Indeed, Ji Yuan was somewhat delighted to hear this.

Next year's selection would continue, which meant there was no need to wait for another three years. All plans remained intact, and one just needed to join when the selections began next year.

"That's quite good."

After speaking, Ji Yuan looked up and timely saw streaks of brilliance gliding northward across the sky.

The Water Dragon Sect's on-duty disciples, after recruiting, led the group back. The leader was, as always, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Their momentum was impressive, and even the trails left by their flying boat were much thicker than those left by Qi Cultivation Stage individuals — what a display, it was truly a pretentious display!

Looking up, Ji Yuan couldn't help but think.

Most of these people were likely to be sent to the frontlines. Whether any would return after the situation with the Water Dragon Sect and Joy Palace ended remained uncertain.

"Who from Zengtou City joined the Water Dragon Sect?"

Ji Yuan curiously inquired.

Wen Lin was an outsider and, although had lived in Zengtou City for several years, did not have the deeper insights Lin Hu possessed.

"Qin Long from the Qin Family and Old Third He joined the Water Dragon Sect. Blind Qin did not show up, which basically confirms that he's truly dead."

The people of Zengtou City generally did not have a good opinion of the Qin Family.

"Oh? The Qin Family sent both of their later-stage cultivators, leaving none to manage the home?"

Ji Yuan found this surprising, as without late-stage Qi Cultivation support, the Qin Family's days in Zengtou City would be challenging.

Additionally, with Qin Long and the others gone, they were directly sent to the frontlines. Forget about looking after the house; they themselves were like clay Buddhas crossing a river.

With this perspective, it seemed the Qin Family would collapse without any external intervention.

"They didn't leave anyone. If they can join the Water Dragon Sect, who would care about family?"

Wen Lin's words carried a trace of resentment and sarcasm.

It seemed to indeed be the case. Two years ago, during the Water Dragon Sect's recruitment, Qin Long had tried but failed, narrowly escaping with his life.

Now, with this exemption opportunity, he naturally wouldn't pass it up.

"And what about the Wu Family? Does Wu Wenbin not join? And even Wu Yan doesn't go?" Ji Yuan looked at Lin Hu in confusion.

Speaking of this, Lin Hu displayed a slight smile. As he began to speak, even his voice carried a hint of emotion, "A major event occurred with the Wu Family, Brother Ji, you missed quite a spectacle... Ah, it's truly a pity."

"Indeed, watching that commotion was truly satisfying."

Even Wen Lin added, which amazed Ji Yuan.

"Oh?"

"What exactly was the commotion?"

Ji Yuan couldn't help but ask with a smile.

"The Wu Family is gone."

Lin Hu summed everything up with four simple words.

"Gone? Wu Wenbin is dead too?"

This news not only shocked Ji Yuan but also prompted Du Wanyi to ask.

"Exactly."

Lin Hu, having met Du Wanyi a few times, quickly clasped his hands in greeting when he saw her speak.

Before Ji Yuan could ask further, Lin Hu voluntarily explained, "Lu Wan also joined the Water Dragon Sect, and it was through the Talisman Dao. Moreover, she developed her own talisman drawing auxiliary method, allowing her, at the mid-Qi Cultivation Stage, to produce late-stage talismans."

"Once joining the Water Dragon Sect, Lu Wan offered to submit her talisman drawing method to the sect. She asked for nothing in return, except for the Water Dragon Sect to kill the Wu Family."

"Without any doubt, the Water Dragon Sect's Foundation Establishment superior immediately killed the father and son of the Wu Family, and the rest were also slain by Water Dragon Sect disciples."

"This..."

Ji Yuan was also stunned by the news.

He recalled when Lu Wan visited and was so confident, telling Ji Yuan they would see each other again at the Water Dragon Sect.

It seemed she had already planned today's event back then?

Or perhaps she had already invented the auxiliary talisman drawing method at that time and waited until now... a ruthless person indeed, with the courage to endure hardships for revenge.

