It took a full quarter of an hour for Mo Zigui to meticulously identify each of the more than twenty materials before him.
Although these materials were valuable, they were not particularly rare; Mingxin Pavilion dealt with large quantities of them annually.
What truly consumed his energy and time were the properties of each material and how they would react with each other.
This bore some resemblance to an alchemist refining pills.
Thus, Ji Yuan did not rush, leisurely sipping tea and accumulating spiritual energy within his body.
"These materials should be fine and can be fused with this treasure."
Mo Zigui straightened his back and said with a smile, "I just don't know if there are any specific ratios or sequences required, or if you have any secret arts prepared?"
This was a common scenario. Some individuals would prepare their own secret arts to forge artifacts requiring refinement or reforging to align with their elemental affinities or even their cultivation techniques.
However, the few artifacts mentioned in the Xuan Tian Dao Jing had no special requirements. As long as the materials were incorporated, one could gradually refine them over time with additional effort and focus.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan gently shook his head, indicating no such needs.
"If that's the case, seven days should be sufficient."
Mo Zigui mused.
For ordinary individuals, regardless of whether they were in the second or third realm of cultivation, two to three days would suffice. Of course, the process might be a bit rough, affecting the artifact itself.
However, since Ji Yuan was brought by Qian Ni Chang, and given her status as a special attendant of the Qian family, he naturally deserved careful treatment. Seven days was not a long time for a more meticulous approach.
This was also because he himself was undertaking the task; if it were an ordinary master of the artifact path, it would take nearly half as long again.
"Then we'll return in seven days."
Qian Ni Chang nodded, spoke her piece, and then rose to leave with Ji Yuan.
Behind her, Mo Zigui opened his mouth but could not utter a single word of retention, only letting out a few sighs in the end.
The two descended the stairs and left Mingxin Pavilion. Once they boarded the carriage, Ji Yuan finally voiced his lingering questions.
From the moment they met this master of the artifact path, the attitudes between them had been rather intriguing.
"We were once engaged. The agreement was made by our elders."
Qian Ni Chang did not conceal anything and casually explained their past.
In earlier years, the elders of both families were very close, even visiting each other frequently. One day, after a few too many drinks, an engagement was made: if a son and daughter were born, they would be married to strengthen their kinship.
However, after Qian Ni Chang was born, it took another twenty years for the other family to finally have Mo Zigui.
Mo Zigui, who displayed extraordinary talent from a young age, excelling in both cultivation and artifact refining among his peers. At the age of eighteen, he achieved the title of master of the artifact path while only being in the first realm.
In his youthful arrogance, Mo Zigui naturally felt indifferent towards the arranged marriage. Upon learning that his betrothed was twenty years his senior, he swiftly wrote a letter containing only two words.
"That letter contained only two words: Break the engagement!"
As she recalled the events of that year, Qian Ni Chang's expression became somewhat distressed.
At that time, the Qian family was in decline, struggling to stay afloat amidst the storms, and had no inclination to deal with the matter.
It wasn't until over a month later that Mo Zigui, by chance, accompanied a friend to Guanxia City in Luoxia Prefecture and met Qian Ni Chang, his former fiancée, for the first time.
Whether there truly is love at first sight in this world is unknown, but after just one meeting, his previous youthful pride vanished without a trace. He even slapped himself twice in public.
From then on, Mo Zigui persistently remained in Guanxia City, even becoming a first-rank attendant for the Qian family and residing in a private room at Mingxin Pavilion.
After hearing this past, Ji Yuan was unsure how to comment on the man. It was no wonder Qian Ni Chang had not shown him a pleasant expression from beginning to end, nor even bothered to look him in the eye.
She had treated him entirely as a tool.
Yet, Mo Zigui seemed unconcerned by this, even appearing to enjoy it, believing he was helping and leaving a good impression in her heart.
Alas, this poor fellow did not know that his standing in Qian Ni Chang's heart had long since plummeted to the depths of the Nine Underworlds, and it was unlikely to see daylight again in this lifetime unless under extraordinary circumstances.
"In the coming days, I will focus on refining the thirty-six Heavy Water Pearls and also contemplate the cultivation technique. If anything arises, you can directly find me."
He thought for a moment and decided to change the subject, fearing he might inadvertently draw trouble upon himself.
Hearing this, Qian Ni Chang lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment. Given the current situation in the city, there should not be any major changes within the next few days.
Moreover, even if something did happen, it was not something the Qian family, nor she and Ji Yuan, could easily get involved in. In fact, even if the entire city erupted into chaos, it would not significantly affect them.
After all, if any trouble were to arise, Li Wenqing would be the one to worry. He was essentially placed on the spot and had no choice but to give his utmost effort.
With this in mind, she naturally had no objections. Furthermore, she was willing for Ji Yuan to devote his energy to his cultivation, so that she could, at an earlier date, witness the prodigy whom Xu Lin, the Blade Wielder, spoke of, and who would one day achieve a level no less than hers.
Upon returning to the Qian family manor, Ji Yuan bid farewell to Qian Ni Chang and returned to the courtyard where he was temporarily staying.
Apart from Zhang Zhiya, everyone else was in their respective rooms, using the specially arranged quiet chambers of the Qian family to cultivate in peace.
