"Me?"

Ji Yuan pointed at himself, somewhat surprised.

Now that I've joined the Water Dragon Sect, what could it be? Surely they won't send me to the front lines... Thoughts flashed through Ji Yuan's mind, and he realized something might be amiss.

Instantly, his mind was drawn to the Communication Talisman in his Storage Bag.

If it really comes to that, I can call Li Changhe to bail me out.

No, perhaps that's unnecessary. With the Ascension Token, it should be enough to prove my identity.

"Hmm."

Yun Shangping nodded slightly.

Ji Yuan and Du Wanyi exchanged a glance and finally stepped forward to stand before Yun Shangping.

"I've met Junior Martial Uncle Yun."

In the Water Dragon Sect, unless there's a direct master-disciple relationship, a Qi Cultivation Stage disciple would address a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator as Martial Uncle.

"Hmm."

Yun Shangping stood with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly at them. "Among the seven of you today, you are the strongest."

"The disciple dares not claim such credit."

Ji Yuan quickly cupped his hands upon hearing this.

"In our Water Dragon Sect, there is a rule: the stronger one is, the greater the responsibility. For example, the Supreme Elder..."

Yun Shangping looked northward, his eyes showing a hint of respect.

"He alone upholds the great name of our Water Dragon Sect across the Cangluo Continent."

The Supreme Elder Yun Shangping mentioned must be a Nascent Soul powerhouse... Everyone present was somewhat entranced, but the more Ji Yuan listened, the more wrong it felt.

This tone is like when a leader is about to assign an important task.

"Therefore... so are you!"

Yun Shangping's voice deepened as he scanned the group. "You are powerful, so naturally, you must contribute significantly to our Water Dragon Sect."

"Yes!"

The newly joined disciples of the Water Dragon Sect all cupped their hands.

Yun Shangping's gaze finally returned to Ji Yuan. Only then did he say, "Shortly, you will leave with Uncle Gu. Remember, secrecy is paramount, no making a fuss."

The more Ji Yuan listened, the more off it felt.

Whether it was heading to the front lines or being entrusted with a major task by the sect... Ji Yuan was uninterested.

So as this thought crossed his mind, before Yun Shangping could look away, Ji Yuan had already taken out the Ascension Token given to him by Li Changhe from his Storage Bag.

He didn't show it off; he just stood with his back to everyone, holding it in front of him.

"What?!"

Upon seeing the Ascension Token in Ji Yuan's hand, Yun Shangping instinctively narrowed his eyes and exclaimed.

Even Gu Liben beside him reacted the same.

The Ascension Token... a rare item, and those in the Water Dragon Sect who can issue it must be Golden Core Elders.

With this Ascension Token, regardless of one's talent or strength, having this token guarantees entry into the Water Dragon Sect!

Even if the person is a fool without cultivation, the Water Dragon Sect would still accept them!

So, for Ji Yuan to produce this Ascension Token means that behind him, or at least his family, stands a Golden Core Zhenren!

"Which senior gave this to you?"

Gu Liben's voice softened considerably.

Ji Yuan didn't speak; he just turned to glance at those behind him. Each of them was looking at him with astonished eyes, curious about what he had taken out to cause such surprise in these two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Yun Shangping immediately understood.

"Nephew, come inside and talk."

With that, he was the first to enter the cabin, and Ji Yuan, after some thought, put away the Ascension Token and followed inside, with Gu Liben bringing up the rear.

Once all three were inside, Gu Liben nonchalantly placed a Talisman on the door before speaking in a slightly irritable tone,

"You rascal, if you had this Ascension Token, why didn't you show it earlier? Why play games with us?"

His tone seemed harsh, but in fact, it was filled with warmth.

Ji Yuan smiled apologetically, "I felt that my strength was adequate and thought I could pass the sect's selection, so I didn't want to waste the opportunity."

"Your strength is more than adequate. If you couldn't join our Water Dragon Sect, then who else could?"

Yun Shangping, already seated, stroked his beard and smiled.

"Alright, tell us which senior gave you this Ascension Token."

Ji Yuan pondered briefly and decided to tell the truth, "It was Senior Li Changhe who gave it to me."

"What?! Senior Brother Li?"

Yun Shangping was momentarily stunned. Ji Yuan's answer seemed a bit unexpected to him.

But on second thought, it made sense. Although Li Changhe was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had a Golden Core father... Can't compare, can't compare.

Gu Liben smiled and asked, "Could the recent rumors be true?"

"What rumors?"

"The rumor that recently, Senior Brother Li Changhe was in danger and was rescued by someone... That person should be you, Nephew Ji." Yun Shangping smiled as he spoke.

"Well..."

Ji Yuan said, somewhat embarrassed, "It was pure luck. I ask you two Martial Uncles to keep it secret."

"Of course."

Yun Shangping stroked his beard and smiled, "Since it was Senior Brother Li who gave you the Ascension Token, you are one of us. Alright, you won't have to go to Liancheng Mountain; let someone else go."

Dammit, so it was indeed going to be the front lines... Ji Yuan's expression showed genuine surprise.

"This important task was indeed going to the front lines?"

"Yes."

Gu Liben nodded, "That female cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation is your friend, so let's leave it at that. Instead, let Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong go."

"With the two of them going, there's nothing much to discuss regarding Liancheng Mountain."

"Okay."

Yun Shangping nodded slightly.

With just a few words, they had already decided the fate of Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong.

"If that's the case, you should go out and call the other two in."

Seeing Ji Yuan's hesitant expression, Yun Shangping stroked his beard and smiled, "Rest assured, it won't involve you."

