Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

The content of Liu Yuan’s first letter was:

“Brother Ji, where are you? I’ve discovered a secret realm over by Shang Mountain; it might contain treasures to aid in Core Formation. How about we explore it together?”

The letter was left a year ago, and with Liu Yuan’s temperament, he likely went on his own.

Ji Yuan then directly looked at the second letter.

The letter was left three months ago.

Not too long ago.

“Brother Ji, I got that treasure for aiding Core Formation—it’s a Gold Casting Pill! But I’ve offended too many enemies, I can’t hold them off, so I’ve headed to Jiyuan Continent first. We’ll meet at Extreme Abyss!”

Ji Yuan’s hand trembled slightly holding this letter.

Goodness, Liu Yuan went to Jiyuan Continent first?

But his luck was indeed good; Ji Yuan had heard of the famed Gold Casting Pill.

A single Gold Casting Pill can increase the probability of Core Formation by twenty percent!

But since one of the required ingredients to refine the Gold Casting Pill has long been extinct in Cangluo, it has also been lost.

The one Liu Yuan found must have been left by an Ancient Cultivator.

…This kid, his luck is pretty good; it seems my decision to leave him back then was correct.

Then, let’s meet at Extreme Abyss.

Ji Yuan feels that given Liu Yuan’s talent, even going to Jiyuan Continent won’t mean mediocrity; surely it won’t be long before his name is heard.

Even if not, post-Core Formation, it’s bound to happen.

Subsequently, Ji Yuan turned to look at Ran Kui’s letter.

This eldest brother’s letter wasn’t left long ago; just half a month past, and its content is extremely simple.

“Little junior brother, I want to ask you for a favor… I really can’t find anyone else; if you see the letter, come to meet me at Linquan Mountain’s Qingzhan Cave, I’ll wait for a month.”

Eldest brother… Has he encountered some tricky situation?

Even using the word “ask”!

Indeed, Ji Yuan’s first thought upon seeing the letter was… to go!

If the eldest brother needs help and you don’t go, can you still call yourself a person?

Linquan Mountain’s Qingzhan Cave.

That was a previous hiding place for Ran Kui, not far away, as he had mentioned to Ji Yuan before.

So after reading the letter, Ji Yuan summoned the Rift Space Flying Boat, stepping inside, and with a flash, the flying boat disappeared from its original spot.

…

Half a month later.

A streak of light flew through, landing among the forest, finally transforming into a flying boat. Standing aboard was a rugged man, bare-chested. He arrogantly surveyed his surroundings, confirming no one was present before piloting the flying boat into the mountain range.

Rift Space Flying Boat hovered in the air, Ji Yuan’s Divine Sense extended, quickly locating the mountain with spring water, though he couldn’t find the Qingzhan Cave.

’Seems the eldest brother’s concealing technique is indeed impressive; my Divine Sense is almost reaching late-stage Core Formation, yet I can’t detect the cave’s location.’

But that didn’t matter; he knew Ran Kui had most likely found him.

So as he piloted the Rift Space Flying Boat near Linquan Mountain, he wrote “Eldest Brother” on the deck with his finger.

Shortly, Ran Kui leaked a slight trace of his presence in the mountain.

Ji Yuan’s mind resounded with his excited voice, “Junior Brother, I’m here!”

“I’m coming.”

Ji Yuan’s flying boat flashed through the forest, and in just the blink of an eye, he arrived at the entrance of a Cave Mansion in the mountains.

His Divine Sense had seen here before as a stone wall; he hadn’t thought much of it, never imagined the Qingzhan Cave was right here.

Ji Yuan also saw his long-time-no-see eldest brother.

With just one glance, Ji Yuan felt a bit heart-sore.

For now, Ran Kui was quite different from how he looked when they parted two years ago.

The most noticeable change was his originally robust body, now much thinner, leaving only his frame as large as ever, plus a new scar on his face, not like a cut but as if something pierced him.

Seeing Ji Yuan staring continuously.

Ran Kui embarrassedly turned his head away.

“Little junior brother, you…you okay?”

Ji Yuan sighed without concealing, “Let’s talk inside.”

“Right, right, I got so excited, forgot to properly welcome you, little junior brother.”

Only then did Ran Kui realize, hastily leading Ji Yuan into the Cave Mansion.

Once seated, Ji Yuan couldn’t suppress his emotions, asking, “How did you become like this, eldest brother…”

Ran Kui’s face lost its smile as he rubbed the teacup in his hand.

“It’s nothing, I just suffered a bit of injury before.”

“Can’t even share it with me?”

Ji Yuan’s voice grew heavier.

“No…sigh, it was when I clashed with two mid-stage Core Formation demon cultivators on Spirit Control Sect side, accidentally got hit by their scorpion poison. These past two years, I’ve been trying to remove it, that’s why the weight loss; don’t worry, I’ll recover soon.”

“Have you removed it now?”

If not, Ji Yuan might need to see if he can help.

“It’s gone.”

As Ran Kui said this, his complexion instinctively paled, looking somewhat unwell.

…Thinking about it, the process must have been extremely arduous, otherwise, the eldest brother wouldn’t have become so emaciated.

Ji Yuan pondered and asked again, “Then the wound on your face, elder brother… was it also from that time?”

On mentioning this, Ran Kui’s face revealed a hint of lingering fear.

“No, this was when I infiltrated Water Dragon Sect, trying to rescue a few fellow disciples, left by a late-stage Core Formation elder from White Bone Sect; at the time…”

Ran Kui chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I really barely survived; if not for the Qi Blood Pill you gave me, little junior brother, I think I’d be gone by now.”