Chapter 64

"Qiqi, Tingting, have you both reached the Earth Wheel realm?"

"Yes." Liu Qiqi and Zheng Yue Ting nodded in unison, their faces lighting up with excitement.

Originally, one of them was at the seventh level of the Wheel, and the other at the eighth level, still a long way from the Earth Wheel realm. Unexpectedly, after taking the "Transcend凡丹" (Transcend Ordinary Pill) that Zhong Wen gave them as if it were free, they both advanced to the Earth Wheel realm in less than two days.

Reaching the Earth Wheel realm before the age of twenty, as long as there were no accidents, their future ascension to the Heaven Wheel realm was almost guaranteed.

"Since that's the case, you shouldn't continue practicing those low-level spiritual techniques anymore." Zhong Wen said, pulling out two books from his pocket, "Little sisters, I see that you have a unique bone structure and a bright forehead, both of you are once-in-a-century talents in the cultivation world. Here is a book of sword techniques and a book of knife techniques. Just call me 'Big Brother' and I'll give them to you. What do you think?"

"Ha ha!" The two girls burst into laughter, each snatching one of the books and running off to read them.

I wasn't joking...

Zhong Wen looked at his empty hands, his face falling, feeling as if he had encountered a band of female robbers.

"Little Brother Zhong!" Suddenly, Shen Dachu's voice rang in his ear.

Zhong Wen turned to see Shen Dachu approaching with a bundle of weapons in each hand.

"Old Master Shen, this is..." Zhong Wen's heart leaped with joy.

"I didn't let you down. The piece of Red Sun Stone has been refined into nine swords and one knife. Please, Little Brother Zhong, inspect them." Shen Dachu said with a hearty laugh, his voice like a bell.

With a clatter, a pile of weapons was thrown to the ground. Zhong Wen picked up a long sword and drew it with a "swish." He felt that the sword's shape and proportions were perfect, the grip felt excellent, and the blade glowed with a lustrous light, clearly no ordinary weapon.

"Ling Wushuang." Zhong Wen signaled to Ling Wushuang behind him.

Ling Wushuang understood and drew her own long sword, slashing at Zhong Wen's sword.

The two swords met with a light clink. The long sword from the Ten Thousand Gold Tower in Ling Wushuang's hand broke like tofu, while Zhong Wen's sword remained unscathed.

"Old Master Shen, your craftsmanship is truly remarkable." Zhong Wen praised sincerely.

"The old man may not have many skills, but when it comes to forging and refining, as long as the Holy Land doesn't intervene, I'm not afraid of anyone." Shen Dachu said proudly.

"Thank you, Old Master Shen." Zhong Wen said politely, then turned to the people in the courtyard and shouted, "Come, come, all the beautiful ladies, take a look, high-quality weapons at a great discount. Don't miss out as you pass by. Just one silver coin, and you can take one home. One silver coin, you won't be disappointed. One silver coin, you won't be cheated..."

Shen Dachu: "..."

He felt that this young man, though very capable, had some peculiar thoughts.

"One by one, everyone will get one." Zhong Wen handed a few long swords to Ling Wushuang, Liu Qiqi, Nangong Ling, and Shangguan Mingyue.

Zheng Yue Ting, seeing the others receive the weapons, felt envious. Suddenly, she felt something hard being placed in her hand. Looking down, she saw a willow leaf knife.

"Tingting, this is your knife." Zhong Wen said with a smile.

"I get one too?" Zheng Yue Ting, who had just joined, had not expected Zhong Wen to have a weapon made for her in advance. She looked at Zhong Wen, both surprised and shy.

"The Red Sun Stone was left to me by Old Zheng. When I was having the weapons made, I thought to leave one for you too." Zhong Wen, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gaze, rubbed his nose and explained.

"Thank you!" Zheng Yue Ting smiled, her beauty blossoming like a flower.

"Shangguan Sister, do you want one too?" Zhong Wen asked Shangguan Junyi.

"I don't use swords." Shangguan Junyi glared at him, pouting, "You only think of me when you can't sell them. I don't want them."

Zhong Wen, charmed by her sultry gaze, thought to himself that since Shangguan Junyi had recovered, she had become increasingly womanly, her every frown and smile exuding a captivating charm that was hard to resist.

"Zhong Wen, Zhong Wen, what about me?" The little girl's big, watery eyes were full of anticipation.

"Xiao Die, of course you get one, but you're still young, so focus on cultivating your techniques for now. I'll keep it for you and give it to you when you start practicing sword techniques." Zhong Wen smiled and patted the little girl's head.

Lin Zhiyun's Moon Sword was of a much higher quality than the weapons Shen Dachu had made, so she didn't need them. As for Yin Ning'er... it was best not to mention her.

Shen Dachu, seeing the friendly and joyful atmosphere among the Piaohua Palace members, felt a bit nostalgic but still approached Lin Zhiyun and bowed, saying, "Palace Master Lin, these past few days, my grandson and I have been freeloading in Piaohua Palace, and the old man feels very uneasy. Now that I've completed Little Brother Zhong's request, it's time for us to leave."

Lin Zhiyun, who had become close to the grandfather and grandson, especially fond of the simple-minded and voracious little girl Shen Xiaowan, was startled, "Senior Shen, why do you want to leave? Is it because I haven't treated you well?"