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

Ji Yuan cupped his hands in salute, then withdrew from the room, turning to inform Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong of this matter.

"Us?"

The two exchanged glances.

Ji Yuan sighed, looking rather regretful, "Yes."

Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong had originally thought Ji Yuan had received some important task and had started to feel envious, but seeing his reaction now... they quickly went into the cabin.

Ji Yuan returned to Du Wanyi's side. The others, seeing his reaction, were curious but didn't dare to ask.

So they waited for a moment.

Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong came out again.

Nobody knew what Yun Shangping had said to them, but they emerged looking elated and even approached Ji Yuan to cup their hands and say:

"Thank you, Brother Ji."

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."

Ji Yuan hurriedly returned the salute, silently offering his best wishes to the two in his heart.

This made the few people present even more curious; even Du Wanyi wanted to ask, but just then Yun Shangping and the others also came out, so they dared not speak up.

After heading north for about half a cup of tea's time, Gu Liben, who was originally sitting at the back of the boat, stood up and said, "You two, come with me."

With that, he released a gray-black flying boat, hovering in the air.

Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong hurriedly jumped onto Gu Liben's flying boat.

The latter nodded to Yun Shangping, then turned into a stream of light and flew away... Ji Yuan glanced in the direction, it was southeast.

That was the direction of Joy Palace...

The remaining Qi Cultivation stage 9 cultivator, Fang Jie, finally couldn't hold back and moved closer to Yun Shangping, cupping his hands slightly to say, "Junior Martial Uncle Yun, were Sang Zhongyuan and Chu Jingtong sent to Liancheng Mountain?"

Liancheng Mountain was where the Water Dragon Sect and Joy Palace were in conflict. Ji Yuan further learned from Li Changhe that these two families were fighting over a spirit vein there.

Most of those present knew a bit about the situation, and upon hearing Fang Jie's question, they immediately changed expressions.

But when they reacted, they looked at Ji Yuan with more complex expressions.

To be freed from such a frontline assignment, and yet to have these two Foundation Establishment seniors treat him with courtesy... just what kind of background did Ji Yuan have?

"Hmm? What does that have to do with you?!"

Yun Shangping looked at this tactless junior and immediately frowned, his voice sounding a bit displeased.

But Fang Jie seemed not to hear and continued to smile, saying, "Liu Yuan is my cousin, and I heard he has good relations with Junior Martial Uncle Yun. I ask for your forgiveness, Junior Uncle."

Hearing the name "Liu Yuan," Yun Shangping's expression changed slightly, and his gaze towards Fang Jie became much gentler, with a bit more of a smile on his face.

"Ah, so you're a relative of Brother Liu. In that case, there's nothing wrong with telling you."

Yun Shangping's gaze swept over the other people present, pondered for a moment, and instead of using a voice transmission, he said aloud, "Over at Liancheng Mountain, Medicine King Valley has also gotten involved. Now the three parties are in a standoff, so there won't be a fight, but we just need some people to boost our strength."

Having gotten the answer, Fang Jie returned to his original position.

The rest remained silent.

Only after a good while did Yun Shangping speak again, saying:

"When the time comes, I'll take you to Chulong Island. Go to Chulong Hall to receive your Cave Mansion Token, and after that, you're free to do as you wish, be it healing or visiting friends."

"..."

A day later.

The small islands that had been scattered like stars beneath their feet gradually decreased in number, and what appeared before them was a vast sea-like giant lake. Even the islands ahead became incredibly large, to the point that they could no longer be called islands but looked more like a continent.

In these areas, flying boats filled the sky and the waters.

Occasionally, a stream of light would flash by, incredibly fast... Ji Yuan guessed that was a Spiritual Artifact Flying Boat of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If he fully activated the Thunder Falcon Essence on his Thunder Falcon Boat, it could reach a similar speed.

But it wouldn't last long; it would easily falter.

To maintain such speed for long, it had to be a Spiritual Artifact.

Upon arrival, Yun Shangping piloted the flying boat towards the northeast.

According to the map shown previously, the large island directly ahead should be Thousand Mechanism Island of the Water Dragon Sect, the place for accepting and distributing tasks, which explained the increased number of cultivators coming and going.

On other islands, like Medicine Island, which specialized in cultivating herbs, there were far fewer people.

After flying northeast for another half a day, they finally saw another large island, which from a high altitude seemed endless.

On it were countless houses, each separated by some distance.

Seeing this, Ji Yuan let out a sigh of relief internally... fortunately, it wasn't an Immortal dwelling slum.

Single courtyards.

This suggests that the living conditions at the Water Dragon Sect should be quite good, which stands to reason, as the Water Dragon Sect is one of the Six Great Immortal Sects of Shang Dong.

The territory it occupies is so vast, how could the conditions be poor?

Moreover, just upon approaching Thousand Mechanism Island earlier, Ji Yuan keenly sensed that the Spiritual Qi around the Water Dragon Sect was significantly more abundant than at Cloud Rain Marsh.

It's said that Immortal Sects are located on spirit veins... so, does that mean there's a spirit vein beneath the water here?

"We're here, you can go down yourselves; I won't see you off."

The flying boat hovered above Chulong Island, with Yun Shangping making no move.

Ji Yuan and the others cupped their hands in thanks to him before summoning their respective flying boats and departing.

Ji Yuan, having already put away the Thunder Falcon Boat, instead summoned the newly issued Scarlet Skies Skiff sect flying boat. As for himself... he had long put on the water-blue standard Magic Robe.

Beneath the robe, he wore bronze armor.

As he released the flying boat, Du Wanyi turned to glance at him, her eyes seeming to say... Fourth Brother, aren't you being over-cautious?

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