Chapter 76:

"An ounce is 25 Spirit Stones now."Previously, an ounce of Blood Essence was only 20 Spirit Stones, and now it’s increased to 25. Indeed, that’s quite a rise.

Blood Essence is available daily, and since they’ve come seeking it, Ji Yuan naturally converted all those in his Storage Bag to Spirit Stones.

Not much, only 6 ounces, which is 150 Spirit Stones when exchanged.

After sending off Shopkeeper Wu, Ji Yuan returned home, silently pondering.

Has the Water Dragon Sect increased its demand for Blood Essence?

Blood Essence is used for refining Qi Blood Pills for healing injuries, so it seems likely that the Water Dragon Sect’s demand for these Qi Blood Pills has gone up.

They need these Qi Blood Pills... does that mean war is about to start?

Or are they already at war?

After all, only during a war would so many cultivators get injured... but Ji Yuan wasn’t certain, all of these were just his speculations.

The following morning.

Ji Yuan was still cultivating at home when he sensed, from afar, two late-stage Qi Cultivation auras rapidly approaching, incredibly evident, without even the slightest restraint.

It was as if they were deliberately announcing to everyone, or to Ji Yuan specifically... that they had arrived.

Who had arrived?

Ji Yuan maneuvered the Thunder Falcon Boat from the courtyard, rising to meet the two individuals, smiling as he cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Daoist Du."

Saying this, he looked towards another unfamiliar middle-aged man.

The man was dressed in a black and white Magic Robe, with a warm smile, whose aura was even stronger than Ji Yuan’s, presumably at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation.

"I am Yao Jingfeng, greetings to Daoist Ji."

"Hello, Daoist Yao."

As the three of them hovered in the air with their Flying Boats, on the ground, Lin Hu and his wife Wu Qin stood under their eaves, looking up at the scene in astonishment.

"Is that Brother Ji?"

Wu Qin found it somewhat unbelievable.

Lin Hu took a deep breath and then nodded vigorously.

"Yes!"

"Brother Ji has actually... reached the late stage of Qi Cultivation."

Wu Qin muttered, "Then, does that mean the next time we see him, we have to call him ’Elder Ji’?"

Wu Qin knew clearly that both of them were still at the early stage of Qi Cultivation, but Ji Yuan had reached the late stage.

In Zengtou City, other late-stage Qi Cultivators were elusive, rarely seen, and even if one greeted them, they might not respond.

"Brother Ji isn’t that kind of person." Lin Hu slowly shook his head, "If we really call him ’Elder Ji,’ he’d be displeased instead."

Meanwhile, at the Wen family, Wen Lin and his wife silently watched this scene.

After all, they had long been aware of Ji Yuan’s strength.

Only Wen Linger was running around them, giggling, "Brother Ji can fly! I also want Brother Ji to take me flying."

After a short exchange of pleasantries, Ji Yuan naturally invited the two into the house.

The three of them each took a seat inside.

Du Wanyi curiously examined the interior furnishings.

Ji Yuan had long disabled all architectural effects, so she was free to look around.

"Brother Ji’s home is the cleanest I’ve seen among all the male cultivators." Du Wanyi remarked seriously.

Ji Yuan’s home always had the "Dust Evasion" effect active, so naturally, it was immaculate, truly spotless.

"It’s alright, just alright." Ji Yuan chuckled.

Du Wanyi rolled her eyes, "Look at Yao Jingfeng, he looks all bright and shiny on the outside, but if you go to his house, it’s a mess..."

Before she could finish, Yao Jingfeng blushed and coughed, interrupting her, "Let’s discuss the main business, the main business."

Ji Yuan also smiled and changed the subject, "So, the gathering is scheduled for tomorrow at Shop No. 18, Division A?"

This Shop No.18, Division A, naturally refers to Zengtou City’s Shop No. 18, Division A.

"Indeed."

Yao Jingfeng smiled slightly, "The truth is, your Zengtou City is truly a treasure land of feng shui. At the beginning of the year, it produced a Celestial Spirit Root, and now there have been two consecutive breakthroughs to the late stage of Qi Cultivation."

"Speaking of which, did Daoist Ji know that Wu Yan also broke through to the late stage of Qi Cultivation?"

"I knew."

"In that case, is this gathering actually to welcome the two of us?"

