Drink More Lava

Xiao Ran looked up at the iron ring flickering with red light, which gave him a sense of bewilderment as if it were artificial intelligence.

Coupled with Gao Shi's lean frame and a height half a head taller than his own, the man exuded a somber, oppressive coldness.

Xiao Ran offered a slight bow.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Gao Shi. My sudden visit today is quite the intrusion."

Gao Shi returned the gesture.

"Junior Brother, you are too polite."

His voice sounded icy and emotionless, causing Xiao Ran to begin doubting the accuracy of certain legends surrounding him.

Sword-Tempering Mountain was filled with steep cliffs and appeared somewhat barren, yet it possessed an inherent, primitive sharpness.

Gao Shi led Xiao Ran into the Yixiantian stone path, saying as they walked:

"Master is currently repairing the grand array at the Array Eye Cave on this mountain and can only communicate via sound transmission to meet with you, Junior Brother. I hope you will not take offense."

"It is of no consequence."

They arrived at the reception hall of Sword-Tempering Mountain.

The hall was constructed of iron-stone and black wood, as simple and sharp as the mountain gate itself, making one instinctively sit straight and unable to harbor any distracting thoughts.

On the long Profound Crystal Stone table in the center sat a set of antique tea ware and two cups of hot tea, from which swirling steam rose.

An aged, powerful, and slightly raspy voice descended from the dome above.

"I did not expect you to come so early."

Xiao Ran bowed slightly in the direction of the voice. "This disciple greets Senior Uncle True Person Moxia."

True Person Moxia said, "Sit. This is Cooling Tea brewed with Earthfire; have a taste."

Earthfire can be used to brew Cooling Tea? Isn't one supposed to drink herbal tea to avoid internal heat? Xiao Ran cautiously took a sip.

As the dark red tea liquid rippled across his tongue, a dense Sword Intent rapidly permeated the root of his tongue, spreading down his throat and into his meridians like a cold sword plunging into magma, playing a symphony of ice and fire.

Setting down the tea cup, Xiao Ran said with admiration:

"I had some concerns before coming, but I did not expect Senior Uncle's tea-brewing skills to be so exquisite."

True Person Moxia let out a low laugh.

"This is Gao Shi's handiwork; I have no time to brew tea."

Seeing his Master laugh, a rare occurrence, Gao Shi took the opportunity to remove the ink-colored iron ring, revealing a face that looked slightly childish, instantly stripping away his cold and stern demeanor.

It was a rare, youthful face with shifting eyes; while his features were not unattractive, he appeared flippant and deeply devoted to play.

"Senior Brother, you have excellent skills."

Xiao Ran turned to compliment Gao Shi.

Having removed the iron ring, Gao Shi seemed like a fish in water, his temperament changing entirely, though he remained very cautious in his speech with True Person Moxia nearby.

"I heard that you were already an all-rounder before you began your cultivation, Junior Brother. I would like to ask your opinion on the details of the Sword Hedge and if there are any areas for improvement."

Xiao Ran raised his cup.

"I would not dare."

Following this, the three of them sipped tea while discussing detailed insights regarding architecture and Spirit Runes.

Xiao Ran spoke with wit and humor, remaining humble and capable, leaving a deep impression on True Person Moxia.

But clearly, after so many events within the sect, none of the three were truly interested in trivialities like architecture.

Before True Person Moxia and his disciple Gao Shi sat a man with true Great Emperor Potential, a Direct Disciple the sect had hidden away for intensive training, the one who might grow to become the new face of Zongzhi Mountain.

However, his growth required time, and in this Dharma Ending Era, time was the scarcest resource of all.

The Wraith had already set its sights on Zongzhi Mountain, and in three years, the Sect Master would be forced to undergo his tribulation...

It would not be an exaggeration to say they were already in a state of war.

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Gao Shi spoke on behalf of True Person Moxia:

"Junior Brother, you must have other important matters for coming here today."

Xiao Ran said, "Indeed. I am looking for a type of Flame Fungus that can warm wine; it should be found in the aged sword furnaces."

Gao Shi was stunned.

So that thing can be used to warm wine?

That's even more stimulating than using Spirit Runes to warm tea...

How did I not think of that?

That's not the point! "Did you come all the way here just to warm wine, Junior Brother?"

"Exactly."

Gao Shi clutched his forehead, his expression suddenly tinged with envy.

"You really have a way with women, Junior Brother..."

A cold, dry voice fell like a heavy hammer.

"Gao Shi!"

"Cough, cough."

After two dry coughs, Gao Shi hurriedly said, "The issue with the Flame Fungus Stone is minor; I will fetch some for Junior Brother shortly."

"Many thanks."

True Person Moxia said earnestly, "A young person's time should be spent on cultivation. Diligent cultivation is the greatest filial piety one can show Master."

If I didn't fawn over Master, would I have the Max Level Architecture mastery that leaves you in awe? Without that mastery, would I even be sitting here listening to your nonsense? Xiao Ran replied with feigned respect, "Senior Uncle's teachings are well-taken."

After a brief silence, True Person Moxia asked again:

"How are the preparations for the Sword Inheritance Assembly coming along?"

