Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Seashell
Ji Yuan looked at the repaired Yin Ghost Banner in his hand and let out a sigh of relief.
Regardless of whether I genuinely have a talent for arrays, or if it’s simply due to the help from the Enlightenment Room... this is still my own effort, right?
With the array completed, even the later stages of Qi Cultivation should be manageable to some extent.
Ji Yuan planned to leave the ship and find a deserted island to test the fully improved Yin Ghost Array.
He walked out from indoors into the front yard where the two peach blossoms to his right were already in full bloom. A faint fragrance of peach flowers filled the front yard, attracting quite a few bees and butterflies.
Looking at the peach trees, Ji Yuan inevitably remembered the playful Wen Linger from a few days ago, to whom he had promised this year’s peaches.
However, looking at these two saplings that were barely human height, whether they would bear fruit this year was still uncertain.
Upon exiting the door and not seeing anyone around, Ji Yuan summoned the Black Wind Boat and quietly left.
Half an hour later.
A nameless barren island in Cloud Rain Marsh suddenly became shrouded in a black mist, followed by a sinister aura that radiated outward, startling nearby swimming fish into fleeing in all directions.
In the middle of the island, Ji Yuan walked among it, accompanied by two Yin Ghosts who had already advanced to the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation.
Without using his own spiritual power to manipulate the array, Ji Yuan felt a sense of ease.
’With this array, plus two Yin Ghosts, even if I don’t take action, I should be able to kill a typical sixth layer Qi Cultivator.’
Unless someone was prepared with yang items like Red-crowned Chicken blood, they would find it difficult to break this Yin Ghost Array.
Regardless, this array was enough to step through the threshold of first-level arrays.
Especially in Cloud Rain Marsh, Ji Yuan estimated that the number of people who could wield such an array could be counted on one hand.
Since the experiment showed no issues with the array, Ji Yuan waved his hand to retract it. Activating it again would just be a waste of Spirit Stones.
But just as he collected the array, he abruptly sensed a hint of danger.
The Dragon Armor Shield instantly appeared behind him, accompanied by a crisp "ding—" sound.
Ji Yuan, in response, quickly planted the Yin Ghost Banner again. As the array manifested, he also summoned the White Water Flying Sword, although he was unclear about what had transpired.
Nonetheless, he slapped a Golden Body Talisman onto himself.
Not stopping there, he clutched a Thunder Strike Talisman in each hand.
As the black mist surged, Ji Yuan’s figure flashed into the ghostly fog, disappearing in an instant.
Simultaneously, he used the array to clearly see the appearance of the attacker.
A female cultivator carrying an Iron Sword on her back, looking about forty years old, with an aura already at the later stages of Qi Cultivation.
Yet Ji Yuan didn’t sense much threat, thinking she might be a seventh layer Qi Cultivator.
The main point was that Ji Yuan had never seen her before.
Unknown, why would she suddenly strike at me?
Could she be a Tribulation Cultivator?
As her figure entered the array, the female cultivator also noticed something amiss. She formed a spell sign and summoned the Iron Sword on her back. The sword hovered beside her, accompanied by a piece of blue cloth swirling around her.
Seemingly unclear of the situation, she didn’t act rashly, only vigilantly watching her surroundings.
With a clear view of the situation in the array, seeing the female cultivator not acting impulsively, Ji Yuan seized the opportunity to inquire, "I have no grievance with you, fellow Daoist. Why, upon our first meeting, must we fight?"
Upon hearing this, the female cultivator sneered, "Hmph, you demon thieves deserve execution by all. If grievances are needed, how do you explain the innocent cultivators you harmed?!"
So she was one of the rare righteous ones in Cloud Rain Marsh... Ji Yuan immediately realized what was going on.
She must have coincidentally passed by and sensed the Yin Ghost Array’s aura, mistakenly thinking I was a Demonic Cultivator.
Indeed, with the Yin Ghost Array unleashed, the yin aura was overwhelming.
If I were in her place, I would also assume the other party to be a Demonic Cultivator.
"You’ve misunderstood, fellow Daoist."
Since there was no ill will, Ji Yuan explained, "I obtained this array after slaying a Demon Cultivator. It wasn’t crafted by me."
"Not yours?"
The female cultivator’s voice was skeptical, "Thieves never admit they are thieves."
Ji Yuan continued, "You must have seen me earlier, fellow Daoist, how can a Demonic Cultivator be as candid as me? Moreover, if I genuinely were a Demonic Cultivator, I would have attacked long ago rather than speak."
The female cultivator intended to speak, but Ji Yuan interjected.
