Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 449 - 444 Overlord Fish, The Rise and Fall of the Clan_1
Taiyang Lake was bordered by a marketplace, which was precisely the Taiyang Marketplace managed by the Ji Family.
The main business of the marketplace was the Spirit Fish trade. As Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao entered, various kinds of fish and river delicacies were visible everywhere.
Ordinary Spirit Fish did not catch Jia Ren’s eye; he was searching for rare species of Spirit Fish.
He headed straight for the largest store in the marketplace, where a great number of Spirit Fish were available.
"Shopkeeper, do you have any rare Spirit Fish in your shop?"
"The rarer, the better. I’m not interested in Spirit Fish below Third Rank."
Ordinary Spirit Fish had limited potential even after reverting to their ancestors, and Jia Ren couldn’t be bothered to waste time feeding them.
Only Spirit Fish like Infant Carps had the potential and value for cultivation through ancestral reversion.
The shopkeeper looked at Jia Ren, unable to discern their cultivation realms.
Their sole interest in Spirit Fish of Third Rank and above was enough to prove their extraordinary status.
"There are five kinds of Spirit Fish of Third Rank and above. Please take a look to see if there’s anything you like."
"This fish is called the Overlord Fish, which nourishes Yin and strengthens Yang. The moment this kind of Spirit Fish is available, it immediately gets bought. We’ve just caught one today; you two Daoists are in luck."
"Third Rank Green Divine Shrimp. Its flesh is delicate, and consuming it slightly enhances Divine Soul power."
"Taiyang Crab, unique to Taiyang Lake, its taste is unparalleled."
"Cloud-Swallowing Fish can inhale and exhale Spiritual Energy, transforming it into a spiritual mist. It possesses the ability to gather Spiritual Energy and is an exceptional ornamental fish."
"Golden Trout, an extremely rare Spirit Fish, nearly extinct in Taiyang Lake. Consuming it nourishes the body."
The shopkeeper introduced the five kinds of Spirit Fish in detail, all of which were species unfamiliar to Jia Ren.
Zhuo Chengdao wasn’t particularly interested in Spirit Fish, but his eyes lit up slightly upon hearing about the Overlord Fish.
"Junior Brother Jia, the Overlord Fish is not bad. Coming all the way to Taiyang Lake, we should bring back some local specialties."
Local specialties? I’m too embarrassed to expose your little ploy. Anything related to enhancing virility makes men flock to it.
"I’ll take them all."
Jia Ren, who was vexed by having too many Spirit Stones and nowhere to spend them, didn’t even ask for the price and decided to take everything.
The shopkeeper knew he had encountered a generous customer and quickly smiled as he calculated the cost.
Both individuals carried themselves with an extraordinary air; their identities were clearly not simple, so he didn’t dare overcharge them.
"One Overlord Fish, three Green Divine Shrimp, and three each of Taiyang Crab, Cloud-Swallowing Fish, and Golden Trout. The total comes to five hundred eighty Medium-grade Spirit Stones."
The price wasn’t exorbitant. Jia Ren, unconcerned, was about to pay with Spirit Stones.
Just then, a lazy voice came from outside the shop, "Shopkeeper, I heard you just caught an Overlord Fish; why wasn’t it sent to my residence?"
"Is this ignorance of the rules, or are you looking down on me, Ji Xuyang?!"
A young man with a gloomy, effeminate face walked in with great strides, followed by four personal Guards.
He didn’t glance at Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao, demanding the Overlord Fish directly.
The shopkeeper opened his mouth but ultimately could not bring himself to refuse.
Offend the Ji Family in Taiyang Marketplace? Does he think his life is too long?
The young master of the Ji Family was notoriously arrogant and tyrannical; he was not someone to be trifled with.
"My apologies to you two sirs, the Overlord Fish is no longer for sale," the shopkeeper packed the seven-foot-long Overlord Fish and respectfully handed it to Ji Xuyang. "My apologies for troubling you to come all this way."
"You know what’s good for you!"
Ji Xuyang, seeing his Guards taking the Spirit Fish, nodded in satisfaction.
"Next time you get an Overlord Fish, send it directly to my residence. If you dare to do this again, don’t blame me for tossing you into the lake to feed the fish!"
