Ji Yuan often felt a warning from the unseen during his cultivation.
If he could not successfully condense a Golden Core before the thirty-year deadline, calamity would likely befall him.
In reality, even without this premonition, he felt immense pressure.
Given the attitude revealed by the Nine Profound Sect's Sect Master and the Lei Ze Peak Master,
Ji Yuan was certain that even if he hadn't reached the Golden Core realm by the time Xuan Tian Peak was established,
as long as he eventually attained this level, he would still smoothly take charge of Xuan Tian Peak and become its tenth Peak Master.
However, doing so would mean missing out on many things.
The seemingly simple peak establishment ceremony, if Ji Yuan could not preside over it as the master of a lineage, would reduce his connection with the Xuan Tian lineage's destiny.
If he failed to gain recognition, he would miss a tremendous opportunity when the Nine Profound Sect was promoted to a sect.
Even if he were to take on the role of Peak Master later, he would still be unable to compensate for what was lost.
"When this venerable returns to the sect, I must begin cultivating diligently."
Ji Yuan murmured to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
For cultivators with sect inheritance, cultivation was not merely finding a place to meditate, consuming various elixirs and spiritual items.
Taking the Nine Profound Sect as an example, the sect possessed numerous important locations and one forbidden area.
Any one of these places had miraculous effects in boosting one's cultivation and aiding one's realm.
With the help of these significant locations, one could undoubtedly see a substantial surge in their cultivation realm in a short period.
The reason he hadn't utilized them before was solely due to his own lack of accumulated merit.
He had joined the Nine Profound Sect midway, lacking sufficient achievements to earn the qualification to enter these important places.
However, after years of maneuvering, he no longer had to worry about this.
Having made up his mind, he began to settle his mind and meticulously study and comprehend the seven books in his hands.
Concurrently, in Jinyang Commandery of Chong Yuan Prefecture, Ji Yuan's main body had arrived at the border between the two prefectures.
Since the battle at Jiulang Mountain, several days had passed, and everyone had traveled tens of thousands of miles using flying artifacts.
Having successfully rescued the missing disciples, they naturally had fewer worries.
Furthermore, upon learning that Zhao Yuansong had obtained the遗宝 (relics) of Daoist Chixin and his inheritance,
Elder Hong Tian immediately decided to return to the sect at all costs and with the utmost speed.
Along the way, he unleashed his aura without reservation. Any cultivator who dared to approach was met with his full power, projecting an image of a willingness to fight to the death.
While cultivators of Chong Yuan Prefecture were warlike, they were not brainless seekers of death. Seeing his stance, they naturally retreated far away.
However, this display, while deterring other cultivators, also caused their movements to spread.
"We are almost at the border. Once we cross, we will be back in Ling Yang Prefecture."
Elder Hong Tian said with some fatigue, looking at the vast plain in the distance.
For the past few days, he had spent most of his time piloting the flying artifact, in addition to deterring approaching cultivators and even engaging in combat.
Thus, even with Elder Hong Tian's cultivation, he couldn't help but feel utterly exhausted.
"Thank you for your hard work, Elder."
Ji Yuan spoke, a hint of shame on his face.
Despite the divine arts and various elixirs used after the battle at Jiulang Mountain, a few days were clearly not enough to fully recover.
Therefore, during the journey, he had spent most of his time recuperating and was unable to continuously power the flying artifact for extended periods.
"It's nothing. I've been through worse."
As if recalling something, even with Elder Hong Tian's composure, the corner of his mouth twitched.
He sighed profoundly, then cast unpleasant memories to the depths of his mind.
Suddenly, his expression shifted, and his gaze sharpened.
Ji Yuan also turned to look, and a powerful aura was released from within him.
"It's the Shen Xuan Sect!"
Chen Rong exclaimed in a low voice among them.
About seven or eight li away, a group of cultivators stood on artifacts of various designs. They all wore uniform clothing and ostentatiously exuded their auras.
Both their attire and the auras they emitted undeniably indicated their identity.
They were precisely disciples of the Shen Xuan Sect from Qishan Commandery!
"We've finally been exposed!"
Elder Hong Tian murmured to himself.
Their initial entry into Chong Yuan Prefecture and their subsequent low profile were to avoid being discovered.
Given the animosity between the Shen Xuan Sect and the Nine Profound Sect, once their whereabouts were known, the enemy would undoubtedly attack without hesitation.
After all, one of their ancestors had been ambushed and killed by the Xuan Tian lineage hundreds of years ago.
Furthermore, one of their current ancestors had been severely wounded by the Xuan Tian lineage's founding ancestor, significantly shortening his lifespan.
Given such deep-seated hatred, Elder Hong Tian and the others would not be surprised if even a Golden Core Grand Cultivator intervened.
"I wonder if it's too late to rebel now..."
Ji Yuan's lips twitched, nearly making him curse his own ancestors.
Why, for no good reason, did they have to kill one of the enemy's ancestors and cripple another?
With a sigh, he put away his stray thoughts. Complaints aside, he had to face what was coming.
Even from several li away, he could sense several powerful auras, undoubtedly all in the Third Realm.
"One late Third Realm, two mid Third Realm."
Ji Yuan snorted coldly, "This is quite a significant deployment."
Coupled with over twenty cultivators in the Spirit Touching Realm, such a force was even sufficient to attack an ordinary sect.
Although they had not yet made contact, Ji Yuan and Elder Hong Tian were certain in their hearts that these Shen Xuan Sect disciples were undeniably coming for them.
Otherwise, given the situation in Chong Yuan Prefecture and the Shen Xuan Sect's own internal issues, why would they openly appear in this location?
"I'll hold them off, you pilot the artifact and break through!"
As the distance narrowed, Elder Hong Tian immediately made his decision.
Ji Yuan did not object to this. His current condition was barely more than half of his peak strength.
If he were to engage in combat with the Shen Xuan Sect disciples, he would certainly not gain any advantage.
Moreover, they were not only from a renowned sect but also had a cultivation level one or two minor realms higher than his.
Let alone with his injuries still healing, even at his peak, it would be difficult to guarantee who would win.
"Isn't that too much to ask?"
Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then asked with some concern.
Even though Elder Hong Tian possessed late-stage Dao Enlightenment Realm cultivation, the enemy also had an individual at the same realm.
Coupled with two mid-stage Dao Enlightenment Realm cultivators and a host of Spirit Touching Realm disciples, it would undoubtedly be immense pressure.
If there was any carelessness, even a slight misstep could lead to a fatal outcome.