Elixirs, talismans, and Water Bombs can't be used... but I still brought them, tucked away in a storage bag.

As for arrays, I'm not sure if they're allowed, and even if they are, Ji Yuan wouldn't dare to take out the Yin Ghost Banner... The Yin Ghost Banner would emit an overwhelming sinister aura the moment it's taken out, which makes it only suitable for desperate battles, not for ordinary magical combat.

Looks like I'll have to wait until I join the Water Dragon Sect to see if I can find a way to buy a somewhat normal array.

Magical Artifacts, however, are abundant.

I already had six upper-grade magical artifacts, and with the Bronze Armor I got from the Yue Family patriarch, I have seven in total.

With these, there shouldn't be much of a problem.

Ji Yuan once again sensed his dantian, ensuring his Spiritual Qi reserves were at their peak, then finally pushed the door open and left.

What he didn't expect was that the Wen Family and the Lin Family, all three of them, were already waiting outside his courtyard.

"What, seeing me off?"

Ji Yuan looked at them and asked with a smile.

"Of… of course."

Lin Hu stuttered a bit when speaking, and if you looked closely, you could see his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept well last night.

Wen Lin's face was full of reluctance, but he still tried to laugh it off.

"Ling Er has to have her Spirit Root checked soon, so I thought we'd come and catch some of Brother Ji's good luck."

Only then did Ji Yuan notice that Wen Linger had even put on a new outfit today.

She was wrapped in a goose yellow cloud brocade jacket, with an inch-wide white fox fur trim at the collar and cuffs, and the fur quivered lightly as she moved. She wore a pomegranate red satin skirt embroidered with butterfly patterns in gold and silver thread.

She looked just as pretty as a doll stepped out of a New Year painting.

Noticing Ji Yuan's gaze, Wen Linger, holding Zhao Yuechan's hand, tilted her head and said with a grin, "Let's go, today Ling Er is going to become Brother Ji's little junior sister, hehe."

"Alright, once we're in the Water Dragon Sect, I'll count on Ling Er to look after me."

Ji Yuan also joked with a smile.

Then he glanced at Lin Hu's family before hesitatingly saying, "You go ahead, I have a little something to handle at home. I'll come over later."

"Okay."

Wen Lin immediately agreed.

They thought Ji Yuan probably had some preparations to make at home and didn't want others to know, so they took Wen Linger and started to leave.

Lin Hu was initially thinking of offering help, but seeing Wen Lin's reaction, he also decided to leave.

Once their figures disappeared into the Cloud Rain Marsh, Ji Yuan took out a small storage bag from his larger one. It was the smallest kind, with only a cubic foot of space.

This would be his final gift for Lin Hu.

The storage bag was taken as loot, and Ji Yuan couldn't even remember from whom. Inside were four middle-grade talismans he had drawn himself.

Two for protection, two for attack.

Additionally, there was a bottle of elixir suitable for breaking through from the initial to the middle stage of Qi Cultivation, also made by Ji Yuan himself.

More… he could afford to give.

Like some low-grade magical artifacts or Dharma Ship, for him it was just a matter of drawing a few talismans, not much of a delay, let alone an effort.

But being able to give is different from deciding to give.

The principle of a favor given at the cost of a pint opens the door to a pound of grudge, Ji Yuan understood deeply.

What he's giving now is just right for Lin Hu to breakthrough to the fourth layer of Qi Cultivation. With those talismans, even if he joins the Water Dragon Sect, it would be enough for Lin Hu to establish himself in Zengtou City.

The rest… is up to him.

But from his able to quit gambling, his resolve should be firm.

So probably there won't be much of a problem.

As for the Wen Family, Ji Yuan didn't plan to give them anything.

First, there's not much worth giving. Wen Lin couple are both in the middle stage of Qi Cultivation, and with Wen Lin being an Alchemist, they live quite comfortably in Cloud Rain Marsh.

Second, the relationship probably isn't quite there.

Ji Yuan and Lin Hu were childhood friends, so naturally, he'd offer more care.

In the end, Ji Yuan went to the Lin Family, placed the storage bag on the table, and then left, closing the door behind.

Standing aboard the Thunder Falcon Boat, Ji Yuan looked back at the lakeside hut that had accompanied him for several years… He felt quite reluctant. After all, it carried all his memories of the past few years.

The pain of his initial transmigration, the joy when he discovered his "golden finger,"

Each cautious step thereafter, until he broke through to the late stage of Qi Cultivation and became a dominant figure in the Cloud Rain Marsh...

All witnessed by that little hut.

But once he leaves... who knows when they will meet again, and as soon as he leaves, someone new will surely move into this courtyard next month.

It's impractical to keep paying the Immortal Residence fee or to buy this courtyard.

No need, that's just too extravagant.

After reflecting nostalgically for a while, Ji Yuan finally glanced at the two bare peach trees in the courtyard, wondering who would benefit from them next.

"Well, let it be, then."

With a thought, Ji Yuan activated the Thunder Falcon Boat, transforming it into a streak of light that vanished into the distance in an instant.

Upon fully utilizing the Thunder Falcon Boat, it only took a few breaths of time for Ji Yuan to arrive from the lakeside hut to the fish cage in Zengtou City.

At that time, the fish cage was already crowded with people.

Even the on-duty cultivators from the Water Dragon Sect had arrived, waiting for the Foundation Establishment cultivators to initiate the formal selection.

Although Ji Yuan rarely showed up in Zengtou City, many people recognized him, and when his flying boat arrived, many fishermen instinctively made space for him and greeted him one by one.

"Brother Ji, you're finally here, haha, this year, our Zengtou City all counts on you!"

"Elder Ji, you still look as impressive as ever."

