The snow in the heavens and on earth had grown much heavier as more than half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Thanks to the assistance of Ji Yuan and others, along with the martial forces within the various county towns, the common folk within the cities did not need to worry about whether they would have enough charcoal for the winter or sufficient food to eat.
Furthermore, with the complete eradication of bandits and mountain raiders in the five counties, it ironically led to frequent trade caravans, some even willing to take a longer route.
Compared to the immense risks, the five counties, protected by numerous powerful cultivators and the Water God, offered a greater sense of security.
At the very least, they would not have to worry about their entire fortune in goods being plundered, or even their own lives being lost in the desolate wilderness.
Currently, in the mansion in Hengshan County, apart from Ji Yuan's main body, few cultivators from Xiao Yuan Mountain or disciples from Xuan Tian Peak remained.
Most of them were dispersed throughout the five counties, doing what they could to help the common people.
In just over a month, they had accumulated a significant amount of merit, gradually earning a reputation among the populace.
It is worth mentioning that upon learning of the situation here, the Jiu Xuan Sect not only awarded the disciples of Xuan Tian Peak with generous merit but also sent a batch of outer disciples.
Ji Yuan naturally understood the intentions of the Jiu Xuan Sect elders, wishing to use this opportunity to cultivate the disciples' competence in handling affairs.
After all, cultivation was not simply a matter of secluded meditation; the Jiu Xuan Sect did not wish to produce disciples who only knew how to meditate and absorb spiritual energy.
The arrival of fifty outer disciples indeed resolved an urgent need. Although their cultivation was only around the first realm, they still managed to assist in many matters.
Most importantly, these outer disciples were trustworthy.
"Master!"
In the courtyard, Chen Yuluo, having just finished her meditation, hurried over as soon as she spotted a figure not far away.
Ji Yuan withdrew his thoughts, turned to look at his newly accepted disciple, and for the umpteenth time, felt a sigh of emotion within his heart.
In just over a month of cultivation, Chen Yuluo had already stabilized her cultivation at the initial stage of the Enlightenment Realm. The divine light in her eyes was contained, clearly indicating that her gains far exceeded this.
In fact, if not for the congenital Dao rhyme source being depleted in her body for over a decade, her cultivation realm would likely have advanced even further.
She could reach the late stage of the Enlightenment Realm in a few months, the late stage of the Spirit Infusion Realm in a few years, and at most, within thirty years, she could easily enter the Dao Comprehension Realm.
The legendary Congenital Dao Physique, once it embarked on the path of cultivation, could easily achieve accomplishments that others dared not even dream of in their lifetime.
"Take these few bottles of pills. Continue to take three pills daily, just like before."
Ji Yuan produced several porcelain bottles and earnestly instructed her.
These pills could not increase one's cultivation, but they were all potent tonics, made from superior ingredients such as ginseng, deer antler, and reishi mushrooms, along with the moderation of some spiritual substances.
Even an ordinary person taking one a month would experience an overdose of nourishment.
However, in Chen Yuluo's case, the same did not happen. The growth of her congenital Dao Physique inherently required a vast amount of vital energy. Moreover, her source had been depleted immeasurably over the years. No matter how many tonics she consumed, they would only serve a nourishing purpose.
Truly replenishing the depleted source required countless time, effort, and various resources.
"Master, are you troubled by something?"
Chen Yuluo took the pills and asked thoughtfully.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan was slightly taken aback before he realized that she could discern his preoccupied state.
Besides his own lack of pretense, it was also related to the girl's pure state of mind.
After some thought, Ji Yuan did not hide it and nodded. He was indeed preoccupied.
Since his cultivation had broken through to the peak of the Spirit Infusion Realm and he had comprehended the Sword Dao of Destruction,
Logically, his entry into the third realm should have been a natural progression. However, to his surprise, his cultivation had shown no progress in over a month.
Breaking through his current realm seemed to be far more difficult than he had imagined. The most crucial point was that he had no idea what to do next.
The experiences left by predecessors only mentioned the need to understand one's own Dao Heart, but they did not elaborate on how to achieve this understanding.
Ji Yuan believed that he had already understood his Dao Heart, and even condensed its nascent form, yet it still seemed insufficient.
"Master, please don't worry. You can tell me if anything is bothering you!"
Chen Yuluo narrowed her eyes and smiled sweetly.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan merely reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling but saying no more.
The dilemma he faced was something that Chen Yuluo, who had just begun her cultivation journey, could not possibly help him solve.
"By the way, would you like to go out for a walk?"
A thought struck Ji Yuan, and he suddenly asked.
Since staying put and meditating wouldn't lead to a breakthrough, and he had nothing else to do, venturing out for a stroll might be a good idea.
With the cultivators from Xiao Yuan Mountain, the disciples from Xuan Tian Peak, and the fifty outer disciples from the Jiu Xuan Sect,
He no longer needed to handle everything personally. And as the situation stabilized, there were almost no instances where his main body or clone needed to intervene.
"Okay!"
Chen Yuluo exclaimed with joy. She hadn't left the mansion to go outside for many years.
Her childhood memories had long since become hazy. Hearing that she could go out for a walk, she was naturally very excited.
Not long after, Ji Yuan took his disciple and left the mansion. They did not take a carriage, nor did they have a specific destination in mind; they simply walked along the street.
Although the area had experienced conflict and it was now a snowy winter, the street still appeared somewhat lively.
Thanks to everyone's efforts, the five counties had regained some vitality. Most of the shops along the street had reopened, and many vendors had set up stalls.
This was the happiest day for Chen Yuluo in over ten years.
There were many delicious snacks even tastier than plain steamed buns, and many things she had never seen before.
After experiencing it firsthand, she realized how wonderful the world beyond the courtyard walls was.
As they walked, Chen Yuluo's hands were soon filled with snacks, and she had changed into a new coat.
"Master! Thank you!"
The little girl suddenly turned around, walking backward, and called out with a giggle.
She naturally knew very well that without the person before her, she might never have had the chance to see the world outside the courtyard walls in her lifetime.
Ji Yuan smiled, and his mood also became lighter and brighter. It seemed that occasional activity when one felt stagnant was indeed beneficial.
Most importantly, Chen Yuluo's innocent and pure smile seemed to bring a sense of ease and joy.
As dusk began to fall, the two returned to the mansion. The girl skipped happily back to her room to continue practicing the techniques taught by her master.
Ji Yuan, on the other hand, wandered around the mansion, and before he knew it, he arrived outside a courtyard.
Through the courtyard gate, he saw Lu Yuzhe sitting cross-legged on the ground, seemingly practicing some technique, his five-elemental energies fusing with each other, exuding an aura of mutual generation and restraint.
His gaze fell upon Lu Yuzhe and could not be moved. A subtle thought arose in his mind, as if he had grasped something.