Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 677 - 295: [Sword Pavilion: Level 1]

Hunting Owl Zhenren had initially suspected some dubious affair, prompting the Ice and Fire Elder's immediate arrival to resolve it.

Yet now, it clearly was something dubious indeed.

Should word of this spread, the Water Dragon Sect would face endless mockery.

"It’s fortunate you weren’t blown to bits, or else future Artifact Refiners would raise a cautionary stele with your name etched prominently upon it."

Hunting Owl Zhenren spoke sparingly, yet his remarks cut deep.

Knowing his fault, Ji Yuan could only offer a sheepish smile.

"Fine, you’re still breathing, so rise and repair this dwelling. If I catch you experimenting with Celestial Thunder Seeds in the Alchemy Square again, I’ll end you on the spot!"

The Ice and Fire Elder delivered a stern warning before turning into a streak of escape light and departing.

"You, oh you, if you pull this stunt again later..."

Before Hunting Owl Zhenren could finish, Ji Yuan quickly replied:

"Rest assured, whenever I’m out, I’ll swear I hail from Medicine King Valley."

Ji Yuan even mimicked the Medicine King Valley accent for authenticity.

Hunting Owl Zhenren: "..."

"Just don’t claim you’re from the Water Dragon Sect."

Hunting Owl Zhenren couldn’t stand being there any longer and at last became a ray of escape light as he departed.

With both elders gone, Ji Yuan reactivated the array, shielding the house once more.

Next, he swallowed a Qi Blood Pill.

Within mere half an hour, his wounds fully mended. He then employed spells to mend the ruined house and resumed forging Celestial Thunder Seeds.

Having endured that near-fatal scare, Ji Yuan stayed utterly vigilant, permitting no lapses.

From then on, while forging Celestial Thunder Seeds, Ji Yuan faced no further mishaps.

Furthermore, the more he produced, the more adept he grew, minimizing any chance of mistakes.

Half a month passed like this.

Ji Yuan managed to forge three Celestial Thunder Seeds at once and prepared to pause when a message came from the Ice and Fire Elder.

"Brat, how’s your recovery going? We’re shorthanded. If you’re fit, haul your butt to the eastern defenses."

Ji Yuan snapped out of the Thunder Seed forging trance, flicked his sleeve, and collected all the Artifact Refining tools scattered in the yard.

Afterward, he activated the Cave Mansion effect, returning the dusty chamber to pristine condition.

Confirming nothing overlooked, he pulled out the Ice and Fire Elder’s communication talisman and sent back:

"I’m good to go, heading there right away."

Having responded, Ji Yuan wasted no time and summoned the Wind Willow Flying Boat from before, flying directly to the eastern wall.

After months cooped up at home, Ji Yuan found traversing the city especially intriguing.

The city interior remained much the same, unchanged.

However, the Alchemists hurried about now, lacking their former leisure.

But reaching the eastern city wall revealed stark differences.

Beyond the wall’s array lay scars from spell barrages, pockmarked and battered.

The wall itself bore plenty of damage too.

The once-brand-new Spiritual Energy Cannon displayed clear wear from battles.

The cannon nearest the gate, riddled with fissures, could barely function at Level 1.

And even Level 1 wouldn’t hold for many more shots.

Only the array stayed flawless, completely unscathed.

Were the array to fail, Ji Yuan would need to ready his escape.

'No surprise the array from the Li Family and Huang Family Nascent Soul Families proves so reliable—definitely not empty hype.'

Over these months, secluded at home with the array blocking all, Ji Yuan had been totally unaware of the turmoil outside.

"Greetings, Isle Master Wuyou."

Ji Yuan had barely touched down when a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Spirit Control Sect landed nearby.

"Greetings, Daoist Huang Ming."

Ji Yuan glanced at him, thought briefly, then recalled his identity.

"With your arrival, Daoist, I can finally return to rest. I’ve guarded nonstop for a full month."

"Thanks for your efforts, Brother Huang Ming."

No elaborate handover required; mutual awareness of the shift was enough.

Once Huang Ming left, Ji Yuan exchanged greetings with the other stationed Foundation Establishment Cultivators, noting fresh replacements had come.

Merely a day into his own watch, Li Changhe got wind somehow and dropped by for talk.

"Brother, you’ve finally emerged."

Li Changhe voiced aloud, then transmitted privately, "Word is you were tinkering with Celestial Thunder Seeds indoors and nearly blasted yourself to oblivion?"

"Hey, how’d you hear about that?"

Ji Yuan figured neither Hunting Owl Zhenren nor the Ice and Fire Elder seemed the type to gossip such tales.

"Who needs to hear? The entire Alchemy Square’s buzzing with it."

Li Changhe rolled his eyes. "Rumor has it Zhou Sanbao from Spirit Control Sect passed close by, caught wind, and blabbed it everywhere."

"Zhou Sanbao..."

Earlier, Ji Yuan had gotten from Hunting Owl Zhenren the rundown on all Foundation Establishment Cultivators at the Alchemy Square, so Li Changhe’s mention instantly linked name to face.

And by chance, Zhou Sanbao belonged to the Demon Hunting Squad.

What’s more, he was precisely the Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator who’d voiced objections to Ji Yuan joining the squad back in the hall.

"Yeah, my sources say he’s badmouthed you repeatedly in public, claiming your cultivation’s lackluster yet you aimed for the Demon Hunting Squad."

"He also remarked it’s lucky you wisely withdrew yourself, or with your knack for botching Celestial Thunder Seeds, you’d drag down the Demon Hunting Squad even if accepted."