Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 744 - 316: The Might of Ji Yuan!

To deal with such an ancient demon, there's only one word... exterminate!

With this decisive thought, Ji Yuan extended his right hand, and a banner imbued with dark energy unfurled, firmly grasped in his grip.

It was the Demon Spiritual Artifact—the Thousand Souls Banner!

Since its last significant evolution, this Thousand Souls Banner had ascended from a top-grade Spiritual Artifact to a superior top-grade Spiritual Artifact.

And this moment marked Ji Yuan’s inaugural confrontation employing its power against an adversary.

After consuming another drop of millennium-old Spirit Milk, he hefted the Thousand Souls Banner with both hands and executed a forceful sweep. Swarms of Yin Souls surged forth, inundating the Hundred Insects Old Immortal.

In truth.

The instant the Hundred Insects Old Immortal laid eyes upon the Thousand Souls Banner, thoughts of immediate retreat began to surface.

’For someone to possess the ability to refine the Thousand Souls Banner—just how formidable must this ancient fiend truly be?’

’To be merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet displaying such savage might. It's no wonder he commands so many unconventional tactics; with such skills, he likely commenced his killing spree from the very first level of Qi Cultivation!’

This grim realization prompted the Hundred Insects Old Immortal to disregard further losses and focus his Heart Thought on recalling his ant legion.

Letting them perish in greater numbers was acceptable. He planned to utilize the Blazing Fire Ants as a temporary bulwark against these encroaching Yin Souls, enabling his own swift escape.

As the adage goes, as long as the verdant hills stand, there's no concern about a shortage of ant soldiers to command!

At worst, he could seek out other Foundation Establishment Cultivators and harvest their lives anew.

Precisely as Ji Yuan detected the Hundred Insects Old Immortal's deliberate action to withdraw the Blazing Fire Ants, he recognized… the opportune moment had arrived!

His own form, concealed by the spectral presence of the Yin Ghosts, simultaneously manipulated his Heart Thought to command the Yin Ghost Banner positioned behind him.

Fusing his vital aura with that of the Yin Ghosts, he then plunged earthward.

His silhouette detached from the Flying Boat, materializing instantaneously before the Hundred Insects Old Immortal.

The latter’s eyes were wide with sheer terror.

He had never anticipated his distant opponent would manifest directly in front of him with such baffling swiftness.

What amplified his dread was the complete absence of any detectable Spiritual Qi fluctuations!

Ji Yuan observed the stark terror reflected in the Hundred Insects Old Immortal’s gaze, concurrently noting his own fist extending forward.

This fist was enveloped in a potent Blood Qi, shimmering with a deep, dark crimson hue.

To the perception of an ordinary cultivator, it might appear as if a forbidden demonic technique was being employed.

However, for Ji Yuan, this was merely a manifestation of his exceptionally potent Blood Qi reaching its zenith!

A peak-condensed strike from the bone forging realm, delivered by a pure Body Cultivator, unleashed at such an intimate distance.

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal frantically activated a clandestine defensive method concealed within his being.

Just as Ji Yuan’s fist was poised to impact the Hundred Insects Old Immortal’s visage, a protective layer resembling an eggshell materialized around his body.

His entire form became encased within these hardened layers.

Ji Yuan’s powerful fist connected squarely with this defensive shell, and the Hundred Insects Old Immortal’s body was violently propelled downwards from the aerial vantage point.

"Bang—"

A heavy, dull thud resonated from the rocky mountainside, accompanied by a plume of dust and the dislodging of rocks.

Ji Yuan, hovering in mid-air and observing the unfolding scene, muttered inwardly, "This is not good."

Without hesitation, he initiated his descent, plunging into the heart of the stone mountain.

Employing his Flying Sword to blaze the trail, he could distinctly discern the sound of the Hundred Insects Old Immortal burrowing through the mountain in his desperate flight.

