Water Drop

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

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

It was just that Sixth Layer of Qi Refining... Ji Yuan was still far from it, so he did not tell Luo Tong that he had already reached the Fourth Layer.

Luo Tong had not noticed either.

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

Ji Yuan nodded.

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

Luo Tong sighed and reached out to pat Ji Yuan on the shoulder again.

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

Even as Ji Yuan was carrying the piglet and preparing to leave, Luo Tong still stuffed that four- or five-pound chunk of Spirit Pig meat into his hands.

He told him to go home and nourish himself properly.

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

This was his own little world.

Spirit Pig meat had always been fragrant. The last time Ji Yuan had eaten it was when Ji Qingyun was still alive. Today, he stewed Spirit Pig soup and stir-fried Spirit Pig meat 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 had grown a little more complicated. Besides raising chickens, feeding fish, and cultivating, he had gained the task of raising pigs as well.

Fortunately, Spirit Pigs ate anything. If nothing else, he could gather a handful of wild grass from the shore, crush a Spirit Fragment into it and mix it around a little, and the pig would eat it with great relish.

The [Pigsty] had an extraordinary effect.

The Spirit Pig's body grew at a rate visible to the naked eye. In just 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, people would probably be rather frightened upon seeing it.

Seven days later, Ji Yuan harvested another Coldblood Perch.

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

He did not bring much else from the day's output.

Given Luo Tong's temperament, he definitely would not accept them if Ji Yuan brought too much, and it would be hard to explain as well.

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

Dharma Tools were too expensive; the income from one Spirit Fish could not buy one.

Moreover, Dharma Tools had to be used together with the Object Manipulation Technique, which would be another expense.

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

When he arrived at the Fish Pen, selling a Spirit Fish with his Middle Qi Refining Stage cultivation was no longer anything rare.

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 them.

Yet Ji Yuan instead handed him six Spirit Eggs.

"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 them, continuing to chop meat.

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

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

"I have something to do. I'll come visit you again next time, Uncle Luo."

After Ji Yuan left, Luo Tong stopped chopping meat. Even if he kept chopping, there would be no one to give it to. Looking at the Spirit Eggs on the butcher's counter, he could not help but laugh.

"This kid 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 in the end, he accepted Ji Yuan's goodwill.

He also knew that Ji Yuan's explanation was merely an excuse. Ji Yuan must have saved these Spirit Eggs for a long time, unwilling to eat them. He had most likely brought them to repay the favor of receiving the Spirit Pig.

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

He then arrived 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, Dharma Tools, 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.

On duty was an old man with white hair and beard, dressed in the Water Dragon Sect's standard robes. He had originally been resting with his eyes closed, but when he saw someone arrive, he lifted his eyelids and gave Ji Yuan a glance.

"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 stronger its attack power, the better; preferably, it should consume less as well. Um... and it would be even better if the price were a little cheaper."

The white-haired cultivator laughed outright after hearing that.

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

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

The white-haired cultivator closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly opened them.

"There is."

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

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

A technique like this surely had no small flaw.

Otherwise, would everyone in Zengtou City not have one?

"This technique is called the Water Drop Finger. Its general effects are similar to what you described. Its only flaw is that every time it is used, all ten fingers suffer unbearable pain. It can be said to injure oneself before injuring the enemy."

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

"Then if I practice Body Refining, could it lessen the pain somewhat?"

"Of course it could. But as a fisherman like you, do you have time for Body Refining? Body Refining is unlike Qi Refining. It requires real, painstaking effort, grinding away through 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 consider the second layer."

The white-haired cultivator was an honest man.

Ji Yuan paid the Spirit Stones, deeply bowed to the old senior once more, and only then pressed his finger against the jade slip he had been given.

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

As its name implied, the Water Drop Finger gathered water spiritual energy at the fingertips and fired it out. Because its attack range was small, its consumption was naturally low. In addition, its offensive method was condensed, so every strike dealt extremely high damage.

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

Point where he wished, 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, he casually swept his gaze over the roadside stalls on both sides, only to suddenly stop in his tracks.

The stall owner was also a long-faced cultivator at the Middle Qi Refining Stage. Though his face showed fatigue, there was even more delight in it.

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

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

It was called... the Mantis Boat.

The 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. It's fast and can keep you safe."