CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: FLYING SWORD

Ji Yuan did not know the exact value of the Corrupted Flower, so for the past month, he had been saving many Spirit Stones.

He tirelessly painted Talismans, upgraded the semi-Spirit Fish in his Fish Pond, and even sold some Spirit Eggs... Even after spending money to buy a Red-crowned Chicken, he managed to save over a hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

On this day, the sky was clear and the air was crisp.

Ji Yuan once again came to Shop Number A-18.

The cultivators of Shop Number A-18 seemed to all be dressed in identical black robes.

Three compartments; last time, Ji Yuan entered the middle one. This time, he entered the compartment on the right, and the furnishings were still the same.

This included the black robes worn by the cultivator inside.

"What do you want to buy?"

The voice from beneath the black robe was no longer hoarse, but rather sharp... like a woman’s voice being pinched.

It wasn’t the same person as last time.

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

"Oh? So you’re the one who wants the Corrupted Flower?"

The voice from beneath the black robe sounded surprised, and she quickly raised her head.

Ji Yuan saw a rather attractive female face, especially those peach blossom eyes that could look deeply affectionate even towards a dog, leaving a profound impression on him.

The female cultivator glanced up, initially confused by Ji Yuan’s appearance, but she quickly lowered her head again.

"That’s correct."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"That person is unwilling to trade with Spirit Stones and wants to meet you for a barter negotiation." After finishing, the female cultivator swept her right hand across her waist and brought out a slip of paper, pressing it onto the table and pushing it over.

"The location is here. If you are willing to negotiate, take this address with you. The deposit will not be refunded."

"If you aren’t willing, we’ll return your deposit, and the negotiation is off."

Thinking this way, the negotiation seems honest and not overly demanding... This thought flashed through Ji Yuan’s mind, even if he decided not to meet, he needed this clue.

So he pondered for a moment and then took the slip of paper from the table.

"Deal."

The sharp voice from beneath the black robe said, "Pleasant cooperation, and welcome next time."

After stepping out of the shop, Ji Yuan glanced at the slip of paper and then casually burned it.

It contained only a single line of simple writing.

[December 6th, Cloud Rain Marsh, Locust Island]

Ji Yuan was in no rush to return but wandered aimlessly through Zengtou City. The question of whether or not to meet was no longer in his consideration.

Going was definitely necessary.

With the influence of Shop Number A-18, they only found this one supplier. It’s likely the only one in the entire Cloud Rain Marsh with Corrupted Flowers.

So, he had to give it a try.

Should he take these Spirit Stones, or convert them into power and then go?

As for his cultivation, he couldn’t break through in a short time, so he could only enhance his strength through external means... After a brief contemplation, Ji Yuan decided.

Better to spend the Spirit Stones first.

As for purchasing the Corrupted Flower, he’d first see what conditions the other party offered.

With this thought, Ji Yuan turned and headed to the Hundred Treasures Tower.

As he was about to reach the entrance of the Hundred Treasures Tower, he suddenly heard a gentle call from beside him.

"Ji Yuan."

The familiar voice drew Ji Yuan’s attention, "Sister Lu."

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

Compared to before, Lu Wan now appeared much more haggard, with a hint of worry between her brows, but judging from her eyes... she looked very free.

Ji Yuan had already noticed when he first saw her setting up a stall on the street.

She must have wanted to leave the Wu Family long ago.

In Zengtou City, Lu Wan was a rare living person, undeterred by threats, bravely choosing to be herself... even if it meant death.

So Ji Yuan had a rather good impression of her.

"You recently..."

Lu Wan was about to speak but seemed to think better of it, hurriedly changing her words, "Never mind, you should go quickly."

"Hmm?"

Ji Yuan saw the urgency in her eyes and, although puzzled, he still nodded, "Alright."

Ji Yuan directly went to the Hundred Treasures Tower while Lu Wan’s eyes scanned around, noticing nothing unusual, but she dared not gamble; she suspected the Wu Family still had people watching her.

She had much she wanted to discuss with Ji Yuan but feared getting him into trouble.

The shout was instinctive; the urging to leave was rational.

After waiting for a while, Lu Wan packed up her stall, worried about causing unnecessary troubles for Ji Yuan.

...

Ji Yuan stayed in the Hundred Treasures Tower for a full half-hour before coming out.

Over a hundred Spirit Stones were spent, bit by bit.

To counter a late Qi Cultivation first-grade Talisman, Ji Yuan bought two sheets at once, which cost him 50 Spirit Stones in total.

One for escape using a high-grade Water Escape Talisman, one for attack using a Demon Suppression Talisman.

In addition, he bought a low-grade protective Magic Robe for himself, a Xuan Earth Garment, which counters most Water Techniques by weakening them.

This Magic Robe alone cost him 27 Spirit Stones.

Plus, two Hundred Herbs Pills for healing, 10 Spirit Stones.

With the remaining Spirit Stones... he sold a low-grade Magical Artifact, the Black Gold Saber, and added 10 more Spirit Stones to purchase his first Mid-grade Magical Artifact.

A Flying Sword named "White Water."

Its power manifests like white water flowing gently.

After acquiring these, when Ji Yuan came out, he did not see Lu Wan’s figure. He hurriedly headed home and first refined his two newly acquired Magical Artifacts.

Then, donning the Xuan Earth Garment, he immediately felt a sense of heaviness.

The White Water Flying Sword flitted relentlessly in the courtyard, responding effortlessly to his will, and compared to the earlier Black Gold Saber, this White Water Flying Sword seemed more agile and nimble.

It also consumed much less Spiritual Qi.

Changing, he should have done it earlier!

After these trials, without even specific Flying Sword Techniques, just having a Mid-grade Magical Artifact on hand, Ji Yuan estimated his strength increased by at least two layers.

In the Cultivation Realm, the augmentation a good Magical Artifact brings to one’s strength is immense.

Take the same realm’s cultivator: if the Black Gold Saber were to face off against the White Water Sword, it might be severed within a few strikes.

Ji Yuan reckoned that even without using those two high-grade Talismans, his strength wouldn’t be inferior to an ordinary sixth-layer Qi Cultivator.

After all, both were mid-stage Qi Cultivators, and among them, Ji Yuan could almost be considered armed to the teeth.

Thus, it was time to venture out.

After three days of diligent cultivation at home, consuming all the Spirit Eggs he had, Ji Yuan felt at his peak state.

As for the location of Locust Island, he had already figured it out in these few days. It was in the shallows of Cloud Rain Marsh, not yet into the deep water area.

Ji Yuan felt somewhat relieved.

That they arranged the meeting in the shallows indicated a desire for stability; if they had other intentions, they might have set it in the more dangerous deep waters.

On this day, Ji Yuan imprisoned his only somewhat uncontrollable Spiritual Bird, the Red-crowned Chicken, in the Chicken Cage. As long as it was in this cage, it would be suppressed and behave, saving Ji Yuan some trouble.

He opened the door and coincidentally ran into the early-rising couple, Lin Hu and his wife.

They were surprised to see Ji Yuan summon his Dharma Ship.

"Brother Ji is setting sail today?"

Lin Hu already knew Ji Yuan was a Talisman Master, so he was used to Ji Yuan not going out to fish with the ship.

Thus, seeing Ji Yuan set sail today brought a hint of surprise instead.

"Yes, the weather is nice today. Let’s see if I can catch a big fish."

Ji Yuan smiled, then leaped onto the Dharma Ship, his figure transforming into a white streak as he rushed forward, breaking through the water.