Chapter 298 ·The Water Dragon Sect’s Final Destination

“Over ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the past year, I’ve refined a total of 530 Heavenly Thunder Seeds. Apart from the eighteen I sold to Liu Yuan, I still have 512 left. That should be enough for the foreseeable future.”

“As ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍for Talisman Treasures, I have seven in total. Whether for attacking, defending, or escaping, I have everything I need.”

“I ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍have three Magic Treasures, or four if I include my Life-Bound Magic Treasure. Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to obtain any more Voidstone over the past half year, so I can’t incorporate any more buildings.”

“But ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍there’s nothing I can do about that. Even Li Changhe couldn’t obtain any. This stuff… is simply too rare.”

Wangcheng ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Mountain Pill Refining Room.

Ji ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yuan, who had once again finished a period of secluded cultivation, was taking stock of his possessions and abilities.

Recently, his sense of unease had been growing increasingly frequent, to the point that he had to inspect his resources from time to time to ensure he was prepared to flee at a moment’s notice.

“I still haven’t received a reply to the Flying Sword Message I sent Master. I suppose those matters aren’t convenient to discuss through Flying Sword Messages. Looks like I’ll have to find an opportunity to return to the sect.”

“Even if it isn’t to see Master, I still need to visit Tu Yue and collect the regular supplies she’s holding for me. It’s been so long since we last met that she must have accumulated quite a lot.”

Another year had passed without his returning.

Although the 【Chicken Coop】 had already been incorporated into the Spiritual Platform Square-Inch Mountain, providing Ji Yuan with an inexhaustible supply of Three-Colored Spirit Eggs.

The 【Pigsty】 was still on Wuyou Island, and the Mysterious Yang Blood Amber and Crimson Yang Bones it produced were excellent resources for his Body Cultivation.

There were also the Spirit Stones and Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk produced by the 【Spiritual Vein】.

Ji Yuan wanted to return and collect those as well.

The more he thought about it, the more eager he became to set off. He practically wished he were already back at the sect.

However, after calming down, he understood that this was genuinely not a good time to travel.

Especially judging from the information he had received from Liu Yuan, the nearby Demonic Cultivators had been exceptionally rampant recently.

Even their battle-hardened Demon-Hunting Squad had fallen into traps several times.

Otherwise, Liu Yuan would not have repeatedly purchased Heavenly Thunder Seeds from Ji Yuan.

‘…Martial Uncle Heavenly Chef is another problem. I’ve cooked so many meals for him, yet he hasn’t given me the slightest useful information.’

‘Forget it. The next time he invites me over, I’m not going.’

Ji Yuan had originally intended to use his relationship with Real Person Heavenly Chef to see whether the latter could find an opportunity to take him back to the sect.

However, despite Ji Yuan having cooked several meals for him, Real Person Heavenly Chef had enthusiastically agreed whenever the matter came up over dinner.

But once he had eaten his fill and wiped his mouth, he promptly forgot all about it.

Ji Yuan could do nothing about him. He could only set the matter aside for now and… silently remember it.

Finally, he deactivated the effects of his various buildings, left his residence, and headed toward the city walls for another guard shift.

But he had barely arrived when he received a message from Liu Yuan.

“Where are you?”

“East side.”

“Wait for me.”

Within a few breaths, Ji Yuan saw a travel-worn Liu Yuan flying over from inside the city. He landed beside him and, as usual, began by taking a large gulp of fine wine.

It seemed that only wine could bring him back to life.

“Phew——”

Liu Yuan exhaled a long breath filled with the scent of wine and shook his head before sitting beside Ji Yuan.

Only then did the sharp Sword Qi that had been radiating from his body finally subside.

“I think you ought to practice a particular sword technique in the future.”

Ji Yuan looked at him and remarked.

“What sword technique?”

Liu Yuan sat beside him, leaning against the city wall.

“Drunken Sword Technique. The drunker you get, the stronger you become. The more you drink, the drunker you get, and the drunker you get, the stronger you become.”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s answer, Liu Yuan was momentarily stunned.

