CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: RETURN TO THE MARKET, STEADY CULTIVATION

"Hmm?"

"I’ll go take a look."

The one knocking on the door let out a trace of aura. With late Qi Cultivation level, naturally only someone of equal stage like Ji Yuan should go check it out.

"Alright."

To be safe, Qiu Qianhai retreated back inside to wait.

Ji Yuan went to open the door, and saw that standing outside was an elderly woman in a bright red magic robe. Behind her stood a young woman holding a gift box.

Seeing Ji Yuan open the door, the old woman leaning on a cane smiled and gave a cupped-fist salute.

"I’m Xiao Hong, here to congratulate Daoist friend on breaking through to late Qi Cultivation."

She was at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation, but given her age, she probably had no hope of joining the Water Dragon Sect... Such a thought flashed through Ji Yuan’s mind, but he still greeted her with a smile and returned the salute.

"Xu Changsheng, greetings to Daoist Xiao."

Ji Yuan was not using his real appearance at the moment, so of course he used another identity.

After that, Xiao Hong presented her gift, which Ji Yuan politely declined and did not accept.

Xiao Hong could only drop the matter. "Daoist Xu doesn’t seem to be from our Jingde Square?"

"Oh, no, I’m from over at Huaiyin Square. I came to Jingde Square to visit relatives this time, and just happened to feel a breakthrough coming, so I borrowed your Treasure Land."

When you’re out and about, your identity is what you say it is.

"I see. Then it seems Daoist Xu and our Jingde Square are fated to meet."

"Exactly, exactly."

Ji Yuan cooperated with a friendly smile.

After some polite conversation, Xiao Hong took her leave.

Ji Yuan closed the door and returned inside. Seeing Qiu Qianhai come out, he immediately said, "Let’s go. Xiao Hong was likely put forth by the other late Qi Cultivators of Jingde Square to probe our identities. Soon the Mutual Aid... We’d better get going."

Qiu Qianhai had just swallowed several elixirs in a row, and his complexion was much better now.

"Alright."

The two of them had only rented a house to break through and hadn’t brought anything with them.

Besides, the rental was about to run out in a month.

Leaving now was just a matter of a word between them.

Ji Yuan led the way, and in no time the two reached the banks of Cloud Rain Marsh, boarded a boat and directly slipped into the water, not bothering with the lake surface at all.

After traveling underwater for another hour, they finally surfaced on the vast Cloud Rain Marsh.

"Where do you plan to go next?" Ji Yuan asked.

Qiu Qianhai seemed to have already decided, "I’ll go back to Clear Wave Pond, kill Deng Lang, then probably hang around there for a while longer. Got to gather some Spirit Stones first."

"Now I’m at sixth layer Qi Cultivation, and maybe not invincible at my level, but as long as someone in the late stage doesn’t risk it all to hunt me, I should be fine."

"Alright. The Qin Family likely still has people at Clear Wave Pond, so be careful." Ji Yuan didn’t try to stop him and just reminded, "As for the Market, Black Water Square is too chaotic so I’d advise you not to go. At sixth layer, you can stay safe at any decent market."

"Got it."

"If the Qin Family sends Qin Long or that Old Third He to hunt you down..."

Ji Yuan thought of the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association waiting for him back in Zengtou City — probably about to meet with the late Qi Cultivators there, plus Du Wanyi and the rest.

So his identity couldn’t be kept hidden anyway, and there was no need to try.

"Then just tell them we’re sworn brothers. If they kill you, I’ll fight them to the death."

Qiu Qianhai gave a heavy acknowledgment.

"Don’t worry, you don’t have to worry about me."

"About that cultivation technique... if you can avoid practicing it, better not."

Of course Ji Yuan was referring to the Demon Skill that increases cultivation efficiency.

"Alright."

"Yeah, anything comes up, do it the old way — just leave me a shell."

"Relax, we’re this old already. Life and death are fate, wealth is up to the heavens. Let’s go, let’s go."

Qiu Qianhai steered the Dharma Ship away, waving his hand with his back to Ji Yuan, "You too, cultivate well when you get back. Don’t let me surpass you next time."

Ji Yuan stayed where he was, watching Qiu Qianhai leave, until he was out of sight.

