It took them a full three days, but Ji Yuan and his companions finally arrived safely on the plain where the Jiuxuan Sect's stronghold was located.
Throughout their journey, despite their large numbers, they had encountered several dangers, facing either groups of second-realm demonic beasts or teams led by third-realm cultivators.
Furthermore, the underground training ground was not smooth sailing. Some areas still harbored formations thousands of years old, which could cause significant trouble even for third-realm cultivators if accidentally triggered.
Fortunately, apart from a few skirmishes, the group encountered no further unexpected incidents. Although the journey had been arduous, no one had perished along the way.
"Is that the Jiuxuan Sect's stronghold?"
Gazing at a cluster of structures in the distance, Ji Yuan murmured to himself.
This settlement had a population of at least a thousand people, spanned a vast area, and was illuminated by countless lights that dispelled the darkness of the underground training ground.
After a brief pause, the group quickly moved forward and soon arrived outside the settlement.
The area was patrolled by Jiuxuan Sect disciples who guarded all directions. As soon as they approached, they were stopped by one of the patrol teams.
Upon presenting the deacon's jade token, which represented Xuantian Peak, they were spared interrogation and smoothly entered the settlement.
"The Jiuxuan Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the overlord of Feiyun County. Even their outer disciples possess second-realm cultivation!"
Cheng Junjie couldn't help but exclaim.
The patrol team they had just encountered, though only about ten people, were all at the early stage of the second realm, and they were merely outer disciples of the Jiuxuan Sect.
In any other sect, such cultivation would be enough to make them core disciples.
His words elicited sighs of emotion from many, including Zhou Lianying. In her sect, cultivators at or above the middle stage of the second realm were already qualified to serve as elders.
"There's no need to be overly surprised. Within the Jiuxuan Sect, only those who reach the second realm before the age of thirty can be promoted to the inner sect,"
Ji Yuan said with a slight smile, clarifying for those around him.
Those who failed to break through to the second realm within thirty years, even if they advanced rapidly to the third realm in subsequent decades or centuries, would remain outer disciples.
Given the Jiuxuan Sect's scale, with thousands of disciples every three hundred years unable to enter the inner sect due to age, such a foundation had naturally accumulated.
Although they were outer disciples, they still had positions such as deacons and elders, holding significant influence. Apart from a slight difference in designation, they were not much different from inner disciples.
If there was a distinction to be made, it was that inner disciples had the right to be taken in by various peaks, become direct disciples of a lineage, or even inherit the position of sect leader.
Outer disciples, however, lacked this opportunity. Even if they cultivated to the Golden Core or Grand Cultivator realm, they would only be granted the title of Outer Sect Grand Elder or Outer Sect Supreme Elder.
As they spoke, Ji Yuan led the group to the center of the settlement, which served as both a trading market for various cultivators and a gathering place for the disciples of the Jiuxuan Sect.
However, the deacon's token from Xuantian Peak only allowed for the entry of two or three people; the rest had to remain outside.
Fortunately, there was a specially designated area nearby. Although it consisted of simple wooden huts, it was still patrolled by disciples and offered a certain degree of safety.
"I will take Zhou Lianying first. You can then lead the others to follow the Jiuxuan Sect's team to the Sky Crossing Warship."
Ji Yuan pondered for a long time before making his decision.
Within this settlement, the Jiuxuan Sect had prepared two flying mounts for travel. With his deacon's jade token, he could requisition one of these mounts to take him to the entrance of the Sky Crossing Warship.
However, the size of these mounts was clearly smaller than Elder Hong Tian's. Besides the rider, they could carry at most three or four people.
Nevertheless, every two to three days, a team of Jiuxuan Sect disciples would travel back and forth between the two locations, transporting necessary supplies.
After all, even third-realm cultivators required food and water, though this need became less frequent with higher cultivation.
"Let's bring Zhu Tao and Tie Niu along. We'll need someone to help out,"
Li Buwei nodded and then mused.
Among the nineteen wandering cultivators from the mountains and wilderness, including himself, they had formed four small groups. One of these groups was led by Zhu Tao, and Tie Niu was his companion.
Although the former's cultivation was not high, he was agile-minded and handled matters meticulously. The latter, while slow-witted, cultivated the path of the martial warrior. Though not a pure martial warrior, his cultivation techniques were related to body refining, making him sufficient as a personal guard.
After a deep look, Ji Yuan nodded slightly. After arranging the details with Li Buwei, he led the three of them into the Jiuxuan Sect's camp.
About fifteen minutes later, a flying mount spread its wings and soared into the distance, its speed even surpassing that of a third-realm cultivator flying with a spiritual artifact.
"Please bear with us a little longer, fellow Daoists. Once we complete this stretch, you can finally get some proper rest."
As the flying mount disappeared from sight, Li Buwei slowly withdrew his gaze and turned to the group of cultivators behind him.
Although his expression was calm, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, carrying a warning.
Seeing this, some who had entertained certain ideas began to murmur inwardly, refraining from acting on their impulses.
Li Buwei sighed inwardly. Although he had taken on this task willingly, the difficulty of properly guiding such a group of wandering cultivators was immense.
Most of those who became wandering cultivators were unruly. Otherwise, they would have already become henchmen for certain powers and would not be enduring hardships and humiliation out in the world.
However, to better demonstrate his own value, he had to complete this task, no matter how difficult, and do it as flawlessly as possible.
Although Ji Yuan had promised him a bright future, the extent to which he could advance and what opportunities he would encounter depended on his own worth.
He was acutely aware of this, which was one of the reasons he was willing to gather a group of people for Ji Yuan.
While Li Buwei was still feeling troubled, Ji Yuan and his companions had already flown tens of miles, carried by the flying mount.
At this speed, they would likely reach the Jiuxuan Sect's Sky Crossing Warship in just a few hours, saving them over ten days of travel.
Thinking of this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but entertain the thought of raising a flying mount himself if the opportunity arose in the future.
Although flying mounts were not spirit beasts and possessed no cultivation or significant combat power, they excelled in endurance. They could soar for days with a single flap of their wings, and their speed was not inferior to third-realm cultivators flying with spiritual artifacts.
As a means of transportation, they were undoubtedly extremely convenient and effortless, requiring no consumption of one's own spiritual power, allowing one to maintain peak condition at all times.
However, these were matters for the future. The most important task now was to convert the opportunities they had obtained into their own cultivation realm as quickly as possible!