“You know, I’ve actually been thinking about that recently. I really have considered creating such a sword technique.”

Ji Yuan thought for a moment before replying, “No problem. I’ll help you when the time comes.”

Ji Yuan intended to give Liu Yuan half of the Peerless Wine in his Storage Pouch.

If that wine was to achieve its greatest effect, it would have to be in the hands of a drunkard like Liu Yuan.

Besides, Ji Yuan had accumulated quite a substantial stockpile in his Storage Pouch. Drinking one or two liang a day barely made a dent in it, and the amount he stored only continued to grow.

Naturally, there was nothing wrong with taking some out to give to a good friend.

“Sounds good.”

Liu Yuan assumed Ji Yuan was merely making a casual remark and did not think much of it. Instead, he turned to the important matter.

“Someone else in our squad has died.”

“What?”

Ji Yuan was somewhat surprised to hear this.

For more than half a year, the Demon-Hunting Squad had suffered no further incidents. Every time they ventured out, they achieved something, and on several occasions when Demonic Cultivators attacked the city, the squad had even coordinated with the defenders to strike the attackers from both inside and outside.

They had become quite renowned throughout the Pill Refining Room.

Unexpectedly, after so long without any casualties, someone had died again.

“Who?”

Ji Yuan hurriedly asked.

“Wang Luo from Corpse-Driving Mountain. He and his Refined Corpse were ambushed by a False Core cultivator… Nothing was left.”

Liu Yuan shook his head as he spoke, his words becoming somewhat disjointed.

At that moment, Ji Yuan finally understood why Liu Yuan had come straight to him for a drink upon returning.

“Be careful when you’re out there.”

That was all he could say.

Perhaps because another companion had died, or perhaps because he had drunk too much, Liu Yuan seemed particularly reflective this time.

He tilted his head back, gazed at the drifting clouds, and said:

“Actually, from the moment I first stepped onto the path of cultivation, I knew this was a road of no return.”

“Life and death are like the wind, forever accompanying me.”

Looking at the carefree and unrestrained Liu Yuan, Ji Yuan could not help feeling a trace of envy.

He also wanted to live so freely, but such freedom inevitably involved confronting life and death.

Deep down, Ji Yuan had no desire to do anything so dangerous without sufficient preparation.

Put simply, he was still afraid of dying.

He was just about to speak when a voice suddenly sounded in his mind, containing only two simple words.

“Come here.”

Ice-Fire Elder.

Naturally, Ji Yuan assumed something had happened. He stood and said, “Senior Ice-Fire is calling me. If you have nothing else to do, help me watch this section of the wall for a while. I’ll go see what he wants.”

“Go on, go on.”

Liu Yuan waved his hand.

But just as Ji Yuan was about to leave, a thought suddenly occurred to him…

Ice-Fire Elder couldn’t possibly be trying to make him join the Demon-Hunting Squad again, could he?

Surely… not.

Ice-Fire Elder had already asked him twice before. If he asked again, this would be the third time.

Well, he would find out when he got there.

Ji Yuan once again boarded his Wind Locust Flying Boat and leisurely made his way to the main hall of the Pill Refining Room.

Only upon arriving did he discover that he was not the only person present.

Chang Kun from Sword Ruins was also there… and he was the current captain of the Demon-Hunting Squad.

The moment Ji Yuan saw him, he felt that his suspicion was probably correct.

“He’ll be joining your Demon-Hunting Squad from now on.”

Ice-Fire Elder’s expression looked rather unpleasant, so he did not even leave room for discussion. He simply issued the assignment.

Hearing this, Ji Yuan knew he probably could not avoid it this time.

Nevertheless, he raised both hands.

Just as he was about to speak, Ice-Fire Elder leaned forward slightly, as though moving closer, and asked softly:

“Are you planning to disobey orders?”

“No, Junior would not dare.”

