Chapter 260: A Gathering of Heroes, Young and Old Alike
...His master was no fool. She was an exceptionally intelligent person.
The delight on Ji Yuan's face naturally turned into surprise, though beneath that surprise lingered a trace of confusion.
“X-ray vision?”
“No.”
As he spoke, Ji Yuan naturally summoned the Eye of Divine Truth. He first glanced at Hua Yaoyue before calmly shifting his gaze elsewhere without changing his expression or heartbeat. He looked around his surroundings before retracting the vertical eye and saying with absolute certainty,
“It really doesn't.”
“It doesn't?”
Hua Yaoyue frowned as she thought about it. She was certain she hadn't remembered incorrectly. Back then, that person had said... the Eye of Divine Truth possessed the ability to see through things, which was why some members of the Purple-Eyed Clan with wicked intentions especially liked staring at beautiful fairy maidens.
But Ji Yuan's current reaction...
If he hadn't just summoned the Eye of Divine Truth and repeatedly checked, Hua Yaoyue might still have harbored a sliver of suspicion.
However, the way Ji Yuan had repeatedly verified it with the Eye of Divine Truth truly left her unable to figure him out.
“It doesn't. Perhaps only the Eye of Divine Truth possessed by those with Purple-Eyed Clan blood has the ability to see through things. This half-baked Eye of Divine Truth of mine doesn't possess such miraculous abilities.”
“That's probably the case.”
Hua Yaoyue nodded, half convinced and half doubtful.
“By the way, Master, look at this.”
As Ji Yuan spoke, he spread open his right hand. A mass of ice-attributed spiritual energy gathered within his palm. He then clenched his hand slightly, and an ice sword instantly took shape.
...Firstly, Ji Yuan had already intended to ask Hua Yaoyue about switching to Ice cultivation. Secondly, he was taking the opportunity to divert her attention.
Otherwise, if she continued dwelling on the matter of X-ray vision, it would become troublesome.
“Ice cultivation?”
Seeing this, Hua Yaoyue sat up slightly.
“Yes. This also happened after I fell into that Ice-Fire Pool. However, I had previously consumed quite a bit of Ice Soul Cold Dew... There shouldn't be any problems, right?”
Ji Yuan asked tentatively.
“Then there's no problem. That's normal. If there were any issues, continuing to consume Ice Soul Cold Dew in the future would gradually transform all your spiritual energy into ice-attributed spiritual energy. That would also be a great benefit to you.”
After hearing the explanation, Hua Yaoyue lay back down again.
“As long as there's no problem.”
Ji Yuan finally relaxed before asking, “Master, then why is my Spiritual Root still a Water Spiritual Root? Is it possible for it to become an Ice Spiritual Root?”
Hua Yaoyue looked at him as though he were an idiot before saying, “It would be easier for you to change your gender than to change your Spiritual Root.”
“What?”
“Heh.”
Hua Yaoyue couldn't even be bothered to explain.
Ji Yuan understood and wisely chose not to pursue the matter further.
“By the way, Master, where have Senior Brother and the others gone? If they'll be back soon, I'll head to the kitchen and prepare the food first. My senior brothers' and senior sister's cooking can't compare with mine.”
After putting away the Eye of Divine Truth, Ji Yuan changed the subject for the second time.
The further the conversation drifted, the less likely Hua Yaoyue would continue investigating the matter of X-ray vision.
“I heard a group of demonic cultivators appeared in the east. Ran Kui took the other two to join in the excitement. I've already had the sect send them Flying Sword messages. Once they receive them, they'll return very soon.”
“Alright. Then I'll go prepare the banquet first.”
Ji Yuan smiled.
“Our master's lineage rarely gathers together in full. Such an occasion deserves a proper celebration.”
“Indeed.”
Hua Yaoyue nodded in rare agreement.
“Then this disciple will go prepare the meal.”
As Ji Yuan spoke, he turned to leave before suddenly remembering something and immediately looking back.
“What is it now?”
“Oh, right, Master. I've gained a bit more insight into that ancient book I obtained. From it, I learned of a talisman called the Grand Unity Mysterious Yang Talisman. Master, do you know how to draw it?”
