Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Save My Life

The shop that starts with the character “A” typically has the best location in Zengtou City, and the rent is the most expensive.

But this Shop No. 18 “A” is somewhat of an exception because its location is precisely at the angle between these two rows of houses.

If not intentionally looking for it, ordinary passersby wouldn’t notice it here.

Ji Yuan was the same; if he hadn’t come looking for it deliberately this time, he wouldn’t have even known there was a shop hidden here.

His first impression upon entering the house was dimness.

Moreover, the room didn’t have shelves arranged like a regular shop; there were only three disconnected compartments surrounded by black cloth.

Apart from that, there was an old man sitting outside these compartments, smoking a pipe.

He glanced up at Ji Yuan and then dropped his head down again.

“There’s already someone, wait.”

Ji Yuan didn’t understand what he meant, so he had to obediently do as told.

He stood by and waited for about the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, only then did he see the black cloth of one of the compartments being lifted, and a young man in an opulent white robe walking out, his brows furrowed.

He also instinctively looked up at Ji Yuan.

“It’s you?!”

Their eyes met, both a bit surprised.

“Greetings, Daoist Wu.”

Ji Yuan also did not expect to meet Wu Yan here, but upon second thought, it made sense, considering the secrecy of this place and its nature. Most likely, it served the wealthy class in the markets around Cloud Rain Marsh.

Given Wu Yan’s status, it’s natural for him to be a clientele.

In fact, Ji Yuan’s guess was quite accurate, which is why Wu Yan was so shocked to see Ji Yuan’s figure here.

Since Ji Yuan first appeared beside Lu Wan, he had already investigated Ji Yuan’s background.

A completely ordinary fisherman.

But now, this fisherman actually knew the secret of this Shop No. 18 “A”… which was something even Lu Wan wasn’t aware of.

It seemed that Ji Yuan was far from being as simple as he had imagined.

“What are you standing around for? Want to chat, do it outside!”

The old man guarding the door frowned, scolding.

Ji Yuan hurriedly apologized, then turned around, and Wu Yan was already gone… his attitude, however, was vastly different from before.

Since their parting at the Hundred Treasures Tower, this was Ji Yuan’s first encounter with Wu Yan.

Looking at it now, it was probably because of Lu Wan; otherwise, Ji Yuan couldn’t think of any connection between himself and the Wu Family.

In these three months, Ji Yuan had seen Lu Wan a few times, not by random chance, but because Lu Wan had gone out and opened a small stall selling talismans.

That is, she set up a stall in this Zengtou City.

Ji Yuan saw her several times while passing by.

It’s said that when she first set up her stall, the Wu Family tried to persuade her, and later there was an incident on the street, causing the Wu Family to feel disgraced, and they never bothered Lu Wan again.

With such thoughts flashing in his mind, Ji Yuan finally stepped into the black cloth compartment with the curtain lifted.

Inside the compartment, there was only a table and two bamboo chairs facing each other. A cultivator, cloaked entirely in a black robe, gender indistinguishable, sat inside.

Upon entering, Ji Yuan felt as if the outside world had nothing to do with him; there wasn’t the slightest sound coming through, and the curtain even closed on its own.

He instinctively turned his head to look back.

The black-robed cultivator lifted their head slightly, looked at him, and then a hoarse voice came.

“First time here?”

Ji Yuan turned back, sat down in front of him, and said with composure, “Yes.”

“Has Zengtou City sprouted new wealth? How did you come to know about our place?” The black-robed cultivator asked with a faint smile.

Ji Yuan was silent for a moment, “Do I have to reveal such things just to shop?”

“Not really, it’s purely my curiosity.” The black-robed cultivator nodded slightly, “Alright, if you don’t wish to say, don’t say. A guest at the door, speak, what do you need?”

“Five jin of Cold Iron Sand, four Corpse Blossom flowers.”

Currently, what Ji Yuan most lacked were items to upgrade the [Fish Pond] and [Pigsty].

“Please wait a moment.”

After saying this, the black-robed cultivator fell silent, seeming to be consulting with someone in the adjacent compartments, and Ji Yuan patiently waited.

After waiting for a moment, the black-robed cultivator spoke again.

“Regarding Corpse Blossom flowers, whether or not we succeed, we will inform you next month. Cold Iron Sand is currently a priority Immortal Talent being purchased by the Water Dragon Sect, so we dare not interfere. If you need it, it’s recommended that you purchase it sporadically or extract it yourself.”

“If you choose to purchase, it’s advised not to be too blatant, lest you get killed by the Water Dragon Sect.”

“What?” Ji Yuan was startled by this response, especially the latter part, and could not help but exclaimed, “That strict?”

The black-robed cultivator chuckled, “You must have gone and asked at the Hundred Treasures Tower about Cold Iron Sand, right?”

“Yes.”

Ji Yuan nodded, admitting it.

“Then you naturally know how much the Water Dragon Sect currently needs this thing, and yet you’re still contesting Immortal Talent with them… you probably don’t even know who rules Zengtou City.”

After the black-robed cultivator’s explanation, Ji Yuan broke out in a cold sweat.

Indeed, his effort to acquire Cold Iron Sand had been a bit too conspicuous lately.

Not only did he ask around, but once he even intercepted a shipment in front of the Hundred Treasures Tower.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have managed to gather a jin in just three months.

Looking at it now, he realized he almost lost his life unknowingly.

Ji Yuan heaved a sigh of relief, bowed deeply towards the black-robed cultivator… a lifesaving message deserved such a grand courtesy.

“The total comes to ten Spirit Stones.”

Once Ji Yuan stood up, his smile froze on his face.

Damn, not giving items yet charging Spirit Stones, charging this much… Ji Yuan hesitated briefly, then sensed a heavy aura released by the black-robed cultivator.

At least, it’s a late-stage Qi Cultivator!

Ji Yuan smiled and handed over ten Spirit Stones.

Only after receiving the stones did the black-robed cultivator withdraw the aura and said, “We don’t have Cold Iron Sand, no charge for that, this is for Corpse Blossom, an extremely rare item… but we know where to find it.”

“Can’t guarantee we’ll obtain it, if we do, this counts as a deposit, if not, you’ll be refunded by next month.”

Hearing this, Ji Yuan finally felt at ease.

“Thank you, senior.” He bowed again and then exited the compartment.

Now that there was news about Corpse Blossom, Ji Yuan felt another weight off his mind.

No matter what, he decided to wait a month first, if the people of Shop No. 18 “A” couldn’t handle it, he could buy the information on its location, then find a way after reaching the late stage of Qi Cultivation.

After returning, Ji Yuan didn’t dare to collect Cold Iron Sand anymore.

Even when two cultivators came to inquire, he told them he no longer needed it… on one hand, he was worried about the Water Dragon Sect’s potential sting operation, on the other hand, concerned about being watched after hoarding too much.

Ten days later.

A Flying Boat descended from mid-air, arriving at a mist-covered small island, and the person on the boat didn’t disembark, only floated on the water and slowly said:

“Old ghost, the Corpse Blossom you’ve been longing for, someone has finally come to inquire about it.”