Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Pigsty Level 2
The Ghost Island Master is dead, and the array flag has naturally become ownerless.
Ji Yuan picked it up and instantly began refining it... As the array flag trembled slightly, it finally recognized him as its master successfully.
"Hmm?"
After Ji Yuan clearly sensed the situation with the Yin Ghost Banner, he was somewhat surprised. With a thought, two black mist ghost heads immediately flew out from the array flag and revolved around him.
"There are actually two Yin Ghosts inside this Yin Ghost Banner!"
This was unexpected for Ji Yuan. He initially thought that after he killed those two Yin Ghosts, the Yin Ghost Banner would only have the function of an array flag left.
But now that the Yin Ghosts were still present, the banner could still be used as a magical artifact.
Having acquired part of the Yin Ghost Sect’s heritage, Ji Yuan naturally knew that with these two Yin Ghosts, it was like having a mid-stage Qi Cultivation helper out of nowhere.
Just like when he previously fought with the Ghost Island Master.
These two Yin Ghosts could directly bite onto that mid-stage flying sword.
After inspecting the Yin Ghosts, Ji Yuan immediately retracted them back into the array flag... Even the Yin Ghosts numbered four; who knows how many people the Ghost Island Master had harmed over the years.
This act, to some extent, could be considered as eliminating evil for the people.
Ji Yuan did not rush to test the effects of the Yin Ghost Array, but first thoroughly refined the Black Wind Boat. Once he could use it without the slightest obstacle, he then planted the Yin Ghost Banner in the reeds, and with a single thought, black mist immediately spread over a mile around.
Previously, Ji Yuan was trapped in the array, unable to discern direction.
Now that he manipulated the array, he had a complete overview of it.
A purely Yin Ghost Array is actually a maze array, like when Ji Yuan was trapped inside earlier. If he hadn’t had the good fortune of having Red-crowned Chicken blood, he might still be trapped inside.
But with the addition of the Yin Ghosts, the Yin Ghost Array acquired a killing array effect.
Yin Ghosts using the Yin Ghost Array to kill enemies was like a fish in water.
The power could be significantly greater.
However, the corresponding consumption would also be immense. Otherwise, the Ghost Island Master would have used this trick to kill Ji Yuan.
It’s just... Aren’t all arrays powered by Spirit Stones? Why does this Yin Ghost Array require using one’s own spiritual Qi to operate?
Ji Yuan searched through the memory in his mind and quickly found out... The array is also incomplete!
"Damn!"
Now, the fact that the Yin Ghost Array could be operated with one’s own spiritual power was achieved only after the Ghost Island Master attempted to complete it himself.
To say that the Ghost Island Master had no insight, he could complete the array himself.
To say he had insight, he altered an array operated by Spirit Stones to be operated by his own spiritual power... I wonder if I have this kind of insight.
But even if I don’t, it doesn’t matter. This time when Ji Yuan returns, he’ll prepare to set up an "Enlightenment Room" for himself.
He raised his hand to retract the array flag, dispelling the surrounding black mist, and leapt out of the reeds.
Just as he was about to fall into the water, the Black Wind Boat appeared. Ji Yuan slapped a Water-Resistant Talisman onto himself, leaned forward, the Black Wind Boat entered the water, and in the blink of an eye, vanished without a trace.
Sailing underwater as easily as walking on flat ground.
While looking around at the underwater scenery of Cloud Rain Marsh, he hadn’t gone far before spotting a Spirit Fish resting amidst the aquatic plants.
Water Drop Finger, go!
With a flick of his finger, the Cold Blood Perch noticed and swung its tail, stirring up countless mud and sand.
"Trying to run?!"
Ji Yuan turned the bow and chased, and in just moments, he looked at the Cold Blood Perch in his storage bag and couldn’t help but sigh.
Truly a world of big fish eat little fish, and the strong remain strong.
Possessing a middle-grade Dharma Ship, a fisherman in this water was no different from picking up Spirit Stones, while those early-stage Qi Cultivation fishermen went through great efforts, still risking their lives.
