Ji Yuan slowly walked out of the main hall of the Taoist temple, his gaze passing over Zhao Yuebai and the others, settling on the four individuals behind them.
According to Li Buwei's introduction, the elder who originated from a wild cultivator of the mountains and swamps was named Wu Xiong, a friend with whom he had associated for years.
This man was upright and disdainful of sordid dealings. He also disapproved of many practices, hence no faction was willing to recruit him.
In fact, Wu Xiong looked down upon many factions himself. If not for learning of Ji Yuan's actions in the Five Counties and the persuasion of his friend Li Buwei, he would not have agreed to join the Xuantianguan.
As for the other three, they all hailed from established sects. The elder was named Tian Lianshan, formerly an elder responsible for all external affairs of his sect. His cultivation was the highest among the three, reaching the late stage of the second realm.
The remaining two middle-aged men were: one with a stern, imposing presence who was named Fan Yang, and the other, a middle-aged man with the appearance of a refined scholar, was named Huo Shenyi.
Both had also served as sect elders. The former was in charge of punishments within the sect, while the latter managed the sect's finances and other affairs.
Behind these four were twelve followers, as per Li Buwei's instruction, each was to bring at most three disciples.
Wu Xiong, being a wild cultivator from the mountains and swamps, had summoned three familiar wild cultivators to join him.
"Set off!"
Ji Yuan swept his gaze over everyone and then said concisely.
Before long, a convoy departed from the foot of the mountain. There were five carriages, and the rest traveled on horseback, following the newly built main road towards the distance.
Along the way, Ji Yuan observed the four men. Although through regular offerings of incense and wishes to the divine statue, he could sense that they harbored no ill intentions or malice.
However, some matters could not be judged solely by good or evil.
At the same time, as they traveled, Ji Yuan gained a more direct understanding of the chaos in Feiyun County.
Almost every day, they saw many refugees on the official roads. Their faces were gaunt, clearly having not had a full meal for quite some time.
Even many young men were reduced to skin and bones from hunger.
Among these refugees, they rarely saw the elderly, weak, women, and children. But it was understandable; few people, except the young and strong, could endure the hardships of fleeing for thousands of miles.
The journey was arduous with mountainous terrain, and without sufficient food, even strong adults would struggle to survive.
Despite his empathy, Ji Yuan could only observe. Although they were cultivators with powerful magical abilities, they could not make much of a difference against an endless stream of refugees.
What the refugees needed was food and water, medicine and shelter, a place to settle and survive.
And these were things that even cultivators could not conjure out of thin air with their techniques.
"The demonic spawn of the Rebirth Tower deserve to be utterly annihilated!"
On his horse, Wu Xiong could not help but curse.
He had already distributed his dry rations to the refugees they encountered along the way.
As a cultivator in the late stage of the second realm, he could subsist on spiritual energy alone for half a month, or even a month, without eating.
This was his individual effort, which was ultimately limited. Although the others in the group also took out their dry rations, it was still a drop in the ocean.
At best, it could help thirty or forty refugees, but at a glance, there were hundreds, if not thousands.
"Tell them, if possible, to head towards Gan'an and the other four counties."
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and instructed some of the wild cultivators and sect disciples to inform the refugees along the way of their destination.
After the ravages of the rebels, the population in the Five Counties had drastically decreased. If these refugees went there, they would have warm houses to live in.
At least they wouldn't have to worry about the cold and could have a full meal.
A little over a month later, Ji Yuan and his group finally reached their destination, a magnificent city before them.
Looking at the endless city walls and the oppressive military equipment on the ramparts, even with their second realm cultivation, the group could not help but feel a chill of fear.
Those box-like contraptions were military weapons meticulously researched and manufactured by the Great Yu Dynasty. A single one could threaten a second realm cultivator, and if they were all deployed simultaneously, even a third realm cultivator would meet a bitter end.
In fact, they had already guessed their destination midway. Arriving outside the prefectural city of Feiyun County now confirmed their initial suspicions.
However, during this period, even Zhao Yuebai and the others had not been able to ascertain the purpose of their journey from Ji Yuan.
Upon entering the prefectural city, they proceeded directly to the Mingxin Xuan's shop. Led by the shopkeeper, they checked into an inn located in a rather secluded area, yet with an elegant environment.
This inn catered exclusively to cultivators. Besides the guest rooms, there were numerous courtyards in the back.
Ji Yuan and his group had booked two courtyards, paying the rent for a full year upfront.
"To think that this is the first time I've had the luxury of staying in a courtyard."
Tian Lianshan could not help but sigh, without any concern of being mocked.
After all, even he, who had been an elder responsible for all external affairs of his sect, had not dared to stay in such a courtyard when traveling. He would only book a few guest rooms, and the same applied to everyone else.
"Fifty taels of gold a year, it is indeed luxurious."
Ji Yuan's mouth twitched. Fifty taels of gold for one courtyard, and a hundred taels for two, which amounted to a full ten thousand taels of silver ingots, or tens of thousands of ordinary silver. This was more than enough to purchase a magic artifact with one restriction.
However, after looking around, he had to admit that while it was a bit expensive, it was still worth the cost.
The entire courtyard was furnished with formations for gathering spiritual energy and geomancy, providing abundant spiritual energy while also offering various refreshing and calming effects.
From this aspect alone, it was no less than the cultivation grounds of many sects. Not to mention that exquisite spiritual meals were served daily, using high-quality materials such as the flesh and blood of spiritual beasts and various nourishing spiritual medicines.
"Each of you choose a room and settle in. Do not leave without permission."
Ji Yuan turned to face everyone and then instructed.
Upon hearing this, everyone naturally complied with the order.
As for Zhao Yuebai and the other five, there was no need to say more; they would strictly follow his commands.
As for Wu Xiong and Tian Lianshan's group, even if they were chased out, they would likely be extremely reluctant.
Even if their former sects had not been destroyed, they rarely had the opportunity to cultivate in such an environment, always having to pay a considerable price.
If it were not necessary, these days everyone intended to stay put in the courtyards. After all, in such an environment, a single day of meditation and breathwork could achieve what normally took three to four days.
"Li Junxian, Wu Xiong, Tian Lianshan, you will accompany me out later."
Ji Yuan thought for a moment and added, "Yes, and each of you will bring two others."
The latter sentence was directed at Wu Xiong and Tian Lianshan.
Upon hearing this, the two who were still contemplating how to make the best use of this environment and accumulate cultivation were taken aback.
Then, Tian Lianshan directly selected two disciples whose eyes could not hide their amusement. One of them even hailed from Huo Shenyi's lineage.
As for the others, they dispersed in a hurry, each heading to choose their lodging.
A quarter of an hour later, Ji Yuan boarded a carriage, with only Li Junxian accompanying him. Wu Xiong and Tian Lianshan rode in another.
After the four accompanying cultivators arrived, the group slowly departed from the inn.