Water Drop

Clearly, Luo Tong knew something about Ji Qingyun's death... Lousy Liu had most likely been the one to do it.

Ji Yuan had not expected Luo Tong, whose relationship with him had not been particularly close in his memories, to treat him so well.

It was just that the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining... Ji Yuan was still far from it, so he had not told Luo Tong that he was already at the fourth layer.

Nor had Luo Tong noticed.

"Don't worry, Uncle Luo. I understand."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"Mm, you're a smart one... smarter than your father."

Luo Tong sighed, then reached out and patted Ji Yuan on the shoulder again.

"Alright, head back first. If there's anything you don't understand about raising that Spirit Pig, come ask me anytime."

Even as Ji Yuan was leaving with the little piglet in hand, Luo Tong still stuffed that four- or five-pound piece of Spirit Pig meat into his hands.

He told him to go home and nourish his body properly.

After a long while, Ji Yuan looked at the seven Half-Spirit Fish in the [Fish Pond], the six Green-Yellow Chickens in the [Chicken Coop], and the one Spirit Pig in the [Pigsty], feeling that his future was bright.

This was his own little world.

Spirit Pig meat was always fragrant. The last time Ji Yuan had eaten it was when Ji Qingyun was still around. Today, he stewed Spirit Pig soup and stir-fried Spirit Pig meat for himself.

Having eaten Spirit Eggs for nearly a month, Ji Yuan finally had a hearty meal.

The fighting on Maple Leaf Island continued, and Ji Yuan's life became a little more complicated. Besides raising chickens, feeding fish, and cultivating, he now had the task of raising pigs as well.

Fortunately, Spirit Pigs ate anything. If worst came to worst, he could grab a handful of wild grass from the shore, crush up a Spirit Fragment and mix it in a little, and the pig would eat it with great relish.

The [Pigsty]'s effects were exceptional.

The Spirit Pig's body grew at a rate visible to the naked eye. In a mere seven days, it had already reached over a hundred pounds.

Fortunately, Ji Yuan kept it in the backyard, and no one usually came to visit. Otherwise, anyone who saw it would probably be somewhat frightened.

It was also after those seven days that Ji Yuan harvested another Coldblood Perch.

It had evolved from a Seven-Star Perch again. He was going to Zengtou City once more, and this time, Ji Yuan deliberately brought six Spirit Eggs.

He did not bring any more than a day's output.

With Luo Tong's temperament, he would definitely refuse if Ji Yuan brought too much, and it would be hard to explain anyway.

As for the Spirit Stones from selling fish... Ji Yuan had long had an idea. After cultivating for so long, it was time to learn a more advanced technique.

Magical artifacts were too expensive; the income from one Spirit Fish was not enough to buy one.

Moreover, magical artifacts had to be used with the Object Manipulation Technique, which was another expense.

For Ji Yuan at the moment, learning a more powerful technique was still the most cost-effective choice.

When he arrived at the Fish Pen, selling a Spirit Fish was no longer anything unusual for someone with Ji Yuan's Middle Qi Refining Stage cultivation.

After receiving the Spirit Stones, he went to Luo Tong's shop. Luo Tong thought Ji Yuan had come to borrow Spirit Stones and had already prepared for it.

Yet Ji Yuan handed him six Spirit Eggs instead.

"They were laid by the Green-Yellow Chickens I raise myself, not bought outside. I specially brought them for you to try, Uncle Luo."

"What are you doing? Spirit Eggs are good things. Take them back and eat them for cultivation." Naturally, Luo Tong refused, though his hands kept cutting meat.

"Really, I have six Green-Yellow Chickens at home. They lay Spirit Eggs every day. I'm sick of eating them."

After saying that, Ji Yuan set the Spirit Eggs on the counter and immediately ran off.

"I've got things to do. I'll come see you again next time, Uncle Luo."

Once Ji Yuan was gone, Luo Tong stopped cutting meat. There was nowhere to give it anyway. Looking at the Spirit Eggs on the butcher's counter, he could not help but laugh.

"This kid really has exactly the same temperament as Qingyun."

"But these Spirit Eggs... how could Green-Yellow Chickens lay Spirit Eggs every day?"

