Upon returning to the prefectural city, Ji Yuan immediately retreated to the Mingxin Pavilion to enter seclusion.
Although his Dao foundation was solid and he did not need to stabilize his newly broken-through realm, there were still many insights to be carefully digested with this breakthrough.
At the same time, after comprehending the true Xuan Tian Dao Scripture, he needed to refine a large amount of spiritual energy to replenish the magical power in his dantian.
Furthermore, the few magical treasures on his person also needed to be re-refined, and he had to attempt to forge a few more restrictions.
Up to this point, neither the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda nor other magical treasures had been fully refined with their restrictions.
This was not only related to his cultivation realm but also to the refining techniques.
"The Clone Technique is truly convenient!"
Lin Yubai couldn't help but exclaim.
As Ji Yuan's main body entered seclusion, his divine power clone handled matters on his behalf.
"It's also somewhat troublesome. Once the divine power is depleted, I'll have to condense another clone."
He shook his head, unaware that his words had earned him many rolls of the eyes.
However, what Ji Yuan said was not untrue. At his current realm, he could not yet make his divine power clone automatically refine incense and prayer power to replenish its divine power.
Once the divine power within his body was exhausted, this clone would naturally dissipate.
However, as long as he did not engage in combat with anyone, the divine power within his clone was sufficient to last for three to four months.
"Should we settle the score with those forces now?"
Lin Yubai abruptly changed the subject and said with anticipation.
The forces he was referring to were those who had allied with Shenxuan Sect to launch an attack on them this time.
Although the attackers had concealed their appearances, it was merely a superficial gesture; they had never intended to hide their identities.
The moment the third-realm cultivators made their move, they had already revealed their origins.
Not to mention the fact that they had left behind a ground full of corpses and over twenty captured disciples.
"There's no immediate need."
Ji Yuan pondered, "Keeping these individuals in hand can serve as leverage, and they might play an unexpected role at a crucial moment."
If they were used now, the benefits gained would not be significant.
At his current cultivation level, Ji Yuan no longer cared for ordinary resources. Mountains of gold and silver could not buy anything truly valuable.
The higher the tier, the more expensive the requirements became. Ordinary gold and silver held little significance.
At the peak of the third realm, or even above the Golden Core stage, spirit stones and spirit coins were used.
While gold and silver could be exchanged, they wouldn't yield significant amounts, and few would bother with such a method.
"Then what should we do now?"
Lin Yubai asked.
Upon hearing this, Qian Nishang and the others also looked over.
Unconsciously, Ji Yuan had become the backbone of everyone. For any matter, they now looked to him for guidance.
This was partly due to his status, but more so to the strength he had displayed.
Before this incident, his words carried weight, but not to this extent.
After demonstrating the power of two anomalous phenomena, easily suppressing the elder of Shenxuan Sect, a former prodigy,
Whether it was Lin Yubai or Cui Yinghong and the others, they no longer viewed him solely as a junior or an equal.
Even the proud Lin Yubai, a contemporary prodigy of the Nine Profound Sect whose inner disciple ranking was within the top three,
Now felt a sense of admiration in his heart.
"Naturally, we will act as if nothing has happened and focus on developing our forces."
Ji Yuan smiled slightly, his eyes flickering with a sharp glint.
Although they had achieved a great victory in this matter, it had also exposed many hidden dangers.
For instance, their strength was still too thin.
If they encountered a similar situation again, being besieged by multiple forces.
They couldn't always invite so many helpers to assist.
Once or twice might be acceptable, but if it happened frequently, not only would they have to pay a considerable price, but their partners would also become suspicious.
"After this incident, if those people want to make a move again, they will need to make all sorts of arrangements."
Ji Yuan said in a deep voice.
And this was their opportunity to develop, to strengthen their own forces as much as possible.
This was not about increasing their combat power significantly, as the personnel recruited in a short period would not possess much loyalty.
They would strive to protect their interests when they brought benefits.
However, when the danger exceeded the benefits, they would not hesitate to turn their backs, even selling them out completely.
This approach served two purposes: firstly, to strengthen their forces and develop enough informants, so they wouldn't be so passive when encountering issues.
Secondly, to secure the cooperation of their partners, making it impossible for them to abandon their vested interests.
Only then would they stand firmly by everyone's side in times of danger.
Just like this time, the Shanhe Gang chose to intervene for the impending benefits.
However, these benefits were not enough for them to exert their full strength, only dispatching a group of disciples and Tie Xiongxin, a third-realm cultivator.
At a certain level, immense cultivation was indeed a deterrent to one's domain.
But in many situations, the influence of one's own forces was also a crucial element.
Therefore, in the following period, everyone carried on as usual, implementing the previously established plan.
The newly opened trade routes gradually stabilized, and all unstable factors along the way were eliminated.
As the incense at the Water God Temple grew stronger, the personnel from Mingxin Pavilion and the Shanhe Gang were gradually redeployed.
They had more manpower to operate other trade routes in the same manner.
In the current chaotic times, a stable trade route could generate several times the profits of before.
Moreover, due to its safety, it became the preferred choice for commoners to travel, bringing about a significant indirect impact.
The most immediate beneficiary was the incense of the Tianyi Water God Temple. Most mortals who traveled this route would offer a few sticks of incense.
Concurrently, more and more martial artists gathered, and under the leadership of the Shanhe Gang, they were deployed along each trade route.
They only needed to maintain security in their respective areas and eliminate some mountain bandits and rogue cultivators to receive a monthly stipend from Mingxin Pavilion.
Most importantly, they would be facing ordinary mortals, with very few first and second-realm cultivators.
Such a lucrative opportunity naturally attracted many martial artists.
After all, their own cultivation realms were generally only around the first realm.
Ji Yuan and the others did not expect them to achieve any great feats; they only needed to ensure the stability of the trade routes.
If any powerful individuals appeared, someone would come to deal with them.
At the same time, with the operations of Mingxin Pavilion and the Shanhe Gang, Governor Fan Yuqing reaped considerable merits.
In just a few months, his achievements surpassed those of the previous several years combined.
The Mingjian Division, with the intelligence provided by them, also slew numerous demons and monsters and cleared out many strongholds of the Wangsheng Tower.
Within three to four months, the number of blade-wielders grew to over a hundred, and the staff of the yamen multiplied several times over.
With the financial support of Mingxin Pavilion and the intelligence sources of the Shanhe Gang.
The Mingjian Division of Luoxia Prefecture finally escaped its predicament and could begin to develop its own forces.
A full six months passed in this manner, and Ji Yuan's main body, who had been in seclusion the entire time, finally digested all his insights.