Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 280: Chapter 165: Return Home in Glory

Ji Yuan took the tea Lin Hu poured and asked, “Hu Zi, you aren’t fishing anymore?”

“No, I stopped going into the water about three years ago. Nowadays…” Lin Hu chuckled innocently, “I’d say I’m barely a Talisman Master.”

“Oh? Being a Talisman Master is good.”

Ji Yuan didn’t expect Lin Hu would become a Talisman Master, “Tell me, how did you get this opportunity?”

“Actually, I owe it all to Brother Ji’s help that I became a Talisman Master.”

“How is it because of me?”

For a moment, Ji Yuan didn’t understand.

Listening to Lin Hu’s detailed explanation, Ji Yuan finally understood what it was all about.

Before Ji Yuan left years ago, he had given Lin Hu a bottle of elixir for a breakthrough, plus four middle-grade first-level talismans and a storage bag.

After Lin Hu received these items, he first broke through from Qi Cultivation third level to Qi Cultivation fourth level.

Becoming a cultivator in the middle phase of Qi Cultivation, and after some contemplation, he simply sold the four talismans and the storage bag!

In the end, he used the nearly 80 pieces of low-grade spirit stones he obtained to purchase a book called “Initial Understanding of Talisman Dao” along with a several-handed talisman brush, talisman ink, talisman paper, and other items.

After researching diligently at home for three months, Lin Hu found he could actually create something decent.

This further boosted his confidence, and after another two months, he finally managed to draw a complete talisman.

From that point on, his livelihood switched from fishing to talisman painting.

After hearing this, Ji Yuan was quite touched; he never thought Lin Hu would be so decisive, daring to sell all those items and turn to talisman painting.

But at least it was talisman painting.

Among the Pill Array Talisman Instruments, Talisman Dao is the simplest and easiest to start with.

“So now, you must be the renowned Master Lin of Zengtou City, huh?” Ji Yuan teased.

“I wouldn’t dare; I still can’t stabilize middle-grade talismans and am currently relying on low-grade talismans to survive.”

Having had many encounters, Lin Hu now knows how to be modest.

Even as a Talisman Master, he wouldn’t be boastful.

Ji Yuan then asked about the situation of the neighboring household; Lin Hu said they moved here from Jing’an District, and they are just ordinary fishermen with nothing special, except that the boy has no Spirit Root, and it’s uncertain how that will be dealt with in the future.

“What about the Wen family? I just looked over, and it seemed like they’ve moved out?”

Ji Yuan checked out the neighboring courtyard earlier and noticed the Wen family’s former home… it’s drastically different now. Ji Yuan didn’t see the familiar Wen Lin couple, nor Wen Ling Er, but only a solitary female cultivator elegantly dressed.

“The Wen family? Brother Ji, weren’t you informed at the Water Dragon Sect?”

Lin Hu was surprised at Ji Yuan’s inquiry.

“I didn’t know, did Wen Ling Er truly have a Celestial Spirit Root and got enrolled in the Water Dragon Sect?” Ji Yuan asked in return.

Lin Hu seemed like he wanted to say something, hesitating, appearing a bit reticent.

Seeing Lin Hu’s worry, Ji Yuan smiled and said, “Rest assured, with me here, no one in Zengtou City can eavesdrop on us.”

Because Ji Yuan released his Divine Sense.

This way, even if Han Feiyu came, Ji Yuan could sense him in advance. But just as he released his Divine Sense, he detected something unusual… the ornate female cultivator living in the Wen family’s previous courtyard was running a business that was anything but legitimate!

Which explains why she didn’t need to sail out on a boat.

“In the year you joined the Water Dragon Sect, Wen Ling Er also went for Spirit Root assessment.”

Lin Hu lowered his voice to speak.

“Indeed.”

“At that time, I was watching on the sidelines, and after Wen Ling Er’s Spirit Root was assessed, a mist surged over the entire fish cage, and when the mist cleared, Wen Ling Er’s whole family had disappeared.”

“Disappeared?”

Ji Yuan speculated a bit.

