The harvest gained during the time I’ve known you far surpasses what I've accumulated from wandering the martial world for two or three years!
Zhao Yuansong drained his tea and couldn't help but sigh. In this short month, he had acquired spiritual artifacts, silver, various spiritual materials, and even significant merit – items usually hard to come by. If he had been alone in the martial world before, even spending three or four years wouldn't have yielded such a rich haul. There had only been one instance where, after saving an orphaned mother and her child out of righteousness, he was pursued for hundreds of miles. By chance, he had stumbled upon a cave dwelling left by a cultivator of the Third Realm. Over seventy percent of his current wealth came from this discovery, the most precious items being his spiritual artifact long sword and a Mountain River Bag.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan simply smiled and didn't respond. Some things were fine to mention briefly, but one couldn't boast about them. Before one possessed sufficient strength, the principle of not flaunting wealth remained paramount.
"What do you plan to do next?" Zhao Yuansong inquired. Although he hadn't left the courtyard recently, Qian Nishang sent people daily to provide detailed updates on external affairs, so he wasn't entirely unaware of the situation in the prefectural city.
Ji Yuan pondered for a moment, then sighed. "After Li Wenqing concludes things, I will have secured a decent situation for the Qian family and myself. Then, I can accompany you to the Nine Profound Sect." If his calculations were correct, everything would be resolved within the next few days. If all went smoothly, he might even establish a family business.
In truth, he could leave now with Zhao Yuansong and the others, traveling on spiritual birds brought by the Nine Profound Sect's Third Realm elders, reaching Feiyun Prefecture in a few days. Once the fortune of Xuantian Temple was integrated into the Nine Profound Sect, he could settle with his master, senior brothers, and disciples on a mountain peak granted by the sect to cultivate. However, without a solid foundation, they would inevitably encounter difficulties, perhaps even subtle machinations from ill-intentioned individuals. Only by reaching the Third Realm, mastering the Xuantian Sword Art and the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture, along with his Natal Flying Sword, the Xuantian Pagoda, and the thirty-six Heavy Water Pearls, could he deter some and ensure a peaceful life for those around him.
But in the decades leading up to that, he needed other means to prevent certain people from going too far. The Qian family of Mingxin Pavilion and the governor's mansion of Luoxia Prefecture were the foundations he was establishing for himself and his loved ones. If everything proceeded smoothly, even from several prefectures away, these entities would deter others from acting rashly. Even if they coveted what the Nine Profound Sect possessed, they would have to scheme cautiously in the shadows.
"Within the Nine Profound Sect, there are twelve lineages, with the Nine Meridians leading the pack," Zhao Yuansong said slowly after a moment of contemplation. "The Nine Meridian lineages existed since the sect's founding, their foundations unimaginably deep. Each possesses a mountain peak, at least one Golden Core Grand Cultivator, and multiple Third Realm elders."
This revelation startled Ji Yuan; he hadn't anticipated the Nine Profound Sect to be so formidable. This was merely concerning the core Nine Meridian lineages, whose Golden Core Grand Cultivators alone rivaled those of the Shenxuan Sect in Chongyuan Prefecture!
"Beyond the Nine Meridians, three other lineages emerged over the centuries. Although they are one step away from condensing their fortune, their strength is not to be underestimated. Their leaders are all peak Third Realm cultivators." In terms of combat power, they were nearly invincible below the Golden Core stage and were the backbone of the sect, usually guarding its four corners. Despite the Nine Profound Sect's less prominent fame, its substantial industries were comparable to, if not exceeding, those of sects like the Shenxuan Sect. The only missing element was the presence of an immortal being.
Although the sect had an ancestor at the peak of the Golden Core realm, he had never taken the crucial step. This was precisely why the Nine Profound Sect yearned to reclaim its missing fortune. If they could retrieve the fortune separated centuries ago, this peak Golden Core ancestor would have a high probability of condensing it, breaking through his current realm, and becoming an immortal residing in the heavens.
"I heard the Nine Profound Sect was originally called the Ten Profound Sect, and at its founding, there were ten lineages, with Xuantian being the main one," Jiang He interjected from the side. "However, hundreds of years ago, the peak lords of the other lineages were instigated by a villain, forcing the Xuantian lineage to break away and establish itself in Luoxia Prefecture. It was from that time that the Nine Profound Sect lost a crucial portion of its fortune. As the sect's powerful ancestor's lifespan dwindled, no new immortal beings appeared for centuries. In contrast, Xuantian Temple produced four mighty figures in three hundred years, totaling five immortal beings including the founding ancestor, almost becoming the national religion of the Great Yu Dynasty. Unfortunately, over three hundred years ago, a rogue cultivator from the mountains and rivers stole a thousand-mile jade vein to forge an artifact, attracting two or three dozen powerful individuals. Coupled with hidden schemes, it ultimately led to the demise of all Xuantian Temple's ancestors, and its disciples gradually dwindled. If not for the Nine Profound Sect's intervention and protection, this lineage might have completely disappeared."
"Three hundred years of glory, three hundred years of decline; the reasons are beyond the comprehension of outsiders." Ji Yuan chanted 'Wu Liang Tian Zun,' his expression tinged with complexity. Zhao Yuansong also fell silent. Although he was the senior disciple of the outer sect of the Nine Profound Sect, he had limited access to secrets. Even the direct disciples of the inner sect knew little of this history. Only someone like Jiang He, a direct disciple of a lineage's peak lord, could truly grasp some of the sect's hidden affairs.
