Chapter 84 - 75: Huo Yunfei and Yue Ling’Er, Clashing of the Two Women (Please Collect)

Elder Ling tirelessly pumped the bellows, causing the wind to roar on the first floor of the Sword Casting Pavilion, and the red flames were stirred up, sending out sparks like a sky full of stars. "I’ve said before, geniuses are easy to find, but Spiritual Treasures are hard to acquire. If you truly want my help, let him follow me to learn the art of casting and refining!" Chang Zhichun blinked and was stunned. Su Chen tugged his hand and asked, "Senior Brother, what’s wrong?" "Nothing, we... should leave first." Chang Zhichun led Su Chen slowly out of the Sword Casting Pavilion. It wasn’t until they disappeared completely that Elder Ling stopped his actions, looking solemnly at the door of the pavilion, his calloused hand clenching slightly... Su Chen breathed in the fresh air outside, gazing at the beautiful scenery of blooming flowers, and sighed, "It’s so much better outside; inside was stifling." Chang Zhichun shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "Su Chen, if Senior Brother really let you learn the art of casting and refining with Elder Ling, would you be willing?" Su Chen hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, "No, I’ve worked hard to come to the Carefree Sect. I want to learn wind attribute skills to strengthen myself; what’s the point of learning the art of casting and refining?" Chang Zhichun sighed, "Do you know why I brought you to see Elder Ling?" Su Chen shook his head. "Because Elder Ling is one of the top three Master Artisans on the Profound Cyan Continent capable of crafting Supremes." Chang Zhichun’s tone became somber, and his expression unusually serious. Su Chen’s heart trembled violently—Supreme? "Su Chen, in this world, not only do Beast Cultivators, Cultivation Techniques, and skills have hierarchical divisions, but weapons also have extremely strict classifications." Chang Zhichun explained. Su Chen watched him with an understanding gaze, awaiting what he would say next. "Just like the short swords distributed to you earlier. Why did I say that no one else in the world can replicate them? Firstly, because they are Spiritual Artifacts; secondly, because they were created by one of the three Master Artisans, Elder Ling. Spiritual Artifacts are a level higher than ordinary weapons and are weapons that have a bonus effect due to their attribute energies." Su Chen’s eyes lit up, as if he understood a little. "After Spiritual Artifacts, there are Spiritual Treasures and Supremes, and Supremes are undoubtedly the most powerful weapons in the world. Having one can increase a Beast Cultivator’s victory rate by two or three percent in battles of the same level!" "So powerful?" Su Chen exclaimed in surprise. "Hehe, that’s just the power of a lower-level Supreme. If it were a higher-level Supreme..." Chang Zhichun looked into the distance with a longing expression, "Then you could almost win effortlessly without a fight!" Su Chen’s heart trembled violently. Such terrifying power from a Supreme—what if he could obtain one himself? He suddenly contemplated Elder Ling’s offer to teach him the art of casting and refining, feeling a bit more inclined. Although learning the art would undoubtedly take a lot of time, the future benefits it could provide seemed very worthwhile. Besides, being with one of the top three Master Artisans on the Profound Cyan Continent, he might gain many advantages? With this thought, his interest in learning the art of casting and refining grew stronger. "Senior Brother, why is Elder Ling so aloof? Does he have any grudges with the Carefree Sect?" Chang Zhichun shook his head, "That’s just his temperament. Even if the master himself were here, he would still have to act according to Elder Ling’s mood. Haha, but many sects, even the Celestial Peak Sect, have sent people here, yet none could persuade him to leave. Even I don’t know the reason." Su Chen thought to himself, what an arrogant old man. "Su Chen, the Eight-Year War seems far off, but it’s actually very close. Four years from now, when the three of us leave here, the major responsibilities will fall on you and those few others." Chang Zhichun sighed deeply. Su Chen nodded understandingly. "The master asked me to quickly familiarize you with everything on the Three Pure Ones Mountain. The Sword Casting Pavilion is just one place; when there’s more time, I’ll take you to the library and the elixir room. I also hope to train you into the Carefree Sect’s most capable disciple in the shortest time." A trace of sadness flickered in Chang Zhichun’s eyes. He was regretful, having failed to shield the sect from this arduous battle in his lifetime. If the Carefree Sect were to lose its top position, he and the master would undoubtedly feel regretful for the rest of their lives. Su Chen was undoubtedly their final hope... After parting with Chang Zhichun, Su Chen went to the dining hall for a casual meal. The Carefree Sect’s collective cultivation time is only from morning