The Grand Unity Mysterious Yang Talisman was one of the materials required to upgrade the 【Pigsty】 to Level 5.
Judging from its name alone, it clearly shared the same origin as the Grand Unity Azure Light Talisman, both originating from the Grand Unity Immortal Sect of the Primordial Continent.
It wasn't easy for Ji Yuan to travel to the Primordial Continent. Since Hua Yaoyue happened to know many things, he naturally had to ask.
“The Grand Unity Mysterious Yang Talisman?”
Hua Yaoyue frowned before immediately shaking her head.
“That talisman is one of the core inheritances of the Grand Unity Immortal Sect. At the very least, only those qualified to enter their Ancestral Hall can draw it. I don't know it.”
Half of Ji Yuan's heart immediately sank.
Could it be...
That upgrading the 【Pigsty】 to Level 5 would truly require him to personally make a trip to the Primordial Continent?
There was nothing he could do about it.
There was no point rushing.
He could only take things one step at a time.
Perhaps another opportunity would arise in the future.
“Alright then.”
This time, Ji Yuan truly went to prepare the banquet.
Calling it preparation was actually rather simple.
Most of the ingredients were already inside his Storage Pouch.
He merely needed to activate the 【Kitchen】 building effect before stir-frying a few dishes.
Furthermore, his spiritual energy allowed him to precisely control the heat, making cooking even easier.
While Ji Yuan prepared the meal, Hua Yaoyue reclined upon the lounge chair, gently rocking back and forth.
The mountain breeze drifted through, causing the surrounding wind chimes to ring softly.
The fingers of her right hand resting upon the armrest lightly tapped along to the rhythm.
Everything appeared perfectly harmonious.
Unfortunately, the peaceful atmosphere between master and disciple did not last long before someone interrupted it.
A streak of white light flashed across the sky before landing atop a massive boulder on the mountain peak.
Its owner stood with his back facing both Hua Yaoyue and Ji Yuan.
Then they heard him softly recite,
“At the summit of immortality, I stand unmatched beneath the heavens. Before Heavenly Pivot, there was... Wait, no. Little Junior Brother, that Rift Earth Tiger hind leg should be roasted! Slicing it this thin is simply a waste!”
As someone who was always an insatiable glutton, Yun Qianzai immediately abandoned his act the moment he saw Ji Yuan's cooking style wasn't to his liking.
Ji Yuan knew his Second Senior Brother's preferences well.
Strong flavors.
Extremely spicy.
And barbecue paired with wine.
“Don't worry, Second Senior Brother. We're trying a different style today. I guarantee you'll like it.”
There were many people today.
Moreover, both Yun Qianzai and Ran Kui were complete food fanatics.
Since that was the case...
Naturally, they were having hot pot!
Ji Yuan wasn't worried about Ran Kui or Yun Qianzai.
He was only concerned that Hua Yaoyue and Feng Zhitao might not be accustomed to it, so he had also prepared several stir-fried dishes separately.
“Oh? This aroma is truly excellent.”
Looking at the bubbling spicy hot pot, Yun Qianzai stepped forward and took a sniff.
His eyes immediately lit up.
“Little Junior Brother, we've finally met again within the sect.”
A hearty laugh echoed from the distance before Ran Kui strode over with large steps.
Ji Yuan put down what he was doing, took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands clean, and then cupped his fists respectfully toward the burly man approaching him.
“Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Enough of that. Little Junior Brother just returned and is already busy working. Second Brother, Third Sister, go slice the vegetables.”
As Ran Kui spoke, he stepped forward and helped Ji Yuan up.
“Greetings, Third Senior Sister.”
The last to arrive was Feng Zhitao, who gently shoved Yun Qianzai.
“Second Senior Brother, go cut the vegetables.”
“Hmph. Little Junior Brother, it's a pity you didn't return sooner. During this trip, we had so much fun—”
Before she could finish, Ran Kui shot her a glance.
She immediately changed her words.
“It was incredibly difficult! Hmph! You hateful Little Junior Brother! You didn't even come suffer together with us.”
...That was quite the quick change of tune.
You even managed to blame the victim.
Ji Yuan spread his hands helplessly.
“I accepted a sect mission. I couldn't help it.”
