In the evening, a luxurious carriage departed from Mingxin Pavilion.
About an hour later, the carriage slowly stopped outside a vast mansion.
Without needing servants to announce their arrival, the gatekeepers, who had already been informed, immediately opened the mansion's gates.
An elderly man promptly ushered Ji Yuan and Qian Nishang into the residence.
As the owner of Mingxin Pavilion, the Zhuang family's financial strength and influence far surpassed that of the Qian family to which Qian Nishang belonged.
They were even on par with the Li family in their prime.
Otherwise, the Zhuang family wouldn't have maintained such a steady demeanor when the Li family was at its most arrogant.
This was, however, normal, as the Zhuang family was a prominent, long-standing clan even within the county seat.
They had five branches, each with an ancestor at the Third Realm overseeing it, plus the leaders of each branch from the generation below.
The entire Zhuang family boasted at least ten cultivators at the Third Realm.
Furthermore, their influence extended beyond their immediate family, with the capacity to produce another three to five Third Realm cultivators.
The Zhuang family's reach was not confined to just Mingxin Pavilion.
Their numerous businesses and the fields they operated in were not limited to Luoxia County.
Despite their considerable strength, the Zhuang family faced a significant obstacle.
For centuries, they had failed to produce a single cultivator at the Golden Core realm.
This was precisely why the Zhuang family never made a move against the Li family, no matter how arrogant the latter became.
Rumors had it that the Li family might possess a Golden Core realm combatant.
No matter how many cultivators at the Third Realm one had, they could be effortlessly annihilated by a Golden Core grand cultivator.
Unless one was a prodigy at the peak of the Third Realm.
Upon entering the Zhuang family's mansion, even Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Small-scale spirit gathering arrays were set up in every corner of the mansion.
When dozens of these arrays combined, they formed an immensely vast formation.
Within this formation, the spiritual energy was several times, even more than ten times, that of the outside world!
Even the most spiritually vibrant locations occupied by powerful sects, coupled with array support, would likely fall far short of this mansion.
The construction cost of this massive spirit gathering array alone was probably worth two to three hundred spirit coins.
Furthermore, the annual consumption, maintenance, and repairs would likely amount to no less than several dozen spirit coins.
As they walked, Ji Yuan noticed that many items within the mansion were infused with spiritual energy.
Whether it was the ornamental rockeries or the plants in the flowerbeds, they were all valuable spiritual items.
Even the bells hanging under the eaves, the sculptures on the roofs, and other ordinary decorations.
Were all magical artifacts!
Although they were crudely made and possessed only a single, extremely simple restriction, it was sufficient to illustrate the Zhuang family's immense wealth.
At least, Ji Yuan had never seen or heard of any other force capable of such extravagance.
He couldn't help but ponder if the price for the Lingquan quota years ago had been too low.
"Although the Zhuang family is very wealthy, most of it comes from their businesses," Qian Nishang communicated telepathically.
The current mansion's extreme luxury was a matter of family prestige.
Families with centuries of history placed great importance on their reputation, and for this, they were willing to go to great lengths.
However, the reality was that the Zhuang family's wealth was largely similar to that of other influential families.
It was almost entirely invested in various industries and businesses.
After all, money sitting in a vault wouldn't multiply.
Only by being invested would it have the potential to generate returns.
Ji Yuan nodded, understanding these principles, but it didn't diminish his sense of awe.
He, for one, couldn't fathom spending so much wealth just to build a mansion.
If it brought commensurate returns, then that would be a different story.
However, with his discerning eye, he could easily tell that.
This mansion, built by the Zhuang family with immense manpower, resources, and untold wealth.
Was merely impressive on the surface.
In terms of actual efficacy, it wouldn't realize its full potential.
Soon, guided by the old steward, the two passed through the front part of the mansion and entered the rear courtyard.
The banquet tonight, according to the Zhuang family, was a private affair.
Such an event would only invite their closest friends and relatives.
Given Qian Nishang's status as the owner of Mingxin Pavilion and Ji Yuan's identity as a disciple of the Xuantian lineage, they were both worthy of such hospitality.
Especially the latter, whose connection was even closer.
After all, Zhuang Changming, the genius of the Zhuang family's third branch, cultivated on Xuantian Peak.
This fact should have fostered an even more intimate relationship between the two parties.
Indeed, over the years, the Zhuang family had sent generous gifts to Xuantian Peak annually.
And major celebrations throughout the Dayan Dynasty were never without grand presents.
"Speaking of which, the Zhuang family had plans to send some people to Zhuang Changming a few years ago."
As they arrived at a rear garden, Ji Yuan suddenly recalled something.
The hosts had not yet appeared. According to the customs of long-standing families, they would make a late appearance only after the food and drinks were prepared.
However, despite the hosts' absence, all proper courtesies were observed, with spiritual tea and fruits served promptly.
Upon hearing the telepathic message, Qian Nishang's eyes flickered.
With her insight, she could naturally guess the Zhuang family's intentions.
"Let me guess, besides some maids, there must be quite a few household servants."
Qian Nishang transmitted, "They must all be individuals with excellent cultivation aptitude and adept at dealing with people."
Hearing this, Ji Yuan gave a wry smile; she had guessed most of it correctly.
However, there was one point that even Qian Nishang hadn't anticipated.
"You've underestimated them," Ji Yuan sighed. "Among the people they sent, there are several direct descendants of the Zhuang family, two of whom possess talents that would qualify them as direct disciples in some sects."
He still remembered the aptitude displayed by those two youths. Even within the Nine Xuan Sect, they would have been considered solid inner disciples.
And not just that, but among the higher-ranked inner disciples.
Yet, these two extraordinarily talented youths, who were also direct descendants of the family, were assigned the title of book boys.
Simply to provide a pretext for entering the Nine Xuan Sect.
Upon hearing this, Qian Nishang couldn't help but gasp.
She immediately realized that the Zhuang family's actions were not intended to use the Nine Xuan Sect to cultivate their own people.
Instead, they aimed to use Zhuang Changming and Xuantian Peak as a stepping stone to infiltrate the Nine Xuan Sect!