When Ji Yuan appeared, the three of them were naturally overjoyed, and Ji Yuan felt the same.
Given Xiezhi's nature—seemingly carefree but in truth striving for fairness—since Ji Yuan had helped him devour Zhu Yan, he naturally had to return a peach for a plum. Helping Zuo Wuji was equivalent to helping Ji Yuan, so during those first few days, Xiezhi had exerted himself to draw out Zhu Yan's essence and gave more than half of it to Zuo Wuji. After all, Xiezhi himself had greater need of true spirit.
In Ji Yuan's view, this portion of Zhu Yan's essence was simply too vast for Zuo Wuji. It should have required a long time to temper, yet at this meeting, there was scarcely any remaining aura of Zhu Yan to be seen. Clearly, even if it had not all been refined, it had at least been contained well enough to be controlled with ease.
As for a strongman being able to cultivate on his own, that was nothing strange. In truth, the other strongmen were also slowly improving, to say nothing of Golden Armor. Yet Golden Armor's condition truly exceeded Ji Yuan's expectations.
"Chirp..."
The Little Paper Crane burrowed out of the Brocade Pouch in Ji Yuan's robes. With a cry, it flew onto Golden Armor's head and pecked his forehead twice. Golden Armor habitually turned his gaze toward his forehead, looking at the Little Paper Crane.
"Mister Ji, we're eating roasted taro. Would you like some?"
Li Feng hurriedly displayed the hem of his gathered-up robe. Inside were more than ten roasted taros of roughly equal size. One had been crushed open, exposing the fluffy white, tempting taro flesh within and releasing a charred fragrance.
Ji Yuan inhaled the scent.
"Mmm, fragrant indeed. I arrive and there is food