Mentioning that reminded him he still hadn't reported the completion of his mission at the Thousand Mechanisms Hall.
No matter.
He could do it later on his way back.
“It was all for the righteous path.”
Ran Kui laughed before stepping forward to greet Hua Yaoyue.
Meanwhile, Feng Zhitao tossed her hair and went over to help Yun Qianzai slice the vegetables.
Ji Yuan returned to the pavilion and asked Hua Yaoyue whether they should move somewhere else for the banquet.
“No need. We'll dine here in the pavilion.”
Ji Yuan nodded before carrying over the now-boiling hot pot.
No one present had ever seen such a way of eating before.
The moment Ji Yuan began bringing over the dishes, Yun Qianzai could no longer restrain himself.
With a single spell, every plate of meat was instantly sliced into perfectly even pieces.
Half a moment later,
Ji Yuan introduced the dipping sauces to everyone.
After they had mixed their own bowls, he explained how each ingredient should be eaten.
Only after he finally finished explaining did the already ravenous Ran Kui stand up.
Each hand held ten plates of meat.
“Second Brother!”
He shouted.
For once, Yun Qianzai wasn't trying to show off.
Instead, he grinned broadly.
“Dump them all in!”
Feng Zhitao rolled her eyes at the two of them.
“Hmph. Two gluttons.”
Sitting at the head seat, Hua Yaoyue casually held a pot of Wishful Wine in one hand, smiling without saying a word.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan flicked out a strand of spiritual light, instantly chilling the Wishful Wine in Hua Yaoyue's hand.
“Little Junior Brother, you...”
Feng Zhitao couldn't help crying out in surprise.
She had clearly sensed the change in Ji Yuan's spiritual energy.
Even Ran Kui and Yun Qianzai, who had been putting meat into the pot, turned to look.
They both knew Ji Yuan had always cultivated Water techniques.
But now...
He had switched to Ice cultivation.
Was that really something one could casually change?
“Haha. I happened to obtain a small opportunity during this trip.”
Ji Yuan chuckled.
Feng Zhitao immediately lifted her own jug of Osmanthus Wine.
“Little Junior Brother, hurry! I want mine chilled too!”
Ji Yuan smiled.
“Of course.”
One streak of spiritual light after another flew out, chilling everyone's Spiritual Wine.
After three rounds of wine, everyone finally began eating in earnest.
What Ji Yuan had never expected...
Was that the person who liked the hot pot the most was actually...
Hua Yaoyue!
Normally, she would only casually eat a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
Today, however, her chopsticks never stopped moving.
She even kept urging Yun Qianzai to add more meat.
“Little Junior Brother, you still have more of these seasonings, right?”
Ran Kui stood up and asked.
“I do, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Ji Yuan had long intended to make hot pot.
That way, gathering everyone together for meals would require far less effort.
For that reason, he had deliberately collected seasonings over time.
The only thing he had lacked was suitable chili peppers.
It wasn't until this southern journey, while in South Sea City, that he finally found the perfect variety.
“Good. Then let's change the broth and make something truly special!”
After pouring out the current soup base, Ran Kui took out a jug overflowing with spiritual energy from his Storage Pouch.
Even Yun Qianzai couldn't help staring at him in astonishment.
“Eldest Senior Brother... Is that... Medicine King Valley's Hundred Flowers Thousand Herbs Dew? You're using it for hot pot??”
Hundred Flowers Thousand Herbs Dew?
A single jin of that stuff probably cost over a hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones!
Ji Yuan was just about to stop him.
But Ran Kui had already poured the entire several-jin jug into the pot.
“Come on, eat! Only the finest ingredients make the best food!”
Ran Kui burst into hearty laughter.
Feng Zhitao silently took out a strip of meat radiating dense demonic aura from her Storage Pouch.
“I've got a piece of back meat from a Third-Tier Demon Beast, the Curved-Back Bow Wolf. Let's cook this too.”
Yun Qianzai thought for a moment before also taking out the corpse of an enormous turtle from his Storage Pouch.
“A mere Third-Tier Demon Beast, the Water-Escape Tiger-Head Turtle. Please accept this humble contribution.”
Ji Yuan couldn't help giving his show-off Second Senior Brother a thumbs-up.
