The banquet, which lasted until the moon was high, finally concluded, and everyone retired to their respective dwellings.
Ji Yuan returned to his private courtyard and sat in the elegant pavilion by the pond, gazing at the moon reflected on the water, a multitude of thoughts gradually surfacing in his mind.
For everyone else, this period of seclusion could be considered a complete success. Not only had they absorbed the fortuitous opportunities brought by the spirit spring, but their cultivation realms had also stabilized. All that remained was to spend a little time to gain complete control.
However, for him, it was far from over. The task he was about to undertake was no less important than the spirit spring itself.
The "Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture," a cultivation technique, had been modified by him during his enlightenment. It incorporated the profound essence of the River God's Dao and the divine avatar technique, along with his own understanding.
After months of dedicated effort, the first half of this immortal cultivation technique had been successfully transformed into a divine Dao technique. Although it was not yet entirely perfect, it was sufficient for his current needs.
Once the divine avatar was refined, it could be tasked with cultivating and perfecting the technique further. An avatar rooted in the Water Dao would undoubtedly tread this path more smoothly.
Ji Yuan's main body could then focus wholeheartedly on cultivating the "Mysterious Heaven Dao Scripture" and the "Mysterious Heaven Sword Art," thereby accelerating his progress.
Simultaneously, after the divine avatar was forged, it would need to be sent to the small mountain peak that Zhu Tao and others had purchased for him. This location might well be where his avatar would achieve its Dao.
As for his main body, he would need to continue in seclusion, with a plethora of matters awaiting his attention.
However, all these plans were contingent on receiving the spiritual materials that the Zhuang family had handed over to the Qian family two years prior for the purchase of a spirit spring quota. This transaction was scheduled for the following day.
"By the way, prepare a few sets of Daoist robes for me later."
He suddenly seemed to recall something and instructed Xia Dong, who was by his side.
It had been nearly three years since he left Qianyu City. Ji Yuan was now eighteen years old and had grown considerably taller. His previous clothes had become somewhat small.
Upon hearing this, the latter smiled faintly and replied, "They have already been prepared for you, young master."
As she spoke, she produced ten sets of Daoist robes from her Mountain River Bag. They appeared to be perfectly suited for Ji Yuan's current stature.
Seeing this, he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, his gaze falling upon the young woman before him with a touch of complexity.
The fact that she could produce suitable Daoist robes for him at a moment's notice suggested that she had prepared a considerable number, each of varying standards. It was remarkably thoughtful.
"Thank you."
Ji Yuan spoke earnestly. Without the assistance of the person before him, he would undoubtedly have been overwhelmed and stretched thin.
However, Xia Dong shook her head, not accepting his thanks. On the contrary, she felt that she was the one who should express her gratitude.
She was well aware of the preciousness of a spirit spring quota, yet her young master had, without hesitation, bestowed one upon her.
Now, not only had she successfully broken through to the initial stage of the Spirit Point Realm, but her physique and spiritual roots had also improved significantly. Compared to the inner disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, she was already on par, if not superior.
Otherwise, given her original aptitude, she might not have even reached the second realm in her lifetime, let alone be on the cusp of the third realm now.
Considering their relationship, it wasn't particularly deep. After all, she was merely a minor attendant gifted by the Qian family.
"From now on, the Xuan Tian Peak, both inside and out, will rely on you even more."
As if sensing her thoughts, Ji Yuan smiled and said, "You are now the chief steward of our peak!"
Xia Dong looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but chuckle, playfully glaring at him.
In this regard, she was hardly like an attendant. In private, she acted more like a friend.
The night passed without incident. The following morning, Qian Nishang departed with Liu Ruyan and the old woman accompanying her. Xu Qiqi and others also returned to their respective peaks after bidding farewell.
Even Li Buwei left. There were still a group of people in the market town whom he needed to manage, preventing any disturbances or ensuring their dispersal.
Ji Yuan, taking advantage of the free time, with Xia Dong's help, assigned tasks to the newly promoted inner disciples.
Thanks to the specialized construction by Mingxin Xuan, Xuan Tian Peak's foundations were at least quite solid. However, many areas on the peak required personnel to manage them.
This included vacant spirit fields, the beast garden temporarily managed by Mingxin Xuan, and various locations brimming with spiritual energy that were equipped with formations.
Concurrently, he produced a batch of elixirs and handed them over to Xia Dong for monthly distribution.
Upon joining a sect's peak, disciples naturally received their monthly sustenance from their respective inheritances. When he had entered the spirit spring earlier, he had prepared nearly three years' worth of elixirs at once, instructing his senior brother Guo Tao to help distribute them to the disciples.
"Once the divine avatar is refined, I'll need to find time to refine more elixirs."
Looking at the gradually emptying Cloudy Rainbow Jade Pendant, Ji Yuan muttered to himself with a hint of frustration.
His recent extravagant spending, combined with his own wealth and the gifts from the Peak Master of Leize Peak, had significantly depleted his resources. He estimated that only about two to three tenths of his wealth remained.
For ordinary cultivators, this would undoubtedly be a staggering sum. However, for him at this juncture, it was somewhat insufficient.
The monthly expenditure for the people on Xuan Tian Peak alone was not a small amount, let alone the numerous rogue cultivators he supported outside.
Among them, Zhao Yuebai, Lu Yuzhe, and Zheng Jiaxing required particular attention in terms of cultivation. At the very least, they needed one or two suitable, high-grade magical artifacts.
Furthermore, a small mountain peak located a thousand miles away required substantial investment. Whether it was for nurturing mountain spirits and water roots or constructing a divine temple, each undertaking could easily cost thousands or tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Not to mention, he would soon need to prepare two weakened spirit springs for the disciples of Xuan Tian Peak and the rogue cultivators under his command.
This was a promise he had made, and the time to fulfill it had arrived.
The thought of it gave Ji Yuan a headache. The current expenses were so high, and they were all borne by his personal fortune, with no income sources.
If he didn't start refining elixirs soon, at the current rate, he would be completely penniless within a year or two at most.
Fortunately, within two or three days, Qian Nishang visited again. She not only delivered the spiritual materials provided by the Zhuang family but also a substantial portion of resources and finances.
This was his annual stipend as a distinguished guest of Mingxin Xuan, and over three years, it amounted to nearly a hundred thousand taels of silver.
"This truly alleviates my urgent predicament!"
Ji Yuan transferred the items from the Mountain River Bag and then let out a long sigh.
Upon hearing this, Qian Nishang covered her mouth and chuckled. As if she had anticipated this, she was not at all surprised by the expression on his face.