On the way back to Mist Island, Ji Yuan was already sorting through the storage bags of Yue Zhu and Wang Shan.

There wasn't much in Wang Shan's storage bag, only that one flying boat as a magical artifact, and just over twenty Spirit Stones... though there were quite a few women's clothes.

And some excitement-inducing elixirs.

At a glance, it's obvious she's not a decent person.

So Ji Yuan decided to burn the clothes, but he kept the elixirs, never knowing when they might come in handy in a special way.

But even if useful, they would be used on others; Ji Yuan certainly had no use for them himself.

As someone who practices Body Refinement, he certainly didn't need such things!

In contrast, Yue Zhu's storage bag was a treasure trove; Ji Yuan estimated it contained all the Yue family's assets.

Upon reflection, he was the patriarch of the Yue family, so it's not impossible.

Just Spirit Stones alone, mid-grade ones, there were actually 10, equivalent to 1000 low-grade Spirit Stones, damn, what a bastard.

Additionally, there were two or three hundred low-grade Spirit Stones.

There weren't many magical artifacts, but the protective bronze armor he wore... a top-grade artifact.

Though it was partially damaged from the "Explosive Accumulation," Ji Yuan still planned to wear it himself, under his protective robe, using the outer robe as a disguise to add an extra layer of protection.

With protective magical artifacts, Ji Yuan wished he could arm himself to the teeth.

In case of a life-and-death crisis.

Even without surplus Spiritual Qi to control the artifact, relying solely on its original defensive capability, it might save his life.

As for attack magical artifacts, there was the iron rod in his hand that could change size.

This iron rod seemed to be refined from some mountain root, likely accompanying Yue Zhu through many life-and-death situations, severely worn, not as good as the Water-Split Dragon Spear, so Ji Yuan planned to exchange it for Spirit Stones.

Besides that, he also had a meditation cushion-like top-grade magical artifact.

After refining it, Ji Yuan found it could enhance cultivation effects, though not by much, just approximately a ten percent increase.

Only useful for those at the Qi Cultivation Stage...

Good stuff!

Ji Yuan planned to sit on this while cultivating in the future.

Moreover, these cultivation-assisting artifacts are often expensive, so even if he didn't need it, he could probably sell it for a good price.

At least 100 low-grade Spirit Stones' worth.

There were also quite a few talismanic elixirs, and their quality wasn't low.

Otherwise, in previous battles, he wouldn't have been generous enough to use four top-grade Talismans at once.

Regrettably... the effect of the Explosive Accumulation was probably similar to the Water Bombs.

A full-strength strike at the peak of Qi Refining, plus four Golden Seal Talismans and a top-grade Flying Sword in formation.

For the elderly and declining Yue Zhu, it was a worthy death.

As for Foundation Establishment materials, aside from the millennia-old green orchid grass, Yue Zhu's storage bag surprisingly also contained two Centennial Gentian plants, which caught Ji Yuan by surprise.

Unexpectedly, such gains were made.

But it also indirectly showed that among Foundation Establishment materials, Centennial Gentian is relatively common.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for him to find five plants in this small Cloud Rain Marsh.

Besides that, Ji Yuan felt he gained two alchemical recipes and a talismanic technique during this trip.

Both the recipes and the talismanic technique were top-grade, just right for Ji Yuan's current use.

The two recipes were for the Life-Burning Pill, which boosts one's effort in desperate situations, and the Purifying Void Pill, which aids cultivation.

The Purifying Void Pill isn't valuable, but the Life-Burning Pill is, allowing Ji Yuan another way to earn money once he advances to a top-grade Alchemist.

The top-grade talismanic technique recorded a Talisman called the Phantom Talisman, excellent for both escape and ambush.

Once drawn, it's undoubtedly in demand.

...

Since acquiring the millennia-old green orchid grass, Ji Yuan felt no pressure.

Moreover, on his return, he learned of something anticipated... the Clear Wave Pool had been "nationalized by the sect."

The Water Dragon Sect directly stationed two Foundation Establishment cultivators, sealing off the entire Clear Wave Pool.

Although they still recruited fishermen from Cloud Rain Marsh to mine, it was under strict orders from the Water Dragon Sect, with the acquisition prices suppressed.

But Ji Yuan learned from Du Wanyi that only the prices in Cloud Rain Marsh were lowered.

In neighboring places like Cyan Mountain City, the Water Dragon Sect's price for acquiring Cold Iron Sand didn't decrease; it even rose slightly.

Because of this, Ji Yuan had nothing to worry about.

He was happy with the situation, spending his days cultivating, drawing talismans, and refining elixirs on Mist Island.

He didn't have to handle the mundane chores of many buildings; he just lay down and collected benefits every day.

If he ever got bored, he could ask the Big Toad to catch some Spirit Fish or Demon Beasts for a feast, which was also the Big Toad's happiest time.

Especially after eating various "delicacies" prepared by Ji Yuan, it lost interest in ordinary Spirit Fish.

Even if it really wanted to eat, it preferred items grilled by Ji Yuan.

Days passed by one after another.

This time, Ji Yuan specifically noted the time, to ensure he knew when the New Year approached.

In previous years, he spent the New Year in Zengtou City, where he could buy many things directly, and the New Year atmosphere was slightly stronger, but this time it was different.

On this desolate island, his only companions were a Big Toad and a corpse.

Still, Ji Yuan set aside his cultivation matters a day in advance to decorate his new home properly.

Cleaning was unnecessary; with the "Cave Mansion" effect active, everything was spotless.

