the initiative to ask.

“Nothing... ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍It's just that I have to leave for a while.”

After saying that, Dong Qian looked up at Ji Yuan.

Their gazes met.

Ji Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he continued asking, “Do you need any help?”

“No.”

Dong Qian shook her head.

She still did not explain why she was leaving, and Ji Yuan did not press further. He simply said, “Then be careful, Senior Sister. If you need any help, just let me know... About when will you be back?”

“At the soonest, a few months. At the latest, about a year.”

Just as Ji Yuan was about to speak, Dong Qian continued,

“Probably around a year from now. Junior Brother... can you wait for me in the sect?”

“Alright.”

Ji Yuan did not hesitate in the slightest.

“As long as I'm not assigned to Shang Mountain, I'll come back to see you.”

“Mhm.”

Hearing Ji Yuan's answer, Dong Qian finally seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She visibly relaxed, then looked around before glancing at Ji Yuan's attire.

“Junior Brother, you're heading out too?”

“Yes. I was just about to tell you.” Ji Yuan smiled. “Martial Uncle Sect Master assigned us a mission. I'll be heading to Black Dragon Island with Senior Brother and Senior Sisters.”

“Black Dragon Island?”

“Alright. Then Junior Brother, be careful as well.”

Dong Qian likewise reminded him.

After chatting for a few more moments, Dong Qian bade him farewell.

She seemed to have prepared everything beforehand.

After leaving Wuyou Island, she did not even return to Fox Moon Island and instead headed directly south.

Ji Yuan silently watched her back until she disappeared beyond the southern horizon.

Was Dong Qian leaving?

Perhaps.

Ji Yuan could not help but sigh.

There was nothing he could do.

He then took out Du Wanyi's communication talisman and informed her that he would be leaving.

The moment Du Wanyi received the message, she came over.

Naturally, she gave him another round of reminders.

However, just as Ji Yuan was preparing to leave, Du Wanyi took out a cyan Spiritual Robe from her Storage Pouch...

The last one she had given him had only been a Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

This one had already become a Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Clearly, after not seeing each other for several years, Du Wanyi had also been quietly improving.

“Fourth Brother, I've always thought you looked best in a cyan robe.”

Du Wanyi looked up at Ji Yuan but did not dare meet his eyes directly.

Her gaze wandered as she spoke.

“Then I'll wear cyan robes more often from now on.”

After thinking for a moment, Ji Yuan accepted the Spiritual Robe.

No matter what, it was a token of Du Wanyi's goodwill.

However, after accepting it, he also took out a bottle of medicinal pills, two jugs of Peerless Wine, and three jade slips from his Storage Pouch.

“Fourth Brother, what are you...?”

Du Wanyi's expression changed slightly.

“What? You expect me to accept your gift, but you won't accept mine?”

Ji Yuan frowned, and even his tone changed.

“N-No...”

Du Wanyi hurriedly denied it.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Yuan said,

“You already know about these Vital Blood Pills. There are still ten inside, so if you're ever injured, don't be reluctant to use them.”

“These two jugs contain a heavenly spiritual treasure that I happened to obtain. I named it ‘Peerless Wine.’ Its effects are as follows...”

“And lastly, these are three intermediate spells suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators: one escape technique, one offensive spell, and one defensive spell. They're all water-attribute. Practice them diligently whenever you have time.”

Ji Yuan had plenty of medicinal pills and Peerless Wine.

As for intermediate spells...

He lacked them even less.

Besides, they could all be copied.

“Alright...”

Du Wanyi accepted Ji Yuan's gifts as well.

“Fourth Brother, my entire cultivation journey has been following in your footsteps.”

“Second Sister, those words make us sound like strangers.”

Ji Yuan smiled as he stored the cyan robe in his Storage Pouch.

“In that case, I'll be off first. My Senior Brother and Senior Sisters are still waiting for me.”

“Alright. Be careful, Fourth Brother.”

After saying that, Du Wanyi left Wuyou Island first.

Once she had gone, the smile on Ji Yuan's face disappeared.

He summoned the Wind Locust Flying Boat once more and headed toward Fire Phoenix Island.

Unexpectedly...

He still ended up being the last one to arrive.

“My cultivation isn't high enough, so my Flying Boat was a bit slower. I've kept all of you waiting.”

Ji Yuan stepped forward with a smile.

“I'd say you were busy saying goodbye to your Senior Sisters again.”

Feng Zhi Tao rolled her eyes.

Ji Yuan ignored her and turned toward Ran Kui.

“Eldest Senior Brother, are we leaving now?”

“Mhm. No point delaying.”

As he spoke, Ran Kui took out a...

