In Chen Rong's narration, many of the Shenxuan Sect's secrets were laid bare before Ji Yuan and Qian Nishang.
One of these was that an elder ancestor of the Shenxuan Sect, despite having reached the pinnacle of cultivation and being a divine being, could not escape the inevitable problem of a dwindling lifespan.
His remaining lifespan was likely less than a hundred years.
For mortals, most do not live beyond a century, but for divine beings of this caliber, a single period of seclusion could last for decades.
Currently, most of the Shenxuan Sect's disciples were scouring the ruins and caves of their predecessors, hoping to find some artifacts that could extend their lifespan.
This was because the elder ancestor had lived for nearly a thousand years, predating Emperor Tianwu by a generation. He had consumed countless spiritual herbs, and the longevity-extending spiritual treasures found in the world had little effect on him.
Now, their only hope was to unearth a peerless divine artifact from the ancient, forgotten past, or to find one or two rare spiritual herbs that were already seldom seen in the world.
Two months prior, a group of disciples had discovered an unmapped ancient immortal's ruin at the junction of Chongyuan Prefecture and Lingyang Prefecture.
However, the commotion was too great, attracting the attention of various forces. Particularly, some highly skilled rogue cultivators, who cared not if you were a disciple of the Shenxuan Sect, nor even if you were from the imperial court.
At worst, they would seize their gains and flee the Great Yu Dynasty. They were rootless, and one person's sustenance was enough for the whole family.
Thus, under the siege of a group of rogue cultivators, the Shenxuan Sect disciples suffered heavy casualties. This also enticed some forces to secretly attempt to seize the opportunity.
Yet, no one expected that while they were fighting each other outside the ancient immortal's ruin, the bandits captured by the Shenxuan Sect were inside, consuming a large amount of elixirs and pills left by the ancient immortal. They then escaped through a teleportation array.
This was why Chen Rong and other Shenxuan Sect disciples appeared in Luoxia Prefecture. They had followed the clues to this place, hoping that the bandits had not consumed all the remnants of the immortal elixirs.
"I have something I don't understand," Ji Yuan said with a frown. "I left enough clues along the way. If there were no accidents, you should have approached the Prefectural Governor's mansion. Why did you directly target us?"
This was also something Qian Nishang was concerned about. These clues, though seemingly trivial, had perfectly excluded them without completely cutting ties, skillfully diverting all attention to the Prefectural Governor's mansion.
However, the group of Shenxuan Sect members, led by the middle-aged man, had not gone to the Prefectural Governor's mansion at all. Instead, they had appeared directly in Mingxin Pavilion, and specifically asked to see Qian Nishang.
As soon as they met, the other party had directly demanded that Qian Nishang hand over what she had obtained.
If they were to say there were no issues, both of them would absolutely not believe it.
Yet, no matter how hard they pondered, they could not figure out where the problem lay.
"It was an alchemist named Cui Long who secretly infiltrated the inn where we were staying. He claimed that Shopkeeper Qian had sent people to intercept a treasure and offered it to the Prefectural Governor, which was how they managed to break free from a deadly situation," Chen Rong said.
Chen Rong had no reason to conceal anything and confessed everything he knew at that moment.
He even repeated, with considerable accuracy, Cui Long's words at the time, emphasizing that the man had sworn a venomous oath, claiming that Shopkeeper Qian still possessed several portions of the spiritual items and had not offered them all to the Prefectural Governor.
This was the reason they had appeared in Mingxin Pavilion and were not hesitant to commit violence in the street.
"According to the records in the ancient immortal's ruin, this item was a type of ancient immortal elixir, refined by an immortal for their kin and friends," Chen Rong said. "If one were to consume a complete pill, it could allow a mortal to ascend to the heavens in broad daylight, or at the very least, reach the realm of the mighty."
Although a long time had passed, and the elixir was shattered, losing most of its potency, if it were to be re-refined with rare spiritual items, it might just allow that elder ancestor, whose lifespan was nearing its end, to advance further.
Even if he couldn't immediately become an immortal, there was a slight possibility he might achieve the status of a half-immortal.
At that point, both his magical power and lifespan would experience a leap forward.
This was also why the Shenxuan Sect was in some trouble, with most of its power deployed elsewhere. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a cultivator of the third realm who appeared here, but a great cultivator who had formed a golden core.
"What could possibly tie down the Shenxuan Sect so much that they are unable to spare anyone?" Qian Nishang asked with a frown.
Logically speaking, with the strength of the Shenxuan Sect, which was guarded by two divine beings and nine great cultivators with golden cores, unless the imperial court acted against them, or several major sects of comparable power joined forces, there should be nothing that would prevent them from dispatching even a single great cultivator with a golden core.
Upon hearing this, Chen Rong shrugged with a helpless expression. "Rumor has it that a great change, unprecedented in a thousand or even ten thousand years, has occurred in a certain place guarded by the Shenxuan Sect."
Specifically, when this happened was not something a mere disciple of the second realm like him could know. He only heard from rumors within the sect that perhaps a great demon, which the Shenxuan Sect had guarded for many years, might escape.
If this great demon were to escape, at least half of the prefecture would suffer devastation and turn into a barren land.
However, whether this was true or not, only the higher echelons of the Shenxuan Sect would have any information.
"Now, the remaining four people have been thrown into the county governor's dungeon. What do you think the Shenxuan Sect will do?" Ji Yuan asked Chen Rong, looking at him with meaningful eyes.
