Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

When Ji Yuan and the others returned, it was already nearing dusk, and when he landed at the lakeside cottage, he found that Lin Hu's family was all there.

As for the courtyard where Ji Yuan used to live... it was indeed inhabited by new people.

He cast an Invisibility Technique, piloting the Flying Boat to hover over the courtyard, looking down from above.

The first thing that caught his eye was, naturally, the two peach trees he had planted. It was springtime now, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom, which he also noticed.

These two peach trees had clearly been pruned, and it was evident that the family living here quite cherished the trees.

Ji Yuan's figure floated again into the backyard, and he saw two children, a boy and a girl, by the fish pond he had dug, looking around seven or eight years old.

Both were playing with mud by the pond, looking quite similar, presumably siblings.

"Brother, why haven't Mom and Dad come back yet? My stomach is growling."

The little girl stood up with a stick covered in mud and patted her little belly.

The boy immediately threw down his stick and ran towards the kitchen, "I'll make you something to eat. Mom and Dad will be back in a while."

"Sister, come help, so we can eat when Mom and Dad get back."

Ji Yuan watched the little boy's fleeing figure... with a sweep of his Divine Sense, he found that the little boy had not the slightest Spiritual Qi fluctuation on him; at his age, having no Spiritual Qi could only mean one thing.

He was a mortal without any Spirit Root.

On the contrary, the little girl had a trace of Spiritual Qi.

She had a Spirit Root, but it was a Pseudo Spirit Root.

"What a shame."

Ji Yuan sighed inwardly and did not stay long; instead, he piloted the Flying Boat to rise, arriving at the entrance of the neighboring courtyard. Before he had time to knock, he saw a Dharma Ship dock by the side, from which a couple disembarked.

The man was at Qi Cultivation level three, and the woman at level four.

The two were chatting and laughing, seemingly having had a fruitful day.

Ji Yuan deliberately waited a while, and only after the couple entered the house did he dispel the Invisibility Technique and went up to knock on Lin Hu's courtyard gate.

After a few breaths' time, footsteps sounded inside the courtyard, and the door opened. Wu Qin peeked out, "You are looking for... looking for..."

Wu Qin paused in disbelief when she saw the figure at the door.

Immediately, Lin Hu's voice came from inside.

"Who is it, coming so late, didn't I say we're not taking Talisman orders for now?"

Yawning, Lin Hu came over and opened the door.

At first glance, he froze and had to rub his eyes in disbelief.

"Ji... Brother Ji?!"

Lin Hu was scrutinizing Ji Yuan, while Ji Yuan was also taking a good look at Lin Hu.

Compared to the time a few years back when Ji Yuan left, Lin Hu had not experienced earth-shaking changes, but changes were evident nonetheless.

Ji Yuan could tell that Lin Hu was certainly no longer fishing.

Because a fisherman couldn't possibly get such a chubby body, and his cultivation level had increased a layer.

Back then, he was at Qi Cultivation level four; now Lin Hu was at level five.

Moreover, even his clothes had turned into a Low Grade Magic Robe, in a dark gold color, making him look like someone from a wealthy family.

"You're doing well, Hu Zi."

Seeing Lin Hu doing so well, Ji Yuan couldn't help feeling happy too.

Especially remembering how he used to be a gambler with that Deng neighbor at one point... fortunately, he mended his ways later.

"Brother Ji, what brings you back? Please come in, please come in."

Lin Hu's eyes were a bit red as he bowed his head and ushered Ji Yuan in, "Wu Qin, go make some dishes, tonight I'll have a good drink with Brother Ji."

"Sure, sure."

Wu Qin was also very happy to see Ji Yuan back.

After all, without Ji Yuan, their family wouldn't be where they are now.

As Ji Yuan stepped over the courtyard threshold, Lin Hu waved a little girl over from inside the house, "Qiao Ruo, come here and greet Uncle Ji."

The little girl seemed a bit shy, not daring to approach, but curious, so she peeked from behind the door.

Upon seeing Lin Hu's daughter, Ji Yuan truly felt the passage of time. Back when he left, Lin Qiaoruo was still being held by Wu Qin, no bigger than an infant.

Now, a few years later, Lin Qiaoruo was as big as Wen Linger was back then.

"Almost time to check her Spirit Root, right?"

Ji Yuan asked with a smile.

"Almost, she'll be the right age next year, but since there won't be a selection then, we'll have to wait another year."

After entering the house, Lin Hu brought Lin Qiaoruo to stand before Ji Yuan, and she sweetly called out, "Uncle Ji," before immediately hiding behind Lin Hu, still peeking curiously through his legs at the unfamiliar man before her.

Ji Yuan smiled warmly and then took out a low grade Magical Artifact in the form of a bracelet from his Storage Bag, gently letting it fall into Lin Qiaoruo's hands.

"It's our first meeting, here's a gift from your Uncle. Make sure to keep it safe."

Ji Yuan could afford something more expensive, but it wouldn't be suitable.

This low grade Magical Artifact was just right; it could protect her without attracting too much attention.

Lin Hu naturally protested, insisting no, before finally letting Lin Qiaoruo keep it after much consideration.

To him, a Magical Artifact was still extremely precious; even the Low Grade Magic Robe he wore had taken him a long time to save up enough Spirit Stones for.

The bracelet, made from polished scraps of various minerals, was colorful and quite lovely.

Lin Qiaoruo liked it very much, immediately running off to the backyard to show it to her mother.