"Brother Ji, can you spare a glance for me?"

"..."

Among many Qi Cultivation initial and middle-stage fishermen, Ji Yuan spotted a late-stage Qi Cultivation figure and steered his flying boat to land beside him, his face breaking into a smile.

"Brother Du, you're early."

The person he saw was none other than Zengtou City's other late-stage Qi Cultivator… Du Kang.

Last year during the selection process, he was away on other matters, so he dodged a bullet. This year, he has to give it a try somehow.

"Brother Ji, you're not late."

Du Kang greeted with a smile.

After some small talk, Ji Yuan took out a... communication talisman.

Hong Xiuwen's communication talisman.

This was a talisman given to Ji Yuan three years ago during the selection process by Hong Xiuwen, who was impressed by Ji Yuan's talent in talisman painting.

He reminded Ji Yuan that he could contact him again during this year's selection.

However, Ji Yuan looked at the communication talisman in his hand for a few moments before putting it away.

This year, Ji Yuan planned to rely on his flying sword to get in rather than using talisman painting skills, so contacting Hong Xiuwen didn't hold much significance anymore.

He thought it better to wait and meet him at the Water Dragon Sect.

After putting away the communication talisman, Ji Yuan observed all the duty-bound cultivators of the Water Dragon Sect; luckily, there was no familiar figure.

As for other acquaintances, he saw Lin Hu's family of three not far behind him.

He didn't see Wen Lin's family of three; they probably went to the spirit root assessment area, which was quite far and crowded, so Ji Yuan didn't see them.

"Brother Ji, this year it seems we're the only ones from Zengtou City participating."

Du Kang said in a low voice.

Ji Yuan thought for a moment and realized it was true. Families like Qin and Wu had either joined or perished early, leaving only... last year a Fisherman at mid-stage Qi Cultivation broke through to late-stage.

But just at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation, surely he wouldn't participate.

"That should be it. Quite a few went in last year, so there shouldn't be many people from the Cloud Rain Marsh this year."

Just as Ji Yuan finished speaking, a streak of sword light fell from the sky, directly towards Zengtou City.

Its pressure was so intense it instantly quieted the entire Fish Cage.

By the time Ji Yuan reacted again, he saw a young man in a white robe, standing on a flying sword, hovering above everyone's heads.

"Those who want to participate in this year's Water Dragon Sect selection process and are at late-stage Qi Cultivation, step forward."

The young man didn't even bother to look as he lazily spoke while standing on his flying sword.

Ji Yuan and Du Kang exchanged a glance, both summoned their flying boats, and finally rose up to face this Foundation Establishment cultivator, bowing with clasped fists:

"Greetings, Elder."

The young man heard the voices and glanced over, casually saying, "One at the ninth level, one at the eighth. Zengtou City is not bad."

"I heard over at Spirit Mountain Square, not a single late-stage this year. Truly useless."

"Very well, the rules for this year's selection have changed. When fighting beasts, you are not allowed to use talismans, elixirs, arrays, or other external objects. You can only rely on magical artifacts and spells. Violators will be disqualified."

"What?!"

Ji Yuan was the first to exclaim in surprise.

Du Kang was equally taken aback, hearing this for the first time, even retracted his flying boat a little.

Not only them, but even the Fishermen who came to watch the excitement in the Fish Cage were shocked by these words.

At the same level, demon beasts are already difficult to kill. Now, without talismans and elixirs, isn't this pushing people towards death... who dares to go.

But this Foundation Establishment cultivator seemed to have a bad temper, so they didn't dare speak, only looking at Ji Yuan and Du Kang.

Some hoped they'd perish under the beasts, wishing both would participate in the selection.

Others, sensing danger, hoped they'd wait for another time... like Lin Hu, who stared intently at Ji Yuan, unable to speak even after several attempts.

"How about it? There's still time to withdraw now. If you wait until reaching Mountain Rain Island, it'll be too late."

The young cultivator looked at Ji Yuan and Du Kang with a half-smile.

He loved seeing others' choices, especially ones that could impact their entire lives because, with decisions like this... one choice could mean stepping onto a new path.

"Brother Du, what about you?"

Ji Yuan's face showed a hint of hesitation, as if he couldn't make a decision.

Du Kang first looked towards the Foundation Establishment cultivator and asked with cupped hands, "May I ask, Elder, if we find ourselves overmatched, can we surrender?"

"Of course, this is possible." The young man nodded, then added, "But if the beast is too ferocious and help doesn't arrive in time... then there's nothing to be done."

"Hmm."

Du Kang then said to Ji Yuan, "Brother Ji, I'm not young, waiting another three years... I might as well try my luck now. But you're still young, you could wait."

"Since Brother Du is willing to go, then I'll go and give it a try too. At worst, we surrender and wait another three years, take it as gaining experience."

Having prepared for a long time, Ji Yuan was certainly not going to wait any longer.

With that, he clasped his hands to the Foundation Establishment cultivator, "I am willing to go, Elder!"

"Good, you're not afraid of death."

The young man gave the young Ji Yuan a slightly more serious look... At his age, with a pseudo spirit root, to be at the ninth level in the Cloud Rain Marsh.

He likely had some capability.

"I will go as well."

Du Kang quickly stated.

"Fine."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator nodded, glanced downward, "You, take these two to Mountain Rain Island, hand them over to Senior Brother Yun."

"Yes."

The Water Dragon Sect disciple he pointed to immediately complied, summoned the flying boat, and led the way into the depths of Cloud Rain Marsh.

Ji Yuan and Du Kang hurriedly followed.

Not long after departing, he heard the languid voice of the young man again from behind.

"Alright."

"Water Dragon Sect selection process, now begins."

——

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