"Tell me, what is it you desire?"
Fan Sulu's expression shifted several times, but he ultimately could not resist the temptation of the pill fragments.
This item was like a poison to anyone aiming for the peak of the Great Dao, yet for cultivators nearing the end of their lifespan and with no hope of breaking through, it was a supreme spiritual medicine.
Especially for someone like him, who could only absorb and refine less than ten percent of the spiritual energy, it was exceptionally precious.
A single pill fragment could save him countless arduous efforts and an immeasurable amount of wealth and resources!
Otherwise, to improve even one minor realm would be enough to bankrupt the entire Prefectural Governor's mansion, let alone what was needed to break through from the second to the third realm, which would likely require more than ten such mansions.
"I lack nothing in terms of magical treasures or cultivation techniques. Having only emerged from a small town, what I lack most is friends."
Ji Yuan lightly swirled his teacup, speaking with hidden meaning.
However, Fan Sulu showed no joy upon hearing this. Instead, his brows furrowed.
This statement was clearly not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Ji Yuan would not readily give away such a precious item simply to make a friend.
He did not believe he possessed such immense personal charm, nor did he think the mere identity of a Prefectural Governor's son would make someone willing to pay such a steep price.
Normally, people would offer treasures, but most would find no opportunity. Even the most valuable gifts would be worth at most a thousand taels. Anything exceeding this amount would surely indicate a significant request.
"Just friends?"
Fan Sulu looked at him with deep eyes, as if trying to discern something more.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan maintained his gentle smile, "Naturally, just friends."
This time, he directly pushed the jade bottle towards the other man, then raised his teacup and spoke as he drank, "But since we are friends, we must naturally help each other, share in profits, and bear burdens together."
As expected!
Fan Sulu sneered inwardly. He had already suspected it wouldn't be so simple, yet the temptation was too great to resist.
The true value of a pill fragment lay not in its potent medicinal power, but in its ability to help one easily break through current bottlenecks!
While it was possible for him to reach the third realm through his own cultivation in the future, the resources required would be incalculable.
And if all that silver were to go to waste, it would be an unbearable loss for both himself and the Prefectural Governor's mansion.
Even his father, the Prefectural Governor, no matter how much he loved him, would not be able to invest such vast resources on a mere two to three percent chance of success.
It was precisely for this reason that, despite knowing the side effects of the pill fragment, he had no choice. The alternative was to remain in the second realm forever, while the other offered hope of reaching the third. Any normal person would know how to choose.
"For example?"
Fan Sulu asked, a sharp glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.
This item was something he had to obtain, regardless of the cost!
Seeing this, Ji Yuan adopted a serious expression, "For example, the current situation of the Qian family, the appearance of people from the Divine Profound Sect in the city, and the future cooperation between Mingxin Pavilion and the Prefectural Governor's mansion."
Good heavens!
Even Qian Nishang, standing beside them, couldn't help but inwardly exclaim at the sheer ambition after hearing this.
This was tantamount to binding the Prefectural Governor's mansion and the Qian family together, a pact for life and death!
But no matter how valuable a pill fragment was, it was not enough for the Prefectural Governor to make such a choice.
"Impossible, my father will not agree."
Fan Sulu couldn't help but shake his head.
Although sometimes his words carried more weight with his father than the Prefectural Governor himself, that was due to his father's affection. In matters of true importance, the Prefectural Governor would never act on sentiment.
How could the Prefectural Governor agree to such a thing, binding the entire Prefectural Governor's mansion, and one of Mingxin Pavilion's three proprietors, the Qian family, so thoroughly, both openly and covertly?
"The Prefectural Governor will agree in the future, but what is needed now is your agreement, Young Master Fan."
Ji Yuan chuckled, "Only if you agree now can we, through continuous cooperation, increase our importance in each other's eyes."
Ever since that night he intervened to help Qian Nishang out of a dire situation, he had foreseen this day and had already planned how to win over this beloved youngest son of the Prefectural Governor.
And how, step by step, to establish a connection with the entire Prefectural Governor's mansion, and ultimately bind it to the Qian family.
Of course, these later matters could not be rushed; it would take a considerable amount of time to refine their relationship bit by bit, to make the other party realize the importance of the Qian family.
Thus, seeing Fan Sulu pondering, he continued, "This is a long-term friendship. I believe that as long as we cooperate, it will surely bring about a different landscape."
"It's not just this single pill fragment."
Ji Yuan emphasized this point deliberately, leaving the other man to guess what he would truly gain.
However, at this moment, Fan Sulu's mind was not on the future, but on the jade bottle before him. His gaze was fixed on the pill fragment, unable to tear away.
Compared to anything else, the temptation to reach the third realm was the true irresistible lure.
Once he achieved the Dao Enlightenment Realm, he would truly ascend from the foot of the mountain to its summit, becoming a prominent figure.
And he could completely shed the title of Prefectural Governor's son, instead having people refer to the Prefectural Governor as Fan Sulu's father.
