Chapter 132: On Spirit Tools
There was still more than a day until the appointment at Yanzi Mountain.
Su Yan took advantage of this gap in time to go to Tian Feng Weapon Shop.
Things were different now; he was no longer an unknown nobody in Yun Cang Town.
As soon as he stepped into Tian Feng Weapon Shop, the steward on duty quickly came up with small steps to greet him.
“Honored guest, does Young Master Su have any weapon that catches your eye?”
“Custom-make a Second-order Great Spear.”
The steward was slightly stunned; a Second-order Great Spear required Shopkeeper Ge Ming to take action, but the shopkeeper’s custom orders were already booked until next year…
If it were anyone else, refusing would just be refusing.
But the visitor was Su Yan, the number one talent in Yun Cang Town, and joining Beast King Sect was basically a done deal.
For someone like this, it was too late to befriend him—how could they push him out the door?
The steward was always sharp-eyed and quick-eared, recalling the situation in Tian Feng Weapon Shop.
He then said: “Young Master Su, please come with me to the parlor to wait a moment. I’ll have Young Master Fu discuss the details with you. Custom-making a handy weapon is a big matter. For a martial arts expert like you, I’m afraid my low cultivation might lead to miscommunication, which would not be ideal.”
The steward flattered Su Yan a bit, slightly bowed, and gestured ahead to lead the way.
The two passed through the front courtyard filled with clanging sounds and arrived at a parlor private room, where tea and pastries were already prepared.
The steward led Su Yan to sit down, then said: “Young Master Su, please wait patiently. This lowly one will go invite the young master over right away.”
The steward had already sent someone to notify Fu Xuejing, and now was serving Su Yan tea.
Fu Xuejing arrived with big strides. He pushed the door open, saw Su Yan, and showed a smiling face.
“Brother Su, if you’re coming over, you should have said so in advance. I could have set up a banquet and we could drink a couple of cups.”
Fu Xuejing was in a good mood and genuinely wanted to befriend Su Yan.
Because of Su Yan’s three Rejuvenation Pills, Pang Jian’s condition was gradually improving.
Although not fully recovered, there was at least no great danger.
And from Ye Chenyao’s mouth, Fu Xuejing had realized Su Yan’s monstrous talent—even in Beast King Sect, he wouldn’t be lost in the crowd.
Pill refining was a popular trade.
Fu Xuejing pulled Su Yan to sit down and asked: “Brother Su, I heard you want to forge a Second-order Spear—is it for the Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger?”
Su Yan nodded: “Indeed. The Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger given by that lord complement my fist techniques, so it’s fitting to forge a handy spear.”
He didn’t hide it either; since he was here to forge a weapon, some things needed to be made clear.
Fu Xuejing showed a slight difficulty, pondered for a moment, and voiced his concerns.
“In the shop, only four people can forge Second-order weapons: the three shopkeepers and me.”
“The Head Shopkeeper hasn’t forged for some years, and the Second Shopkeeper now…”
He stopped short, glossing over it: “The Third Shopkeeper and I do the most forging, but my skills are still far off, so only the Third Shopkeeper can take action.”
He listed from the Head Shopkeeper down to himself, explaining the situation at Tian Feng Weapon Shop clearly while also showing the importance he placed on Su Yan.
“Shopkeeper Ge Ming has taken on three Second-order weapons this year, and just the other day I promised Zhao Ziyun to forge a spear for him—I’m afraid his energy will be limited in the short term.”
After pondering, he said: “Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll set up a gathering, step in and talk it over with Brother Zhao, prioritize forging for Brother Su first—that way it won’t delay your schedule for the Beast King Sect assessment.”
The assessment he mentioned was naturally not the screening at Yanzi Mountain.
It was going to Beast King Sect for the real assessment.
Everyone knew that Su Yan of Yun Cang Town was almost certainly going to be selected for Beast King Sect.
Su Yan was slightly surprised; he had been prepared to trade to cut in line, but now Fu Xuejing was proactively helping to coordinate.
Fu Xuejing’s attitude was a bit too enthusiastic.
“In that case, trouble for Brother Fu.”
Setting up a gathering was just an excuse, but the initiative in forging was with Tian Feng Weapon Shop—they decided the order.
The two chatted a couple of sentences, exchanging insights on cultivation.
Tian Feng Weapon Shop focused on Hardening, with martial skills mainly hammer techniques, following a fierce and forceful path—there was quite a bit they could talk about with Su Yan.
Though Fu Xuejing was not as profound in techniques as Su Yan, he understood weapons more comprehensively.
‘What a monster—such deep understanding of fist techniques and Hardening, completely like a True Intent Realm expert immersed in the path for years.’
Thinking of this, admiration flashed in Fu Xuejing’s eyes.