"Esteemed friend, I yield! Will you cease this relentless pursuit?"

The plea of the Hundred Insects Old Immortal echoed from the subterranean depths.

Ji Yuan remained utterly unmoved, his only response the incessant whistling of the Flying Sword forging ahead.

"I am still a Core Formation Cultivator. Friend, by relentlessly pressing your advantage, do you truly harbor no fear of mutual annihilation?!"

Ji Yuan’s Flying Sword breached the superficial rock debris, revealing a newly excavated tunnel resembling a rodent’s burrow within the mountain.

With his quarry leading the way through the earth, his own pursuit from behind was significantly expedited.

His momentum propelled him forward directly, and before long, the Hundred Insects Old Immortal perceived the alarming shift in the pursuit's intensity.

"Damn it!"

He let out a curse, attempting to impede his pursuer while simultaneously fleeing.

Yet, irrespective of his obstruction tactics, Ji Yuan found navigating the subterranean passages increasingly effortless.

Merely a few breaths later, the Hundred Insects Old Immortal abruptly ceased all vocalizations.

Ji Yuan reacted with lightning speed, suppressing his own breathing.

Poison!

That treacherous fiend had actually permeated the very tunnel he had excavated with a noxious substance!

Ji Yuan quickly held his breath, promptly consuming a Tier Three Antitoxic Pill, supplemented by two enhanced Qi Blood Pills.

Poison, you say?

As long as one's Blood Qi possesses sufficient potency, any toxin entering the body transforms into mere nourishment.

This was not even accounting for the specially formulated Antitoxic Pill he had just ingested.

Consequently, the onset of dizziness was fleeting, lasting mere moments before his senses returned to normal.

He then partook of another precious drop of millennium-old Spirit Milk.

Spiritual Qi surged vibrantly within Ji Yuan’s Dantian, as he activated his ultimate, trump card Magical Treasure.

The Celestial Poison Needle!

The Poison Needle materialized, instantaneously transforming into a streak of emerald light that pierced deeply into the subterranean passage.

Ji Yuan's Divine Sense had now pinpointed the ancient monster; its subterranean travel was facilitated by a beast of burden!

This creature, as colossal as a man, boasted grey-black fur akin to iron. Its talons resembled those of an eagle, and its eyes burned with a scarlet hue.

"A Red-eyed Iron Mouse... that ancient fiend certainly has an impressive collection!"

However, Hundred Insects Old Immortal found himself in a state of utter humiliation, clinging to the Red-eyed Iron Mouse's tail as it dragged him beneath the earth.

When the sensation of sluggish progress arose, he would morph a hand into a Spirit Needle, jabbing the mouse's hindquarters.

This action would compel the mouse to flinch and accelerate its digging.

"To think a Core Formation Cultivator would resort to such ignoble flight?"

Ji Yuan's voice echoed within the old demon's consciousness.

This further shocked the old demon.

He had no inkling Ji Yuan was within his Divine Sense's reach, yet the latter could communicate telepathically.

What could this imply?

It signified that Ji Yuan's Divine Sense surpassed his own!

Furthermore, an additional silver needle-like Magical Treasure was hurtling towards him with lethal intent.

... How is this possible? So many Magical Treasures... This cannot merely be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, possessing such Divine Sense!

Clearly, this was a Core Formation Cultivator feigning a harmless demeanor!

He quickly formed a hand seal, and the eggshell reappeared, enveloping his body.

Yet, the Celestial Poison Needle adeptly navigated the cave's fissures, piercing the Red-eyed Iron Mouse's posterior.

The mouse's form immediately stiffened.

Coupled with the poison delivered by the Magical Treasure.

It penetrated directly into the creature's body.

The mouse convulsed and became instantly rigid.

Grasping its tail, Hundred Insects Old Immortal detected an anomaly, releasing his hold and halting his frantic escape.

But in that fleeting instant, Ji Yuan had traversed miles, materializing directly before him.