Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 825 - 341: Qiu Qianhai: "I’ve Become Old Demon Qiu?!

"Perhaps."

Ji Yuan maintained a habit of not making absolute declarations.

"Then let’s head to West Border City! It is quite secure there, and it boasts a substantial spirit vein beneath the earth. The cave residences available for rent are rich in spiritual Qi, and with the protection of the Black and White Divine Hall, it offers excellent safety. Even individuals from Celestial Killer Mountain would hesitate to cause disturbances."

Mu Xueyao expressed with evident enthusiasm.

It was clear she was delighted by Ji Yuan’s intention to enter seclusion for Core Formation.

"Black and White Divine Hall... Was West Border City founded by the Black and White Divine Hall?"

Ji Yuan inquired, not fully grasping the situation.

Mu Xueyao nodded, confirming, "The Four Border Cities in the east, south, west, and north, along with our continent’s central, largest Black and White City, all fall under the Black and White Divine Hall’s jurisdiction. As for other major cities, more often than not, the Black and White Divine Hall’s influence is present."

...I see, it’s no wonder they are the most dominant power across the Jiyuan Continent.

Ji Yuan mused silently.

He was uncertain whether the legendary Divinity Transformation Ancestor of the Black and White Divine Hall still existed. It seemed plausible, as otherwise, other factions would likely not be so submissive.

"Brother Ji, when shall we depart?"

"The sooner, the better. In the event Celestial Killer Mountain dispatches individuals to search here again, let us first establish ourselves in West Border City."

Ji Yuan rose to his feet and declared.

"Understood, I shall accompany Brother Ji!"

Ji Yuan observed the elated young woman before him... Alright, perhaps referring to her as a girl given her age isn't quite appropriate.

Regardless, he looked at the female cultivator in front of him, feeling a peculiar sense of wonder.

After all, who could have predicted, before emerging from Fallen Immortal Gully, that he would be pursued as "Old Demon Ji" immediately upon his arrival?

Who could have imagined encountering someone who would offer unconditional trust so swiftly?

Despite her trust, Ji Yuan maintained a degree of caution.

It’s always better to be prudent.

What if Mu Xueyao was actually dispatched by a major power to get close to him, "Old Demon Ji"?

While the probability might be slim, it could not be entirely dismissed.

Exercising vigilance when exploring unfamiliar territories, particularly on a different continent, is invariably a wise course of action.

"This way, this way, Brother Ji, you are heading in the wrong direction. Follow me."

Mu Xueyao took the lead, but soon found Ji Yuan’s Sky-Splitting Boat to be rather sluggish, falling far short of her Golden Core Escape Light’s speed.

Consequently, she guided Ji Yuan eastward, soaring over the expansive ocean.

"..."

Meanwhile.

On the Cangluo Continent, within the Spirit Control Sect’s territory, above a rugged mountain range, two mid-stage Core Formation Escape Lights streaked in from a distance and halted above a barren peak. They unleashed their divine sense to scan meticulously while communicating via voice transmission:

"How could that Old Demon Qiu dare to return, and with such brazenness? Not only did he reappear, but he also slew Elder Lin directly above the teleportation array!"

"Madmen operate on madmen’s logic. Do you intend to comprehend a madman’s reasoning using your own rational mind?"

"That is a valid point."

The long-faced man clad in golden armor nodded, remarking, "In any case, I have no desire to become entangled in this affair. Had it not been for the direct order from within the sect, I would still be indulging myself with those women from Joy Palace."

"I must concede, those female cultivators from Joy Palace are quite exceptional."

"It is merely unfortunate that they relocated their entire sect. Who knows their current whereabouts."

"Who concerns themselves with it? We shall remain here for a few days, then return, reporting that our search yielded no results."

"Indeed, indeed."

As they conversed, they descended from the sky onto the bare summit.

However, the moment they touched down, a swift green escape light suddenly shot upwards from the base of the mountain.

In an instant, it appeared alongside them.

They were just preparing to evade.

But two spectral gray bone claws materialized from the void directly above their heads.

"Crunch—"

Two sharp cracking sounds echoed in quick succession.

The bone claws tightened their grip, instantly crushing their skulls. It was only after their demise that the escape light from the mountain's base reformed into a human silhouette.

Had they not perished, they would undoubtedly have recognized the individual who effortlessly dispatched them as Old Demon Qiu, the very figure they had desperately sought to avoid.

Yet, at this precise moment, a faint voice resonated within Old Demon Qiu’s sea of consciousness.

"Master, why do they persist in calling me Old Demon Qiu?! I have only just returned!"

"Hah, your predicament, you ask *me*?"

Nightmare True Monarch scoffed, "Very well, find someone to hypnotize and interrogate them later. You will discover the reason."

"However, my dear disciple, it appears your recent cultivation efforts have been somewhat lax. Despite the passage of time, I merely utilized your vessel to exert late-stage Core Formation power, and the strain has been considerable."

"Forget it. Once this situation is resolved, find a secure location to concentrate on your Core Formation."

"With the cultivation method I gifted you, you can achieve a core even with a lesser spirit root."

Within his sea of consciousness, Qiu Qianhai responded with weariness.

"Yes, Master."

Following this, his form shifted into a streak of green light, hugging the ground as it swiftly navigated the thick woods.

Despite the presence of numerous Core Formation cultivators scouring the region beyond the mountain range, the green escape light managed to slip past undetected and achieve its freedom.

After all, a diminished power is still formidable. Even with the assistance of a Nascent Soul Monster's essence, a remnant of Nascent Soul prowess remained.

Some time later.

Qiu Qianhai had successfully evaded the pursuers.

The Nightmare True Monarch, having taken control of the body, then located a nearby Foundation Establishment cultivator. Utilizing the Nightmare Arts, it was a simple feat to extract all information truthfully from the individual.

Inside the sea of consciousness, Qiu Qianhai remained quiet.

"Master, do you truly believe such coincidences exist in this world? I mean, my surname and given name are so uncommon, yet another person bears the exact same name."

"If my name were something common like Huang Hai or Li Hai, it would be understandable to encounter a duplicate."

"But my name is Qiu Qianhai..."

Aware of the unspoken answer, even the Nightmare True Monarch fell silent, a sense of foreboding beginning to creep into his awareness.