Standing at the door, Du Wanyi did not appear much different compared to before. Her demeanor had slightly changed; she now seemed less frail and more crisp and efficient.

It seemed her experiences in Cyan Leaf City had indeed brought about some changes.

"Second sister, how did you know I was in seclusion?"

Ji Yuan asked with a smile.

"I heard it from Dong Qian. She said she went out on a mission with you, and you got injured because of it. Is that true? Are you okay now?"

Once Du Wanyi entered, she anxiously looked Ji Yuan up and down.

"It's fine, just a minor injury, nothing serious."

With Dong Qian's steady character, she surely knew what to say and what not to say, so Ji Yuan was not worried.

Du Wanyi felt relieved, then seemed to pick up on something, gently sniffed, and frowned: "Fourth brother, has another Female Cultivator been here?"

Goodness, you have a dog's nose...

Upon Du Wanyi's remark, Ji Yuan also noticed it. Feng Zhitao carried a strong peach blossom fragrance, but within it was a hint of a sweet scent.

"What Female Cultivator?"

Ji Yuan asked puzzledly.

Du Wanyi sniffed again, "There is a fragrance associated with Female Cultivator here, it's not your scent."

Ji Yuan: "..."

"Eat a peach and you'll know where the fragrance comes from."

Ji Yuan said as he handed her a peach. Du Wanyi took it, sniffed it, then smiled brightly and relaxed, "That's the scent."

Seeing her like this, Ji Yuan mused internally: No matter what Du Wanyi thinks about me, it seems necessary to keep some distance from her, not get too close.

Under current circumstances, he couldn't be too close to anyone.

As for finding a Dao companion, it wasn't even within Ji Yuan's consideration at present.

He hadn't completed Foundation Establishment. At the moment, he was like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river, unable to protect even himself, let alone form a Dao couple with someone.

After all, once that happens, he could indeed enjoy a lot of wonderful life, but equally, he'd have to assume many responsibilities, and he currently had no such intentions.

Given this, maintaining distance was all he could do.

"I haven't had the chance to congratulate Second Sister on joining Water One Hall."

Ji Yuan said with a smile.

Since Du Wanyi joined Water One Hall, it was the first time the two had met.

"Nothing to be congratulated on. There are plenty of things to do after joining, always busy with something or other, even had to squeeze out time for cultivation."

Du Wanyi said with a mix of resignation while eating the peach in her hand.

The two chatted and entered the room to sit down.

"Isn't that perfect? You were always saying how being idle in the Water Dragon Sect was dull and boring without anything to do."

Upon hearing this, Du Wanyi complained even more.

She spoke about what she had to be busy with in Cyan Leaf City. For instance, guarding various points, and if there was a conflict between cultivators, they had to mediate as members of the Water Dragon Sect. This wasn't too bad, as usually once they showed up, those Loose Cultivators dared not continue fighting.

If they dared, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Water Dragon Sect in the city would educate them on how to behave.

Additionally, Du Wanyi explained to Ji Yuan all about the benefits they could glean.

For instance, each time they went out on duty, they could receive good returns because some Loose Cultivators hoped they would turn a blind eye.

Apart from this, there were profits to be made from monthly rents.

Since shops in prime locations wanted to continue renting, they had to offer some respect.

Shops in less favorable locations, wanting to rent better places, would approach them for help.

At first, Du Wanyi was unclear about the ins and outs, such as what could be accepted and what couldn't, but luckily her colleagues took care to inform her.

After all, their interests were tied together. If one person had issues, it could bring trouble to all of them.

Although they would still compete amongst themselves, basic information was shared.

The result was a complicated colleague relationship, which Du Wanyi complained about even more, in her view, none of her colleagues were good, each with some issue.

Ji Yuan listened quietly, meanwhile capturing the information he needed from her disclosures.

For example, that the battle over Liancheng Mountain had finally ended, and three factions had divided the Spirit Stone Vein.

Additionally, Cyan Leaf City held an annual auction, quite sizable, which many Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Water Dragon Sect would attend.

Even members of the Spirit Control Sect would come from the north.

After two hours, Du Wanyi finally finished chatting, picked up the tea on the table and drank it all, a trickle escaping her lips and running down to her snow-white neck.

Ji Yuan inadvertently glanced, and only then noticed from her collar.

Although Du Wanyi externally wore a Water Dragon Sect uniform, she had another high-grade Protective Robe underneath.

'Indeed, Water One Hall really does allow quite the gain in Spirit Stones.'

Ji Yuan mused to himself but did not ask further. It was well-known Du Wanyi would say everything worth saying, while asking about things one shouldn't would make people awkward instead.

"Has the situation at Liancheng Mountain ended? How was it ultimately divided?"

Ji Yuan asked curiously.

"Three factions split evenly, the extra portion is used to reinforce the Spirit Vein Array and serve as a stipend for those stationed there."

"That's quite a bit!"

"Yes, so now Liancheng Mountain is still a sought-after slice of pie, everyone wants a share, whether it's those in the Foundation Establishment Stage or various halls of the Water Dragon Sect."

Du Wanyi talked and leaned closer, whispering: "But most likely it'll come to us at Water One Hall, because external affairs are ours to handle."

"Indeed."

Ji Yuan nodded and smilingly said: "Second sister should strive for a part; heading to the Spirit Vein would be to strike it rich."

"Even if we head there, it's on rotational duty, can't always benefit one batch of people."

Du Wanyi replied nonchalantly, then gave Ji Yuan a look.

"Fourth Brother, are you interested in our Water One Hall?"

"If you want to join, I can help introduce you; given your strength, you'd surely succeed if you wished."

Ji Yuan had anticipated Du Wanyi would invite him; it would be surprising if she didn't.

So he thought it over and politely declined: "I'd better not. You know my disposition, Second Sister, I'm used to a free life, dislike being bound."

"Then... alright, if you ever have thoughts, let me know anytime."

Du Wanyi was somewhat disappointed but did not insist.

Afterwards, they chatted idly for a little while, just as Du Wanyi was preparing to leave, they suddenly heard a sonorous bell chiming across the skies, exchanged a look and immediately stood up.

The Golden Bell of the Water Dragon Sect's Ancestral Hall, when it rang, always indicated significant events.

"Dong—"

"Dong—"

After three successive chimes, the bell fell silent, and Ji Yuan felt more at ease.

The three ringing bells signaled merely a major announcement.

Soon, a robust voice resonated across the islands large and small under the Water Dragon Sect.

"Nine Nether Cave Heaven will open, disciples may proceed to the nearest hall to understand the matters."

"Nine Nether Cave Heaven, at last... "

Du Wanyi turned to Ji Yuan, "Come, Fourth Brother, let's have a look!"

"Okay!"

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