When Qin Tiexin returned to Luo Ling Peak from the Internal Affairs Hall, the night was already dark. Most of the lights on the peak had been extinguished, and only the window lattice in Nangong Yao's small courtyard still revealed a warm yellow light.
He knocked gently on the door.
"Come in." Nangong Yao's voice came.
Pushing the door open and walking in, Nangong Yao was sitting under the lamp, holding a piece of soft light cyan cloth and gesturing with something in his hand. There were several pieces of semi-finished jewelry and tools scattered next to him. Seeing him come in, she put down the things in her hands and looked up with questioning in her eyes.
"Elder Sun agreed." Qin Tiexin said concisely and comprehensively, "I will accompany you as a weapon refining assistant. You need to sign a contract and complete a quota of tasks every month."
When Nangong Yao heard this, a complicated look flashed in her eyes. She seemed to be relieved, but also seemed to be more worried. She was silent for a moment and said, "Since Elder Sun agreed, it's settled. But... I don't plan to stay with Luo Ling Peak."
Qin Tiexin was stunned.
Nangong Yao looked at him and said in a clear voice, "Before Master left, he specifically told me to take good care of you. I can't let you go to such a far and dangerous place by yourself Wind and Snow Pass." She paused, and a bright light flashed in her eyes, "Besides, senior sister, I also want to go to Northern Frontier to see the world and see what the legendary Wind and Snow Pass looks like."
"Then..." Qin Tiexin frowned slightly, "Luo Ling Peak needs someone to stay behind."
"So, we need to ask Martial Uncle Wu." Nangong Yao said, "Ask him to take care of Luo Ling Peak temporarily. The master is not here, Senior Brother Chen Xi is out, Martial Uncle Wu is the guest elder and the elder. With him here, the affairs in the peak can always be maintained."
Qin Tiexin thought for a while and nodded. This seems to be the only feasible way at present.
In the early morning of the next day, the sky was slightly bright. Qin Tiexin and Nangong Yao went to the weapon refining side hall at the waist of the peak.
Wu Zhen is indeed already in the palace. He is in front of an underground furnace, concentrating on forging the head of a long spear. The dark red spear head is repeatedly beaten, causing sparks to fly, gradually revealing smooth and sharp lines.
The two of them did not interrupt and stood quietly waiting.
It wasn't until the last blow of the gun tip fell, Wu Zhen immersed it in the quenching pool next to it, and a large plume of white smoke rose up that he raised his head, wiped his sweat with a cloth, and looked at the two people. "Is something wrong?"
Nangong Yao took a step forward and bowed. "Martial Uncle Wu, Junior Brother Qin and I have decided to sign up together to station at Wind and Snow Pass."
Wu Zhen paused for a moment. He put down the cloth, picked up the robe next to him and put it on. He slowly turned around and glanced at their faces. Nangong Yao's eyes were firm, and Qin Tiexin's face was calm.
He did not speak immediately, but walked to the side and sat down on a stone bench, picked up a rough pottery bowl, and took a sip of water. Silence filled the forging hall, with only the "whooshing" sound of the Furnace Fire flames burning.
After a long time, Wu Zhen spoke slowly, in a low voice. "When I was young... I also went to Northern Frontier. I saw Wind and Snow Pass once from a distance."
His gaze seemed to Penetration towards the palace wall, looking towards the far north. "That pass... is very high, very thick, and covered with ice and snow all year round. The pass wall is densely covered with traces of the old and the new - claw marks, burn marks, impact dents, dried and black blood stains... countless, and they cannot be wiped off."
He paused, his tone was calm, but his words were heavy. "It was built layer by layer with human lives."
Qin Tiexin and Nangong Yao listened quietly without interrupting.
Wu Zhen's eyes fell back on the two of them. He did not dissuade him, but calmly warned, "Let's go, there are a few things to remember."
"First, the climate of Wind and Snow Pass is extremely cold, which is unusual. To use your spiritual power there to keep out the cold and maintain your condition is much faster than in the interior. You should prepare more elixirs like Spirit Restoration and Nourishment."
"Second, most of Devil Race's attacks contain Blood Baleful Intent and Devil Qi. These things have a corrosive effect on Law Artifact's spirituality. After every battle, as long as conditions permit, you must Nourishment and clean up your own Law Artifact in time. Otherwise, spirituality will be damaged and power will be reduced. It is a trivial matter. If it fails at a critical moment, it will be fatal."
"Third," he looked at Qin Tiexin, "Demon General has Devil Core in his body. Devil Core is a good thing. It is The essence condensed in Devil Race's body can be exchanged for various resources in Guancheng, and is also the material for many elixirs and Law Artifact. But when hunting, do what you can, and don't be greedy for merit. Only by staying alive can you have a future."
After saying this, he pondered for a moment, took out a piece of cyan Jade Slip with a dull color and some frayed corners from the Storage Bag he carried with him, and handed it to Qin Tiexin.
"Take this, take it."
Qin Tiexin took it with both hands. Jade Slip felt warm and moist, but the aura on the surface was dim, obviously it was old.
Wu Zhen looked at Jade Slip, with a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. "This is... the record map of Wind and Snow Pass's surroundings left by the seniors in the sect when Spirit Creek Sect was still alive. In those days, Spirit Creek Sect also had to send people to Northern Frontier on a regular basis. It's a pity..."
He shook his head and did not continue. Instead, he said, "This map is very old. Some of the areas marked on it may have spiritual materials or Elder Gu relics. They may not be accurate today, and the terrain may have changed. But it is still a reference and may be useful."
