Ji Yuan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ji Yuan (计缘)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Independent rogue cultivator; resident of Zengtou City
Occupation/Role	Cultivator; spirit-fish, spirit-livestock, and spirit-resource producer; talisman maker
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Fish Pond lv1”

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Second Layer of Qi Refining	1	His cultivation upon transmigrating; weak enough that expulsion from Zengtou Market would likely leave him vulnerable to robbery or death.
Third Layer of Qi Refining	3	Breaks through after consuming Spirit Eggs produced by the upgraded Chicken Coop; stabilizes the realm afterward.
Fourth Layer of Qi Refining / Middle Qi Refining Stage	9	Uses six Spirit Eggs and twelve Spirit Stones after selling a Spine Bream; gains enough qi to cast roughly twenty Water Arrows consecutively.
Fifth Layer of Qi Refining	26	Cultivates for nearly three days with seven Spirit Eggs, a Tranquil Heart Talisman, and fifty Spirit Stones; forty-four Stones are consumed in the breakthrough.
Minor Accomplishment in Body Refining	40	Xu Fugui identifies his physical cultivation as having reached minor accomplishment after witnessing his Water Drop Finger.
Sixth Layer of Qi Refining	42	Breaks through after sustained pill-assisted cultivation and study in the Dao Comprehension Chamber; becomes a recognized minor expert in Cloud-Rain Marsh.

Background

Ji Yuan transmigrated from modern-day Blue Star into the body of a young cultivator sharing his name on Cangluo Continent. The original Ji Yuan was born with Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire Four-Spirit Roots, classified as False Spiritual Roots, and had previously been rejected by the Water Dragon Sect. 3 44

His parents were rogue cultivator “fishers” who caught spirit fish for the Water Dragon Sect. They died after confronting a mid-stage first-rank spirit fish, leaving Ji Yuan impoverished and alone in Zengtou Market. 1 His father, Ji Qingyun, was later revealed to have been murdered after Huang Laotou sold his location to Lousy Liu. 7 16

At the beginning of his new life, Ji Yuan owed three low-grade Spirit Stones in residence fees and possessed only one remaining Spirit Stone. He spent it on upgrading his fish pond instead of borrowing from an exploitative lender, awakening the potential of his Building Upgrade Panel when the pond evolved a Seven-Star Bass into a valuable Coldblood Bass. 1

Appearance

Body tempering substantially changes Ji Yuan’s appearance. Once weathered by fishing work, he develops smoother, paler skin and a more refined bearing that makes him resemble a young noble cultivator rather than a marsh fisherman. 12

• Noted for being unusually handsome among Zengtou City’s fishers. 18 22
• Has a cleaner, more spirited aura after abandoning regular fishing and improving his physique. 18
• Can alter his appearance into a stubbled, mature-looking man when traveling through Cloud-Rain Marsh. 34

Personality

Ji Yuan is cautious, pragmatic, and intensely self-reliant. He repeatedly rejects dangerous opportunities—including the conflict over Maple Leaf Island and premature revenge against Lousy Liu—in favor of controlled cultivation, infrastructure, and dependable income. 7 8 20

He guards the secrets of his estate and abilities closely, avoids accepting favors that could create obligations, and generally refuses to meddle in other people’s choices. 18 22 However, his restraint does not make him indifferent. He pays Lin Hu’s overdue residence fee, supports Qiu Qianhai before his departure, worries over Lu Wan’s safety, and searches for Qiu after finding his signal seashell. 17 26 46 50

In combat, Ji Yuan has become decisive and lethal toward those who attempt to kill him. Though initially sickened by taking lives, he learns to anticipate betrayal, eliminate threats quickly, and erase evidence afterward. 16 27 36

Abilities & Skills

Building Upgrade Panel

Ji Yuan’s transmigration advantage is a panel that recognizes named structures and upgrades them after their material and cultivation requirements are met. Upgraded buildings produce spiritual resources, improve his training, or grant supernatural functions. 1 21 41

Structure	Documented upgrades and effects
Fish Pond	Level 1 increases fry growth by 20% and gives Half-Spirit Fish a chance to evolve into Spirit Fish. A future level can produce Waterglow Dew. 1
Chicken Coop	Level 1 produces Spirit Eggs and can eventually produce Spirit Soil or control spirit birds. Level 2 gives chickens spirit-patterned claws, produces one qian of Spirit Soil daily, briefly controls spirit fowl, and can conceal its anomalous appearance. 3 29
Cave Abode / Dwelling	Level 1 repairs itself, wards dust, and increases nighttime spiritual-energy concentration by 20%. Level 2 grants a 10% spiritual-energy boost day and night plus basic soundproofing. 18 19
Talisman Room	Level 1 improves Ji Yuan’s success rate when crafting first- and second-rank talismans. 21 23
Pigsty	Level 2 becomes self-cleaning and produces Blood Essence. Its next level would yield Jade-Grease and guarantee an Aperture-Tempering Pearl when a Spirit Pig is slaughtered. 38 39
Dao Comprehension Chamber	Level 1 increases comprehension by 10%; Level 2 raises this to 20% and adds a 10% bonus against bottlenecks. 41

Water Techniques

Ji Yuan specializes in water-aspected techniques and develops exceptional control over them.

