Ling Tian's Gift

After Lingyun took Ling Tian away, Qingyun Peak was in an uproar. Discussions erupted from all sides:

"I never expected Ling Tian's physique and speed to be so strong. I used to call him trash, so what does that make me?" a disciple muttered to himself.

"He actually dared to challenge Huang Feng and won. Although Huang Feng was careless and didn't fly, being able to cleave a Flying Sword is still incredible," another disciple marveled, looking at the scattered fragments of Flying Swords on the ground.

"Such a strong physique, hehe, this big sister likes it," a charming woman said flirtatiously.

"He even dared to challenge Huang Se Peak Master, tsk tsk, that's amazing!" a disciple exclaimed in surprise.

"He only survived because of Lingyun, otherwise he would have died long ago," a disciple from Qinghuang Peak said indignantly. For the first time today, he hated being from Qinghuang Peak, but he could only speak to defend his peak's honor. He knew Huang Se's methods all too well.

"Hmph, you pig-head, could you even last one round against Peak Master Huang Feng? He actually forced Peak Master Huang Feng to use his Natal Dan Artifact. Tsk tsk, your Qinghuang Peak is truly impressive," Shi Tou said mockingly upon hearing that person's words.

"You..." The person's face turned red, and he was speechless.

"Wow, Senior Lingyun is too amazing! He defeated a Peak Master in one move. I like him so much, he's so handsome," a fan girl clearly having a relapse.

"We underestimated Ling Tian. The grand competition is in three years. He will be a formidable opponent then. However, if he can't fly and his bow is destroyed, he probably can't repair it. If he can fly, he should be invincible," a shrewd individual analyzed, looking meaningfully towards Qingyou Peak.

"Junior Sister Min'er, quickly show us what gift Ling Tian gave you! I'm so excited!" Yun Ying nudged Hua Min'er, who was still gazing foolishly in the direction of Qingyou Peak, and looked expectantly at the gift in Hua Min'er's hand.

"Oh," Hua Min'er finally came back to her senses, but still replied absentmindedly before displaying the small box and the Flying Sword in her hands.

"Wow, what a beautiful Flying Sword!" Hua Min'er's other senior sister, Yao Yu, couldn't help but cover her mouth in amazement.

"Truly remarkable. It looks more agile and spirited than Master's Flying Sword," Yun Ying praised, watching the small sword in Hua Min'er's hand leap and emit soft chirps.

"No way, Master's sword is a fourth-grade Spirit Artifact, among the best of the Peak Masters. Could this Flying Sword be stronger than Master's?" Yao Yu asked incredulously.

"Indeed, it's stronger than mine," Ye Feidie said, arriving beside Hua Min'er. Her eyes lit up slightly as she glanced at the Flying Sword, confirming it with certainty.

"Hehe, a fifth-grade Spirit Artifact. Senior Lingyun is truly generous to give away Spirit Artifacts so casually," Yuan Ming stroked his long beard, discerning the Flying Sword's quality at a glance. He couldn't help but praise Lingyun's actions, knowing full well that Ling Tian couldn't have refined it.

"I didn't expect Benefactor to be skilled in artifact refining as well. It seems he's given Ling Tian quite a few things," Green Cloud Master murmured to himself, a subtle glint flashing in his eyes.

"To think we poured so much effort into obtaining a Spirit Artifact, and Hua Min'er has one at such a young age. Comparing people is truly infuriating, hehe," Gu Yuan couldn't help but sigh. He recalled that obtaining his Spirit Artifact Sword back then was a near-death experience, and he still felt lingering fear.

"Min'er, open it and take a look," Ye Feidie urged, seeing Hua Min'er still somewhat dazed.

"Yes, I understand, Master," Hua Min'er replied softly, having finally regained her senses.

Hua Min'er was also curious about what Ling Tian had given her. She felt...

"I wonder what this sword's name is. Once Hua Min'er develops Spiritual Sense, she can 'ask the artifact' and find out its name. It's even prettier than my Flying Sword, I'm so envious," Wu Yun said the first few sentences to herself before speaking to Ye Feidie.

"Hehe, Min'er, you can't use this Flying Sword yet. But go back and cultivate a good relationship with it. Spirit Artifacts have their own sentience and will protect their masters at critical moments. You'll be able to communicate with it well once you reach the Qi Solidification Stage, and you can even directly make it your Natal Dan Artifact in the Golden Core Realm," Ye Feidie said joyfully, as she was extremely happy today.

"Yes, I understand, Master," Hua Min'er replied respectfully. However, her mind had long since wandered, following Ling Tian's departure.

