Chapter 254: 【Pigsty: Lv.4 (Upgradeable)】
"So you've come out already, Senior?"
Ji Yuan calmly stepped forward, revealing a helpless smile.
"It's already a blessing that this junior managed to survive by sheer luck. How would I dare speak of any fortuitous opportunity?"
"Pure luck. Pure luck."
Ji Yuan shook his head with a bitter smile.
Seeing this, the Ice-Fire Elder, dressed in his fiery-red Dragon Robe, couldn't help recalling the events of the past. The delight on his face faded somewhat as he sighed.
"Indeed. Anyone who hasn't personally experienced the boundary between life and death will never understand what it feels like."
"Back then, no one understood me either. But now it's different. At last, someone has gone through the same life-and-death experience as I have."
"Then doesn't that make this junior and Senior fellow travelers on the same path?"
Ji Yuan asked tentatively.
The Ice-Fire Elder laughed heartily.
"Forget fellow travelers. We're practically fellow Daoists who suffer from the same affliction! Come, come, worthy nephew. Accompany me—we should have a proper drink to celebrate."
With that, the Ice-Fire Elder once again brought Ji Yuan along as they flew back toward the Imperial Palace together.
By the time they returned to the palace, the sky had already brightened.
With a single order from the Ice-Fire Elder, the entire Imperial Palace immediately came to life. Female cultivators bustled about everywhere.
Ji Yuan chatted leisurely with the Core Formation Cultivator for a while before fine wine and exquisite dishes were brought in one after another like an endless banquet. Every dish was rich in spiritual energy.
"Come, worthy nephew! Empty this cup with me!"
Holding a bronze wine cup, the Ice-Fire Elder laughed loudly.
Ji Yuan raised his cup toward him in a toast across the air before draining it in one gulp.
Mm.
The quality of the wine truly was exceptional, better than most wines Ji Yuan had ever tasted.
If he could bring some back for his master, she would probably like it.
With the thought of honoring his master in mind, Ji Yuan began eating heartily.
Thus, the banquet lasted from morning until noon.
Even though Ji Yuan continuously refined the spiritual energy while eating, he still couldn't keep up. His stomach had become completely round.
Only then did the Ice-Fire Elder smile and order the attendants to clear away the feast.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan's eyes shifted slightly.
An idea formed in his mind.
He stood up from his seat, stepped forward, and cupped his hands.
"Senior, this junior has something I'd like to ask."
"Oh? What matter could worthy nephew possibly need to ask me about?"
The Ice-Fire Elder chuckled.
Originally reclining upon the Dragon Throne, he straightened his posture and swept his wide sleeves.
"Speak freely."
"Recently, the demonic invasion from Western Shang has led our Li Family to prepare a batch of medicinal pills. However, we're lacking the spine bones of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast... They're truly difficult to obtain. In the end, Big Brother Li Changhe mentioned that Senior once slew a Three-Eyed Dark Beast."
"So before I departed, the family instructed me to ask Senior about it."
After speaking, Ji Yuan looked earnestly at the Ice-Fire Elder.
The latter's expression also became more serious.
"The Three-Eyed Dark Beast... I did indeed kill one back then. How many spine bones does your Li Family require?"
"Not many. Three will suffice."
Ji Yuan quickly answered.
"I still have three left. The Three-Eyed Dark Beast is a treasure from head to toe, and over the years I've already used quite a few of its materials..."
Hearing this, the weight hanging over Ji Yuan's heart finally lifted.
"As long as you have them. Before setting out, the family provided me with quite a few Spirit Stones specifically to trade with Senior."
The meaning behind those words was obvious.
He wasn't asking for them for free.
He intended to purchase them.
Sure enough, the moment those words were spoken, the Ice-Fire Elder's previously conflicted expression immediately relaxed.
"Talking about Spirit Stones makes us strangers. Here, these are the Three-Eyed Dark Beast's spine bones. Worthy nephew, have a look."