Now that she had joined the Water Dragon Sect, as long as she didn't die at the frontlines, she could make a name for herself in the future.

No, with her talent, the Water Dragon Sect might not even let her go to the frontlines… Ji Yuan pondered silently.

"Brother Ji, you have no idea how many people cheered when Lu Wan succeeded in her revenge," Lin Hu also grew excited.

He clearly immersed himself in Lu Wan's perspective.

It makes sense, from Lu Wan's viewpoint, rebelling against powerful forces, bearing deep hatred and grievances, enduring hardships for the sake of vengeance, and ultimately joining the Water Dragon Sect.

This script indeed hits all the right notes for satisfaction.

Not to mention the fishermen of Zengtou City, who naturally harbored dissatisfaction and resentment toward those in power.

Seeing them die was nothing short of exhilarating.

"The Wu family's father and son played themselves straight into oblivion. If they had been a bit ruthless at the beginning and killed them outright, this wouldn't have happened," Wen Lin lamented, "Unfortunately, they insisted on maintaining appearances, playing the smiling tiger, pretending to be some Master Wu, and now see where that got them."

"Perhaps this is just destiny,"

Ji Yuan decided not to say much, nor could he afford to.

"Hmm."

Wen Lin nodded and clasped his hands, "Brother Ji, are you heading out? I shall not detain you any longer."

Seeing this, Lin Hu and his family quickly clasped their hands to take their leave.

With the selection concluded and the Water Dragon Sect having taken their new recruits, Cloud Rain Marsh should now be free from concerns.

"Let's go and check on Yao Jingfeng."

After speaking, the two summoned their flying boats and headed directly to Huaiyin Square.

As Taian Square was near Zengtou City, Du Wanyi arrived quickly; Ji Yuan speculated she sought him out first rather than looking for Yao Jingfeng for this reason.

However, Huaiyin Square was farther away, and after a while, when Ji Yuan and Du Wanyi stood before Yao Jingfeng's household, they found the door firmly shut, as if no one was home.

Du Wanyi called out a few times to no avail, instead drawing the attention of the neighbors.

"Greetings, Daoist Du."

The person who emerged was an elderly man with a lean appearance, clad in a somewhat faded blue robe. He bowed solemnly towards Du Wanyi.

"Daoist Huang, do you know where Yao Jingfeng has gone?"

Not only Du Wanyi, but even Ji Yuan had faint suspicions in his heart by now.

"Daoist Yao has already joined the Water Dragon Sect. Why, has Daoist Du not gone along?" The man with the surname Huang looked quite surprised, tugging at the beard on his chin without letting go.

"No... he has joined the Water Dragon Sect."

Du Wanyi forced a smile for a moment, "Thank... thank you, Daoist Huang."

"Fourth Brother, let's go."

After Du Wanyi finished speaking, she summoned the flying boat again and ascended into the sky.

Since they already knew Yao Jingfeng had joined the Water Dragon Sect, there was nothing more to say.

The two didn't fly far before finding a small island on the shore to land on.

"It seems like there really was no news sent back from there," Ji Yuan sighed.

It's unclear why this time there was no information, could it be that the incident happened too suddenly, and the Water Dragon Sect is too secretive, so most of the disciples couldn't grasp the news?

But Elder Xu could, it seems he must have some connections with the Water Dragon Sect.

"Certainly, if there was news, Yao Jingfeng surely wouldn't have jumped into the fire pit."

Du Wanyi's face looked very unpleasant.

She had the best relationship with Yao Jingfeng, and coupled with the extremely poor prospects of Yao's departure, she couldn't help but worry.

But alas... worrying is useless.

It's of no help whatsoever.

Not to mention Yao Jingfeng is already on his way to the Water Dragon Sect, even if he weren't, even if he were still at Huaiyin Square, he couldn't be called back.

