Chapter 48

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Chapter 48: Off to the City

Sitting before Han Tianxiao, watching as Han Tianxiao manifested his Book of Heaven and Earth once again in his palm, Lou Yun’s eyes were full of envy.

"Lou Yun, not teaching you yesterday wasn’t because I didn’t want to. As a teacher of Ancient Weapon Academy, I hope every student I teach becomes stronger and more capable than me."

Blinking at Lou Yun, Han Tianxiao continued, "I just didn’t realize your control over spiritual energy was already quite proficient. Enough talk. I’ll teach you now. Watch closely!"

A beam of white light suddenly appeared along Han Tianxiao’s right arm. This radiant line stretched from his shoulder all the way to his palm, with five particularly striking white lines visible across his five fingers.

This white light was naturally the spiritual energy flowing within Han Tianxiao’s body. To manifest spiritual energy externally to this degree required the cultivation level of a high-level magical weapons master.

Han Tianxiao was doing this to allow Lou Yun to clearly see how the spiritual energy moved inside the body during the process of condensing a magical weapon using external force.

"There are only two tricks to condensing a magical weapon this way: gathering and attachment. Plus, the use of spiritual sense. I’m going to gather now. Open your spiritual sense if you want to see more clearly!"

Lou Yun hurriedly released his spiritual sense.

Following Han Tianxiao’s words, the white thread of spiritual energy visibly sank downward. Lou Yun could then clearly sense with his spiritual sense that spiritual energy from the surroundings was converging rapidly toward Han Tianxiao’s palm.

Streaks of flowing light appeared along the spiritual energy line, indicating Han Tianxiao was absorbing spiritual energy through his palm.

"Next is attachment!"

As Han Tianxiao finished speaking, a radiant white sphere of light gradually bloomed on his hand. At first glance, it seemed suspended above his palm, but a closer look revealed countless hair-thin threads of spiritual energy emanating from below the sphere, connecting directly to Han Tianxiao’s palm. Their function was clearly to attach to the converging spiritual energy flooding in from all directions, yet prevent it from being absorbed into his body.

Now, the spiritual energy lines in Han Tianxiao’s palm resembled a spider’s web, with the white sphere of light clinging to it like a captured prey. The sphere steadily enlarged as more and more spiritual energy was gathered.

"The final step requires employing my spiritual sense to condense this mass of spiritual energy into a magical weapon!"

It was as though an invisible hand were molding the sphere of spiritual energy, causing it to shift shape until it transformed into the form of a book.

"See it clearly?"

Lou Yun nodded. "Yes. Three steps. Gathering is the simplest, attachment is the most difficult, and controlling it with spiritual sense is the most crucial."

Han Tianxiao clenched his fist, and the white spiritual energy lines covering him vanished instantly. "Correct. The attachment step demands your control over spiritual energy be exceptionally proficient. Otherwise, it’s impossible to split spiritual energy into so many fine threads to form the sphere in such a short time."

After leaving Han Tianxiao’s room, Lou Yun was brimming with excitement. He had now grasped the technique for condensing magical weapons; what he lacked was refinement through practice and experience. So, along the way, he continually attempted to replicate it himself, though without success even once.

Over the next few days, Lou Yun met all his teachers and gradually settled into the rhythm of studies at Ancient Weapon Academy. Strictly speaking, the benefit of studying here was having skilled teachers willing to give earnest guidance; moreover, these teachers were absolute authorities in their respective fields.

However, teachers could lead one to the door; cultivation depended on the individual. The teachers would impart the key principles and techniques, but they absolutely would not instruct every step by hand. Therefore, to truly become stronger, constant self-driven effort and practice were crucial.

So far, Lou Yun was thoroughly content with life at Ancient Weapon Academy and got along harmoniously with his fellow students. Of course, this didn’t include everyone. Qin Wufeng from the Elite Division and the band of followers perpetually at his side held a deep resentment for Lou Yun. Yet, within the Academy grounds, they lacked the courage to act against him directly, so they bided their time, waiting for an opportunity. That opportunity finally arrived one day.

A month had passed since Lou Yun came to Ancient Weapon Academy. According to Academy rules, every student was entitled to one rest day per month. Calculating it was time to try advancing his magical weapon level, he decided to use this rest day to visit nearby Tianrang City, hoping to purchase suitable materials for forging weapons.

