Mystic-Pattern Cold Iron, an Old Acquaintance

After obtaining the Yin-Congealing Grass, Ye An thought that the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill was mostly finished, and only lacked an Alchemist to process it.

"Teacher Ye, Ruyan wants to apologize to you first."

Liu Ruyan's tone was lower than Fang Cai, carrying a genuine sense of apology. "The Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill is an Earth Grade pill. Although the Liu Lineage has some businesses, we don't have Alchemist capable of handling this grade. Ordinary Alchemist, let alone refining it, might not even be able to fully grasp its properties. If we want to refine the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill flawlessly, the Liu Lineage is somewhat powerless. But if Master Ye needs it, Ruyan will send someone to inquire."

Liu Ruyan put "I'm sorry" and "I can't do anything" together, without any intention of shirking responsibility. It was a fact that the Liu Lineage did not have Alchemist, and she could not conjure one out of thin air.

Before Ye An could speak, Lin Wanyue smiled and interjected, "Miss Liu, don't worry, I can handle this."

She put down her teacup, looked at Liu Ruyan, and unconsciously straightened her posture. "My master is the seventh son of the Hanging Sword Sect, surnamed Bai. He is known as the 'Frost-Hand Alchemist' in Cangwu Prefecture. His alchemy skills are among the best in the entire Cangwu Prefecture. Although the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill is difficult to refine, it shouldn't be a big problem if my master takes action."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan tilted her head slightly to glance at Lin Wanyue, seemingly somewhat surprised, and then smiled, "That's quite a coincidence. Since Miss Lin's master is a master alchemist of the Hanging Sword Sect Dao of Alchemy Sect, then this Yin-Congealing Grass has indeed found the right person."

She was smiling as she spoke, but her hands, which were hanging at her sides, clenched slightly.

She was initially happy for Ye An because the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill had been secured, which was a good thing.

But hidden within this joy was a faint trace of regret. Regret that in the end, others had to help, and regret that I hadn't been able to see it through to the end.

She didn't let this regret show on her face, but instead smiled at Ye An, "Master Ye, go ahead, don't delay the loss of the medicinal properties of the Yin-Congealing Grass."

Lin Wanyue didn't respond to Liu Ruyan's words, but instead looked at Ye An, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

The meaning was clear: in the end, it still depended on me. "So? How about coming with me to Sword-Cry Peak?"

Ye An didn't hesitate for long before bidding farewell to Liu Ruyan.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"No trouble at all." Lin Wanyue stood up nimbly. "But you owe me one."

"OK."

"Let's go, don't waste any more time."

Liu Ruyan saw the two to the door, saying nothing more than "Take care on your way," before watching them walk away. Her gaze lingered on Ye An's retreating figure for a moment longer...

The founding site of the Hanging Sword Sect is called Sword-Cry Peak, located forty miles Cangwu Prefectural City.

Ye An followed Lin Wanyue of the west gate of Cangwu Prefectural City and headed west along the official road. The view ahead gradually opened up, and a mountain peak rose abruptly from the ground. The mountain was not steep, but it was long and slender, looking like a sharp sword stuck diagonally in the ground from a distance. The peak was hidden in a thin cloud of mist, and a faint humming sound could be heard occasionally when the mountain wind swept by.

Lin Wanyue turned around, flicked her forearm lightly, and pointed with her thumb. "That's Sword-Cry Peak, the founding site of the Hanging Sword Sect."

"Legend has it that when the founder of the Hanging Sword Sect was comprehending swordsmanship on this peak, ten thousand swords rang out in unison, hence the sect's name. The founder passed down the Sword Dao here, which continues to this day, thus establishing the Hanging Sword Sect."

Ye An looked up towards the summit and could faintly hear a few soft sounds, like wind whistling through cracks in the rocks. His gaze lingered on the outline of the mountain for a moment, and Lin Wanyue continued.

"However, it's not as magnificent as Cangwu Mountain, you know? Actually, not many people settled here in Cangwu Prefecture at first. The Four Symbols Sect came first and named their founding site Cangwu Mountain. Then the area began to settle down and gradually attracted many people from the Dayu Dynasty to settle here. Later, it was named Cangwu Prefecture."

Ye An shook his head. He was only focused on cultivation and knew nothing about such old matters.

After entering the mountain gate, the number of disciples on the road increased significantly.

"Hello, Senior Sister Lin."

"Hello, Senior Sister Lin--"

One greeting after another rang out from the mountain gate to the mountainside; disciples would stop every now and then to greet her. It was clear that she held a high position in the Hanging Sword Sect. Her Qi Condensation cultivation was among the best in the sect, and coupled with her position in the Demon Suppressing Guard, she had already gained some renown within the sect.

As Ye An walked beside her, he could feel the gazes cast by the passing disciples, most of which lingered on him for a moment longer.

Someone was speaking in a low voice nearby.

