At this moment, Ji Yuan could feel that his natal flying sword had become much sharper, slicing through metal as easily as cutting through tofu.
Furthermore, within the body of Xiaobai, there was still a essence of spiritual ore that had not been fully refined. He believed that as time went by and it was completely digested, its power should be able to increase considerably.
Thinking of this, he felt both anticipation and a sense of shame.
If he were a normal sword cultivator, he would have already exerted all his effort and prepared various spiritual items to nourish his natal flying sword.
But for Ji Yuan, apart from this occasion, he had barely fed his flying sword.
It was only when he was at Xuantián Peak that he would occasionally take out some basic spiritual items recorded in the Xuantián Sword Art, which served as snacks for Xiaobai.
"I need to find an opportunity to properly nourish my natal flying sword," Ji Yuan muttered to himself.
In fact, he had already selected many spiritual materials recorded in the Xuantián Sword Art from the large number of spiritual items gifted by the Peak Master of Leize Peak, which greatly benefited natal flying swords.
However, Xiaobai was now 'full', and it was estimated that he would not be able to enjoy these precious spiritual items for the next few months.
As he thought, he suddenly realized he didn't seem like a sword cultivator. Although he had refined his natal flying sword, he rarely used it. In combat, he was accustomed to activating the Heavy Water Bead and the Xuantián Spirit Devouring Pagoda.
Even before refining Xiaobai into his natal flying sword, he had used it to fight more frequently.
Ji Yuan gave a wry smile, which was also related to his own focus. After entering the second realm, his focus had been on comprehending cultivation techniques, while the cultivation of sword arts and the nurturing of flying swords had been temporarily put aside.
This resulted in him rarely using sword cultivator techniques, despite possessing a natal flying sword of excellent quality and a sword art that directly led to the Great Power realm.
Even now, strictly speaking, he was not yet a true sword cultivator.
Vaguely, Ji Yuan felt that his current state could not be called misguided, but it was certainly somewhat wrong, and he had somewhat taken a detour.
He possessed too many cultivation techniques, secret arts, and magical treasures. He had been distracted along the way. Although his strength was not weak, and he could even defeat ordinary cultivators in the late Spirit Awakening realm, upon careful consideration, he had deviated somewhat. Being broad but not specialized would ultimately become a major problem.
It was still acceptable at this stage, and he even had many advantages against ordinary cultivators. However, as his cultivation gradually increased, the problem would be amplified. By then, making up for it might require a higher price.
After realizing this, Ji Yuan's expression immediately became serious and solemn. He slowly closed his eyes and began to reflect on his previous cultivation.
Making appropriate changes now was much wiser than paying a heavy price later to compensate for past mistakes.
In the blink of an eye, five days passed.
On the tenth day of Ji Yuan's seclusion, the door of his private room was knocked upon, and he slowly withdrew from his state of introspection.
Creak—
As the door opened, a maid bowed outside and said crisply, "Young master, the head steward requests your presence."
Hearing this, Ji Yuan nodded slightly, indicating that he would be there shortly. He then waved his hand, sending out a gentle breeze to close the door again.
He removed his clothes, cleansed himself with a dust removal talisman and a purification talisman, then changed into a clean Daoist robe before walking out of the private room.
After some thought, he decided not to call Zhou Lianying and the other two, and went alone to the room where Liu Ruyan handled affairs.
Inside the room, besides a few waiting maids, an old man was seated. He appeared to be seventy or eighty years old, but he did not exude an aura of decrepitude; instead, he radiated vigorous life.
The moment Ji Yuan saw the old man, his spirit was lifted, and he immediately determined that the other party must be a cultivator of the third realm.
This was because he could not perceive the aura of the old man in front of him and could not determine the depth of his cultivation.
Only cultivators or martial artists above the third realm could achieve this.
Ji Yuan even secretly speculated that the other party was likely not in the early third realm, but at least in the middle or even late stage of cultivation.
"Junior Ling Yu pays his respects to Senior."
He immediately clasped his hands in a Daoist salute, his tone remarkably respectful.
Both in terms of age and cultivation, the other party was worthy of respect.
"No need for such formalities, no need!"
The old man seemed to have a good temper, speaking very amiably and waving his hands repeatedly, signaling that no more ceremony was needed.
In fact, according to the hierarchy within Mingxin Pavilion, the old man was only a first-class honored guest, and would have to bow to a special-class honored guest.
"This is an honored guest stationed in Feiyun County. You can call him Elder Tang," Liu Ruyan said with a smile.
The old man's full name was Tang Muhuan. He was from Feiyun County, and his family had considerable renown in the county town, considered a prestigious family of scholars, having produced many learned individuals.
However, the Tang family had declined somewhat and was no longer as glorious as in the past. Otherwise, with the foundation of its peak period, it would not have become an honored guest of a merchant guild.
"Greetings, Elder Tang!"
Ji Yuan bowed again, showing utmost courtesy to the old man before him.
On the way here, the maid who came to announce had conveyed Liu Ruyan's message: Elder Tang was a supporter of the Qian family and their greatest reliance in Feiyun County.
"Young friend, at such a young age, to become a special-class honored guest of Mingxin Pavilion is truly remarkable," Tang Muhuan said leisurely, without any hint of mockery, his expression quite serious.
In fact, being a special-class honored guest of Mingxin Pavilion was enough to show his extraordinary nature. Ordinary cultivators in the late third realm did not receive such treatment.
Not to mention, before coming here today, he had already inquired about the background of the young man before him and knew his identity within the Nine Profound Sect.
"Elder Tang is too kind," Ji Yuan replied with a smile and found a seat to sit down slowly.
"Alright, you two stop flattering each other here!" Liu Ruyan said somewhat impatiently, then waved to dismiss the maids in the room.
After the door closed and the soundproofing restrictions were activated, she continued, "Don't be fooled by Elder Tang's scholarly background and his refined and strict demeanor. Once you get to know him, you'll realize he's just an old rascal."
Liu Ruyan did not show much respect towards a cultivator who was at least in the middle third realm, and possibly even the late third realm, speaking quite casually.
However, Tang Muhuan seemed accustomed to this and did not become angry; instead, he chuckled heartily upon hearing her words.
Unlike some rigid scholars, when there were no outsiders, he exuded a somewhat unrestrained demeanor.