Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Encountering an Old Friend

Lou Yun teased Short Winter Melon relentlessly, putting him in excellent spirits. Thus, he decided to make the most of the night and press on, hoping to reach Yao Lin Valley sooner.

The journey afterward proved uneventful. However, nearing Yao Lin Valley, Lou Yun noticed an increasing number of people heading the same direction. Though their appearances and attires varied wildly, they were undeniably all skilled weapon makers.

Those traveling on foot mostly had magical weapon realms below the mystery rank, unable to wield magical weapons—evidence they weren’t highly advanced. Meanwhile, those soaring through the skies on diverse magical weapons, accompanied by sharp whooshing sounds, were evidently more experienced magical weapons masters!

Some arrived in groups, others in clusters of three or five; many, like Lou Yun, journeyed alone. Regardless, nearly all maintained silence, exchanged no pleasantries, and regarded each other with wariness.

Initially hoping to engage others in conversation, Lou Yun quickly abandoned the idea after meeting their aloof, evasive attitudes. Emulating the others, he focused solely on his own path.

Yet Lou Yun wasn’t lonely; though none welcomed chatter, observing the varied individuals along the way provided amusement. Outside Ancient Weapon Academy, he’d never encountered so many magical weapons masters!

Finally arriving at Yao Lin Valley without incident, Lou Yun spotted a massive sign at the valley entrance bearing a blazing flame insignia with the words "Forging Conference" encircling it.

Seeing the fiery emblem elicited a flicker of recognition. Lou Yun recalled the identical pattern etched onto the ice crystal jade weapon gifted by Beichen Ming.

As the highest-ranked skilled weapon maker on Spirit Weapon Star, Beichen Ming having the same emblem used at the forging conference seemed fitting—if not inevitable.

Unbeknownst to Lou Yun, Beichen Ming himself had initiated this gathering to elevate the standards of Spirit Weapon Star’s skilled weapon makers. That flame symbolized his authority—no other weapon maker dared replicate it, regardless of their personal insignias.

Beneath the sign stood two towering, powerfully-built men whose magical weapon realms remained imperceptible to Lou Yun’s senses.

A lengthy queue already formed at the valley entrance. Every attendee, from novices to masters, quietly waited in line—no attempts at cutting allowed.

Most clutched a small jade piece identical in size but varying in color—black, white, or red—as well as a corresponding jade placard.

Approaching the entrance, each participant handed their placard and jade to one of the two guards. The guard would scan it briefly, return both items, and only then permit entry.

Lou Yun didn’t join the queue immediately. Being a first-timer lacking guidance and disinclined to ask questions, he lingered toward the back.

After observing several entrants, he understood: the colored jade represented a weapon maker’s rank (each hue signifying a different tier), while the placard functioned as a uniform invitation regardless of skill level.

Some attendees arrived empty-handed but accompanied others carrying both items. As long as one person in a group possessed them, companions could enter as well.

In essence, accessing the valley required either the dual items or accompaniment by a ranked weapon maker. Only unranked first-timers without an invitation relied on sponsorship.

Recognizing this, Lou Yun sighed. He possessed neither item—how could he enter? Had Beichen Ming forgotten to give him an invitation when urging him to attend?

Lou Yun overlooked one detail: the ice crystal jade weapon he carried was the ultimate invitation and proof of identity. Across Spirit Weapon Star, every weapon maker recognized that object as Beichen Ming’s exclusive symbol. Flashing it would grant immediate entry with formal escort and VIP treatment.

Beichen Ming hadn’t intentionally withheld this information; he merely assumed Lou Yun would deduce it. But Lou Yun remembered only Beichen Ming’s admonition about keeping the ice crystal jade weapon hidden, so he rarely used it himself—let alone displayed it publicly.

Lou Yun now regretted letting Short Winter Melon go. Accompanying him would have guaranteed access. Instead, he couldn’t even pass the gate.

Resigned, he avoided the queue entirely, perched on a large boulder nearby while brainstorming solutions.

Suddenly, a cry echoed from afar: "Brother Lou? Is that you?"

Startled that someone might recognize him here, Lou Yun turned toward the voice. A large man accelerated toward him.

Spotting his face instantly, Lou Yun brightened. "Brother Xu!"

It was Xu Yangteng, the shop owner of Lingjiang City’s sole common weapon shop—and the second-tier skilled weapon maker who’d always believed in Lou Yun.

Their last meeting occurred before Lou Yun entered Ancient Weapon Academy. Xu Yangteng had then revealed details of this forging conference, mentioning his quest to gather materials and advance to third-grade skilled weapon maker.

He’d urgently invited Lou Yun to join, pledging to find him with specific location details later. True to his word, Xu Yangteng went to Ancient Weapon Academy only to find Lou Yun departed. Fate had finally reunited them today.

Their bond was profound: Lou Yun’s inaugural common weapon fusion used Xu Yangteng’s gift—the Stone Sword—which enabled Lou Yun’s foundational cultivation. Unasked, Xu Yangteng later supplied materials when Lou Yun began forging experiments.

Reuniting after two years brought unreserved warmth. Embracing tightly, they thumped each other’s shoulders, radiating sheer exhilaration.

Xu Yangteng exclaimed, face alight with excitement, "Lou, I visited Ancient Weapon Academy but missed you! I worried you’d skip this conference—yet here you are!"

Lou Yun felt a surge of gratitude. Few friends honored promises as Xu Yangteng had: traveling across the continent purely to keep his word.

Lou Yun grinned apologetically. "My fault you went all that way for nothing. Still, how could I miss such an event?"

"Hah! I just thought: If only Lou came! See? Crowds! My third forging conference!"

Xu Yangteng remained a second-tier skilled weapon maker—from initial unranked status to his current rank, this marked his third conference.

Lou Yun chuckled. "My first time. Brother Xu, enlighten me on rules and procedures!"

"Naturally!" Normally reserved, Xu Yangteng now spoke animatedly in Lou Yun’s company.

Then Xu Yangteng frowned. "Lou, why sit outside? Waiting for someone?"

Lou Yun gestured hopelessly. "Neither rank jade nor invitation … nor companions. Entry’s impossible."

Xu Yangteng chuckled kindly. "Newcomers without proof need company. Lucky you found me—I’ll vouch for you!"

"Perfection!"

Chatting cheerfully, they joined the queue, slowly inching forward while fervently exchanging two years of stories.

Nearing the entrance, Lou Yun’s excitement swelled: the forging conference—every Spirit Weapon Star weapon maker’s aspiration—lay finally within reach!

Suddenly, an icy bark cut behind them: "Move!"

Lou Yun spun. A palanquin stood there, ringed by three or four attendants. The scowling, prideful man who’d ordered Lou Yun now glared contemptuously.

Lou Yun abhorred coercion. If approached politely, he’d have conceded. But hostility stiffened his posture—especially toward such arrogance. Returning a cold stare, he retorted, "Why?"

Xu Yangteng tugged Lou Yun’s sleeve silently, imploring him to retreat and avoid conflict.

Lou Yun understood Xu Yangteng’s inherent pride; in Lingjiang City, he’d rebuffed all three ruling families’ overtures. If Xu Yangteng urged compliance now, this group must wield frightening influence.

But surrender was impossible: Lou Yun’s defiant reply stunned the man. Instantly, a flash of white light preceded a short common weapon dagger—the "Dagger"—aimed at Lou Yun’s throat.