Tower Ship Flying Boat.

Moreover, it was actually a Supreme-Grade Spiritual Artifact!

“Eldest Senior Brother, what kind of fortune did you stumble upon?!”

Even Feng Zhi Tao looked shocked.

“Master lent it to us. She said that with this Flying Boat, we'd travel faster and more safely.”

After speaking, Ran Kui infused it with Spiritual Energy.

The Tower Ship Flying Boat instantly expanded until it became a gigantic tower ship floating above Fire Phoenix Island.

The Water Dragon Sect's banner fluttered proudly atop it.

Seeing this, Ji Yuan immediately understood.

This was most likely the vessel that the Water Dragon Sect had assigned to Hua Yaoyue.

Once this Flying Boat set out...

It represented a Core Formation Cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect traveling abroad.

With that status alone, even a Core Formation Demonic Path cultivator would have to think carefully before attacking it.

“Let's go.”

Ran Kui leaped aboard first.

Ji Yuan and the other two followed closely behind.

The Flying Boat then began moving.

It first ascended slowly.

After passing through the clouds, it transformed into a streak of light and shot straight eastward.

Standing on the deck, Ji Yuan carefully sensed its speed.

A Supreme-Grade Spiritual Artifact Flying Boat truly was fast.

However, compared to his Rift Void Boat...

It was still somewhat slower.

After all, the Tower Ship Flying Boat was simply too massive.

Its size alone made greater speed impossible.

Curious about how many Spirit Stones it consumed while operating, Ji Yuan headed into the cabin.

At first glance...

His Rift Void Boat already had a special recessed compartment dedicated to storing Spirit Stones, and he had thought that was outrageous enough.

But this Tower Ship Flying Boat?

It had an entire room dedicated solely to storing Spirit Stones!

“Master also provided all the Spirit Stones. They're enough for the round trip.”

Ran Kui walked over and explained with a smile.

“No wonder.”

“With this kind of consumption, even a small sect couldn't afford to operate it.”

Ji Yuan could only shake his head.

“Alright. It'll probably still take more than ten days to reach Black Dragon Island.”

“I'll keep watch over the Flying Boat.”

“You all go cultivate first.”

Ran Kui truly resembled a master of time management.

He wasted not even the slightest bit of time.

That suited Ji Yuan perfectly.

He had already cultivated for a while back on Wuyou Island.

With another ten or so days...

The proficiency of the 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Canon》 should increase by another point.

Cultivation worked exactly like this.

You squeezed time out wherever you could.

Afterward, Ji Yuan found a room inside the tower ship, deliberately avoiding Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai.

There, he activated the building effects of the 【Scripture Repository】 and the 【Enlightenment Chamber】 before beginning his cultivation during the journey.

'Looks like I'll need to get myself a Flying Boat with rooms in the future.'

'That way, I can use traveling time for cultivation as well.'

Ji Yuan could not help thinking so.

But on second thought...

Traveling was dangerous.

If no one stood watch, he would never dare cultivate with peace of mind.

Using Corpse Servants was technically possible.

But not in Shangdong.

Unless he went to Shangxi.

Over there, where Demonic Path cultivators gathered in droves, having Corpse Servants would not attract much attention.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

When the proficiency before Ji Yuan's eyes increased from 75 to 76...

Ran Kui's voice came from outside.

“Alright. We're almost at Black Dragon Island.”

Hearing that, Ji Yuan withdrew from cultivation, deactivated the building effects, and walked out of the cabin.

The moment he stepped outside, he smelled a familiar salty scent.

Back when he had secluded himself on that island near Ice-Fire Island...

He had smelled this scent countless times.

...So they had already gone out to sea?

Ji Yuan walked forward to the railing and looked down.

Stretching before his eyes was an endless expanse of deep blue.

Because the tower ship flew at an extremely high altitude, even the scattered reefs below looked no larger than tiny black specks from above.

Behind him, Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai also emerged.

Neither looked worried.

Instead, they appeared rather relaxed, as though out on a leisurely excursion.

“The last time, it was just the three of us.”

“This time, we've finally managed to bring Little Junior Brother along.”

Feng Zhi Tao said excitedly.

“Indeed.”

“It's not easy getting to travel with Little Junior Brother.”

Perhaps because only fellow disciples were present, Yun Qianzai finally dropped his pretentious demeanor.

Even his tone became much more normal.

“Alright.”

“Make your preparations.”

“At this speed, we'll reach Black Dragon Island in at most another day.”

Ran Kui remained as steady as ever.

Ji Yuan looked at them for a moment before taking six jugs of Peerless Wine out of his Storage Pouch.