until noon because this period is when the atmospheric energy is most abundant. From noon until evening each day, disciples are free to arrange their own schedules. They can continue training in the back mountains or go to the library to study texts and secrets. Of course, disciples who haven’t undergone a blood pact are not allowed into the library. Su Chen wandered around the wooden house twice and still couldn’t feel any sleepiness, so he decided to venture out again. Seeing those youngsters continually heading toward the back mountains, he frowned slightly. "Are they all going to endure hard training in the back mountains?" He muttered to himself, but suddenly noticed a familiar figure, "Huo Yunfei?" Judging from the back, it had to be her. Su Chen took a deep breath and then started running towards Huo Yunfei, who was heading to the back mountains, "Huo Yunfei..." The girl turned around with a hint of surprise on her face, but that surprise was quickly replaced by delight, "Su Chen, why is it you?" "Why can’t it be me? Are you going to the back mountains to train too?" Su Chen asked with a smile as he looked at the short sword in her hand. Huo Yunfei nodded, but her expression suddenly turned playful as she giggled, "Didn’t I tell you not to call me Huo Yunfei, Su Chen, do you want to be a little puppy?" Su Chen clicked his tongue inwardly, "Alright then, I won’t call you Huo Yunfei next time, but who are you training with?" "With my sister and them..." Huo Yunfei’s expression suddenly darkened, and Su Chen looked ahead only to find two people staring at him with hostility? It was them. Su Chen’s fists clenched tightly. Who else could they be but Huo Yunfeng and Huo Yunxin? Recalling the helpless situation of being forced to annul an engagement at the age of nine made Su Chen’s heart fill with a sense of suffocation. Though he didn’t actually like Huo Yunxin, being a child of the Su Family, getting annulled by another large family had a huge impact on his family and father. His father had also been ridiculed by the family for this incident, carrying an unimaginable psychological burden for years. Thinking of this, the anger in Su Chen’s heart gradually turned into extreme indifference, and he vowed to make everyone regret it, including the Huoyun Clan. "Su Chen, I should go; goodbye." Huo Yunfei showed a hint of regret on her face and then slowly turned around to run towards Huo Yunfeng and the others. Su Chen watched her back for a long time without moving. It wasn’t until they disappeared completely from his vision that he unclenched his fists, and his expression returned to calmness. Since they’re all heading to the back mountains, I’ll choose a different place. He remembered that the environment around the Hundred Treasures Garden seemed quite nice, and since no one dared to go there to train, he would go and try his luck. With that thought, Su Chen dashed towards the plaza. Before long, he arrived at the Hundred Treasures Garden, resembling a paradise on earth, with vibrant flowers and trees, full of lively vitality. In front of him stretched a gleaming water surface, across which lay an arched bridge. On the other side of the bridge was the white-topped pagoda-shaped building, the Sword Casting Pavilion. Su Chen found a somewhat open spot by the shore, first sitting cross-legged in silence for more than half an hour before picking up his short sword to rehearse the sword techniques learned that morning. After several repetitions, he felt a faint sense of gracefulness and ease. The wind attribute skills are indeed about freedom and fluidity as if merging with the natural wind. The sword moves were fluid and seamless, with no hindrance at all. "Using the Wind Shadow Blade would surely consume a portion of the Beast’s Qi Energy. Though its power would increase, its stamina would be insufficient, easy for enemies to exploit." Su Chen mumbled to himself, "But it’s hard to completely control with this almost-Spiritual Artifact-like short sword unless my understanding of the sword techniques and Sword Intent reaches a peak." He pondered the pros and cons of using the Wind Shadow Blade versus a Spiritual Artifact, ultimately realizing that a good weapon is undoubtedly the best choice. His gaze involuntarily returned to the towering pagoda. "The Sword Casting Pavilion, I wonder if there are better swords inside? If one could replace the Wind Shadow Blade, that would be great." He flipped over and crouched in the waist-high grass by the shore, watching the Sword Casting Pavilion across the lake with eager eyes. Just as he was daydreaming, a pleasant voice suddenly echoed in his ear! "Hey, what are you doing lying here?" Startled, Su Chen quickly got up, but when he turned around, he was taken aback! "It’s you?" He said with some difficulty. Across from him stood Yue Xianling, her face full of curiosity, and in her arms, she still held the lazy Nine-tailed Flower Raccoon, Huanhuan. At that moment, Huanhuan was staring at him with its small but sharp eyes, making a soft cooing sound.