Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Wealth

Ji Yuan first steered the boat to the fish cage to sell the Spirit Fish, earning a modest profit of 18 Spirit Stones.

Next, he needed to deal with the 32 Water-Resistant Talismans. The most profitable way would naturally be to set up a small stall in Zengtou City, opening a humble shop.

Self-production and self-sale.

This way, he could sell at the price of 2 Spirit Stones per talisman and collect 64 Spirit Stones.

But the downside of this method is it’s time-consuming. Who knows how long it would take to sell 32 Water-Resistant Talismans, and at the same price, people would certainly prefer to buy from the Hundred Treasures Tower.

After all, that’s the big manufacturer; the quality is assured.

Another way would be to sell them in bulk to the Hundred Treasures Tower, or other shops. This way, he certainly wouldn’t receive 64 Spirit Stones, as others need to earn as well.

The benefit is that it saves time and doesn’t delay his affairs.

Ji Yuan naturally chose to sell in bulk; he didn’t have the time to guard a stall.

With the time spent guarding a stall, he could earn more Spirit Stones by painting talismans.

Selling them to the Hundred Treasures Tower was convenient, so when he arrived at the familiar place and took out the 32 Water-Resistant Talismans from his Storage Bag, the Water Dragon Sect cultivator on duty gave him a lingering glance.

”You drew these yourself?”

”Indeed.”

Ji Yuan openly admitted.

The Water Dragon Sect cultivator looked him up and down, ”I haven’t seen you before; you must be new to this. To have such a success rate and quality shows talent.”

”Remember to try the Talisman Dao division at next year’s Water Dragon Sect selection; you might become our junior disciple.”

Hearing this, the other cultivators on duty also turned their heads.

Ji Yuan didn’t expect such an event and was about to modestly respond when a familiar laugh came from behind him.

”I wonder which outstanding talent has emerged from Zengtou City to have Senior Brother Liu praise so.”

The person coming was... Wu Yan, and Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think how small Zengtou City was, running into him here.

Just as he was thinking of brushing the matter off, a cheerful call rang out, ”Ji Yuan!”

Lu Wan also arrived.

With this, he had no choice but to turn around, cupping his hands and smiling, ”Greetings, Sister Lu and Daoist Wu.”

”It’s you!”

After seeing Ji Yuan’s face, Wu Yan’s smile froze.

He couldn’t help it; the memory Ji Yuan left him last time was too deep... It wasn’t the Spirit Awakening, but the ’brother’ thing.

But after thinking it over, he understood.

Ji Yuan probably didn’t have any feelings for Lu Wan.

If he did, with his age, he wouldn’t have acted that way. Not to mention admitting to being Lu Wan’s brother, he’d be eager to acknowledge being a Dao companion.

So Wu Yan realized it was his overreaction.

”It’s me. I must thank Daoist Wu for your guidance last time; otherwise, I’d still be trapped in it.” Ji Yuan chuckled.

The Water Dragon Sect’s Senior Brother Liu also laughed, saying, ”You two know each other? Is this another disciple recruited by Lao Wu?”

”Lao Wu” naturally referred to Wu Wenbin.

The reason Senior Brother Liu was so familiar with Wu Yan was because Wu Yan joining the Water Dragon Sect was a sure thing.

The same was true for Lu Wan.

Therefore, to the cultivators on duty, these two were no different from junior brothers and sisters.

Besides, Wu Yan had a wealthy father, so it wasn’t a bad thing to make connections early.

”It’s a pity, not yet. I wonder if Daoist Ji has any thoughts?”

Wu Yan looked at Ji Yuan with a smile returning to his face.

”I’m afraid Master Wu won’t think much of me.” Ji Yuan sighed.

Honestly, he had no intentions of becoming an apprentice.

With a Level 1 [Talisman Room], he didn’t need a master.

After all, becoming an apprentice would bring many entanglements, and Ji Yuan didn’t plan to take a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator as a teacher.

”Whether it succeeds or not, let’s have my father take a look. Next time you come by, I’ll have him check your aptitude.”

”Thank you, Brother Wu.”

Ji Yuan decided he definitely wouldn’t visit the Wu Family again.

”Alright, young man, here are your Spirit Stones; take them. If you have more in the future, feel free to bring them to the Hundred Treasures Tower.”

Senior Brother Liu spoke from behind, and as Ji Yuan turned to the counter with a pile of Spirit Stones stacked like a small mountain, he was somewhat taken aback.

Quickly reacting, he flicked his hand, activated the Artifact Manipulation Technique, and gathered them into his Storage Bag.

In the process, he counted them, totaling 60.

For a giant like the Hundred Treasures Tower to only take a 4-Stone fee, it was already a high price, so Ji Yuan respectfully cupped his hands towards Senior Brother Liu.

”Thank you for your care, Senior. I’ll go back and practice diligently.”

With that, he bid farewell to Lu Wan and Wu Yan and left swiftly.

Lu Wan turned to watch his departing silhouette, somewhat dazed... The Ji Yuan from before didn’t seem to avoid her like this, and his strength didn’t seem so impressive?

After returning that day, Lu Song had told Lu Wan that Ji Yuan had already reached the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation.

Seeing him today, he had such talent even for Talisman Painting.

Wu Yan also noticed this; he approached to chat with Senior Brother Liu for a while, who then took out a Water-Resistant Talisman painted by Ji Yuan.

Wu Yan received it with both hands, and Lu Wan also came over to look.

”The Talisman strokes are pretty ordinary, but the success rate... Senior Brother Liu said he sold 32 Water-Resistant Talismans in one go. How many days was that?”

”His success rate must be at least twenty to thirty percent, and he’s just gotten started.”

Newly started, a success rate of twenty to thirty percent, that talent is probably on par with Lu Wan.

After all, for a typical cultivator just starting with Talisman Painting, let alone twenty to thirty percent, even if out of fifty talisman papers, two or three were successful, that would be considered good.

Realizing this, Wu Yan felt a bit pressured.

He subconsciously glanced at Lu Wan... fearing that the gentleman might be indifferent while the lady has feelings.

Not to mention, Ji Yuan’s handsome looks and notable talent made him very appealing to female cultivators...

Ji Yuan was unaware of their thoughts.

Walking on the streets of Zengtou City, his mind was entirely on his Storage Bag.

He couldn’t help it; poverty had truly frightened him!

Having never seen so many Spirit Stones before, he carefully counted them several times.

pieces!

A full 98 pieces, just two more Low-grade Spirit Stones would exchange for a Mid-grade Spirit Stone!

With so many Spirit Stones, how should he spend them?

What Ji Yuan looked forward to most was upgrading his buildings. Everything he had now was due to building upgrades.

Only by continuing to upgrade his buildings could he achieve greater improvements.

However, for buildings, it was either the [Fish Pond] or the [Pigsty], and though he had enough Spirit Stones, the two other conditions were hard to fulfill.

Since those two were difficult, why not imitate the [Talisman Room] and first construct the [Alchemy Room] and [Artifact Refining Room]?

Upgrading to Level 2 might be tough, but Level 1 should be achievable.

But doing so would require further development for a considerable time.

In a moment of clarity, Ji Yuan had an epiphany.

Why was he painstakingly upgrading buildings if not to increase his strength?

Now with 98 Spirit Stones, if he wanted to break through to the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation... even as a four-spirit root, it was more than enough, let alone for someone with five spirit roots.

If so, why wait?

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush; improve the realm first!