Chapter 19: New Neighbor
【Cave Dwelling Lv2】
【Effect: Daytime spiritual energy concentration +10%, nighttime spiritual energy concentration +30%, basic soundproof barrier】
【Upgrade Requirements: 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 6 Clear Spirit Jades, 10 Jin of River-Stabilizing Sand】
Regardless of whether it was day or night, the spiritual energy concentration had increased by 10%.
At first glance, it did not seem like much of a difference, but over time, it would certainly accumulate.
Cultivation was a painstaking process, and gaining even a slight advantage every day could yield remarkable long-term results.
In addition, there was now a soundproof barrier.
A barrier, as far as Ji Yuan could tell, was quite similar to a formation.
The Dust-Repelling Barrier of the Level 1 【Cave Dwelling】 was nothing more than a simple dust-repelling formation.
With the Level 2 soundproof barrier, even if he made a huge racket inside the cave dwelling, no one outside would be able to hear a thing.
It would certainly improve safety to some extent.
It was just a pity that no defensive-type barrier had been unlocked. He could only hope for such features in future upgrades of the 【Cave Dwelling】.
As for the upgrade requirements, Ji Yuan had expected the fifty spirit stones. However, he had never heard of Clear Spirit Jade or River-Stabilizing Sand before, nor did he know their value. He could only plan to ask about them at the Treasure Pavilion later.
After upgrading the cave dwelling, Ji Yuan felt the air in his home had become much fresher.
Looking around, the place was now spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.
The previously gloomy atmosphere had been replaced by brightness and clarity.
‘Now this feels like the proper setting for cultivation.’
After briefly admiring the results, Ji Yuan dug out a pot of slightly spiritual energy-infused rice from the storage room… it was time to feed the chickens. And after the chickens, the pigs would need to be fed as well.
Yes, that “cultivation atmosphere” had lasted no more than half a stick of incense.
After finishing his chores, Ji Yuan returned inside to continue studying the “Artifact Manipulation Technique.” No matter what, he needed to at least be able to freely control his magical tools.
Otherwise, having a collection of tools without knowing how to use them would be pointless.
Unknowingly, Ji Yuan’s cultivation base continued to make steady progress.
…
That afternoon.
While cultivating in the courtyard, Ji Yuan suddenly heard the sound of a door opening from the courtyard to his right—Old Huang’s home.
Damn it, he’s not dead?!
No matter what, Ji Yuan could not pretend he didn’t know, given that this man had been responsible for the death of the original Ji Yuan’s father. He immediately stepped out of his courtyard.
At the same time, his mind had already connected with the life-taking needle inside his storage pouch.
But when he reached the door, he saw two middle-aged men standing outside Old Huang’s courtyard, both dressed in the Water Dragon Sect’s standard attire.
The two men also turned to look at him as soon as he appeared.
“Greetings, honored sirs.”
Ji Yuan quickly cupped his fists in greeting.
The two merely responded with a curt “Mm” and said nothing more. Ji Yuan turned to glance inside Old Huang’s courtyard and noticed there were two more cultivators from the Water Dragon Sect inside.
“May I ask, honored sirs, what is happening here?”
Ji Yuan could not help but ask.
“The fisherman who lived here has died. We are here to reclaim the Immortal Residence. Are you one of his relatives?”
One of the Water Dragon Sect cultivators, who held a sword, turned to ask.
So Old Huang really was dead… Ji Yuan slowly shook his head.
“No, I’m just his neighbor.”
The sword-wielding cultivator turned back without saying another word.
Just then, the door to the Lin family’s courtyard opened, and Wu Qin, still looking a bit pale, stepped out while holding onto the doorframe. “Brother Ji…”
At some point, she had also started calling Ji Yuan “Brother Ji,” following Lin Hu’s example.
Judging from the way she occasionally glanced at Ji Yuan, she seemed to have some feelings that even she couldn’t fully explain.
“Mm, where’s Lin Hu?”
Looking at Wu Qin’s injuries, Ji Yuan thought that if she had just one Hundred Herb Pill, she would have already recovered by now.
Moreover, if such injuries were not treated early, they could easily leave hidden damage over time.
But a Hundred Herb Pill cost at least five spirit stones.
Now that Lin Youwei and his wife were dead, the entire burden had fallen on Lin Hu, who was only at the second level of Qi Refinement.