"Ji Yuan, when you arrive at the Nine Profound Sect, you must be wary of the other three lineages," Jiang He said with a solemn expression. For the past few centuries, these three lineages had been vying to condense their fortune and become the vacant tenth lineage. This was not merely a title; it held immeasurable opportunities. Once they succeeded in filling the gap, they would truly become one with the Nine Profound Sect, reaping unimaginable benefits.
Setting aside other matters, with their fortune complete, the Nine Profound Sect could be elevated to the status of a sect, with inherent blessings from the heavens. Breaking through current bottlenecks would be a given. Henceforth, the ten lineages would share the sect's immense fortune, facing fewer obstacles on their cultivation paths, and their personal luck would increase exponentially. Even the potential of each lineage's peak lord and disciples would be subtly enhanced. What was once a limit at the Third Realm would suddenly offer a chance to condense a Golden Core. Do not underestimate this chance; for cultivators who despaired of ever reaching the Golden Core, it represented a transition from nothing to something. It was akin to a chain extending from a cliff edge, offering hope of crossing over!
"In other words, if I bring back the separated fortune of Xuantian Temple to the Nine Profound Sect, I will be cutting off the immense opportunities of these three lineages and incurring their wrath?" Ji Yuan's mouth twitched, and a chill rose from his heart. Seeing Jiang He nod gravely, he felt a pang of headache; before even reaching the Nine Profound Sect, he had already made enemies. These individuals, ranging from peak Third Realm cultivators to those in the First or Second Realms, and even disciples not yet entered, numbered at least several dozen.
Furthermore, once Xuantian Temple returned and its fortune was complete, it would be equivalent to snatching away their imminent opportunities. For cultivators, obstructing one's path to the Great Dao was infinitely more serious than the hatred of matricide or patricide!
"Each of these three lineages, besides their leaders who are at the peak of the Third Realm, has at least one to three Third Realm cultivators and seven or eight Second Realm cultivators within their ranks," Zhao Yuansong added. He paused, then elaborated that the three lineage leaders, besides their peak Third Realm cultivation, possessed numerous trump cards and had never encountered a formidable opponent while guarding the sect.
"Master... perhaps we shouldn't go?" Zhao Yuebai sighed, her small face etched with worry. "Actually, our Luoxia Prefecture is quite nice." Hearing this, Ji Yuan, suppressing the urge to cover his face, managed not to heave a sigh to the heavens. He had a nagging feeling that he had pushed himself into a fiery pit.
"Hahahaha, just relax!" Zhao Yuansong and Jiang He exchanged glances, and both burst into laughter. They spoke in turn, offering comfort. After all, they were fellow disciples; surely they wouldn't turn on each other? Moreover, even though it would disrupt some opportunities, the Nine Profound Sect's fortune would be complete, allowing the peak Golden Core ancestor to take that crucial step and ascend to the heavens, elevating the sect's status. From then on, the Nine Profound Sect would be adorned with the title of 'Sect,' and all its disciples would benefit. Bottlenecks that were once insurmountable would temporarily disappear, coupled with immense fortune, ensuring a constant stream of opportunities and blessings, if not outright treasures.
"You two are having a lot of fun playing with me, aren't you?" Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat displeased. At this point, if he couldn't see their scheme, he might as well find a brick and end it all. These two were indeed worthy of being brothers; their tacit understanding was impeccable. He wondered when they had conspired to set a trap, just to see his distressed expression.
"Who told you to always act so mature, more like an old man than my master!" Jiang He pouted and grumbled. Hearing this, Zhao Yuebai couldn't help but chuckle. Xia Dong, beside her, struggled mightily to suppress her laughter, her body trembling slightly, clearly finding it a taxing effort. Ji Yuan, upon hearing this, also let out a wry smile. This was truly unfair to him. Having grown up in a Daoist temple, surrounded by senior brothers in their middle age or an elderly master, he had simply followed their example.
"However, while there's an element of teasing, not everything we've said is just for amusement," Zhao Yuansong said earnestly, worried Ji Yuan wasn't taking it seriously. Although fellow disciples wouldn't engage in a fight to the death and sect rules would prevent them from harming each other, human hearts were complex, and one could never guarantee that variables wouldn't arise. It was best to be cautious; betraying fellow disciples, or even the sect, for opportunities and benefits had never ceased to happen. Hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded slightly. Even if they hadn't said it, he would have been extra vigilant.
RUMBLE!!!
Just then, a series of booming sounds suddenly erupted in the distance, like rolling thunder, shaking the very earth. The group immediately rose, taking a few steps out of the pavilion, and looked towards the direction of the commotion. Those meditating in the rooms also rushed into the courtyard with the disturbance.
"What's happening?" Xu Qiqi asked curiously. As her words fell, gazes converged, all falling upon Ji Yuan.
"It has begun, and it is about to end," he murmured, gazing towards the distant horizon.
BOOM!!!!!
Another thunderous roar echoed, and a brilliant beam of light shot into the sky. Even from hundreds or thousands of zhang away, one could feel an aura that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth! Vaguely, a few figures seemed to fly into the high heavens, their bodies shimmering with all colors, letting out roars in the air.