New Neighbor

[Cave Abode Level Two]

[Spirit Effect: daytime spirit energy density +10%, nighttime spirit energy density +30%, basic soundproofing barrier]

[Upgrade Requirements: 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 6 Clear Spirit Jades, 10 jin of River-Suppressing Sand]

Regardless of day or night, the spirit energy density had risen by 10%.

At first glance, it did not seem like much of a difference, but over time, it would be a completely different story.

Cultivation was a matter of grinding away like water wearing down stone. If he progressed just a little more than others every day, the long-term effect would be quite substantial.

On top of that, there was now a soundproofing barrier.

As far as Ji Yuan could tell, barriers were probably similar to Formations.

The Dust-Avoidance barrier of a Level One Cave Abode was simply a basic dust-avoidance Formation.

With a Level Two soundproofing barrier, no matter how much noise he made inside the Cave Abode, others would not be able to hear it.

At least he would be safer.

Unfortunately, it had not produced any defensive barrier. He could only look forward to the Cave Abode's subsequent upgrades.

As for the upgrade requirements, the 50 Spirit Stones were within Ji Yuan's expectations. However, he had never heard of Clear Spirit Jade or River-Suppressing Sand, and had no idea how much they were worth. He could only ask about them at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion when the time came.

After upgrading the Cave Abode, Ji Yuan felt that even the air in his home had become much fresher.

Looking around, everything was spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust.

The gloomy air inside the house had vanished as well, replaced by a bright and spacious atmosphere.

"This finally looks like a place where an immortal cultivator lives."

After briefly admiring it, Ji Yuan went to the storeroom and dug out a basin of rice grains tainted with a little spirit energy... He had to feed the chickens. After feeding the chickens, he still had to feed the pig.

Well, the immortal-cultivator atmosphere had lasted less than half an incense stick's time.

After finishing his chores, Ji Yuan continued comprehending the Object Manipulation Technique at home. No matter what, he at least had to be able to manipulate Dharma Tools freely.

Otherwise, possessing a whole body full of Dharma Tools would be useless if he could not bring out their effects.

Before he knew it, Ji Yuan's strength had been steadily improving as well.

That afternoon.

Ji Yuan was cultivating in the courtyard when he suddenly heard the sound of a door opening from the courtyard to his right. That was... Huang Laotou's home.

That bastard didn't die?!

Huang Laotou had caused the death of the original owner's father. No matter what, Ji Yuan could not pretend he knew nothing. He immediately stepped out of his courtyard.

His thoughts had already latched onto the Deathbringer Needle in his Storage Bag.

By the time he reached the entrance, he discovered two middle-aged men standing outside the courtyard next door. They were dressed in the standard robes of the Water Dragon Sect.

As soon as Ji Yuan came out, the two of them looked over as well.

"Greetings, sirs."

Ji Yuan hurriedly cupped his hands toward them.

They merely grunted in acknowledgment without saying anything else. Ji Yuan turned his head toward Huang Laotou's courtyard and saw two more Water Dragon Sect cultivators inside.

"May I ask what has happened, sir?"

Ji Yuan could not help asking.

"The fisherman who lived here has died. We have come to reclaim the Immortal Residence. Are you his relative?" asked one of the Water Dragon Sect cultivators, who held a Dharma sword, as he turned around.

So Huang Laotou really had died... Ji Yuan slowly shook his head.

"No. We were merely neighbors."

The sword-wielding cultivator turned back and ignored him.

The gate of the Lin Family's courtyard opened as well. Wu Qin, whose complexion was still somewhat pale, walked out while supporting herself against the doorframe. "Ji... Brother Ji."

At some point, she had begun addressing Ji Yuan the same way Lin Hu did.

Judging from the occasional glances she cast at Ji Yuan, however, she still harbored some feelings for him that she could neither explain nor define.

"Mm. Where's Lin Hu?"

Looking at the injured Wu Qin, Ji Yuan thought that if she had a Hundred-Herb Pill, she should have recovered long ago.

Moreover, if an injury like this was not treated quickly, the longer it dragged on, the more likely it was to leave hidden damage.

But a single Hundred-Herb Pill cost at least five Spirit Stones. Now that Lin Youwei and his wife were dead, the entire burden of the family had fallen on Lin Hu, who was only at the Second Layer of Qi Refining.

