Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 1298: Chapter 438: Accident Comes Before Tomorrow

"In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you, Brother Ji."

As Wen Jiu spoke, he retrieved a Jade Scroll from his Storage Bag, handing it over to Ji Yuan with both hands.

"Brother Wen, rest here and take your time to heal. Just wait for my news."

Ji Yuan took the Jade Scroll, his Divine Sense sweeping over it. After confirming everything was in order, he transformed into an Escape Light and swiftly left the place.

Wen Jiu, his hair as white as snow, stood in the same spot, watching Ji Yuan’s departing figure, unable to turn back for a long time.

"..."

"Master, I’ve noticed you’re becoming more and more righteous. You’re truly my good master!"

In the sea of consciousness of Ji Yuan, Tu Yue’s cheerful voice echoed.

"Wen Jiu considers me a friend, and naturally, I consider him one too. How could I sit by idly when he’s facing such a plight?"

Ji Yuan replied in his heart, "Besides, the other party relies on having a Nascent Soul Cultivator as a father, so naturally, Wen Jiu can also rely on his Nascent Soul Stage friend."

"That’s true. Last time’s confrontation with the Duo Ghost Demon Lord didn’t quite test your strength. Now’s a good time to try it out on the Vulture Ascendant."

Tu Yue was a bit excited.

"We’ll see if this Vulture Ascendant’s strength measures up."

After saying that, Ji Yuan accelerated again, heading directly toward Vulture Peak south of Lindong City.

...

Thus, several tens of days passed consecutively.

Finally, on a morning shrouded in fine misty rain, Ji Yuan arrived at a hill a hundred miles north of Vulture Mountain.

... The other party was, after all, a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Though his methods were unknown, recklessly charging forward would surely risk detection.

To play it safe, Ji Yuan once again used the tactics he employed during his previous infiltration of Beiwang Mountain’s Spirit Vein.

Concealing Breath Spell + Spirit Devouring Armor + Conical Hat.

With these three combined, he managed to intrude upon the Spirit Vein and aimed for the top-grade Spirit Stone, which eventually caught the attention of the Duo Ghost Demon Lord.

There was no need to worry about concealment in this aspect.

As Ji Yuan placed the conical hat over his head, he unleashed his Divine Sense, spreading it far and wide like a vast canopy.

The Divine Sense of a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator covered well beyond these hundred miles.

Thus, Ji Yuan easily took in the full view of Vulture Peak, and indeed, around the mountain forests, there were many vultures feeding on carrion.

The mountain itself was so tall that near the great hall at its peak, not a hint of grass or trees grew.

Vulture Mountain, much like this Vulture Ascendant, was completely bald.

"An Array, and a Tier Four Array at that..."

This inevitably reminded Ji Yuan of the time back on the Cangluo Continent where a Tier Four Array was rare and precious enough to be a Sect Protection Array of a great Immortal Sect.

But here on the Jiyuan Continent, it seemed quite commonplace.

The reason was simple; there were genuine Tier Four Array Masters on this continent, and Ji Yuan knew of several... Like the Qian Array Old Monster from Yunxia View, and two Tier Four Array Masters within the Black and White Divine Hall.

’The Bone Nightmare Old Demon likely is one too, just kept well-hidden.’

Ji Yuan could tell from how casually the latter imparted the Tier Four Array’s legacy to him in the past.

Such lackadaisical behavior could only mean one thing—he himself was already a Tier Four Array Master.

Returning to the present at Vulture Peak, Ji Yuan’s Divine Sense focused on it for a while and noticed that many cultivators were coming and going, most of whom appeared to be outsiders with downcast expressions.

Some even had white cloth tied around their arms.

"Master, is it possible that the Vulture Ascendant knows he’s about to die and is holding a funeral for himself in advance?"

Tu Yue sneakily suggested in Ji Yuan’s sea of consciousness.

"Let’s go and see for ourselves."

Ji Yuan cast an Invisibility Technique and leaped forward. In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he had already reached the foot of Vulture Peak.

Perhaps because of its connection to Vulture Peak, a market had formed at its foot, inhabited mostly by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Ji Yuan even spotted a few Core Formation cultivators there.

"I must say, the market beneath the feet of a Nascent Soul Cultivator is something else."

Ji Yuan lightly joked with Tu Yue in his heart and once more released his Divine Sense, eavesdropping on the conversations of cultivators within the market.

Such a major event would certainly have many discussing it, so soul-searching wasn’t necessary.

Sure enough, within just a few breaths, Ji Yuan understood the situation.

It turned out the Vulture Ascendant’s younger brother had perished due to improper practice of a Cultivation Technique, although Ji Yuan also heard several other versions from these gossipers.

One version claimed the man practiced a Dual Cultivation Technique but lacked restraint, ultimately dying atop a Female Cultivator.

And this Female Cultivator was actually one of the Vulture Ascendant’s concubines.

Another version suggested that after discovering the matter, the Vulture Ascendant personally killed his own younger brother.

Regardless of which story was true, they were widely believed.

Discussing the sordid affairs of the powerful is something many indulge in.

Especially when it concerns the private matters of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"Since the Vulture Ascendant is holding a funeral in such sorrow, let’s perform a good deed."

Ji Yuan mused aloud to himself.

"Indeed, like sending the Vulture Ascendant to reunite with his brother..."

In the sea of consciousness, Tu Yue spoke seriously.

This made Ji Yuan feel that perhaps Tu Yue had been led astray by Long Fei, her heart growing ever darker.

Fortunately, the miracle treasure of the conical hat itself had the effect of concealing cultivation, so the further away one was, the weaker their sense of Ji Yuan’s cultivation. Only when close could they detect his Core Formation Stage cultivation.

So he casually gave a few Elixirs as tribute and boldly followed these cultivators, making his way to the top of Vulture Peak, directly entering the Core Formation great hall.

Here, the number of cultivators noticeably dwindled.

Even if there were some, they gathered in twos or threes, chatting idly with familiar friends.

Thus, the solitary Ji Yuan stood out sharply. Shortly thereafter, he noticed a man in mourning attire but with little sorrow on his face approaching him, folding his hands in greeting:

"I am Xue Shou. May I know who this esteemed Daoist might be?"

Xue Shou was the legitimate son of the Vulture Ascendant and the mastermind behind the plot against Wen Jiu.

So upon hearing this name, Ji Yuan unhesitatingly turned to face him, taking in his features.

"Just a lone wanderer. I stumbled upon this joyous occasion and thought I’d take a look."

Ji Yuan smiled, made no attempt to hide, and said it openly.

His words caused the present Core Formation cultivators to fall silent, each closing their mouths and turning their gazes to him.

This left Xue Shou momentarily stunned; he hadn’t expected anyone to dare say such things on Vulture Peak.

He slowly stood, his expression gradually turning cold.

"Could it be, Daoist, that you’ve gone mad? If so, you should seek treatment soon. Don’t spout nonsense on Vulture Peak, or you might not even know how you die later!"

Xue Shou’s words quickly drew agreement and support from several other cultivators.

Ji Yuan cast his gaze over those Core Formation cultivators who agreed but paid them no mind, continuing his dialogue with Xue Shou:

"When I came earlier, the tribute I gave was too light. Now, upon reflection, it seems inappropriate..."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he stepped forward, walking past Xue Shou who stood by.

A flash of snow-white sword light occurred, freezing Xue Shou in place in an instant.

With ease, Ji Yuan removed his head from his shoulders, tossing it aside onto the steps below as if disposing of garbage, then loudly declared:

"Old Vulture, how about using your son’s head as a gift to your brother?"