Ye Lingyun decided to accompany the woman named Mu Yao to ask Elder Xuan Feng to appraise the artifacts. Lingfeng City covered a vast area, and Elder Xuan Feng lived in a secluded residence in the western part of the city. After asking for directions along the way, they finally arrived at the residence. Its gates were tightly shut, and two stern-faced guards barred their path.
Ye Lingyun stepped forward and said respectfully, "Gentlemen, my name is Ye Lingyun. This young lady and I have a matter we would like Elder Xuan Feng's help with. Please announce our arrival."
One of the guards looked Ye Lingyun and Mu Yao up and down, his expression turning disdainful. "Do you have any idea of Elder Xuan Feng's standing? You think you can see him just because you ask? Leave at once!"
Ye Lingyun felt anxious, but he knew better than to act rashly. After a moment's thought, he took a mid-grade spirit crystal from his Storage Ring and discreetly slipped it into the guard's hand. "Please make an exception for us. This matter is critically important."
Feeling the smooth warmth of the spirit crystal in his hand, the guard's expression softened slightly, though he still hesitated. "Well... all right. Wait here while I announce you. But I can't promise the elder will agree to see you."
With that, the guard turned and entered the residence. After a long wait, he finally returned and said expressionlessly, "The elder will see you."
Overjoyed, Ye Lingyun and Mu Yao hurried after the guard into the residence. Following a winding bluestone path, they reached a building of simple, antique elegance. Inside, a white-haired yet hale and spirited old man sat in a grand armchair. He was Elder Xuan Feng.
Ye Lingyun and Mu Yao hastily bowed. Elder Xuan Feng raised a hand slightly to indicate that they could straighten up, then turned his gaze to the artifacts from Mu Yao's stall. "Bring them forward."
Mu Yao carefully placed the mysterious artifacts on the table. Elder Xuan Feng leaned closer to examine them, sometimes picking one up and tapping it lightly, sometimes circulating his spiritual power to probe it. Ye Lingyun watched nervously from the side, silently hoping the artifacts would earn the elder's approval.
After a long while, Elder Xuan Feng finally raised his head, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "These artifacts are indeed genuine pieces recovered from ancient ruins. Each contains a unique fluctuation of spiritual power and has some value for research."
At Elder Xuan Feng's words, Mu Yao wept with joy, while Ye Lingyun inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. The man who had slandered Mu Yao would now have to swallow the bitter fruit of his own actions.
After they left Elder Xuan Feng's residence, Mu Yao was overflowing with gratitude toward Ye Lingyun. "Young Master Ye, without you today, I truly wouldn't have known what to do. Words of thanks cannot repay such great kindness. If you ever need anything, you need only ask."
Ye Lingyun smiled and waved a hand. "It was no more trouble than lifting a hand. Please don't dwell on it."
After parting with Mu Yao, Ye Lingyun continued searching Lingfeng City for opportunities to improve his strength. As he walked, he arrived at the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild. The guild enjoyed considerable renown not only in Lingfeng City but throughout the Lingxi Continent. Its influence was immense, and it dealt in all manner of rare goods while also issuing various missions that drew numerous cultivators into its service.
Ye Lingyun entered the guild. Its interior was lavishly decorated, and everyone coming and going was a person of standing in the cultivation world. At the center of the hall stood an enormous stone stele covered in mission details. Ye Lingyun approached and examined them closely.
Suddenly, a bounty mission caught his eye: find a stalk of thousand-year-old blood spirit grass. It grew deep within the Misty Forest outside the city, guarded by powerful demonic beasts. The rewards were exceptionally generous. Besides a large quantity of mid-grade spirit crystals, they included a spirit crystal fragment capable of improving the quality of a martial soul, as well as a VIP Token for the Myriad Treasures Merchant Guild. Holders of the VIP Token enjoyed numerous privileges at the guild, including discounts on purchases and advance information about its various rare goods.
Ye Lingyun's interest stirred. He currently needed a great deal of cultivation resources to improve his strength, making the rewards highly attractive. Moreover, obtaining a spirit crystal fragment that could improve his martial soul's quality would be an enormous help in strengthening him.
He accepted the mission without hesitation. Seeing how young he was, the guild steward said doubtfully, "This mission is fraught with danger. Are you sure you want to accept it? The demonic beast guarding the thousand-year-old blood spirit grass is at least third-tier. With your strength, I fear you'll go and never return."
Ye Lingyun smiled confidently. "Thank you for the warning, Steward. I'm confident I can complete the mission."
The steward shook his head helplessly and handed Ye Lingyun the mission details and a Mission Jade Slip. "Very well. This jade slip records the detailed characteristics of the thousand-year-old blood spirit grass and its approximate location. Keep it safe. If you encounter danger, crush the jade slip immediately, and our guild will send help. But it will take time for rescuers to arrive, so do your best to protect yourself."
Ye Lingyun took the jade slip and carefully put it away, then left the guild to prepare for his journey to the Misty Forest. Back at his lodgings, he gathered everything he needed. Besides weapons and medicinal pills, he also made a point of preparing some spiritual items for confusing demonic beasts.
At daybreak the next morning, Ye Lingyun set out for the Misty Forest. As he reached its edge, a dank, eerie air swept over him. Thick mist filled the forest, making visibility extremely poor, and he could faintly hear the roars of demonic beasts coming from its depths.
Ye Lingyun took a deep breath, circulated his spiritual power, and stepped into the forest. He advanced cautiously, testing his surroundings with every step. Before long, he sensed a demonic beast watching him from the shadows. Pretending not to notice, he continued onward while quietly tightening his grip on his sword.
Suddenly, a first-tier Shadow Wolf sprang from the undergrowth beside him and lunged at him with fangs bared and claws outstretched. Ye Lingyun was ready. He darted aside to evade the attack, then thrust his sword backhanded at the Shadow Wolf's abdomen. The Shadow Wolf howled in pain, wheeled around, and lunged again. Ye Lingyun unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique, sending sword energy crisscrossing through the air and driving the Shadow Wolf back in an instant.
After dealing with the Shadow Wolf, Ye Lingyun continued deeper into the forest. The farther he went, the thicker the mist became and the more dangers lurked around him. Relying on his keen perception and agile footwork, he avoided danger time and again.
After walking for an unknown length of time, Ye Lingyun finally reached the vicinity of the area indicated in the Mission Jade Slip. He knew the thousand-year-old blood spirit grass was nearby, but its guardian was certain to be a powerful third-tier demonic beast. He could not afford carelessness.
He began searching the area carefully while keeping watch for any movement around him. Suddenly, he spotted a strange red glow flickering in a valley ahead. His heart stirred. Could that be the thousand-year-old blood spirit grass?
Just as he was about to approach, a heaven-shaking roar rang out, and an enormous third-tier Flame Dragon Beast appeared before him. Blazing flames radiated from its entire body. Its eyes burned like torches as it fixed its stare on Ye Lingyun, as though warning him not to come any closer.
Ye Lingyun's heart tightened. The third-tier Flame Dragon Beast was immensely powerful; he was no match for it in a head-on fight. He swiftly circulated his spiritual power, preparing to use Breeze Phantom Steps to look for an opening. Seemingly sensing the threat he posed, the Flame Dragon Beast attacked first. It opened its huge maw and spewed a torrent of roaring flames that swept toward Ye Lingyun...
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