More than a thousand years ago, Qinghe County, in Lingyang Prefecture, was undoubtedly the foremost county.
At that time, the Qinghe Sect had been passed down for over two thousand years, boasting three mighty cultivators within its ranks. Such power was formidable throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty.
Alas, a traitor eventually emerged from within the sect, leading the five demonic sects to breach the sect's grand formation. This resulted in the demise of all mighty cultivators and Golden Core realm experts, leaving only three to five elders of the three realms.
After hundreds of years, the Qinghe Sect had still not recovered its vitality, struggling to recover from the great catastrophe. It was then that the Wangyue Sect rose to prominence, beginning to suppress this once-dominant sect.
To this day, though the Qinghe Sect still exists and ranks highly within Qinghe County, everyone knows it is teetering on the brink of survival.
During the hundreds of years of suppression by the Wangyue Sect, the sect had not produced any exceptionally talented disciples. Its various industries had continuously shrunk, and the foundation left by its founder had been largely plundered by various forces.
After a period of interaction, Ji Yuan and Li Buwei were almost certain that Zhou Lianying was a disciple of the Qinghe Sect.
Although she had never admitted it, nor revealed her origins, her hatred for the Wangyue Sect was undeniable.
In Lingyang Prefecture, aside from the Jiuxuan Gate, only the Qinghe Sect harbored such deep resentment towards the Wangyue Sect.
"Now only one question remains. If we are fortunate enough to obtain a Golden Core."
Li Buwei's expression turned serious, and he slowly asked in a deep voice, "How shall we divide it?"
According to the intelligence at hand, although the Golden Core within the formation was perfectly preserved, it had, after all, endured thousands of years. Its internal magical power and spiritual essence had long since dissipated.
Once removed from its special environment, it would inevitably collapse within a short period, unless a mighty cultivator intervened to stabilize it through special means.
The Dao principles and lifelong cultivation insights of a Golden Core grand cultivator could clearly not be comprehended in such a short time.
"Do you remember the method for refining a spiritual pool recorded in the Miaoyuan Yanshen Zhenfa?"
Ji Yuan's eyebrows twitched, and he spoke with a solemn gaze.
Upon hearing this, the two immediately recalled that it was for a spiritual spring, capable of enhancing talent and inducing enlightenment, that they had risked their lives to seize opportunities.
However, in the end, they had only obtained a mystical cultivation technique for refining the body and the method for forging such a spiritual spring, but not a ready-made spiritual spring.
According to the method they obtained, the spiritual materials required to forge such a spiritual spring were all extremely precious. The core ingredient was a rare find: the inner core of a fourth-tier demonic beast!
A fourth-tier demonic beast, even if only at the early stage of its realm, was not inferior in strength to a mid-stage Golden Core grand cultivator. In fact, with its inherently powerful physique and vast magical power, its combat prowess was even superior.
To obtain the inner core of a fourth-tier demonic beast, aside from slaying one, one could only purchase it from a merchant guild at an exorbitant price in spirit coins.
"You mean... to use the Golden Core in place of the inner core?"
Li Buwei spoke thoughtfully.
Although he had only a superficial understanding of alchemy, after careful consideration, it was not entirely impossible.
After all, in a certain sense, a cultivator's Golden Core was not significantly different from a demonic beast's inner core. In fact, in terms of efficacy, it might even be superior.
This was why demons were always fond of human Golden Cores and Nascent Souls, considering them delicacies. Apart from satisfying their immense oral cravings, they also enhanced their Dao cultivation.
"Even if this method is feasible, how shall we find the other spiritual materials?"
Upon seeing the other nod, Li Buwei couldn't help but furrow his brow.
To refine a spiritual spring that could enhance talent and spiritual roots, and also induce enlightenment, apart from the main core ingredient, all other auxiliary spiritual materials were indispensable.
While other spiritual materials could be substituted if one did not pursue the utmost effect, to gather all of them would likely cost enough to deplete a major sect.
"There's no need to worry about that. I can guarantee that the materials will not be lacking, and their quality will be even higher than what this method requires, never below it."
Ji Yuan spoke with confidence, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Setting aside other considerations, simply by submitting half of the incomplete furnace to the Jiuxuan Gate, in addition to the qualification to enter the forbidden area once, there would undoubtedly be other rewards.
If all of that were converted into spirit materials for refining the spiritual spring, it would be enough to acquire about half of what was needed.
As for the remaining portion, with what he would obtain after entering the Dao field, he should be able to prepare most of it. If anything was still missing, he would find a way then.
He refused to believe that if he roped in Mingxin Xuan, they would not be able to gather everything.
If all else failed, a chance to enhance one's talent and spiritual roots, even with the effect of enlightenment, was an alluring prospect that many would find hard to refuse.
Li Buwei immediately guessed the other's intentions. Although he did not know the specific plan, merely connecting it to the Jiuxuan Gate was sufficient.
As long as Ji Yuan prepared everything in advance and submitted the method for refining the spiritual spring, the Jiuxuan Gate would surely provide the remaining spiritual materials.
