Each Takes What They Need

"Ordinary weapons, no matter how tough or sharp, are merely sharp tools with limited use, only fit for common folk. If a cultivator were to infuse them with spiritual power, even the best sharp tools would shatter from the overload. Magic tools, however, are different; they can receive and contain spiritual power," Zhao Tong cleared his throat and explained eloquently.

"This sword can be infused with spiritual power?" Yuan Ming asked in surprise.

"Try it yourself," Zhao Tong replied without directly answering, handing the sword to Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming took the longsword, gripped it tightly, and channeled the spiritual power from his dantian towards his palm.

He felt the spiritual power gather in his palm, as if it had immediately found an outlet, extending out and entering the bronze longsword in his hand.

The next instant, a layer of cyan flowing light illuminated the bronze longsword. It was like a swimming fish, moving from the hilt up to the tip of the sword, clearly emitting a sharp aura.

"Azure Fish."

It was then that Yuan Ming noticed two delicate Southern Border characters engraved on the sword near the hilt.

"These are inscriptions left by the refiner. It's not his name; it's the name he gave this sword. It seems this sword is either his masterpiece or holds extraordinary significance for him," Zhao Tong glanced at it and said casually.

"Then why did you say it's a semi-magic tool?" Yuan Ming asked again.

"Because usually, magic tools possess certain auxiliary abilities, such as releasing frost, fire, lightning, and so on. This is due to the array patterns of different attributes contained within them. However, after your sword was refined, it wasn't inscribed with array patterns, so it doesn't have these capabilities," Zhao Tong continued to explain.

Yuan Ming thought about it and realized the sword had indeed only become sharper, without any other auxiliary abilities. He then asked, "Can it still be fixed, can array patterns be carved onto it again?"

"Naturally, it can, but only the elders of the Fire Refining Hall can do it. Ordinary disciples don't have that skill," Zhao Tong said.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming knew it was hopeless for now. With his current identity as a beast slave, no matter how much resources he accumulated, he would never be able to afford to ask a sect elder to refine a magic tool for him.

"There's another item I'd like you to take a look at," Yuan Ming said, taking out the small black pottery bottle he had obtained from Bayin.

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

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

"What's this thing used for?" Yuan Ming asked, covering the stopper without explaining.

Zhao Tong thought about it and understood how this item came to be. He had seen plenty of fights and scrambles among Furred Beast Slaves.

"It burns vital blood to stimulate potential, allowing one to temporarily unleash power far exceeding their actual strength. However, the side effects are immense. Don't use it unless it's a matter of life and death," Zhao Tong said, as if explaining and also warning.

Yuan Ming's confusion was instantly resolved. Bayin must have taken this thing earlier to suddenly go berserk and gain the strength to kill the Human-faced Ghost Spider.

As for the side effects, just thinking about his corpse after death was enough to know how terrifying it was.

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

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

Yuan Ming pondered for a moment and then asked, "Are there any sword techniques or cultivation methods?"

"This... there really aren't any," Zhao Tong replied, shaking his head.

Yuan Ming felt a slight sense of regret.

"Our Jade Luo Cave is a sect famous for beast taming, and our sect's cultivation methods primarily focus on that. While we do have many miscellaneous low-level cultivation methods, I've never seen any sword technique cultivation methods," Zhao Tong explained.

"In that case, I won't exchange for anything this time. I'll leave my items here with you. I'll save them up and make an exchange when I find something I want," Yuan Ming said after a brief consideration.

"That's fine. Or, I could also help you inquire if any of the senior disciples in the Fire Refining Hall would dare to take the risk of carving array patterns for you, and see if they need these Human-faced Ghost Spider legs," Zhao Tong nodded and said.

"Thank you," Yuan Ming cupped his fists.

"It's all business, no need for formalities," Zhao Tong waved his hand and said casually.

Yuan Ming bid farewell, intending to leave.

Today was the day to hand over Blood Food, so he planned to head to the boundary marker.

Just then, Zhao Tong's voice came from behind, as if asking casually, "By the way, when you killed the Human-faced Ghost Spider, did you take its face?"

Yuan Ming's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this, and he asked, "Is that creepy thing also useful?"

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

"That thing is the main ingredient for refining the Thousand Mechanisms Mask. If you didn't pick it up, then forget it," Zhao Tong waved his hand, signaling that he could leave.

From Zhao Tong's reaction, Yuan Ming judged that the Human-faced Ghost Spider's skin was definitely not an ordinary item, at least not something unimportant to Zhao Tong.