After speaking, the Ice-Fire Elder swept his right hand across the table.
Three spine bones instantly appeared before Ji Yuan.
They looked much like a human spine, except they were considerably larger, each roughly the size of two clenched fists.
Entirely black.
Even resting upon the table, wisps of black smoke continuously curled around them.
With even the slightest perception, Ji Yuan could feel the sinister aura emanating from them.
"May I ask, Senior, how much do these three spine bones cost?"
Although it was Ji Yuan's first time seeing such an item, he harbored no suspicion.
The Ice-Fire Elder wouldn't deceive him over something like this.
"Why speak of Spirit Stones? Since the Li Family needs them, simply take them."
The Ice-Fire Elder waved his hand generously.
Ji Yuan looked at the raised hand.
Two fingers folded inward.
Three fingers remained extended.
He cautiously asked,
"Three thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones... how about that?"
Ji Yuan remembered that when the Li Family had purchased the Third-Tier Sky-Flying Tiger cub, it had only cost nine thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.
Now, these mere three spine bones from a Third-Tier Demon Beast were priced at three thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.
That could already be called an astronomical price.
Of course, part of that was because the Three-Eyed Dark Beast was simply too rare.
"Ahem... deal."
Even the emperor-like Ice-Fire Elder seemed somewhat embarrassed.
He first stroked the beard beneath his chin before his old face reddened slightly as he agreed.
Ji Yuan currently possessed more than twenty-six thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.
Spending three thousand to upgrade the 【Pigsty】 was entirely affordable.
Afterward, he paid the Spirit Stones, while the three spine bones were stored inside his Storage Pouch.
One transaction was still a transaction.
Two transactions were no different.
Thus, Ji Yuan spoke again.
"Senior, do you happen to have any Fire Vein Spirit Marrow? Our Li Family recently completed a trade with Medicine King Valley, but we're still lacking some."
"I have plenty of that. How much does worthy nephew need?"
Not only was the Ice-Fire Elder himself a fire cultivator...
He also controlled the entirety of Ice-Fire Island.
Including the Blazing Flame Volcano itself.
Naturally, he wasn't lacking in Fire Vein Spirit Marrow.
"Not much. Five jin will be enough."
"Here. Take it."
The moment Ji Yuan finished speaking, a large jade box crafted from precious jade appeared beside him.
Its lid was already open.
Inside was half a chest of something resembling molten lava.
Yet it wasn't quite lava.
The Fire Vein Spirit Marrow was rich in spiritual energy.
Not only that, but amid its crimson-red color were also faint streaks of pale green.
'At first glance, this looks perfectly suited for fire cultivators.'
Ji Yuan muttered inwardly before asking,
"May I ask how much this is worth?"
"No need for Spirit Stones this time."
"Just take it."
The Ice-Fire Elder repeated the same words as before.
Ji Yuan still intended to pay.
But the Ice-Fire Elder frowned and interrupted him first.
"Could it be that worthy nephew looks down on me?"
"I wouldn't dare. Then this junior shall thank Senior."
With matters already having reached this point, Ji Yuan naturally couldn't insist on paying anymore.
Most likely, the Ice-Fire Elder had already made quite a substantial profit from selling the Three-Eyed Dark Beast's spine bones.
Thus, he truly felt too embarrassed to charge for the Fire Vein Spirit Marrow as well.
Regardless...
As long as Ji Yuan obtained the materials, that was enough.
As he stored the Fire Vein Spirit Marrow away, he casually summoned the Panel for a glance.
【Pigsty: Lv.4 (Upgradeable)】
Success!
Finally!
Once the Pigsty reached Level 4, he could attempt to comprehend the Body Tempering cultivation technique 《Ninefold Mysterious Yang》.
His physique could then continue improving.
"Hoo..."
Ji Yuan couldn't help letting out a long breath.
The Ice-Fire Elder beside him burst into laughter.
