Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 888 - 353: Extreme Abyss Gallop · First Encounter [Requesting Monthly Ticket]

Ji Yuan hesitated, struggled for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "This matter is too significant, Daoist Ma, could you allow me a few days to think it over and then make a decision?"

"You’re thinking of running away?"

Ma Gui saw through his thoughts at a glance, "Sure, if you really have the guts... then run and see what happens, let’s see how you survive the joint pursuit by our Bone Nightmare Sect, the Black and White Divine Hall, and the Zhou Family."

Ma Gui laughed heartily and tossed out a Communication Talisman.

"For the next few days, I’ll be in Lindong City. I’ll give you three days to think it over. If you don’t contact me in three days, I’ll assume you’re not going to cooperate with me."

With that, his figure transformed into a black Escape Light and flew straight out of the Cave Mansion.

Ji Yuan watched his departing figure, contemplating several times to stop him.

But in the end, he held back.

Killing Zhou Jin is easy, but killing this late-stage Core Formation, a disciple of a Nascent Soul old demon... Ji Yuan felt that unless he used all his means and fought desperately, there might just be a sliver of chance.

Otherwise, it was a death mission.

Let alone being in Lindong City right now.

Watching Ma Gui leave, Ji Yuan’s first thought after closing the Array was... how did he know it was I who killed Zhou Jin?!

There must be someone from the Bone Nightmare Sect in the Zhou Family’s pharmacy!

They must have left a mark on me, otherwise how could Ma Gui track me down so soon after I returned to Lindong City.

When Ji Yuan thought of this, his Divine Sense had already checked his body several times over.

But he still couldn’t detect anything.

’Could their means really be this advanced?’

Not believing it, Ji Yuan recalled his various means and first stirred up the Blood Qi in his body, letting it permeate throughout, yet nothing was found.

What about the Yin Corpse Demon Fire?

As the master of the Yin Corpse Demon Fire, Ji Yuan was naturally unafraid of being burned by it.

So he first let the Demon Fire burn his entire body... and found it!

His eyes widened, and his Divine Sense instantly swept over his sole.

On the sole of his left foot, a green dot suddenly appeared.

No matter how the Yin Corpse Demon Fire burned, this dot did not dissipate in the slightest.

Instead, it seemed to absorb the energy from the Demon Fire, becoming clearer.

Yin object?

Ji Yuan instinctively summoned the Canglan Sword.

Flashing with the Purple Sky Divine Thunder.

A little Divine Thunder would make any Yin object disappear, but just as Ji Yuan was about to act, he realized something.

"If I destroy this tracking mark, Ma Gui will surely notice, and then if he chases after me, that’ll be troublesome."

"So if it has to be destroyed, it should be when I’m ready to leave and destroy it then."

While Ji Yuan was thinking, he noticed a Communication Talisman vibrating within his Storage Bag.

It was still Xing Shuang.

Ji Yuan took out the Communication Talisman, and a voice echoed in his mind sea.

"Daoist Changgeng, this Ma Gui is notoriously treacherous, be cautious in your dealings with him!"

... This Xing Shuang is quite concerned about me.

Ji Yuan sighed inwardly and casually replied, "Thank you, Daoist Xing, for your concern."

Soon, Xing Shuang replied.

But this time, she seemed to be considering her words, and her tone was slightly wavering.

She tentatively asked, "Could it be... you were targeted by the Bone Nightmare Sect?"

"Hmm?"

Ji Yuan frowned subconsciously upon hearing this.

Why is she asking this?

Could she know something?

As Ji Yuan was puzzled, Xing Shuang’s message came again, "Daoist Changgeng, don’t worry, my relationship with the Bone Nightmare Sect is also very bad, even having past grievances with Ma Gui, so I didn’t show up when he came earlier."

Ji Yuan stared at the Communication Talisman in his hand, pondering for a while.

He also replied tentatively, "Daoist Xing, if you have any thoughts, feel free to share."

"Well... then I’ll come over and say it in person. Is it convenient for you, Daoist Changgeng?"

Ji Yuan glanced around and replied by sending a message, "I’ll come over to you instead. Ma Gui just left, I’m worried he might have left some means here."

"...Okay."

After a while, inside the Cave Mansion on the neighboring mountain.

It was Ji Yuan’s first time visiting Xing Shuang’s Cave Mansion, and judging by her fidgety demeanor, it seemed few people had been here.

Because although outwardly Xing Shuang appeared heroic and unrestrained.

Her Cave Mansion was actually quite... girlish?

In any case, the decorations everywhere were pink, looking rather cute, even the paths on both sides of the Cave Mansion were planted with small pink flowers.

Ji Yuan kept his gaze straight ahead.

Once seated, Xing Shuang also served the tea.

"There’s no need for formalities with you, Daoist friend." Xing Shuang sat down opposite Ji Yuan.

"Alright."

Ji Yuan didn’t drink the tea but slightly turned, appearing ready to listen intently.

Xing Shuang pondered, "If you have truly offended Ma Gui, then I might have a place that could help you get rid of him."

"Oh?"

Ji Yuan looked at the ripples on the tea surface on the table, after a brief pause, he slowly said:

"That Secret Realm... is it really that difficult?"

He hit the nail on the head.

Being directly exposed, Xing Shuang’s face flushed with a hint of embarrassment.

"No wonder you’re Daoist Changgeng, nothing escapes your notice."

Hearing this, Ji Yuan thought to himself, as expected.

Indeed, it confirmed the old saying: unprovoked kindness hides ill intentions.

This Xing Shuang being so enthusiastic towards him was not sinister or larcenous, but there was some agenda.

Ji Yuan had already had some suspicions back in his Cave Mansion; it was probably the Secret Realm still had some troublesome Arrays.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t try so hard to get him to go over.

"I recall you have been out for two to three years this time, haven’t you? How are you still trapped in an Array?"

Ji Yuan asked curiously.

Now that the conversation was open, Xing Shuang didn’t feel embarrassed anymore.

She frowned and thought for a while, then said, "With Brother Changgeng’s last guidance, we indeed managed to get through the Desert Array, obtaining some treasures. But as we continued deeper, we encountered a tougher Illusion Array."

"What kind of Illusion Array?"

"One that evokes the deepest desires in a person’s heart, there, we have no hiding..."

Xing Shuang said, a slight melancholy in her eyes.

"To be frank, Brother Changgeng, one of our companions is still trapped in that Illusion Realm and can’t get out. That’s why I was hoping Brother Changgeng could come with me to break through the Maze Array and share the opportunity."

...So, she wants me to go explore the Secret Realm together?

Indeed, if I want to shake off the Bone Nightmare Sect.

If I want to shake off Ma Gui, heading to such a Secret Realm adventure is indeed a good way.

But... should I really go?