Chapter 65

"Ha ha, meeting is a matter of fate. I’ll forge two hammers for Xiao Ming, and I don’t mind forging a sword for you as well. I won’t boast, but my forging skills are unmatched in Tongming City," Lin Ying said proudly.

"Uncle Lin, your skills are quite impressive, but I already have a sword, so it’s not necessary," Wang Meng replied. A sword that was just passable was enough for him; in his heart, there was only one sword, and no other.

"You’re being too polite with me, show me your sword," Lin Ying said heartily.

After reaching the 30th level of Primordial Energy, Lin Ying left the Holy Hall and entered the secular world to practice. Now rooted in Tongming City, he still retained the boldness and enthusiasm of a Holy Hall disciple.

Wang Meng helplessly took out his broken sword.

Lin Ying took the sword, his eyes shining brightly as he gently touched the broken blade. "What a fine sword, but what a pity, such a pity. The forger was top-notch, but it seems he wasn’t satisfied with the sword, and it ended up as a broken blade."

Wang Meng smiled and put away the broken blade. "Uncle Lin, I use it for practice."

Lin Ying shook his head. Although he was skilled, he knew there was still a significant gap between his level and that of the forger of the broken blade, so he didn’t insist.

Perhaps because someone appreciated his work, Lin Ying was quite enthusiastic about forging. Occasionally, the two would chat.

It took about five days to forge the left hammer, which made Xiao Ming’s eyes sparkle with excitement.

"Kid, try it out and see if it feels right."

Xiao Ming took the hammer and swung it a few times. "Uncle Lin, it’s amazing! I feel like I could conquer everything."

"Ha ha, when you come back, the right hammer will be almost done. Remember, be careful out there. You’re mainly there to observe and gain experience," Lin Ying reminded him.

Xiao Ming nodded. A treasure light had appeared in Wuling Mountain, and it was said to be a thousand-year-old black wood essence, which was exactly what Wang Meng was looking for.

Based on the description, Wang Meng judged that a five-hundred-year-old black wood essence would be sufficient for his current needs.

A thousand-year-old black wood essence was extremely important for those who specialized in the wood element, as it could greatly enhance cultivation. Above the 20th level, one must focus on the five elements. Someone like Li Tianyi, with a powerful family backing, started focusing on the five elements from a young age, so his abilities were to be expected.

The news of the thousand-year-old black wood essence quickly spread, attracting countless cultivators. Whether or not they specialized in the wood element, it was a treasure, and getting it would be a gain. Such a treasure could also be used for trade to obtain what they desired.

The next morning, as the two set out, they noticed an increase in the number of cultivators on the road. Clearly, everyone had received the news. Whenever a spiritual treasure emerged, there would be unusual phenomena, which could not be hidden. It was a matter of individual skill.

In the world of cultivators, there were rules. For example, for a thousand-year-old black wood essence, those below the 50th level should compete. If someone above the 50th level joined in, it would be shameful and looked down upon. If you took food from someone else’s disciple, their powerful backers would not stand idly by.

Those around the 40th level were the main competitors. In the struggle for treasures, the most important thing was not strength but intelligence, followed by luck. Those below the 40th level were likely there to try their luck or observe.

Everyone approached with a trial attitude, as no one knew who would be lucky. Only a few had powerful backers; most had to rely on themselves.

The path of cultivation was a narrow bridge, and only the fittest survived. No one understood this better than Wang Meng.

"Boss, these guys are so strong. No wonder they say it’s better to go out for training after the 20th level."

On the way, Xiao Ming was on high alert, which made Wang Meng both laugh and cry. No matter how he tried to reason with him, Xiao Ming wouldn’t listen.

"Just now, a female demon cultivator looked at us for a long time. Boss, do you think she’s going to ambush us? She seems to be above the 20th level in Primordial Energy."

Before they had walked far, Xiao Ming nervously said again.

Bang...

"You, why do you have so much nonsense? It’s not just about absorbing yang to supplement yin; it’s a minor path, and there are few female cultivators who practice it. Besides, we don’t have anything worth taking."

"Boss, I don’t know why, but I get... nervous when I come out."

Xiao Ming scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

"Alright, alright, don’t be so nervous. Be careful, or you might really draw attention and get us killed."

"That makes sense, that makes sense. I need to be more aggressive!"

Xiao Ming resumed his tough demeanor from the Hongshan Hall, which gave him a bit more confidence.

Wang Meng could only think that this guy was a big fool.

"Two young masters, this lady is lonely on the road. May I travel with you?" A seductive voice rang out, making one’s bones feel weak.

As she spoke, a woman in black, with some charm, had caught up to them.

Her collar was wide open, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, and the goods inside were undoubtedly generous.

To Wang Meng, such women were no different from stones by the roadside. Surprisingly, to Xiao Ming, they were also like stones by the roadside. "No, you’re too ugly!"

Xiao Ming decisively said, almost making the black-clothed woman choke. She slowed her steps, while Wang Meng and Xiao Ming sped up with the Divine Travel Talisman.

"Do you really think she’s ugly?"

"Yes, look at her big chest and long face, like a snake demon. Isn’t that ugly?"

Xiao Ming spoke as if it were a self-evident truth.

Wang Meng was speechless. This guy lived in his own world. Speaking of which, although Xiao Xiu was an ordinary person, she had more spirit than this woman.

Every cultivator had a certain aura, some murky, some mediocre, some lively, some domineering. The aura of the woman just now was extremely murky, indicating a severe fall from grace.

"Boss, that woman is catching up. Should we run?"

"Why run? She’s not a creditor," Wang Meng laughed.

"Stop, you two brats!"

As she spoke, several fire talismans exploded in front of them. She was a talisman cultivator.

With a graceful, slightly spinning stop, the black-clothed female demon cultivator stood before them.

Cheng Lili was a notorious female demon in the Tongming region, a disciple of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, skilled in absorbing yang to supplement yin. However, at her level, not just any man would do; she would serve only the highest-ranking elders, not young men like these.

She had come for the thousand-year-old black wood essence, but encountering these two boys gave her a strange feeling.

Cheng Lili sized up the two. They were novices with very low Primordial Energy fluctuations. How dare they come out to join the commotion? She smiled seductively, her eyes flashing.

Those who practiced seduction and absorption techniques often had a certain effect, which was ineffective against experts but worked perfectly on young, blood-boiling disciples.

But this time, Cheng Lili had a major setback. The muscular body cultivator showed a look of disgust, and the other one had no reaction at all. ... Are these two even men?

Xiao Ming was naturally disgusted. The seduction technique amplified his instincts, making him even more repulsed, almost ready to pull out his hammer.

"Miss... do you have any other instructions?" Wang Meng smiled, unsure of the proper form of address in this small world.

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