CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: FELLOW DISCIPLES

Strictly speaking, this was Ji Yuan’s first official outing on a boat since crossing over.

Usually, he just traveled back and forth to Zengtou City.

The last time he ventured deep into Cloud Rain Marsh, he was with Qiu Qianhai... At this thought, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think of his old friend.

It’s been four or five months since he left Zengtou City.

During this time, Ji Yuan had secretly inquired about him in Zengtou City; the bad news was that he found nothing, and the good news was that he found nothing.

At least it meant the Qin Family also had no clues about him.

As long as he wasn’t caught by the Qin Family, Ji Yuan believed that with his ruthlessness, he would most likely survive.

The White Boat sliced through the water rapidly, and along the way, they passed several Fishermen who were out on boats, but seeing the white shadow flash by on the lake, they all slowed down.

Some even stopped directly, fearing they would accidentally collide with the "senior."

To maintain his condition, Ji Yuan not only used a Spirit Stone to power the Dharma Ship but also held one in his hand at all times to keep himself at peak condition.

Locust Island, as its name suggests.

This island unusually grew a large locust tree, and cultivators passing by often rested here, making it a relatively peaceful area in Cloud Rain Marsh.

Few dared to make a move here.

Two hours later, Ji Yuan landed on the island, and the White Boat was stored into his Storage Bag.

Compared to before, he now had a more somber complexion, and his chin had grown more beard.

He had transformed from a handsome young man into a rather mature middle-aged uncle.

After landing, Ji Yuan went straight to the base of the locust tree, coincidentally finding only one young female cultivator sitting under its shade.

She looked quite ordinary, but judging by her posture... she was well-postured.

Her cultivation level was easily seen through by Ji Yuan, merely the third layer of Qi Cultivation, nothing special.

Upon Ji Yuan’s arrival, the female cultivator looked up at him.

"Corpse Flower?"

The female cultivator asked directly, without any probing.

"Yes."

Ji Yuan mentally connected with the White Water Flying Sword in his Storage Bag and nodded.

Hearing this, the female cultivator breathed a slight sigh of relief, but just as she was about to speak, two more Dharma Ships landed at the shore.

"Let’s find another place to talk."

After saying this, Ji Yuan moved to the other side of Locust Island, which was by the lake... if anything went wrong, he could just take the boat and leave.

The female cultivator followed along.

"Do you have the Corpse Flower?" Ji Yuan asked directly.

"Yes."

The female cultivator nodded slightly, and before Ji Yuan could ask further, she reached into her chest and took out a small Jade Box. When she opened it, a flower that looked like a balsam lay inside, entirely gray-black, emitting wisps of black smoke along with a musty smell.

"This is the Corpse Flower you need, Senior."

The female cultivator handed over the Jade Box with both hands, her bold behavior even surprising Ji Yuan.

So he didn’t take it, just silently watching the female cultivator without speaking.

"It’s only one, and surely not enough for Senior, so treat it as a deposit." The female cultivator smiled, a smile full of bitter sweetness.

"Deposit? How do I get the rest?"

Ji Yuan, unfazed by her bitter smile, responded with a smile.

Since Ji Yuan didn’t take it, the female cultivator had to put it away first, "I wish to ask Senior to kill someone for me. If you can do it, the rest of the Corpse Flowers will naturally be yours."

"Kill who?"

This request was somewhat expected by Ji Yuan, so he wasn’t surprised.

"The Ghost Island Master of Black Mist Island."

The female cultivator said each word with gritted teeth.

Ghost Island Master... Ji Yuan frowned slightly, having never heard of this person.

"Which market are you from?"

Ji Yuan came to Locust Island on this trip, which was already close to Jing’an Market, and considered a public area among the many markets of Cloud Rain Marsh.

"I am from Huaiyin Square."

Before Ji Yuan could inquire further, she continued, "That Ghost Island Master is also from our Huaiyin Square. He has a cultivation level of the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation, but because he occupies the easy-to-defend-and-difficult-to-attack Black Mist Island, many from our Huaiyin Island can’t deal with him..."

As the female cultivator elaborated, Ji Yuan finally understood what had happened.

The female cultivator’s name was Wei Caishan, a cultivator from Huaiyin Square.

Years ago, when her parents were out on a boat, they were killed and robbed by the Ghost Island Master just for passing by Black Mist Island.

According to Wei Caishan, the reason was that the Ghost Island Master was smitten by her mother’s beauty... In short, a scenario of Tribulation Cultivator murder.

Wei Caishan herself had no hope of revenge, so she could only rely on others.

"The Ghost Island Master and I are both in the middle stage of Qi Cultivation; if I go after him, it would be a life-and-death struggle. A few Corpse Flowers... are not worth that struggle for me."

Ji Yuan shook his head, "You should keep it, farewell."

After saying this, Ji Yuan turned to leave, but Wei Caishan hurriedly called after him.

"Senior, senior."

"Is there something else?"

Ji Yuan turned around, frowned, and asked.

Although the Corpse Flower was precious, as it stood, no one else seemed to have any need for it besides himself, so it would be pointless to risk his life over it.

Ji Yuan could simply offer more Spirit Stones, letting Wei Caishan bribe others to take action.

This was his real thought.

"If Senior is willing to help, aside from this Corpse Flower... you can do whatever you want with me." When Wei Caishan said this, she lowered her head deeply, her ears turning red, "Whenever you want."

For a moment, Ji Yuan didn’t know what to say.

So he remained silent for a while, then slightly cupped his hands, "Take care, fellow cultivator."

His figure leaped up, landing on the lake, and the White Boat appeared on its own, carrying him away as a streak of white light.

"Senior..."

Wei Caishan seemed to want to call out again, but Ji Yuan’s silhouette was long gone.

She could only let out a long sigh.

Ji Yuan left, but not entirely; after leaving Wei Caishan’s sight, he quickly landed on the back of a nearby island, concealed his aura, and secretly observed Wei Caishan’s figure behind the cover of reed marshes.

Huaiyin Square is near Black Water Square, quite far from here.

Ji Yuan estimated that with Wei Caishan’s abilities, it was impossible for her to travel such a distance just to meet him at Locust Island. If that were the case, she most likely lived in the nearby Jing’an Market...

Ji Yuan wanted to follow her and see what was really going on.

Based on the previous conversation, Ji Yuan found it hard to believe what Wei Caishan said... there were numerous inconsistencies, whether about her parents or her supposed origin from Huaiyin Square.

After waiting for just a moment, Ji Yuan watched as Wei Caishan maneuvered a pitch-black Dharma Ship away.

A cultivator from an outlying market in the initial stage of Qi Cultivation, yet owning a Dharma Ship?

This was getting interesting.

Ji Yuan summoned the White Boat and followed.

Trailing from a distance, after some time, Ji Yuan discovered that Wei Caishan was not heading toward the nearby Jing’an Market but was directly heading north.

Something was odd... Just as Ji Yuan considered turning back, he suddenly noticed a fully black Dharma Ship shooting out from the middle of the surrounding islands.

Standing on the ship was a tall man in a black robe. He looked at Ji Yuan and bowed slightly:

"Fellow cultivator, I have plenty of Corpse Flowers."

Ji Yuan halted his Dharma Ship, glancing at the returning Wei Caishan, and realized he had unwittingly fallen into a trap.

He mentally summoned the White Water Flying Sword, and each hand hidden in his sleeves grasped a stack of Water Arrow Talismans.

The man in the black robe saw Ji Yuan’s silence and smiled slightly:

"No need to panic, fellow cultivator. Since you know the secret of the Corpse Flower, we might as well call each other fellow disciples."