Flying Sword

Ji Yuan had no idea how much the Rotbone Flower was worth, so over the past month, he had saved up quite a few Spirit Stones.

Drawing talismans day and night, the Half-Spirit Fish in the Fish Pond advancing, and selling some Spirit Eggs... even after spending money on a Red-Crowned Chicken, he had still managed to save over a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

That day, the sky was bright and clear.

Ji Yuan returned to Shop No. A-18.

The cultivators at Shop No. A-18 seemed to all wear identical black robes.

There were three compartments. Last time, Ji Yuan had entered the middle one; this time, he entered the one on the right, only to find that the furnishings were exactly the same.

Including the black robe worn by the cultivator.

"What are you buying?"

The voice beneath the black robe was no longer hoarse. It sounded somewhat sharp and thin... like a woman's voice deliberately pitched higher.

This was not the person from last time.

Ji Yuan sat down on the bamboo chair opposite her and said softly, "I came last month and paid a deposit for a Rotbone Flower."

"Oh? So you're the one who wanted the Rotbone Flower?"

The voice from beneath the black robe carried a trace of surprise. Then she raised her head.

Ji Yuan saw a rather pretty woman's face. Especially those peach-blossom eyes that looked at even dogs with deep affection—they left a profound impression on him.

The female cultivator glanced up at him and froze at first, as though she had not expected Ji Yuan to possess such looks. But she quickly lowered her head again.

"That's right."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"That person refuses to trade for Spirit Stones. They want to meet with you and discuss a barter." After speaking, the female cultivator swept her right hand over her waist, producing a slip of paper. She pressed it onto the table and pushed it toward him.

"The location is written here. If you're willing to trade, take the address, but your deposit won't be refunded."

"If not, I'll return your deposit, and the deal is off."

In that case, the transaction was still honest enough—not particularly outrageous... The thought flashed through Ji Yuan's mind. Whether he would go meet them or not, he definitely had to secure this lead first.

After a brief pause, he took the slip of paper from the table.

"Deal."

A sharp voice came from beneath the black robe. "Pleasure doing business. Welcome again."

After leaving, Ji Yuan glanced at the paper and casually burned it.

There was only one simple line written on it.

[December 6th, Cloud-Rain Marsh, Sophora Island]

Ji Yuan did not hurry home. Instead, he wandered aimlessly through Zengtou City. Whether or not to attend the appointment was no longer something he needed to consider.

He was definitely going.

Even with the influence of Shop No. A-18, they had only found this one source. Then throughout Cloud-Rain Marsh, this was most likely the only place that had Rotbone Flowers.

There was only one chance. If he missed it, there would never be another.

So there was no reason not to go.

The question was whether to bring these Spirit Stones with him, or turn them into strength before going.

There was no way his cultivation could break through in such a short time, so the only way to improve his strength was through external means... After a moment's thought, Ji Yuan made his decision.

He would spend the Spirit Stones first.

As for acquiring the Rotbone Flower, he would first see what terms the other party proposed.

With that thought, Ji Yuan turned toward the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Just as he was about to reach the entrance of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he suddenly heard a soft call from beside him.

"Ji Yuan."

The familiar voice drew Ji Yuan's gaze. "Sister Lu."

Over the past few months, Ji Yuan had run into Lu Wan several times, and each time had been in a different place.

Compared to before, Lu Wan looked far more haggard now. Even her brow carried a few more traces of sorrow. Yet from her eyes... she was free.

Ji Yuan had already seen it when he first spotted her setting up a stall on the street.

She had probably wanted to leave the Wu Family for a long time.

In Zengtou City, Lu Wan was a rare person who was truly alive. She had not bowed beneath intimidation, but bravely chosen to be herself... even if it meant death.

Thus, Ji Yuan had a rather favorable impression of her.

"You recently..."

Lu Wan was about to speak, but seemed to think of something and hurriedly changed her words. "Nothing. You should leave quickly."

"Hm?"

Ji Yuan saw the urging in her eyes. Though somewhat puzzled, he still nodded. "All right."