Not letting her have an opportunity to speak.
"I, like you, am disgusted by Demon Cultivators, which is why I eliminated that one. Fellow Daoist, if you choose to attack me simply for using a Demonic Cultivator’s array, it would surely dishearten righteous cultivators everywhere."
These words finally caused a shift in the female cultivator’s stance.
After pondering for a moment, she said, "Come out, and I’ll believe you."
"Alright."
Ji Yuan hadn’t moved far and was standing directly across from the female cultivator. As he willed, the surrounding black mist was dispelled, making his figure visible.
The female cultivator visibly startled—she hadn’t expected Ji Yuan to be so close.
If he suddenly attacked, wouldn’t she be severely injured, if not dead?
Moreover, upon seeing Ji Yuan’s appearance, she was further surprised.
First at Ji Yuan’s appearance, second at his age.
"Seems I indeed misunderstood you, fellow Daoist. My apologies."
Righteous or Demon Dao was as clear as day to the female cultivator, so she retracted her magical artifact and cupped her fists in greeting, "Hu Fang from Jingde Square greets fellow Daoist."
Ji Yuan returned the gesture, "Zengtou City, Ji Yuan."
"Since it was just a misunderstanding, you may retract the array, fellow Daoist. Truly a misunderstanding." Hu Fang surveyed the array, both fearful and somewhat envious.
This was an array, after all. She hadn’t heard of anyone in Cloud Rain Marsh possessing such a thing.
It wasn’t until Ji Yuan had withdrawn the Yin Ghost Array that she looked to the northwest water, calling, "Brother Du, he’s from Zengtou City, not a Demonic Cultivator, like us, specializing in slaying Demon Cultivators."
Another master!
Ji Yuan felt a chill down his spine.
Especially upon seeing the Dharma ship break through the water, his trepidation heightened.
Two late-stage Qi Cultivators... if they went all out against me, I wouldn’t be certain of escaping.
Fortunately, the misunderstanding was resolved, and it seemed henceforth, the Yin Ghost Banner should not be deployed indiscriminately unless absolutely necessary.
"You’re... Elder Du Kang?"
Looking at the middle-aged man who landed before him, Ji Yuan felt a sense of recognition.
"Yes, but don’t call me elder. We’re all from Zengtou City, just call me Brother Du." Du Kang replied with a grin.
"Since it was all a misunderstanding, there’s nothing more to it."
"But looking at your array, Brother Ji, it’s quite impressive."
Ji Yuan moved back subtly, forcing a smile, "A stroke of luck, merely."
Even as cautious as he was, Du Kang noticed the behavior.
"No need to worry, we’re not Tribulation Cultivators, Brother Ji," Du Kang chuckled.
Ji Yuan smiled, cupping his hands again, "Just fortunate, that’s all."
"Alright then, you’re just overly cautious," Du Kang remarked teasingly.
With a playful glance at Ji Yuan, Du Kang continued, "I and Sister Hu have some matters to attend to deep within Cloud Rain Marsh, we’ll chat next time upon our return."
"Brother Du, Sister Hu, safe travels then."
Ji Yuan cupped his hands to the departing pair, watching them leave.
Once they were a bit further, Hu Fang spoke up, "Brother Du, who did you say previously held this array?"
"Huaiyin Square, Ghost Island Master." Du Kang replied solemnly, "Just mid-stage Qi Cultivation, but years ago Han Feiyu once challenged him, and using the power of this array, managed to hold his own against Han Feiyu’s seventh-layer Qi Cultivation."
"Later, people from our society mediated between them, and they ceased their conflict."
"Unexpectedly, Ji Yuan quietly slew Ghost Island Master and seized his array."
Hu Fang was well aware of Han Feiyu’s repute, "Who exactly is this Ji Yuan?"
Du Kang exhaled, "Like you, this is the first time I’ve heard of his name."
"Seems he’s a newly rising figure, likely it won’t be long before we see him in our society," Hu Fang speculated.
Du Kang nodded, "That’s a good thing. If we find ourselves outmatched in the future, we can ask Ji Yuan for help. With his array, our chances should improve."
"Great."
"..."
Once they departed, Ji Yuan hurriedly piloted his ship into the water’s depths, vanishing.
Afterwards, he didn’t rush to return to Zengtou City but wandered Cloud Rain Marsh for two days, finally landing from another direction on the third day.
Yet, as he reached the entrance of his courtyard, preparing to push the gate open, his gaze naturally swept across the doorpost.
With just a glance, he instinctively paused.
By the door.
He saw a shell.