"Worthy nephew is under that much pressure? You're practically gasping for air."
Ji Yuan lowered his head with a smile.
"It couldn't be helped. Before this junior left, the family repeatedly ordered me to complete these tasks. Now, thanks to Senior's assistance, everything has finally succeeded. Naturally, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
"Hahaha, you brat."
The Ice-Fire Elder pointed at him while laughing.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuan was also calculating inwardly.
Now that the 【Pigsty】 could be upgraded, the purpose of this trip to Ice-Fire Island had essentially been accomplished.
In fact...
He had even gained some unexpected rewards.
He had obtained the mysterious yet seemingly incredibly powerful Eye of Divine Truth.
At the same time, his own spiritual energy had successfully transformed into ice spiritual energy.
Although his objective on Ice-Fire Island had been fulfilled...
The overall purpose of this journey still lacked one final step.
He had yet to condense the Thunder Punishment Sword.
That would still require further comprehension of the 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》.
There was no rushing such matters.
Thus, throughout the remainder of that day, Ji Yuan went nowhere.
He simply rested within the Imperial Palace while studying the newly obtained Eye of Divine Truth.
However, no matter how much he experimented, the lack of actual combat prevented him from discovering any particularly useful applications.
The next day, he proposed to the Ice-Fire Elder that, since he had rarely traveled this far, he wished to tour Ice-Fire Island.
The Ice-Fire Elder even thoughtfully offered to guide him personally, saying he had nothing better to do anyway.
Ji Yuan felt he was nowhere near qualified to have a Late Golden Core Stage cultivator serve as his guide, so he politely declined.
After leaving the valley, he boarded the Wind Locust Flying Boat and headed straight toward the highest point on Ice-Fire Island—
The crater of Blazing Flame Volcano.
As he ascended the mountain, even the mountain winds felt scorching hot.
Only after the flying boat rose above the clouds did the temperature begin dropping.
Before him, the volcanic crater was covered in a thick layer of snow and ice.
Yet as they approached the crater itself, the snow gradually melted away, revealing pitch-black volcanic rock beneath.
Sweeping the area with his Divine Sense, Ji Yuan discovered roughly a dozen cultivators admiring the scenery.
The strongest among them was only at the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.
After some thought, he halted the flying boat in midair.
Then, with a thought...
"Eye of Divine Truth, open!"
In an instant, a purple vertical mark appeared upon the center of his forehead.
Tiny starlike lights shimmered across its surface.
The mark then split open.
A purple vertical eye emerged from within, shifting from side to side as it surveyed the surroundings.
Ji Yuan's field of vision immediately changed.
Beyond his normal sight, an additional gray, mist-like layer appeared.
Within this new vision, the entire volcanic crater had become gray.
Only a few scattered white lights appeared across the mountainside.
Those were the cultivators his Divine Sense had already detected.
Besides them...
At the northwestern corner of the crater stood a boulder roughly the height of a person.
It too emitted white light.
"Why is that?"
Ji Yuan calmly glanced toward the boulder.
His very first thought was naturally...
A treasure!
If that stone emitted light under the Eye of Divine Truth, then it undoubtedly contained abundant spiritual energy.
If so...
It was most likely a treasure.
With that thought, Ji Yuan first closed the vertical eye on his forehead.
Only then did he lower the flying boat and descend toward the crater of Blazing Flame Volcano.
Standing on the southern side of the crater, he found that he couldn't even see the northern side.
The rising heat collided with the frigid currents above the clouds, forming ribbon-like clouds and mist that completely obscured the view.
As for the crater itself...
Ji Yuan estimated it to be no smaller than Mirror Lake.
"Damn... if a volcanic crater this massive erupted completely, just how terrifying would its power be?"
"Even Nascent Soul cultivators would probably avoid its edge."
Unable to know the answer, Ji Yuan could only imagine it himself.
He then walked several steps forward to the edge of the crater and looked downward.
