High-Grade Magic Item

Guest Peak, inside a pavilion.

Xia Feilun was absent from this gathering, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Zhao Siyao had already reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

The enormous gap left Lin Yi and Li Ergou gazing at the ocean and sighing; there was no hope of catching up in this lifetime.

As the organizer of the gathering and the only female cultivator, Zhao Siyao naturally became the center of conversation.

Through casual chat, Lan Chang'an and the other two learned quite a few secrets of the Liang Kingdom's Cultivation World, things low-level cultivators found difficult to access.

Zhao Siyao even knew a little about the Cultivation Worlds of neighboring countries.

Zhao Siyao was graceful and generous, neglecting no one. She asked each of the three about their recent circumstances and offered advice.

When the conversation turned to Lin Yi, it inevitably came around to the Hidden Immortal Pavilion he had painstakingly established.

"Daoist Lin, your Hidden Immortal Pavilion began by placing its pieces in the secular world and doing business with low-level cultivators. It is a good concept. But take care not to interfere with secular dynasties and avoid touching the interests of sects and aristocratic families..."

Zhao Siyao's assessment was favorable.

"This isn't the result of my efforts alone." Lin Yi was greatly pleased inwardly as he answered modestly.

Zhao Siyao asked again, "Daoist Lin, do you know Senior Brother Zhang Tieshan?"

"We have occasional dealings." Unable to gauge Zhao Siyao's attitude, Lin Yi answered cautiously.

Zhang Tieshan had taken first place in the Illusory Heart Platform, the third stage of Golden Cloud Valley's entrance examination years ago.

Lan Chang'an had met him once at the Royal Marquis Estate and had declined his invitation to exterminate ghosts in a Haunted House.

It was during that incident that Lin Yi accompanied him in exterminating ghosts and eliminating evil, forming a friendship with Zhang Tieshan.

"Though Zhang Tieshan's aptitude is ordinary, his resolve is steadfast, and he has gained the appreciation of an Outer Peak elder. It is quite rare that you were able to befriend him!"

Zhao Siyao's praise came as a surprise.

It nearly made the now mature and steady Lin Yi feel light as if he were floating through the clouds, giving rise to the illusion that Fairy Zhao might favor him.

Fortunately, he was calm enough to understand the gap between them.

Though he had admired Fairy Zhao for many years, he did not dare reveal the slightest hint of it before her.

Afterward, the conversation turned to Li Ergou.

Zhao Siyao could not help smiling. It was difficult to connect the wealthy, portly gentleman before her, named "Li Changqing," with the timid, dark-skinned farmer's boy from back then.

"Haha! Daoist Changqing has beauties in both arms within a cultivation lineage, and his cultivation is steadily improving. If he had entered a sect back then, how could he have such a good life now?"

Lin Yi teased him, though he could not help feeling envious inwardly.

That farmer's boy whom he had once looked down upon now surpassed him in both status and cultivation within the Cultivation World.

Lan Chang'an also smiled. If Li Ergou had truly entered a sect, he might not have been living so comfortably now.

"Daoist Li, you must take care. The dust and worldly air of the secular world can affect the purity of the six senses. Yet if you can wash away that mortal dust, it will aid your State of Mind in cultivation."

Zhao Siyao offered advice as well.

Finally, they mentioned Lan Chang'an.

Zhao Siyao's pair of bright, radiant eyes paused briefly upon Lan Chang'an's face.

When they had first met, she had still been a young girl in the bloom of youth, drawn in by the martial-world legends and tender romances Lan Chang'an had told back then.

The closeness they had once shared, that indescribable flicker in her heart, had been worn down by more than a decade of time and the vast Cultivation World until even its lingering echo was nearly gone.

"Daoist Lu, while the Wood-Type Technique you cultivate has the effect of preserving youth, its advancement is slow. If you have the opportunity, you may consider switching to a Fire-Type Technique more suited to you."

Zhao Siyao smiled brilliantly, regret stirring within her heart.

Originally, Lan Chang'an's aptitude had not been poor.

Failing to enter a sect, one misstep had led to missteps at every turn.

Now, even his cultivation lagged behind Li Ergou's.

"The Talisman Dao is a fine craft, but do not become overly obsessed with it. For cultivators like us, our cultivation is the foundation."

"Thank you, Daoist Zhao, for your concern and guidance."

Lan Chang'an could tell that Zhao Siyao meant well and that all her advice to the three of them was sound.

To receive guidance from a sect cultivator was something ordinary Rogue Cultivators could only beg for.

Next.

Lin Yi and Li Ergou sought Zhao Siyao's advice on matters of cultivation.

"I would not dare call it instruction. Let us discuss and learn from one another."

Zhao Siyao did not put on airs because of her status. At times, she smiled brightly and listened attentively, shattering the cool, ethereal aura that had made people afraid to offend her upon first meeting.

The atmosphere grew ever more harmonious.

With a sect fairy like Zhao Siyao present, their exchanges and discussions on cultivation were relaxed and pleasant.

They drank tea and discussed the Dao, a feast for both eye and heart.

Everyone present gained something.

As Zhao Siyao explained, flashes of insight and understanding occasionally arose in her heart.

Even Lan Chang'an, who had cultivated anew, felt that revisiting these low-level cultivation topics allowed him to learn anew from the old.

This was the "companion" among wealth, companions, techniques, and land.

One exchanged insights with fellow cultivators and received oral teachings and personal instruction from masters and elders.

A single person's wisdom was limited.

If one kept building a cart behind closed doors, never sparring or exchanging insights with fellow cultivators, then even with long years ahead, one would face all manner of difficulties and shackles.

The harmonious, pleasant atmosphere at this moment made Lan Chang'an feel gratified.

In his previous two lives, he had encountered too much scheming and treachery, too much of the world's danger and malice.