The cost that could deplete a major sect, while not a trifle for this sect that was about to be promoted, would certainly not cripple it.
"As long as you can obtain the Golden Core... No, even if you only submit this secret method, the Jiuxuan Gate will grant you the qualification to enjoy the spiritual spring."
Li Buwei's gaze flickered, and his voice gradually deepened. "But no matter how much effort we put in, the Jiuxuan Gate will not grant us such a qualification."
At that time, the Jiuxuan Gate would at most offer some minor benefits. Such a precious qualification would clearly not be shared with outsiders.
"Therefore, I will not involve the Jiuxuan Gate. At most, I will exchange for some of the required spiritual materials from them."
Ji Yuan said with certainty, ensuring that both individuals present would enjoy the spiritual spring.
In his original plan, he also would not have involved the Jiuxuan Gate. Although he was gradually coming to appreciate this sect now, there was still a matter of closeness and distance.
In comparison, Mingxin Xuan, whom he knew inside and out, was the most reassuring, and he was confident of ensuring there were no accidents and maintaining sufficient control.
"The last question. What do you want?"
Li Buwei narrowed his eyes slightly and said word by word, "Even if I help you obtain a Golden Core, its value is far less than the qualification to enjoy a spiritual spring."
Was the Golden Core precious?
Of course, it was precious!
But compared to the spiritual spring that could enhance physique and spiritual roots and induce a state of enlightenment, it was clearly inferior.
To put it metaphorically, one was like a sage's writing placed before you, the extent of comprehension depending entirely on individual destiny, and it would be reclaimed once time was up.
The other was like engraving it into one's soul, to be gradually comprehended and digested as one's cultivation progressed.
Not to mention that in this process, one could also improve their physique and spiritual roots, and enter a state of enlightenment. Any complex and profound cultivation techniques and spells would become incredibly simple.
Ji Yuan's gaze flickered. He was not surprised by Li Buwei's words, as if he had long anticipated the other's realization and had already prepared a response.
"Do you want to be a wandering rogue cultivator for the rest of your life, or become an elder of a sect?"
He quietly looked at the young man before him, and after a long pause, he slowly spoke.
Upon hearing this, Li Buwei's pupils constricted sharply. His outward expression was calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
Zhou Lianying, who was sitting quietly beside them, couldn't help but take a deep breath, a few veins bulging on her forehead, her mind a complete mess.
After a considerable time, they managed to calm their minds, and their eyes then gleamed with brilliance.
Although they were unaware of Ji Yuan's relationship with the Jiuxuan Gate, it was clearly very good. Even an elder of the sect's lineage treated him with the kindness of a benevolent elder.
Coupled with the news that the Jiuxuan Gate was about to be promoted to a sect, it was not difficult to guess the meaning behind his words.
However, with his status, did he have the authority to decide the position of an elder in a sect?
And for an outsider with an unclear background!
No sect would allow such a situation to occur. Unless the person was a disciple they had personally cultivated, even if their cultivation was sky-high, they could at most obtain the status of an guest elder.
"To complete the fate of the Jiuxuan Gate, the Xuantian lineage that separated from it hundreds of years ago, you should know about it with your abilities, shouldn't you?"
Ji Yuan smiled slightly, revealing his background for the first time.
Upon hearing this, Li Buwei was immediately shocked. Although the information Ji Yuan mentioned was a secret to ordinary cultivators, it was not unknown to him.
Suddenly, his expression subtly shifted, a fleeting glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.
In just over a dozen breaths, several conjectures arose in his mind, and he immediately understood Ji Yuan's intention.
"I need to think about it."
Li Buwei said in a deep voice, his face showing no signs of joy, but rather profound worry.
Ji Yuan said nothing to this, understanding the other's concerns, and naturally allowed him to ponder.
On the surface, this matter indeed held infinite benefits. The most significant one was the ability to shed the identity of a wandering rogue cultivator and finally have a place to settle.
However, regardless of how one looked at it, he was still an outsider and would face considerable trouble.
At best, he might lose face, gain no benefits, and even incur significant financial losses. At worst, he might be driven out, or even face the danger of losing his life.
"Then what about me?"
As Li Buwei fell silent, Zhou Lianying suddenly spoke, "What do you plan to get from me?"
She looked at the young man who was half a head shorter than her, her eyes flashing with a strange light. During their conversation, she had already considered various possibilities.
Now, upon thinking of those possibilities, her earlobes couldn't help but turn slightly red. No matter how she thought about it, as a cultivator with mediocre talent and only in the Enlightenment realm, what could she possibly offer as a price for such a precious qualification?
"You?"
Ji Yuan glanced at her and said irritably, "Stay out of it!"
"Even if it's on credit..."
After thinking about it, he didn't know why he suddenly uttered these words.
It was as if something was influencing him from the unseen realms, causing him to speak against his true intentions.
Just as Ji Yuan frowned, trying to understand this indescribable feeling, his mind seemed to be covered by a layer of mist, preventing him from reaching what lay beyond.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Lianying pouted and turned away, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upwards, and a murmur rose in her heart.