"So Daoist friend has set your sights on me, and on Xuantian Temple, which is still developing?"
Ji Yuan looked at him with a smile, having already understood the other party's intentions.
In fact, with the conversation reaching this point, many things had become quite clear.
Song Jiuan's idea was very simple: compared to joining an established force, it was better to join an emerging one.
After all, sects and forces that had been developing for hundreds of years had long-established structures. Even if he joined, it would be difficult to gain much authority or resources.
With no foundation of his own, relying solely on his cultivation and the not-so-large Song family, it would naturally be extremely difficult to compete.
Joining a smaller or emerging force was even less convenient than starting from scratch and developing it himself.
However, Ji Yuan and the Xuantian Temple under his control were a bit different.
Firstly, as an emerging force, Song Jiuan would not have to worry about competing with others if he joined. With his own strength and foundation, he could easily secure a very good position.
On the other hand, Ji Yuan's mastery of alchemy and the three pill recipes he possessed would undoubtedly make him a welcome guest among various factions in the future.
Furthermore, who could say that such a young cultivator of the Third Realm would not have the possibility of advancing to the Golden Core Realm in the future?
Not to mention that he had the powerful Nine Profound Sect behind him. It was imaginable that such an emerging force would not be too bad.
Therefore, no matter how he thought about it, Ji Yuan and the Xuantian Temple were Song Jiuan's best choice at the moment.
And by cooperating in this chaotic era, they might even be able to secure a foothold within the county town.
"How does Daoist friend consider this?"
Song Jiuan's gaze sharpened, awaiting the other party's reply.
However, in his heart, he was not too worried about this matter, believing that any intelligent person would not refuse.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he slowly savored the spiritual tea, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
Indeed, the addition of a Golden Core Grand Cultivator and the vast Song family would play a very important role in the development of Xuantian Temple.
From the current perspective, it would at least save them decades of arduous effort.
But with it would come many difficult problems.
Song Jiuan and the Song family were not like the cultivators he had recruited earlier, who could be monitored for their loyalty by regularly offering incense offerings through his divine avatar.
Moreover, by incorporating an entire force into his Xuantian Temple, over time, they would inevitably form a faction.
And he would not have any other power of comparable strength to balance and restrain them.
"If I were to refuse, would my seat at this evening's banquet have to be moved?"
Ji Yuan put down his teacup, not answering the other party's question.
Hearing this, Song Jiuan laughed heartily and stated that this would naturally not be the case.
He even repeatedly assured that even if an agreement could not be reached, it would not affect their friendship.
However, how trustworthy this statement was remained to be seen.
"I can guarantee that if we are able to join Xuantian Temple, everything will naturally be guided by Daoist friend," Song Jiuan said in a deep voice.
Whether this would truly be the case at that time was still an unknown.
However, Ji Yuan did not believe that the other party would easily keep their word. Otherwise, what would be the difference between this and handing over a large part of his fortune?
Nevertheless, the joining of this person and the Song family was indeed a matter of more benefit than harm to Xuantian Temple at present.
It could save decades of painstaking effort and play a crucial role in his future cultivation.
The reason he had painstakingly developed Xuantian Temple was precisely to gain assistance and ascend to the peak of the Third Realm more quickly, thus attempting to break through to the Golden Core Realm.
"If Daoist friend wishes to join and develop together, it is not entirely impossible," Ji Yuan said after careful consideration, letting out a long sigh. "However, it is ultimately not a small matter, and we still need to make long-term plans."
This kind of matter could not be clarified in a sentence or two. The intricate relationships, the ownership of their respective industries, and the deployment and appointment of personnel were all quite troublesome issues.
"That is naturally so." Song Jiuan nodded solemnly, a smile already appearing in his eyes.
For him, the only difficulty was whether the other party would agree.
As long as the other party nodded in agreement, things could proceed smoothly. He also believed that with his status and the size of the Song family, the combination of the two was only a matter of time.
However, as Ji Yuan had said, many things still needed to be planned for in the long run.
As their conversation continued, the sky outside gradually darkened, and guests from various factions had already gathered in the main hall.
Tables of banquets were orderly set up, extending into the courtyard.
Dozens of factions and sects had been invited today, and they were seated in their respective positions according to their status.
Although Zhao Yuebai and the others could not enter the main hall, they were in the foremost positions outside the hall.
However, the eight cultivators they had brought could only go to a side courtyard, where there were also disciples from other factions and sects.
As for Ji Yuan, he was naturally invited to a seat beside the main seat, and under the watchful eyes of representatives from numerous factions, he calmly took his seat.
The entire banquet proceeded smoothly, with no incidents, and it could be said that both host and guests were pleased.
After all, Song Jiuan's status as a Golden Core Grand Cultivator and a Master of Talismans was undeniable.
Naturally, no one would deliberately cause trouble at this time, as they might be crushed with a single palm strike if they did.
As for the factions that held grudges against him, they would naturally not have been invited and would not have appeared here.
It was only several hours later that the banquet concluded.
And from tonight onwards, news about Ji Yuan would spread rapidly throughout and beyond the county town.
At the banquet, Song Jiuan vigorously promoted this young cultivator of the Third Realm, informing all guests of his identity as a master alchemist.
He even attributed most of the credit for his recovery from old injuries, further advancement, and successful formation of a Golden Core to Ji Yuan.
This move naturally caused all the representatives of the factions present to be astonished and to have countless thoughts.
Even as soon as the banquet ended, many people crowded forward, not only to take this opportunity to build good relationships but at least to get acquainted. They all presented their calling cards.
Many of them even directly inquired about medicinal pills.
Seeing this scene, Ji Yuan had to make a rather hurried escape from the crowd with Song Jiuan's help, and then leave through the back door of the Song family.
Otherwise, he even suspected that he might be carried back to the other party's territory.