"No wonder he was willing to explain so much to me; it was all a setup for this," Yuan Ming thought to himself.

He stopped and turned around, asking, "By the way, do you have any more books like the Compendium of Herbs? Could you give me two more?"

It was from Zhao Tong that Yuan Ming had obtained the Compendium of Herbs, which allowed him to recognize the Flesh Lingzhi.

"What do you want those for?" Zhao Tong asked.

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

Zhao Tong hesitated for a moment, then took out a blue booklet from his embrace and tossed it over.

Yuan Ming quickly caught it and glanced at the cover. It read, "Illustrated Guide to Common Fierce Beasts."

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

Yuan Ming was secretly delighted. Just as he was about to thank him, he heard Zhao Tong add, "This booklet is quite valuable for you Furred Beast Slaves. Consider it an exchange for one spider leg."

"I..."

Yuan Ming's thanks got stuck in his throat. He cursed inwardly and left.

Arriving at the boundary marker, Yuan Ming met Elder Huohuo again.

Upon receiving the thirteen portions of Blood Food, Elder Huohuo merely glanced at them before accepting them, showing no particular surprise.

"Not many people can adapt to the Furred Beast Slave life so quickly. You've done well," he said calmly, tossing Yuan Ming an antidote for the Heart Rot Pill.

Yuan Ming took it but didn't consume it immediately. Instead, he asked, "Elder, I have a question about the Furring Technique. May I ask you about it?"

"No," Elder Huohuo replied concisely, refusing directly.

It seems impossible to get help from Elder Huohuo, Yuan Ming thought, his eyes flickering slightly. He wasn't surprised.

"I've told you before about how to become a Registered Disciple. Don't forget," Elder Huohuo added with a cold expression.

Yuan Ming was taken aback, not understanding why he'd bring this up. He still clasped his hands in thanks:

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder."

As long as he could become a Registered Disciple of Jade Luo Cave, he would escape his identity as a Furred Beast Slave and no longer have to worry about the backlash from the Furring Technique. However, the cost of collecting a thousand portions of Blood Food would greatly increase the risk of backlash and accelerate the timeline.

Take it one step at a time. Improving my own strength as much as possible is always the right thing to do. The road ahead is long and arduous...

Yuan Ming sighed softly and muttered to himself.

A few days later, the Green Wolf Gang finally confirmed that the squad sent to hunt Yuan Ming had disappeared entirely.

"Gang Leader, we've searched a hundred miles around, and there's still no sign of Deputy Gang Leader Bayin and the others. It looks like they're dead. They were going to hunt that Yuan Ming. Could that kid have done them in?" a savage-looking man with a square face and wide mouth said.

"According to Wulu's report, Yuan Ming might have reached Qi Refining Layer Two. But even so, Bayin is at Qi Refining Layer Three. How could he die at his hands?" Wubao's facial muscles twitched.

"That's true. No matter how much of a loser Bayin is, he shouldn't die at the hands of someone at Qi Refining Layer Two. I think there's definitely more to this than meets the eye," Batu said thoughtfully.

"Batu, just say what you have to say. Don't beat around the bush with me," Wubao said, reprimanding him as he was in a bad mood.

"Gang Leader, I mean... we've been expanding too quickly lately. Have we attracted the attention of other forces? Otherwise, why would a mere Qi Refining Layer Two dare to attack our people?" Batu paused, his voice involuntarily lowering a bit.

"Impossible! I know the situation of the nearby forces like the back of my hand. With Bayin's strength, even if he couldn't win, he should be able to protect himself," Wubao said in a low voice, his brow furrowing in thought upon hearing this.

"Gang Leader, there's another possibility," Batu said, suddenly slapping his forehead.

"What?" Wubao looked at him.

"That kid Bayin led his men in rebellion against our Green Wolf Gang and has already surrendered to someone else," Batu said.

Wubao's gaze immediately sharpened. In an instant, he cursed, "You and Bayin have always been at odds, and I've never interfered. But at this point, you can't just spout nonsense without any evidence."

"Please calm your anger, Gang Leader! I'm just offering my conjecture. Bayin and the other three have disappeared collectively. No matter how you look at it, this matter is extremely strange," Batu insisted.

Wubao rested one hand on his leg, propped his chin, and remained silent for a long time.

"For now, put aside the pursuit of Yuan Ming. Withdraw your men. From now on, try to operate in units of ten and never act alone. Focus all your efforts on finding Bayin and the others," he commanded after a moment, looking up.