Floating on the water as he headed back to Zengtou City, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but be a little emotional.

He remembered when he used to wonder why Qiu Qianhai’s cultivation advanced so quickly, thinking maybe he had some fortuitous encounter, but never expected that encounter would turn out to be a Demon Skill.

Well, as he said, life and death are fate.

There’s only so much one can manage for others.

As for Qiu Qianhai, after parting ways with Ji Yuan, he went alone to Qiuyu Island, stayed there for the night, and left the next day.

...

When Ji Yuan was close to Zengtou City, he had already removed his disguise and returned to his true appearance.

Before long, when he saw those three familiar lakeside cottages, he finally exhaled in relief.

After wandering for over a month, experiencing several brushes with death, finally, he was home.

And he came back with late-stage Qi Cultivation.

Now, in the depths of Cloud Rain Marsh, he no longer had much to fear.

It was noon when Ji Yuan returned. Just as his Dharma Ship was docking, he saw both of his neighbors open their doors.

Wu Qin was the first to come out.

She looked a bit alarmed at first, but once she saw it was Ji Yuan returning and not Lin Hu, she visibly relaxed.

"Ji... Brother Ji, you’re finally back!"

Seeing Ji Yuan return, Wu Qin was genuinely happy.

Ji Yuan glanced at her and immediately understood why she reacted that way... she was pregnant, and Lin Hu had gone out alone on his boat.

She must have heard the sound of a boat and thought Lin Hu had gotten into trouble and come home early.

"How’s everything at home?"

Ji Yuan asked with a smile.

"All good, everything’s fine," Wu Qin hurriedly replied.

From the Wen family next door, Zhao Yuechan and Wen Linger came out as well. Especially Wen Linger — the moment she saw Ji Yuan, she wanted to rush over, but Zhao Yuechan grabbed her tight.

"Congratulations, Brother Ji."

Wu Qin was only at early Qi Cultivation, so she couldn’t sense the change in Ji Yuan’s aura.

But Zhao Yuechan was already at the fourth layer, so she immediately detected the obvious difference in Ji Yuan’s aura.

Before, when facing Ji Yuan, she considered herself Ji Yuan’s equal since they were both mid-stage, but today, Ji Yuan put immense pressure on her.

"Just a stroke of luck."

Ji Yuan smiled at Wen Linger, and the girl immediately ran over with a beaming face.

"Brother Ji!" Wen Linger called out loudly and sweetly.

Ji Yuan took a small wooden toy out of his storage bag — a little windmill, and a small figure — he’d found them in the Liu Brothers’ storage bag.

Perfect for a child to play with.

Wen Linger happily took it, "Thank you, Brother Ji!!"

With that, she ran inside with her toy without even looking back.

Zhao Yuechan shook her head helplessly. "Only you spoil her like that, Brother Ji. Lately, my husband and I have been trying to teach her to write — she drives us crazy."

"Give it time, she’ll learn,"

Ji Yuan chuckled and fished out his key, opening the door and heading in.

On the left of the entrance, the two peach trees had already started bearing fruit, though the fruits were only the size of a fingertip — they’d take quite some time to ripen.

On the right, the little patch of field, uncared for, was overgrown with weeds.

Inside, there was a fair layer of dust, but once Ji Yuan activated the Cave Mansion’s effect, everything was instantly restored to new.

He glanced at his interface.

Cave Mansion was still level 1, but it was about time to upgrade it to level 2.

Then Ji Yuan went into the backyard and activated the Pigsty, Chicken Cage, and Fish Pond features, collecting today’s Blood Essence, Spiritual Soil, and Water Dew.

Another dozen or so Spirit Stones added to his balance.

After casually tidying up, he flopped down on his little bed. Only here did he feel truly at peace.

Tomorrow I’ll go check Hundred Treasures Tower for the price of high-grade magical artifacts — and see about selling some Cold Iron Sand too.

Plus, the storage bag had built up quite a bit of Blood Essence and Water Dew.

He could sell some of that too.

Oh, and Spirit Fish, Spirit Chickens, Spirit Pigs and such could all be arranged again.

This time, coming back with late-stage Qi Cultivation, Ji Yuan feared no one; he could finally settle down and develop for a good stretch.