Blood Essence, so this is how it appears.

Ji Yuan's first reaction was that this truly is the Cultivation World… With a casual gesture, he collected the blood essence.

Half a tael of blood essence, about the size of a ping-pong ball, still felt faintly warm in his palm.

This thing, even if not refined into elixir, could probably heal wounds with extraordinary effect if swallowed raw.

If sold, this half tael of blood essence would fetch ten Spirit Stones. Ji Yuan did intend to sell it, but not yet—he planned to stockpile a bit more first, to avoid going too frequently and drawing attention.

After examining it for a while, he took out a Jade Box and stowed it away.

He looked at his panel; the spirit effect and upgrade requirements for the Level 3 [Pigsty] were now revealed.

[Pigsty: LV3]

[Spirit Effect: Produces 1 tael of Moist Jade Fat per month. After a Spirit Pig is slaughtered, its heart will necessarily yield one "Quenching Acupoint Pearl."]

[Upgrade Requirements: Mid-grade Spirit Stones × 50, Earth Core Lava × 5 jin, Refine Qi Blood Pill (not fulfilled)]

Moist Jade Fat??

Ji Yuan hadn't seen it before but had overheard talk of it at the Hundred Treasures Tower. It's a treasured item that can be used to restore cracks in Magical Artifacts or even Magical Treasures!

If a Magical Treasure was damaged during Magical Combat, you either had to use your own Spiritual Power to slowly nurture it back, or you'd need an Artifact Refiner to help recast and repair it.

Nurturing it yourself was slow, seeking an Artifact Refiner troublesome, and both ways cost many Spirit Stones.

Often, the repairs themselves cost enough for you to just buy a new Magical Treasure anyway.

But Moist Jade Fat perfectly solved both problems; its only flaw was low yield—only a tael per month, ten months for a jin.

The second spirit effect is the "Quenching Acupoint Pearl"—Ji Yuan had never heard of it.

But based on the effects of Level 1 and Level 2[Pigsty], plus the name, it was probably related to Body Refinement?

Even if not, it should at least be something good for nurturing acupoints.

All in all, Level 3[Pigsty]had excellent effects—the upgrade requirements were just a bit tougher, not to mention the Spirit Stones and Earth Core Lava, and then you still had to refine Qi Blood Pill… Looks like besides the Talisman Master side job, I'll need to start a second one as Alchemist.

Fine, just as well—call it preparation for refining Foundation Establishment Pill.

Ji Yuan fantasized gleefully, stood up and stretched lazily, then turned to glance at the already half-recovered Red-crowned Chicken.

Hmm… I'll come get more Cock's Crown Blood in a few days.

Ji Yuan had already felt the wonders of this stuff; there's no way he was letting it go.

Afterwards, he washed up and changed into clean clothes. That night, he rarely didn't cultivate—instead of benefiting from the extra 20% Spiritual Qi, he just lay down on his little bed.

While settling in for sleep, Ji Yuan also reviewed his fight for life and death.

All in all, it still came down to one thing—Magical Combat is a contest of resources and means!

With the White Water Flying Sword able to withstand the Yin Ghost Banner, Water Drop Finger to strangle the Yin Ghost, Cock's Crown Blood to break the array, Water Escape Talisman for fleeing, Demon Suppression Talisman for subduing the Ghost Island Master.

And finally the deadly Killing Needle.

So many means—if even one had been missing, Ji Yuan might be the newest Drowned Ghost of Cloud Rain Marsh.

If there was a flaw, it was the lack of offensive techniques. Just one"Water Drop Finger"had already become inadequate for sustaining mid-stage Qi Cultivation Magical Combat.

So after selling my gains at Hundred Treasures Tower tomorrow, I'll need to buy the second layer of "Water Drop Finger". Maybe I'll see if there are other suitable magic techniques as well.

Thinking it over, Ji Yuan drifted off to sleep.

...

Meanwhile.

On the waters outside Huaiyin Square near Black Mist Island, two Dharma Ships Flying Boats were moored.

On one of the Flying Boats stood a man and a woman.

If Ji Yuan had been there, he'd have recognized the woman on the Flying Boat—she was the same peach-blossom-eyed Female Cultivator he'd met before at stall No.18.

