Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 804 - 334: Liu Yuan’s Jiyuan Continent Chronicles [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

That water, it turned out, was no ordinary liquid but an endless expanse of blood.

And as Ji Yuan reached Hua Yaoyue's side, he was stunned to find her form dissolving.

Despite Ji Yuan's frantic efforts to hold her, her body grew increasingly faint, eventually vanishing into the Blood Pool.

Ji Yuan stood, lost in disbelief. In his daze, a voice called his name from behind.

Someone was summoning him.

Turning, Ji Yuan saw Hua Yaoyue standing by the shore, propped against a tree stump. A half-empty wine jug dangled from her hand as she smiled, observing him.

Relieved to see she was unharmed, Ji Yuan rushed towards the bank.

Just as he braced himself to pull Hua Yaoyue into his embrace, he lunged into empty air. The surroundings shifted dramatically.

In an instant, he found himself before a courtyard.

It took him a while to regain his senses and recognize his location.

This was Du Wanyi's residence within Taian Square, in Cloud Rain Marsh. Ji Yuan stepped forward to knock, but received no answer. He pushed the door open and entered, yet Du Wanyi was nowhere to be seen.

As he searched in vain, a voice hailed him from the doorway—a voice entirely unfamiliar to him.

He hurried out, only for his foot to meet nothingness, as if he were tumbling into an infinite abyss.

He jolted awake, realizing then that the Pill Essence Fruit had finally ripened.

Ji Yuan remained seated for a considerable time, ultimately deciding against overthinking the matter—as thought offered no solution.

After all, it had merely been a vivid dream.

Composing himself, he made his way to the Scripture Pavilion, silently enhancing his Technique abilities through the 'proficiency system.'

"..."

Concurrently.

Within Yu Yuan’s Cave Mansion, several other elder merfolk had convened. If Ji Yuan were present, he would have recognized them instantly.

These individuals were none other than the clan elders of the Merfolk Race.

They were gathered around Yu Yuan, each speaking in turn, their words a chorus of persuasion.

Yu Yuan, meanwhile, wore a deeply furrowed brow, appearing undecided.

The way he repeatedly glanced towards Ji Yuan’s Cave Mansion hinted strongly that the matter at hand concerned Ji Yuan himself.

After the elders had spoken for an extended period, Yu Yuan finally clenched his teeth and gave a nod of agreement.

With his consent secured, the elders departed, their minds now at ease.

Another half-month elapsed.

Ji Yuan emerged from his seclusion for a brief respite. Soon after, he received an invitation to Yu Yuan’s Cave Mansion.

"Elder Yu, is there something you require?"

Having interacted for two years, Ji Yuan no longer felt the need for formalities with the leader of the Merfolk Race.

Upon arrival, he took a seat with casual ease.

"Indeed, there is. I fear I must request Brother Ji's assistance,"

Having resolved to seek Ji Yuan's aid, Yu Yuan dispensed with pleasantries.

"Oh? Have another troublesome Sea Beast appeared?"

During his periods of boredom over the past two years, Ji Yuan had assisted them on several occasions, so this inquiry held no surprise for him.

"Yes, but this situation is different."

Yu Yuan sighed, then gestured. The two merfolk stationed at the entrance promptly secured the Cave Mansion's stone gate and withdrew.

Only Ji Yuan and Yu Yuan remained within the Cave Mansion.

This formal arrangement was a novel experience for Ji Yuan among the Merfolk Race, piquing his curiosity.

"Brother Ji, do you recall inquiring about our Merfolk Race's practices concerning Body Refining in years past?"

Yu Yuan initiated the conversation by referencing that earlier discussion.

Ji Yuan nodded. "Of course, I remember."

"While our Merfolk Race does not have a specific discipline for Body Refining, we do possess a type of Spirit Liquid capable of fortifying the physique... Brother Ji, please take a look."

As Yu Yuan spoke, he produced a small stone bottle from within his sleeve. Its gray-black hue obscured the contents, yet Ji Yuan could distinctly sense the presence of Blood Qi within.

This liquid could indeed enhance the body!