This also reminded Ji Yuan of the original owner. He could barely afford the Immortal Residence Fee, let alone buy a Hundred-Herb Pill.

"He... he went out on the boat."

Wu Qin glanced at the Cloud-Rain Marsh, her eyes carrying a trace of sorrow.

After sealing Huang Laotou's home, the several Water Dragon Sect cultivators each mounted their flying Dharma Tools and left.

Only after they had gone did Wu Qin dare to ask, "Brother Ji, did Huang Laotou really die?"

"Mm. That's what the Water Dragon Sect cultivators said."

"Good riddance!"

A trace of satisfaction was inevitably audible in Wu Qin's voice. Even the fingers gripping the doorframe had gone somewhat white.

Since the Water Dragon Sect had confirmed Huang Laotou's death, it would not be long before this house was rented out to someone else.

Ji Yuan had no idea what his new neighbor would be like.

But anyone who could rent a house by the shore would be at most at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining. Those with higher cultivation had all moved into Zengtou City.

As long as the newcomer was not at the Fifth Layer, Ji Yuan was not too worried.

That evening, Ji Yuan also heard Lin Hu's laughter from next door, along with his repeated shouts of, "Heaven has eyes!"

The man had probably just returned from the boat and heard the news of Huang Laotou's death from Wu Qin.

Ji Yuan had originally thought that his new neighbor would take at least three or four days to arrive. Unexpectedly, the very next day, the new neighbor knocked on his courtyard gate.

The visitor was a middle-aged man in a worn white robe. He was at the Third Layer of Qi Refining and lived alone. His eye sockets were sunken and dark, making him look every inch an immortal cultivator.

"Heh heh, my name is Deng Yunliang. I was originally a Rogue Cultivator from the Yu Kingdom. I was fortunate enough to come to Zengtou City of the Water Dragon Sect. I hope you will look after me in the days to come, fellow Daoist."

Ji Yuan returned the salute and introduced himself as well. He was not enthusiastic, but neither was he cold.

Deng Yunliang also brought a small portion of mung bean cakes as a meeting gift. They had been bought in Zengtou City and were ordinary goods that did not cost any Spirit Stones, so Ji Yuan accepted them.

"I have just arrived and still need to visit a few nearby people. Fellow Daoist Ji, let's chat again next time."

"All right."

"Mm, we're neighbors, so we'll have to visit each other more often in the future."

Deng Yunliang cupped his hands again before laughing heartily and leaving. Before long, Lin Hu's voice rang out from next door.

Compared to Ji Yuan, Lin Hu's voice was much more enthusiastic.

That made sense. Ji Yuan kept to himself all day and rarely interacted with others. Now that a new neighbor had finally arrived, Lin Hu naturally had to be more welcoming.

Ji Yuan did not eat the mung bean cakes Deng Yunliang had given him. He took them all to feed to the Spirit Pig.

The Spirit Pig ate the mung bean cakes, and Ji Yuan would eat the Spirit Pig later. That could not be considered wasteful.

Over the next several days, Ji Yuan took advantage of the Level One Cave Abode's effects, resting during the day and cultivating at night.

Fortunately, although his Spiritual Root was poor, his talent for techniques seemed quite good.

After several days, he finally mastered the Object Manipulation Technique completely. When he manipulated his Dharma Tools again, they felt as natural as moving his own arms and fingers.

Especially the Deathbringer Needle. Once it shot out from his sleeve and was then concealed inside the Water Drop Finger, it would most likely be able to strike true in a sneak attack.

The Blackgold Blade could be used as a feint.

Although Ji Yuan had not gone out during these days, he could still hear that Lin Hu and Deng Yunliang had grown close, visiting each other from time to time.

But after only these few days, while Ji Yuan was taking a walk outside his gate one time, he heard Wu Qin quietly asking him about the new neighbor.

She said that the new neighbor never went out on a boat to fish. Instead, he went to Zengtou City all day long. Most of the time, he still lived by night and slept by day, and no one knew what kind of work he was doing.

Ji Yuan naturally did not know, nor did he care to find out.

After raising fish for many days, Ji Yuan finally had a great harvest one late night... Two Half-Spirit Fish had advanced at once.

Not only that, but the other Half-Spirit Fish were almost ready to be harvested as well.