Ji Yuan immediately made his position clear, allowing Ice-Fire Elder to relax a little.

“Then what else is there?”

“Junior was merely thinking that perhaps our Demon-Hunting Squad could add another member. As far as Junior knows, the Demon-Hunting Squads in several market towns, such as Huaishui Market Town and Jingcheng Market Town, have seven or eight members. Only our market town has a squad of six.”

“Therefore, Junior was wondering whether we could add another person. I could then accompany the squad as a support member. If we encountered danger, I could serve as a hidden trump card, provide support from the sidelines, and catch the enemy off guard.”

Ji Yuan knew he could not escape this assignment.

Outright refusing was certainly not an option. Rather than doing that, he might as well propose a compromise that would allow him to avoid moving alongside the main squad.

After all, following that group around was practically the same as walking around with a target painted on his back.

“Oh?”

Ice-Fire Elder did not immediately reject the suggestion.

That meant there was hope.

Ji Yuan hurriedly sent a Divine Sense Voice Transmission to Chang Kun.

“Senior Brother, why aren’t you helping? The opportunity to strengthen our squad is right in front of us!”

Chang Kun belatedly realized what he meant. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

“Senior, Junior believes Junior Brother Wuyou makes a reasonable point.”

“Go on, then. Who do you have in mind?”

Ice-Fire Elder asked directly.

Chang Kun answered truthfully.

“Junior Sister Weichen from Medicine King Valley. Her medical skills are exceptional, particularly when it comes to treating injuries. If she joins our squad… we’ll be able to handle future dangers with greater confidence.”

“That will do.”

Ice-Fire Elder nodded.

“I’ll summon her here.”

Soon, another pale-green streak of light flew in from outside. Upon landing, it transformed into a petite young woman dressed in a green skirt, with a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs lingering around her.

“Greetings, Senior Ice-Fire, Fellow Daoist Chang Kun, and Fellow Daoist Wuyou.”

She cupped her hands toward all three, wearing a bright and cheerful smile.

“From now on, you’ll join them as a member of the Demon-Hunting Squad.”

When dealing with other people, Ice-Fire Elder was even less inclined to negotiate. He simply issued his instructions.

“What? Me?”

Weichen from Medicine King Valley was also astonished. She hurriedly pointed at herself.

“Senior, Junior only recently advanced to Peak Foundation Establishment… I’m afraid, I’m afraid I might hold the other Fellow Daoists back.”

“No matter. You only need to take responsibility for treating their injuries.”

Ice-Fire Elder waved his hand.

“Enough. It’s settled. The rest of you can discuss the details among yourselves.”

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.

Only Ji Yuan and the other two remained, exchanging bewildered glances before reluctantly leaving.

……

After Ice-Fire Elder departed, he made his way to the residence of another Golden Core cultivator.

The moment he sat down, Ice-Fire Elder began eating.

There was no need for unnecessary conversation. Whenever he came here, it was simply a matter of eating and drinking.

“Well? Did that brat agree?”

Real Person Heavenly Chef was gnawing on a large pig’s thigh, his mouth glistening with grease.

“Once this old man has spoken, he has to agree whether he likes it or not.”

Ice-Fire Elder replied as though it were only natural.

“Mm. That brat has been pestering me quite a bit lately. I reckon he’s trying to run away. Sending him outside for a little stroll will let him see just how dangerous the world is. Only then will he be willing to stay obediently inside the Pill Refining Room.”

Real Person Heavenly Chef spat out a bone and spoke casually.

“Why are you looking after him so closely too?”

Ice-Fire Elder asked curiously while eating some stir-fried venison.

“Heh.”

Real Person Heavenly Chef sneered, though it was unclear whom he was mocking.

“Before I came here, that old fellow Duocai asked me to look after his son. That much was fine, but he specifically instructed me to take care of Island Lord Wuyou as well.”

“After that, Junior Brother Mysterious Water also came looking for me and asked me to protect Island Lord Wuyou.”

