A small river, no more than a li or two wide and twenty to thirty li long, but because it was considered one of the sources of a great river, it possessed a sliver of water transport potential.
If managed properly, or if a large sum of money was invested, it could be transformed into a water root.
Once successful, numerous benefits would follow, and for Ji Yuan, there was another marvelous use.
A private mountaintop, he could have his divine avatar use this place as a dojo, and when the opportune moment arrived, swallow this water root whole, thus becoming a deity of the region.
The benefits from this would far exceed those from ordinary imperial enfeoffment!
However, before that, some matters needed proper arrangement. Only by managing it well could he truly reap those benefits.
But overall, this was truly a deal with no downside, and one that would yield immense profit!
"Is the young master satisfied?"
Zhu Tao asked with a smile, initially a little apprehensive, worried that the other party might not like it.
Now it seemed, those worries were unfounded. The youth before him had already revealed his joy without reservation.
"Satisfied, exceptionally satisfied!"
Ji Yuan's smile was brilliant. He hadn't expected to receive such a huge surprise from these wild cultivators of mountains and marshes before offering them anything.
He took out a stack of banknotes and handed it to Zhu Tao, covering the expenses for the mountaintop. It was more than enough, so he instructed the money to be shared among Zhu Tao and the others involved as a reward.
Then, he turned to the Daoist priest from the mountain, also handing him a stack of banknotes, and said with a solemn expression, "I trouble you and a few others to head to that mountaintop immediately and ensure there are no incidents."
With a cultivator at the middle stage of the Spirit Condensation realm and several at the early stage guarding a mere small mountaintop, it was, to be honest, overkill.
However, in Ji Yuan's view, this mountaintop would have great use in the future, possibly even becoming the place where his divine avatar attained enlightenment, so it could not be taken lightly.
"This task might be a bit arduous, but a fortuitous opportunity will be bestowed upon you later."
He thought for a moment, then made a sincere promise.
Ji Yuan also stated that he would later invite specialists from Mingxin Pavilion to renovate the mountaintop, and they were to cooperate fully.
The Daoist priest from the mountain nodded, readily agreeing. He was also somewhat shaken because the banknotes the youth handed him amounted to twenty thousand.
It wasn't that he hadn't handled such a large sum before, but the trust displayed by the young man handing it to him so readily touched him.
After decades of cultivation, the Daoist priest had considered serving a certain faction. However, after carrying out orders with his life, he was still not trusted, and even treated as insignificant.
When the time came to be discarded, his former masters wouldn't hesitate for a moment.
Having experienced such a feeling once, no one would want to go through it a second time. This was one of the reasons why most wild cultivators of mountains and marshes were willing to fight to the death for a little resource, rather than become a lackey of some faction.
"Young master, please rest assured, we will ensure that mountaintop is absolutely secure!"
The Daoist priest nodded solemnly and then, without delay, led his men towards the mountaintop a thousand li away.
Despite Ji Yuan and Li Buwei's attempts to persuade him to slow down and not be so hasty, the priest merely smiled and nodded, but his actions did not falter.
"I heard he gave himself the title 'Daoist Priest of the Mountain' precisely because his temper was too impetuous, wanting to use it to constantly remind himself to change."
Li Buwei withdrew his gaze and chuckled helplessly.
Now, it seemed his intention had not been very effective.
"Fetch Zhou Lianying. If there's nothing else to prepare, we should leave now."
Ji Yuan glanced at him and then said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Li Buwei's spirits immediately lifted, understanding the implication of Ji Yuan's words.
He quickly sent someone to call Zhou Lianying and simultaneously made arrangements for the other wild cultivators, instructing Zhu Tao to keep a close eye on them and absolutely prevent them from causing trouble outside.
Although this was a small town, it was a gathering place for cultivators from all sides, with people from major factions seen everywhere.
It could be said that apart from the county capital of Feiyun Commandery, this market town of Jiuxuan Sect had the most diverse array of factions.
Even while walking on the street, one might encounter a cultivator of the third realm or a person from a major faction.
After making proper arrangements, Li Buwei led Zhou Lianying and followed Ji Yuan into Mingxin Pavilion.
Liu Ruyan, who was originally in Liusha City, had already returned to the market town and had been waiting for quite some time.
In addition to her, Qian Nishang, who was far away in Luoxia Commandery, had also arrived here a month prior.
Seeing his benefactress again after a long absence, Ji Yuan couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion. He hadn't expected her to have successfully broken through to the third realm during this period.
It seemed the calamity in Qianyu City had provided her with a considerable amount of merit!
"You fellow, you've really used Mingxin Pavilion a lot for your business."
As soon as they met, Qian Nishang, leaning back on her chair, chided him playfully.
She remembered clearly advising him when they parted ways to feel free to instruct the local Mingxin Pavilion for any matters.
She hadn't expected him to be so unreserved, even directing the main branch of Mingxin Pavilion in Luoxia Commandery to handle numerous tasks from afar.
"Since the benefactress says so, I naturally must obey."
Ji Yuan chuckled and sat down opposite her.
Li Buwei and Zhou Lianying stood silently behind him, feeling a sense of awe.
The youth sitting before them, every person he met seemed to be either an elder, the chief manager of a large merchant guild, the peak master responsible for a lineage within Jiuxuan Sect, or one of the major benefactors of Mingxin Pavilion.
"The matter you mentioned in your letter..."
Qian Nishang cut straight to the chase without any pleasantries.
As soon as she spoke, Liu Ruyan immediately dismissed the maidservants in the room and then looked at the youth before them with complex emotions.
In their beautiful eyes, there was curiosity, excitement, and a hint of anticipation.
A fortuitous opportunity that could improve physique and spiritual roots, and induce a state of enlightenment, was enough to make any cultivator envious and pursue it at all costs.
"Aren't I inviting you all to experience it together?"
Ji Yuan's eyes twinkled as he said with a smile.
The spiritual spring had now been refined and could be used at any time. His departure from Jiuxuan Sect was precisely to invite those around him to share in this fortunate opportunity.