"The black mist… it's gone."

The Female Cultivator gazed at the famous Black Mist Island, a little surprised.

"Mm. That old ghost is dead."

Yao Jingfeng, dressed in a long dark robe and arms folded, had a hint of a smile in his eyes. "That kid from Zengtou City—isn't he only at Qi Cultivation stage five?"

Du Wanyi turned and looked at him. "You mean, he killed the old ghost?"

"Mm."

Yao Jingfeng nodded and didn't explain how he knew.

But since he said it, Du Wanyi believed him.

"Who would've thought the Ghost Island Master with an array would end up dying at the hands of an unknown junior."

"Don't worry—a person with that kind of skill won't stay unknown for long. I bet we'll all know his name soon."

Yao Jingfeng sighed, "Let alone the whole world—even just in our little Cloud Rain Marsh, geniuses are as numerous as the carp crossing the river."

Du Wanyi fully agreed, "Mid-stage Qi Cultivation with such ability—he's almost guaranteed to make it to late-stage. Should we try and invite him in early?"

"Not yet. Let him reach late-stage first. Besides, he's from Zengtou City; if we meddle rashly, Blind Qin might not be happy."

"Then we can wait…"

Du Wanyi turned to Yao Jingfeng again. "Next year you should be able to join Water Dragon Sect, right? Has Senior Brother Huang sorted things for you?"

At this, Yao Jingfeng finally showed a hint of a smile. "Don't worry—since we're all from Cloud Rain Marsh, we take care of our own."

"That's best."

Du Wanyi nodded lightly.

...

The next morning, Ji Yuan, up early, collected today's Spirit Egg and that Blood Essence worth ten Spirit Stones, then set off on his boat and arrived at Zengtou City.

He first sold a Coldblood Bass he'd caught along the way at the Fish Cage—earning a small harvest of 18 Spirit Stones.

Then he headed to the Hundred Treasures Tower. With the goods he was bringing today, only Hundred Treasures Tower could handle his transaction.

First, he went to the Magical Artifact Area, and under the Water Dragon Sect cultivator's gaze, took out the Dharma Ship he'd acquired from Wei Caishan.

"Twenty Spirit Stones," the on-duty cultivator said dismissively after a glance.

Ji Yuan next took out the White Boat he'd erased the markings from. Now, the on-duty cultivator got serious, inspected it more carefully, and gave an estimate: "Twenty-seven Spirit Stones."

Both were low-grade Dharma Ships, but Ji Yuan's White Boat was worth seven Spirit Stones more.

"Deal."

Just as the on-duty cultivator was about to pay him, Ji Yuan produced the Ghost Island Master's damaged Magic Robe, along with the Skull Token he'd used for protection.

"Hmm?"

The appearance of these two items made it obvious this was a kill-and-loot transaction.

The on-duty cultivator gave Ji Yuan a more scrutinizing look, especially after appraising his age and appearance. With interest, he said, "You're pretty ruthless, eh?"

"Work hard and you might just become our junior brother."

"Many thanks for the praise, senior," Ji Yuan answered calmly and respectfully, cupping his hands.

"Seventy-six Spirit Stones total, sell or not?"

After thoroughly inspecting everything, the cultivator gave Ji Yuan the final price.

"Sell!"

Ji Yuan had no issues with the price; after unloading his goods, he'd originally planned to sell his unnecessary elixirs and talismans too, but thought better of it—money wasn't tight, and it's always good to hold onto them for emergencies.

At last he arrived at the Magic Technique Area, where the attendant was the same white-haired elder as last time.

But the elder clearly didn't remember him; he glanced up, then let his head droop. "What do you want?"

Ji Yuan stepped forward with a faint smile. "May I ask, senior, do you have the second layer of "Water Drop Finger"?"

""Water Drop Finger", second layer?!"

He was familiar with both names, but seldom together. The white-haired cultivator thought for a moment—he'd been at Hundred Treasures Tower for over ten years, but couldn't recall anyone ever asking for the second layer of "Water Drop Finger".

He sat up straight, scrutinizing Ji Yuan closely. After a while, he finally remembered, slapped his palms, and laughed:

"So it's you, kid."

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