"Yes."

While speaking, Yao Jingfeng’s eyes unintentionally glanced at Ji Yuan, then he got up and paced back and forth in the room.

Ji Yuan noticed that he wanted to say something but was hesitating, so he didn’t urge him.

Instead, Du Wanyi took a sip of tea and turned to stare at Ji Yuan with her charming, peach-blossom eyes, speaking directly, "The Wu family is just dominant within a market, nothing significant. Not to mention, Wu Yan is a fool, and so is Wu Wenbin."

"In our view, Brother Ji is the most promising to become our same-year member."

Yao Jingfeng had held back for a long time, but Du Wanyi had stolen the lead, causing his face to redden.

"Joining the Water Dragon Sect in the same year is called being ’same-year.’ And although we’re all disciples of the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association, over the years, the number of disciples has grown, and naturally, relationships have become more distant or close."

Yao Jingfeng explained, "Generally, the relationship between those of the same year is often the best."

With this explanation, Ji Yuan understood.

Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi were already at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, but they hadn’t joined the Water Dragon Sect this year. Since that’s the case, they were likely waiting for the selection three years later.

"Both Daoist friends are already at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation, yet I have just broken through to the seventh level... How can I possibly become a same-year as you two?"

Ji Yuan said with a wry smile.

Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi exchanged a glance, seemingly aware that Ji Yuan would respond this way.

Eventually, Du Wanyi chuckled and said, "Brother Ji is truly cautious."

"To be honest, Brother Ji, Yao Jingfeng and I, along with Luo Tian who isn’t here, have all had some opportunities to reach this level of ability at our age."

"Brother Ji, you’re surely no exception, so to say, if you want to join the Water Dragon Sect in three years, there’s likely no problem."

Yao Jingfeng added, "And even if Brother Ji doesn’t join in three years, you can always wait another three years."

"You’re still young, there’s no need to rush."

"Since that’s the case, it’ll be good for us four to be same-year members in advance, and when we join the Water Dragon Sect together, it’ll help us establish ourselves more quickly inside."

Ji Yuan didn’t rush to respond.

In fact, what Du Wanyi and Yao Jingfeng said was accurate; anyone who stands out in the Cloud Rain Marsh has some opportunities, don’t they?

Like Han Feiyu who drifted for years in the Cloud Rain Marsh before returning, or Dong Qian who rose after marriage, or even Qiu Qianhai, the current key figure in Zengtou City.

But these opportunities vary in size.

Some have found a Cultivation Technique, some a piece of Magic, or even an upper-grade Talisman when at the early stage of Qi Cultivation.

Those are all opportunities.

"In that case, I’ll graciously accept the two Daoist friends’ offer."

Ji Yuan smiled and stood, cupping his hands.

Both here to foster good relations, Ji Yuan had no reason not to reciprocate, especially when, as they stated, everyone has opportunities.

With opportunities and strength comes interest, and securing interests is the essence of becoming same-year members.

If not, why would they not approach Wu Yan or Qin Long, but specifically seek out Ji Yuan?

Upon hearing Ji Yuan’s agreement, Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi were pleased.

Afterward, they arranged to meet after the gathering tomorrow, inviting Luo Tian to join, so the four of them could gather again, to exchange and get to know each other better.

After seeing them off, Ji Yuan stood alone in the courtyard, looking at the small patch of land he had recultivated to the left.

Currently, among all his constructions, only the remains at Level 0.

And the condition to upgrade this to Level 1.

Is merely 50 pounds of plant ash and 5 Low-grade Spirit Stones.

These are nothing to Ji Yuan, so why not upgrade it and see, then casually plant something on it.

With this thought, Ji Yuan went to an uninhabited island and directly... set a fire.

The flames soared into the sky.

This even attracted quite a few passing Fishermen to come and investigate, but upon seeing the Flying Boat above the island’s flames, they quickly took their leave.

With a late-stage Qi Cultivator present, it was pointless to mention setting an island on fire; even burning a person wouldn’t incite much comment.

A while later.

Ji Yuan observed his small Spirit Field now covered in plant ash, and threw 5 Spirit Stones onto it.

Then, with a thought, he chose to upgrade it.

The number above the changed from 0 to 1, and the panel displayed the Spirit Effect of a Level 2 Spirit Field along with its upgrade conditions.