"Hehe, Junior Sister, quickly look at the gift in that little box! It shouldn't be much worse than this Flying Sword, right?" Yao Yu asked impatiently.

"Yes, we were so focused on the Flying Sword that we forgot about the little box. It came with the Flying Sword, so it's probably of the same caliber," Yun Ying said, also growing anxious. She looked at the small box with anticipation, a faint feeling that it was personally given to her by Ling Tian. Thinking this, she gently opened the small box.

"Wow, what beautiful earrings!" As Hua Min'er opened the box, those nearby couldn't help but exclaim in unison.

Hua Min'er gently took the earrings out of the box, her heart filled with joy. She could clearly feel that Ling Tian had designed them for her personally. As Hua Min'er took out the earrings, the small purple butterflies on them began to flutter gracefully, exuding a lifelike and spiritual aura.

"Wow, such cute butterflies! Junior Sister Min'er, you've made me so envious," Yao Yu said, her eyes shining as she stared intently at the pair of earrings.

"If only I could have a pair of earrings like these," Yun Ying sighed wistfully. Most of the other women present wore similar expressions.

"That... could that possibly be 'Purple Soul Gold'?" Gu Yuan stared fixedly at the purple butterflies. Of course, as a grown man, he wasn't interested in the design of the earrings, but rather the purple metal coiled into the shape of butterflies. His voice trembled slightly, clearly shocked.

"It must be. Legend has it that it can stabilize the soul and enhance mental cultivation. Even a small addition to a Natal Dan Artifact can raise its grade by several levels and improve its synergy with the soul," Green Cloud Master said, his expression slightly unnatural, a deep glint of greed flashing in his eyes. He was truly extravagant to use 'Purple Soul Gold' to make earrings.

One had to know that the higher the synergy between a Natal Dan Artifact and the soul, the greater its power and spirituality. It was no wonder everyone was staring at the earrings in such shock.

"I suspect that the 'Purple Soul Gold' alone is no less valuable than the Flying Sword," Wu Yun said leisurely, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes.

"Indeed, indeed..." Yuan Ming suddenly exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the small green stone embedded in the center of the butterflies. His eyes couldn't move away.

"Elder, what's wrong? It's just a slightly prettier little stone," Xiong Xiong asked confusedly.

Everyone, except for Green Cloud Master who seemed lost in thought, looked at Yuan Ming blankly, clearly not recognizing the stone.

"Heh, it's normal that you don't know. That's 'Green Jade Stone'," Yuan Ming said, a look of recollection and longing on his face, followed by a long sigh.

"'Green Jade Stone'? What is that?" Xiong Xiong still didn't understand, and everyone else was even more confused.

"'Green Jade Stone' can condense Spiritual Energy and increase one's cultivation speed by several times," Yuan Ming said, stabilizing his excited emotions.

"What? Cultivation speed increased several times! It's indeed more valuable than 'Purple Soul Gold'. No wonder you're so excited, Elder," Gu Yuan's heart suddenly pounded, and he blurted out. He then looked at Yuan Ming with understanding, and the others nodded in agreement.

"No, that's not why I'm excited," Yuan Ming paused. Seeing everyone's confusion again, he continued, "Its greatest value is that it can stabilize the mind, allowing cultivators to remain calm during cultivation. Most importantly, it can resist Inner Demons to a certain extent."

"Inner Demons?" Everyone looked bewildered, most of them unfamiliar with the concept of Inner Demons.

"Cultivation is an act of defying heaven's will. It's not obvious when one's cultivation is low, but as one's cultivation deepens, heaven and earth gradually become intolerant of the cultivator. At this point, the human mind will be swayed by various temptations, leading to instability and invasion by Inner Demons. The danger of Inner Demon invasion is extremely perilous, even comparable to the tribulation of ascension," Yuan Ming stated astonishingly.

"Tribulation of ascension? Inner Demons? Alas, these are dreams beyond our reach," everyone sighed wistfully, filled with a sense of time's passage, yet also with an unspeakable longing and anticipation.

"Yes, dreams beyond reach. However, there are countless people with greater talent than you and I. They have the potential to ascend to immortality, so they will value 'Green Jade Stone' even more," Yuan Ming said wistfully.

Yuan Ming had cultivated for the longest time and understood this statement most deeply. He then glanced at Hua Min'er and continued, "Moreover, she is different from us. The 'Innate Wood Spirit Physique' is one of the strongest physiques in existence. Her innate talent allows her to progress rapidly in cultivation. However, because her cultivation speed is fast, her mental state is also more prone to instability. This is where the value of 'Green Jade Stone' comes into play."

"Oh," everyone softly replied, then looked at Hua Min'er with envy.