"Your plan is indeed thorough and very tempting."
Zhuang Lin Dao smiled faintly and said, "But what makes you think I'll agree to cooperate with just a few words?"
He slowly got up, walked to the edge of the pavilion, and then gestured to the surroundings.
Even though some words were left unsaid, their intended meaning was clear.
Ji Yuan watched him silently, inwardly sighing.
Indeed, with the Zhuang family's current foundation, there was no need for them to get involved.
Take the Qian family behind Qian Ni Chang, or the Shan He Gang, for example.
While their influence was considerable and their strength far surpassed ordinary sects, they were still a long way from the top tier.
Therefore, they had to fight and seize every opportunity.
But the Zhuang family was different. Centuries of heritage and the efforts of countless generations
had brought this family very close to the level of top powers.
Even without any fortuitous encounters, as long as they accumulated resources steadily, and a Golden Core stage cultivator appeared within the family,
they would instantly ascend to the pinnacle.
This was precisely why, despite Ji Yuan's plan being thorough and very alluring,
Zhuang Lin Dao could so easily refuse.
Because they no longer needed to struggle and compete for every opportunity.
Having it would be icing on the cake; not having it wouldn't matter.
Let alone changing the position of the Prefect.
Even if the Lord of the Prefecture were replaced, it would not affect the Zhuang family.
"You should know that the conditions offered by Wang Sheng Lou are even more attractive than yours,"
Zhuang Lin Dao said slowly.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan's gaze sharpened, and he understood that since the other party dared to say this, he must have already rejected Wang Sheng Lou.
"Our relationship is not enough for me to take such risks,"
he suddenly smiled and said, "But if you were to take Tian Xin as your disciple, then the situation would be different."
Ji Yuan's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected the other party to still be preoccupied with this matter at this time.
However, he quickly understood. Given Zhuang Lin Dao's status, position, and the power he wielded,
the benefits of this prefectural city were indeed not worth his concern.
But an opportunity to extend his influence into the Jiu Xuan Sect was enough to make him pay a great price.
Anyone could see that within twenty to thirty years, the Jiu Xuan Sect was bound to be promoted to a main sect.
At that time, its influence would not be confined to Fei Yun Prefecture, nor even to Ling Yang Prefecture.
The emergence of a main sect would be enough to reshuffle the entire Ling Yang Prefecture.
It was naturally time to make arrangements accordingly.
For example, to bind themselves together, or even join it directly.
However, the Jiu Xuan Sect was extremely strict in accepting disciples, even to the point of being harsh.
It was incredibly difficult for outsiders to extend their influence, almost impossible.
But Ji Yuan's appearance undoubtedly gave Zhuang Lin Dao a glimmer of hope.
"With your talent, a Golden Core stage in the future is inevitable."
Zhuang Lin Dao suddenly spoke.
No cultivator could guarantee that they would definitely reach the Golden Core stage in the future.
Even those with genius-level aptitude, heavenly talent, or extremely rare physiques, could not.
But if one cultivated a celestial phenomenon, condensed the three flowers atop, and possessed extraordinary comprehension at a young age,
given enough time and without premature death,
reaching the Golden Core stage would be a certainty.
The former represented cultivation, and the latter represented comprehension.
Cultivating a celestial phenomenon naturally meant considerable combat prowess, providing sufficient strength to protect oneself.
Condensing the three flowers atop signified that one's realm far surpassed cultivators of the same level.
The early stage of the third realm could be comparable to the late stage of the third realm.
The middle stage of the third realm could rival the peak of the third realm.
By the peak of the third realm, one's comprehension would be no less than that of any early Golden Core stage cultivator.
With such a foundation, condensing a Golden Core would pose no difficulty.
The only remaining question would be what quality of Golden Core could be condensed.
"If you were just a lone cultivator, or if you were content with your cultivation and didn't build a power base, then of course there would be nothing to say,"
Zhuang Lin Dao said, "But you have already established your own faction and developed it quite well.
Therefore, you should properly assess your position.
Although taking a disciple involves the Dao, how can you guarantee that what you are doing now does not involve the Dao?"
Since ancient times, whether in the era dominated by the divine path or the current prosperous age of immortal cultivation,
regardless of whether it was Daoism, Buddhism, or even Confucianism,
the requirements for successors have always been extremely stringent.
This was not only related to the inheritance but also to one's own Dao.
A good disciple could not only promote the inheritance but also allow the master and disciple to mutually verify their Dao, thereby progressing further and higher.
If one accepted a problematic disciple, it could not only affect their own Dao path but also potentially lead to betrayal.
This was not uncommon in history.
The reason Ji Yuan was reluctant, besides the potential involvement of his own Dao,
was primarily that he disliked being threatened.
Even with Zhuang Lin Dao's various schemes concerning Zhuang Tian Xin,
Ji Yuan believed he could handle it.
"Taking a disciple with excellent talent, and at the same time gaining the support of a major family."
Zhuang Lin Dao spoke, but did not finish his sentence.
However, anyone not overly foolish could understand the implication of his words.
Ji Yuan was certainly not foolish, so he naturally grasped the profound meaning contained within this sentence.
"I will give you a reply in three days."
He said slowly, then rose and took his leave.
Zhuang Lin Dao watched him depart, making no attempt to stop him, not even uttering a single word.
Upon returning to Ming Xin Xuan, Ji Yuan went back to his private chamber and activated numerous restrictive formations.
During the journey back, Qian Ni Chang had remained silent.
"This is indeed a bit troublesome."
Closing the door, Ji Yuan let out a sigh of helplessness.
Being threatened was actually not that difficult to deal with.
He was not an inflexible person. In the face of sufficient benefits, some compromises that didn't cross his bottom line were acceptable.
The primary reason he kept refusing was the trouble involved.
His Xuan Tian Guan had already brought in the Song family, and who knew how much more trouble would arise in the future.
If the Zhuang family were to find another opportunity to infiltrate the Jiu Xuan Sect,
setting aside potential dissatisfaction from the Sect Master and other high-ranking officials, it would be incredibly troublesome to manage in the future.
A slight misstep could lead to the Zhuang family becoming too powerful to control.
And then his Xuan Tian Peak would inevitably descend into chaos, with the question of who was truly in charge becoming uncertain.
Some matters could not be resolved by brute force, no matter how high one's cultivation level.