Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 520: Chapter 244: “Nameless Loose Cultivator, Ji Yuan!

Anyway, his Spirit Stones are now more than he can spend.

“Yes.”

Xie Wan naturally noticed that this senior was actually thinking about going to Ice and Fire Island.

Since that’s the case, she needed to perform well.

If she could handle this matter properly, it would truly enhance her favorability.

Because she could be needed by this senior.

“If senior had come a year ago, there would have been only one ship going to Ice and Fire Island, but now there are two.”

“One of them is a long-established brand, a large ocean-crossing ship of our South Sea City’s Luo Family. For a long time previously, the only safe passage through the Storm Area was controlled by the Luo Family.

Thus, the Luo Family’s large ship is quite stable, with no need to worry about encountering any danger, although the price… might be higher.”

“The Luo Family… is the Golden Core Family of South Sea City you mentioned this afternoon?”

Ji Yuan recalled and asked.

“That’s exactly the Luo Family.” Xie Wan gently nodded.

Earlier that afternoon, when Xie Wan introduced South Sea City, she mentioned this Luo Family.

It’s similar to the Yun Family of Coastal City, except that the Luo Family of South Sea City is much stronger, with a Golden Core Realm ancestor in the family.

And this ancestor naturally has been appeased by the Joy Palace.

Although they called it appeasement, South Sea City is still largely under the control of the Luo Family.

For instance, the only route to Ice and Fire Island remained firmly in the hands of the Luo Family.

It can be said that in the small territory of South Sea City, the Luo Family still holds overwhelming power.

“How many Spirit Stones does it cost to take their ship to Ice and Fire Island?” Ji Yuan asked curiously.

“The Luo Family’s large ship is named ’Whale Patrol,’ said to be entirely crafted from the body of a Tier Three whale Demon Beast, a top-grade Spiritual Artifact-level ship with extremely strong defense capabilities, hence the price… A one-way trip costs 15 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.”

“If you take the Whale Patrol both ways, they only charge 20 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.”

Xie Wan was extremely well-informed and spoke very thoroughly.

“That’s quite expensive indeed.”

Ji Yuan was somewhat amazed.

Although this price was merely a drop in the bucket to him, even for a cultivator at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, it wasn’t considered cheap.

A one-way ticket for 15 Mid-grade Spirit Stones equates to 1500 Low-grade Spirit Stones, which is definitely not cheap.

“True, but it’s not that bad. Cultivators like you at the Foundation Establishment stage, just by packing more good items in your Storage Bag to sell to the people on the island, can basically recoup the Spirit Stones.”

Xie Wan whispered, offering Ji Yuan further advice.

“Oh? So there are quite a few people on the island?”

“Yes… But I’ve never been there. These are all based on hearsay, and I’ve heard that some Foundation Establishment seniors actually rely on this method, collaborating with the Luo Family while earning Spirit Stones.”

Ji Yuan nodded slightly… trading, but surprisingly, the Luo Family hadn’t monopolized this business entirely, leaving some room, which was a bit unexpected for Ji Yuan.

“And the other ship you mentioned? If I’m not mistaken, this ship only appeared in the past year?”

“Correct, the ship named Ephemeral Boat appeared just a year ago, and the people who run it call themselves the Ephemeral Guests. Many say that these Ephemeral Guests are Demon Cultivators…”

“They risked their lives to discover a second safe passage through the Storm Area.”

Xie Wan lowered her voice and continued, “Moreover, when they first launched the Ephemeral Boat, they reportedly had a fight with the people of the Luo Family, and somehow, the Luo Family agreed to let them sail.”

“Oh?”

“And according to the cultivators who have taken the Ephemeral Boat, the passage controlled by the Ephemeral Guests isn’t considered very safe. While it’s not life-threatening, it’s still terrifying due to the storm… So their fare is cheaper.”

“How much?”

Ji Yuan asked.

“For a one-way trip, it only costs 7 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and if you take the Ephemeral Boat both ways, it’s just 10 Spirit Stones, which is half the price.”

“That is indeed much cheaper.”

While holding his teacup, Ji Yuan noticed that Xie Wan’s lips were a bit dry after talking so much, so he lifted his hand and used the Artifact Manipulation Technique to pick up her teacup.

This startled Xie Wan, who quickly stood up to receive it with both hands.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator serving tea to her, a Qi Cultivation cultivator, how could it not frighten her?

“So, which ship do most cultivators choose now?”

Ji Yuan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat before continuing his questions.

Xie Wan finished her cup in one drink before daring to sit back down and reply.

“Cultivators like you at the Foundation Establishment stage naturally mostly choose to take the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol boat.

As for the Ephemeral Boat of the Ephemeral Guests, most of its passengers now are peak Qi Cultivation cultivators like me, who risk everything to go to Ice and Fire Island, trade resources, and gamble with their lives for Spirit Stones.”

Ji Yuan rubbed the teacup in his hands.

His thoughts were indeed in line with what Xie Wan was saying.

To go to Ice and Fire Island, he would take the Luo Family’s Whale Patrol boat.

There’s no need to save money on such a minor matter; if he were to travel, he’d choose something reliable.

Plus, as he listened to Xie Wan’s story, an audacious idea emerged in his mind… could the group of Ephemeral Guests possibly be the Wailing Wanderer and his companions who vanished from Great Love City?

After leaving the Ghost Seeking Cave, they settled all the way in South Sea City.

Of course, this idea seemed somewhat far-fetched.