Finally, they reached the core issue. Xiao Ran stated immediately:

"This disciple has decided to ascend Sword Mountain within the next half-month."

"Within half a month?"

True Person Moxia was slightly startled.

Although the physical assessment submitted by True Person Yinyue noted that after Xiao Ran's Dantian fused with the Flood Dragon Pill, the earliest he could ascend Sword Mountain to accept the inheritance would be in ten days.

However, beyond physical constitution, the Sword Inheritance placed even greater importance on the soul and sword techniques.

"The Sword Inheritance Assembly requires you to possess a sword technique that follows the heavens while maintaining a will that defies them. Have you prepared for all of this?"

Though Xiao Ran was not fully prepared, he did not change his expression. "This disciple will be ready."

Inside the Array Eye Cave, True Person Moxia nodded slightly.

This very statement contained a will that defied the heavens! A true Sword-Wielder would not wait for a perfect opportunity to draw their sword; rather, they would be ready to face the judgment of fate at any moment.

"The judge for this Sword Inheritance Assembly is Li Wuxie, the newly appointed Chief of the Dao Alliance in East Floating City. I hear he is a ruthless character who will not let you pass easily."

Xiao Ran thought to himself.

Could he be any more ruthless than Mad Hunt? "In the Dharma Ending Era, nothing is easy. Time waits for no one; with the Sect Leader Senior Uncle about to undergo his tribulation, these three years may be the most precious time for Zongzhi Mountain."

"It is good that you understand."

Immediately after, True Person Moxia had Gao Shi retrieve some classics regarding the Sword Inheritance Assembly to give to Xiao Ran.

Among them, several replicas concerning Sword Intent and sword techniques were the treasures of Sword-Tempering Mountain.

Once his instructions were finished, True Person Moxia fell silent, focusing on repairing the great array.

Only then did Gao Shi heave a sigh of relief. He gulped down a mouthful of tea, patted Xiao Ran on the shoulder, and said, "Don't be too nervous. Although everyone is watching you, failure is a common human experience. It's just like pursuing a woman—if it doesn't work once, just try a few more times."

As he spoke, his expression gradually dimmed, as if the tea had intoxicated him.

Xiao Ran smiled without saying a word.

Chunwa and Qiuchan had once said that this Senior Brother Gao Shi was a famous loser within the sect. He was extremely desperate for romance, yet every pursuit of his ended in failure.

It didn't work once, and it didn't work every time; he could truly be called the Sakuragi Hanamichi of the Cultivation World.

After a short silence.

Gao Shi stood up and led Xiao Ran to the Sword-Casting Furnace to find the Flame Fungus Stone.

After visiting several furnaces, they finally found a massive piece of fungus stone.

The stone was formed from cooled magma, and the Flame Fungus within was a ten-thousand-year-old ancient fungus that could generate its own heat, nourishing the Dantian.

An image surfaced in Xiao Ran's mind.

Next time Master suffered from the pain of the Gui Water, he would immediately present the fungus stone with Warm Wine and say, with the utmost gentlemanly grace: "Master, drink more magma!"

Gao Shi asked, "What are you smiling at?"

Xiao Ran replied, "Nothing."

Gao Shi did not hand the stone to Xiao Ran immediately. Instead, looking constrained, he took a letter from his robe.

The calligraphy on the envelope was elegant, far better than his own.

Xiao Ran was slightly puzzled.

"This is..."

Gao Shi said with some embarrassment, "This is an 'Expression Letter.' Actually, I have always liked Junior Niece Chuyan. Before, because there were too many former Dao Companions on Little Qiong Peak, I was too shy to confess to her. Now that she has come to Sword-Wielding Mountain, I finally have a chance to confess. Junior Brother, you must help me out."

You want me to help you, so you ask me to be your matchmaker? You really are yourself!

Too many former Dao Companions on Little Qiong Peak?

The person you are confessing to is your former Dao Companion? Xiao Ran was defeated.

"You are a generation apart; how could you even bring yourself to do it?"

Gao Shi gave a sly smile.

"Aren't you and the Sword-Wielding Elder also a generation apart?"

"?"

Xiao Ran was completely bewildered.

He couldn't be bothered to explain anything to this dim-witted lecher, however.

If I were Senior Uncle True Person Moxia, he thought, I wouldn't just put a ring on you—I'd lock you in a chastity belt!

Seeing the look of anticipation on Gao Shi's face, Xiao Ran asked, "Are you more handsome than I am?"

Gao Shi smiled, possessing enough self-awareness to answer.

"Naturally, Junior Brother is more handsome."

Xiao Ran asked again:

"Are you more talented than I am?"

Gao Shi replied modestly:

"I only know how to forge iron and brew tea; I am not as versatile as Junior Brother."

Xiao Ran pressed on:

"Is your aptitude higher than mine?"

Even though Gao Shi's talent for sword forging surpassed even that of True Person Moxia, it still paled in comparison to Xiao Ran's Heavenly Saint Aptitude.

"They cannot be mentioned in the same breath."

Xiao Ran's expression suddenly turned cold as he forcibly snatched the Fungus Stone from Gao Shi's hand.

"She isn't even interested in a version of me like this; what makes you think she'd ever look at you?"