In another place, completely unaware that the twins had not forgotten him, but were actually preparing a dowry for their future union, Gu Yuan had already finished converting his cultivation into the Hundred Tempering Metal Scripture.
Four hours. That was all the time it had taken him, and he was quite pleased by that.
Despite his joy, Gu Yuan did not waver in his concentration and immediately began adjusting his condition for his breakthrough. Wanting to reach his perfect condition, he spent more than two days doing so before finally beginning his breakthrough.
Maybe he had been worried more than necessary? As the breakthrough progressed, Gu Yuan couldn’t help but wonder, because everything was going far more smoothly than he had expected. The Orb of Creation continuously provided him with Metal Qi as well, making the breakthrough much easier.
One day later, he completed the advancement and opened his eyes.
Everything had gone smoothly, and he was quite happy. However, he did not let his excitement sweep him away and instead continued cultivating, consolidating his breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
It was only two days later that he finally finished consolidating his cultivation and opened his eyes, excitement and joy visible within them... though not solely because of the breakthrough.
Gu Yuan was even happier because of the sensation he had received from the Orb of Creation.
Another ability had appeared!
Filled with anticipation, Gu Yuan opened his status window.
[Name: Gu Yuan]
[Lifespan: 16/120]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm, First Stage]
[Cultivation Method: Hundred Tempering Metal Scripture]
[Weapon Techniques: Basic Saber Form]
[Possession: Orb of Creation]
He stared at it for a moment, quietly admiring where he stood now. He was feeling particularly satisfied by the increase in his lifespan. Then he opened the detailed description of the Orb of Creation.
[Orb of Creation]
- Qi Absorption: Passively absorbs Spirit Qi from the surroundings and refines it into Qi compatible with the host.
- Spiritual Root Enhancement: Continuously refines and strengthens the host’s Spiritual Root.
Spiritual Root Enhancement.
Gu Yuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the Orb of Creation’s new ability.
A Spiritual Root represented one’s talent and potential, and his second-grade Spiritual Root had always been a concern lingering in the back of his mind.
The Orb of Creation helped him absorb Spirit Qi, making not only his cultivation but even his breakthroughs easier. Even then, with his limited talent and humble Spiritual Root, how far could he truly go? How much further could he continue cultivating before reaching an insurmountable bottleneck?
It was a question he had asked himself more than once. Yet each time he had pushed it aside, telling himself that such a problem still lay far in the future.
Now the problem had been solved on its own.
Moreover, the fact that he had gained another ability upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm carried significant implications. It suggested that he might obtain yet another ability when he advanced to the Golden Core Realm.
Perhaps the same would hold true for the Spiritual Core Realm... and for every major realm beyond that.
Just how many abilities would he eventually obtain?
Gu Yuan couldn’t help but feel excited about the future.
...
Coming out of his house, Gu Yuan held the Spirit-Grade saber in his hand. Channeling his cultivation into it, he swung it down, and a small crater was immediately carved into the ground.
What he was using was the Basic Saber Form, the basic technique he had purchased because he hadn’t found anything powerful enough on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion that suited his taste.
In the end, he had opted to train the basic moves instead, believing that mastering the fundamentals would make it easier for him to practice a more powerful saber technique in the future.
Gu Yuan nodded in satisfaction at the result before putting his saber away.
In its place, a talisman appeared in his palm.
It was a Concealment Talisman of low-grade Spirit rank. Once activated, it could last for one full month before dissolving, and it would make his cultivation appear be at the Qi Refinement Realm.
For an item with limited use, it was quite expensive, costing 150 Low-Grade Spirit Stones each. Gu Yuan had bought five for 700 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
He wasn’t doing anything that he needed to hide because of it. Even so, his cultivation speed was still abnormal. He had already begun attracting some attention after reaching the peak of Qi Refinement. If possible, he didn’t want to attract even more by openly displaying his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Realm.
And so, after putting the talisman on himself and confirming that his cultivation once again appeared to be at the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm, he finally made his way toward the outer sect.