His main focus was the New Year's Eve dinner, so he had the Big Toad in the water capturing various ingredients several days ahead.

He even demanded that each capture be of a different species.

Though the Big Toad didn't know what Ji Yuan planned, it understood its good days were coming, so it worked diligently.

Sometimes it went out twice a day, capturing two different kinds of Spirit Fish Demon Beasts each time.

Thus, Ji Yuan's storage bag was filled with various ingredients; fish, shrimp, and crabs were a given, and even loach-like Demon Beasts were caught by the Big Toad.

The Big Toad initially planned to hunt a Tier Two Demon Beast as food, but Ji Yuan persuaded it otherwise.

It's just the New Year, there's no need to risk our lives for it.

But even so, it's enough.

On the eve of New Year's Eve, Ji Yuan got up early, and even with Tu Yue's help, it took him a whole day to handle these ingredients.

Thankfully, there are storage bags for this purpose. Once a dish is cooked, it can be put inside, so there's no fear of it getting cold or losing its flavor.

For every demon beast, Ji Yuan only took the most refined parts of its body.

The rest... he burned an ancient tree into charcoal, ignited it, and roasted it on top.

The big toad watched as a piece was almost done roasting, and would roll it up to eat it. Both the man and the toad were having a great time.

It was night.

Ji Yuan set up a table of delicious food in his little wooden house, even preparing a small pot of sweet osmanthus wine for himself.

It was extremely carefree.

The only flaw was that Tu Yue's corpse acted too stiffly and couldn't speak. Otherwise, she could have sung a little tune or performed a dance.

As it was, all she could do was stand by the door to keep watch for him.

After three rounds of wine.

Ji Yuan didn't know what time it was, only that he had eaten and drunk his fill, to the point where his stomach was round and full.

He didn't bother cultivating and just lay lazily on the soft chair, enjoying the satisfaction of being full. Cleaning up was, of course, Tu Yue's responsibility.

But it was at this moment.

An incredibly loud booming sound came from above the sky, causing even Ji Yuan to feel a vibration.

Originally a bit tipsy, he sobered up in an instant.

He froze for 0.01 seconds, then sprang from the soft chair, and in one step, he was out the door.

The big toad, who had been feasting all day, was now looking up at the misty sky, with a hint of fear in its eyes.

This was the first time Ji Yuan had seen such an emotion in its eyes.

A big toad that would tackle tier-two demon beasts without hesitation was now afraid... What kind of cultivators could be fighting?

He figured they must at least be in the mid to late Foundation Establishment stage, right?

Golden Core Zhenren was definitely impossible.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Ji Yuan had already collected Tu Yue.

Run!

He had to run!

Damn, having to leave home during the New Year, what a mess.

While cursing in his mind, Ji Yuan told the big toad to hide in the depths of the lake.

The big toad, having survived till now, was surely a smart creature. It didn't need Ji Yuan to say much before it hopped towards the shore.

Ji Yuan took a deep breath and looked up to observe.

The booming continued, the entire sky was still rumbling.

Sometimes from the east, sometimes from the west... but all close by, Ji Yuan figured those two cultivators were fighting above the mist.

If that's the case, is running still necessary?

As the thought formed in his mind, Ji Yuan made a decision in his heart.

Running was definitely necessary, but there was no need to leave the area. He would just hide on another island within the mist.

Running outside would make him an easy target. Even a slight remnant of those Foundation Establishment cultivators' battle could be enough to send him to reincarnation.

Luckily, there were many islands within the mist.

As Ji Yuan maneuvered the Thunder Falcon Boat to take off, the sound of the big toad entering the water came from afar, and he hurried to steer the boat away.

He stealthily navigated through the mist, dodging and hiding, doing his best to avoid their battle area.

After a while.

Ji Yuan finally arrived at an unnamed small island. The island wasn't large, but it was densely wooded. He casually found a branch to squat on, preparing to wait until things settled down.

It was a good half an hour before the sounds of the battle in the sky gradually subsided.

Ji Yuan felt the fight should have concluded, or perhaps those two cultivators had taken their fight elsewhere.

Even so, it was still unsettling. Ji Yuan planned to wait another two or three days before coming out.

But at that moment, he suddenly seemed to see a streak of light fall into the mist, and before he could think further, a weak voice echoed in his mind.

"Fellow Daoist, I am Li Changhe, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect. I was injured and exhausted while suppressing demon cultivators. Do you have any healing elixirs? I would be eternally grateful for your life-saving favor."

Ji Yuan: "???"

It really was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he was severely injured, probably even out of elixirs.

Upon hearing this, the first thought in Ji Yuan's mind was... the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!

Being the oriole might bring tremendous wealth.

Not just one Foundation Establishment cultivator's treasures, but two.

He even thought about sending the big toad over, since it was a tier-two demon beast and capturing an injured Foundation Establishment cultivator shouldn't be difficult...

The more he thought, the more promising it seemed.

Yet in that moment, the figures of two people flashed through his mind.

One was Luo Tian, the other Yao Jingfeng.

He shivered suddenly; gambling... was too risky!

Foundation Establishment cultivators had countless tricks up their sleeves. If Li Changhe had some hidden trump card, it would be all for naught.

If he succeeded, but the message got back to the Water Dragon Sect, with his Qi Cultivation Stage strength... he'd likely be a dead man.

"Fellow Daoist, are you hesitating over something?"

Li Changhe's voice transmitted again, disturbing Ji Yuan's thoughts.

"Rest assured, if you save me today, I will reward you greatly in the future!"

Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"How can you prove you are a cultivator of the Water Dragon Sect and not a demon cultivator?!"

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