Chapter 459

Gao Lin shook his head: "What qualifies as a competent weapon-smith is hard to say, but the path of weapon-smithing requires learning far too many techniques."

The Iron-Refining Hand and the Thousand-Refinement Art are merely basics; once you master both, you must also learn the Molten-Gold Technique, the Shaping Method, and the Weapon-Nurturing Art.

After finishing these, there are even more advanced arts: the Spirit-Attachment Technique, the Spirit-Melting Technique, and the Divine Refinement Technique."

Xu Yang was taken aback; the path of weapon-smithing actually required learning so much.

Gao Lin smiled: "The path of alchemy cannot compare to the path of weapon-smithing at all; it is only because the elixirs they refine are consumed within days, whereas the weapons we weapon-smiths forge can last decades or even a century without breaking, that they have become so sought after."

There was indeed some truth to this; an ordinary person would likely need only one weapon in a lifetime.

But the consumption of elixirs is such that no matter how many are produced, they can all be consumed, needed every single day.

So although weapon-smiths are truly the capable ones, their status in the martial world is far inferior to that of alchemists.

Because others only need a weapon-smith once, while alchemists are needed forever, naturally no one dares to offend an alchemist.

As the two walked on, Gao Lin suddenly pointed to a large hall ahead and said: "That is the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall."

"We inner sect disciples hold a different significance to the Zong Sect; we are valued by the Zong Sect, and by paying a price, we can mobilize certain resources of the Zong Sect. The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall—if you can afford the price, the Zong Sect can do many things for you.

For example, killing someone, or collecting specific medicinal herbs or spiritual metals; if the Zong Sect has them, and they are not too precious, they will be given to you. If the Zong Sect does not have them, the task can be issued to the outer sect, asking outer sect disciples to help collect them.

Of course, there are many rules involved; once you read the Inner Sect Disciple Code, you will understand."

Xu Yang memorized this place; in the future, if he refined the Gathering Yuan Elixir, he could probably purchase the medicinal herbs directly from here.

After walking with Gao Lin for a while, a courtyard appeared before their eyes; Xu Yang was surprised to see many children playing and frolicking on the road.

"This is the residential area for inner sect disciples of the Li Huo Peak."

Gao Lin smiled: "Since we are already of an age, many have married, so the Zong Sect allows us to bring our wives and children here. Of course, wives and children can only move within this area and cannot go elsewhere."

Xu Yang thought to himself that the high-ups of the Ziyang Sect placed great importance on population issues and physiological needs.

The outer sect did not have this privilege, leading some, when free, to go to the Lichun Garden for a few days before returning; the atmosphere of prostitution was severe.

"Give me your token!"

Xu Yang took out his Li Huo Peak token; Gao Lin took it, glanced at it, strode forward, and soon arrived before a small courtyard.

"You are lucky; this courtyard seems to have just been renovated." Gao Lin smiled.

The courtyard looked very new from the outside, and the paint on the outer walls was still bright.

There was a keyhole on the vermilion gate; Gao Lin inserted the token, twisted it, and the gate opened with a sound, revealing a small courtyard.

The courtyard was neither large nor small, with two main rooms and two side rooms; the yard had been built into a martial arts training ground, an ancient pine was planted in the corner, along with a well, some flowers and plants, and a small pavilion.

In Qingyang City, you could not buy such a courtyard for less than a thousand taels.

"The previous owner must have been dead for a long time." Gao Lin said.

Because no one had tended to them for a long time, these flowers and plants had withered, the flower beds were overgrown with weeds, and the courtyard was piled with dust and fallen leaves.

"Alright, clean this place yourself, then go to the outer sect to move your belongings over. You have just entered the sect, so nothing will be assigned to you for now; take your time to familiarize yourself."

Gao Lin returned the token to Xu Yang.

Xu Yang took it: "Thank you, Senior Brother Gao."

Gao Lin smiled and left directly.

After watching Gao Lin leave, Xu Yang closed the courtyard gate and walked into the yard.

The two main rooms: the original owner's layout had one used as a living room, and the other as a cultivation meditation room plus a bedroom.

Most were single martial artists; in fact, the cultivation meditation room served as the bedroom.

This meditation room was specially constructed, even better than those in the outer sect. After closing the door, Xu Yang found that even his five senses could only perceive situations three or four meters away; his senses were almost completely isolated.

"Excellent!"

He had worried that his cultivation movements would be loud and noticed by those around him; obviously, the Zong Sect had considered that inner sect disciples possessed extraordinary cultivation bases, and the isolation capability of the meditation rooms had been greatly enhanced.

The two side rooms: one was a bedroom, the other a kitchen.

"In your leisure time, you can cook some meals yourself."

Xu Yang was very satisfied with the courtyard; finally, he did not have to squeeze ten people into one courtyard like in the outer sect, and he now had his own private space.

Cleaning tools were available here; by afternoon, the entire courtyard had been transformed.