“Hm?”

“Little Junior Brother, what are you doing?”

“Surely you're not planning to drink to boost your courage?”

Feng Zhi Tao stepped closer and lightly sniffed.

Her delicate nose wrinkled, and she even waved her little hand before it.

“What a strong wine.”

“Only Master could probably drink something like this.”

Ji Yuan smiled before explaining the effects of the Peerless Wine.

“The effects are that good?”

Ran Kui could not resist picking up a jug and taking a sip.

Although it was only a mouthful...

It still activated the Peerless Wine's effects.

His face instantly flushed red.

Even the Spiritual Energy around his body began boiling violently.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai simply stared at him.

Only after three breaths passed did Ran Kui slowly exhale a mouthful of alcoholic vapor.

The Spiritual Energy around him gradually returned to normal.

“Excellent wine!”

“Who asked whether it tasted good?”

“I asked about the effects.”

Feng Zhi Tao rolled her eyes.

“They're exactly as Little Junior Brother described.”

“It truly deserves the name ‘Peerless.’”

Ran Kui put the jug away in his Storage Pouch.

“Taking a sip at a critical moment during battle could definitely catch an opponent completely off guard.”

“Most importantly, it has virtually no side effects afterward.”

“That's what makes it truly remarkable.”

“Little Junior Brother, do you have any more?”

“Give me some.”

Yun Qianzai said without the slightest bit of politeness.

Feng Zhi Tao also chimed in,

“That's right, Little Junior Brother.”

“I've seen you bringing wine to Master all the time.”

“Don't tell me it's this Peerless Wine?”

“I still have a little.”

Ji Yuan had not expected them to be so unreserved.

Then again...

That was for the best.

It saved him from having to persuade them.

As for the Peerless Wine...

The building produced one jug every day.

He had plenty.

Taking out too much at once, however, would be difficult to explain.

“Here's some more.”

“I need to keep the rest for myself.”

Ji Yuan took out another six jugs.

“That's enough.”

Ran Kui nodded.

“And these are the Vital Blood Pills.”

“I improved them by adding quite a number of heavenly treasures.”

“As long as your limbs aren't severed and your Divine Soul isn't injured, even the most severe wounds can be almost completely healed with a single pill.”

Ji Yuan gave each of them two Vital Blood Pills enhanced with Tempering Aperture Pearls.

Ran Kui accepted them and sniffed them lightly.

His eyes immediately lit up.

“These are even better than any healing pills I've ever taken.”

“Little Junior Brother, you've got quite a few treasures on you.”

“I've simply been fortunate enough to encounter a few opportunities.”

Back when they had first met...

Ji Yuan would never have dared reveal these things.

But after knowing each other for so long...

They trusted Ji Yuan completely.

Naturally, Ji Yuan had also come to trust them.

“Hmph.”

“Ji Yuan, Ji Yuan.”

“Just hearing your name tells people you're someone blessed with opportunities.”

After chatting for a while longer, Ran Kui once again reminded Yun Qianzai and Feng Zhi Tao not to be careless.

This mission was different from the last one.

The previous trip had merely been sightseeing.

This time...

There might truly be danger.

Fortunately, none of the four of them were inexperienced anymore.

They could afford to relax somewhat while traveling.

But once they truly approached Black Dragon Island...

Both Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai became fully alert.

As the Little Junior Brother, Ji Yuan naturally stood at the very back.

“That's Black Dragon Island.”

As soon as Ran Kui finished speaking, the tower ship descended through the thick cloud layer.

A gigantic island in the middle of the sea appeared before the four of them.

Among all the islands Ji Yuan had seen...

Black Dragon Island was second only to Ice-Fire Island in size.

There were not many trees upon it.

The overwhelming majority consisted of black stone.

Its overall shape somewhat resembled Ji Yuan's former Mist Island.

The eastern side of its tallest mountain ended in a sheer cliff.

The moment the tower ship broke through the clouds, nearly ten streaks of light rose from Black Dragon Island.

They flew over and transformed into small Flying Boats surrounding the tower ship.

Among them, a middle-aged man dressed in black flew directly aboard and landed on the deck.

“That's Black Dragon Island's Sect Master, Li Yuan.”

Feng Zhi Tao transmitted to Ji Yuan.

“Brother Wudao, you've finally arrived.”

The moment they met, Li Yuan looked as though he were about to cry.

He then deeply cupped his hands toward Ran Kui.

“Brother Li, there's no need for such courtesy.”

“Has something happened on the island again?”

Ran Kui stepped forward and helped him up.

“It has...”

Li Yuan sighed.

