Chapter 32

"Ordinary weapons, no matter how tough and sharp they are, can only be considered good weapons. Their functions are limited and can only be used by ordinary people. If a cultivator infuses them with magical power, even the best weapon will break due to the inability to withstand it. However, magical artifacts are different; they can contain and channel magical power." Zhao Tong cleared his throat and explained.

"Can this sword be infused with magical power?" Yuan Ming asked in surprise.

"Try it out." Zhao Tong did not answer directly but handed the sword to Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming took the long sword, gripped it tightly, and activated the magical power in his dantian, guiding it to his palm.

He felt the magical power gather in his palm, finding an immediate outlet, extending out, and entering the bronze long sword in his hand.

In the next moment, a layer of green light shone on the bronze long sword, like a fish swimming from the hilt to the tip, clearly emitting a sharp aura.

"Green Fish."

At this moment, Yuan Ming noticed that near the hilt, there were two elegant characters from the southern border engraved on the blade.

"This is the inscription left by the weapon maker, not his name, but the name he gave to this sword. From this, it seems that this sword is either his masterpiece or has special significance to him." Zhao Tong glanced at it and said casually.

"Then why did you say it's a half-magical artifact?" Yuan Ming asked again.

"Because usually, magical artifacts have certain附属 powers, such as releasing ice, fire, lightning, etc. This is due to the different attribute array patterns contained within them. After your sword was forged, it did not undergo array pattern engraving, so it does not have such abilities." Zhao Tong continued to explain.

Yuan Ming thought about it and realized that the sword had indeed only become sharper, with no other附属 powers, so he asked:

"Can it be remedied by re-engraving the array patterns?"

"It can be done, but only the elders of the Fire Refinement Hall can do it. Ordinary disciples do not have this ability." Zhao Tong said.

Yuan Ming understood that there was no hope for now. With his current status as a beast slave, no matter how many resources he accumulated, he would never be able to ask an elder of the sect to refine a magical artifact for him.

"I have another item I want you to appraise." Yuan Ming said, taking out the black pottery bottle he had obtained from Bayin.

Zhao Tong took it, opened it curiously, and immediately smelled a pungent, spicy odor.

He quickly moved away, pushing it back with a look of disgust and said, "This is a Blood Burst Pill. Where did you get it?"

"What is it used for?" Yuan Ming did not explain, but closed the bottle and asked.

Zhao Tong thought for a moment and understood where it came from. He had seen many beast slaves fight and plunder each other.

"It burns the essence and blood, stimulating potential, allowing one to burst with far more power than their actual strength for a short time. However, the side effects are severe. Do not use it unless it's a matter of life and death." Zhao Tong explained and warned.

Yuan Ming understood immediately. Bayin must have taken this pill to suddenly go berserk and gain the strength to kill the Human-faced Ghost Spider.

As for the side effects, just looking at his corpse after death would show how terrifying they were.

"Thank you for the explanation. I will sell these two spider legs this time." Yuan Ming said, putting away his Green Fish sword.

"Alright, what do you want to exchange for this time?" Zhao Tong asked.

Yuan Ming pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you have any sword techniques or cultivation methods?"

"Unfortunately, no." Zhao Tong shook his head.

Yuan Ming felt a bit disappointed.

"Our Bileluo Cave is known for taming beasts, and the cultivation methods within the sect are mainly focused on this. There are also many miscellaneous low-level methods, but I have never seen any sword techniques." Zhao Tong explained.

"Since that's the case, I won't exchange this time. I'll leave the items with you and save them up. When I have something I want to exchange for, we can do the trade." Yuan Ming thought for a moment and said.

"Sure. Or I can help you inquire if any of the Fire Refinement Hall disciples are willing to take the risk to engrave array patterns for you and see if they need the spider legs." Zhao Tong nodded and said.

"Thank you." Yuan Ming bowed.

"It's business, no need to be polite." Zhao Tong waved his hand and said casually.

Yuan Ming bid farewell and planned to leave.

Today was the day to submit blood food, and he intended to go to the boundary marker.

At this moment, Zhao Tong's voice came from behind, seemingly asking casually, "By the way, when you killed the Human-faced Ghost Spider, did you take its face skin?"

Yuan Ming's heart stirred slightly and asked, "That creepy thing is useful?"

As soon as he asked, a clear look of disappointment flashed in Zhao Tong's eyes.

"That thing is the main material for making the Thousand Mechanism Mask. If you didn't pick it up, it's fine." Zhao Tong waved his hand, indicating he could leave.