More than three days had already passed. He wanted to learn about the latest developments in the war while also resuming his work at the forge.
This time, Gu Yuan didn’t go to the Mission Hall. Instead, he went to the small open market where disciples traded among themselves.
More disciples had gathered than usual, some there to sell and others to buy. Some were haggling over prices, while others simply browsed the stalls, seemingly hoping to find a lucky bargain, perhaps some cheap but precious treasure that others had failed to recognize. There were also those who had come for entirely different purposes, like him.
At a leisurely pace, Gu Yuan walked through the market, quietly listening to the conversations flowing around him.
Piecing together what he heard, he confirmed that his earlier prediction had been correct.
Aside from the group sent a few days ago, another group was already being assembled to join the war.
Furthermore, the group that had arrived a few days ago was currently coordinating with those trapped inside the Crimson Flame Sect, giving the sect quite the headache.
From the information he gathered, it was apparent that the Black Desolation Sect had the upper hand, even though the Crimson Flame Sect had the advantage of fighting on its home ground.
Is this really all this so-called righteous sect is capable of? Gu Yuan couldn’t help but lower his evaluation of them.
Shaking his head, Gu Yuan continued walking through the market, occasionally glancing over the various stalls. Since he had already come this far, it would be a waste to leave after only gathering information.
There were many stalls, displaying all kinds of items. Most were operated by outer sect disciples, but there were inner sect disciples among them as well. Perhaps he might even find some unexpected treasure?
More skeptical than expectant, Gu Yuan continued browsing.
Maybe I should wrap things up here and go to the forge already? Just as he began thinking this, Gu Yuan suddenly sensed something unusual from one of the stalls.
It was operated not by an outer disciple, but by an inner sect disciple.
Using spiritual sense to determine another person’s cultivation was considered impolite, and doing so could easily lead to conflict, as a result, Gu Yuan couldn’t accurately determine the man’s cultivation. Even so, judging from his aura, it was easy to determine that he was at the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Gu Yuan browsed through the items displayed on the stall, his gaze eventually settling on one particular saber. The blade was long and slender, but much of its surface was covered in signs of damage. Its once-refined patterns had been worn away in places, while several shallow cracks and patches of corrosion marred the steel.
Despite its damaged state, it still carried a faint, cold luster that hinted at what it might once have been.
"Greetings, Senior Brother," Gu Yuan said. "How much is this saber?"
"Ten Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."
"Oh? Is that so? Then, goodbye."
The aloof expression of the inner sect disciple cracked as Gu Yuan immediately turned to leave. He hurriedly called after him.
"Five Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."
Gu Yuan’s steps paused, but in the end, he continued walking.
The man gritted his teeth. "Three. I can’t go any lower."
Gu Yuan finally turned around and returned to the stall. He picked up the saber and examined its damaged blade again before saying, "Senior Brother, look at how eroded this blade is. Don’t you think you’re asking too much by three Middle-Grade Spirit Stones?"
"What do you know? I nearly died to get this saber. It’s definitely a precious treasure."
"Then what can it do?" Gu Yuan asked skeptically. "As a saber user myself, I wanted to buy it simply because I liked its appearance. But tell me, can I even use it in a fight? I’m certain the saber would break after a single swing."
The inner sect disciple coughed before explaining, "You may not be able to use it in its current state, but you could ask a Forging Master to repair it for you."
Gu Yuan let out a short laugh.
"Hahaha. You really love joking, Senior Brother. If that were possible, why didn’t you do it yourself? Just so you know, I happen to know a thing or two about forging, and I can tell at a glance that this saber is beyond repair."
The man gritted his teeth and did not argue further.
"Two Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."
Gu Yuan still shook his head. "Fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"If I weren’t planning to participate in the war against the Crimson Flame Sect and needed Spirit Stones to purchase some necessary items, I wouldn’t be selling it in the first place. Two Middle-Grade Spirit Stones. I can’t lower it any further."
The inner sect disciple sounded adamant, but Gu Yuan continued haggling with him, gradually shaving down the price until it finally reached 159 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Only then did he finally agree to the price and pay for the saber.