Chapter 32

Mai the old man settled down, finding a quiet little building.

Zhao Yun originally wanted to go and chat, but after some thought, he decided against it. Not only did he have to act, but he also had to engage in a psychological battle; he couldn't be too eager to approach.

"This little thing, why isn't he at all curious!"

Seeing that Zhao Yun didn't follow, Mai the old man muttered to himself.

After all, he was a Xuan Yang Realm martial cultivator, and any junior would run over to get close. If he was happy, he might even reward some treasures.

Zhao Yun, however, acted as if nothing was wrong.

But after some careful consideration, Mai the old man felt relieved. It must be that the old senior was too terrifying, and the disciples he taught had likely seen many great storms. To them, a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator was just a small fry.

Before long, Zhao Yun returned from the armory.

Passing by the small building, he glanced sideways, then returned to his own room, locking the door with a click. He didn't come out for a long time.

"Truly can endure loneliness."

Mai the old man sighed. As a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator, he couldn't possibly go and chat with a Ninger Yuan Realm cultivator! That would be too undignified.

Buzz! Buzz!

Here, Zhao Yun had already summoned the heavenly thunder and beast fire, refining two weapons simultaneously. He was multitasking, running the Tai Chu Heavenly Thunder Technique, the Washing Marrow and Changing Sinew Classic, comprehending the Wind God Steps, and studying the Mystical Gate Heavenly Book.

By nightfall, he finally stopped.

The continuous refinement had exhausted him, draining all his energy. He felt so drained that he wanted to fall into a deep sleep, once again overloading himself.

Only then did he take out the pills.

Three True Essence Pills, their fragrance permeating the air, invigorating the senses.

Taking pills also had its methods.

For him, taking them when his energy was depleted was more effective. The three pills entered his body like a clear spring, replenishing his energy and nourishing his spirit.

Once again, he felt a transformation in his spirit. The pallor on his face faded, and his bloodshot eyes became much clearer and deeper.

"Nice."

Zhao Yun smiled, savoring the lingering fragrance of the pills. If he had a few more, it would feel even better. Even a few pounds wouldn't be too much.

"Master, it's time to eat."

Outside, Wu Er called out. The table was already set with wine and meat. Indeed, every meal had wine and meat, and the Zhao family armory's treatment was quite generous.

"Coming."

Zhao Yun responded, turning to leave. He was indeed very hungry.

Leaving the room, his first glance was at the small building. He called out tentatively, "Senior, come down for a drink?"

Lu Mang and Old Sun also looked over.

They had known that a person had come to the armory and found a place to stay on their own. To this day, they didn't know his background, only that he was looking for Zhao Yun and was likely a terrifying Xuan Yang Realm cultivator.

Creak!

Under everyone's gaze, the door of the small building opened, and Mai the old man walked out, stretching lazily. His demeanor seemed to say, "I didn't want to eat, but since you called me, I'll reluctantly do you a favor."

Whoosh!

Zhao Yun felt a breeze, and the next moment, Mai the old man, who had been on the second floor, was already downstairs.

"Such speed."

Lu Mang was startled. With such a mysterious technique, if he wanted to deal with a True Spirit Realm cultivator like him, it would take only one move to finish him off.

"Coming from the Earth Concealment Realm, indeed powerful."

Zhao Yun also sighed inwardly. He had seen Xuan Yang Realm cultivators before, like his father Zhao Yuan and the old ghost of the Yan family, but compared to this one, they were like dwarfs. The difference was too great.

"Senior, come and drink."

Mai the old man had already sat down, and Lu Mang, being quite considerate, held the wine jar and poured wine with a smile. This was a formidable person who needed to be treated well.

"You are teachable."

Mai the old man stroked his beard, looking quite pleased. How to put it! These little brats were quite likable, especially the young master Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun smiled and sat down with everyone.

The dinner atmosphere was a bit strange. Usually, it was just family, but now with a senior, and a very terrifying one at that, everyone was more restrained.

Of course, there were a few who didn't drink well, their faces red and necks swollen, shouting and looking for a fight, unable to be held back.

They were still hanging from the trees.

The one who acted was Mai the old man. Even a meal couldn't be peaceful, looking for a beating.

"This old man, his hands are really harsh."

Zhao Yun was well-behaved, like a good baby. He didn't know how Mai the old man had acted, but in a flash, the three True Spirit Realm cultivators were sent flying.

Hmm?

The small spirit bead in his arms glowed purple for a moment.

Clearly, there was a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator within a certain range.

With his perception, he could only vaguely sense a thread of aura.

"It must be a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator from the Liu family."

Zhao Yun guessed in his heart, likely here to gather information.

His guess was correct.

Indeed, it was a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator from the Liu family, wearing a black robe and hiding on the eaves, from where he could clearly see the small garden.

