Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 767 - 322: Farewell, Senior Brother

Ji Yuan found himself at a loss for words.

Did Ran Kui truly grasp the immense difficulty of the path he had chosen?

He acknowledged it, yet never once entertained the notion of surrender. Even Hua Yaoyue’s persuasion had failed, making Ji Yuan’s efforts all the more futile. His only recourse was to inquire further:

"Then, do you still possess the Qi Blood Pills, Senior Brother?"

Ji Yuan’s words accompanied the presentation of a bottle of Qi Blood Pills.

"Indeed, I do."

Ran Kui swiftly patted his Storage Bag, responding with a smile, "You bestowed quite a generous amount upon me last time, junior brother. This elixir is in no short supply, so you ought to keep it for your own use."

Ji Yuan observed that Ran Kui was not being deceitful and subsequently put the Qi Blood Pills back.

A prolonged silence stretched between the two brothers, each wishing to convey their deep emotions but finding no convenient starting point. Ultimately, Ran Kui broke the quiet:

"Who could have foreseen the once-illustrious Six Immortal Sects of Shang Dong crumbling to such a state, with the departed gone and the survivors dispersed?"

"Perhaps it is simply fate."

Shangxi’s Three Demon Sects, each boasting two Nascent Soul cultivators, stood in stark contrast to Shang Dong, where only the Sword Ruins could claim two Nascent Souls.

Furthermore, with the subsequent intervention of the Shang Court, Shang Dong was unable to seize the opportune moment… It was a confluence of destiny and timing.

"By the way, junior brother, I recently gleaned some information from a Demon Dao practitioner. Do you know the reason why the Jiyuan Continent established this cross-continental Teleportation Array with our Cangluo Continent?"

"Is it not merely to facilitate the travel of cultivators between the two continents?"

Ji Yuan countered.

Having been in seclusion recently, he was largely unaware of the specifics surrounding this matter.

"No, I learned from that Core Formation Stage Demon Dao cultivator that this Teleportation Array was primarily constructed by individuals from the Jiyuan Continent. We were not permitted to contribute either manpower or resources…"

Ran Kui shook his head.

"The Jiyuan Continent has always been driven by profit. Could it be… that they have set their sights on certain resources from our Cangluo Continent?"

Ji Yuan ventured a guess.

Ran Kui mused for a moment before replying, "I do not know the exact details, but I did hear that the Jiyuan Continent’s true objective with this Teleportation Array is singular: trade."

"Trade?"

Ji Yuan expressed surprise at the word, but then a sudden realization dawned upon him…

’Open the gates, facilitate free trade!’

The Jiyuan Continent held a considerably superior position compared to the Cangluo Continent. Consequently, whether concerning Pills, Arrays, Talismans, or any other craft, their artistry must be more refined, and they likely possessed greater resource reserves.

However, resources are never truly sufficient; abundance is always preferable.

Therefore, what were they genuinely coveting on the Cangluo Continent?

Resources!

Or, to be more precise, Spirit Stones.

They could acquire resources like Spirit Grass and ores from the Cangluo Continent at a low cost, transform them into elixirs, Magical Artifacts, and Spiritual Artifacts, and then resell them for a profit.

Even the teleportation fees between the two continents would be ‘shared’ by the Cangluo Continent.

This was, in essence, a blatant form of plunder targeting the Cangluo Continent…

"Indeed, I heard that not only are elixirs and Magical Artifacts less expensive on the Jiyuan Continent compared to Cangluo Continent, but their quality is superior and the variety is far more extensive."

"If they are indeed able to sell these to us, it would be a beneficial development."

Ran Kui struggled to grasp the underlying motivations.

Most inhabitants of Cangluo likely shared his inability to comprehend the deeper implications. However, even for someone like Ji Yuan, who could discern the truth… what could be done?

Firstly, their current position was disadvantageous.

Secondly, it was not his personal affair, making it prudent to remain uninvolved.

Ji Yuan inwardly sighed, dismissing the matter from his mind.

Ran Kui continued, "Once the Teleportation Array is operational, cultivators will undoubtedly be able to traverse between the continents. Given the remarkable efficacy of your Transformation Talismans, junior brother, you should seriously consider journeying to the Jiyuan Continent for your cultivation. Cangluo remains perilously insecure."

"Are you not planning to go, Senior Brother?"

Ji Yuan inquired swiftly.

If Ran Kui intended to depart, Ji Yuan was prepared to facilitate his journey immediately.

"Me?"

Ran Kui let out a hearty, unrestrained laugh. "If I had harbored any desire to leave, I would have accompanied Master long ago; why would I delay until this present moment."

Ji Yuan fell into silence.

"Very well, enough idle chatter. Let us now address the substantive reason for my visit today!"

Ran Kui sat up straighter, his voice slightly elevated.

"Understood, Senior Brother. What assistance do you require?" Ji Yuan also straightened himself, posing the question with earnestness.

"Have you encountered an individual named Ye Chen?"

"Ye Chen?"

Ji Yuan echoed the name; it possessed a subtle familiarity.

"Yes, Ye Chen from the Spirit Control Sect."

With this clarifying detail, Ji Yuan’s memory was immediately jogged.

When he was en route to Mirror Lake in the north to forge his Flowing Firefly Flying Sword, he passed through a city known as Lanshan City and encountered information pertaining to him there.

An event called the Dragon Slaying Auction was taking place, showcasing a Third Tier Serpent that was to be killed on the spot. Among the hunters participating were Ye Chen of the Spirit Control Sect and Cao Lang of the Corpse Transporting Mountain.

Both individuals suffered injuries from an ambush. They failed in their attempt to slay the beast, and consequently, the auction could not proceed as planned.

"What befell him?" Ji Yuan inquired with curiosity.

"He... he is a dear friend of mine," Ran Kui confessed with a sigh. "When the entirety of the Spirit Control Sect aligned themselves with the Demon Dao of Shangxi, he remained unaware. By the time the truth came to light, it was unfortunately too late."

"So, Senior Brother, are you implying that the entire Spirit Control Sect capitulated, yet Ye Chen refused to yield?" Ji Yuan grasped the implication.

"Precisely. His disposition mirrors my own. To compel him to submit to the Demon Dao would be a fate far crueler than outright execution."

"In that case, where is he presently?"

Ran Kui responded in a somber tone: "His innate talent is considerable. Benefiting from his master's protection, the Spirit Control Sect refrained from executing him immediately, opting instead to imprison him and attempt to force his surrender. I have dedicated these years to uncovering his location."