Thus, all four disciples simultaneously turned toward their common master—
Hua Yaoyue.
Just as Hua Yaoyue picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, she casually waved her left hand.
The next instant,
an enormous black-feathered wing appeared behind Ji Yuan.
The terrifying aura it emitted instantly caused Ji Yuan's entire body to stiffen.
Ran Kui and the other two also looked toward the ground with expressions of alarm.
“A... Fourth-Tier Demon Beast?”
Even Yun Qianzai's voice stuttered.
Feng Zhitao looked back and forth between the bird wing lying on the ground and Hua Yaoyue's calm expression before immediately jumping to her feet.
“Master! I knew it!”
“Knew what? I bought it with Spirit Stones.”
Hua Yaoyue calmly replied.
“Ran Kui, clean it up, chop it apart, and we'll have it with our wine.”
“Yes.”
Among everyone present, only Ran Kui was a Core Formation Cultivator capable of withstanding the aura of a Fourth-Tier Demon Beast.
He stood, picked up the unknown Fourth-Tier Demon Beast wing, and left.
Once the oppressive aura behind him disappeared, Ji Yuan finally relaxed.
Feng Zhitao looked suspiciously at Hua Yaoyue, still wanting to ask more.
However, Yun Qianzai, who held his chopsticks in hand, suddenly sneered.
“Heh. With nothing better to do, we carve up a Fourth-Tier Demon Beast to accompany our wine. Heroes gather wherever we go. Besides me, Yun Qianzai, who else in this world could compare?”
“If you say one more sentence, you won't be eating later.”
Hua Yaoyue sneered.
Yun Qianzai immediately lowered his head.
The chance to eat Fourth-Tier Demon Beast meat was exceedingly rare.
No matter how foolish he might be, he wasn't about to miss it.
Knowing they'd soon be eating Fourth-Tier Demon Beast meat, no one hurried to continue eating.
Instead, they all waited patiently.
After thinking for a moment, Ji Yuan took the opportunity to ask,
“Master, are there many Fourth-Tier Demon Beasts on the Cangluo Continent?”
Most Level 3 buildings only required Third-Tier Demon Cores to upgrade to Level 4.
However, most Level 4 buildings required Fourth-Tier Demon Cores to upgrade to Level 5.
For example, the 【Pigsty】 required three Fourth-Tier Demon Cores.
“Not many. Very few.”
Hua Yaoyue merely glanced at Ji Yuan without elaborating.
Feng Zhitao patiently explained instead,
“Once a Fourth-Tier Demon Beast above Mid Fourth-Tier successfully survives its Transformation Tribulation, it takes human form. At that point, it's very difficult to identify.”
“As for those that fail the Transformation Tribulation, most have already developed their own intelligence. They head out into the distant seas, only returning to the continent after eventually surviving the Transformation Tribulation.”
“So that's how it is.”
Then if he needed Fourth-Tier Demon Cores in the future, he'd have to hunt Demon Beasts overseas...
Just as Ji Yuan was thinking this, Hua Yaoyue suddenly added,
“You've actually met a Fourth-Tier Demon Beast before.”
“What? I have?”
Ji Yuan immediately began recalling everyone he had met, wondering which of them might have been a Fourth-Tier Great Demon.
Then a single figure suddenly surfaced in his mind.
“Mei Zhuang.”
Hua Yaoyue casually revealed the answer.
It perfectly confirmed Ji Yuan's own suspicion.
Mei Zhuang.
That old schemer was actually a transformed Fourth-Tier Demon Beast!
No wonder he had lived so long—
He had survived from the Shang Court Era until the present day.
“Mei Zhuang? Who's that?”
Feng Zhitao looked at Ji Yuan in confusion.
Yun Qianzai remained silent but was equally puzzled.
Ji Yuan looked toward Hua Yaoyue.
She merely replied indifferently,
“If you've got nothing to do, eat more meat instead of asking so many questions.”
“Hmph. Master and Little Junior Brother have secrets now.”
Feng Zhitao pouted before turning away.
Even so, both her ears perked up.
Ji Yuan had no choice but to send a voice transmission.
“Master, what is Mei Zhuang's true form?”
