Within a quarter of an hour, Liu Ruyan returned with a smile, followed by five or six young women carrying trays.
"Everything is here, are you satisfied?"
Liu Ruyan leaned back on her chair and gestured to the women lined up.
Ji Yuan was not polite and really got up to check everything in front of him. Only after confirming that there were no errors did he nod in satisfaction.
"You are indeed meticulous."
Liu Ruyan elegantly rolled her eyes, but despite her tone of complaint, she was not surprised.
After all, they had been dealing with each other for over a year. She knew how serious this young Taoist priest was about money, calling him a proper little money grubber.
Sometimes Liu Ruyan couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Aren't Taoists supposed to value tranquility and non-action, considering money as external possessions, and only the Tao is eternal?"
"Friendship is friendship, and business is business. If there's a slight error, we might not even be friends anymore."
Ji Yuan explained with a smile and sat back down on his chair.
After he confirmed everything, the women began to carefully put away the items they were holding one by one.
Finally, two bundles, one large and one small, were placed securely on the table beside Ji Yuan.
"Why don't you just buy a Shanhe Bag? Isn't it less troublesome?"
Liu Ruyan lightly fanned herself with her round fan, looking at him with a smile.
The so-called Shanhe Bag was something crafted by great cultivators with supreme artifact-refining techniques, combined with formations and restrictions. It was not a magical artifact but was superior to one.
A bag no bigger than a palm could contain a space within it, with the smallest measuring about a zhang in length and width. Except for living beings, almost anything could be stored inside.
Hearing this, the young Taoist priest smiled wryly and shook his head. "That thing is too expensive. Even the cheapest Shanhe Bag from your Mingxin Xuan would require me to refine elixirs day and night for two to three years to have a chance of affording it."
This was even with the guarantee that every batch of elixirs would be successful, with no failed pills. Only then could enough money be accumulated after deducting the costs.
However, this would also delay Ji Yuan's own cultivation. For two to three years, it could not be said that there would be no progress, but it would be more or less the same.
The price of exchanging for something he couldn't use at the current stage was, by any reckoning, a losing deal.
Moreover, the White Jade Flying Sword in his Purple Mansion already contained a small heavenly domain within it, which was far superior in function to a Shanhe Bag. Therefore, there was no need to rashly spend money to purchase one at this time.
After all, for cultivators, careful budgeting had become an instinct. Every copper coin on their person was to be used for increasing their cultivation or for self-preservation.
"Since the money has been exchanged for goods, I'll be leaving. I'll come back to have tea with shopkeeper Liu next time I have the chance."
Ji Yuan yawned. He had not rested for a day and a night and had gone through several twists and turns. He was indeed very tired at this moment.
Seeing his haggard appearance, Liu Ruyan did not detain him. She personally escorted him to the entrance of Mingyue Xuan and watched the young Taoist priest leave with the two bundles, one large and one small.
The trip to Mingxin Xuan, back and forth, did not take much time, only about half an hour.
When Ji Yuan returned to the vicinity of the Taoist temple, the alley, where the sunlight was mostly blocked, he saw that the main entrance was already open from afar, knowing that his master and senior brother were awake.
He quickly passed through the main gate, this time not climbing over the courtyard wall.
However, as soon as he stepped into the Taoist temple, his gaze fell upon three men and two women, a total of five young people, in the main hall where the deity statues were enshrined. The young Taoist priest's expression suddenly changed.
He quickly counted on his fingers within his sleeve and immediately realized that today was the day that occurred once every four years.
At that moment, Ji Yuan immediately lightened his footsteps and walked towards a small courtyard to the side without looking sideways. However, as soon as he took two or three steps, a shout came from the main hall.
"Since you're back, why are you sneaking around? Come here quickly."
He responded with a "yes" and reluctantly turned back, walking into the main hall of the Taoist temple with no energy.
What was called the main hall was actually just a larger room. On both sides were eight kindly-looking Taoist priests. In the center was enshrined a man in a long robe whose true appearance was unclear, with two long swords on his back.
Xuantian Temple was different from ordinary Taoist temples. It did not enshrine legendary deities, but rather immortal figures of Taoism from a continent. Each of them was a being comparable to an earthly immortal, and the one in the center was the Lord of Taoism of the continent.
As soon as Ji Yuan entered the main hall, his gaze inadvertently swept over the young people. Apart from two boys and girls who looked about his age, the rest were young people in their early twenties.
They were dressed in brocade robes, carried simple long swords on their backs, and wore pure white jade pendants with the character "Xuan" engraved on them at their waists.
After a brief observation, Ji Yuan thought to himself, "As expected," and had confirmed the identities and general backgrounds of these visitors.
"These are distinguished guests from Jiuxuan Sect in Feiyun County. Hurry up and greet them."
An old man with white hair and beard, with an immortal-like demeanor, smiled and said, "This is my disciple Ji Yuan, and also the only disciple of Xuantian Temple of this generation who has embarked on the path of cultivation."
The young Taoist priest walked to the old man's side, bowed to everyone with a Taoist salute, and then stepped back a pace, lowering his head in silence.
After thinking for a moment, he quietly placed the large and small bundles in his hands on the ground and nudged them behind him with his foot.
"To embark on the path of cultivation at such a young age is a sign of genius anywhere."
The young man at the head of the group smiled slightly and nodded at Ji Yuan as he spoke.
As he spoke, the two boys and girls, who were the same age as the young Taoist priest, simultaneously cast curious glances at him. The former's eyes were full of scrutiny, while the latter, seeing that he was handsome and good-looking, couldn't help but stare a few more times.
"We will be staying here for some more time. Old Daoist priest, you can consider the matter that was previously discussed slowly. There is no rush."
The young man cupped his fists in a salute, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left with his junior brothers and sisters.
This left Ji Yuan somewhat bewildered. According to the usual practice in previous years, these people, after arriving, would mostly search the entire Taoist temple several times before reluctantly leaving temporarily.
"This person is named Zhao Yuansong, the senior disciple of the outer sect of Jiuxuan Sect of this generation. The boy and girl behind him are named Jiang He and Xu Qiqi, respectively."
The old man looked out at the empty doorway, his eyes filled with emotion.
Ji Yuan poured himself a cup of cold tea, drank it in one gulp, and muttered, "Jiuxuan Sect has had good luck in recent years."
Zhao Yuansong, at just over twenty years old, already had an abundance of vital energy, with a faint spiritual light appearing between his brows. He was undoubtedly at the peak of the Enlightenment realm, capable of breaking through the physical barriers with his soul light and thus giving birth to mana at any moment.
As for the two boys and girls who looked to be his age, one was in the early stage of Enlightenment and the other in the middle stage. If nothing unexpected happened, their achievements at the same age would definitely be higher than Zhao Yuansong's.
"Old man, what was that person talking about?"
After a long while, Ji Yuan withdrew his inner emotions and turned to the old man beside him.
"Call me Master!"
The old man glared at him impatiently, then opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Seeing the old man's expression, Ji Yuan did not ask further. He led the large and small bundles on the ground towards his small room.