Below lay a vast sea of churning magma.
Unlike the Fire Pool water within the Ice-Fire Pool that Ji Yuan had previously seen...
This was genuine magma.
Or rather...
A lake of magma.
Only now, looking downward, did Ji Yuan discover cultivators cultivating within caves carved into the inner cliff walls of the crater.
Most of them were clearly fire cultivators.
For someone like Ji Yuan...
Now an ice cultivator...
Remaining here felt extremely uncomfortable.
Like sitting on needles.
Had he not come simply to witness one of the cultivation world's magnificent sights, he truly wouldn't have wanted to visit the crater.
After satisfying his curiosity, he summoned the Wind Locust Flying Boat once again.
He circled the crater, stopping from time to time.
Eventually, by seeming coincidence, he arrived beside the enormous boulder he had spotted from above.
He first spread out his Divine Sense to ensure no one was paying attention.
Only then did he casually lean against the boulder.
After remaining there for three breaths...
The boulder disappeared.
Ji Yuan then leaped back onto the flying boat and silently departed.
The valley where the Ice-Fire Elder resided lay west of Blazing Flame Volcano.
The Ice-Fire Market, meanwhile, lay to the east.
After crossing over the volcano, Ji Yuan arrived at the market and began strolling around.
Although it was called a market...
Its size was comparable to some of the smaller cities within Water Dragon Sect's territory.
Moreover...
The weakest cultivators here were all at the Late Qi Refining Stage.
Naturally, Late Qi Refining cultivators were also the most numerous.
As for Foundation Establishment cultivators...
Ji Yuan estimated there were probably several dozen.
Firstly, the spiritual energy on Ice-Fire Island was inherently richer than that on the mainland.
Secondly, because Ice-Fire Island lay far from the continent, it was considered a rare secluded paradise.
Ji Yuan bought nothing from the market.
Prices here were at least twenty percent higher than those in Southern Sea City.
At least twenty percent.
He didn't buy anything.
Instead, he sold quite a few items.
Mostly medicinal pills and talismans that the Crippled Taoist Mourner and Luo Sifu had previously given him.
Of course...
Selling things was merely a pretext.
His true goal was gathering information.
For example...
What procedures were required to settle permanently on the island?
How much was rent within the market?
Or if he opened a Cave Dwelling outside the city, which locations would be suitable?
Ji Yuan had originally planned to remain here until he comprehended his next flying sword embryo before returning north to Water Dragon Sect.
Between Southern Sea City and Ice-Fire Island...
Ji Yuan naturally preferred the place with someone backing him.
As long as the Ice-Fire Elder remained on the island...
He had nothing to fear.
As for why he didn't simply cultivate in seclusion within the Ice-Fire Elder's valley...
It was because Ji Yuan needed to upgrade the 【Pigsty】.
When the 【Pigsty】 had previously reached Level 3, it had already produced remarkable phenomena.
Now, upgrading it to Level 4...
Even if he immediately suppressed the phenomena the instant they appeared, there would surely still be some disturbance.
That might deceive nearby Foundation Establishment cultivators.
But it certainly wouldn't escape the perception of the Late Golden Core Stage Ice-Fire Elder.
Especially since Ji Yuan remained within the coverage of the elder's formation at all times.
As Ji Yuan pondered these matters, he listened to Shopkeeper Zhou's explanations.
By the time the introduction ended, Ji Yuan had already made his decision.
Since opening a Cave Dwelling carried no particular restrictions...
He would simply establish one himself outside.
Most cultivators preferred opening Cave Dwellings near Blazing Flame Volcano because the spiritual energy there was richer.
Therefore...
Ji Yuan deliberately chose somewhere far away from the volcano.
The eastern side of Ice-Fire Island seemed perfect.
He also planned to leave the island sometime to look around.
If he could find an uninhabited reef island...
That would be even better.
Just as Ji Yuan finished gathering information and prepared to leave...
