Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 703 - 304: To the Desolate Ancient Continent? Dead End Road?

"Master, what do you mean by this?"

Standing before him, Hua Yaoyue drew a startled gaze from Ji Yuan, who appeared utterly incredulous.

...How could the Water Dragon Sect's future matter less than deciding my own path?

Does this mean I'm no longer tied to the Water Dragon Sect, Master?

Having turned her back to him at first, Hua Yaoyue caught his words and pivoted to face him directly.

In Hua Yaoyue’s eyes... lay profound complexity; Ji Yuan detected hope, sorrow, and perhaps even... remorse?

Above all else shone a deep unwillingness.

"You’ve only just come back, and your mind is all jumbled up; seek me out after you’ve rested."

With a heavy sigh, Hua Yaoyue added, "Rest easy—for with you returned to the sect and me still here, all shall be well."

"...Very well."

His own mind felt tangled to Ji Yuan as well, the whirlwind of countless trials shattering any chance at serenity.

No quick return to the Meditation Room could easily quell such inner storm.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Bowing his hands lightly toward Hua Yaoyue, Ji Yuan vaulted into the air, called forth his Flying Boat, and sped off toward Wuyou Island, lying a touch to the north.

Phoenix Peach’s Fire Phoenix Island lay southward; as he passed, Ji Yuan spotted activity there, confirming Phoenix Peach remained within the sect—a comforting sign.

Yet mere moments later.

Touching down on Wuyou Island, untouched for so long, Ji Yuan unleashed his Divine Sense, sweeping over the whole land in an instant.

The Pigsty claimed just a tiny spot, yet Spirit Pigs marked with countless blood stripes roamed wildly across the slopes, a few even barging into the Spirit Field to munch on Spirit Grain.

At that, the corpse puppets serving as scarecrows charged ahead, deploying spells to shoo off the Spirit Pigs as if they were feral swine.

This "peaceful" spectacle drew an involuntary chuckle from Ji Yuan.

"I never thought my Spirit Field would be free of pests, only to raise a herd of massive ones instead."

Further his Divine Sense extended, soon encompassing the Chicken Cage as well.

Although stored away in the Mountain of Mind and Heart, Ji Yuan typically activated the Chicken Cage’s power only for Tri-colored Spirit Eggs, then sealed it once more after harvest.

Thus, atop Wuyou Island’s Chicken Cage perched a Tier Two bird sovereign on a peak rock, belting its cry skyward.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

Across the island rang the rooster’s mighty call.

Hearing it, the Qi Cultivation Stage corpse puppets laboring in the Spirit Field toppled over, shaking uncontrollably.

Clever Spirit Pigs took the chance to rush the Spirit Field and gorge on the heavy-eared Spirit Grain.

Corpse puppets dreaded this ultra-yang rooster, though the pigs felt no such fear.

Around a dozen Tier One Spiritual Birds lingered, some nesting tamely in the Chicken Cage while others soared freely over the hills.

Near Ji Yuan’s Cave Mansion, guarded by Tu Yue, none of these Spiritual Birds ventured close.

Once more his Divine Sense stretched wide, drawing the Fish Pond into view.

For a full year, Ji Yuan had stayed away.

Fewer fish now filled the Fish Pond... leaving it looking rather barren.

Still, the surviving dozen-plus Spirit Fish had all hit Tier Two, each claiming its domain and steering clear of the others.

Yet Ji Yuan paid these Spirit Fish little heed now; his attention fixed on the deep-hidden presence in the Fish Pond’s depths—Tuesday.

His Divine Sense pierced the bottom weeds to reveal a cavern, where the Frost Serpent lay coiled...

Shock rippled through him.

In the cavern’s heart, the Frost Serpent rested silently, drawing in Water Transport Spiritual Qi.

Unaware of Ji Yuan’s arrival, it had unleashed its true, massive form.

Millstone-thick proved too modest a measure.

Long immobile, the serpent’s coiled frame bristled with moss, dirt, and grit.

Gone were its pristine ice-blue scales, now mimicking some rugged Earth Dragon.

Truly striking was its body, vast as a minor hill.

The cave stood nearly packed by its bulk.

His Spirit Beast Bag caught Ji Yuan’s eye.

Monday slumbered peacefully within, its bulk... rivaling this Tuesday’s almost exactly.

Monday had reached Tier Two Peak only after devouring heaps of treasures.

But this Tuesday before him?

Never once emerging, never venturing inside.

Lounging eternally in the Fish Pond, yet somehow surging to Tier Two Peak?

What monstrous talent was this?

Should I pour every resource from Monday into nurturing this Tuesday, wouldn’t that cultivate a Tier Three Spirit Beast?!

A Tier Three Frost Serpent, on par with Golden Core Cultivation, could not only carry him dashing through the skies but also lend aid in fierce combats...

Even in the direst scenario, if this Tuesday is held back after reaching Tier Three.

Yet, its mere existence would daunt countless Core Formation Cultivators.

This realization steeled Ji Yuan’s determination.

Going forward, he’d keep this Tuesday by his side no matter what, much like during the prior clash with the Fire Python—its presence alone would offer some vital edge.