Ji Yuan, who was in the process of regulating his breath, felt his heart sink to the bottom.
He could sense that a bone-chilling force was constantly emanating from the injuries on the Xuantianshiling Pagoda.
It was this force that was continuously reinforcing and thickening the ice on the pagoda.
Ji Yuan could even surmise that even if he recovered to his peak state, it would be difficult to completely expel this force.
Especially the thick ice on the pagoda; refining it would likely consume an extremely long time.
He couldn't help but sigh, thinking that if he could re-establish contact with the Xuantianshiling Pagoda, he could activate its spirit-devouring power.
With that, resolving these problems would no longer be difficult.
It was a pity that the extreme cold force and the layer of ice had severed all his connections with the pagoda.
In addition to this, his body had also sustained severe damage.
A cultivator at the late stage of the third realm, who had condensed two "ding shang san hua."
Even without the opponent unleashing their full power, he had already been gravely injured.
If not for his innate flying sword's proficiency in traversing the void and breaking through formations and restrictions, coupled with the protection of the Xuantianshiling Pagoda.
He would likely have been doomed.
Even so, he had paid a heavy price. Even with abundant spiritual medicine, it would probably take at least two to three months for him to fully recover.
After a long while, Ji Yuan, having initially stabilized his injuries, finally opened his eyes.
He exhaled a heavy breath, and his exhales carried a hint of coldness.
"How is it?" Elder Hong Tian asked urgently.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan shook his head. "No serious immediate danger, but dealing with it will be much more troublesome."
Apart from the Xuantianshiling Pagoda, his physical body had also suffered severe injuries. A trace of extreme coldness lingered within him, and ordinary methods would likely be ineffective in expelling it.
Either he had to resort to the crude method of gradually grinding it away with his own spiritual energy,
Or he had to find a source of extreme yang energy to neutralize it.
"That guy?" Upon learning that the other party was not in immediate danger, Elder Hong Tian finally relaxed and had the presence of mind to inquire about other matters.
"I've sealed him with a special method. He won't be able to get out for at least an hour or two," Ji Yuan stated with certainty.
To avoid setting up the Xuantianjian Formation, he had even reluctantly used a portion of his true essence and nearly ninety percent of his spiritual power.
Coupled with the enhancement of the Xuantian Sword Intent, even if the opponent had condensed two "ding shang san hua," they would not be able to break free smoothly for at least an hour or two.
Even if the opponent's companions arrived, it would still take at least an hour.
And they only needed about half an hour to reach the prefectural city of Luoxia County.
As long as they could enter the city and return to the Qian family, they would be temporarily safe.
With this thought, Ji Yuan immediately took out two mid-grade spirit stones and then consumed a Spirit Nurturing Pill.
As soon as his spiritual power recovered, he channeled all of it into the flying artifact beneath him.
He and Elder Hong Tian pooled their strength, even to the point of depleting their vital energy, to push the flying artifact to its maximum speed.
In less than half an hour, they could already see the outline of Guanxia City in the distance.
At dusk, the two arrived outside the Qian family residence in a carriage.
They were then nervously escorted by the Qian family's steward into the courtyard of the back residence.
After Ji Yuan left a jade slip, he and Elder Hong Tian separately entered quiet rooms and activated multiple formations to ensure they would not be disturbed.
Another stick of incense later, Qian Nishang, who had rushed over after receiving the news, took the jade slip from the steward and probed it with her divine sense.
After a long while, her expression changed rapidly. She immediately summoned her confidantes and, using her authority as the family head, mobilized all the strong cultivators in the mansion, ordering them to guard the courtyard layer by layer.
Even the great formation of the Qian family, which they were usually reluctant to activate, was fully engaged.
After arranging everything and leaving her most trusted old woman to guard the place, Qian Nishang then quickly led her people out and headed for the Yamen where the Mingjian Division was located.
As for Zhao Yuansong and the others, they also took up positions outside Ji Yuan and Elder Hong Tian's rooms. Not even the Qian family's trusted maidservants were allowed to approach them.
They even refused dinner and instructed the servants to no longer bring them food or drinks.
Anyone could tell that the two had encountered considerable trouble, and the enemy who caused it was still alive and might appear at any moment.
Approximately half an hour later, Qian Nishang, who had left, returned, accompanied by five Mingjian Division blade-holders.
"This is Xu Lin, a first-class blade-holder of the Mingjian Division," she introduced to Zhao Yuansong and the others.
Beside her stood a proud white-robed youth, his face showing a condescending expression.
And this person indeed had the right to be so. At just over twenty years of age, he had already reached the third realm, with only half a step remaining to the mid-stage.
Such cultivation speed was not much inferior to Ji Yuan's.
If Ji Yuan were not in seclusion, he would definitely recognize this first-class blade-holder of the Mingjian Division as a friend he was acquainted with.
Behind Xu Lin, four second-class blade-holders nodded in greeting. Each of them was at the late stage of the second realm.
Although the Mingjian Division in Luoxia County seemed somewhat impoverished, its actual strength was not weak.
Except for the Division Master, whose killing power ranked among the top five in the prefecture.
The remaining dozens of blade-holders were mostly around the mid to late stage of the second realm.
Even the remaining few were either extremely powerful or possessed unique skills.
This was also one of the reasons why Qian Nishang took the matter so seriously upon hearing that it involved the Mingjian Division.
"I went to the Mingjian Division to report that demons have targeted the Qian family and might infiltrate at any time," Qian Nishang said with a slight smile.
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Lin, standing beside her, said coldly, "We are acting on the orders of our Division Master. For a period of time hereafter, we will be guarding the Qian family, waiting for the demons to reveal themselves!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present understood. The talk of demons was merely an excuse.
The intention was to legitimately invite the blade-holders over.
Otherwise, if the Mingjian Division's power were to be used to guard the residences of four individuals without authorization, and if it were reported, it could easily be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
No matter how powerful the Division Master of Luoxia County was, in the face of the absolute power of the imperial court, he still had no room for resistance.
If the matter were to be exploited, no one could predict the consequences.
However, one thing was certain: the existence of the Mingjian Division had long been a thorn in the side of certain powerful individuals.
Even a mere branch in a prefecture would attract unusual attention.
"Is Ji Yuan severely injured?" After the perfunctory formalities, Xu Lin's arrogance receded slightly, and he inquired with concern.
Not only was he a friend of Ji Yuan, but the Mingjian Division behind him also owed Ji Yuan a great favor.
Hearing this, Zhao Yuansong and the others exchanged glances and then shook their heads.