In the following days, Ji Yuan encountered nine outer disciples, but ultimately only extended invitations to five.
These disciples had good reputations within the outer sect and possessed excellent innate talent, such that in ordinary sects, they would have been groomed as successors.
However, after interacting with them, he discovered that several individuals did not live up to their reputations and lacked the exemplary character outsiders spoke of.
Thinking about it, it was understandable. Outer disciples focused their minds on cultivation. Unless absolutely necessary, no one would undertake thankless tasks. Even if they knew of certain things, they would generally not mention them to others.
After all, no matter how their character was, it did not hinder their cultivation. If one were to speak ill of them now, and later they ascended in cultivation and status, it would be oneself who suffered.
Fortunately, the other five outer disciples indeed possessed commendable character, at least not prone to forgetting their roots.
Faced with Ji Yuan's invitations, these five disciples had no reason to refuse. While their talent was good, in the grand environment of the Nine Profound Sect, it was not outstanding enough.
Even upon entering the inner sect and becoming a disciple of a specific lineage's peak, they would still need to compete continuously to carve out a relatively smooth path for themselves.
In this context, it was better to choose Xuantian Peak. Even if they couldn't obtain the best spiritual spring, the weakened version would still be an opportunity not to be missed.
The most significant factor was that even Lu Yuzhe and Zheng Jiaxing, two disciples widely recognized as geniuses in the outer sect, had joined Xuantian Peak. Anyone could see that its future prospects would not be poor.
"There is no one else here. If you have something to say, speak your mind directly."
Ji Yuan looked at Lin Miaoyi before him, a smile on his face.
This morning, she had brought the Tang brothers to the summit of Xuantian Peak, waiting outside the Daoist temple.
The moment he saw the three of them, he had already guessed their purpose for coming today.
To be honest, even if Lin Miaoyi hadn't come today, he would have asked Xia Dong to summon her. He just hadn't expected her to bring the Tang brothers.
"My two senior brothers and I wish to serve Xuantian Peak."
Lin Miaoyi smiled awkwardly. From the young man's gaze, she realized her intentions had been seen through.
Behind her, the Tang brothers kept their heads bowed nervously, appearing somewhat restrained.
In terms of talent and cultivation, they were ordinary among the outer disciples. Their relatively high ranking and some fame were due to them frequently venturing out to accept various missions for cultivation resources.
Disciples with truly exceptional talent were often in closed-door cultivation and rarely ventured out unless absolutely necessary.
For this reason, after entering the inner sect, even if they were to join a specific lineage, their situation might be no different from when they were in the outer sect. Even with more effort, they might not receive an equivalent return.
Thus, Xuantian Peak undoubtedly became their best choice, not to mention the existence of the spiritual spring that could improve one's aptitude.
However, regardless of how one looked at it, this was their own idea. Even though Xuantian Peak had few people and no cultivators of the third realm stationed there, it wasn't a place anyone could just join.
"To speak of 'serving' is too serious. We are fellow disciples and should support each other."
Ji Yuan shook his head, but the smile on his face deepened.
The Tang brothers' talent might not be high, but that was within the context of the Nine Profound Sect. If they were in the outside world, they would be considered geniuses and nurtured by ordinary sects.
Lin Miaoyi's abilities, in particular, were something he had long noticed. Even if she hadn't mentioned it, he would have found an opportunity to recruit her.
That she had taken the initiative like this was indeed something he had not anticipated.
Upon hearing Ji Yuan's agreement, the three of them immediately showed joy, and a look of relief flashed in their eyes. They all relaxed considerably.
They had all accompanied the young man before to the underground training ground, and thus knew of his cultivation and divine abilities. As long as he didn't perish midway, a third-realm cultivator was guaranteed in the future.
Once he successfully formed a core, he could even become a figure like the sect leader of Lei Ze Peak.
For them, successfully joining Xuantian Peak at this moment was no less than a fortuitous encounter, equivalent to gambling on a bright future.
"Alright, no need to be so formal. From now on, we are all fellow disciples of the same lineage."
Ji Yuan waved his hand, signaling the three before him to sit down and relax.
After all, once they were registered in the Ancestral Hall and their records were finalized, the sect would be their home, and Xuantian Peak would become their root.
Lin Miaoyi was relatively better. While her words were somewhat polite, she was generally more at ease. The Tang brothers, on the other hand, appeared somewhat reserved.
Despite having traveled together for some time, their camaraderie was far from as deep as Lin Miaoyi's.
While they were conversing, Lu Yuzhe and Zheng Jiaxing also arrived at Xuantian Peak. To everyone's surprise, they were followed by six outer disciples.
"These are my friends, and they also wish to join Xuantian Peak with me."
As soon as Zheng Jiaxing entered the main hall of the summit's Daoist temple and saw several curious gazes, he stated directly.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded without hesitation, smiling and inviting them to sit together.
Concurrently, several maids sent by Mingxin Pavilion quietly emerged from a side hall, serving everyone steaming cups of spiritual tea.
"Aren't you going to ask?"
Zheng Jiaxing glanced at the spiritual tea beside him but had no interest in tasting it.
He looked at the young man on the main seat, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. Was he not afraid that the people he brought might cause trouble or form factions within Xuantian Peak?
"There's no need to ask. Since I trust you, I naturally trust your judgment. Those who can be your friends are certainly not wicked individuals."
Ji Yuan said with a smile, showing them ample trust.
In fact, it was as he said. Their character had already earned his approval, and anyone who could be their friend wouldn't be too bad.
As for whether they would form factions or establish their own small groups.
To be honest, with the current number of people on Xuantian Peak, doing so would be almost meaningless, merely claiming a piece of land for self-amusement.
Subsequently, Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong, along with five other outer disciples, successively ascended Xuantian Peak.
To Ji Yuan's surprise, each of these five outer disciples had brought one or two friends, all of whom wished to join Xuantian Peak at this opportunity.
Upon seeing Lin Miaoyi nod, indicating that the disciples they brought had no bad rumors or character issues.
Ji Yuan simply waved his hand and accepted all the newcomers.
Since he was accepting people anyway, he might as well accept them all at once. With the spiritual spring quota, he expected there would be no major obstacles.