Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 778 - 326: Senior Brother’s Demise

...Oh no, why is this scoundrel appearing here?

Ji Yuan had no uncertainty that Jiang Hong would recognize him. After all, during their clash at the Ancient Battlefield, he had fought with all his might, revealing his true appearance. Furthermore, when he battled Granny Xuan Sha earlier, he had also exerted his full strength, exposing his genuine visage. Therefore, Jiang Hong undoubtedly recognized him.

The perplexing question, however, was why Jiang Hong had suddenly manifested at this location!

As the commotion from the north seized everyone's attention, Ji Yuan reacted with swift precision. He first entered the Upside-down Rivers and Lakes Array, where he efficiently secured the Frost Serpent and the Spirit-Devouring Bee. He also retrieved the corpses of the Poison Serpent Revered One and the Poison Serpent itself. These were crucial components for upgrading the Fish Pond.

Having gathered all necessary items, he summoned his right hand, and the eight Array Flags of the Upside-down Rivers and Lakes Array were swiftly stowed within his Storage Bag. It was prudent to secure his equipment first for a rapid withdrawal.

Once everything was packed away, Ji Yuan felt his restored mana within his Dantian, granting him a measure of relief. Fortunately, with the Spirit Vein at his disposal and an inexhaustible supply of Thousand-year-old Spirit Milk, he couldn't fathom how he would have managed this confrontation otherwise.

It was only upon exiting the Array that Ji Yuan directed his gaze northward once more.

Through the darkness of night, a flying chariot, meticulously crafted from Dark Jade, soared across the sky, propelled by sixteen rotating golden wheels. A formidable Tier Three Blood Patterned Unicorn, walking on air, accompanied it. Its mane resembled frost and snow, and eerie red patterns coiled across its body, radiating a sinister aura.

Flanking the chariot were two cultivators at the Mid-stage Core Formation realm. One was a burly, bald man, and the other was a demon cultivator clad in black, carrying a Sword Box. Both individuals exuded an aura of formidable power, clearly not to be trifled with.

At that very moment, as Ji Yuan clearly perceived the scene, Jiang Hong, seated within the chariot, also fixed his gaze upon him. Their eyes met.

Ji Yuan's heart plummeted. Jiang Hong now appeared exceptionally formidable, considerably more powerful than he had been previously.

"Qiu Qianhai, what is the matter? Are you fearing me?" Jiang Hong inquired, his gaze fixed intently on Ji Yuan, a growing sense of satisfaction evident in his eyes.

Concurrently, the other cultivators present on the battlefield also detected something unusual.

At some juncture, the gathered Emissary of Flames and Su Huaimin exchanged glances, their thoughts conveyed telepathically: "That demon claims Li Changshou is Qiu Qianhai?"

"Qiu Qianhai... is he not the notorious demon of Shuinan? Given Wu Dao's principles, how could he possibly align himself with such a fiend and seek his assistance?"

Severely wounded, the Emissary of Flames adopted a grim expression but continued his analysis: "However, if Li Changshou is indeed Qiu Qianhai, then it logically follows."

"Possessing only Fake Core Cultivation, yet capable of single-handedly dispatching two Early-stage Core Formation demon cultivators... Such a heaven-defying accomplishment is not achieved lightly."

Su Huaimin, gripping his Spirit Sword, offered a slight nod. "Indeed, the world does not harbor such an abundance of geniuses. It is improbable for both Qiu Qianhai and Li Changshou to exist, particularly when they share such similar ages and appearances."

"Do you happen to know what Qiu Qianhai looks like?" the Emissary of Flames asked, clearly astonished.

"I do not," Su Huaimin replied.

Su Huaimin, clutching his long sword, raised an eyebrow and directed his gaze toward the opulent chariot in the northern sky. "Did that demon cultivator not just state that this individual is Qiu Qianhai?"

Emissary of Flames: "...Whether he is Qiu Qianhai or not, the only certainty I possess is that we are most likely incapable of escaping this predicament."

High above in the sky.

Jiang Hong raised his right hand and flicked his fingers. The two Mid-stage Core Formation cultivators stationed beside the chariot transformed into streaks of escape light, descending to the surface of the lake. They proceeded to intercept 'Qiu Qianhai' (identified as Li Changshou, who is Ji Yuan). Simultaneously, the black-clothed demon cultivator wielding the Sword Box focused his energy toward the island, targeting the Emissary of Flames and Su Huaimin.

The unspoken message was clear: should they dare to make a move, a swift sword strike would befall them!

Finally, the Foundation Establishment Stage demon cultivators present took flight, controlling their swords and seemingly forming a Sword Array above the lake. Instantly, a palpable pressure permeated the entire area.

Ji Yuan perceived all these developments while simultaneously activating his various defensive measures. Escape... he could certainly achieve an escape. The true challenge lay in the method of his departure.

Setting aside other considerations, the Wine Cup bestowed by Yao Yue alone was beyond the capacity of these demon cultivators to breach. However, he could not afford to be complacent.

After all, Jiang Hong was now backed by two Nascent Soul Cultivators. With such formidable backing, it was improbable that he would lack potent artifacts.

Moreover, Ji Yuan possessed an escape technique: the Fixed-point Teleportation Order he had employed once before. Prior to this, it had facilitated his transport to the Teleportation Array Plate of the Water Dragon Sect, situated on Qingfeng Island.

However, with the Teleportation Array Plate now seized by the ancient ancestor Kong Xifeng, the rules of this Fixed-point Teleportation Order dictate it will be sent to the closest teleportation nexus.

The uncertainty remains: where could the next Teleportation Array Plate possibly be?

Considering the present circumstances, it's highly probable that it will materialize within a Demon Cave.

The likelihood of escaping one peril only to fall into another, far more dangerous one, seems alarmingly high.

Furthermore, a critical concern occupied Ji Yuan's thoughts: how would Ran Kui manage to escape...

Ji Yuan had previously rescued Ye Chen and the Master of Bamboo Shadow Island from the Demon Prison, and they had departed long ago, likely having already fled a considerable distance by now.

Su Huaimin and the Emissary of Flames – what utterly foolish individuals.

Ji Yuan found himself at a loss for words; severely wounded, with a clear opportunity to escape, they chose to remain here, and now, escape for anyone seems impossible.

As for Ran Kui... Ji Yuan first directed his gaze towards Jiang Hong, who stood opposite him. Then, as if unable to suppress a chuckle, he spoke:

"I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the one I thrashed so badly that he was wailing for his parents. What was his name again?"

He then spread his hands wide.

"My apologies. I, Qiu Qianhai, never bother to remember the names of those I defeat with such ease. Perhaps you could introduce yourself instead."