After obtaining what he wanted, Ji Xuyang left with his Guards with confident strides.
Throughout the entire exchange, they completely disregarded Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao’s presence or opinions.
"Hold on. That’s what we wanted. Taking it like this, aren’t you disregarding us entirely?" Zhuo Chengdao’s expression was grim as his gaze swept over Ji Xuyang.
"Didn’t your elders teach you any manners?"
Were it not for the sake of his deceased sixth senior brother, Zhuo Chengdao would have already shown such a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator the fury of a Divine Transformation Cultivator for daring to snatch his things.
Those without strength who provoke people they can’t afford to offend usually meet a miserable end.
"Hmph, who do you think you are!" Ji Xuyang retorted, looking up at Zhuo Chengdao with a cold expression.
The four Nascent Soul Guards couldn’t discern the cultivation levels of Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao. Not daring to act rashly, they still adopted an unfriendly tone. "You are outsiders here. If you come to Taiyang Marketplace, you must follow the rules."
"The Ji Family IS the rule in Taiyang Marketplace!"
"Be smart and leave immediately. Be careful, or you’ll face consequences you can’t handle."
Zhuo Chengdao, unconcerned, patted Jia Ren’s shoulder and smiled. "Don’t worry, in a moment, he’ll obediently hand the fish over to us."
Ji Xuyang’s eyes flashed with contempt. "This is the best joke I’ve heard. Show me what you can do to make me graciously offer you the Overlord Fish."
"If you can’t, I’ll send you to sink in the lake."
Zhuo Chengdao was not annoyed and said with a smile, "Then, I’d like to ask Young Master Ji to lead us to the Ji Family residence."
The four Nascent Soul Guards, seeing Zhuo Chengdao showing no fear and worried they had provoked someone powerful, hastily transmitted a message, "Young Master, there are always heavens beyond heavens, and people beyond people."
"The master has always instructed you to keep a low profile outside to avoid bringing calamity upon the Ji Family."
"Impudence! A mere servant dares to manage my affairs?!"
"He doesn’t even know the Ji Family’s location, what’s there to fear!"
Ji Xuyang was unconcerned. Taiyang Lake was the Ji Family’s territory, and with the backing of the top-tier Lingbao Sect.
Even a dragon would have to coil up obediently for me here.
The group proceeded imposingly towards the Ji Family’s estate. Soon, they arrived at the Ji Family’s location by Taiyang Lake.
This place occupied the area with the richest concentration of Spiritual Energy in Taiyang Lake. From afar, one could see vast Spirit Fields, Exotic Beast farms, and plots for cultivating Spiritual Medicines.
While other aspects might not compare to fishing hauls, it was still a steady source of income.
Their current prosperity was like oil on a roaring fire, flowers on fine brocade.
The Ji Family seemed to have lost the backing of the Lingbao Sect; how long could this prosperity last?
Zhuo Chengdao and Jia Ren were unsurprisingly stopped at the gate. Ji Xuyang stood smugly inside, looking like he was watching a show.
"Go invite the Ji Family’s Old Ancestor. We have important matters to discuss."
Everyone stood their ground; no one was willing to move an inch.
"Today, this young master will play along and show you how high the heavens are and how deep the earth is."
Jia Ren, disdaining to play along with him, addressed the Ji Family directly, "The Ji Kong Lineage of the Lingbao Sect has come to pay a visit."
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it spread throughout the Ji Family’s estate.
Ji Xuyang, who had been anticipating a good show, froze. His expression stiffened, and he couldn’t snap out of it for a long time.
The Ji Kong Lineage of the Lingbao Sect?! Wasn’t his grandfather’s master in the Lingbao Sect from the Ji Kong Lineage? What kind of people had he provoked?
In an instant, Ji Xuyang could no longer keep his composure.
An old man in green robes appeared out of thin air outside the residence. He smiled warmly and said, "You are both Kongming’s martial brothers. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar."
The newcomer was a Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator, Ji Kongming’s father and the Ji Family Patriarch.
"We’ve come to the Ji Family this time at our master’s behest."
"Senior Brother Ji perished in the war between the Lingbao Sect and the Demon Sects. These are his belongings, along with compensation from the Lingbao Sect. Please accept them."