• Water Arrow Technique — His primary early offensive spell; he reaches great mastery and later casts it instantly. 4 8
• Water Shield — A basic defensive technique learned while cultivating at home. 5
• Water Drop Finger — A piercing technique capable of killing cultivators and Yin Ghosts; Ji Yuan can cast it repeatedly without the backlash suffered by Ghost Island Master. 16 36
  • Stone-Piercing — Second layer; concentrates repeated attacks on a single point to penetrate armor, artifacts, and defensive spells. 40 41
  • Explosive Charge — Third layer; a water-blade area attack requiring Late Qi Refining and substantial spiritual energy. 40

Object Manipulation Art

Ji Yuan acquires the Object Manipulation Technique from Wu Laochuan’s spoils and practices until magical artifacts move as naturally as extensions of his body. 16 19

• Conceals the Deathbringer Needle within his Waterdrop Ring for surprise attacks. 19
• Uses the Blackgold Blade as a visible feint while directing the needle toward a concealed target. 19 27
• His precision and artifact coordination allow him to defeat higher-cultivation ambushers. 27

Talisman Crafting

Ji Yuan chooses talisman crafting because of its comparatively low entry cost and usefulness to his estate upgrades. 21

• Learns the correct method for activating talismans from Wu Yan: spiritual energy must be applied by hand rather than concentrated through the talisman brush. 23
• Achieves an estimated 20–30% success rate as a beginner and sells thirty-two Water-Repelling Talismans for sixty Spirit Stones. 25
• Breaks into Middle-Grade Talisman mastery and successfully draws a Golden Body Talisman. 41
• Draws the obscure Skylight Talisman successfully on his first attempt during the Water Dragon Sect examination, then deliberately fails later attempts to avoid immediate recruitment. 46

Surging Waves Sword Art

Xu Fugui gives Ji Yuan the complete Surging Waves Sword Art after recognizing his potential. 40

• Entangling Waves — Creates pale-blue ripples that slow trapped opponents for approximately one breath. 42
• Layered Mirror — Intended for confusion, evasion, and escape. 40
• Ninefold Waves — A stronger offensive technique not yet documented as mastered. 40

Yin Ghost Formation

Ji Yuan inherits the incomplete Yin Ghost Formation and Yin Ghost Banner after killing Ghost Island Master. 36 37

• Initially functions as a bewildering and killing formation but drains Ji Yuan’s own spiritual energy due to Ghost Island Master’s flawed modifications. 38
• Ji Yuan studies it in the Dao Comprehension Chamber and installs five Spirit Stone slots, completing the formation after two months. 48
• The repaired first-rank formation is supported by two Fifth-Layer Yin Ghosts and can kill an ordinary Sixth-Layer Qi Refining cultivator without Ji Yuan acting directly. 49
• Its intense yin aura can cause others to mistake Ji Yuan for a devil-path cultivator. 49

Equipment

• Black Wind Boat — Mid-grade Spirit Vessel captured from Ghost Island Master; significantly faster than Ji Yuan’s former White Boat and capable of underwater travel. 37 38
• Whitewater Flying Sword — Mid-grade flying sword with superior agility and lower spiritual-energy consumption than the Blackgold Blade. 33 36
• Blackgold Blade — Direct offensive artifact; can be wielded in close combat or remotely. 17 18
• Deathbringer Needle / Life-Seizing Needle — A lethal concealed embroidery-needle artifact used as Ji Yuan’s assassination trump card. 18 19
• Dragon Armor Shield — Basic defensive dharma artifact made from a first-tier Spirit Turtle Shell. 30
• Yin Ghost Banner — Formation flag housing two Yin Ghosts; serves as both a magical artifact and the core of the Yin Ghost Formation. 38 49
• Waterdrop Ring — Used to conceal the Deathbringer Needle. 19
• High-grade Water-Escape Talisman — Used to evade Ghost Island Master’s Golden Seal Talisman. 33 36
• Demon-Subduing Talisman — Suppresses evil techniques and weakened Ghost Island Master’s defenses. 33 36