Qin Tiexin held Jade Slip tightly and bowed solemnly. "Thank you, uncle."
Wu Zhen waved his hands, his eyes lingered on the two of them again, and finally said, "As long as I'm here, Luo Ling Peak doesn't have to worry. I can still handle the task of building Middle-Grade Law Artifact's sect."
He paused, his voice slowed down, and he said word by word, "You... must be careful."
Nangong Yao's eyes were slightly red and he nodded vigorously. "Uncle, don't worry, we will do it."
After coming out of the Refining Hall, both of them felt heavy in their hearts, but they seemed to feel more at ease. Wu Zhen's advice and experience were more weighty than any words of encouragement.
After returning to their respective residences, the two began to prepare separately.
Nangong Yao specially called Qin Tiexin into his room, took out a soft ruler, and carefully measured his body dimensions, including shoulder width, arm length, chest circumference, leg length... meticulously.
"Senior sister, what is this?" Qin Tiexin was a little confused.
"I'll make you another close-fitting protective inner armor." Nangong Yao said without raising his head while recording the data, "In a place like Wind and Snow Pass, it's always good to have an extra layer of protection. I got a small piece of 'Ice Silkworm Silver Silk' some time ago. It has excellent toughness and good resistance. It comes in handy."
Qin Tiexin felt warm in his heart and said, "Senior sister, can I also help you refine a weapon for self-defense?"
Nangong Yao heard this, chuckled, raised his head and rolled his eyes at him. "Silly junior brother, senior sister, I use soft weapons like silk, luo, silk, and suo. Can your blacksmithing skills make ribbons and flying flowers?"
Qin Tiexin scratched his head and then remembered that senior sister usually used a few more silk handkerchiefs against the enemy. It was indeed not a way she was good at, so she had to give up.
Returning to cave abode, Qin Tiexin did not start cleaning up immediately. Instead, he sat down at the table, spread out a piece of white paper, and dipped his pen in ink.
He needed to clear his mind. He had been on this trip for three years, and the environment was unfamiliar and dangerous. He had to make all preparations, especially those needed for cultivation, and he must not be delayed by external conditions.
The pen tip fell, and items were clearly listed on the paper:
1. Cultivation Resources, long-term reserve in case of Northern Frontier resource shortage:
1. Body Tempering Ninth Layer·Marrow Replacement: This pass requires the assistance of "Marrow Cleansing Liquid". The main materials "Hundred-Year Earth Marrow Milk", "Blazing Sun Grass", "Cold Jade Marrow", and more than ten kinds of auxiliary medicinal materials need to be prepared in advance. Exchange them as soon as possible at Zongmenfang City or Merit Points Hall.
2. "Cauldron Eating Art" training: The cauldron must be brought with you. Before departure, you need to purchase, pickle, and process low-level Demon Beast meat in large quantities, and store special Frost Storage Bag to ensure the Qi and Blood required for long-term cultivation is replenished. Wait until Wind and Snow Pass before hunting.
2. Equipment arrangement and preparation:
1. Storage equipment: Transfer commonly used items from the original Storage Bag to the [high-grade storage ring] given by the sect leader. This ring has a stable space, quick access, and huge capacity. It is the main storage equipment. The original Storage Bag can be used for classification and backup.
2. Attack methods:
"Falling Star Spear": Its huge power has been verified in the last actual combat. It is necessary to collect materials again and forge more javelins for use. At least fifty javelins should be prepared, including Frost, Bursting, Armor Piercing and other different types.
Edgeless: Daily Nourishment, check the status of Spirit Rune. Its ability to absorb Sha Qi may be the key.
Wolf fang bracelet: spiritual power Nourishment, restores the number of Wind Blade stored in it.
3. Tool preparation: Northern Frontier conditions are difficult, and the refining facilities may not be complete. You need to prepare a set of commonly used refining tools: one large and small anvils, a set of quenching pliers, multiple specifications of Spirit Rune carving knives, portable fire control array disk, basic grinding tools, etc. Although "Vajra Hammer Fist" and the spiritual carving knife can replace part of the process, professional tools are more efficient.
3. Procurement of consumables:
1. Pills: Purchase Qi Recovery Pill and Healing Pill in large quantities, focusing on internal injuries and dispelling cold and cold Sha Qi. Also prepare some Antidote Pill and Grain Avoidance Pill.
2. Talisman: Focus on protection (Vajra Talisman, Earth Armor Talisman), escape (Divine Travel Talisman), and warmth talisman for cold environments (Blazing Sun Talisman).
3. Miscellaneous items: special cold-resistant oil, large quantities of blank Jade Slip, Northern Frontier detailed maps, high-quality Water Purification Talisman, long-term storage-resistant Spirit Cuisine dry food, etc.
Line by line, paragraph by paragraph, from the basics of cultivation to the details of life, from offensive weapons to logistical support, he listed them all carefully and considered them thoroughly.
After writing the last word, Qin Tiexin put down the pen, picked up the paper, and read it carefully from beginning to end to make sure there was nothing missing.
The ink on the paper is still wet and has a clear luster under the light.
He solemnly placed this list in the most conspicuous place on his desk.
In the next half month, this will be his action plan. One by one, he will put it into practice to make the most solid preparations for the distant Northern Frontier journey, where ice, snow and beacons are intertwined.
The moonlight from the window fell in, illuminating his calm and determined profile.
Time began to become urgent.