Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 856 - 347: [Celestial Craft Square: Level 3]

After taking his seat, Ji Yuan nurtured his divine sense while replaying the journey.

The journey itself was mundane, as the three were no novices, hence they masked their presence throughout.

The main focus was the encounter with the Yin Corpse.

Undoubtedly, the strength of this Yin Corpse was exceptionally formidable; it could easily be considered the strongest opponent Ji Yuan had faced since he began his cultivation.

Fortunately, the Yin Corpse had come face to face with its nemesis, the Yin Corpse Demon Fire.

Without this item, Ji Yuan believed it would have taken a tremendous effort to defeat it using sheer physical strength.

’This Yin Corpse, when alive... indeed likely possessed Peak Core Formation cultivation. After death, mana nourished the physique, so despite becoming a Yin Corpse, its strength is at Late-stage Core Formation.’

Ji Yuan reflected on the specifics of the combat process, finding no issues there.

They were seasoned fighters, well-versed in basic combat skills.

The real disadvantage lay in the absence of a lifebound magical treasure.

The Mountain of Mind and Heart cannot be summoned to confront enemies casually; forging the Canglan Sword is imperative.

With this thought, Ji Yuan glanced at the still warm Glacier Fire Lotus in his storage bag, and took out Brother Wen’s Communication Talisman, injecting a wisp of spiritual Qi before sending his query.

But after waiting briefly, there was no response from Brother Wen.

"Huh?"

Ji Yuan’s instinctive thought was that Brother Wen had gone elsewhere?

As long as he was in West Border City, the Golden Communication Talisman should connect.

Yet, his second thought, in contrast, was that Brother Wen ran off with his three magical treasures... but after reconsidering, he dismissed this idea.

He had faith in his ability to discern people.

Brother Wen was definitely not that kind of person; if he were, Ji Yuan would seize any chance to kill him instantly!

A mere Early-stage Core Formation, Ji Yuan’s current physique is already comparable to Mid-stage Core Formation.

How could he not be able to kill Brother Wen?

As Ji Yuan pondered, another Communication Talisman inside his storage bag quivered slightly.

"Brother Ji, have you returned?!"

Ji Yuan infused a strand of spiritual Qi, and Mu Xueyao’s excited voice echoed in his sea of consciousness.

"Brother Ji, not long ago, someone named Brother Wen came looking for you; since you weren’t here, he left a Jade Scroll with me to pass on to you."

Upon hearing this.

Ji Yuan transformed into escape light and arrived at the entrance of the Cave Mansion.

After months apart, Mu Xueyao remained unchanged, her appearance altered with the Transformation Talisman Ji Yuan had given, making her appear... dark and skinny, short, even as an Early-stage Core Formation Cultivator, not a single male cultivator outside would spare her a glance.

"Brother Ji, when did you come back?"

Mu Xueyao excitedly flew in, landing beside Ji Yuan.

"Just arrived, haven’t even sat down yet."

Ji Yuan smiled, "What kind of Jade Scroll did Brother Wen leave for me?"

"Oh."

Mu Xueyao rolled her eyes, "Brother Ji now doesn’t care about me anymore, doesn’t even ask what I’ve been up to lately, only cares about others, hmph!"

But before Ji Yuan could reply, Mu Xueyao continued: "But I know, Brother Ji must have something urgent if he’s so eager to see this Jade Scroll, so I told Brother Ji about it as soon as I returned!"

After speaking, Mu Xueyao took out a Jade Scroll from her storage bag, holding it obediently in her hands and offered it over.

It was Ji Yuan’s first time encountering this type of female cultivator, her temperament distinct from Dong Qian’s allure, Du Wanyi’s gentleness, and even Hua Yaoyue... eh, why am I thinking of Master and Second Sister?

"What have you been busy with lately, Miss Mu?"

Ji Yuan accepted the Jade Scroll and simultaneously infiltrated his divine sense while asking.

In his sea of consciousness echoed Brother Wen’s voice.

"Brother Li, I’ve prepared the nine-yin stone, but received a sudden assignment, and need to go on duty once, for roughly half a year. I’ll contact you once I return in half a year."

Half a year...

"When was this Jade Scroll given to you?"

"About three months ago, why?"

"No problem."

Ji Yuan put away the Jade Scroll; from three months ago, there’s roughly three months left, an instant passes, achievable to wait.

"I’ve been busy with a major matter recently."

Mu Xueyao saw Ji Yuan had finished with the Jade Scroll, then commenced her discourse.

"What major matter?"

Ji Yuan took out tea sets and began brewing tea under the nearby peach tree.

It was still midsummer when he broke through, yet after venturing out briefly, it was already deep autumn, with the solitary peach tree surrounded by fallen leaves.

Ji Yuan swept away the leaves on the table with a wave, finally commencing his tea brewing.

Mu Xueyao sat down opposite Ji Yuan, lowered her voice and quietly whispered:

"Actually, I’ve discovered a major issue."

"Go on."

"I’ve found that someone is stealing business from the Black and White Divine Hall."

"Oh?"

Ji Yuan’s instinctive reaction was that Brother Wen must be dealing with this matter.

Indeed, the things Mu Xueyao said, Ji Yuan wouldn’t doubt.

Especially statements that had no relation to him.

"How so?"

"I mean stealing in a literal sense—like the Demon Beast business in Celestial Killer Mountain—originally Celestial Killer Mountain and Black and White Divine Hall each held a 40% share, and the remaining 20% was divided among the loose cultivators within West Border City, but recently someone has stolen a significant amount of the Black and White Divine Hall’s goods, resulting in a huge loss."

"Done by Celestial Killer Mountain?"

Ji Yuan’s immediate response was this.

Otherwise, in West Border City, who would dare challenge the Black and White Divine Hall?

"No, Celestial Killer Mountain was robbed too."

Mu Xueyao shook her head and continued, "I heard a Tier Four Demon Beast emerged from Celestial Killer Mountain, dissatisfied with their kin being slaughtered, hence rising to resist."