"Not at all. I owe my life to Palace Master Lin, and everyone in the palace has been very kind to us. The old man is very grateful and doesn't want to leave." Shen Dachu shook his head, "However, our purpose in coming to the Qingyun Mountain Range was to find the ruins of an ancient sect and revitalize the glory of the Divine Forge lineage. If we stay any longer, the old man might forget his mission."

"An ancient sect?" Zhong Wen, hearing Shen Dachu talk about the ancient sect ruins, felt a bit tense, thinking he might be searching for the location of the Medicine King Valley, "Is the ancient sect you mentioned located in the Qingfeng Mountain?"

"I only know that the ruins are in the Qingyun Mountain Range." After spending time with Zhong Wen and the others, Shen Dachu trusted their character and pulled out an old map from his pocket, "According to this map, we've searched Qingyun Mountain, Qingsong Mountain, and Qingfeng Mountain, but haven't found any similar terrain. The ruins are likely in the Qingcheng Mountain."

"Qingcheng Mountain?" Zhong Wen breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the blurry map in Shen Dachu's hand. He suddenly remembered the "Ancient Sect Distribution Map" he had drawn before, quickly diving into his mind to compare it.

Indeed, it was Qingcheng Mountain!

Comparing the map in his mind with the "Ancient Sect Distribution Map," he could clearly see that the location marked on the map was a large ancient sect: Leiyin Valley!

Zhong Wen's heart raced, remembering the task to find an ancient sect posted in the "New Huazang Pavilion." He couldn't help but ask, "Old Master Shen, I'm curious about the ancient ruins. Can I go with you?"

"This..." Shen Dachu hesitated.

"Old Master Shen, don't worry. Whatever treasures we find in the ruins, I won't take any." Zhong Wen promised, patting his chest.

"Little Brother Zhong, what are you saying? The old man has received so much help from you, how could I care about some treasures? It's just that exploring ancient ruins can be dangerous..." Shen Dachu quickly explained.

"Because it's dangerous, I should go as a divine doctor." Zhong Wen smiled.

"I want to go, I want to go!" Liu Qiqi's eyes sparkled at the mention of an adventure.

"Can I go too to broaden my horizons?" Zheng Yue Ting asked hesitantly.

"If Zhong Wen goes, then I..." Ling Wushuang's face turned slightly red.

"I want to go, I want to go!" The little girl, not really understanding what was going on, joined in the enthusiasm.

Shen Dachu, seeing the eager young people, didn't know what to do.

"That's enough, that's enough. This is the site recorded on Old Master Shen's map. You can't just go like this." Lin Zhiyun, unable to bear it, scolded them.

"It's fine, it's fine. Young people have been on the mountain for a long time and want to go out for some fresh air, which is normal." Shen Dachu, seeing Lin Zhiyun's anger, quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Master, if the disciples only practice on the mountain and don't go out to gain experience, they won't amount to much." Nangong Ling suddenly said, "Why not let everyone go with Old Master Shen to Qingcheng Mountain to broaden their horizons? If we find the ruins, the Piaohua Palace disciples won't take any treasures. If you're worried, I can go with them."

"This..." Lin Zhiyun looked at Shen Dachu.

"Palace Master Lin, we would be very lonely going alone." Shen Dachu nodded quickly, "Having these energetic young people as company will make the journey less boring."

"In that case, I'll entrust these disciples to Old Master Shen's care." Lin Zhiyun, unable to resist the group, warned them, "Remember, if you find the ruins, do not be greedy for the treasures. Otherwise, I will punish you severely."

"Yes!"

"This time, let Ling'er and Cold Sister go with you." Lin Zhiyun added, "Xiao Die is still young, so she shouldn't go and cause trouble."

"Ah?" Lin Xiaodie's face fell in disappointment.

Seeing Lin Zhiyun's firm tone, Zhong Wen didn't push further, just patting the little girl's head to comfort her.

Thus, the originally serious mission to explore the ancient sect turned into a leisurely trip, with the group of old and young heading towards Qingcheng Mountain with a travel and sightseeing mindset...

***

"Heavenly Blade Alliance, what Heavenly Blade Alliance, I've never heard of it!"

Looking at the golden-clad, furious Third Ring Enforcer Wu Qi, Sai Baiwei didn't dare to breathe.

"Did you just get scared and come back with your tail between your legs?" Wu Qi looked at Sai Baiwei as if he were a dog.

"Enforcer Wu, the other side's sword techniques are divine, and they are numerous. I really had no choice." Sai Baiwei explained.

"I think these are mostly people from the Shengyu Trading Company, trying to create a fake 'Heavenly Blade Alliance' to get away with it. It's not that easy." Wu Qi said harshly, "Do you know why we Silver Ring chose to set up in Fufeng City, such a desolate place?"

"I am ignorant." Sai Baiwei put on a listening face.

"Fufeng City is closest to the Qingyun Mountain Range, where there are things the great lords want." Wu Qi looked at Sai Baiwei, sighing, "These great lords are beyond your imagination, even our Silver Ring Trading Company and the Xiao family can't afford to offend them. Once they find what they want, they need a safe passage to transport it out, and Fufeng City is a necessary transit point. Therefore, we must firmly control this small city."

"I see." Sai Baiwei put on a look of understanding, but inwardly sneered.

Do you think I don't know?

"Alright, since the Shengyu Trading Company has moved, it wouldn't be right to leave you to handle it alone." Wu Qi, seeing his submissive attitude, softened his tone, "This time, I will go personally. You must cooperate with me. If you make another mistake, you know the consequences."

"Yes, I will do my best and not let Enforcer Wu down!" Sai Baiwei said with determination.