“Yes, at that time Wen Ling Er’s assessed Spirit Root was of a single color. I initially thought it was a Celestial Spirit Root, but when the previous Celestial Spirit Root was assessed here in Zengtou City, the Water Dragon Sect wasn’t so discreet. Later, I gathered some information… It’s most likely Wen Ling Er is a Wind Spirit Root among the Abnormal Spirit Roots!”

For years, Lin Hu dared not mention this, fearing involvement. Only with Ji Yuan’s return today did he dare let it slip.

“An Abnormal Spirit Root…”

Ji Yuan murmured.

Considering Lin Hu’s narrative, it probably was an Abnormal Spirit Root; even a Celestial Spirit Root wouldn’t warrant such cautious treatment by the Water Dragon Sect.

Because it was an Abnormal Spirit Root, the Water Dragon Sect kept the news tightly under wraps.

If Ji Yuan hadn’t asked upon his return, he wouldn’t have known at all.

“Indeed, I’m ninety percent sure.” Lin Hu nodded earnestly.

“Alright, this could implicate a lot; remember not to talk about this, and if the news leaks, the sect might thoroughly investigate.”

“Okay, I understand, Brother Ji, you can rest assured.”

“Alright.”

The two didn’t dwell much further on the topic. Shortly after, Wu Qin brought dinner, and Ji Yuan stayed for an evening meal.

After all, the next visit could be a long time coming.

By the following day.

Ji Yuan left behind some first-level elixirs and talismans, plus a book “Insights into Talisman Dao”, then departed the lakeside cottage.

Then he headed into Zengtou City to meet Luo Tong who had taken care of him before.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ji Yuan also left some elixir for him.

Nearby Luo Tong’s home, Ji Yuan also encountered the long-absent chicken cultivator, who still sold chickens, with unchanged cultivation. When he saw Ji Yuan, he didn’t dare call him “Brother Ji” like before.

Instead, lowering his head and obediently calling “Elder Ji.”

After meeting these familiar faces, Ji Yuan departed with Han Feiyu, northward back to the Water Dragon Sect.

The same day.

Lin Hu didn’t stay home painting talismans but went alone to Zengtou City. After some inquiries, he found out that Ji Yuan returned not alone but with Han Feiyu. Moreover, according to local rumors, the two had successfully established their Foundation, so they returned for a visit.

After all, many people saw that even disciples of the Water Dragon Sect had to pay respects to them, addressing them as “Uncle Master.”

After discovering this, Lin Hu returned home to discuss with Wu Qin, saying:

“Brother Ji has probably established his Foundation; likely, it won’t take long for people to come and rent the house Brother Ji lived in, and I suspect there’ll be interest in our house too.”

“No way, if Brother Ji truly established Foundation, our house would be imbued with the aura of a Foundation Establishment Immortal, how can we rent it out to others?”

Wu Qin immediately replied.

Lin Hu narrowed his eyes slowly, saying, “Do you really believe there’s such a thing as the aura of a Foundation Establishment Immortal?”

“That’s just a fantasy of some who are obsessed with establishing Foundation.”

“Then what do you mean, Brother Hu?”

Knowing her husband has become different, even smarter, Wu Qin often follows Lin Hu’s advice without causing too much trouble.

Lin Hu pondered quietly for a while before saying:

“I plan to let slip that Brother Ji broke through in our house. Whether others believe it or not, our house’s price will surely increase. We’ll choose a high price to sell and use those spirit stones to move into the city… With these resources from Brother Ji, standing our ground in the city shouldn’t be hard.”

“By then, I’ll attempt a promotion to a middle-grade first-level Talisman Master.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”

After Wu Qin spoke, Lin Hu stroked the short mustache on his chin, saying:

“What do you think Brother Ji would choose if he were here?”

“…”

After returning to the Water Dragon Sect, Ji Yuan headed straight for Wan You Island. If Wen Ling Er really has an Abnormal Spirit Root, then Hua Yao Yue should have some information.

He’s planning to investigate, hoping to learn news of his former near neighbor.

After all, a nearby neighbor with a wind element abnormal Spirit Root certainly piques Ji Yuan’s curiosity.