After entering the Nine Profound Sect, Ji Yuan returned to Profound Heaven Peak at the fastest speed possible.
After handing Li Buwei and Zhou Lianying over to Xia Dong to be settled, he immediately went to Thunder Marsh Peak without stopping.
With the help of the Rainbow Cloud Jade Pendant and the words of Peak Master Xu Chengfeng, he was unimpeded on Thunder Marsh Peak, save for a few restricted areas.
Following a second-realm disciple of Thunder Marsh Peak, Ji Yuan ascended to the mountain summit and was led into a courtyard with an elegant environment.
He didn't have to wait long before he heard footsteps. Turning his head, he saw Xu Qiqi.
It had been nearly a year since they last met after returning to the Nine Profound Sect from Luoxia County's capital. Initially, his father, Xu Chengfeng, the Peak Master of Thunder Marsh Peak, had personally supervised her closed-door cultivation.
Later, after Xu Qiqi emerged from seclusion, Ji Yuan was already in the underground training ground. He had finally returned to the Nine Profound Sect a while ago, only to disappear for over three months constructing the Spirit Spring.
"You guy, you're back and you didn't even come to see me!"
Despite their long separation, there was no sense of unfamiliarity with Xu Qiqi.
She playfully punched Ji Yuan's shoulder, a little annoyed. She had gone to Profound Heaven Peak for leisure some time ago and heard that he had returned and had been idle for days.
But during those days, he hadn't visited her even once!
What happened to the friendship forged with the promise of sharing life and death?
"See? I'm here now," Ji Yuan said with a laugh, wisely choosing to change the subject.
Under her displeased gaze, he quickly took out a wooden box from his Rainbow Cloud Jade Pendant. As soon as it was opened, five-colored spiritual light flickered out.
This was something he had specifically asked Qian Ningshang for when he left Mingxin Pavilion. Inside the wooden box, several delicate pieces of jewelry were neatly arranged.
These ornaments were all crafted by Mingxin Pavilion, which had hired highly skilled artisans to meticulously create them.
The materials used were top-grade, more than sufficient for refining magical artifacts.
Although these ornaments possessed no offensive or defensive capabilities, they were exquisitely made and very suitable for young girls.
As soon as she saw the jewelry in the wooden box, Xu Qiqi's displeasure vanished. She happily took them into her hands and examined them closely, clearly delighted.
Ji Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. He dared not displease the young woman before him, lest he suffer the same fate as Jiang He, who was often beaten to the point of tears.
"You're such a busy bee, you wouldn't come all the way to Thunder Marsh Peak just to see me. You must have run into some trouble, right?"
Satisfied, Xu Qiqi finally remembered the person standing beside her.
Ji Yuan felt a sense of helplessness and then explained the matter of the Spirit Spring.
Upon hearing that he had reserved a precious spot for her as well, Xu Qiqi's eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on her face.
"You don't need to go to Withered Wood Peak. I'll drag Jiang He to your Profound Heaven Peak later."
She waved her hand, looking confident and in charge.
Then, she furrowed her brow slightly, appearing distressed. "You've given me such a precious gift, I don't even know how to reciprocate..."
Accepting it happily was natural between friends, and knowing how to respond to such a gesture was about cherishing that friendship.
Seeing her troubled expression, Ji Yuan smiled and said, "There's no need for a gift. How about you help me with something?"
He then explained the situation with the Zhuang family of Mingxin Pavilion, hoping Xu Qiqi could ask an elder from Thunder Marsh Peak to make a show of intervention.
With an elder from a lineage family involved, even if the Zhuang family guessed the truth, they would not dare to show any displeasure.
Although the Nine Profound Sect and Mingxin Pavilion were not from the same county, the former's power was such that even a few words would be enough to make the Zhuang family in Luoxia County pay an unbearable price.
"This is not a difficult matter. I can promise you right now."
After hearing Ji Yuan's plan, Xu Qiqi immediately agreed.
This matter didn't even require her father's consent; she could handle it herself.
As the Peak Master's beloved daughter, she had significant authority on Thunder Marsh Peak. Even setting that aside, which elder on the peak didn't dote on her?
Furthermore, this matter actually benefited Thunder Marsh Peak, so the elders would only agree wholeheartedly.
"However, my suggestion is that you should save these two spots."
Xu Qiqi pondered. "The favor you've done for me with the gift can be our exchange. For the other two spots, you should go to the outer disciples and select suitable ones."
There were disciples with exceptional talent in the outer sect, who would be taken in as direct or personal disciples by various peaks once their cultivation advanced.
The reason they remained in the outer sect for a time was to temper their resolve and instill a sense of belonging to the sect.
Cultivating disciples wasn't just about increasing their cultivation; it also required attention to their mindset and sense of belonging to the sect, otherwise, they could easily turn into ungrateful individuals.
History was replete with examples, and even today, many sects faced similar situations.
That is, geniuses cultivated with all their might, destined to inherit the mantle of the sect, would instead betray their sect or even destroy it.
Such acts of betrayal were almost impossible to prevent, and one could only pay close attention and take preventative measures during disciple cultivation.
"Outer disciples..."
Ji Yuan understood her meaning but felt a bit hesitant.
He was willing to give Xu Qiqi and others a spot in the Spirit Spring, even if he gained nothing in return. Some things were beyond monetary value.
However, to offer precious spots to outer disciples he didn't know, he honestly felt resistant.
"You can make an agreement with them, perhaps to join Profound Heaven Peak or serve you, and so on. The specifics are up to you."
Xu Qiqi said, "Although Profound Heaven Peak doesn't currently have the authority to recruit disciples, I can ask my father to help facilitate this."
Even Withered Wood Peak could be asked to help, as recruiting two disciples was not a major issue.
Given the preciousness of the Spirit Spring spots, Withered Wood Peak would certainly be willing to help with this small favor.
Ji Yuan pondered for a moment, then his mind was made up. Rather than using these two spots to exchange for some spiritual items or forge a fleeting connection, it would be better to use them to recruit two talented disciples into Profound Heaven Peak.
In this way, years later, Profound Heaven Peak would have at least two third-realm elders, and their combat power would be considered very strong within their realm.
After all, those selected must have had considerable talent in the outer sect. With the Spirit Spring to improve their physiques and spiritual roots, and a chance for a prolonged enlightenment, their future achievements would naturally not be low.
"Well, have you made up your mind? I'll go speak to the elders later if you have."
Xu Qiqi asked.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded, agreeing to her suggestion. "In that case, seven days from now, bring Jiang He and come to Profound Heaven Peak."
At the same time, he reminded Xu Qiqi to coordinate with Withered Wood Peak. With the elders of two peaks involved, the Zhuang family would naturally have no recourse.