Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 829 - 343: Level 4 [Fish Pond]; Level 2 [Ant Nest] (Ten-Thousand-Word Long - )

The chronicle details the life of Liu Yuan.

"Liu Yuan, a solitary cultivator known by the moniker ’Jiu Jian Zhenren,’ established his residence in West Border City three years prior. He achieved considerable renown in the West Border region after repelling Fuhai Zhenren, a cultivator at the Mid-stage Core Formation, with a mere nine sword strikes. It is widely rumored that Celestial Killer Mountain, Cloud Cliff Temple, and Xuanqing Sect have all extended invitations for him to join, yet each has been declined. He possesses a profound fondness for wine and is a master of the unique sword art style known as the 'sword of wine.'"

An illustration showcasing Liu Yuan’s appearance is presented below.

Ji Yuan cast a glance at the depiction.

To put it charitably, there was a slight resemblance.

To speak plainly, the artwork was rather abstract.

Nevertheless, he could deduce with certainty that this Jiu Jian Zhenren, Liu Yuan, must be his old acquaintance.

Upon this realization, Ji Yuan's interest in further reading waned.

His singular focus now was to locate Liu Yuan as swiftly as possible.

Fortunately, Jiu Jian Zhenren held a certain standing in West Border City and lacked any known adversaries, which meant he had not concealed his Cave Mansion within West Border City with great effort.

Ji Yuan merely expended some funds to enlist a few cultivators and soon pinpointed Liu Yuan’s Cave Mansion.

Upon reaching his destination, Ji Yuan retrieved a long-forgotten Golden Communication Talisman from his Storage Bag.

Gazing at the talisman in his grasp, Ji Yuan was overcome with a wave of sentimentality.

Under such circumstances, it genuinely felt like encountering an old friend in a foreign land, particularly on this Extreme Abyss Continent... a reunion of two fellow disciples.

Without conscious thought, Ji Yuan’s hand, which was clutching the Communication Talisman, began to tremble.

Fortunately, he soon regained his composure, channeled Spiritual Qi into the talisman, and with his signature graceful demeanor, communicated telepathically:

"Ji Yuan, a cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect, has arrived to pay his respects. Might Jiu Jian Zhenren grant a moment for an audience?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Within the mountain Cave Mansion, Liu Yuan, who was engaged in a leisurely drinking session, abruptly perceived a vibration emanating from his Storage Bag.

Already somewhat inebriated, he did not even lift his head. With a nonchalant movement of his hand towards his waist, he infused a small amount of Spiritual Qi into the bag, giving it little further consideration, not even bothering to examine it properly.

The instant the familiar voice resonated within his mind, he... was utterly astounded.

Rising abruptly from his jade bed, he instinctively sat upright, his Mana surging, instantly dispelling his tipsiness.

"Who... who could this be?"

Muttering to himself, Liu Yuan’s gaze fell upon the Communication Talisman now held in his hand. The moment he recognized it clearly, he transformed into a water-blue Escape Light, vanishing from his previous location.

Ji Yuan stood outside the Cave Mansion’s protective array, casually surveying the surrounding area. It had to be acknowledged that the Cave Mansion belonging to an individual in the Core Formation Realm was indeed far superior to his own.

Regrettably, West Border City, much like the entirety of the Extreme Abyss Continent, operated on a principle where status was dictated solely by strength.

Indeed, it wasn't solely West Border City; the entire Extreme Abyss Continent adhered to this harsh reality.

Such esteemed Cave Mansions, which were exclusively leased to cultivators at the Core Formation Realm, were unattainable for Ji Yuan, regardless of his financial means.

After all, no Core Formation Cultivator would welcome the presence of a Fake Pill Cultivator residing in close proximity; it would only serve to make them feel demeaned.

As Ji Yuan’s thoughts drifted, he suddenly witnessed an Escape Light emerge from the mountain, descending directly before him and resolving into an exceedingly familiar silhouette.

Upon beholding this long-absent friend, Ji Yuan suppressed the surge of emotion within him and offered a solemn bow.

"Junior Li Changshou offers his respects to Senior Liu."

For a cultivator holding the status of Fake Pill, addressing a cultivator at the Core Formation Realm as ’Senior’ was entirely appropriate protocol.

Hearing this, Liu Yuan fought the impulse to strike him, managing to restrain his inner turmoil, and offered a slight nod before saying, "There is no need for such formalities; come with me."

With those words, he guided Ji Yuan, both transforming into Escape Lights, back towards his Cave Mansion.

As they traversed the array and alighted within the premises.

Liu Yuan, overcome with emotion, embraced Ji Yuan tightly.

"I... you... do you have any idea how I have endured these past years!"

"Why have you only now made your appearance?"

"Is everything well on the Cangluo Continent?"

"Shouldn't you have journeyed here much sooner?"

Upon their reunion, Liu Yuan unleashed a torrent of questions.

Ji Yuan patted him on the back, unable to suppress a grin, "Alright, Brother Liu, where has your customary composure gone? If any outsiders were to witness this, who knows what they might surmise about us."

"I care not for such considerations!"

With that declaration, Liu Yuan immediately released his embrace, stepping back a few paces to recompose himself and adjust his garments.

"Ahem, primarily because arriving on this Extreme Abyss Continent alone has made life rather arduous. It is a rare joy to see you here, thus it is difficult to restrain my excitement."

"Pray forgive me, pray forgive me."

So saying, he clasped his hands together in greeting towards Ji Yuan.

"Very well."

Ji Yuan’s gaze drifted, and he noticed the wine Liu Yuan had been drinking moments before. Promptly, he procured a flask of Heart’s Desire Wine from his Storage Bag and tossed it towards his old friend.

"The usual, drink mine."

"Heh, I’ve been waiting for this sip for a long time."

Liu Yuan accepted the drink, popped the cork, and downed it in a single gulp.

The effect of Heart’s Desire Wine was to amplify emotions, making it even more difficult for Liu Yuan, already in high spirits, to conceal his delight.

"More."

He extended his right hand towards Ji Yuan, a perfect picture of parasitic dependence.

Ji Yuan, long accustomed to this behavior, produced over a dozen flasks at once and set them on the table. Only then did Ji Yuan inquire, "When did you form your Core?"

"Alright, enough about me, let’s hear about you first."

Liu Yuan’s heart sank as he recalled something, then he slowly spoke, "Have you heard of Old Demon Ji?"

"Yes, I know all about it."

Ji Yuan, his expression turning grim, also picked up a wine flask, took a sip, and stated, "When I first arrived and was unaware of the situation, I was pursued because I was mistaken for that Old Demon Ji. Thus, I changed my name to Li Changshou."

He spoke, clenching his fists.

"Damn it, I don’t know which bastard burdened me with this!"