Putting his clothes, the Thousand-Refinement Art, and other items into the safest meditation room, locking the door, he descended the Li Huo Peak.

"I have become a disciple under Elder Elder Huoyun of the Li Huo Peak."

At dusk, he waited for Xu Qing to come down from the Medicine King Peak and informed her of his situation.

Xu Qing was very delighted, even happier than when she herself entered the inner sect.

"Work hard in the future; when you undergo bone-washing, brother will give you a grand gift." Xu Yang smiled.

He trusted Xu Qing quite a bit; the little girl was very obedient. She had been at the Ziyang Sect for over a year and had never once stepped out of the Ziyang Sect.

He also stuffed some silver notes into Xu Qing's hands, and the two went to find Qiu Qiu Wenjie, Sun Tao, and others for a farewell meal.

Early the next morning, Xu Yang opened his eyes.

【Apprenticed to Elder Elder Huoyun, Points +30】

【Obtained Thousand-Refinement Art, Points +20】

【Obtained Iron-Refining Hand, Points +20】

【Martial Dao Immortality Points: 1410】

Nodding in satisfaction, he cultivated for one shichen, ate breakfast in the canteen, packed all his belongings, and officially moved into the Li Huo Peak.

Having just entered the peak, he did not need to undertake any tasks. After tidying his bed, he hid the jade boxes containing spiritual metals and spiritual medicines, then eagerly picked up the Thousand-Refinement Art and sat cross-legged on the cushion to read it.

【Thousand-Refinement Art · Not Entered (0/20)】

After one pass, the panel flashed, and the progress of the Thousand-Refinement Art appeared in the panel's skill section.

"Does this thing count as a skill?"

The Thousand-Refinement Art was the foundation of the path of weapon-smithing, quite peculiar.

Xu Yang glanced through it roughly and found that this thing resembled a martial technique, containing pathways for the circulation of true qi, mental formulas and incantations, and combat moves, yet it taught even more about how to forge iron.

The primary function of Qian Duan Jue is to enhance the properties of materials, allowing weapons forged from them to far exceed the toughness and hardness the original materials could otherwise achieve.

"During the forging process, one integrates one's own true qi into the material to enhance its properties. That is quite interesting."

Xu Yang read through Qian Duan Jue from beginning to end once more.

This time he read very carefully, deducing and comprehending as he read; by the time he finished, he felt he had fully understood Qian Duan Jue.

【Qian Duan Jue · Entry Level (0/200)】

However, when he looked at the panel, he found the progress was still only Entry Level.

"As Senior Brother Gao said, cultivating Qian Duan Jue requires actual hands-on work; one must personally forge iron to advance the realm of Qian Duan Jue."

Xu Yang set down Qian Duan Jue and picked up the Iron Refining Hand again, reading it carefully; by the time he finished, the panel flickered.

【Iron Refining Hand · Not Yet Entered (81/200)】

This turned out to be a strange art that uses true qi to burn gold and melt iron; it can not only assist in forging weapons but also serves as a powerful offensive method. The panel classified it as a martial technique, not a skill.

"Next, I will cultivate Iron Refining Hand while also cultivating Blood Prison Heart Blade Scripture; once Blood Prison Heart Blade Scripture reaches Entry Level, I will handle other matters."

Blood Prison Heart Blade Scripture would reach Entry Level in a few days; he planned to consider other matters only after it reached Entry Level.

Cultivation base is the foundation; he would not neglect the root to chase the branches.

Whether refining pills or forging weapons, both are merely means to earn resources.

In his spare time, he also read the Inner Sect Disciple Rules, learning many regulations of Li Fire Peak.

Time passed in a flash; ten days later, Xu Yang sat solemnly in the meditation chamber, his aura surging, sweat beads forming on his forehead.

Within his mind, a vague Blood Prison slowly took shape.

"Huff!"

One shichen later, Xu Yang panted heavily, his chest heaving.

"The Blood Prison has finally been visualized; next is to condense the Blade Intent."

【Blood Prison Heart Blade Scripture · Entry Level (100/5000)】

He climbed laboriously onto the bed and, having long exhausted his mind, fell asleep immediately.

Xu Yang did not know how long he slept during this nap; when he awoke, the sun was already high, and he felt vigorous and full of energy, as if he had never felt this well before; everything in the world seemed more vibrant in his eyes.

After a simple wash, Xu Yang pushed the door open and stepped out, planning to go to the cafeteria to eat something.

The Inner Sect also has a cafeteria supplied for disciples, because most Inner Sect disciples do not cook for themselves; only those with wives and children at home cook their own meals.

"Yo... a newly arrived peak disciple?"

As soon as he stepped out, a voice with a hint of mockery reached his ears.

Bai Chi are everywhere!

Xu Yang turned to look and saw a man in green robes approaching from behind, with a conspicuous purple sun tattooed on his chest and a frivolous countenance.