CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: NEWS

Ji Yuan had never seen nor heard of any tri-colored Spirit Eggs.

However, it’s understandable, a Level 3 building is at least something that belongs to a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, so my little Qi Cultivation Stage knowledge isn’t sufficient to understand.

Just don’t know what it’s worth... nor what its purpose is.

Tri-colored Spirit Eggs, just from the name it’s certain to be much better than regular Spirit Eggs, and with only one produced per day, the effects should be quite remarkable.

Also, the upgrade conditions mention using Rotten Fire Yinwood to make a chicken cage; this Rotten Fire Yinwood is another unknown item.

Furthermore, just from its name, it seems quite sinister.

Ji Yuan was pondering this when he suddenly noticed a small clump of soil in the corner of the Level 2 chicken cage began to emit a few traces of Spiritual Qi.

Closer inspection revealed it seemed to be flickering with white light.

This is... Spiritual Soil!

Ji Yuan immediately employed the Artifact Manipulation Technique and collected the one qian of Spiritual Soil.

Take this to Zengtou City, and you could sell it for 5 Spirit Stones.

Spiritual Soil isn’t valuable, but the Spirit Plants grown from it are.

Moreover, Spiritual Soil isn’t like Water Dew or Blood Essence; it’s a reusable item, not a one-time consumable.

Ji Yuan has plans to create a patch of Pure Spiritual Soil [Spirit Field] in the future, so he decides not to sell the Spiritual Soil produced by the chicken cage.

Once the chicken cage upgrade was completed, Ji Yuan returned to his [Talisman Room] to paint talismans and cultivate.

But before night fell, he suddenly heard someone knocking at his courtyard gate.

Someone?

Already at the fifth level of Qi Cultivation, Ji Yuan didn’t need a Thunder Strike Talisman for courage. He went to the front yard, and before opening the door, he sensed who it was by the aura.

It’s Wen Linger’s father, Wen Lin, from next door.

Ji Yuan had interacted with him a few times and found him to be quite pleasant—a well-read, polite, and appropriately restrained individual.

He occasionally went fishing, but he also seemed to be an Alchemist.

Thus, living in Zengtou City, he faced little pressure.

Ji Yuan opened the door, and it was indeed him.

Wen Lin, dressed in a cotton robe, smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Sorry to interrupt Daoist Ji’s cultivation, I sincerely apologize."

"Daoist Wen is too polite."

Ji Yuan smiled, waiting for him to continue.

Wen Lin hesitated slightly, "It’s like this, tonight I’ve prepared some light drinks at home, and I hope Daoist Ji will honor us with your presence."

Invite me for dinner... Ji Yuan instinctively thought to decline; he never attended such gatherings.

But before he could speak, Wen Lin added, "Don’t worry, there’s nothing else, it’s just that after living here for so long, I haven’t invited the neighboring folks for a meal, so I’m here to extend an invitation. Daoist Lin from next door has already agreed."

With words spoken to this extent, and seeing that Wen Lin seems to be a proper person, at least not like Old Man Huang and Deng Yunliang, Ji Yuan nodded and accepted.

After a while, Ji Yuan, holding 5 Spirit Eggs, entered Wen’s courtyard.

For such an invitation, Ji Yuan certainly couldn’t fail in courtesy, especially since they were the closest neighbors.

As for 5 Spirit Eggs, it wasn’t much to Ji Yuan, considering that the Qinghuang Chicken laid 30 Spirit Eggs daily.

Ji Yuan had even begun trying to steam and fry Spirit Eggs.

"Brother Ji, hey, wait for me."

Lin Hu hurried after hearing Ji Yuan leaving and caught up with Wu Qin.

Comparing to three months ago, Lin Hu had visibly darkened several shades, and the youthful look had faded from his face, replaced by a somewhat... sullen appearance.

It was only when spending time with Ji Yuan that occasional bursts of pure words revealed his age.

Accompanying him, Wu Qin was similar, and her eyes toward Ji Yuan didn’t harbor any other thoughts, treating him much like a good elder brother from the neighborhood.

After they both reached the third level of Qi Cultivation, they continued to sail together, even without a Dharma Ship or venturing into the deep waters.

But life had improved greatly.

At the very least, they no longer worried about the monthly fee of 3 Spirit Stones for the Immortal Residence.

Even coming to Wen’s house for dinner today, Lin Hu brought half a Spirit Fish as a gift... although expensive for him, it also hinted at forming closer ties.

With Zhao Yuechan’s excellent culinary skills, along with Spirit Dolphin and half a Spirit Fish, the dishes were exquisite.

Ji Yuan, for once, was stuffed.

After a hearty meal, the group rested inside, with Zhao Yuechan serving snacks like seeds and dried fruits.

During the casual chit-chat, Wen Lin unwittingly revealed his background.

"Brother Wen is from Black Water City?" Ji Yuan asked in surprise.

Unlike Taian, Jing’an, and Jingde, the three markets considered neighbors to Zengtou City, Black Water City was quite distant.

Essentially facing Zengtou City across the entire Cloud Rain Marsh.

"Indeed."

Wen Lin’s expression paused slightly but ultimately nodded.

Ji Yuan suspected they encountered some trouble in Black Water City, leading to their move to Zengtou City, so he didn’t delve deeper, merely pondering momentarily before asking:

"I wonder if Brother Wen has heard of the item called Rotten Bone Flower?"

For Cold Iron Sand, Ji Yuan knew where to find it and had already purchased some.

However, he hadn’t heard of Rotten Bone Flower needed to upgrade the [Pigsty], and it was rare to meet a traveler from afar, so he decided to inquire.

"Rotten Bone Flower?"

Wen Lin frowned, pondered briefly, then shook his head.

"I haven’t heard of this item."

Just as Ji Yuan thought he was back to square one, Wen Lin continued: "I can suggest a path for Brother Ji."

"Eagerly awaiting details," Ji Yuan replied eagerly.

"On the third of each month, the shop at number eighteen in Zengtou City opens its doors. Those merchants travel across all the markets in Cloud Rain Marsh, you could inquire there. If they don’t have it, then it means the entire Cloud Rain Marsh lacks Rotten Bone Flower."

"Shop number eighteen."

Ji Yuan silently remembered this place, then stood and bowed to Wen Lin, "Thank you, Brother Wen."

"It’s nothing, just be aware that the prices there might be higher, prepare yourself, Brother Ji."

"..."

Coming upon such information over a meal was an unexpected gain for Ji Yuan.

As for Wen Lin’s family’s secrets, he wasn’t inclined to pry; knowing more secrets often leads to deeper troubles, and by the time one realizes, it’s often beyond remedy.

Currently, it’s the nineteenth of November, and he can only wait for the third of December.

Ji Yuan then cultivated at home for a period, saved some Spirit Stones, and went on to purchase a beginner-level Magical Artifact.

The Magical Artifact named "Dragon Armor Shield," had an invincible name and cost Ji Yuan as much as 25 Spirit Stones.

In reality, it was a beginner-level artifact made from a first-level Spirit Turtle Shell from the Cloud Rain Marsh, not outstanding, but practical.

Thus, including the Dharma Ship, Ji Yuan now possessed four Magical Artifacts.

White Boat for escaping, Black Gold Saber for attacking, Life-taking Needle for assassination and ambush, now with an added Dragon Armor Shield for protection.

Ji Yuan considered himself a well-rounded warrior.

The weather grew increasingly bitter, and even Lin Hu dared not venture to Cloud Rain Marsh. It was amid such weather that Ji Yuan approached the shop mentioned by Wen Lin, number eighteen.

——

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