Ji Yuan and Yao Jingfeng's relationship wasn't quite so close, but since they became peers... He frowned and said, "Elder Brother doesn't seem like someone who would act so recklessly, how could he not see the trickery within all this?"

"You mean to say Yao Jingfeng isn't that foolish, right."

Du Wanyi directly said it aloud.

Ji Yuan let out a sound of agreement.

"Since Elder Brother was injured, have you met with him?"

"This... he hasn't sought me out, and I haven't looked for him either."

Ji Yuan spoke truthfully. Since he escorted Yao Jingfeng back home, he hadn't visited again.

He hadn't come, so Ji Yuan even more so hadn't gone. Immersed in cultivation at home all day, he had little mind for these social interactions.

"He was seriously injured that time, even damaging his foundation, I'm afraid... I'm afraid Foundation Establishment is hopeless now."

Du Wanyi sighed deeply.

With her explanation, Ji Yuan understood.

Yao Jingfeng most likely saw the issues with this selection, but even knowing that... he still chose to join.

Someone who knows Foundation Establishment is hopeless would certainly be unwilling to believe it, making a desperate gamble aligns with their mindset.

So he gambled!

Gambled on that sliver of hope in joining the Water Dragon Sect, gambling that joining early might just change his destiny.

"If, if the Water Dragon Sect had said earlier that they would still organize a selection next year, Yao Jingfeng probably wouldn't have joined." Du Wanyi said as she looked at the shimmering lake surface.

"Naturally, he could certainly wait a year, but alas, the Water Dragon Sect acts unjustly."

Ji Yuan, hands clasped behind him, "Once he goes to the front lines, we won't even be able to contact him, so this matter simply cannot be resolved. Everything must wait until next year when we join the Water Dragon Sect to discuss further."

Though he spoke these words, he added a thought in his heart.

'The prerequisite being that he can survive and return from the front lines.'

"Yes, that's all we can do."

After Du Wanyi finished speaking, she turned her head to look at Ji Yuan in front of her, seeming to deliberate and hesitate, but ultimately said, "Fourth Brother, if anything comes up, the two of us must discuss it together."

"Second Sister, rest assured, we certainly will."

Ji Yuan smiled, he understood Du Wanyi's thoughts as well.

Originally the group of four became three, and now the three have become two; if it decreased any more, they'd truly go their separate ways.

"Alright."

Du Wanyi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Afterward, the two parted ways, each returning to their own home, Ji Yuan returning once more to the small lakeside cabin in Zengtou City.

The Lin and Wen families, seeing that Ji Yuan had not joined the Water Dragon Sect, were at ease.

Having a neighbor at the late Qi Cultivation stage was reassuring, even the imposing master who came to collect the Immortal Residence fees was amiable, let alone mentioning anything about tribulation cultivators, not daring to approach.

As for Lin Hu, who was clearly at the early Qi Cultivation stage, when he went into Zengtou City, many mid-stage cultivator fishermen called him brother.

After this matter passed, Zengtou City gained only some gossip, nothing else.

Moreover, the gossip lasted less than half a month before the fishermen resumed their usual lives, either fishing or expending energy in sales.

And so, another four months passed.

During these four months, Ji Yuan's skill in Talisman Painting advanced significantly, mastering all commonly used first-tier high-quality talismans, selling them or saving them, aided by the effect of the building's blessing.

With endless nights and days of taking medicinal pellets and cultivating, a breakthrough in his cultivation was imminent.

It was time to prepare for the second-level magic.

Originally, he thought of joining the Water Dragon Sect and then returning to retrieve that fortune, but now, the situation was growing increasingly convoluted, worrying him that once he went to the Water Dragon Sect, more complications would arise.

So it might be better to see if he could obtain it in advance.

If he could, all the better; if not, at least he tried.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and that night, he had just called for Tu Yue to pour him a cup of tea, but suddenly felt a slight peculiar sensation within his dantian.

His cultivation… seemed about to break through!

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