Such an opportunity was truly rare. Apart from Xu Qiqi and Jiang He, even Zhao Yuansong, the senior disciple of the outer sect of the Nine Xuan Sect, would have to pay a considerable price to cultivate in such a quiet chamber.
Perhaps only the elders within the sect, certain direct disciples, or even direct disciples of a lineage's peak master could enjoy such benefits regularly.
"Master!"
Ji Yuan called out, then sat down in front of Zhang Zhiya.
The old Daoist priest glanced at him, poured him a cup of hot tea, and then gazed at the pond outside the pavilion, lost in thought.
"Master, are you thinking of the Daoist temple, and the days you spent with your martial brothers?"
He asked, sipping the hot tea.
As the hot tea touched his lips, he suddenly paused, a sense of familiarity washing over him.
Before he embarked on the path of cultivation and before he learned the art of alchemy, he had drunk this aged tea for over ten years. Only after achieving some success in alchemy and no longer lacking money did he switch to spiritual teas infused with spiritual energy.
This taste was something he had not experienced for over a year.
"Those spiritual teas are good, but after drinking them all the time, this tea, which I've drunk for most of my life, is still the most satisfying."
The old Daoist priest stroked his long beard and smiled with narrowed eyes.
Although he did not directly admit it, it was a response to his disciple's question.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan's mood became somewhat dejected. If not for the decision he made, his master and martial brothers would still be living their usual lives in the Daoist temple in the county town.
Now that the disaster relief efforts were entering the later stages, it was likely that Qianyu City would be unsealed soon. Although it would take years, even decades, to recover its former prosperity, it was still much better than being far from home.
"Don't overthink it. I am not originally from Qianyu City. In my younger days, I was also a wandering scholar,"
Zhang Zhiya said with a smile. "Parting brings sorrow, but it will pass. Moreover, I suppose I am going with you to enjoy a better life."
However, Ji Yuan knew that his master was merely putting on a brave face. He still preferred the life he had lived for decades. If it weren't for the sake of making his cultivation path smoother, he wouldn't have to travel far with his disciple in his old age.
"Go and cultivate. Don't waste precious time."
The old Daoist priest suddenly changed his expression and said sternly, feigning anger.
As he spoke, he flicked his horsetail whisk, making as if to strike.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan's melancholy instantly vanished. He made a funny face and scurried back to his room.
However, once he sat in the quiet chamber, the smile on his face gradually faded, and his dejected expression returned. Clearly, everything just now was a performance for his master.
"When we reach the Nine Xuan Sect, after my cultivation improves, I will take on more disciples. That should make Master happy."
He thought for a moment, and an idea formed in his mind.
Then, Ji Yuan took a deep breath and silently recited the core mantra of the Xuan Tian Dao Jing several times to calm his mind. Only then did he take out the set of thirty-six Heavy Water Pearls from his mountain river bag, along with a copy of the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture.
After a moment of contemplation, he set the set of magical artifacts aside for the time being and began to read the cultivation technique page by page.
Although the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture was a cultivation technique directly leading to the Golden Core stage, it was only about an inch thick. It was only upon opening it that one could comprehend its mysteries.
Runes intertwined on the pages. Each rune alone had several, or even more than ten, different forms. A single page had at least dozens or hundreds of runes, and when arranged together, they gained numerous additional meanings.
However, compared to the Xuan Tian Dao Jing, this cultivation technique was not as profound. Ji Yuan spent only two to three hours before he had a general understanding of the first third of the content, as well as the incantation for refining the artifact exclusive to this technique.
Yet, he did not rush to refine the artifact. Instead, he meticulously studied the cultivation technique again and again, each time more carefully and earnestly than the last.
The entire Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture was divided into ten levels of cultivation. The first nine levels corresponded to the first to third realms, and the final level was how to condense a Golden Core.
After reading it about seven or eight times, to the point where he not only knew it by heart but was also confident, Ji Yuan closed the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture, preparing to cultivate the first three levels of the technique.
He silently closed his eyes, formed over a dozen hand seals, and then assumed the posture of five points touching the sky. The core mantra of the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture appeared in his mind.
Silently, the vital energy within his body began to flow into his meridians, following his circulation pathways and moving within his body.
Although it was his first time practicing this cultivation technique, Ji Yuan found it surprisingly smooth. He encountered no obstacles until the completion of the first small cycle.
As each small cycle was completed, the vital energy within his body surged through his meridians like a river, its speed increasing. Eventually, a heavy sound of water emanated from his body.
At some point, a dense moisture began to emerge, enveloping him entirely. Pure water essence from the depths of his flesh and blood emerged, continuously integrating into his vital energy.
This was a scenario Ji Yuan had not anticipated. As the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture circulated within his body, the water essence accumulated in his flesh and blood from the previous refinement of the Water God Pill began to emerge, merging with his vital energy and flowing through all his meridians.
This water essence not only made his vital energy purer but also imbued it with an aura of utmost goodness and gentleness, yet it could, at a thought, transform into an aura of utmost strength and power.
Moreover, Ji Yuan's physical body, nourished by this water essence, not only increased in strength but also became more flexible. Some old hidden injuries were also silently cleansed.
These hidden injuries had accumulated for a long time, and Ji Yuan had been unable to heal them even with high-grade spiritual pills. However, under the cleansing of the water essence, they were expelled from his body as stagnant blood.