An invisible force lifted the Spirit Storing Bag and guided it to the Ji Family Patriarch.
Jia Ren didn’t even know what this Senior Brother Ji looked like, so there was no friendship to speak of.
Zhuo Chengdao had entered the sect earlier than Jia Ren and had only met Ji Kongming twice; their acquaintance wasn’t deep.
A person’s death is like a snuffed-out lamp; all connections are severed.
The unpleasant encounter just after entering Taiyang Marketplace had soured them on any further dealings with the Ji Family.
Ji Kongming... dead?
The news hit like a bombshell, leaving everyone’s faces filled with disbelief.
The Ji Family Patriarch’s face turned ashen. He swayed, struggling to remain standing.
The sky of the Ji Family had collapsed...
Taiyang Lake was full of various forces, a mix of the good and the bad.
A single Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator couldn’t possibly suppress all rivals and monopolize such a rich territory.
The Ji Family rose to prominence because Ji Kongming became a True Disciple of the Lingbao Sect. Wielding a Spiritual Treasure, he had slain several Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators, which was how the Ji Family came to occupy Taiyang Lake.
If Ji Kongming could have reached the Lianxu Stage, the Ji Family would have benefited even more, growing stronger.
Success came from the Lingbao Sect, and so did ruin.
Without their family prodigy and the Lingbao Sect’s tiger skin to wear, how could the Ji Family defend Taiyang Lake?
Families and cultivators who held grudges against the Ji Family would surely kick them while they were down.
When a wall is about to collapse, everyone gives it a push. The Ji Family would soon be annihilated, reduced to dust.
"How could Kongming die?"
"It’s all the Lingbao Sect’s fault!"
"If he hadn’t participated in the war against the Demon Sects, he wouldn’t have died!"
"You give him back to us!"
Several Ji Family women rushed over upon hearing the news, wailing and accusing Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao.
"All of you shut up!"
"How dare you be rude to the esteemed guests of the Ji Family! Get back inside, now!"
The Ji Family Patriarch’s beard and hair bristled; he was utterly enraged.
As the family head, though heartbroken by the loss of his son, he remained remarkably clear-headed.
The Ji Family had lost its pillar of support. Calamity loomed, and the disaster of annihilation was imminent.
The two Lingbao Sect Cultivators hailed from the same lineage as Ji Kongming and likely shared a good relationship with him. Borrowing their strength presented the only viable solution to this crisis.
If he alienated these two, severing ties with this Lingbao Sect lineage, the Ji Family would undoubtedly be devoured by the circling wolves and tigers.
"Prepare a banquet at once to honor our esteemed guests."
"You have come a long way. Please, you must attend Kongming’s funeral."
After all, they were from the same sect. It wouldn’t be right to just deliver the news and leave.
"Escort our honored guests to the guest rooms at once!"
Two beautiful Maids led the way, and the group of four—Jia Ren, Zhuo Chengdao, and the Maids—headed towards the rear courtyard.
Ji Xuyang remained rooted to the spot, unable to recover his wits for a long time.
Although he often acted arrogantly, it didn’t mean he was a fool. True Disciples of the Lingbao Sect were not to be trifled with! The Ji Family, having lost its backing, wouldn’t even qualify to speak with them if not for this past connection.
’Rest assured, he’ll obediently hand over the fish to us later.’
Only now did Ji Xuyang truly understand how laughable his earlier actions had been.
"Patriarch, the Young Master just had a conflict with the two esteemed guests."
The four Guards, understanding the gravity of the situation, didn’t wait for Ji Xuyang to confess and quickly recounted the entire incident.
"That bastard!"
"Return the fish at once! You must obtain their forgiveness, even if you have to kneel! If you can’t, then go drown yourself in the lake!" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
The Ji Family Patriarch kicked his once-favored great-grandson aside, his face filled with disgust.
"Relay my orders to Taiyang Marketplace: gather all available Overlord Fish, spare no effort!"
"Send the sisters Xu Hua and Xu Feng to the rooms of the two honored envoys."
Their younger brother made a mistake, so the two older sisters should naturally share the burden. The future of the Ji Family rests on them now.
Ji Xuyang felt as if he were sinking to the bottom of the lake. Water surged in from all directions, suffocating him.
