Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 672: Chapter 293: The Agreement of Ice and Fire, Ji Yuan’s Refusal

“Judging by our Alchemy Square’s strategy, I estimate that Shang Mountain has been abandoned, it’s just that the news hasn’t reached us yet.”

Li Changhe looked at this fortress-like Alchemy Square and said.

“Indeed, I reckon it’s quite accurate.”

Ji Yuan shared the same opinion.

“Don’t worry, when soldiers come, we will block them, when water comes, we will cover it with earth.”

Li Changhe said while he glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention to him before speaking softly:

“Think about it from another perspective, if you were a Demon Cultivator, having fought from Shangxi into Shangdong, would you aim for the tender meat of Loose Cultivators or gnaw at the hard bones of us in Shangdong?”

Though the words couldn’t be too blunt, they were indeed true.

… Actually, I don’t need to imagine someone else’s perspective.

Ji Yuan recalled the Demon Path Technique in his mind called “Yin Transformation and Spirit Absorption Book”.

He also glanced at the panel for the upgrade conditions of “Chaotic Burial Mound”.

[Upgrade Conditions: Bury 100 Foundation Establishment Stage corpses, 10 Peak Foundation Establishment corpses, 1 Golden Core Stage corpse. (Not Achieved)]

After cultivating bitterly for a long time, it’s time to enhance my demon dao strength.

For instance, once this Yin Corpse Demon Fire is unleashed, among the same-tier cultivators, who would dare to speak loudly to me?

During their conversation, several escape lights abruptly flew out from the main hall of Alchemy Square, followed by the voice of the Ice and Fire Elder.

“Golden Core guards, Foundation Establishment discusses.”

As his voice fell, Li Changhe pulled Ji Yuan to stand, “Let’s go, it’s our turn now.”

Then, numerous figures flew up from the four walls of Alchemy Square, all heading toward the central hall.

After Ji Yuan arrived there, he glanced around and saw that this Alchemy Square alone had nearly forty to fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Most of them were unfamiliar faces with different auras.

Clearly, they were from other Immortal Sects.

Li Changhe initially wanted to take Ji Yuan to squeeze to the front.

But Ji Yuan remained by the door, habitually keeping everyone in front of him.

After everyone was gathered, the Ice and Fire Elder, dressed like an Emperor, abruptly opened his eyes.

The aura of the Peak of Golden Core slightly leaked out, exerting great psychological pressure on those present.

The hall fell silent.

The Golden Core spoke, “From now on, we will no longer defend Shang Mountain. We only need to guard this Alchemy Square on Wangcheng Mountain.”

Suddenly, the hall was abuzz, and people couldn’t help but discuss fervently.

To avoid appearing abrupt, Ji Yuan also started conversing with Li Changhe beside him.

“…”

The subsequent matters were simple.

The Ice and Fire Elder didn’t say much, merely instructing everyone to guard the Alchemy Square well. He then reallocated the tasks among the numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Alchemy was reduced, while guarding was enhanced.

Each Foundation Establishment Cultivator was assigned under a Core Formation Cultivator, but this wasn’t too bad.

Perhaps considering the grievances among sects, the Ice and Fire Elder assigned the Foundation Establishment cultivators of each sect under their own Core Formation cultivators.

Ji Yuan and Li Changhe were assigned under Hunting Owl Zhenren.

As for assignments, Ji Yuan was finally no longer guarding the streets but defending the Alchemy Square.

Which essentially meant guarding the city.

The ones sent for alchemy were mostly early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

There’s nothing to say about this; everyone acts according to their ability.

After all, you can’t expect a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator to hide in the market and have an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator protect them.

Once the meeting concluded, everyone prepared to leave.

Just as Ji Yuan was about to leave, the voice of the Ice and Fire Elder rang in his mind again.

“You stay.”

Such simple words halted Ji Yuan’s steps.

But just as he thought Ice and Fire Elder wanted him to stay to discuss the Demon Cave matters, he realized he wasn’t the only one staying.

Including him, there were six Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.

… What is this about?

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Considering that Li Changhe, a Fake Pill Cultivator, wasn’t kept, but instead several Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators were…

Six people, four men, two women.

Ji Yuan observed them, gauging them by their attire and aura.

Among the four men, there was one each from Sword Ruins, Medicine King Valley, Spirit Control Sect, and Water Dragon Sect.

The two women were both from Joy Palace.

None from Corpse Transporting Mountain.

Ji Yuan assessed them while they assessed him…

After all, Ji Yuan had performed the Concealing Breath Spell, and his cultivation appeared to be late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Just as he was filled with doubt, the Ice and Fire Elder raised a hand and closed the hall doors.

“Everyone, come closer.”

The crowd gathered and moved to the front of the high platform.

“You basically know the situation, I won’t say much more. The reason for staying is because there’s another arrangement by the Six Sect Alliance.”

The Ice and Fire Elder paused briefly, then continued:

“The six Immortal Sects wish to form a specialized Magic Hunter Squad with the best resources and most talented Peak Foundation Establishment disciples.”

“The goal of this Magic Hunter Squad is to hunt demons as soon as Demon Cultivators come in.”

“Any resources from the Six Sects will be prioritized for the Magic Hunter Squad, including treasures that assist Core Formation, such as Sword Ruins’ Condensing Pill Wood, which will be offered for exchange.”

“What?!”

The Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from Sword Ruins was somewhat astonished upon hearing this.

“Condensing Pill Wood can be exchanged?”

“As long as you earn enough merits, yes.”

The Ice and Fire Elder waved his hand, “Let me finish first.”

“Yes, junior overstepped.”

The person bowed and stepped back, only to find someone else standing even further behind… He smiled politely at Ji Yuan and said nothing further.

“You six were chosen from our Alchemy Square as the most talented and strongest Peak Foundation Establishment… and late-stage cultivators to form the Magic Hunter Squad. What do you think?”

“Of course, participation is not compulsory; it’s entirely voluntary.”

After the Ice and Fire Elder finished, he swept his gaze across their faces, clearly waiting for their responses.

For a moment, they exchanged glances.

Finally, the Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from Spirit Control Sect stepped forward, bowed, and inquired:

“May I ask the senior, why use late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators instead of Peak Foundation Establishment Daoists?”

After speaking, he glanced at Ji Yuan and smiled politely, “I bear no disrespect toward this Daoist; just feel… perhaps Corpse Transporting Mountain’s Daoist Tong You might have slightly stronger ability.”

The Ice and Fire Elder raised an eyebrow upon hearing this… Late-stage Foundation Establishment?

The late-stage Foundation Establishment in your eyes just killed a Core Formation cultivator.

He glanced at Ji Yuan, indicating for him not to hold back and to release his cultivation to make things clearer.

Under his gaze, Ji Yuan indeed stepped forward.

He clasped his hands and said, “Respectfully, senior, I agree with this Daoist’s logic. My cultivation is low, not adept at combat, so I believe the spot on the Magic Hunter Squad should be given to Corpse Transporting Mountain’s Daoist Tong You.”