But then he thought, how many fishermen in all of Zengtou City owned a middle-grade Dharma Ship?
After traveling underwater for an hour, Ji Yuan surfaced again, identified his position, and headed straight... for Huaiyin Square.
Although the Ghost Island Master had been killed by him, the Black Mist Island was likely still home to many good things.
Like the Bone Decay Flowers that hadn’t been harvested yet, or materials for cultivating Yin Ghosts and whatnot.
Now, while others are unaware of the Ghost Island Master’s death, it’s a good time to fetch treasures. If he waits for the news to spread, it’ll be too late.
But Huaiyin Square is quite distant, even if Ji Yuan went there and back quickly without any delay.
By the time he returned to Zengtou City, five days had passed...
He had a fruitful harvest, over sixty Bone Decay Flowers, plus a large bag of Bone Decay Flower seeds.
And some filthy materials for nurturing Yin Ghosts.
There were no other notable items, all stored in the Ghost Island Master’s storage bag before.
The sky was at dusk when Ji Yuan squinted from a distance and observed his waterside home where three households lived, unchanged. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Having been away for so long, his most worrying part was the house construction back home.
Just as he docked the Dharma Ship and was about to open the courtyard gate, someone from the neighboring Lin Family came out.
"Brother Ji?!"
Seeing Ji Yuan return, Lin Hu was evidently overjoyed. He rubbed his hands excitedly, "Where have you been these days? It’s great to see you’re okay."
It always feels good to be cared about.
Ji Yuan could see that Lin Hu genuinely cared about his safety, with no other intentions.
"Went to the deepwater area, lost track of time." Ji Yuan smiled, "Is everything at home alright?"
"Everything’s fine at home, oh right, someone came looking for you two days ago, asking if you’re still accepting Cold Iron Sand. I turned them away."
With the Bone Decay Flowers in hand, the "Pigsty" can be upgraded. Ji Yuan plans to use the "Fish Pond" next; Cold Iron Sand is definitely not needed. If necessary, Ji Yuan would rather mine it himself—it’d be safer than buying.
"Alright, thank you."
Ji Yuan nodded and entered the courtyard, closing the gate behind him.
Everything inside was as usual; he immediately activated the effects of numerous buildings, and the dust-covered interior instantly looked brand new.
Before he left, he only activated the effect of the "Chicken Cage" and turned off the others.
So, naturally, no Half-Spirit Fish had leveled up, only the "Chicken Cage"... When Ji Yuan opened the cage door and saw the thick layers of Spirit Eggs inside, he was initially pleased.
But then instinctively gagged.
Thirty a day, he’d been gone for eight days, two hundred and forty Spirit Eggs—how long would it take to eat all of this?
If he weren’t concerned about drawing attention, he’d sell them all at once in Zengtou City.
After collecting the Spirit Eggs, another layer of Spiritual Soil accumulated under the chicken cage, which Ji Yuan also collected. He didn’t care that night had fallen or about resting.
He went straight to the "Pigsty" beside him, first taking out the White Water Flying Sword with a thought, adjusting its size, and then carved a series of purification runes on the pigsty gate.
After a moment, Ji Yuan retracted the flying sword, glanced at it.
Perfect!
Only then did he call up the panel.
[Pigsty: LV2 (Upgradeable)]
[Spirit Effect: Produces half a tael of Blood Essence daily, enhanced flesh and blood effect]
[Upgrade Conditions: Low-grade Spirit Stones ×50, Bone Decay Flower ×3 stalks, engraved purification runes (achieved)]
Having gone around outside for a long time, even visiting the brink of death, Ji Yuan could finally upgrade the "Pigsty" now, and he didn’t hesitate.
With a thought, the entire pigsty was enveloped in a faint red glow under the twilight sky.
The pigsty, which previously had some Spirit Dolphin droppings and was slightly dirty, became pristine again thanks to the purification runes.
Before checking the effects of the Level 3 Pigsty, his attention was captured by the Blood Essence that appeared out of thin air, still floating above the pigsty.