This reminded Ji Yuan of his own situation—barely able to afford the Immortal Residence Fee, let alone buy any Hundred Herb Pills.
“He… he went out to sea.”
Wu Qin glanced toward Yunyu Marshlands, her expression somewhat sorrowful.
After sealing Old Huang’s house, the Water Dragon Sect cultivators mounted their flying artifacts and left one after another.
Only after they had gone did Wu Qin dare to speak up. “Brother Ji, is Old Huang really dead?”
“Mm, that’s what the Water Dragon Sect cultivators said.”
“Good riddance!”
Wu Qin’s voice carried an undeniable sense of satisfaction, and her fingers gripping the doorframe turned pale from the pressure.
Since the Water Dragon Sect had officially confirmed Old Huang’s death, it wouldn’t be long before the house was rented to someone else.
Ji Yuan had no idea what his new neighbor would be like.
However, the people who could afford to rent these riverside houses were usually no stronger than the fourth level of Qi Refinement.
Those with higher cultivation had already moved into the inner city of Zengtou Market.
As long as it wasn’t someone at the fifth level, Ji Yuan wasn’t particularly concerned.
That evening, Ji Yuan even heard Lin Hu’s loud laughter next door, repeatedly shouting, “The heavens have eyes!”
Clearly, he had just returned from his fishing trip and learned the news of Old Huang’s death from Wu Qin.
…
Ji Yuan had originally thought it would take three or four days before a new tenant arrived.
Unexpectedly, the very next day, the new neighbor knocked on his courtyard door.
The newcomer was a middle-aged man dressed in a worn-out white robe, with cultivation at the third level of Qi Refinement. He lived alone, with sunken, dark-ringed eyes, looking very much like a typical cultivator.
“Hehe, I am Deng Yunliang, originally a rogue cultivator from the State of Yu. By sheer luck, I’ve made it to Zengtou Market of the Water Dragon Sect. I hope fellow Daoist will look after me in the future.”
Ji Yuan returned the greeting and introduced himself as well.
He was neither enthusiastic nor cold.
Deng Yunliang also brought a small box of mung bean cakes as a gift.
They were just ordinary snacks bought in Zengtou Market, nothing that required spending spirit stones, so Ji Yuan accepted them.
“I’ve just arrived, so I still need to visit a few more neighbors. Fellow Daoist Ji, let’s chat again another time.”
“Alright.”
“Mm, since we’re neighbors now, we should keep in touch more often.”
Deng Yunliang cupped his fists again with a grin before leaving.
Soon after, Lin Hu’s voice could be heard from next door.
Compared to Ji Yuan, Lin Hu’s greeting was far more enthusiastic.
Understandably so—Ji Yuan was usually reclusive and rarely interacted with others.
Now that a new neighbor had arrived, Lin Hu naturally had to make more of an effort to be welcoming.
As for the mung bean cakes Deng Yunliang had gifted him, Ji Yuan didn’t eat them but instead fed them to the Spiritual Pigs.
The pigs ate the mung bean cakes, and eventually, Ji Yuan would eat the pigs. It wasn’t a waste either way.
In the following days, Ji Yuan made full use of the Level 1 【Cave Dwelling】’s effects, resting during the day and cultivating at night.
Fortunately, while his spiritual roots were poor, he seemed to have a decent talent for techniques.
After several days, he finally mastered the Artifact Manipulation Technique.
Now, when controlling his magical tools, it felt as natural as moving his own limbs.
Especially the life-taking needle—releasing it from his sleeve and hiding it within the Water Droplet Finger Technique would almost guarantee a successful sneak attack.
The Black Gold Saber, on the other hand, could serve as a distraction.
Though Ji Yuan hadn’t gone out during these days, he could hear Lin Hu and Deng Yunliang interacting frequently, visiting each other’s courtyards from time to time.
However, after a few days, while Ji Yuan was out for a stroll near his door, Wu Qin quietly approached and asked him in a hushed voice:
She said the new neighbor didn’t go out fishing but spent most of his time in Zengtou Market.
Most of the time, he seemed to be active at night and resting during the day. She had no idea what kind of work he was actually doing.
Ji Yuan didn’t know either and couldn’t be bothered to care.
After raising fish for many days, Ji Yuan finally had a big harvest one night… two Semi-Spiritual Fish had advanced at the same time.
Not only that, but the other Semi-Spiritual Fish were also nearing harvest.