“Even that would have been manageable.”

“But just as I was about to depart, Senior Sister Wang… Senior Sister Wangyou actually infiltrated my island without making a sound. I didn’t notice a thing! She simply appeared before me and told me to protect Island Lord Wuyou. She even said that if anything happened to Island Lord Wuyou, something would happen to me too. Tell me, what kind of reasoning is that?”

The more Real Person Heavenly Chef spoke, the more aggrieved he became.

In the end, his hands were trembling as he said:

“Those who know me would know I’m a Golden Core cultivator. Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was Island Lord Wuyou’s household servant.”

Ice-Fire Elder suppressed his laughter and reached out to pat the fat on his shoulder.

“It’s not that bad, not that bad. Really, it’s not.”

Real Person Heavenly Chef shook his head.

“I can understand Senior Sister Wangyou’s concern. Duocai’s request is reasonable enough too. I can just treat it as looking after a family nephew. But Junior Brother Mysterious Water… this is the first time I’ve seen him pay so much attention to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It would be understandable if he were a Golden Core disciple, but there’s no shortage of Golden Core disciples in the sect.”

Ice-Fire Elder pondered before asking:

“You’re saying that Real Person Wangyou appeared inside your Cave Dwelling without making a sound? She could even break through a Third-Tier Formation with ease? Is she a Formation Master?”

“I’ve never heard of her being skilled in formations, but one of her disciples… is exceptionally proficient in them. So it’s entirely possible that she’s skilled in formations herself.”

Real Person Heavenly Chef recalled.

“That brat really does have plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and his strength is genuinely impressive. It’s just that his temperament is far too cautious.”

Ice-Fire Elder remarked, recalling Ji Yuan.

“……”

“Caution is the supreme principle.”

Ji Yuan looked at the people before him and spoke with heartfelt conviction.

“I agree with Brother Wuyou. Taking revenge is urgent, but given our current condition and state of mind, we really aren’t suited to going out right now.”

Liu Yuan supported him.

Some wanted to head out immediately to hunt Demonic Cultivators, while others did not.

Thus, the final decision fell to Chang Kun, the squad captain.

Under everyone’s gaze, Chang Kun nodded slightly.

“Revenge must certainly be taken, but we’ve only just returned. Let’s rest for a while and recover our strength before doing anything else.”

Hearing this, Ji Yuan finally felt a little relieved.

From the looks of it, things were still manageable. At least Chang Kun was not a reckless captain.

If he had been, Ji Yuan would have had only two options.

The first was to flee and abandon the assignment.

The second was to replace Chang Kun and become captain himself.

With that thought, Ji Yuan casually swept his gaze over the other six members.

The captain, Chang Kun, came from Sword Ruins. He and Liu Yuan had known each other since their time on Shang Mountain and could be considered friends.

Ling Yue and Ling Long, the twin sisters, came from Joy Palace.

There was no need to say much about Liu Yuan.

Weichen from Medicine King Valley had only just joined, like Ji Yuan himself.

The remaining member was the reckless fellow from the Spirit Taming Sect, named Tie Hu. His name suited him perfectly, and the Spirit Beast he controlled was a Peak Second-Tier Demonic Beast known as the Earth-Splitting Tiger.

He was also the one who had repeatedly insisted that they hurry out to avenge Fellow Daoist Wang Luo from Corpse-Driving Mountain.

As for their personalities, the others were all reasonably cautious, with the exception of Tie Hu.

Therefore, the squad seemed fairly reliable overall, and Ji Yuan felt perfectly comfortable serving as an auxiliary member.

In fact, there was another reason why he had agreed to Ice-Fire Elder’s arrangement.

He wanted to take this opportunity to travel outside and see what the situation was really like.

Most importantly, he needed to familiarize himself with the surrounding region.

If conditions were suitable, he could simply flee and return to the sect first.

If conditions were unsuitable, he would still need to investigate the area thoroughly and lay the groundwork for his eventual escape.

