Zhu Chaoying, Plotting

Dragon Transformation Sect, Workfire Peak.

Clouds and mist coiled around the peaks, where various colorful furnaces were built into the mountainside. The mouths of the furnaces spewed orange flames, and the air was filled with the unique scent of sulfur and metal after quenching. This was the core area of the Dragon Transformation Sect for artifact forging and pill refining, and also Zhu Chaoying's place of cultivation.

Xu Weiwu stood before a massive furnace, dressed in the sect's dark robes. His posture was upright, but it couldn't hide the fatigue in his eyes. He had just returned to the sect from Changyun County and, before he could even rest, had received a summons from Zhu Chaoying.

Before long, a burly figure emerged from behind the furnace – it was Zhu Chaoying. He was around sixty years old, taller than the average martial artist, his face weathered by time. His hands were rough yet remarkably steady, with faint burn marks and an extremely subtle medicinal fragrance clinging to his knuckles. These were the marks left from years of working with furnaces and refining pills.

As the Dragon Transformation Sect's sole Grandmaster in both forging and pill refining, Zhu Chaoying held an extremely noble status. Even the Sect Master had to show him courtesy.

"Elder Zhu, you sent for me?" Xu Weiwu hurried forward, bowed, and spoke with utmost respect, not daring to show any negligence.

Zhu Chaoying walked to a stone table nearby and sat down. He picked up the coarse pottery teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of cool tea, and after drinking it down, slowly began to speak. His voice was hoarse, as if tempered by the furnace: "The Essence Refining Qi Gathering Formation in Changyun County, has it been fully consolidated?"

Xu Weiwu felt a sense of relief. He had thought Elder Zhu had something urgent to discuss, but it turned out to be an inquiry about the formation. He quickly replied, "Reporting to the Elder, the formation has been successfully activated and is currently operating stably. It is only drawing free-floating essence and has not affected the local common folk. The Wang Clan has also taken over the daily supervision of the formation."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chaoying's brow twitched slightly. His gaze fell upon Xu Weiwu, with a hint of scrutiny. "I did hear that the formation in Changyun County was handed over to a small local family for management?"

A bead of cold sweat instantly broke out on Xu Weiwu's back. Elder Zhu actually knew about this! His heart skipped a beat, and he secretly speculated: the right to manage the formation was a rare opportunity within the sect. The person in charge could daily absorb the essence condensed by the formation to speed up their cultivation. Why was Elder Zhu suddenly asking about this? Was someone in the sect dissatisfied and wanted to change the supervisor? Or had something else happened?

He steadied himself, gritted his teeth, and said, "Elder, you know best. I reported this matter to my master in advance, and he also agreed to let the Wang Clan manage it. Although the Wang Clan is just a small family in the county town, they are extremely loyal to the sect. Handing it over to them for management will not cause any problems."

He specifically invoked his master's name, both to increase his persuasiveness and to subtly imply that someone at the Elder level had already approved this matter, hoping Zhu Chaoying wouldn't interfere too much.

Seeing his nervous demeanor, Zhu Chaoying suddenly chuckled and waved his hand. "Don't be nervous, I'm not here to investigate this matter."

His smile slightly eased Xu Weiwu's suspended heart, but he still didn't dare to relax his vigilance. Zhu Chaoying had always been a man of deep thought and wouldn't mention this matter without reason.

"I'm looking for you to assign a small task, which won't make things difficult for you."

Zhu Chaoying's tone was calm. He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Xu Weiwu as well.

Xu Weiwu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped his hands. "Please instruct me, Elder. Your disciple will surely handle it."

"Since that small family has helped the sect manage the formation, they have established a connection with the sect," Zhu Chaoying said slowly. "I hope you can pass on a message, asking them to help the sect collect some items: spiritual herbs from the mountain ranges around the county town, and some uncommon metal materials, such as Profound Iron and Cold Copper. The more, the better."

He paused and added, "In return, I can grant them the basic methods of pill refining and forging, allowing them to train some relevant disciples. This can also be considered reserving talent for our sect, as the sect's future development will inevitably require these skills."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Xu Weiwu's eyes upon hearing this. How was this a "small task"? It was clearly a monumental opportunity!

The basic methods of forging and artifact crafting were privileges only some disciples within the sect were qualified to learn. The fact that Elder Zhu was willing to impart them to the Wang Clan meant that with Elder Zhu as their backer, no one in the sect would dare to covet the right to manage the formation again. The Wang Clan's network of connections within the sect could also be expanded from this point on!

"Your disciple understands!" Xu Weiwu quickly agreed, his voice unable to hide his excitement. "I will return to the Wang Clan immediately and have them fully cooperate with the sect in collecting supplies!"

Zhu Chaoying looked at his excited expression, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of his lips. However, he had another plan in mind. He wasn't genuinely intending to "cultivate talent"; he merely wanted to use the Wang Clan to expand the influence and power of his Workfire Peak faction.

