"Tianyun Water Essence..."
Xu Chengfeng's eyebrows twitched, but he wasn't particularly surprised.
He had meticulously reviewed the secret method for constructing a spiritual spring from beginning to end and was well-acquainted with all the required spiritual materials.
Among all the spiritual materials, many were expensive. Although rare, they could always be acquired somehow.
Only this Tianyun Water Essence was the most difficult to obtain.
Even with the deep resources of the Nine Xuan Sect, in over several hundred years, they had only managed to acquire a few drops. Currently, the sect's treasury likely held only one or two drops at most.
"Constructing this spiritual spring requires only one drop of Tianyun Water Essence."
Xu Chengfeng looked deeply at Ji Yuan, understanding that the latter clearly intended for him to build a spiritual spring.
With the immense amount of spiritual items he had bestowed a few days prior, achieving this would not be difficult.
"There should be two drops of Tianyun Water Essence in the sect's treasury. I can authorize giving you one drop."
He spoke slowly.
A set of materials for constructing a spiritual spring was sufficient for about ten people. By simply increasing the quantity of materials used, it should be possible to provide this opportunity to fifteen people.
The primary function of Tianyun Water Essence was to dissolve fourth-tier demon cores or golden cores.
Given the current disciples of the Nine Xuan Sect, fifteen spots were more than enough. Therefore, agreeing to provide one drop of Tianyun Water Essence was not an unreasonable request.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan's eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, and an uncontrollable look of joy appeared on his face.
It was no wonder he was so elated. The effect of this spiritual spring was incredibly important to him. Once successfully constructed, forming a golden core within thirty years would no longer be an elusive dream!
"I will send a message to the sect via flying sword immediately."
As Xu Chengfeng spoke, he flipped his hand and took out a palm-sized flying sword.
This item was not a weapon for offense; its sole purpose was to transmit messages. Even the lowest-grade communication flying sword could easily travel over a thousand li in a day.
In just a moment, the flying sword flashed with dense lightning, then shot out of the window and disappeared into the horizon within a few blinks.
"The Tianyun Water Essence and other rewards will likely be delivered in a few days. You can wait here a while longer."
He watched the flying sword depart, then said with a smile.
A secret method like this was invaluable, far more so than a single drop of Tianyun Water Essence. Naturally, there would be other rewards.
In truth, the value of the secret method itself depended on who possessed it.
For an ordinary cultivator, it would be useless, only to be sold at auction.
However, for a cultivator capable of gathering the materials, its value would skyrocket. According to the records in the secret method, as long as one was still within the third stage of Foundation Establishment, they could use it to improve their physique and spiritual roots, entering a state of enlightenment.
For powerful sects like the Nine Xuan Sect, it was something they would seek to possess at any cost.
With this, they could gather a set of materials every few hundred years, granting their disciples immense opportunities and ensuring they would never face a shortage of talented individuals. Each generation could guarantee the cultivation of a certain number of Golden Core stage cultivators.
Ji Yuan naturally understood the immense value this would hold for the Nine Xuan Sect. His original plan was to use it to exchange for the materials needed to construct a spiritual spring.
He had not expected that a dilapidated furnace would exceed his expectations so greatly, directly fulfilling almost all his needs.
"Thank you for your trouble, Peak Master!"
He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and bowed respectfully to the middle-aged man before him.
He understood that showing courtesy was never a bad thing, especially as a junior.
"I have already instructed the disciples outside to arrange a cabin for you on the ship, so you won't have to travel back and forth."
Xu Chengfeng waved his hand and said with a smile, "If you have any cultivation questions in the next few days, feel free to come to me. Don't worry about disturbing me."
At his current cultivation level, a few days was hardly enough time to even slightly comprehend any secret method.
Guiding a junior was merely a trivial matter.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan became somewhat excited. Ever since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had always comprehended and figured things out on his own. Apart from a basic manual on the Great Dao, he had no elders to impart knowledge or answer his questions.
He eagerly posed several questions that had been troubling him for a long time and looked forward expectantly.
Seeing this, Xu Chengfeng couldn't help but let out a wry smile, surprised that the young man before him was not at all reserved and immediately began asking questions.
However, having spoken his words, he had no intention of going back on his promise and slowly began to provide explanations.
With his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, answering cultivation questions from mere second-stage cultivators was effortless.
Furthermore, Xu Chengfeng intentionally imbued his voice with a trace of Dao charm, subtly guiding the other to focus more intently, entering a state akin to enlightenment.
In this state, Ji Yuan could better comprehend the teachings. While it was far from true enlightenment, it was still exceptionally beneficial and a rare opportunity for ordinary cultivators.
After all, not everyone had the privilege of having a Great Golden Core cultivator dedicate their time so wholeheartedly, even willing to lend their Dao charm.
This seemingly simple act actually required considerable effort, as any carelessness could lead to the Dao charm being too potent, leaving a mark on the recipient's heart.
Even a small mark could lead them astray, becoming an impediment on their future cultivation path.
Thus, Ji Yuan stayed in the room for seven days, raising all his doubts and receiving answers from Xu Chengfeng.
In those few short days, he gained more than he had from months of focused cultivation.
During this time, he even came close to breaking through several times, but he suppressed it each time.
With the construction of the spiritual spring imminent, Ji Yuan wished to improve his physique and spiritual roots first, and then break through in one go.
Only in this way could he maximize his accumulated efforts and lay a more solid foundation for his Dao.
On the eighth day, a gentle knock sounded on the door of the highest pavilion where the two were located.
As the door opened, a young man strode in. His aura was vast like the clouds, indicating he was only one step away from forming a golden core.
However, that single step was incredibly arduous, and countless exceptionally talented cultivators had been halted at this point.
Even with Ji Yuan's aptitude, deep good fortune, and the various opportunities he possessed, he could only confidently say that reaching the third stage in the future would not be difficult.
In reality, cultivators could often discern their potential for the second and third stages, but it was exceedingly difficult to determine if someone had the possibility of successfully forming a golden core.