Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 679 - 296: The Second Building Contained

‘Is there a flying sword message for me?’

This news truly piqued Ji Yuan’s curiosity.

From the moment he abandoned Shang Mountain to protect the Alchemy Square, contact with the Water Dragon Sect—his nominal sect—had faded away.

Multiple times, he pondered returning to the sect for a quick visit.

Yet, a proper chance never arose.

For one, duties piled too high to depart; for another, no fitting companions existed.

In the present circumstances, traveling solo to the Water Dragon Sect struck Ji Yuan as rather risky.

Moreover, life at the Alchemy Square suited him well, particularly since Ice and Fire Elder arrived—no bullying, no grievances endured, and occasional privileges granted.

Once, he dispatched a flying sword message to Hua Yaoyue, yet no response came.

At this point, it seemed likely one of these flying sword messages originated from Hua Yaoyue.

Harboring this idea, Ji Yuan swiftly replied to the Isle Master of Red Flower.

‘Junior sister, hold on just a bit; I’m coming right away.’

Regarding the issue raised by Li Changhe and Liu Qingshan, Ji Yuan paid it little heed.

After all, merely a few deaths occurred.

Perfectly ordinary.

Minor past grudges with the dead wouldn’t make Ji Yuan suspicious.

In today’s chaotic world, any death appears utterly commonplace.

Especially for their demon-hunting squad, constantly teetering on the edge of life and death.

Lives snuffed out, cultivation scattered—this commonplace fate explained why Ji Yuan had decisively turned down Ice and Fire Elder’s offer previously.

No matter how splendid the six sects’ Core Formation aids, one must survive to utilize them.

Thus, while en route to the Isle Master of Red Flower’s dwelling, Ji Yuan messaged Li Changhe and Liu Qingshan:

‘Somewhat unfortunate; I’ll offer a brief moment of mourning for him.’

Li Changhe replied without delay.

It opened with an exclamation.

‘Tsk, tsk, Old Ji’s words ring true—this world values strength, yet longevity decides all.’

‘Live long enough, and foes die off naturally, even without your hand.’

Liu Qingshan’s reply lagged slightly but came direct.

He burst into laughter:

‘Brother Ji, this news fills me with joy—utterly thrilled, utterly thrilled!’

Hearing their words, Ji Yuan smiled lightly, dismissing them to mull other thoughts.

Before, he dug an underground tunnel, trying to embed 11 pounds of Void Nether Stone to form a “Void Nether Stone lode.”

Failure marked the outcome.

Unfit for building, it served storage of constructions instead.

Large items like Celestial Craft Square and Enlightenment Room resisted storage.

Smaller ones, such as Chicken Cage and Wine Cellar, might fit however.

Should he reserve Void Nether Stone for grand builds or stash minor structures first in the Mountain of Mind and Heart? The choice lingered.

After deep thought,

Ji Yuan resolved to inspect storable structures for his Lifebound Magical Treasure first.

The panel indicated each stored structure boosted his treasure’s might.

Resources in possession demanded swift transformation into power.

Hoards... hoarding proves unreliable.

This wisdom echoed: “Foes stockpile grain, I stockpile arms; their stores become mine.”

Let others hoard Void Nether Stone; Ji Yuan preferred amassing strength.

Lost in such reflections, he quickly reached the Isle Master of Red Flower’s abode in the Alchemy Square.

The Isle Master of Red Flower counted as Ji Yuan’s junior sister, reaching Foundation Establishment post him; currently, she stood at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Her modest power spared her city defense perils; Hunting Owl Zhenren tasked her with flying sword relays and sundry duties.

The frailer Liu Qingshan needed no mention—overseeing city alchemy was his post.

‘Greetings, Senior Brother Wu You.’

The Isle Master of Red Flower seemed a mild-mannered female cultivator, though Li Changhe once noted her poison mastery...

‘No need for formalities, Red Flower.’

Ji Yuan responded with a polite grin.

The Isle Master of Red Flower bowed back, then drew forth two tiny flying swords, etched with complex arrays and glowing faintly white.

‘These flying sword messages are both for Senior Brother.’

Ji Yuan paid 100 mid-grade spirit stones prior to taking the pair.

The Cultivation Realm’s “delivery charge,” or “communication fee,” proved outrageously steep.

Luckily, such exorbitance plagued only long-range flying swords; short-range talismans cost nothing extra.

Securing the two flying swords, Ji Yuan rushed to his cave mansion.

From his storage bag came the communication flying swords; en route, he’d already identified them.

One hailed from Hua Yaoyue’s reply.

The other... came from his longtime friend, Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan seldom messaged; maybe grave events unfolded?

Ji Yuan probed that flying sword with divine sense first, keen to uncover Liu Yuan’s intent.

Swiftly, the “Little Sword Immortal’s” voice echoed in Ji Yuan’s mind.

‘Brother Ji, how have you been? It’s Old Liu here. Today, I heard the sect’s plan dispatches me to Wangcheng Mountain’s Alchemy Square for defense. I asked around and learned you’re stationed there—perfect; I fretted over solitude upon arrival.’