If only some genius emerged from them, Zhu Chaoying had a fleeting thought.

The sect was about to open its gates wide to recruit disciples under twenty years old. This meant that in the future, a large number of crude martial artists who only understood martial arts and not craftsmanship would enter the sect. Over time, the number of people in Workfire Peak and their say would be gradually diluted.

At that time, not only would the daily supply of pills and weapons for the sect be insufficient, but the disciples of Workfire Peak would also be worked to death.

"This is the general trend, and it cannot be avoided," Zhu Chaoying thought to himself. "Since the sect is going to change, then our Workfire Peak should proactively adapt. We will establish branches in the county towns below, allowing affiliated forces like the Wang Clan to train artifact crafting and pill refining talents. In the future, when these people enter the sect, they will naturally fall under the Workfire Peak. This will not only ensure the supply of materials but also solidify our faction's status. This is both serving the sect and paving the way for our Workfire Peak."

If the Wang Clan didn't encounter any unexpected issues, then other county towns might also follow suit.

He recalled the sect master's roar at the Elder Council a few days prior, the words "hating its lack of progress" still echoing in his ears.

"You may go down now. Tell the Wang Clan to start collecting materials as soon as possible. Report to me immediately if there is any news. I will send a pill master and a forging master." Zhu Chaoying waved his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm, as if his previous thoughts had never occurred.

"Yes! Your disciple takes his leave!" Xu Weiwu bowed, turned, and quickly left. He needed to convey this good news to Wang Hezheng as soon as possible, as this was a rare opportunity for the Wang Clan.

Zhu Chaoying watched his retreating figure disappear into the mist, picked up the coarse pottery teacup from the table, and looked towards the distant furnaces, his eyes deep. "The world is about to change, and the sect is about to change. If we don't plan ahead, I fear that in the future... we won't even have a place to stand."

The flames in the furnace mouth continued to flicker, illuminating his burly figure, and also reflecting the move he was making in his heart, a move that concerned the rise and fall of his faction and the future of the sect.

This was also normal. Factions within factions, strange and varied.

Three days later, at dawn, the atmosphere on the square in front of the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall in Changyun County was exceptionally solemn.

Wang Hezheng, dressed in a deep blue brocade robe, stood at the top of the steps. Behind him followed the heads of the Wang Clan's Fifth Branch. Some had calm expressions, while others had vigilant eyes, all focused on the entrance to the square.

Before long, three figures appeared at the entrance of the square. Leading them was Xu Weiwu, still wearing the sect's dark robes, his expression composed.

To his left followed a stocky middle-aged man, dressed in gray short clothing. His hands were calloused, and a forging hammer was tucked into his waist. His eyes were sharp as knives, exuding a tough aura from years of working with metal.

To his right was a man in a green long gown, with a refined appearance. He carried a large cloth bag on his back and exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, with a gentle demeanor.

"Brother Xu!" Wang Hezheng quickly descended the steps, cupped his hands in greeting, and wore a polite smile. "You've had a long journey."

"You're too kind, Hezheng," Xu Weiwu replied with a smile, stepping aside to clear the way. He introduced them, "This is Liu Haibing, a forging master from the sect's Workfire Peak.

This is Fu Shuangyun, a pill master from Workfire Peak, skilled in refining medicinal pills. They are responsible for teaching weapon forging and pill refining here at the Wang Clan."

Liu Haibing cupped his hands slightly towards Wang Hezheng, his voice steady. "Liu Haibing, greetings, Clan Leader Wang."

Fu Shuangyun also bowed, his voice clear. "Fu Shuangyun, greetings, Clan Leader Wang."

"Masters, you have traveled far. Thank you for your hard work!" Wang Hezheng quickly returned the greeting, his gaze lingering on the two men for a moment. He nodded inwardly, convinced that they possessed genuine skills. If the Wang Clan could learn the crafts of weapon forging and pill refining, they wouldn't need to rely on others for these matters in the future.

He gestured for the three to enter the ancestral hall, followed closely by the heads of the Fifth Branch, their expressions varied.

The First Branch looked on with anticipation, seeing this as an opportunity for the Wang Clan to rise.

The Third and Fourth Branches frowned, worried that this matter might draw reprimands from the sect, as Xu Weiwu had previously mentioned that this was solely Zhu Chaoying's intention, not an official sect resolution.

After entering the main hall of the ancestral hall and taking their seats, Xu Weiwu got straight to the point. "Hezheng, I've brought two masters today to implement Elder Zhu's instructions: to widely open the doors for weapon forging and pill refining at the Wang Clan, with Master Liu and Master Fu responsible for the teaching."

He paused and continued, "However, there are two matters that require the cooperation of the Wang Clan: First, weapon forging requires a large supply of iron ore and coal, and pill refining requires various medicinal herbs. The Wang Clan will be responsible for supplying these materials.

