Fellow Disciples

Strictly speaking, this was Ji Yuan's first proper voyage since crossing over.

Usually, he only traveled back and forth to Zengtou City.

The last time he had ventured deep into Cloud-Rain Marsh, he had been with Qiu Qianhai... At that thought, Ji Yuan could not help remembering his old friend.

It had already been four or five months since he left Zengtou City.

During this time, Ji Yuan had secretly inquired about him in Zengtou City. The bad news was that he found nothing; the good news was that he found nothing as well.

At least that meant the Qin Household had no leads on him either.

So long as he had not been caught by the Qin Household, Ji Yuan felt that, with his ruthlessness, he would most likely survive.

The White Boat cleaved through the water at astonishing speed. Along the way, he encountered quite a few fishermen putting out in boats, but whenever they saw that white shadow flash across the lake, they all slowed down.

Some even stopped outright, afraid they might accidentally offend this "senior."

To maintain his condition, Ji Yuan not only used Spirit Stones to power the Spirit Vessel, but also kept a Spirit Stone in his hand at all times, ensuring that he remained at his peak whenever needed.

Sophora Island lived up to its name.

A massive sophora tree grew on this island, an exceptional sight. Cultivators passing through often stopped here to rest, so this could barely be counted as one of the peaceful areas within Cloud-Rain Marsh.

Very few people fought here.

Two hours later, Ji Yuan descended onto the island, while the White Boat was stored away in his Storage Bag.

Compared to before, his complexion was much grayer now, and his chin had sprouted a great deal of beard.

He had changed from a handsome young man into a rather mature middle-aged uncle.

After reaching the island, Ji Yuan headed straight beneath the sophora tree. As luck would have it, when he arrived, he found only a young female cultivator seated in the shade.

Her looks were ordinary, but judging by her sitting posture... she had the build of a woman likely to bear children well.

As for her cultivation, Ji Yuan saw through it at a glance. She was merely at the Third Layer of Qi Refining, nothing special.

When Ji Yuan arrived, she raised her head and glanced at him.

"Rotbone Flower?"

The female cultivator did not probe at all. She went straight to the point from the outset.

"Yes."

Ji Yuan used his consciousness to control the Whitewater Flying Sword inside his Storage Bag, then nodded.

Hearing this, the female cultivator relaxed slightly. She was about to speak when two more Spirit Vessels landed by the shore.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

After saying that, Ji Yuan went to the other side of Sophora Island, by the lake's edge... If anything went wrong, he could simply board his vessel and flee.

The female cultivator followed him over.

"You have Rotbone Flowers?" Ji Yuan asked directly.

"Yes."

The female cultivator nodded slightly. Before Ji Yuan could ask again, she reached into her chest and took out a small, exquisite Jade Box. Opening it, she revealed a flower resembling an impatiens lying within. Its entire body was ash-black, wisps of black smoke drifting from it, while a moldy odor spread through the air.

"This is the Rotbone Flower that Senior requires."

The female cultivator offered the Jade Box with both hands. Her boldness even left Ji Yuan somewhat surprised.

Thus, he did not take it. He merely looked silently at the female cultivator before him without speaking.

"It is only one flower. It certainly cannot be enough for Senior, so consider it a deposit." The female cultivator smiled, her smile exceptionally mournful.

"A deposit? Then how can I obtain the rest?"

Ji Yuan was not swayed by her mournful smile. Instead, he asked with a smile.

Seeing that Ji Yuan refused to take it, she could only put it away first. "This humble woman wishes to ask Senior to kill someone for me. If Senior can accomplish it, this humble woman will naturally offer the remaining Rotbone Flowers with both hands."

"Who?"

This request was within Ji Yuan's expectations, so he was not surprised.

"Black Mist Island's Ghost Island Master."

The female cultivator spoke through gritted teeth, each word bitten out one at a time.

Ghost Island Master... Ji Yuan frowned slightly. He had never heard of such a person.

"Which ward are you from?"

This Sophora Island Ji Yuan had come to was already near Quiet Peace Ward, and could be considered a shared area among the many wards of Cloud-Rain Marsh.