A middle-aged man at Peak Qi Refining hurried into the shop.
The moment he entered, he immediately shouted,
"Old Zhou! Old Zhou! Something huge has happened at Shang Mountain!"
Ji Yuan, who had been about to leave, immediately stopped.
Only then did the middle-aged man notice there was another customer present.
He quickly halted and cupped his hands toward Ji Yuan.
"Uh... greetings, Senior."
"No need for formalities."
"You said something happened at Shang Mountain?"
"Would you mind explaining?"
"I can."
The man nodded vigorously.
"Even if I don't say anything, Senior will probably hear about it elsewhere."
...Shang Mountain.
The front lines.
Ji Yuan hadn't forgotten.
Both his First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother were fighting there, guarding the first line of defense in Eastern Shang.
"Over the past year, Western Shang's attacks have become extremely fierce."
"Last month..."
"Shang Mountain was breached."
"Shang Mountain was breached?!"
"So quickly?!"
Shopkeeper Zhou, already at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, cried out in shock.
Ji Yuan wore nearly the same expression, though he remained silent.
"Yes."
"A Golden Core demonic cultivator from Western Shang disguised himself as a Qi Refining cultivator, infiltrated close to the defenses, then suddenly erupted into action, tearing open a gap."
"In the end, a Core Formation Cultivator from Sword Ruins gave his life to block that breach."
"After reinforcements from Eastern Shang arrived, the defensive line was finally restored."
The man explained everything in one breath.
After listening, Ji Yuan also let out a long sigh of relief.
As long as the defenses hadn't truly fallen...
That was enough.
The war had only lasted less than a year.
If Shang Mountain had truly fallen already...
Then there would be little hope for what came afterward.
"By the way, Old Tian."
"What's the Six Sects Alliance saying?"
"A few days ago, someone from Southern Sea City mentioned that the Six Immortal Sects were preparing to dispatch a second batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"It also seems they're beginning to mobilize rogue cultivators."
Shopkeeper Zhou asked curiously.
"They are."
"I've heard they're even recruiting Peak Qi Refining cultivators."
"And on Shang Mountain, military merits can now be exchanged for Foundation Establishment Pills without any restriction."
"Quite a number of Peak Qi Refining cultivators have already successfully established their foundations there."
"I'm planning to give it a try myself."
"..."
After that...
The two mostly discussed their own personal matters.
Only then did Ji Yuan quietly step outside.
Looking up at the blazing sun overhead, he narrowed his eyes.
His thoughts, however...
Had already drifted countless miles away to Shang Mountain.
So...
The front lines truly were difficult.
It hadn't even been long before they were already mobilizing a second wave of cultivators.
They were even recruiting rogue cultivators and Peak Qi Refining cultivators...
Yet upon careful thought...
Shang Mountain was certainly dangerous.
But it was equally full of opportunities.
Items like Foundation Establishment Pills—
Normally impossible to obtain—
Could actually be exchanged there without limit.
If that were the case...
Then other cultivation resources, breakthrough medicines, and heavenly treasures were probably no different.
So...
As long as one was ruthless enough...
One's strength could improve rapidly on Shang Mountain.
'I wonder whether First Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother will return during this rotation.'
'I also wonder whether Third Senior Sister will seize this opportunity to head for Shang Mountain.'
Countless thoughts arose within Ji Yuan's mind.
Yet he ultimately cast them all aside.
For him...
Thinking too much served no purpose.
His highest priority right now was to find a suitable island, establish a Cave Dwelling, and upgrade the 【Pigsty】.
Over the following two days, Ji Yuan wandered throughout the eastern waters of Ice-Fire Island searching for a suitable island.
To his surprise...
He truly found the perfect reef island.
Not only was it completely uninhabited...
It even happened to contain an abandoned Cave Dwelling left behind by previous seniors.
——
(Tomorrow's chapter will be a big one. Please vote with your monthly tickets!)