Ji Yuan put away the Mountain River Pouch. Now was not the time to ferry remnant souls.
If this magical artifact were to be taken out, it would likely be detected immediately by the cultivators from the Rebirth Tower.
He sat cross-legged near the head of the small boat, took a few pills to restore his spiritual power, and then produced a stone mirror.
This item was precisely the one belonging to the Three Realms cultivator from the sect that had attempted to harm Xue Yang and the others.
In their final confrontation, he had used boundless sword energy to sever the treasure's connection with the old man and had casually taken it.
After taking it out, Ji Yuan immediately wrapped the stone mirror thickly with his robust spiritual power.
He silently circulated the Xuan Tian Sword Art, controlling his spiritual power, which resembled sword energy, to refine the stone mirror in his hand bit by bit, with great care.
Although the owner of this treasure had not perished and had not actively severed their connection, he had his own methods to forcibly refine it. However, this would require many times more time and effort.
But as he began the initial refining, Ji Yuan discovered that no matter how much time and effort it took, it was a guaranteed profitable deal.
This stone mirror far exceeded his expectations, as it was a treasure with thirteen layers of innate restrictions.
Furthermore, it was not refined by a cultivator but was a raw embryo naturally nurtured by heaven and earth.
That's right, this treasure was merely a raw embryo!
Ji Yuan could not imagine what quality the stone mirror would reach if, using this as a foundation, he invited a master of artifact crafting to refine it into a complete product.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and a method for refining magical treasures appeared in his mind. It originated from the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture and was a signature magical treasure of the Xuan Tian lineage.
Just like his natal flying sword and the Xuan Tian Spirit Devouring Pagoda, these were powerful magical treasures researched by the ancestor of the Xuan Tian lineage.
Before this, Ji Yuan had long wanted to refine several of the magical treasures recorded in the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture.
However, on one hand, he had no opportunity, and on the other, he lacked the crucial components.
With his wealth, he certainly wouldn't be short of the necessary materials. However, compared to the decades of slow nurturing and refinement required after completion,
Ji Yuan preferred to use finished magical treasures as a core and transform them into the magical treasures recorded in the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture.
It was similar to his Xuan Tian Spirit Devouring Pagoda. Its original form was a demonic artifact, and it was of a relatively good quality.
After its demonic materials were stripped away and corresponding spiritual materials were added, it was transformed into the Xuan Tian Pagoda.
And now, the stone mirror he had obtained could completely serve as the core. As long as he provided the corresponding materials, it could be refined into a precious magical treasure recorded in the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture.
However, if he were to do it himself, the success rate would likely be quite low. Losing some materials was not a big deal, but he feared damaging this stone mirror.
Perhaps, he could ask an elder from Sky Cauldron Peak in the sect for help later?
This peak, in addition to being skilled in alchemy, was also very proficient in artifact refining, and many elders were masters of artifact crafting.
With an idea in mind, he calmed his spirit and mind, accelerating the recovery of his depleted spiritual power while slowly refining the stone mirror in his hand.
Several days later, Ji Yuan put away the stone mirror and took over the control of the flying artifact from Elder Hong Tian.
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but he felt that his luck was much better now compared to when they first set out. For several consecutive days, they had not encountered any unexpected situations.
In another ten days to half a month, they could even smoothly leave Fengming Commandery and enter the territory of Jinyang Commandery.
"Could it be related to merit?"
A guess appeared in his mind. Although there was no evidence, he became more and more convinced.
After all, compared to when they first set out, the only change was that his own merit had increased significantly.
"When we reach Jinyang Commandery, you all should return to the sect first."
As they approached the handover point, Elder Hong Tian's voice suddenly sounded. "I need to go to the commandery city of Jinyang Commandery then."
Without further explanation, Ji Yuan and the others had already guessed his intentions.
Elder Hong Tian planned to report the matter of the Myriad Souls Yin Spirit Banner to the imperial court of Chongyuan Prefecture.
This matter had too great an impact. A slight misstep could lead to a situation where millions of miles were devastated, and countless innocent civilians would suffer.
"This matter is best considered carefully."
However, Ji Yuan frowned and did not immediately agree.
He did not believe that the imperial forces of Chongyuan Prefecture would be completely unaware of the actions of the Rebirth Tower.
Moreover, no one could guarantee that there were no forces from the Rebirth Tower lurking within the Prefectural Governor's mansion or the commandery city of Jinyang Commandery.
If things went wrong, not only would the message not be conveyed, but it would also attract trouble, and even leaving safely would be a great problem.
"Are you worried that forces from the Rebirth Tower will try to smear my name?"
Elder Hong Tian immediately understood.
Assassination was likely impossible. Silently killing a Three Realms cultivator, while there were many methods, was extremely difficult to execute.
Besides that, there were many simpler methods.
For example, smearing Elder Hong Tian's name, causing various factions to become suspicious of him, or even accusing him of being a cultivator of the Rebirth Tower.
While it might not be effective, it would be enough to make his words lose most of their credibility.
After that, with a little guidance, a situation beneficial to them could be created.
At that time, no matter how Elder Hong Tian spoke, he would likely be suspected of having ulterior motives, and some radical individuals might even want to capture him for a thorough interrogation.
"Then, Ling Yu, what do you think should be done?"
Elder Hong Tian stroked his beard and asked, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately replied, "Upon returning to Lingyang Prefecture, we will transmit relevant intelligence through the Nine Profound Sect to the Prefect of Feiyun Commandery, and even to the Governor of Lingyang Prefecture."
This was the most secure method, saving a lot of trouble, and most importantly, maximizing credibility.
With the Prefect or Governor taking action, it would naturally avoid malicious distortion and ensure that the transmitted message would be taken seriously.
"Are you testing me?"
As soon as Ji Yuan finished speaking, he suddenly realized something.
He suddenly felt as if he were instructing Zhao Yue Bai and the others as usual, but the roles were now reversed.
Elder Hong Tian, with a smiling demeanor, took over the control of the flying artifact, neither denying nor confirming, but nodding with a smile.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but let out a wry smile, and then he also realized.
If even he could think of this immediately, how could Elder Hong Tian, with his vast experience, not have considered it at all?
It was merely an opportunity to test him, just like he would sometimes deliberately test his own disciples.
Ji Yuan turned his head and saw Xue Yang and the others smiling.
Elder Hong Tian's actions were not just directed at the former; he also often guided the younger generation of the sect.
It was not the first time they had gone out on missions together, so they were naturally familiar with his style of doing things.