After standing up, he greeted Ji Yuan and the other three behind Ran Kui one by one.

Ran Kui introduced everyone.

However, he only used their titles rather than their real names.

“It's like this.”

“Only after returning from your esteemed sect did I learn that while I was away, yet another late Foundation Establishment elder mysteriously disappeared.”

“And after my return...”

“That Demonic Path cultivator seemed to be deliberately provoking us.”

“Now, every single day, four or five Qi Refinement disciples disappear.”

Li Yuan explained at an extremely rapid pace.

“I realized the situation had become extremely serious.”

“So I gathered all the Qi Refinement disciples together and had them sleep inside the main hall every night.”

“But even then...”

“Right before everyone's eyes...”

“Disciples still vanished into thin air.”

“Hmph.”

“That's because the Master of Tianshu Island hadn't arrived yet.”

With outsiders present, Yun Qianzai immediately returned to his aloof demeanor.

His words left Li Yuan momentarily stunned.

Li Yuan hurriedly cupped his hands toward Yun Qianzai and cooperated,

“Now that Fellow Daoist Tianshu has arrived, this matter will surely be resolved with absolute certainty.”

“No.”

Yun Qianzai slowly shook his head.

“Then...?”

Li Yuan frowned in confusion.

“Not ‘almost certain.’”

“It is absolutely guaranteed.”

Li Yuan: “...”

“How many elders do you have left?”

Ran Kui smoothly changed the subject.

“We originally had fifteen elders.”

“Now only thirteen remain.”

“Two are guarding the Black Dragon Stone.”

“The rest are all here.”

Even before Li Yuan finished answering, Ji Yuan had already examined the Foundation Establishment cultivators accompanying them.

Among those eleven Foundation Establishment cultivators...

One was at Peak Foundation Establishment.

Three were at Late Foundation Establishment.

Five were at Mid Foundation Establishment.

Two were at Early Foundation Establishment.

Even after suffering losses...

Such a force would still rank among the strongest in the Eastern Sea.

No wonder they could occupy such a treasure land as Black Dragon Island.

Not long afterward, the enormous Flying Boat landed on the open plaza before Black Dragon Hall.

Ran Kui stored the Tower Ship Flying Boat.

Meanwhile, Li Yuan quietly whispered a few words to one of the Foundation Establishment elders.

The elder immediately departed aboard a Flying Boat.

Although Ji Yuan stood some distance away, he still heard everything Li Yuan had said.

Li Yuan had instructed that elder to invite the two elders guarding the Black Dragon Stone back.

The welcoming banquet was about to begin.

Afterward, Ji Yuan followed the crowd into the hall.

Inside Black Dragon Hall, a grand banquet had already been prepared.

Five seats occupied the high platform.

One belonged to Black Dragon Island's Sect Master, Li Yuan.

The other four were reserved for the honored guests from the superior sect.

Ji Yuan found it difficult to decline under such circumstances, so he followed everyone onto the platform and took a seat.

Whoever looked toward him...

He simply returned a polite smile.

However, before long...

He had barely warmed his seat...

When a Flying Boat suddenly landed outside the hall.

Immediately afterward, the elder who had just departed stumbled frantically inside.

“Sect Master! Sect Master!”

“Something terrible has happened!”

“What happened? Why are you panicking so—”

Before Li Yuan could finish speaking, he suddenly realized something.

He abruptly stood up and anxiously asked,

“Where are Elder Huang and Elder Zheng?!”

“They... they've disappeared.”

“What?!”

Li Yuan's expression instantly became incomparably ugly.

He stiffly turned around to look at Ran Kui.

“Brother Wudao... Y-you see...”

“Both of those elders were at Mid Foundation Establishment.”

Ran Kui calmly picked up a slice of raw fish and ate it before finally standing.

“It seems that fellow truly is rather arrogant.”

“This isn't merely devouring people.”

“He's openly slapping the Water Dragon Sect across the face.”

“Brother Li.”

“Lead the way!”

As soon as Ran Kui finished speaking, he stepped down from the platform.

His Pseudo-Core cultivation erupted outward, instantly placing tremendous pressure upon everyone present.

“Those two elders had been guarding the Black Dragon Stone.”

“They disappeared there.”

“Come.”

“I'll take all of you there immediately.”

Li Yuan took the lead.

Ran Kui followed closely behind.

Ji Yuan and the other two remained at the rear.

As for the remaining elders...

They looked at one another.

In the end, none of them chose to follow.

However, just after leaving the main hall, Ji Yuan received a voice transmission from Yun Qianzai.

“A familiar elder just sent me a message, the four elders who died, were all elders who had always stood in opposition to Li Yuan.”