Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 672 - 293: The Agreement of Ice and Fire, Ji Yuan’s Refusal

"From the tactics employed at our Alchemy Square, I figure Shang Mountain has already been forsaken—the news simply hasn't arrived yet."

Li Changhe eyed the fortress-resembling Alchemy Square and remarked.

"Yeah, that assessment rings true."

Ji Yuan nodded in agreement.

"No need to fret; soldiers come, we counter with generals; floods arrive, we pile up earth to dam them."

Li Changhe uttered this while scanning the surroundings to confirm no ears were perked toward him, then whispered:

"Flip your thinking around—if you were a Demon Cultivator, battling from Shangxi to Shangdong, would you target the soft flesh of Loose Cultivators or chew on our tough bones here in Shangdong?"

The statement stayed subtle, yet it hit the mark squarely.

... Truth be told, no need to ponder others' viewpoints.

Ji Yuan reflected on the Demon Path Technique etched in his mind, the "Yin Transformation and Spirit Absorption Book".

He cast another look at the upgrade prerequisites for "Chaotic Burial Mound".

[Upgrade Conditions: Bury 100 Foundation Establishment Stage corpses, 10 Peak Foundation Establishment corpses, 1 Golden Core Stage corpse. (Not Achieved)]

After endless toil in cultivation, the moment had come to bolster his demon dao prowess.

Imagine unleashing this Yin Corpse Demon Fire—among peers of the same realm, who'd dare raise their voice against him?

Midway through their chat, several streaks of escaping light burst forth from Alchemy Square's main hall, accompanied by the Ice and Fire Elder's commanding tone.

"Golden Core guards, Foundation Establishment discusses."

With those words, Li Changhe tugged Ji Yuan upright. "Come on, our turn now."

In an instant, countless silhouettes soared skyward from Alchemy Square's four walls, all converging on the central hall.

Upon reaching the spot, Ji Yuan surveyed the assembly and noted that Alchemy Square alone boasted close to forty or fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Most faces were strangers, radiating distinct auras.

Evidently, they hailed from various Immortal Sects.

Li Changhe first aimed to nudge Ji Yuan toward the forefront.

Yet Ji Yuan lingered near the entrance, instinctively positioning everyone ahead of him.

Once all had assembled, the Ice and Fire Elder—robed like an emperor—suddenly snapped open his eyes.

A wisp of Peak Golden Core aura seeped out, pressing heavily on the minds of those gathered.

Silence blanketed the hall.

The Golden Core Elder declared, "Starting now, Shang Mountain's defense is abandoned. Our sole duty is safeguarding this Alchemy Square atop Wangcheng Mountain."

Instantly, murmurs erupted throughout the hall as fervent discussions ignited.

To blend in seamlessly, Ji Yuan leaned toward Li Changhe and began chatting.

"..."

What followed was straightforward.

The Ice and Fire Elder kept his words brief, urging all to vigilantly protect Alchemy Square before redistributing duties among the throng of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Alchemy duties were scaled back, defenses ramped up.

Every Foundation Establishment Cultivator got placed under a Core Formation overseer—hardly a harsh fate.

Likely mindful of inter-sect tensions, the Ice and Fire Elder slotted each sect's Foundation Establishment talents beneath their own Core Formation elders.

Ji Yuan and Li Changhe landed under Hunting Owl Zhenren.

Regarding duties, Ji Yuan shifted from street patrols to bolstering Alchemy Square's defenses.

Which boiled down to city guardianship.

Those tapped for alchemy were chiefly early Foundation Establishment sorts.

Nothing surprising there; duties match capabilities.

After all, it'd be absurd to stash a Peak Foundation Establishment powerhouse in the markets guarded by early-stage novices.

Meeting adjourned, the crowd readied to depart.

Just as Ji Yuan turned to go, the Ice and Fire Elder's voice echoed once more in his mind.

"You stay."

Those curt words froze Ji Yuan in place.

But expecting a chat on Demon Cave affairs, he soon saw he wasn't alone.

Counting himself, six Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators remained.

... What's the play here?

Ji Yuan felt a surge of bewilderment.

Noting that Li Changhe, a Fake Pill powerhouse, got released while these Peak Foundation Establishment elites stayed...

Six in total: four males, two females.

Ji Yuan sized them up by garb and presence.

The men hailed one each from Sword Ruins, Medicine King Valley, Spirit Control Sect, and Water Dragon Sect.

Both women traced to Joy Palace.

Zero from Corpse Transporting Mountain.

Ji Yuan scrutinized them as they did him...

After all, with his Concealing Breath Spell active, his realm masqueraded as late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Amid his confusion, the Ice and Fire Elder lifted a hand, sealing the hall doors shut.

"Draw nearer, everyone."

They clustered before the elevated dais.

"You grasp the crisis; no need for lengthy exposition. You're held back for a special directive from the Six Sect Alliance."

The Ice and Fire Elder paused, then pressed on:

"The six Immortal Sects aim to assemble an elite Magic Hunter Squad, armed with top resources and the finest Peak Foundation Establishment disciples."

"This squad's mission: strike down demons the instant Demon Cultivators infiltrate."

"Six Sect resources will favor the Magic Hunter Squad foremost, even Core Formation aids like Sword Ruins' Condensing Pill Wood, available for merit trades."

"What?!"

The Sword Ruins Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator gaped in shock.

"Condensing Pill Wood up for exchange?"

"Merits earned suffice, yes."

The Ice and Fire Elder gestured dismissively. "Hold—let me complete my words."

"Apologies, junior spoke out of turn."

The man bowed and retreated, spotting another lingering even farther back... He offered Ji Yuan a courteous smile and fell silent.

"You six stand as Alchemy Square's cream—top talents and mightiest among Peak Foundation Establishment... and late-stage cultivators—for the Magic Hunter Squad. Thoughts?"

"Naturally, it's optional; purely voluntary."

Finishing up, the Ice and Fire Elder scanned their expressions, awaiting replies.

Glances darted among them briefly.

At last, the Spirit Control Sect's Peak Foundation Establishment stepped up, saluted, and questioned:

"Elder, might I inquire why include late-stage Foundation Establishment over pure Peak Foundation Establishment peers?"

He shot Ji Yuan a polite grin post-query. "No slight to this Daoist; merely think... Corpse Transporting Mountain's Daoist Tong You edges out slightly in prowess."

The Ice and Fire Elder arched a brow at that... Late-stage Foundation Establishment?

This 'late-stage' slayer just felled a Core Formation foe.

He eyed Ji Yuan, signaling him to drop pretenses and unveil his true cultivation for clarity.

Meeting that look, Ji Yuan advanced.

Cupping hands, he spoke: "Senior, this Daoist's point is valid. My realm lags, battle skills lack polish—thus, the Magic Hunter Squad slot belongs to Corpse Transporting Mountain's Daoist Tong You."