Relationships

• Ji Qingyun — Father; a rogue cultivator fisher murdered after Huang Laotou sold his location to Lousy Liu. 7 16
• Qiu Qianhai — Closest friend and trusted combat companion. Qiu accepts blame for Lousy Liu’s death, while Ji Yuan supplies him for his flight; they vow to destroy the Qin Household together. 17
• Lin Hu — Childhood friend and neighboring fisher. Ji Yuan pays his residence debt and urges him to abandon gambling; Lin Hu later repays the debt and becomes a more dependable neighbor. 26 28
• Wu Qin — Lin Hu’s wife. She was initially interested in marrying Ji Yuan, but he refused; she later comes to regard him as a dependable elder-brother figure. 4 30
• Lu Wan — Childhood friend and talented talisman cultivator. She helps correct his talisman activation method, while Ji Yuan quietly supports her during her conflict with the Wu Family. 23 46 48
• Xu Fugui — Water Dragon Sect cultivator and mentor-like benefactor. He recognizes Ji Yuan’s Body Refining talent, sells him advanced Water Drop Finger techniques, and gifts him the Surging Waves Sword Art. 40 42
• Wen Lin — Neighbor and alchemist; maintains a respectful relationship with Ji Yuan and provides information on rare materials. 30
• Wen Ling’er — Wen Lin’s young daughter; affectionately calls him “Big Brother Ji” and receives snacks and sugar figurines from him. 29 41
• Huang Laotou — Former neighbor who pretended to help Ji Yuan while concealing his role in betraying Ji Yuan’s father. He dies before Ji Yuan can confront him. 7 19
• Lousy Liu — Ji Yuan’s father’s killer. Ji Yuan kills him after learning the full extent of Huang Laotou’s betrayal. 16
• Ghost Island Master — Devil-path cultivator slain by Ji Yuan; his artifacts, inheritance, and Rotbone Flowers greatly strengthen Ji Yuan’s estate and combat abilities. 36 37
• Hu Fang — Late Qi Refining righteous cultivator who initially mistakes Ji Yuan for a devil cultivator because of the Yin Ghost Formation, then apologizes after learning its origin. 49

Major Arcs

Escape from Poverty

Ji Yuan begins under threat of eviction and uses his final Spirit Stone to upgrade the Fish Pond. The evolved Coldblood Bass gives him the resources to pursue self-sufficient cultivation rather than predatory loans or dangerous fishing. 1

He expands into chickens, fish, and Spirit Pigs, using Spirit Eggs to reach the Third Layer of Qi Refining and establish a repeatable cultivation-resource cycle. 3 9 11

Revenge and the Fall of Lousy Liu

After learning that Lousy Liu possesses his father’s Willow Leaf Boat, Ji Yuan suppresses his desire for revenge until he has sufficient strength. 7

Alongside Qiu Qianhai, he kills Lousy Liu and Wu Laochuan. Lousy Liu’s dying confession confirms Huang Laotou’s involvement in Ji Qingyun’s death, while the battle provides Ji Yuan with artifacts, techniques, Spirit Stones, and a superior boat. 16 17

Independent Cultivation and Talisman Growth

Ji Yuan upgrades his Cave Abode and Talisman Room, learns Object Manipulation, and enters talisman crafting as both a source of income and a path toward future upgrades. 18 21 23

His wealth and production allow him to reach the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, but he still rejects the security of master-disciple ties and immediate Water Dragon Sect recruitment. 25 26 46

The Ghost Island Master Conflict

Seeking Rotbone Flowers for his Pigsty, Ji Yuan becomes entangled with Wei Caishan and Ghost Island Master. He survives the latter’s formation, counters his evil techniques with Red-Crowned Chicken Blood and talismans, and kills him with the Deathbringer Needle and Whitewater Flying Sword. 34 36

The victory grants Ji Yuan the Black Wind Boat, Yin Ghost Banner, Rotbone Flowers, and an incomplete Yin Ghost Sect inheritance. He rejects the inheritance’s cruel methods while adapting its formation for his own use. 37 38 48

Rising Reputation

Ji Yuan develops the Dao Comprehension Chamber, comprehends Stone-Piercing and Entangling Waves, reaches the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, and becomes capable of challenging stronger cultivators through preparation and formations. 41 42 49

His talisman talent attracts Hong Xiuwen and Wu Wenbin’s attention, while his completed Yin Ghost Formation causes Hu Fang and Du Kang to recognize him as an emerging expert connected to Ghost Island Master’s death. 46 49

Search for Qiu Qianhai

A seashell left at Ji Yuan’s gate signals Qiu Qianhai’s return, honoring their earlier agreement. Ji Yuan travels to Autumn Rain Island but finds only fresh evidence of a battle. 17 50

Despite Lame Li’s warning that involvement may attract suspicion, Ji Yuan continues seeking information while worrying over Qiu’s fate. 50