"This humble woman is from Sophora Shade Ward."

Without waiting for Ji Yuan to question her further, she continued, "That Ghost Island Master is also from our Sophora Shade Ward. He is at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refinement, but because he occupies the easily defended yet difficult-to-attack Black Mist Island, quite a few people in our Sophora Shade Ward have been unable to do anything to him..."

As the female cultivator recounted her tale at length, Ji Yuan finally understood what had happened.

The female cultivator was named Wei Caishan, a cultivator from Sophora Shade Ward.

Years ago, when her parents had taken their vessel out, they had merely passed near Black Mist Island when the Ghost Island Master killed them before robbing them.

According to Wei Caishan, it was because the Ghost Island Master had taken a fancy to her mother's beauty... In short, it was the usual tale of bandit cultivators killing for plunder.

Wei Caishan had no hope of avenging them herself, so she could only place her hopes on others.

"The Ghost Island Master and I are both in the Middle Qi Refining Stage. If I go after him, I will have to risk my life. A few Rotbone Flowers alone... are not worth risking my life for."

Ji Yuan shook his head. "Put them away. Farewell."

With that, Ji Yuan turned to leave, but Wei Caishan hurriedly called after him.

"Senior, Senior."

"What else is it?"

Ji Yuan turned back and asked with a frown.

Though the Rotbone Flower was precious, from the looks of it, no one besides him seemed to need it. That meant Wei Caishan could only come to him... Since they each needed something from the other, there was no need to risk his life.

Ji Yuan could simply pay a few more Spirit Stones and have Wei Caishan bribe someone else into making a move.

That was his true thought.

"If Senior is willing to help, then aside from the Rotbone Flowers... Senior may do anything he wishes to this humble woman." As Wei Caishan spoke, she lowered her head deeply, even the tips of her ears turning red. "Whenever Senior wishes will do."

For a moment, Ji Yuan did not know what to say.

So after a brief silence, he cupped his fist slightly. "Take care, Fellow Daoist."

His body leaped up. As he landed upon the lake, the White Boat appeared on its own, carrying him away as a streak of white light.

"Sen..."

Wei Caishan seemed to want to call out again, but Ji Yuan had long since vanished from sight.

She could only let out a long sigh.

Ji Yuan had left, but not entirely. After leaving Wei Caishan's sight, he quickly came ashore on the far side of a nearby island, concealed his aura, and silently observed Wei Caishan through the cover of the Reed Marsh.

Sophora Shade Ward was near Blackwater Ward, very far from here.

Ji Yuan reckoned that with Wei Caishan's strength, it was impossible for her to cross such a great distance just to meet him on Sophora Island. If that was the case, then she most likely lived in nearby Quiet Peace Ward...

Ji Yuan wanted to follow her and see what was truly going on.

From what she had just said, Ji Yuan did not quite believe Wei Caishan... There were too many holes in her story, whether concerning her parents or her claim to have come from Sophora Shade Ward.

He had not waited long before he saw Wei Caishan depart aboard a pitch-black Spirit Vessel.

An Early Qi Refining cultivator who had fallen into hardship after coming from another ward could still afford a Spirit Vessel?

Interesting.

Ji Yuan summoned the White Boat and followed close behind.

He trailed her from afar. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he discovered that Wei Caishan was not heading toward nearby Quiet Peace Ward, but directly north instead.

Something was strange... Just as Ji Yuan considered turning around and leaving, he suddenly saw a pure-black Spirit Vessel shoot out from a nearby island.

A tall man in black robes stood atop the Spirit Vessel. Looking at Ji Yuan, he cupped his fist slightly and said:

"Fellow Daoist, Rotbone Flowers... I have plenty."

Ji Yuan stopped his Spirit Vessel and turned to look at Wei Caishan, who had already circled back. How could he not realize that he had still fallen into a trap?

With a thought, he summoned the Whitewater Flying Sword. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, each gripped a stack of Water Arrow Talismans.

Seeing Ji Yuan remain silent, the black-robed man smiled faintly.

"Do not panic, Fellow Daoist. Since you know the secret of the Rotbone Flower, we can be considered fellow disciples."