This was not merely a change in title; it was crucial for him to break free from his father's control. No one wanted to live in someone else's shadow their entire life, even if that person was their father.
"I... cannot represent the Prefectural Governor's mansion."
He sighed, a look of powerlessness on his face.
Ultimately, he was not yet qualified to make such an important decision on behalf of his father.
Even if he made a thousand promises now, his father would likely overturn them on the spot later, never acknowledging them.
"In fact, the reason the Prefectural Governor's mansion is so tight on funds is simply that the Prefectural Governor's lifespan is nearing its end, and he is frantically searching for items to extend it."
Ji Yuan said nonchalantly, "If one can reach the Dao Enlightenment Realm, one's lifespan can be extended by a full 120 years. Then there would be no such worries."
Upon hearing this, Fan Sulu's eyes lit up. In an instant, all pretense vanished. He was no longer helpless or powerless, but filled with a spirit of ambition.
He seized the jade bottle before him and said sternly, "Since Daoist Lingyu has so graciously invited me, and I feel such kinship with Steward Qian, if it's not too much, let us become sworn siblings here. Let's not talk about friends or anything else, from now on we are family!"
Qian Nishang's lips twitched. She hadn't expected that after just a few words, his attitude would change so drastically, even skipping the stage of friendship to directly become sworn siblings.
Ji Yuan, however, was not surprised. He had even made such a prediction in his heart.
"I appreciate Young Master Fan's kindness, but as a recluse, how can I become sworn siblings with anyone?"
He chuckled, "Why don't the two of you become sworn siblings? It would be a beautiful story spread abroad, and you could support each other!"
Having done this much for the Qian family was already quite considerable. Ji Yuan did not wish to acquire elder sisters or older brothers for himself.
If he had not already become a special guest of the Qian family, and if Qian Nishang's fortunes did not determine his own interests, he would not have exerted himself so much and risked entanglement in various karmic ties to do so much.
In fact, what he was doing now was also a way to establish a backer for himself, or rather, a reliance and a foundation.
Otherwise, even if Ji Yuan successfully reached the second realm soon, with the meager strength of the Xuan Tian Temple, when they joined the Nine Profound Sect, although they might not be explicitly targeted, there would still be some ill-intentioned individuals who would covet the lineage they occupied.
Once Xuan Tian Temple returned to the Nine Profound Sect with its destiny, the promised lineage inheritance would not only be a peak for cultivation but also a seat in the direct lineage ancestral hall and a ten percent allocation of the sect's annual resources.
Under such benefits, there would always be people with ulterior motives. Even if they dared not act openly, covert means would surely be employed.
Without sufficient foundation and reliance, it would be difficult to navigate every step.
And since Ji Yuan had decided to lead Xuan Tian Temple back to the Nine Profound Sect, he naturally would not allow some people to drive them out and take what rightfully belonged to them.
Therefore, making preparations in advance was a necessity.
The Qian family of Mingxin Pavilion and the Prefectural Governor's mansion of Luoxia Prefecture were among the foundations and supports he was preparing for himself.
In less than fifteen minutes, Fan Sulu had ordered the maids to set up incense and offerings in the courtyard. With heaven and earth as witnesses, they became sworn siblings.
After three kowtows and burning incense prayers, a simple ceremony was completed, and they began addressing each other as Elder Sister and Younger Brother.
Fortunately, neither of them were ordinary people. With their second-realm cultivation and extraordinary backgrounds, they did not show the slightest awkwardness.
Watching this scene, Ji Yuan mused that just moments ago they were barely acquainted, yet now they acted like siblings who had grown up together.
He had to admit to a certain admiration; he himself could not achieve such a feat.
"Tomorrow I will invite many friends and host a banquet at my mansion to announce my sworn brotherhood with Elder Sister to the world."
Fan Sulu stated.
His demeanor now was a stark contrast to his previous aloofness. His transition from cool and elegant to so enthusiastic caught people slightly off guard.
Ji Yuan and Qian Nishang did not object to his proposal. After all the effort and the gift of such a precious item, wasn't the goal to completely bind themselves to the Prefectural Governor's mansion?
Merely owing the Prefectural Governor a favor was no longer enough to satisfy their current appetite.
After all, favors only held meaning if both parties recognized them. If the Prefectural Governor were to become displeased one day and deny the agreement, they would have suffered a loss and had to swallow it.
"I wonder how Elder Sister wishes for little brother to act in the future?"
Fan Sulu seemingly asked Qian Nishang, but his gaze shifted to Ji Yuan.
Now that their sworn brotherhood was complete, with vows made before heaven and earth, no one could reneve on it. Regardless of whether it was acknowledged, an inseparable bond had been forged between them.
This also served as the foundation for their cooperation and an expression of Fan Sulu's sincerity. Otherwise, the beloved youngest son of the Prefectural Governor would have no need to enter into a sworn brotherhood with others.
"Recently, thirteen factions in the city are expected to make a move against the Li family of Mingxin Pavilion. Young Master Fan, you might want to pay close attention. Perhaps our first collaboration will begin here."
Ji Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he spoke with a serious expression.