"Isn't this a bit too much?"
Zhu Tao looked at the banknotes in his hand, his expression somewhat hesitant.
Cultivation was a constant drain on finances, and no amount of silver was ever enough, but tens of thousands of taels of silver was truly a considerable sum for them, mountain and marsh cultivators.
For a wild cultivator at the second realm, monthly expenses for cultivation rarely exceeded a few dozen taels of silver. For over a dozen people, it would still only be a little over a thousand taels.
This stack of banknotes alone was enough to sustain more than ten of them for two to three years, and even longer if they were frugal.
"From now on, regarding elixirs, unless there are special requirements, you don't need to purchase them from outside. Mingxin Pavilion will regularly deliver a batch, sufficient for daily cultivation."
Ji Yuan surveyed the courtyard before him, speaking in a calm tone.
This was also considered his monthly salary to the wild cultivators. In addition to sufficient elixirs, each person would receive dozens of taels of silver each month, depending on their cultivation level.
At such a price, it was rare even within Mingxin Pavilion, and better than many forces' employees.
"Eat less outside food from now on. Mingxin Pavilion will provide ample spiritual meals. Focus more on refining the turbid energy within your bodies."
He slowly turned, his gaze falling upon Zhu Tao.
Although the latter possessed a cultivation at the second realm, his spiritual energy was impure and chaotic, with clear and turbid energies intertwined. It was likely that even a first-realm cultivator from a sect, with the aid of combined attack formations, could restrain him.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Tao nodded, yet he still seemed to have something to say, appearing to harbor lingering concerns.
After all, what he held in his hands was worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, a sum that could drive a group of mountain and marsh cultivators to take desperate measures.
Yet, the other party had given it to him so readily, seemingly unconcerned about him absconding with it.
"Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the silver?"
Zhu Tao finally couldn't help but voice his worries.
Ji Yuan, however, merely smiled faintly, glancing at him and saying, "You must truly have been kicked in the head by a donkey."
With what he had revealed so far, anyone would realize that staying by his side would bring far greater benefits than these tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Discarding a sesame seed for a watermelon was not something an experienced mountain and marsh cultivator would do. Meticulous calculation and precise investment were the hallmarks of wild cultivators.
Once this was understood, Zhu Tao's doubts were dispelled. However, a subsequent sentence spoken into his ear caused his expression to change.
"Besides, you're Li Buwei's man, aren't you? Why would you run off with the money?"
Ji Yuan said with a faint smile, revealing the truth he had long discerned.
In fact, he had already noticed in the underground arena that both Zhu Tao and Cheng Junjie were essentially Li Buwei's people.
These three had covertly influenced and controlled the entire group, guiding the choices of other mountain and marsh cultivators.
Moreover, judging by their tacit understanding, it was clearly not the first time they had done this. They might have known each other for a very long time.
"I didn't expect you to see through it all."
Zhu Tao let out a wry smile, having initially believed that their actions were at least difficult to detect, if not seamless.
In reality, if not for Ji Yuan's acute spiritual sense, he would not have noticed the tacit understanding between them, let alone deduced it.
"Work hard. What Li Buwei promised you will soon be visible and tangible."
Ji Yuan patted Zhu Tao's arm and then left the courtyard with Jiang Yunzhou.
As for Zhou Lianying and the others, they were left behind. After all, they were outsiders, and without permission, they would not be able to enter the Nine Profound Sect.
Ji Yuan, in addition to building the spiritual spring, also needed to find a way to obtain permission from within the sect.
Not long after, the two returned to the Nine Profound Sect by flying beast. After a brief chat, they parted ways, each with many matters to attend to.
Upon returning to the foot of the Xuántiān Peak, Ji Yuan was suddenly filled with emotion. This was the longest he had been away from his master and senior brother, and half a year had already passed in the blink of an eye.
Even among cultivators, this was considered quite rare. Unless one traveled across provinces or encountered special circumstances, journeys usually did not exceed two to three months.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the growing longing in his heart, and ascended the mountain at his fastest pace.
As he climbed, Ji Yuan noticed the changes to Xuántiān Peak. Areas that were once overgrown with weeds had been cleared into small paths, and even the mountain path had been meticulously repaired.
At the very least, one no longer saw potholes or broken bricks.
Through the trees, one could even see numerous pavilions being built in the distance, completely devoid of its initial desolate appearance.
Upon reaching the summit, the courtyard of his memory was gone, replaced by a solemn Daoist temple.
"Young Master!"
Just as Ji Yuan stood there in a daze, a startled cry reached his ears.
He slowly looked over and saw Xia Dong standing at the main entrance of the Daoist temple, her expression complex as she looked at him.
There was surprise, joy, and a hint of worry.
Xia Dong ran up to him. Usually so polite, she now appeared somewhat disheveled.
"I'm back."
Ji Yuan rubbed his chin, experiencing a novel sensation for the first time.
In the past, when he was in Qianyu City, even if he was away for a few days, he was never greeted upon his return.
"Xuántiān Peak seems to have changed."
Seeing Xia Dong gazing at him expectantly but remaining silent, he felt a pang of awkwardness.
Upon hearing this, she let out a soft hum, her face filled with pride. "Not long after you left, the people from Mingxin Pavilion, using the credentials you provided, began extensive construction on our peak."
Now, Xuántiān Peak boasted dozens of cultivated spiritual fields. Long-abandoned formations had been re-activated.
Even the chaotic spiritual veins within the mountain, neglected for too long, had been straightened, allowing for the unimpeded circulation of spiritual energy.
In addition, the Daoist temple on the summit had been newly constructed. Numerous areas on the mountainside had been developed for raising spirit beasts, and at the foot of the mountain, many dwellings had been built, along with large tracts of spiritual fields.
Currently, Xuántiān Peak, aside from being sparsely populated, possessed all the necessary facilities.
"Half of the superior spiritual fields on the mountain have been planted with herbs, all of rare varieties. The beast enclosures on the mountainside now house over twenty spirit beasts. As for the ordinary spiritual fields at the foot of the mountain, they are currently being maintained regularly, to be leased out later or used for other purposes."
Xia Dong spoke at length, detailing the current state of Xuántiān Peak.
She then informed Ji Yuan that during his absence, Jiang He from Kumu Peak and Xu Qiqi from Leize Peak had frequently visited Xuántiān Peak to help.
It was precisely due to their efforts that the craftsmen from Mingxin Pavilion had encountered much less trouble during construction.