Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 794 - 331: Merfolk Secrets

"No worries, I’m quite curious about you all as well."

Ji Yuan smiled, saying, "By the way, I just heard you mention that you were once part of the Human Race? So how come now..."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan’s smile vanished. He sighed and replied, "I’m not really sure about the specifics; we of the Merfolk Race have very few written records, most of it’s passed down orally."

"As I recall, back then, chaos swept across the entire Jiyuan Continent, and countless cultivators fled. Some escaped to lonely islands, others fled to different continents, and of course, some, like our ancestors, fled into the Endless Sea."

"Perhaps due to the cultivation techniques they practiced, or for some other reasons, they survived at the bottom of the sea. Later, through generations of propagation, somehow, we became Merfolk."

Yu Yuan spread his hands, his tone filled with a certain helplessness.

... From a scientific perspective, is this supposed to be human degeneration?

Or "natural selection, survival of the fittest."

Ji Yuan mused internally, but he also grasped the key point in Yu Yuan’s words; it really had been the Jiyuan Continent after all.

"What kind of chaos was it? Do you, elder, know anything about it?"

Yu Yuan shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

Ji Yuan asked again, "Then do you know how I can return to the Jiyuan Continent? I accidentally fell into this Fallen Immortal Gully, and after escaping all the way, I ended up here in your realm."

"To return to the Jiyuan Continent..." Yu Yuan sighed as he spoke, "Going back isn't that simple."

"How so?"

Ji Yuan listened without losing heart; he didn’t care if it wasn’t simple, as long as he could get across. He couldn’t possibly live his whole life in this Fallen Immortal Gully.

"I don’t know how you fell into our place, but to return from here to the Jiyuan Continent, you first need to pass through the territory of a Tier Four Sea Beast, and then traverse the Immortal Sect Gate. The Immortal Sect Gate opens once every three years; the last time it opened was not long ago. If you wish to return, you’ll have to wait at least three more years."

Yu Yuan patiently explained, "That Immortal Sect Gate is the boundary between the Fallen Immortal Gully and the Jiyuan Continent. Once you pass through it, you’re back on the Jiyuan Continent, and there’s no more Water Blade."

"Is that how it is..."

A mere three years – Ji Yuan could afford to wait.

"Exactly."

Yu Yuan nodded slightly.

"Then, do you know if it’s difficult to cross that Tier Four Sea Beast’s territory or pass through the Immortal Sect Gate..." Ji Yuan asked thoughtfully.

Yu Yuan did not answer immediately.

Because he knew that his next answer might pertain to the safety of his entire clan.

If it were just him, it would be another matter, but the lives of the whole clan rested on his shoulders... He did have a way, but the premise was to judge whether the person in front of him was good or bad.

Presuming he can’t be too bad; according to Loyal Dog, this person saved them the moment he appeared, then helped with the Sea Beast, and even offered to bring back the Sea Beast’s corpse.

Someone capable of doing such deeds couldn’t be too ill-intentioned at heart.

Otherwise, if one had malicious or evil thoughts, they would likely have taken someone hostage and begun threatening and questioning immediately.

Of course, the key point was that he was already here. If he were to refuse now... what if he became aggressive and started trouble?

He can kill a Sea Crocodile with a single punch; even Rintiger doesn’t have that ability.

Yu Yuan pondered for a while, ultimately with no choice but to say, "Not difficult; we have a path that can safely pass through the territory of the Tier Four Sea Beast and arrive directly at the Immortal Sect Gate."

"The Immortal Sect Gate isn’t too difficult; it was once a barrier, but now it’s full of holes. Once the three years are up, many gaps will appear, and it’ll be easy to pass through then."

"That’s good, that’s good."

Ji Yuan spoke slowly, as if in thought, but also seeming to give Yu Yuan time.

Luckily, Yu Yuan, being the chief of the Merfolk Race, was not a fool. He saw Ji Yuan’s demeanor and immediately spoke with a smile, "In that case, why doesn’t the friend stay with our Merfolk Race for now? Wait until three years later, and I’ll send someone to take you to the Immortal Sect Gate, how about that?"

"This..."

Ji Yuan was quite moved, yet maintained a perfect degree of hesitation.

But just then, his Divine Sense detected an aura hastily swimming towards them.

He turned his head and saw a giant Merfolk barge in from outside the door, flicking its tail to arrive in front of Yu Yuan, then speaking excitedly about something.

Yu Yuan furrowed his brow, offering an explanation.

Ji Yuan remained seated, composed.

After a brief silence, the Merfolk appeared to acknowledge Ji Yuan's presence. They first eyed him with curiosity, then uttered remarks in a distinctly unfriendly manner.

Though Ji Yuan couldn't comprehend their words, his brow twitched in slight displeasure.

Yu Yuan quickly interjected with a few chiding words before turning to Ji Yuan with an explanation.

"My friend, please do not take offense. This is Rintiger; he doesn't intend any ill will. He's simply astonished that someone could defeat a Sea Crocodile Beast with a single strike. He's always been quite the competitor."

"Is that so?"

Ji Yuan let out a soft laugh and rose, stretching his wrist.

Noticing his intent, Yu Yuan considered speaking, but his words came too late.

For Ji Yuan had already acted. With one hand pressed firmly on Rintiger's head, an immense force instantly subdued the Merfolk. Ji Yuan then followed with a swift punch to Rintiger's abdomen.

A grunt escaped Rintiger.

His entire form was propelled outward like a cannonball, shattering through the doorway and leaving nothing but a lingering trail of bubbles in his wake.