Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 687 - 298: The Final Destination of the Water Dragon Sect

"No need, no need, haha, there's no need at all."

Shaking his head, Celestial Chef Zhenren replied, "I fully get Senior Sister Wang You’s stance, and Duo Cai’s handling things well there, looking after my nephew. However, Junior Brother Xuan Shui... it’s the first occasion I’ve witnessed him showing such keen interest in a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It’d be more fitting for a Golden Core Disciple, considering how many we have in our sect."

The Ice and Fire Elder mulled it over, "So, you mean Master Wang You sneaks into your Cave Mansion without a sound, and she shatters a Tier Three Array with ease? Could she be an Array Master?"

"I’ve never heard she excels in arrays, yet she possesses a disciple... incredibly proficient in them. Saying she’s skilled at arrays? That’s entirely plausible."

Celestial Chef Zhenren reflected before speaking.

"His techniques abound, his power is genuinely mighty, yet his nature remains overly prudent."

The Ice and Fire Elder reflected aloud.

"..."

"Prudence marks the path of the wise rulers."

Gazing earnestly at the group ahead, Ji Yuan declared.

"I concur with Brother Wu You’s view—revenge burns hot, yet in our present condition and frame of mind, venturing out isn’t wise."

Liu Yuan added his support smoothly.

While some itched to hunt demons right away, others held back, leaving the ultimate call to Chang Kun, their team leader.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chang Kun gave a subtle nod, "Revenge is essential, no doubt, but fresh from return, we should recuperate first and regain peak form."

Ji Yuan eased a bit upon those words.

At the very least, things looked promising—Captain Chang Kun proved no hothead.

Were he otherwise, Ji Yuan faced stark choices: bolt and abandon ship, or oust him and seize command.

Such notions prompted Ji Yuan to glance instinctively at the other six.

Captain Chang Kun hailed from Sword Ruins; he and Liu Yuan shared a longstanding bond from Shang Mountain days, true comrades.

Twin sisters Ling Yue and Ling Long originated from Joy Palace.

Liu Yuan goes without saying.

Weichen of Medicine King Valley, much like Ji Yuan, was a fresh recruit.

The last one: Spirit Control Sect’s brash fellow Tie Hu, fitting his moniker perfectly. His tamed Spirit Beast? A Tier Two Peak Demon Beast, the mighty Earth-Splitting Tiger.

He’d pushed hardest for swift vengeance over Wang Luo, his buddy from Corpse Transporting Mountain.

Temperaments-wise, all others leaned careful, save Tie Hu.

Thus, the squad balanced out nicely, putting unofficial Ji Yuan much at ease.

Truth be told, part of why he accepted the Ice and Fire Elder’s plea was craving a chance to explore the outer realms.

Particularly scouting the nearby lay of the land. If ripe, he’d dash off straight to the sect.

Should it not suit, he’d grasp the terrain fully, gearing up for getaway.

Armed with solid intel, no fear of blundering into a Demon Cave mid-flight.

Besides, Ji Yuan thrived solo; outdoors, he’d don the "Qiu Qianhai" guise, posing as a Demon Cultivator, prowling the wilds initially.

Given today’s chaos, Qiu Qianhai could flourish effortlessly out there.

Worst case? Unleash slaughter.

All slaughters pinned on Qiu Qianhai alone—Ji Yuan stays spotless.

From then on, Ji Yuan ditched wall duty, sticking close to fellow demon hunters, bonding and meshing seamlessly.

Fail to gel now, and once beyond Alchemy Square... Demon Cultivators offer no grace period for team-building.

Ji Yuan started as a stranger, clueless to their ways, but integration revealed the true wildcards in fights: Joy Palace’s sister duo.

Mastering joint strikes with flawless synergy, they plunge headlong into foe lines upon clash.

True even in practice runs—each bout, they struck with savage fury.

Tie Hu of Spirit Control Sect, by contrast, battled steadily alongside his Earth-Splitting Tiger, owning up to errors before the group.

He confessed deep friendship with Wang Luo fueled his rash revenge drive, nearly dooming them all.

Medicine King Valley’s Weichen embodied caution and precision, holding smart positions.

No killer by trade, she served as pharmacist.

In battles, she always positioned herself at the team's center to evade enemy targeting.

Captain Chang Kun excels at defensive sword techniques, syncing seamlessly with Liu Yuan to seal every possible flaw.

Ji Yuan, the odd one out, roamed the edges like a mere spectator—precisely as he preferred. After half a month's teamwork, the squad was at last ready to venture forth.

From his prior arrival at Alchemy Square, Ji Yuan had remained indoors for a full year straight.

A flicker of tension and anticipation stirred within him briefly, so for utmost caution... he tucked his entire house into the Storage Bag, set to bolt and vanish whenever necessary.

...

Meanwhile.

Water Dragon Sect, Qingfeng Island.

A soft gust swept by, and Hua Yaoyue suddenly materialized before Kong Xifeng. Towering and commanding, hands folded behind her, she demanded frostily: "Have you given it some thought?"

Kong Xifeng fixed her gaze on her, staring endlessly until she finally had to ask:

"What exactly is your cultivation level?"

Kong Xifeng had realized she hadn't detected Hua Yaoyue's entry at all, nor could she gauge her cultivation level in that instant.

"Just a little bit higher than yours."

Hua Yaoyue responded offhandedly.

Kong Xifeng bowed her head low. Moments later, she uttered, "Can you really ensure Taiyi Immortal Sect will accept us?"

"Yes."

Hua Yaoyue answered nonchalantly.

"But I’m afraid I won’t make it to the Desolate Ancient Continent." Kong Xifeng sensed her exhaustion deepening.

"How many times have you drunk from the Fountain of Eternal Youth?"

"Once."

A trace of bewilderment crossed Kong Xifeng's face as she looked up, spotting Hua Yaoyue extending a tiny Jade Pot brimming with blue-green fluid.

"Drink it, it will give you another ten years of life, enough to lead Water Dragon Sect to the Desolate Ancient Continent and settle down."

"Wh-what?!"

The object before her left Kong Xifeng in momentary disbelief.

But upon recalling a certain matter, she sharply turned to Hua Yaoyue.

"It’s...it’s you!"