From his reaction, Yuan Ming judged that the Human-faced Ghost Spider's face skin was not an ordinary thing, at least it was quite important to Zhao Tong.

"No wonder he explained so much, it was to set the stage for this." Yuan Ming thought to himself.

He stopped, turned around, and asked, "By the way, do you have any books like the 'Herbal Collection'? Can you give me two more?"

Yuan Ming had obtained the 'Herbal Collection' from Zhao Tong, which allowed him to recognize the Spirit Lingzhi.

"What do you need them for?" Zhao Tong asked.

"To broaden my knowledge. Next time I encounter a beast like the Human-faced Ghost Spider, I'll know which parts are useful and which are not." Yuan Ming said with a smile.

Zhao Tong hesitated for a moment, then took out a green book from his pocket and threw it over.

Yuan Ming quickly caught it, glanced at the cover, which read 'Common Beast Manual'.

"This book lists the common beasts in the Ten Thousand Mountains, their temperaments, attack methods, and utilization levels. This should be enough for you." Zhao Tong said.

Yuan Ming was secretly pleased and was about to thank him when he added, "This book is valuable to you as a beast slave, and it costs one spider leg."

"I..."

Yuan Ming's words of thanks stuck in his throat, and he left with a silent curse.

...

Upon arriving at the boundary marker, Yuan Ming met Elder Hu Huo again.

For his submission of thirteen blood foods, Elder Hu Huo only briefly inspected them before putting them away, showing no particular surprise.

"Few can adapt to the life of a beast slave so quickly. You have done well." He said calmly, casually tossing over the antidote for the Rotten Heart Pill.

Yuan Ming caught it but did not take it immediately, instead asking, "Elder, I have a question about the Beast Transformation Technique. May I ask you about it?"

"No." Elder Hu Huo was concise and direct in his refusal.

"It seems impossible to get help from Elder Hu Huo." Yuan Ming's eyes flickered, and he was not surprised at all.

"I told you before how to become a registered disciple. Don't forget it." Elder Hu Huo said coldly.

Yuan Ming was taken aback by his words, not understanding why he mentioned this, but still bowed and thanked him:

"Thank you, Elder, for the reminder."

As long as he could become a registered disciple of Bileluo Cave, he could escape the status of a beast slave and no longer worry about the backlash of the Beast Transformation Technique. However, the cost of collecting a thousand blood foods would greatly increase the risk of backlash and shorten the time.

"One step at a time, and always strive to improve. The path of cultivation is long and arduous..."

Yuan Ming sighed lightly, muttering to himself.

...

A few days later, the Blue Wolf Gang finally confirmed that the team sent to hunt Yuan Ming had all gone missing.

"Boss, we searched the entire hundred-mile radius but found no trace of Vice Boss Bayin and his team. It seems they are likely dead. They were sent to hunt that Yuan Ming. Could it be that the kid did it?" A square-faced, broad-mouthed barbarian with a fierce look said.

"According to Wulu's report, Yuan Ming might have reached the second level of Qi Condensation, but even so, Bayin is at the third level. How could he die at the hands of a second-level cultivator?" Wu Bao's facial muscles twitched.

"That's true. No matter how weak Bayin is, he shouldn't die to a second-level cultivator. I think there's definitely something fishy going on." Ba Tu pondered and said.

"Ba Tu, just say what you have to say. Don't beat around the bush." Wu Bao was in a bad mood and scolded.

"Boss, I'm saying... Have we expanded too quickly and attracted the attention of other forces? Otherwise, why would a mere second-level cultivator dare to attack our people?" Ba Tu paused, his voice becoming softer.

"Impossible! I know the situation of the nearby forces well. With Bayin's strength, even if he couldn't win, he could still protect himself." Wu Bao frowned and thought deeply, speaking in a low voice.

"Boss, there's another possibility." Ba Tu suddenly slapped his forehead and said.

"What?" Wu Bao looked at him.

"Bayin and his team have rebelled against our Blue Wolf Gang and defected to someone else." Ba Tu said.

Hearing this, Wu Bao's eyes narrowed, and he immediately cursed, "You and Bayin have always been at odds, and I never interfered. But now, you can't just make baseless accusations."

"Boss, please calm down! I'm just suggesting a possibility. The disappearance of Bayin and the other three is suspicious no matter how you look at it." Ba Tu persisted.

Wu Bao listened, placed his hand on his leg, and propped his chin, remaining silent for a long time.

"Put the hunt for Yuan Ming on hold for now. Withdraw the people and try to find Bayin and the others. In the future, act in groups of ten and do not act alone. Focus on finding their whereabouts." After a moment, he raised his head and ordered.