The latter replied almost without thinking, "No matter what changes the Shenxuan Sect has encountered, one thing is certain: they are currently unable to spare anyone. Therefore, I estimate they will settle for financial compensation and give up further pursuit."
"Only when they have resolved their greater troubles and have time to spare will they possibly bring this matter up again."
However, for the Shenxuan Sect to resolve their current troubles would likely not be a matter of a moment. From what Chen Rong knew, this situation had been ongoing for over a decade.
No one knew how much more time it would take to resolve this problem.
It could be months, years, or even another decade.
Even if they did have time, the Shenxuan Sect would most likely not bring this matter up again. After all, with so much time having passed, who knew how much of the original items would remain?
Unfortunately, the elder ancestor whose lifespan was nearing its end did not have that much time to trifle with. For the entire Shenxuan Sect, finding longevity-extending spiritual items would undoubtedly remain the priority.
"In this case, after the matters in the county are settled, I can leave with peace of mind," Ji Yuan murmured to himself, his worries somewhat alleviated.
As for his departure to the Jiuxuan Sect in Feiyun Prefecture, Qian Nishang was naturally aware of it.
Although she desperately wished to keep him, and even felt that with him here, and his strategic mind, the Qian family could return to its former glory in a short time, without being coveted by others.
However, Qian Nishang also understood that the Qian family alone could not restrain Ji Yuan. Countless benefits could not compare to the Jiuxuan Sect, which dominated an entire prefecture.
Finally, after re-sealing Chen Rong's cultivation and having him temporarily reside in the Qian family's ancestral hall, with two loyal household servants assigned to look after him, they left together.
Qian Nishang returned to her study to handle the business and affairs of the Qian family and Mingxin Pavilion.
As for Ji Yuan, guided by two maids, he returned to the courtyard where he was temporarily staying.
"Young Master!"
As soon as he entered the room, the waiting girl immediately bowed and called out crisply.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan was stunned for a moment, then instinctively blurted out, "Dong'er... why are you here?"
Standing in his room at that moment was none other than one of Qian Nishang's personal maids, a girl named Xia Dong.
"The family head said that from today onwards, Dong'er belongs to Young Master," the girl said, her head lowered. Her earlobes were already flushed red.
She had once thought that she would follow Qian Nishang her entire life, perhaps marrying one of the Qian family's young servants in twenty or thirty years.
She never imagined that one day she would be bestowed upon an outsider, and one who appeared to be a young Daoist priest a year or two younger than herself.
"Nonsense!" Ji Yuan, uncharacteristically, got a little angry.
This was understandable. After all, he was a registered Daoist priest in the Great Yu Dynasty, a monastic by nature. Although Daoism did not forbid marriage, how could he have a maid by his side?
Therefore, in his view, Qian Nishang's actions were indeed somewhat inappropriate. If word got out, it would affect his reputation, the reputation of Xuanyuan Temple, and even Xia Dong's reputation.
"Go back now and tell the mistress that this is not permissible!" he said, annoyed, not at the girl before him, but at Qian Nishang in the study.
Hearing this, Xia Dong immediately knelt on the ground, her forehead pressed tightly against the floor tiles. "I implore Young Master for leniency. The Qian family has a rule: what is given away is never taken back. If it is returned, it means it was not done well and displeased the master, leading to abandonment to fend for oneself."
Ji Yuan opened his mouth, momentarily speechless, feeling an inexplicable sense of being stifled.
He felt as if he had been tricked.
However, after calming down, he understood. Xia Dong, while seemingly a gift from Qian Nishang to look after his daily needs, was also a means of influence and surveillance.
Saying surveillance might be too strong, but the other party clearly wanted to arrange someone relatively trustworthy who could learn about his situation.
Otherwise, after being treated as a special guest, being given a magical artifact and cultivation techniques, and with a large annual offering in the future, the person would be located several prefectures away, making it difficult to feel secure.
After all, the relationship between them was not deep enough to disregard these matters.
"Alright, then you will stay by my side for the time being. But remember, you are a person, not a gift that can be casually sent back and forth." After understanding, Ji Yuan sighed and temporarily agreed.
This approach both indicated that he had no ulterior motives and allowed Qian Nishang to feel more at ease and to account for it to the Qian family's higher-ups.
He also knew that if he forcibly sent Xia Dong back, her fate would ultimately be as she said: expelled from the Qian family and left to fend for herself.
"Young Master... the family head instructed that if Young Master is truly enraged beyond control... then... then you may... turn this servant into your person... naturally, there will be no suspicion of surveillance..." Xia Dong performed a curtsy and said in a soft, clear voice.
However, as soon as the words left her mouth, the blush was no longer confined to her earlobes but had spread to her neck, and her head drooped even lower.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan was instantly stunned, as if struck by lightning. A rare blush appeared on his face.
After a long while, Xia Dong secretly looked up and softly called out, "Young Master..."
"Hmm?" Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow, confusion appearing in his eyes.
"The way your face is blushing... it's quite attractive!" Before the words were even finished, Xia Dong turned and ran into the room. As if too embarrassed, she put a little too much force into her movement, causing the door to slam heavily against the doorframe.
CRASH!!!
This loud noise struck Ji Yuan's ears heavily.
After a long time, he suddenly slapped his forehead. "She went into the room, so where will I sleep tonight?"