Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 429: Chapter 215: What’s the Damn Use? (Part 2)

It’s riskier to buy here.

Maybe because he was too cautious, or perhaps because he himself appeared to be an extremely old Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Thus, the journey northward was quite smooth, even when he encountered one or two Foundation Establishment Cultivators along the way, they were very friendly to him.

After a whole month, he finally arrived at a city named “Hongcheng.”

Being here meant completing two-thirds of the entire journey.

Moreover, this Hongcheng was considered a major city within the domain of Corpse Transporting Mountain. Ji Yuan estimated it to be about the same size as Great Love City, with the entire area being under the jurisdiction of Corpse Transporting Mountain, so there weren’t so many miscellaneous forces.

Ji Yuan planned to purchase a few “Immortal Materials” here first.

Because it was within the territory of Corpse Transporting Mountain, the trade of corpses was conducted openly, unlike at the Water Dragon Sect where such transactions had to be done secretly.

Ji Yuan first found a place to stay, then spent a few days exploring Hongcheng to get a general understanding of the city. After buying quite a bit of Spirit Wine, he selected a shop that sold Immortal Materials.

It was called the “Living Dead General Store.”

The reason for his choice was simple: it was an official Immortal Material store operated by Corpse Transporting Mountain.

It was somewhat similar to the Hundred Treasures Tower of the Water Dragon Sect, but also different.

The similarity was that both were government-operated; the difference was that the Living Dead General Store only dealt in the trade of corpses.

Ji Yuan arrived at Hongcheng’s Living Dead General Store at noon the next day, taking advantage of the time when there were the fewest customers. As soon as he entered, he felt the thick Yin Energy permeating the store.

Not only that, but he also felt the cultivators on duty in the store looked somewhat like ghosts in human form.

It was unclear whether it was due to practicing a certain cultivation technique or having some grease applied to their faces; their faces appeared exceptionally pale, almost like corpses.

Upon seeing Ji Yuan enter, a Qi Refiner cultivator behind the counter immediately stood up, forcing a stiff smile, “Elder, please come upstairs.”

Having said that, he came out from behind the counter and led Ji Yuan to the second floor.

“Since you are a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, you should be greeted by my uncle from Corpse Transporting Mountain.”

“Please follow me this way, Elder.”

Upon reaching the second floor, Ji Yuan discovered it was actually divided into several rooms. Each room was rectangular and built with black bricks, not interconnected with one another.

It felt to Ji Yuan somewhat like… coffins.

“The uncle on duty today is Brother Huang… There’s also another elder inside, please have a seat here.”

Before he could finish speaking, the door to the room opened, and a long-faced man with graying hair walked out. He lowered his head and paused upon seeing Ji Yuan at the door, then turned sideways, smiling and nodding.

“Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

“Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

Ji Yuan also exchanged greetings.

“Please come in.”

A voice from another cultivator inside the room called out, prompting Ji Yuan to nod to the long-faced man, “Please, I’ll head in first.”

“Of course.”

Looking from the outside, the room appeared like a coffin, but once inside, Ji Yuan discovered it was brightly lit as daytime.

Warm-colored pearls were embedded in the surrounding walls, giving a particularly warm feeling upon entering, completely dispelling the Yin Energy.

Instead of a typical counter, there was a tea table in the room.

A yellow-robed man sat behind, brewing tea. With a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, Ji Yuan guessed his age to be about forty to fifty years old.

“I am Huang Yongnian, please have a seat. The tea will be ready soon.”

Huang Yongnian’s cheerful demeanor made Ji Yuan feel nothing like he was there to buy corpses, but rather visiting a friend… This fellow had some skills.

“I’m Qiu Qianhai, greetings Brother Huang.”

Feigning urgency, Ji Yuan quickly offered a respectful salute, then took a seat opposite Huang Yongnian.

“From your accent, you don’t sound local.”

Huang Yongnian’s casual remark put Ji Yuan on alert… It seemed his disguise wasn’t quite convincing, though mimicking an accent could be challenging.

“Indeed, I’m a Loose Cultivator from Shuinan.”

Caught, he decided to admit it.

“Shuinan is a good place. Years ago, I went south to the Water Dragon Sect with my elders from the sect.”

Huang Yongnian finished brewing the tea, poured a cup for Ji Yuan, and continued, “I can only say that the women of Shuinan… indeed quite delicate.”

Ji Yuan awkwardly pulled at the corners of his mouth, “Only someone like Brother Huang, in their youth, at my age, even knowing that is of no use.”

Huang Yongnian was initially surprised, then burst into laughter upon realizing.

“What a humorous expression, I didn’t expect Brother Qiu to be so witty.”

Holding the teacup, Ji Yuan didn’t take a sip. He waited for Huang Yongnian to finish laughing before speaking: “I came here this time to purchase Immortal Materials.”

“Such trivial matters, leave it to me. Whatever Brother Qiu needs, just say it outright.”

Huang Yongnian patted his chest in assurance.

In just a short time, his reference shifted from “fellow Daoist” to “Brother Qiu,” and finally to “Old Brother Qiu.”

“Early stage Foundation Establishment, Fire Technique Cultivator, eight sets.”

Ji Yuan intended to use these to help Tu Yue advance, while the rest would be buried at the Chaotic Burial Mound to await Corpse Transformation. Anyway, buying them would not result in a loss.

“Oh?”

Huang Yongnian’s heart was secretly delighted upon hearing this.

He initially thought this old man would be similar to the previous customer, hesitant in purchasing even one Foundation Establishment corpse, haggling endlessly over the price.

He had therefore set things up this way to save trouble and sell more goods.