Suddenly recalling what Ye Chenyao said: the true skill of a pill master wasn’t just refining pills by prescription—custom tailoring, adjusting prescriptions, and aiding cultivation were the most powerful aspects.
That was the fundamental way to judge if a pill master was an expert.
He couldn’t help asking: “Brother Su, I heard that pill masters can adjust pills based on the user’s condition?”
Su Yan raised an eyebrow: “Does Brother Fu have such a need?”
Fu Xuejing gritted his teeth and said: “Su Yan should have heard some rumors. To be frank, our Second Shopkeeper is indeed injured. Thanks to your three Rejuvenation Pills, he’s improved a lot. This isn’t coercion—just wondering if Brother Su has any more Rejuvenation Pills and if you can help Tian Feng Weapon Shop.”
“All costs will be covered by Tian Feng Weapon Shop, and we’ll add a piece of Second-order Mid-grade Tiger Refining Stone.”
Fu Xuejing offered Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s price.
Top forging materials, besides various special metal ores, included stones, grass and trees, etc., which condensed certain aura and spiritual energy due to special reasons.
Like Tiger Refining Stone—a mere stone that contained a tiger’s aura, and weapons refined from it would carry that aura.
Fu Xuejing knew Su Yan planned to cultivate the Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger; using such Tiger Refining Stone for the spear would be adding flowers to brocade.
Su Yan smiled and said: “Better to obey than to politely decline—many thanks, Brother Fu. Please take me to see the Second Shopkeeper so I can prescribe the right medicine.”
Fu Xuejing immediately smiled and nodded: “Sorry to trouble Brother Su—please follow me.”
He led Su Yan through the courtyard in the central area, going deeper. The three-section mansion was much more spacious than Golden Ape Martial Arts School, and in this back courtyard were several small courtyards divided into east, west, south, and north.
In the courtyard, an old tree towered, its lush branches and leaves shading the sun, giving it a somewhat cool and shady feel.
Su Yan arrived at the Second Shopkeeper’s courtyard, where Pang Jian could already get up from bed and was resting in the courtyard.
Half-naked, just draped in a thin black robe, his body wrapped tightly in cloth bandages like a piece of clothing.
“Second Shopkeeper”
Fu Xuejing entered and respectfully saluted.
Pang Jian saw it was him and smiled faintly: “Why bring someone to my place?”
“Second Shopkeeper, he is the one who refined the Rejuvenation Pills, and also Yun Cang Town’s current number one talent.”
“Su Yan…”
Pang Jian had seen Su Yan before, back in Miasma Valley, where he had witnessed him block a True Intent strike.
He had thought him a young talent, but hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
A pair of Iron Fists overturning eleven or twelve young talents in Yun Cang Town.
A pair of clever hands that could also refine Second-order Pills.
Fu Xuejing was good too and could forge Second-order sharp weapons, but his martial arts lagged behind Su Yan’s, and he was several years older.
“Long time no see—Bai Changlin took a good disciple.”
‘Not really that long.’
Su Yan chuckled inwardly but kept composed, replying: “Senior, has taking the Rejuvenation Pill helped at all?”
“Mostly better, but the bodily damage is severe—meridians recovery, fractures… all need some time.”
Pang Jian could tell Su Yan was here to check his injuries.
He didn’t hide it, removing his clothes: “Come take a look.”
Su Yan stepped forward to examine; the shallower wounds on his body had healed considerably.
Some deeper wounds had already scabbed over.
But when he probed inside with true essence, surveying the meridians and internals, the condition was much worse than it appeared.
‘After the Six-Winged Blood Centipede broke through, its poison is even more insidious and hard to deal with, far surpassing White Bone Poison Centipede. Pang Jian is a Heart Ape Stage True Intent Martial Artist, yet this bit of residual poison hasn’t been fully cleared after days. Looks like I underestimated this centipede poison.’
Su Yan took a general look and, from Pang Jian’s state of clearing the residual poison, inferred the power of the Six-Winged Blood Centipede’s poison.
In future battles, he’d have more moves.
He released Pang Jian’s hand and said: “Not just ordinary wounds—there’s some residual poison, but it’s not serious.”
“What?!”
Fu Xuejing’s eyes widened; Pang Jian’s expression changed slightly as he immediately said: “My chest feels faintly cold at night—is that the residual poison?”
He had thought it was from the injury.
He hadn’t expected it to be residual poison.
Su Yan nodded: “Most likely. Brother Fu, fetch me pen and paper—some pills need you to buy them from Hundred Herbs Hall or other apothecaries.”
“Pills?”
“Yes. Senior Pang Jian’s residual poison isn’t heavy, and his injuries have improved a lot—no need for the hassle of specially refining pills. Using Rejuvenation Pill as the base, I’ll teach you to combine with some pills and take them in sequence—the effect will be much the same.”
“I’ll go right now.”
