Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 339: Chapter 185: Hua Yaoyue Arrives in Person

“Rest assured.”

With these two simple words, the three of them left.

The Isle Master of Cloud Mist collected Yang Taian’s corpse, “Let’s go back first.”

Instantly, each Foundation Establishment cultivator dispersed, returning to their respective places.

Back at the lakeside camp, Ji Yuan and the others gathered once more. Liu Yuan looked at the Isle Master of Cloud Mist in front of him and gently asked, “Senior Sister, do you have any suspects?”

Ji Yuan was also curious.

No matter how this matter unfolded, the Isle Master of Cloud Mist should have some insight.

Under their expectant gazes, the Isle Master of Cloud Mist finally shook her head, “Things are as I mentioned earlier, there are no outsiders here, and to be honest with you two Junior Brothers, I am more inclined to believe that Junior Brother Yang was killed by something underground, rather than by someone from the Medicine King Valley or Joy Palace.”

Ji Yuan and Liu Yuan exchanged a look, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

“So that’s really the case.”

“Yes, it was too bizarre. I was only about two miles from Junior Brother Yang at the time, yet I didn’t detect any abnormalities… It mustn’t have been done by a person.”

“If it really was a cultivator, they would have to be at least at the Golden Core Stage.”

The Isle Master of Cloud Mist said, furrowing her brows.

“In that case, we’ll just have to wait for the others to return to take a look.”

After Liu Yuan spoke, Ji Yuan quickly added, “Senior Sister, could we take out Senior Brother Yang’s corpse to have a look?”

“Alright.”

The Isle Master of Cloud Mist waved her hand again, revealing Yang Taian’s corpse on the ground.

With no outsiders around, Ji Yuan released his divine sense to carefully examine it.

The other two did the same.

“The reason for Junior Brother Yang’s death is that his divine soul is gone.”

The Isle Master of Cloud Mist explained.

Ji Yuan noticed this too, but aside from that, there was nothing else to see.

He asked Liu Yuan, who also couldn’t discern anything, “We’ll have to wait for Senior Sister’s decision.”

“Yes.”

So the three of them stayed together, knowing that no matter what caused Yang Taian’s death, it was safer to stay together than to separate.

If it was indeed the other two factions responsible, staying together would be safer even against an ambush.

They waited from day to night, and then from night until morning.

Finally, the three Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators returned from deep within the spirit vein.

Not only did they return, but they also brought back the culprits who killed Yang Taian—two mutated Peak Tier Two Spirit Crystal Beasts.

According to Rou Yi, who returned, the Spirit Crystal Beasts mutated by gaining the ability to devour divine souls.

During their joint investigation of the spirit vein, they almost didn’t notice, and even Gui Zhen was nearly caught. If not for his quick reaction, even his divine soul might have been lost.

Afterward, the three of them worked together to unleash the power of the array, finally slaying the two mutated Spirit Crystal Beasts.

Ji Yuan also went to see them.

Indeed, they were two Peak Tier Two Spirit Crystal Beasts. Even in death, they emitted a strong oppressive aura.

At last, the cause of Yang Taian’s death was fully uncovered, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators all breathed a sigh of relief. To be thorough, Rou Yi and the others joined forces once more, spending ten days thoroughly investigating the entire spirit vein.

They slew three more Spirit Crystal Beasts, but no more mutated ones were discovered.

Afterwards, Rou Yi sent a Communication Talisman back to the sect, and Master Xuan Shui stated he would dispatch another Foundation Establishment cultivator again, instructing those at Liancheng Mountain to be careful.

To be cautious, every descent to the mines in the future included a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator accompanying them.

In this manner, two months passed with no further incidents, and mining activities returned to normal.

A replacement for Yang Taian from the Water Dragon Sect also arrived.

It was a late-stage Foundation Establishment female cultivator named Chen Moxin, known as the Master of Bamboo Shadow Island, a disciple of Su Xin Zhenren in the sect. She was very gentle and coincidentally a friend of the Isle Master of Cloud Mist.

It seems Master Xuan Shui had been very particular in selecting a candidate.

That day.

Ji Yuan had just returned from the underground spirit vein, chatting and laughing with Liu Yuan as they headed back to their lakeside residence.

But just as they reached the door, Ji Yuan noticed something amiss.

Someone had opened the courtyard gate!

After I left, someone else came into my courtyard… Ji Yuan instinctively took a step back, his divine sense already activating the Communication Talisman inside Rou Yi’s storage bag.

At the same time, he held a Talisman Treasure in his hand.

If there was the slightest movement, he was prepared to flee.

But just as he was about to send a message to Rou Yi, a familiar voice echoed in his mind, “What, are you so afraid even when I come to you?”

Ji Yuan was momentarily stunned upon hearing the voice.

“Master?!”

To be safe, Ji Yuan still replaced the Talisman Treasure in his hand with a set of Five Elements Protective Talisman Array. It wasn’t until he opened the door and saw the figure of Hua Yaoyue that he put away the array and breathed a long sigh of relief.

“Master, why are you here!”

Ji Yuan closed the courtyard door, joyfully looking at his master inside.

Hua Yaoyue, wearing a wide-sleeve long dress made of frost-colored shark silk, stood by the Fish Pond. Taller than ordinary women, her slender figure didn’t appear cold and hard but instead gave Ji Yuan an inexplicable sense of security.

The snow-colored skirt’s hem, stirred by the slight breeze at the lakeside, sent gentle waves. Hidden beneath the cloud-patterned brocade waistband, the flowing bead palace sash softly tapped against a jade hoop, producing a “ding-dong” sound.

Hearing the sound, Hua Yaoyue turned slightly, saying blandly, “What, can’t I come if there’s nothing wrong?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

Ji Yuan quickly defended himself.

“I had business passing by here, and happened to remember that you seemed to be here, so I came down to take a look.”

Hua Yaoyue seemed indifferent as she spoke.