"Who is that? He doesn't look like one of our Hanging Sword Sect members."

"I don't know, but he looks... pretty ordinary? Following next to Senior Sister Lin, I thought he was some new junior brother."

"Keep your voice down. Someone that Senior Sister Lin would personally escort you to school can't be an ordinary person, can it?"

"Hey, let me tell you, Lin's suitor, Zhao Yuanling, I heard his cultivation has improved again recently. If he sees Lin bringing a man back, that kid's in for a world of trouble."

"Senior Brother Zhao does indeed... dislike people getting too close to Senior Sister Lin."

"Then he'd better pray for his own good fortune."

Ye An had good hearing and caught a few words intermittently, but didn't pay much attention to them.

Lin Wanyue heard this too, glanced at Ye An, and lowered her voice. "Ignore them. If anyone asks, just say you're from the Demon Suppressing Guard and are my colleague."

Lin Wanyue paused, then, as if remembering something, added, "Don't tell anyone you're from the Four Symbols Sect."

Ye An understood what it meant.

There is a competitive spirit among disciples of the Sect. Since the Four Symbols Sect and the Hanging Sword Sect are both Sect in Cangwu Prefecture, it is inevitable that their disciples will have some competitive mentality.

He came here only to find someone to refine pills, not to cause trouble.

Even if it were, it wouldn't be now.

After walking for a while, they reached a fork in the road halfway up the mountain. Just as they were about to turn towards their master Bai Qiushuang's Alchemy Chamber, a voice came from the side. "Senior Sister Lin!"

Lin Wanyue stopped and looked in the direction of the sound.

A disciple of the Hanging Sword Sect at the Meridian Opening Realm walked over quickly, a smile on his face. Behind him was a young disciple wearing brand-new inner disciple robes, who looked like he had just been promoted to the Meridian Opening.

The disciple with the Meridian Opening lineage walked up and bowed to Lin Wanyue, saying, "Greetings, Senior Sister Lin. It's been a long time since I've seen you. Master has been saying that you haven't been coming back to the mountain often lately." His tone was warm, suggesting that he had some connection with Lin Wanyue.

Lin Wanyue nodded and asked, "Junior Brother Liu Shun, how has Master been feeling lately?"

"It's quite good. I even refined a batch of Heart-Cleansing Pill a few days ago. The aroma filled the entire mountain. Many of the other six elders' disciples came to ask for the pills." Liu Shun chuckled, his gaze falling on Ye An without asking who he was, and then looking away.

Lin Wanyue looked at the unfamiliar face behind Liu Shun: "Who is this?"

"Oh, this is a new junior brother who has just joined the Inner Sect." Liu Shun stepped aside to let the person behind him come forward and greet him.

The man stepped forward, about to call out to Senior Sister Lin.

Then his gaze settled on Ye An's face, and Ye An saw him too.

A familiar face, a bit more robust than back in Anping County, his chin more defined, but his eyes remained unchanged—the same boy who once competed with Zhao Tieshan for the title of senior disciple at the Green Bamboo Martial Arts Hall, and who was ultimately injured and left by Shi Yong.

Lin Shaoyun.

He was stunned for a while before he came to his senses, and opened his mouth. "Ye... Ye An? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take care of something." Ye An didn't say anything specific, he was just a little surprised to run into an old friend.

He said that he had never met Lin Shaoyun in the Four Symbols Sect and thought that their fate had run its course, but he never expected that the other party had gone to the Hanging Sword Sect.

Lin Shaoyun subconsciously sensed Ye An's aura, then his pupils contracted slightly—he couldn't see through him.

He hesitated for a moment. "Your cultivation level...?"

"We were lucky; the border crossing went by faster."

Lin Shaoyun did not press the matter further.

He glanced at Liu Shun, then at Lin Wanyue, and finally simply nodded. "Well... you go ahead and get back to work."

Lin Shaoyun didn't know what to say. After all, he used to be Ye An's senior brother, but now they were no longer at the same level. He felt a little regretful, but also happy for him.

That young man, who, like himself, refused to be courted by the four major families, no longer needs to be subservient to them; that's good.

Of the Four Major Families in Anping County, probably only one remains now.

Lin Shaoyun followed Liu Shun away, and after the two left...

Lin Wanyue turned her head and asked, "Do you know him?"

"We used to be in the same Martial Hall and practiced martial arts together."

"Oh." Lin Wanyue didn't say anything more. "Let's go, I'll introduce you to my master."

She led Ye An further inside, through two corridors, and stopped in front of a separate courtyard.

The courtyard was small, with the gate open, and a faint scent of medicine wafted out.

A figure in a gray robe stood in the courtyard, his back to them, arranging medicinal herbs on the drying rack with unhurried movements. He was rather thin, and his hair was casually tied back with a wooden hairpin.

Lin Wanyue didn't knock, her voice a little lighter than usual. "Master, I'm back."