Lou Yun had originally planned to go only with Lou Qian, to prevent too many people from discovering his activities in forging weapons. Unexpectedly, Nie Jiu and Sun Danxue insisted on joining. When they reached the mouth of Chaoyun Valley, Old Man Feng suddenly appeared, stopping them and asking them to wait a moment.

Though Lou Yun didn’t understand Old Man Feng’s intentions, he had no choice but to wait patiently. A moment later, Old Man Feng rushed over like the wind, pulling Xia Zhilan along with him. He pushed Xia Zhilan toward Lou Yun and declared, "Boy from the Lou Family! Little Lan is helping me buy a few things. Take her along. Little Lan rarely travels alone—you look after her properly! If she loses even a single hair, I’ll have your head!"

He didn’t actually need Xia Zhilan to buy anything; it was just an excuse to give the two youngsters more time together. Although Xia Zhilan didn’t say anything, inwardly she was very pleased.

Despite his reluctance, Lou Yun ended up setting off for Tianrang City with all four companions.

Not half an hour after the group of five departed, another three figures appeared at the valley entrance. Leading them was Qin Wufeng. The other two were his permanent lackeys—brothers named Zhang Long and Zhang Bao, both intermediate one-star magical weapons masters. Though both were two years older than Qin Wufeng, to curry favor with the Breakthrough General’s son, they had acknowledged Qin Wufeng as their boss.

Zhang Bao was talking, "Boss, I just saw that Lou kid leave with his sister and several others toward Tianrang City. Let’s catch up to them now and give him a real lesson!"

Qin Wufeng sneered coldly. "Exactly. He dares to compete with me for a woman? He’s grown tired of living! When we act, don’t hold back. Beat him down thoroughly. Should anything happen, I’ll take responsibility!"

Zhang Long grinned with a predatory look. "Rest assured, Boss. Even if he is Special level, he stands no chance against the two of us brothers combined!"

As the three spoke, they arrived beside the small wooden cabin. Old Man Feng blocked their path casually. He took a swig of wine before lazily asking, "Where are you going?!"

Zhang Long answered, "Tianrang City!"

"No way. You’re not allowed to leave Chaoyun Valley!"

Zhang Bao bellowed angrily, "We have the day off today!"

Old Man Feng rolled his eyes, took another drink, and looked at the three. "Oh, day off today? Looks like I might have overdone it!"

Saying this, he suddenly opened his mouth and let out a large burp right at the three of them: "Uuurp!"

Qin Wufeng and his two companions instantly felt the rotten stench of decaying food hit their noses. Qin Wufeng immediately roared in anger, "Stinking old man, are you looking for death?!"

Old Man Feng completely ignored him. Turning unsteadily, he staggered back towards his small cabin.

Watching the door close, Zhang Bao pinched his nose and asked, "Boss, what in the world is that old bastard’s background? It seems like even the Headmaster and the others respect him!"

Qin Wufeng glared venomously at the cabin. "No matter what his background is! Piss me off and I’ll waste him! Come on, let’s do what we came to do!"

The three walked away from the valley entrance, seething with hatred. Inside the cabin, Old Man Feng let out another burp and shook his head slightly. "Waste me? Tsk. Kids these days aren’t old, yet their mouths are huge! Forget it. I’d better tail them. That young master of the Lou Family, Lou Yun, has some skill, but these three aren’t entirely useless either. Three against one? Better make sure nothing goes wrong."

Tianrang City wasn’t far from Chaoyun Valley. The group of five, including Lou Yun, all walked briskly. The journey didn’t feel long, especially with Lou Qian and Sun Danxue keeping things lively with their constant bickering. Soon, the city walls of Tianrang City came into sight.

Compared to Lingjiang City, Tianrang City was significantly larger. Just the constant flow of people at the city gate was proof Lingjiang couldn’t match it.

Passing through the gate, they saw a broad, straight street extending far ahead. Shops of all kinds stood side by side on both sides of the street.

It was Lou Yun’s first visit, but the other four had clearly been here several times before. Lou Qian and Sun Danxue, in particular, tugged at Lou Yun as soon as they entered, asking his destination.

Lou Yun felt tempted to explore alone, but the sheer size of the city and the dense crowds made him worry about getting separated. After a moment’s thought, he decided to state his goal plainly: "I’d like to look at materials for forging weapons."

Hearing this, all four pairs of eyes widened almost simultaneously. Lou Qian, especially, habitually reached out to poke Lou Yun’s forehead. "You know forging weapons?! Who taught you? When did you learn?!"