Fu Xuejing fetched paper and pen; Su Yan wrote down Detox Pill, Heart-Protecting Pill, and so on.
He listed how to take them one by one, then took out a small porcelain bottle with three Rejuvenation Pills inside.
After explaining everything clearly, Pang Jian immediately began taking the pills.
One Rejuvenation Pill, half a Heart-Protecting Pill, and one-third Detox Pill crushed and taken with water.
In just the time for a cup of tea, Pang Jian’s complexion improved greatly.
The two bid farewell to Pang Jian and left his courtyard.
Fu Xuejing immediately thanked him sincerely: “Many thanks this time, Brother Su.”
Pang Jian was healed because of him—no matter the process, Fu Xuejing accepted this favor.
He was originally the Head Shopkeeper’s disciple; now with the Second Shopkeeper unlikely to reject him, plus the Third Shopkeeper who didn’t meddle much.
Fu Xuejing’s position was completely secured.
“No need to be polite. Shall we go see Master Ge Ming?”
“Naturally.”
Fu Xuejing led Su Yan to the most secluded and spacious courtyard.
Before even entering the courtyard, they heard the clanging sounds of hammering.
Entering the courtyard, the first thing in view was a massive forging furnace with roaring flames burning.
A woman in tight martial attire, long hair coiled behind her, tall and slender, was wielding a pitch-black large iron hammer, clanging as she hammered the forged iron.
Her strength was immense; she didn’t even use true essence—each strike made the forged iron denser, removing many impurities.
The hammer moved like gusts of wind, falling like thunderbolts.
Su Yan and the other entered without interrupting her forging.
After a cup of tea’s time, Ye Chenyao, who had been hammering for who knows how long, gradually stopped.
A sharp knife with a black wooden handle was held in Ye Chenyao’s hand.
She respectfully handed it to the old man drinking tea for inspection.
The old man had a burly figure like a brown bear; just sitting there, his aura leaked out—he was clearly a True Intent Realm powerhouse.
“Good, First-order High-grade, with slight flaws, but already better than me.”
Ge Ming saw Ye Chenyao’s work; though not finely polished, it already had such quality.
Though very simple and only First-order High-grade, this was a weapon forged and repeatedly refined from iron ingots.
Su Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking: “Such powerful forging—if the materials were better or polished longer, this knife would be Second-order. This is Ye Chenyao?”
He didn’t know Ye Chenyao, but with this cultivation and meeting her here with Ge Ming, her identity was easy to guess.
“Xuejing, this is?”
“Su Yan”
Fu Xuejing answered honestly and introduced them to each other.
Ge Ming’s eyes brightened slightly, nodding repeatedly: “Seeing is believing—indeed excellent bone structure.”
Balanced frame, perfect build—suitable for blades and spears, sticks and rods, any body type.
Fu Xuejing stated the purpose, and Ge Ming became slightly more serious.
He took a sip of tea, pondered a moment, and said: “If the shop agreed, me helping you refine the artifact is no issue. What style of spear do you want? Tell me your ideas.”
“Heavy spear, for grand sweeping spearmanship, body dimensions designed to my size.”
“Want to incorporate any True Intent?”
“Tiger Intent.”
“What materials do you have on you? Let me see, and what needs supplementing.”
“One piece Second-order Low-grade Water Flexible Steel, one Tiger Refining Stone, First-order Red Gold, Black Steel…”
Su Yan listed about eleven or twelve kinds of metals, all deducted from the Gold-Eating Demon Insect’s rations.
If it were before, after sweeping San Die Stream, Grindstone Stockade, and Tianhe Gang Water Stronghold, Su Yan wouldn’t lack ores.
But the Gold-Eating Demon Insect had devoured quite a few resources.
Being able to bring these out showed Su Yan managed his household well.
Ge Ming frowned at the materials, his white beard trembling: “Almost no Feral Beast Materials—just metals aren’t enough. To bring out the weapon’s power, these are essential.”
“Feral Beast Materials are that important?”
Su Yan didn’t know much about artifact refining. Ye Chenyao, now wiping sweat and letting down her long hair, said leisurely: “Our martial arts use Feral Beasts as Visualization Diagrams—we already have resonance. If you want the weapon to last longer, get compatible materials. Maybe nurture spirituality and evolve it into your own Spirit Tool.”
Su Yan showed some confusion and asked: “Messenger Ye, what is this Spirit Tool?”
“Call me miss, or Senior Sister.”
Ye Chenyao had a straightforward personality, almost a female version of the little old man Ge Ming.
She said: “Kitchen knives and such for ordinary people have no ability to part hair or cut iron like reeds—they’re mortal tools. Next, First-order, Second-order weapons are called sharp weapons, able to channel some true essence and qi and blood, with initial power. Martial Artists using them gain considerable combat power. Higher up, Third-order, Fourth-order weapons have spirituality and are called Spirit Tools.”