“A Fourth-Tier Demon Beast—the Heavenly Thunder Purple Luo Condor. Its speed is incomparably fast. That's also one of the reasons it has managed to survive until today.”
Hua Yaoyue replied through voice transmission as well.
...The Heavenly Thunder Purple Luo Condor.
Ji Yuan muttered,
“Just hearing the name tells you it's extraordinary.”
“What? Thinking of killing him?”
Hua Yaoyue chuckled.
“His injuries should already be fully healed. Whether he's improved any further, I don't know. But if you intend to fight him one-on-one... With your current abilities, wait until you've reached the Late Nascent Soul Realm before trying. If you possess Divine Transformation strength, you may kill him.”
“Of course, that's assuming your strength continues increasing while he remains where he is.”
Hua Yaoyue had clearly pointed out the path.
Ji Yuan: “...”
Still,
this meant Mei Zhuang's current strength should roughly be at the Late Nascent Soul Realm.
That old fellow truly wasn't simple.
Just as Ji Yuan was thinking this, Ran Kui returned carrying the chopped Fourth-Tier Demon Beast wing.
“Delicious wings coming right up!”
Ran Kui laughed heartily.
Each chopped piece of wing weighed several jin.
After finishing all of this,
there would be no need to think about eating anything else.
Wing...
Heavenly Thunder Purple Luo Condor...
Ji Yuan suddenly thought of something and quickly turned toward Hua Yaoyue.
She immediately guessed what he was thinking and simply said,
“No.”
Ji Yuan finally relaxed.
Though he also felt a little disappointed.
Now that they were cooking Fourth-Tier Demon Beast meat, Ji Yuan's small pot and little flame were naturally no longer suitable.
Once again, Ran Kui stepped in.
He took out a...
Supreme-Grade Spiritual Artifact pot?
He then drew forth the Earth's Fire from Wuyou Island before finally beginning to stew the meat.
The Fourth-Tier Demon Beast meat truly lived up to its reputation.
After simmering for only a short while,
an incomparably rich aroma of meat spread throughout the area.
Ji Yuan kept staring at the pot.
Not because he coveted the precious cooking vessel.
Rather,
because every so often,
the phantom of an enormous Fourth-Tier condor would emerge upon its surface.
The stew continued for a full two hours.
Fortunately, none of them sat idle.
They simply started another hot pot and continued eating, laughing, and chatting.
Only after the Fourth-Tier Demon Beast meat had finished stewing did they finally begin feasting upon it.
Ji Yuan held a section of the middle wing.
After only a few bites, he discovered that the meat dissolved inside his body.
It transformed into pure spiritual energy,
while simultaneously releasing an enormous amount of blood essence.
This thing...
Could strengthen both the physique and spiritual energy?!
Why hadn't the Second-Tier and Third-Tier Demon Beast meat he'd eaten before produced such effects?
Was it simply because their grade wasn't high enough?
At that moment,
it seemed as though a broad new path had opened before Ji Yuan.
He needed to reach the Nascent Soul Realm as soon as possible.
Then head overseas and hunt Fourth-Tier Demon Beasts...
Actually,
if he could simply spend Spirit Stones hiring other Nascent Soul cultivators to risk their lives for him,
that would be even better.
Ji Yuan and the other two Foundation Establishment disciples soon reached their limit.
The meat contained far too much spiritual energy.
It wasn't something Foundation Establishment cultivators could consume in large quantities.
Ran Kui could still continue eating,
but not by much.
The one who truly ate the most...
Was Hua Yaoyue, the Nascent Soul cultivator.
She looked completely unaffected.
After everyone had eaten and drunk to their hearts' content,
the five of them rested together inside the pavilion.
Ji Yuan summoned his status panel and examined it.
His gaze eventually settled upon the 【Spirit Field】.
More precisely,
upon one of its effects.
【Spiritual Effect 2 (Pill Creation): Every 10 years, 1 Pill Essence Fruit may be harvested.】
Pill Essence Fruit.
Judging from the name,
it was probably related to forming one's Core.
Ji Yuan had already reached the Late Foundation Establishment Realm.
It was about time he began preparing for Core Formation.
Thus, he asked,
“When I was in South Sea City, I heard people discussing something called the Pill Essence Fruit. Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister... do any of you know what it's used for?”