'But how have I never encountered this, despite my extended stay with the Merfolk tribe?'

Over the preceding two years, Ji Yuan had extensively surveyed the Merfolk territory with his Divine Sense. He had even employed an Invisibility Technique to infiltrate numerous areas forbidden to ordinary merfolk.

Yet, the items contained in those restricted locations were merely common provisions or assorted unusual stones the merfolk had collected from the ocean floor.

However, this object right before him... with a swift sweep of his Divine Sense, Ji Yuan instantly grasped why it had eluded the Merfolk tribe's notice for the past two years.

The reason was that this stone bottle possessed the capability to block Divine Sense probes!

He could plainly observe the bottle with his own eyes and discern the Blood Qi emanating from within.

Yet, under the scrutiny of his Divine Sense, it appeared as merely an ordinary stone bottle; nothing of its contents could be detected whatsoever.

Or rather, to his Divine Sense, the bottle seemed completely empty!

'Perhaps, in contrast to the Spirit Liquid it holds, this stone bottle is the true treasure!'

Having originated from the outside world, Ji Yuan was well aware of the immense value of any item capable of obstructing Divine Sense.

If he were to fashion a box from such a stone, wouldn't it grant him sanctuary, rendering him undiscoverable in moments of peril?

"This is the Spirit Liquid that revitalizes the physique of our Merfolk Race,"

Yu Yuan extended it forward, then released a prolonged sigh. "In prior times, our Merfolk Race could produce substantial quantities of this annually, but regrettably, only this meager amount remains now."

"And why might that be?"

Ji Yuan hesitated to accept the offering. The efficacy of this Spirit Liquid... it likely rivaled that of Profound Sun Blood Amber; it was indeed a remarkable substance.

But before he received the complete account... what if they intended to coerce him into confronting the Holy Fish King?

Perceiving Ji Yuan's hesitation, Yu Yuan carefully retrieved the stone bottle before responding, "This Spirit Liquid originates from our ancestral lands. Unfortunately, our ancestral lands are now usurped by a formidable Sea Beast. Therefore, this elder extends an invitation to Brother Ji, requesting your aid in vanquishing this Sea Beast."

"Regarding the compensation, all the Spirit Liquid subsequently produced within shall be bestowed entirely upon Brother Ji."

"A Sea Beast? Just how formidable is this Sea Beast?" Ji Yuan remained unfazed and continued his inquiry.

Yu Yuan elaborated in a grave tone, "If we were to categorize it according to the cultivation realms of the Human Race, it would likely be a Tier Three Sea Beast."

"Tier Three... that presents a considerable challenge."

Ji Yuan shook his head and stated frankly, "Furthermore, given that this Sea Beast has taken possession of your ancestral lands, how could it possibly leave the Spirit Liquid within untouched? It's highly probable that not a single drop remains."

"Not so, not so."

Yu Yuan vehemently shook his head and explained:

"The precise location within our ancestral lands where the Spirit Liquid is generated lies beyond a stone door. This particular stone door can only be breached by employing the ancestral Seal of our Merfolk Race."

"Even though that Sea Beast has occupied our ancestral lands, the Spirit Liquid it might have tasted is likely only that which has managed to seep out. The overwhelming majority remains concealed behind the stone door... Brother Ji can rest assured on this matter; this elder is prepared to pledge his very life upon it."

...What would I want your life for? It's not worth much.

After careful deliberation, Ji Yuan ultimately resolved to investigate the situation.

Following two years of dedicated solitary cultivation, he felt a stir of eagerness for engagement, desiring an encounter with a suitable adversary, if only to maintain his martial edge.

If, by chance, he could also secure an additional gain from the undertaking, that would be all the better.

"I am willing to go and assess the situation, but I cannot guarantee my success in subduing it. Additionally... the terms of payment must be renegotiated."

Sensing an opening for negotiation, Yu Yuan promptly responded, "Please state your terms, Brother Ji. As long as it is within the capabilities of our Merfolk Race to provide, feel free to ask."

"I hold considerable interest in your tattoo Technique."

Ji Yuan openly declared his intentions without any pretense.