Starting My Immortal Life by Upgrading Buildings

Chapter 99: My Own Home

Although Ji Yuan had only been away for four or five days, he hadn't expected that upon returning to his lakeside cabin in Zengtou Market, the sky would already be nearing dusk.

The setting sun cast its glow upon the water, reflecting shimmering ripples—gazing at this beautiful scene, Ji Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.

As he approached his doorstep, he happened to encounter Lin Hu, who had just returned from selling fish at the fish market. Lin Hu raised his voice, exclaiming, “Brother Ji, you wouldn't believe what happened during the days you were away!”

“Oh?” Ji Yuan retracted his Thunder Falcon Boat and asked, “What happened?”

“The Qin family... is gone!”

Lin Hu paused for a moment before continuing, “It seems that it wasn't just one person who acted, but many who had been bullied by the Qin family joined forces.”

Ji Yuan understood immediately.

When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

When a wall collapses, everyone pushes.

Just these simple sayings.

“But didn't Qin Long and He Laosan join the Water Dragon Sect? They're not dead. Why would people act now?” Ji Yuan asked tentatively.

“Brother Ji, you might not be aware,” Lin Hu shook his head. “Recently, there's been a rumor in Zengtou Market—though it's uncertain if it's true—that this batch of cultivators who joined the Water Dragon Sect was wiped out in a deadly battle with the Joyous Palace.”

The Qin family was gone, and there was no need for Ji Yuan to take action—he felt a mix of emotions.

In the cultivation world, what's the best revenge?

It's outliving your opponent.

Not fighting and killing.

Fighting carries the risk of death, but as long as you live long enough, you can watch as your enemies fall one by one.

Just like Old Huang at the beginning.

He had killed the original host's parents.

But before Ji Yuan could act, he died on his own.

Now, the Qin family met the same fate. Before Ji Yuan could make a move, they had already fallen due to various reasons.

“Phew, it's still best to live long. If you live long enough, you won't need to take revenge yourself,” Ji Yuan sighed softly.

Tu Yue responded with silence.

Since he had decided to move, handling the buildings was the easiest part—he only needed to deactivate their effects with a thought.

The remaining Spiritual Fish, Lu Water Chickens, and Spiritual Pigs were also easy to deal with.

Just slaughter them all.

Moreover, Ji Yuan didn't plan to sell them this time. He packed them all into his storage bag to take with him, or perhaps leave them for the Big-Mouth Devouring Toad.

If he wanted to raise more, he'd have to buy them anew.

Ji Yuan had carefully examined the map of the nearby area; the nearest place to that island was Blackwater Workshop, which was more than half a day's journey away.

At that time, he'd just spend a few more days purchasing supplies.

He could only continue raising them on the small island.

After packing this small piece of Spiritual Field along with the spiritual soil into his storage bag, Ji Yuan looked around at his home. To say he felt no reluctance would be a lie.

Once he left, it was unlikely he'd return to live here again.

But Ji Yuan had thought it through last night. It was already May, and at most, he'd be heading to the White Dragon Sect next year.

That was, at most, seven months from now.

Seven months—if he canceled the lease on the backyard and only rented the front yard, the cost for those seven months would be equivalent to the price of drawing a single talisman.

Since that was the case, there was no need to cancel the lease.

If something did happen, he could return here to rest.

It would also make it easier for Du Wanyi and the others to find him, saving them the trouble of asking where he had gone.

“If someone comes looking for me, just tell them, or pass on the message,” Ji Yuan found the most appropriate and reasonable excuse.

Hunting demonic beasts was the most common activity for fishermen in the Yunyu Marshlands. For instance, Luo Tian had relied on water mines to hunt demonic beasts.

“Ah? Brother Ji, you're leaving?” Lin Hu asked instinctively.

“Not leaving for good. I'll definitely be back. This is my home,” Ji Yuan smiled. “Alright, that's settled. I still need to explain a few things to Brother Wen. You should head back too.”

Lin Hu returned home just like that. In the following months, Ji Yuan was rarely at home. When the Water Dragon Sect held its selection next year, he would definitely go.

In other words, his days of spending time with Brother Ji were essentially over.

Although he had been prepared for this, Lin Hu still felt a bit sad upon hearing it.

“I've never forgotten what Brother Wen entrusted me with. Don't worry, before joining the Water Dragon Sect, I'll pass it on,” Ji Yuan said.

Wen Lin secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, though he outwardly smiled nonchalantly, “Perhaps hearing Ji Yuan speaking outside, Wen Ling’er, who had woken up early, peeked from behind the door, revealing a small face.”

“Mm.”

Ji Yuan first glanced at Wen Ling’er, then turned to look at his own courtyard. Over the past two years, the branches of the peach trees had grown beyond the courtyard walls.

One could even see the green summer peaches.

“When the peaches ripen, I definitely won't make it back in time. Brother Wen, please help me pick them. You can also share some with Lin Hu's family.”

“I've cultivated them for two years; their taste is excellent now, no longer sour.”

Wen Ling’er rushed out and hugged Ji Yuan's thigh.

Now six years old, she was already as tall as Ji Yuan's thigh. She no longer spoke with a lisp; instead, her voice was clear and crisp.

“Brother Ji, are you leaving?”

Wen Ling’er let go, hesitated for a moment, and still asked.

“Don't worry, I just have something to attend to. I'll be back,” Ji Yuan, as usual, reached out to pat Wen Ling’er’s little head, but she instinctively dodged.

“Mother said, a girl's head shouldn't be touched by others!” Wen Ling’er declared righteously, then leaned her little head over again, smiling, “But Brother Ji can touch it.”

“Alright, alright.”

Ji Yuan finally patted her little head, then cupped his hands toward Wen Lin, “I'm off!”

“Brother Ji... take care.”

Ji Yuan stopped by Tai'an Workshop to inform Du Wanyi of his situation, telling her not to worry. If there was an urgent matter, she could inform Lin Hu, and he would know upon returning.

Du Wanyi also offered to accompany Ji Yuan, saying that in the Yunyu Marshlands, it would be good to have company.

But Ji Yuan politely declined. He couldn't let outsiders know about the Misty Island.

After bidding farewell, Ji Yuan once again rode his flying boat and departed. It wasn't until the next day that he identified the location of the Cliff Mountain and dove down with his flying boat.

As his figure passed through the mist, he saw the Big-Mouthed Toad squatting atop the cliff.

It looked up and, upon seeing Ji Yuan's flying boat, began shouting excitedly.

“Croak—”

Ji Yuan pointed to the bottom of the cliff, then guided his flying boat downward.

The Big-Mouth Devouring Toad quickly hopped after him.