Time passed in the blink of an eye, and half a month had gone by.
During this period, the young master of the Song family would visit daily, yet he was never able to see Ji Yuan.
Each time, he received the same reason: Ji Yuan was in seclusion and truly unable to receive guests.
After more than three months of this, how could the young master of the Song family not understand that the other party was venting their anger and expressing dissatisfaction with the treatment they received when they visited the Song family that day?
However, even though this young master was angry, he could only visit repeatedly.
The reason was quite simple: the Five Qi Yang Yuan Pill, purchased that day, had indeed been remarkably effective for his father's injuries.
Just one pill alone had caused a significant improvement in the injury left by Song Jiu'an years ago.
Following this trend, another few pills of Five Qi Yang Yuan would completely heal the wound. If he could obtain ten or twenty more, it would not only compensate for the depletion of vital energy over more than a decade, but even replenish the vital energy that should have been nurtured over these years!
For cultivators in the Three Realms, vital energy was also known as True Yuan, one of the fundamental aspects of their Dao foundation.
Whether they could form a Golden Core in the future largely depended on the thickness and condensation of their True Yuan.
Furthermore, the length of one's lifespan also relied on the existence of True Yuan.
Though cultivators in the Ming Dao Realm were said to have a lifespan of three hundred years, most found it difficult to reach their limit.
The reason for this lay in their True Yuan. If it was sufficiently thick and condensed, they could even live fifty to sixty years beyond their lifespan.
In light of this, how could Song Jiu'an not attach importance to this pill?
Yet, he also knew that for over three months, the other party had been using the excuse of seclusion to avoid him, all to vent their previous displeasure.
Even if he were to visit in person now, it would be of no use and would only result in further embarrassment.
However, when Song Jiu'an learned that there would be a Five Qi Yang Yuan Pill at the upcoming trading fair, he immediately realized that an opportunity had arrived.
As a prominent figure in the prefectural city, and having cultivated to the Three Realms, as well as being a Grandmaster of Talisman Dao, he was certainly not a foolish person.
With a slight turn of his mind, he understood the intentions of the pill's owner.
The reason the other party had been avoiding him, besides venting their anger, was to await this very trading fair.
On this day, Song Jiu'an, who had been in seclusion for a long time, uncharacteristically left his quiet room. He, along with his son and attendants, boarded a carriage and arrived outside an inn.
This was the very inn where Ji Yuan and his group were staying.
Not long after, a group of people emerged from the inn and were respectfully stopped by several attendants.
"Esteemed fellow cultivator, I am Song Jiu'an. Greetings!"
He alighted from his carriage, a smile on his face, and clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan showed no surprise, as if it were all within his expectations. He immediately returned the salute, clasping his hands and stating his name and Dao title.
The people behind him, however, exchanged glances, clearly surprised that the renowned Grandmaster of Talisman Dao would personally appear outside the inn where they were staying.
"If fellow Daoist Ji wishes to attend the trading fair, would you care to travel with me?"
After a few pleasantries, Song Jiu'an extended the invitation.
"Then I thank fellow Daoist."
Ji Yuan replied with a smile and calmly boarded the other party's luxurious carriage.
On the way to the trading fair, the two conversed with great pleasure, especially on the path of Talisman Dao, where they exchanged experiences and insights.
Although he had somewhat neglected the comprehension of Talisman Dao over the years in pursuit of his cultivation, his attainments were still considerably higher than that of ordinary Talisman Masters.
Furthermore, since he primarily studied the Grand Dao scrolls, his understanding was based on the most fundamental principles of the Dao. His insights brought a glimmer to Song Jiu'an's eyes, and he felt a sense of regret that they had not met sooner.
However, Ji Yuan knew that this was merely an act put on by the other party. As a Grandmaster of Talisman Dao, he had already begun to comprehend the principles of the Dao. How could he truly find his insights so extraordinary?
"If fellow Daoist does not mind, would you care to join me in my private room?"
Upon arriving, Song Jiu'an extended another invitation.
Ji Yuan, of course, could not refuse, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
After all, from selling the Five Qi Yang Yuan Pill, to subsequently avoiding him, and then offering a pill at the trading fair, all these maneuvers were orchestrated to await this very moment.
As a prominent figure in the prefectural city, Song Jiu'an's private room was also quite well-situated, in the central area on the second floor, capable of accommodating over a dozen people.
There were also several maids serving, along with spiritual teas and fruits provided.
"I will introduce you to someone shortly, a friend of mine of many years."
As soon as they were seated, Song Jiu'an said mysteriously.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan feigned curiosity, though he had already made a guess in his heart.
If his guess was correct, the "friend of many years" he spoke of should be a master of Pill Dao in the prefectural city.
This master of Pill Dao, named Zhang Hongming, was quite famous even in Lingyang Prefecture. His alchemy skills were exceptional, and he specialized in refining pills for healing injuries.
While there might be hundreds of ways to improve one's cultivation, there were not many methods for detoxification and healing.
Moreover, conflicts and battles between cultivators were common. No one could guarantee they would never be injured, and thus they placed immense importance on such pills.
If not for financial constraints, every cultivator would likely keep some spiritual elixirs for healing and detoxification on hand.
As expected, after only half an hour, a middle-aged man entered the private room.
"This is my friend, a master of Pill Dao with extraordinary attainments!"
Song Jiu'an announced, introducing the two to each other.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist Zhang."
Ji Yuan offered a respectful bow, speaking with a smile.
At the same time, though he did not use his divine sense, his powerful spiritual perception could sense that the other party's cultivation was likely at the late stage of the Second Realm.
It was only the last step before reaching the peak, or even the Three Realms, which was to comprehend one's own Dao heart.
This step could be quick or slow. Ji Yuan, having already condensed a nascent Dao heart, still spent several months on it.
Of course, some individuals encountered no bottlenecks and immediately comprehended their Dao heart upon reaching the required cultivation, thus taking that crucial step.
"Fellow Daoist is truly a dragon among men."
From the outset, Zhang Hongming praised him directly: "To have reached the Three Realms at such a young age in cultivation, and to also be able to refine pills like the Five Qi Yang Yuan Pill."
He couldn't help but sigh with admiration, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.
As a fellow master of Pill Dao, he naturally understood the immense difficulty of pushing one's cultivation to such a level while maintaining one's attainments in Pill Dao.
In fact, if Ji Yuan had not been blessed with great fortune and frequently accompanied by opportunities, it would have taken him an unknown number of years to reach his current stage.
After all, before he enjoyed the spiritual spring of fortune, his aptitude for cultivation was merely average to above average, not truly considered that of a genius.