In this life, the few friends he had met during his early cultivation all possessed decent natures.

The four had known one another for over a decade and stood at different levels of the Cultivation World, yet they still kept in touch. That was truly rare.

Of course, Lan Chang'an knew well that human hearts were fickle. The rest of their lives stretched long ahead, and the future remained unknown.

As the sun was about to set.

Zhao Siyao finally brought up the main purpose of this meeting.

"Three Daoist friends, I invited you here this time because Siyao has a favor to ask."

Zhao Siyao's tone was earnest.

"Daoist Zhao, we more or less understand your situation. Whatever you need, just say it."

Lin Yi said readily.

Zhao Siyao nodded with a smile and took out an Iron Umbrella bearing faint traces of rust.

It was a magic item. Two sections of its frame had broken, and several obvious cracks marred the umbrella canopy.

"This is a High-Grade Magic Item passed down through my family. Unfortunately, its material has been damaged, leaving it with only thirty to forty percent of its power..."

Zhao Siyao spoke at length.

She wanted to compete for Core Disciple status, but the magic items in her hands were not powerful enough.

Normally, High-Grade Magic Items corresponded to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

But within a sect, disciples cultivated exceptional techniques and possessed deep reserves of magical power. Even with Qi Refining Late-Stage cultivation, they could wield High-Grade Magic Items and unleash formidable power.

Zhao Siyao faced two major difficulties in repairing this High-Grade Magic Item.

First, she lacked enough Spirit Stones.

Her Spirit Stones primarily supplied her cultivation needs, leaving no surplus to repair the magic item.

She was short by at least two hundred Spirit Stones.

Second, she could not ask an Artifact Refiner within the sect to repair this magic item. Otherwise, its capabilities and properties might be exposed, which would be detrimental to her contest for Core Disciple status.

The main reason was that Zhao Siyao had no Artifact Refiner in the sect whom she trusted.

She wanted to entrust someone reliable to have it repaired at an outside Marketplace, preventing the competitors within the sect from learning of it.

The first problem was easy to solve.

Lan Chang'an took out one hundred Spirit Stones.

Lin Yi gritted his teeth and contributed sixty Spirit Stones.

Li Ergou only took out fifty Spirit Stones.

That made a total of two hundred and ten Spirit Stones.

They basically had enough Spirit Stones. The issue now was who would handle the matter.

Lin Yi held a faint expectation in his heart. After all, the Hidden Immortal Pavilion he had established could be considered a force among the lower ranks of the Cultivation World.

"Daoist Lu, do you have time to make a trip to Five Peaks Market and find Artifact Refiner Gu Lai to repair this magic item?"

Zhao Siyao's beautiful eyes swept across the three men before finally settling on Lan Chang'an.

Aside from confidentiality, repairing the magic item would take time. She was currently at a crucial stage of cultivation and did not have much leisure to leave the sect.

"Yes. I happen to be going to an outside Marketplace to purchase some materials."

Lan Chang'an agreed without hesitation.

Even if he had not been helping with this matter, he still needed to visit the Marketplace to buy first-rank Spiritual Sand Stones and fence stolen Spoils of War.

Lin Yi, standing beside him, felt envious inwardly.

Zhao Siyao had entrusted such an important matter as repairing a High-Grade Magic Item to Lan Chang'an. It was clear how much she trusted Lan Chang'an's character and capability.

"There are also two sect missions. I hope Daoist Lin and Daoist Li can lend a hand."

Zhao Siyao's Vermilion Lips curved as she spoke with a smile.

Very soon, Lin Yi and Li Ergou each received a mission commission.

Li Ergou's mission was to travel to the capital of the Liang Kingdom and secretly protect the descendant of a certain Foundation Establishment Realm steward from Golden Cloud Valley for half a year.

The reason was that the political situation in the Liang Kingdom's capital was unstable, while that sect descendant held a crucial official position.

Lin Yi's mission was to collect a rare kind of Han Yue Grass. This strange herb grew only in designated locations on nights of the full moon. It was not valuable, but acquiring it was rather troublesome.

He was required to collect twenty stalks. It would take considerable effort and might require a year.

Zhao Siyao lacked the energy to complete these two sect missions, but the sect required missions every year, and they could also earn contribution points.

Zhao Siyao had thought things through thoroughly, arranging suitable jobs for each of us, Lan Chang'an thought.

For instance, Li Ergou had been assigned the simplest bodyguard mission, and his cultivation was also the highest among the three.

Lin Yi's mission was comparatively tedious, but with the Hidden Immortal Pavilion's cooperation, it would not be difficult.

Lan Chang'an's mission was the most important and required someone steady in conduct and reliable in character.

"Three Daoist friends, Siyao will remember today's matter in her heart."

Before parting, Zhao Siyao maintained a proper bearing and gave them a graceful bow.

"Daoist Zhao, there is no need for such courtesy."

Lin Yi and Li Ergou were flattered beyond measure.

After bidding Zhao Siyao farewell.

Lan Chang'an and the other two descended the mountain together.

"Brother Lu, do you know why Xia Feilun did not come this time?"

Lin Yi asked with a mysterious expression.

Xia Feilun?

Lan Chang'an recalled the three-year appointment at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion. That alchemy apprentice had vaguely mocked him during the banquet and treated the three of them with contempt.

During this meeting, Zhao Siyao had not mentioned that person at all.

"Hehe! I might as well tell you."

Lin Yi said gleefully, "Over the years, Xia Feilun sold inferior pills and poison pills, harming quite a few Rogue Cultivators, even including descendants of sect cultivators. Zhang Tieshan reported the matter to the Law Enforcement Hall. Xia Feilun has recently been imprisoned and will soon face severe punishment from the sect!"