The gray-robed man didn't turn around after hearing the voice, but grunted, "You're back? Is there something you need my help with now?"

"Master is truly Divine Ability- powerful; nothing can be hidden from Master..." Then Lin Wanyue quickly recounted Ye An's matter.

Bai Qiushuang then turned around.

She looked to be in her early forties, with a thin face, calm eyes, and a few dregs of medicine still on her hands.

Her gaze first fell on Lin Wanyue, and then shifted to Ye An, scrutinizing him for a moment.

Lin Wanyue said in a slightly coquettish tone befitting a disciple, "Master, this pill is very important to him, please help me."

Bai Qiushuang glanced at her. "It's rare for you to ask me for a favor."

Without much thought, she simply said to Ye An, "I've reviewed the materials. I can refine the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill, but there's one thing I need to clarify first. The yield of this pill is limited, approximately three pills. Regardless of the final number, I will take one. Do you agree?"

Ye An replied without hesitation, "It's only right that I help you, senior."

Ye An understood that if the materials were given to an ordinary Alchemist, it was hard to say whether they could be successfully made into pills, and even if they were, there might be some defective pills. Three pills were already considered a lot.

Bai Qiushuang smiled, somewhat surprised by Ye An's straightforwardness. "Good."

She said nothing more, turned and walked into the inner room. "Come back in three days to collect it. Don't disturb me in the meantime."

Lin Wanyue and Ye An left the courtyard.

As Lin Wanyue closed the courtyard gate, she was clearly in a good mood. "It's done. We'll get the pills in three days. Where are you staying?"

"I'll have to trouble you."

"Okay." Lin Wanyue said this with a mischievous look on her face, like a child.

Three days passed quickly, and news of Frost-Hand Alchemist's alchemy had already spread throughout the Hanging Sword Sect.

Somehow, even the news that it was Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill that had been refined spread.

The news spread faster than the wind.

Disciples from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside were all talking about this. Some asked who was behind it, others guessed which elder's disciple had come to request it, and still others were already calculating whether they could get a share.

Just as Ye An and Lin Wanyue were about to go find Bai Qiushuang, they ran into Zhao Yuanling, who was walking in their direction.

He quickened his pace when he saw Lin Wanyue, but when he got closer, he saw Ye An beside her. He paused for a moment, then regained his composure.

"Wanyue, I heard your master is going to refine the Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill?" Zhao Yuanling asked, his tone still polite, but his gaze shifted slightly towards Ye An.

"None of your business," Lin Wanyue replied curtly, without elaborating further.

Zhao Yuanling didn't seem to care, but glanced at Ye An and asked, "Did he find the materials?"

"It seems this trip won't be smooth sailing," Ye An thought to himself, then looked back.

"What's the problem?"

Zhao Yuanling smiled, but the smile wasn't exactly friendly, "No problem. I just think that to have Wan Yue personally lead him up the mountain and to be able to get the Frost-Hand Alchemist to help, this brother has quite a lot of influence." His words sounded like a compliment, but he emphasized the word "brother" much more than the others.

"Kid, you've got some skills at living off women. How about a contest with me?"

Ye An glanced at Lin Wanyue, then drew a circle around his own head. "Is this person mentally unstable?"

Lin Wanyue nodded. "A little."

Zhao Yuanling was not provoked; on the contrary, he seemed to have been prepared and simply waved behind him.

A disciple of the Suspended Hanging Sword Sect, who appeared to be a follower, quickly stepped forward, carrying a large wooden box. He placed it on the open ground in the middle and opened the lid.

Inside lay a fist-sized piece of iron-black ore, its surface gleaming with a faint dark purple sheen. It was dense in texture, and fine lines could be faintly seen along its edges.

Zhao Yuanling pointed and said, "This is Mystic-Pattern Cold Iron. It's a rare find, perhaps only one piece a year in Cangwu Prefecture. It's a top-grade material for forging Mystic Grade weapons. If you win, this iron is yours." His tone was low and condescending, because he didn't think he would lose.

Ye An's gaze lingered on the piece of iron for a moment. "Can the Lin Lineage handle this?"

"No problem. My Lin Lineage has forged Mystic Grade weapons several times. It's just that Mystic Grade materials are extremely difficult to find, so the news that the Lin Lineage can forge Mystic Grade weapons isn't very well-known in Cangwu Prefecture."

She turned to Ye An and lowered her voice, "You don't really want to fight him, do you? His cultivation is almost at the Early-Stage Peak, let's forget it."

Ye An was silent for a moment, then said, "Didn't he want a pill? Perfect, I also want to see what level I'm at now."

To be honest, Ye An had never fought against a martial artist of the same cultivation level and background since he Qi Condensation, and that piece of Mystic-Pattern Cold Iron was indeed a treasure.

"Can."

A smile finally appeared on Zhao Yuanling's face, "Alright. Then... sign and put your fingerprint on it, no going back!"