At the very least, knowing the terrain would prevent him from accidentally charging straight into a Demonic Den while fleeing.

Moreover, since he could operate independently, Ji Yuan intended to assume the identity of “Qiu Qianhai” once he ventured outside and wander around under the guise of a Demonic Cultivator.

Given the current situation, Qiu Qianhai should be able to move through the outside world like a fish in water.

At worst, he would simply start killing.

After all, anyone who died would have been killed by Qiu Qianhai. It would have nothing to do with Ji Yuan.

Thus, over the following period, Ji Yuan stopped taking shifts on the city walls.

Instead, he remained with the other members of the Demon-Hunting Squad, getting to know them and practicing their coordination.

If they did not develop their teamwork beforehand, the Demonic Cultivators would certainly not give them time to do so after they left the Pill Refining Room.

Previously, Ji Yuan had not known much about these people.

But after training with them for a while, he discovered that the most reckless fighters were actually… the twin sisters from Joy Palace.

The two possessed a Combined Attack Technique and shared an extraordinary mental connection. As a result, whenever they fought an enemy, they frequently charged deep into hostile territory.

Even during their training, they behaved this way. Every time they sparred, the sisters launched the fiercest attacks.

In contrast, Tie Hu from the Spirit Taming Sect fought steadily and methodically alongside his Earth-Splitting Tiger.

He also admitted his mistake to the others.

He explained that he had been close friends with Wang Luo, which was why he had been so eager to avenge him, nearly placing the entire squad in danger.

Weichen from Medicine King Valley was also cautious and meticulous, and she understood her role perfectly.

She was a healer, not someone skilled in combat.

Therefore, whenever the squad fought, she did her best to remain in the middle of the formation to avoid becoming a target.

As for Captain Chang Kun, he specialized in defensive swordsmanship. When he coordinated with Liu Yuan, their defense was practically flawless.

The remaining member, Ji Yuan, simply wandered around the perimeter like an outsider.

This suited his intentions perfectly.

Thus, after half a month of training and coordination, their squad was finally ready to leave the city.

A full year had passed since Ji Yuan first arrived at the Pill Refining Room, and he had not ventured outside even once.

For a moment, he felt both nervous and excited.

Therefore, to be on the safe side… he packed his entire home into his Storage Pouch, preparing to move and flee at any moment.

……

At the same time.

Water Dragon Sect, Qingfeng Island.

A gentle breeze swept past, and Hua Yaoyue’s figure appeared out of thin air before Kong Xifeng.

The tall woman stood with her hands clasped behind her back and spoke in an indifferent tone.

“Have you made your decision?”

Kong Xifeng stared at her for a long time before finally being unable to restrain herself from asking:

“What exactly is your cultivation realm?”

Because Kong Xifeng had discovered that not only was she unable to detect how Hua Yaoyue had entered, but she could no longer even sense Hua Yaoyue’s cultivation realm.

“Just a little higher than yours, I suppose.”

Hua Yaoyue replied casually.

Kong Xifeng lowered her head.

Only after a long while did she speak again.

“Can you really persuade the Taiyi Immortal Sect to accept us?”

“Yes.”

Hua Yaoyue answered casually.

“But I’m afraid I won’t survive long enough to reach the Primordial Ancient Continent.”

Kong Xifeng increasingly gave the impression of a candle flickering in the wind, nearing the end of its life.

“How many times have you drunk from the Immortal Spring?”

“Once.”

Kong Xifeng raised her head with a trace of confusion.

She then saw Hua Yaoyue offering her a tiny jade flask containing a bluish-green liquid.

“Drink it. It will give you another ten years of life. That will be enough for you to lead the Water Dragon Sect to the Primordial Ancient Continent and settle down there.”

“Wh… what?!”

Kong Xifeng stared at the object before her, seemingly unable to believe her eyes.

But when a thought suddenly occurred to her, she abruptly looked up at Hua Yaoyue.

“It… it was you!”

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