Ji Yuan headed straight into the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Lu Wan swept her gaze around, detecting nothing unusual, yet she did not dare gamble. She suspected that the Wu Family still had informants watching her.

She had many things she wanted to say to Ji Yuan, but she was afraid of dragging him into trouble.

Calling out to him had been instinct; urging him to leave had been reason.

After waiting for a while, Lu Wan packed up her stall and left. She was worried about causing Ji Yuan unnecessary trouble.

Ji Yuan remained in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for a full half hour before coming out.

Of his hundred-odd Spirit Stones, he spent nearly every last one.

He bought two First-Rank Upper-Grade Talismans capable of contending against Late Qi Refining cultivators in one go. Those two talismans alone cost him fifty Spirit Stones.

One was an Upper-Grade Water-Escape Talisman for fleeing, and the other was a Demon-Subduing Talisman for offense.

With what remained, he also bought himself a Low-Grade Ritual Robe for protection: the Dark Earth Robe. When water came, earth blocked it; it weakened and countered most water-element techniques.

That ritual robe alone cost him twenty-seven Spirit Stones.

Along with two Hundred-Herb Pills for healing injuries, costing ten Spirit Stones.

With the remaining Spirit Stones... he also sold his Low-Grade Magical Artifact, the Blackgold Blade, then added another ten Spirit Stones to purchase his first Mid-Grade Magical Artifact.

A flying sword named Whitewater.

When activated, its sword light flowed like rippling white water.

After obtaining these things, Ji Yuan came out and no longer saw any sign of Lu Wan. He hurried home and first refined the two newly acquired Dharma Tools.

Then he put on the Dark Earth Robe, immediately feeling a heavy, solid presence settle over him.

The Whitewater Flying Sword darted endlessly through the courtyard. The sword moved with his thoughts, and compared to the Blackgold Blade from before, the Whitewater Flying Sword possessed an added grace and nimbleness.

Even its spiritual energy consumption was far lower.

He should have replaced it long ago!

After some testing, although he had no corresponding flying sword technique, merely possessing this Mid-Grade Magical Artifact likely increased Ji Yuan's strength by at least twenty percent.

In the Immortal Realm, a good Dharma Tool provided an enormous boost in strength.

Cultivators at the same realm—if the Blackgold Blade faced the Whitewater Sword, it would probably be severed after only a few exchanges.

Ji Yuan estimated that even without using those two High-Grade Talismans, his strength would not be inferior to that of an ordinary Sixth Layer of Qi Refining cultivator.

After all, both sides were in the Middle Qi Refining Stage, and among Middle Qi Refining cultivators, Ji Yuan was armed to the teeth.

Since that was the case, it was time to go out for a walk.

After cultivating bitterly at home for three days and consuming all the Spirit Eggs he had saved, Ji Yuan's condition reached its peak.

As for Sophora Island's location, he had also figured it out over the past few days. It was still within the shallow waters of Cloud-Rain Marsh and had not entered the deep-water region.

Ji Yuan was somewhat relieved.

The other party had only arranged to meet in the shallow-water region, which showed that they also sought stability. If they truly had ulterior motives, they might have chosen the more dangerous deep-water region.

That day, Ji Yuan shut the only spirit bird he could not yet fully control, the Red-Crowned Chicken, inside the [Chicken Coop]. As long as it remained in the Chicken Coop, it would be suppressed and behave obediently, saving Ji Yuan some worry.

He pushed open the door and happened to meet Lin Hu and his wife, who had risen early.

Seeing Ji Yuan summon a Spirit Vessel, they were somewhat surprised.

"Brother Ji, are you taking the boat out today?"

Lin Hu already knew that Ji Yuan was a Talisman Master, so he had long grown accustomed to Ji Yuan not needing to take a boat out to fish.

Thus, seeing Ji Yuan take out a boat today gave him a faint sense of surprise instead.

"Yeah. It's a fine day today. Let's see if I can catch a big fish and bring it back."

Ji Yuan smiled, then leaped onto the Spirit Vessel. His figure became a streak of white light, cutting through the water and speeding into the distance.