Luo Tong shook his head, but ultimately accepted Ji Yuan's goodwill.

He knew Ji Yuan's explanation was merely an excuse. These Spirit Eggs must have been saved for a long time, unwilling to eat them himself, likely to repay the favor of the Spirit Pig Luo Tong had given him.

Naturally, Ji Yuan did not know what Luo Tong was thinking. Even if he had known, he would only have said... But I was telling the truth, Uncle Luo!

He then came before the largest building in Zengtou City: the Water Dragon Sect-backed Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

In terms Ji Yuan was familiar with, it was a large official-backed marketplace. Whether Talismans, magical artifacts, Cultivation Pills, or anything else, as long as one could afford the Spirit Stones, one could basically buy it inside.

After entering, he went straight to the technique section.

The one on duty was a white-haired old man with a white beard, dressed in the standard robes of the Water Dragon Sect. He had been resting with his eyes closed, but upon seeing someone approach, he raised his eyelids and glanced over.

"What do you want?"

Ji Yuan first cupped his hands and bowed to him.

"Greetings, Senior."

Only then did he say, "This junior wants an offensive technique. The greater its attacking power, the better. It would be best if its consumption were low as well. Um... and if the price could be a little cheaper, that would be even better."

After hearing this, the white-haired cultivator burst out laughing.

"Kid, are you here to buy a technique, or are you here to make a wish?"

Ji Yuan smiled awkwardly as well. "Then may I ask, Senior, is there such a technique?"

The white-haired cultivator closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before suddenly opening them.

"There is."

Ji Yuan's eyes lit up, but he quickly calmed down. He asked tentatively, "Then may I ask what shortcomings this technique has?"

Since he was making wishes, Ji Yuan naturally did not believe there could be such a free lunch.

A technique like this was bound to have considerable flaws.

Otherwise, would everyone in Zengtou City not have a copy?

"This technique is called the Water Drop Finger. Its general effects are much as you described. Its only flaw is that every time it is used, all ten fingers suffer unbearable pain. It could be said that one wounded oneself before wounding the enemy."

After hearing this, Ji Yuan understood after a brief consideration.

"Then if I practice Body Refining, could I lessen some of the pain?"

"Of course, but as a fisherman, do you even have time for Body Refining? Body Refining is not like Qi Refining. You need to put in solid, grinding effort—it takes relentless practice."

Ji Yuan revealed an extremely conflicted expression before finally asking, "I-I still want to try. May I ask, Senior, how many Spirit Stones does this technique cost?"

"You kid... fine. Ten Spirit Stones. Buy the first layer first and take it back to practice. If you can master it, then think about the second layer."

The white-haired cultivator was an honest man.

Ji Yuan paid the Spirit Stones and deeply bowed to the old senior once more. Only then did he press his finger against the jade slip the man offered him.

As an unfamiliar memory flowed into him, Ji Yuan took a brief moment to react before rising and taking his leave.

As the name implied, the Water Drop Finger gathered water spiritual energy at one's fingertips before firing it out. Because its attack range was small, its consumption was naturally low. Furthermore, its offensive method was condensed, so every strike dealt extremely high damage.

Ji Yuan carefully sensed it, estimating that once he learned it, its effects would probably be similar to the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Point where he pleased and strike where he pointed, leaving enemies unable to guard against it.

As for the side effect... it was fine. He just had to go back and keep raising pigs.

As Ji Yuan passed through the streets of Zengtou City, his gaze casually swept over the makeshift stalls on either side, but he suddenly stopped.

The stall owner was likewise a long-faced cultivator at the Middle Qi Refining Stage. Though his face bore exhaustion, it held even more delight.

What Ji Yuan had taken a liking to was a Spirit Vessel displayed atop his stall.

He had seen that Spirit Vessel many times and was fairly familiar with it. It had a strange name.

It was called... the Mantis Boat.

Its stern was slightly damaged, and the Spirit Vessel was stained with blood.

Seeing Ji Yuan stop before his stall without leaving, the long-faced cultivator immediately introduced it.

"Fellow Daoist, have you taken a liking to this Spirit Vessel? This is top-quality goods—fast, and it can keep you safe."