Lou Qian had left home before Lou Yun received the Fusang Fire from Great Grandfather, so she naturally knew nothing about this.

Lou Yun rubbed his nose and smiled. "Wouldn’t say I know it. Just interested. Xu Yangteng taught me."

Lou Qian did know something about Xu Yangteng, so hearing this, she accepted it without suspicion, nodding. "Tianrang City has a whole street market specifically for those things. Let’s go straight there. I need to buy some pills anyway."

The others naturally had no objections, though Nie Jiu added, "Buy whatever it is fast, okay? I’m starving! After shopping, we eat!"

Sun Danxue shot him an irritated glare. "Honestly! All you know is eat, eat, eat!"

Nie Jiu gave a simple, honest smile. "We walked half the day! Of course I’m hungry!"

Sun Danxue rolled her eyes. Dealing with someone like Nie Jiu left her truly speechless.

Suddenly, Lou Yun remembered Xia Zhilan. Turning around, he asked, "Miss Xia, what did Old Man Feng ask you to buy for him?"

Xia Zhilan hadn’t expected Lou Yun to speak to her suddenly. Startled, she waved her hands hastily. "He didn’t need anything major! He just asked me to buy two jars of wine to bring back."

"Oh!" Lou Yun nodded. "That’s easy. We can pick that up when we eat later. For now, let’s head for the other items first, if that’s alright?"

Hearing Lou Yun actually solicit her opinion sent a sudden, unwarranted sweetness through Xia Zhilan’s heart. She shook her head. "No problem."

"Good. Then let’s first buy what each of us needs, then go eat."

Arriving at the street specifically catering to cultivators’ needs, Lou Yun noticed its layout differed completely from Lingjiang City’s markets.

Back in Lingjiang City, the three main families controlled different economic zones, each with their own dedicated market streets. Tianrang City, however, clustered all shops of the same type together.

The front section of this street was solely for common weapons. The middle section sold pills. The very end was where the materials were sold.

Since Lou Yun needed materials, the five decided to head straight for the end of the street first. That way, they could work their way back without wasting time.

However, they hadn’t walked more than a few steps before spotting a common weapon shop crowded with onlookers. Something seemed to be happening inside.

Lou Qian, always eager for a spectacle, saw the crowd and immediately dragged Sun Danxue in to push through. Lou Yun wasn’t keen on watching but couldn’t leave the two girls by themselves. Sighing, he took Xia Zhilan’s hand and followed them in. Nie Jiu required no assistance; his imposing height of nearly two meters allowed him to stand there casually, and people automatically made way.

Squeezing to the front, they found two people locked in a heated dispute over a purchase. A plainly dressed, seemingly straightforward middle-aged man, likely around forty, was clutching a longsword and pleading with the shop assistant. "Young master, I’m buying this for my son. Forgive my saying so, but I’m not well-off. Could… could this sword be a bit cheaper? Before I came, I heard from others—a beginner two-star common weapon sells for fifty gold at most. You’re asking for a hundred fifty! It’s really too expensive!"

The young shop assistant wore an exceedingly haughty expression. "If it’s too pricey, don’t buy it! It’s not like I’m holding a knife to your throat forcing you! Besides, you get what you pay for. Don’t think this is just any common weapon. Forget about the sedimentation stone used in its base material; it’s also crafted with a grade-one spiritual crystal and incorporates two primary beast souls! Selling it to you at this price is practically giving it away!"

Doubt clouded the middle-aged man’s face. Clearly, the assistant’s recited materials list had bewildered him. Yet, he remained unconvinced by the assistant’s spiel. Having little understanding of common weapons, he stood frozen, casting helpless glances into the surrounding crowd. No one stepped forward. Stuck in limbo, he didn’t know what to do.

Lou Yun, hearing this, let out a cold sneer. Sedimentation stone could only be used for beginner one-star common weapons. No skilled weapon maker worth their salt would waste precious spiritual crystals or beast souls on such a low-level common weapon, unless it was specifically for absorption like his own craft required. Clearly, this assistant was lying outright, simply exploiting this man’s desperation to buy the sword and trying to rip him off with an exorbitant price.

His own cultivation path had begun with purchasing a common weapon. This forged a sense of sympathy in Lou Yun for those struggling to step onto that path. After a brief moment of thought, Lou Yun walked resolutely into the shop.