Second, we need to use the Wang Clan's name to recruit apprentices within Changyun County. The daily treatment for the apprentices will follow the standards of the people in the Wang Clan's backyard, providing food and lodging, and a small monthly allowance."

Wang Hezheng's hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly as he quickly calculated in his mind: supplying iron ore and medicinal herbs would not be difficult for the Wang Clan. There were iron ore veins around the county town, many of which were controlled by Wang Shanhai, and medicinal herbs could be purchased from merchants.

Although recruiting apprentices would consume some manpower, if they could cultivate weapon forging masters and pill refining masters belonging to the Wang Clan, these investments would be worthwhile.

Moreover, this matter was proposed by the Dragon Transformation Sect, and the Wang Clan had no room to refuse.

But he still had concerns, and his brow furrowed slightly. "Brother Xu, although I think this is feasible, you mentioned earlier that this was Elder Zhu's personal decision... If the sect holds us accountable in the future, how should the Wang Clan respond?"

As soon as he said this, the gazes of the heads of the Fifth Branch instantly focused on Xu Weiwu, clearly showing that this was also their biggest concern.

Seeing this, Xu Weiwu smiled and waved his hand, his tone firm. "Don't worry, Hezheng. With Elder Zhu backing us, no one in the sect, except for a very few individuals, will have the right to inquire, let alone hold us accountable."

He paused and added, "Elder Zhu holds a premier position in the sect. Workfire Peak controls the sect's alchemy and weapon supplies. No one will offend him for such a trivial matter."

Hearing this, Wang Hezheng's uneasy heart finally settled completely, and the doubts on the faces of the heads of the Fifth Branch gradually dissipated. With Zhu Chaoying as their backer, there was indeed no need to worry about accountability.

"If that's the case, then the Wang Clan will fully cooperate!" Wang Hezheng decisively agreed. "However..."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Most of the young people in the county town have already been taken in by various gangs and families. If we recruit apprentices now, I'm afraid it will be difficult to find enough people."

Changyun County was only so large. Talented and promising young people had long been snapped up by the major powers. What remained were either those with mediocre aptitude.

Xu Weiwu seemed to have anticipated this and said calmly, "If you can't find them in the county town, go to the towns below and the countryside!

Children from the countryside can endure hardship, and perhaps we can even discover a few talented seedlings."

He looked at Wang Hezheng and continued, "Also, you can let the disciples in the Wang Clan's backyard and the Martial Academy try. Weapon forging can temper the physique, and pill refining can broaden their knowledge. Even if they don't succeed, it will be beneficial for their martial arts cultivation."

"Most importantly, Hezheng, you must understand that if someone achieves success in weapon forging or pill refining, it will not only greatly benefit the Wang Clan, but the sect will also provide certain preferential treatment when they are accepted into the Dragon Transformation Sect in the future. This is a rare opportunity."

Wang Hezheng's eyes lit up. That's right! The number of disciples in the backyard and the Martial Academy was not small. Perhaps they could indeed find a few people with talent in this area. If they were accepted into the Dragon Transformation Sect with preferential treatment, it would be a good thing for the Wang Clan.

"Alright! Let's do as Brother Xu says!" Wang Hezheng no longer hesitated and solemnly agreed. "I will arrange for people to go to the towns below and the countryside to recruit apprentices, and at the same time, let the disciples from the backyard and the Martial Academy participate in the assessment."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Xu Weiwu showed a satisfied smile. "That's excellent. Then I won't disturb you any further. For the subsequent details, you can liaise with Master Liu and Master Fu. If you encounter any unsolvable problems, send someone to notify me."

He stood up and cupped his hands towards Wang Hezheng. "Farewell."

"Safe travels, Brother Xu!" Wang Hezheng stood up to see him off. After escorting Xu Weiwu out of the ancestral hall, he turned and returned to the main hall.

At this moment, Liu Haibing was holding a forging blueprint, while Fu Shuangyun was organizing a list of medicinal herbs required for pill refining. Both of them were preparing for the subsequent teaching.

Wang Hezheng walked up to the two, his tone sincere. "Master Liu, Master Fu, I will trouble you with the subsequent matters. Please feel free to ask for any cooperation from the Wang Clan."

Liu Haibing put down the blueprint and nodded. "Patriarch Wang, you are too kind. We only need a spacious forging workshop and an alchemy room, and some basic tools. Other things can be arranged slowly once the apprentices are recruited."

Fu Shuangyun also added, "Regarding the medicinal herbs, I will provide a detailed list. I request Patriarch Wang to prepare them as soon as possible, especially for basic medicinal herbs like Angelica, Astragalus, and Ginseng, as the quantity required is relatively large."

"No problem!" Wang Hezheng decisively agreed. "I will have people prepare the forging workshop and alchemy room immediately, and the medicinal herbs will also be procured as soon as possible. It will not delay your teaching, Masters."

The three began to discuss the specific details in detail.