Six months in seclusion, Ji Yuan not only refined a batch of elixirs but also significantly improved his own cultivation realm.
During the process of alchemy, the continuous consumption and replenishment of mana made his power even purer and increased it considerably.
Meanwhile, his realm also steadily advanced through enlightenment and diligent study of techniques in his leisure time.
"From now on, all matters will be handled by Zhao Yuebai, with Li Junxian assisting."
When everyone was gathered, Ji Yuan stated his arrangements.
After giving a few more instructions and leaving behind a batch of elixirs, he hurried out of the inn and left Feiyun County alone.
As soon as he was outside the city, he employed the遁速 (dùn sù) technique recorded in the Xuan Tian Sword Art, sparing no effort in consuming mana to rush towards the Nine Profound Sect.
This disciple selection process would last for nearly a year, after which large-scale recruitment would cease, and disciples and elders would then discover promising young cultivators outside and bring them back.
The Nine Profound Sect recruits disciples every three hundred years, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would conduct large-scale recruitment every thirty years, opening their gates a total of ten times.
Only during these periods would various factions and ordinary people have the opportunity to send their descendants to be selected by the sect.
Once this opportunity was missed, seeking to join the Nine Profound Sect would undoubtedly become infinitely more difficult, and the trials would be even more arduous.
Therefore, every thirty years when the sect gates opened for disciple selection, the Nine Profound Sect and its surroundings would become exceptionally lively.
A few days after Ji Yuan's departure, Song Jiuan personally paid a visit.
Upon learning that the person he sought was out, he expressed his great regret. However, he was fortunate enough to still receive the remaining five Wu Qi Yang Yuan Dan, leaving him with a beaming smile as he departed.
Concurrently, with the booming sales of the Xuan Tian Cheng Lu Dan, the business of the Ming Xin Xuan shop was also boosted.
To this end, Liu Ruyan, who was far away in the market town of the Nine Profound Sect, poured in a considerable amount of effort and resources, mobilizing most of her forces to assist the county shop.
However, it wasn't long before several shops in the county began to imitate the Xuan Tian Cheng Lu Dan.
Although they could not decipher its formula or the required spiritual herbs, they could concoct elixirs of the same category, albeit with significantly reduced efficacy.
Despite the diminished effect, these elixirs were cheap, making them affordable even for ordinary rogue cultivators.
Unlike the Xuan Tian Cheng Lu Dan from Ming Xin Xuan, which often required tightening one's belt to afford even a couple of pills, and which would be completely refined within half a month.
However, Li Junxian and the others were not particularly concerned, as their sales had not been affected.
Perhaps most cultivators would opt for elixirs that were easier to purchase, but once they attained a certain level of cultivation, they would still choose the Xuan Tian Cheng Lu Dan for its purer and gentler medicinal power, and its rapid refining speed.
Not to mention that long-term consumption of this elixir could effectively cleanse turbid qi from the body, making one's pure energy more potent and greatly accelerating cultivation.
A little over half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Ji Yuan, who had spared no effort in consuming mana to use his遁术 (dùn sù), finally returned to the Nine Profound Sect.
Upon his arrival at Xuan Tian Peak, after meeting his leisurely master Zhang Zhiya, he began to listen to Xia Dong recount the events that had transpired on the peak and within the sect in recent years.
Although this information had been mentioned in previous communications, it was ultimately not detailed or intuitive enough.
"You have done well, but it's still not quite enough."
After understanding the situation, Ji Yuan directly stated, "Xuan Tian Peak will be recruiting a significant number of outer disciples next. I need you to take care of them and make arrangements for them."
This was no simple task of managing a residence; the experience of managing Xuan Tian Peak in the past could only serve as a reference.
In reality, there would be countless problems to face.
"For cultivation techniques, there is a standardized Foundation Establishment method for the sect. As for the expenses of each disciple, I will refer to other peaks to maintain balance," Xia Dong said slowly, her expression becoming serious.
With Xuan Tian Peak's current income, it could only support about twenty disciples at most; any more would likely be unsustainable.
Within the Nine Profound Sect, outer disciples chosen by the legacy peaks are naturally supported by the entire sect, with a certain quota of cultivation resources provided monthly.
However, the chosen outer disciples require each peak to fund and exert effort to distribute the various cultivation resources they need.
"Don't worry about resources; I've made quite a substantial profit on this trip."
He took out twenty spirit coins, spirit stones, gold, silver, and other forms of currency, along with a considerable amount of Xuan Tian Cheng Lu Dan and several magical artifacts and spiritual items, handing them all over to Xia Dong for management and distribution.
These were not only for Xuan Tian Peak's expenses in the coming period but also served as rewards for disciples who performed exceptionally well or achieved merits.
"Pay attention to your cultivation in normal times. Since you have benefited from the Creation Spiritual Spring, even if your innate talent has not been elevated to genius levels, it is not impossible for you to reach the Third Realm in the future," Ji Yuan said earnestly after a moment of thought. "You will have more responsibilities to handle from now on. You can select suitable disciples from this incoming batch to teach them and help you manage affairs."
As his words fell, a hint of brilliance flickered in Xia Dong's eyes, and she said with a hint of teasing, "Is the young master worried about this servant being tired?"
Upon hearing this, he immediately rolled his eyes, naturally understanding her playful remark. When no outsiders were present, this woman by his side never referred to herself as a servant.
However, he quite enjoyed their private interactions.
It was like having a friend who was like an older sister.
Well... Xia Dong was a bit older than him... just a bit!
After arranging the affairs of Xuan Tian Peak, Ji Yuan immediately rushed to Lei Ze Peak and met Elder Hong Tian, who was coincidentally on leave.
He did not conceal his intentions and frankly explained his purpose: to understand the procedures and considerations for recruiting disciples for Xuan Tian Peak.
"There's nothing particularly complicated about it," Elder Hong Tian said with a smile after understanding. He then led Ji Yuan towards the sect's main gate.
Outside the Nine Profound Sect's gate, an innumerable crowd had already gathered, consisting of people from various regions and some distant factions.
This included not only forces from Feiyun County but also from other counties within Lingyang Prefecture.
The Nine Profound Sect naturally welcomed all of them, and anyone who could pass the entry trials would be accepted as an outer disciple.
Furthermore, they would all be treated fairly thereafter, with their progress depending entirely on their own capabilities.
In fact, most of these factions sent their descendants not with the expectation of great achievements, but simply to establish a connection with the Nine Profound Sect.
After cultivating there for several decades, they might receive the title of an outer steward and return to serve their respective factions.
With this designation, outsiders would have to think twice before daring to antagonize them.
Even if they were separated by several counties or even an entire prefecture, if anyone dared to bully someone from the Nine Profound Sect, a Golden Core Grand Cultivator might very well pay them a visit.
Such incidents had not been uncommon throughout history.
The Nine Profound Sect was also happy to have this, as it allowed them to spread their influence as widely as possible and cultivate more connections for the sect.