"Xuan Yang Realm?"

The black-robed man frowned, looking at Mai the old man. The extremely subtle aura was definitely that of a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator, possibly even a peak one.

"Is he the weapon refiner?"

The black-robed man murmured, coming here for this very reason. Before leaving, the family head had given orders: try to recruit him, and if not, send him to the ghost gate.

From this, it seemed that recruitment was more feasible.

As a Xuan Yang Realm cultivator, he couldn't defeat Mai the old man.

"Interesting."

Mai the old man muttered. If Zhao Yun could sense it, how could he not?

He didn't speak, or rather, he was too lazy to bother.

However, if the other party caused trouble, he wouldn't mind teaching them a lesson.

"The timing isn't right."

The black-robed man came and went quickly. Leaving the eaves, he vanished in a blink. Some things were better discussed privately. After all, Zhao Yun was there, and such blatant poaching would invite curses.

"Having someone to hold the fort is indeed different."

Zhao Yun smiled inwardly. If not for Mai the old man, the Xuan Yang Realm cultivator from the Liu family hiding on the eaves wouldn't have been so restrained, likely jumping down to show off.

After the meal, he returned to his room.

Everyone else also left, and the small garden became empty.

In the dead of night, a black shadow flashed by.

The black-robed man sneaked in again, looking for Mai the old man to talk privately.

"Which family?"

Mai the old man said casually, sitting under the lamp and leisurely flipping through an ancient book.

"Liu family."

The black-robed man smiled, seemingly calm but full of caution. At a distance, he couldn't sense clearly, but now he knew how terrifying Mai the old man was.

"Our family head wishes to invite you for a chat."

The black-robed man didn't waste words, taking out an invitation and placing it carefully.

Mai the old man didn't speak, not even looking at it.

His demeanor was full of arrogance, as if saying, "The message is delivered, so go cool off somewhere. Clearing the room would be impolite."

The black-robed man laughed dryly and turned to leave.

As the old man said, the message was delivered, and whether to go was up to him.

"Good kid, hiding deep."

Mai the old man smiled, referring to Zhao Yun. Clearly, the Liu family still didn't know the weapon refiner was Zhao Yun. Tonight, they likely mistook him for the weapon refiner. This invitation was probably to poach him.

This made it very interesting.

The father-in-law trying to poach the son-in-law was quite novel, but given the Liu family's style, it was entirely possible. The fake wedding a few days ago was so smooth, let alone poaching.

Saying this, he glanced at the invitation.

Liu Cangkong, he had heard of him, a ruthless character. If provoked, even his own son-in-law wouldn't be spared.

To go or not?

Mai the old man returned to his book. Honestly, he didn't want to go. First, he wasn't a weapon refiner, and second, he didn't want to get involved with the Liu family. If Zhao Yun's master ever settled accounts with the Liu family, he might be dragged into it.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun was still refining his weapons.

When the black-robed man came, he could vaguely sense it, thanks to the small spirit bead. As for what he was doing, it was obvious: poaching.

He had hidden too well.

Even now, the Liu family didn't know he was the weapon refiner. Tonight, they mistook him for the weapon refiner. He would continue to hide, cautiously.

Liu Cangkong's character, he knew well. If he found out this secret, he would likely deal with him in secret, even if he was his son-in-law.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a breeze, and another person appeared in the room, Mai the old man.

"How did he get in?"

Zhao Yun raised an eyebrow, looking at the closed doors and windows.

"Through the wall?"

He thought to himself. Even if not, it must be a similar secret technique. No wonder Mai the old man was so terrifying.

"Want to learn?"

Mai the old man found a place to sit, smiling at Zhao Yun.

"No."

Zhao Yun shook his head, responding quickly and decisively.

"Through the wall? I can do that too."

Mai the old man's lips twitched. From Zhao Yun's demeanor, it seemed he wasn't very interested in the wall-penetrating technique. Clearly, this kid also knew it, likely taught by his master.

"Name your price!"

Failing that, Mai the old man spoke openly, confident Zhao Yun would understand. Give me the remaining cultivation techniques, and we can negotiate the price.

"Pills, just pills."

Zhao Yun smiled, valuing True Essence Pills more than money.

"Kid, my temper isn't good."

"My master's temper isn't good either," Zhao Yun said.

Years later, if someone interviewed him, he would say, "I was terrified. A genuine Xuan Yang Realm cultivator! One palm and he'd be dead."

"Looks like I need to open his eyes."

Mai the old man thought, taking a sword from his side, intending to break it to scare Zhao Yun. He often did this.

Embarrassingly, he couldn't break it.

It wasn't his fault. Among so many weapons, he picked Zhao Yun's Long Yuan Sword, made from meteoric iron. How could it be broken so easily?