Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 143 - 137 Earth Fire Golden Plum - Part 1

Chapter 143: Chapter 137 Earth Fire Golden Plum - Part 1

"Regarding the materials, I hope everyone can collaborate and find them as soon as possible. Also, I might need to take a trip soon, and I hope everyone can manage affairs in my absence and proceed according to the original plan."

"Villa Master, what about the invitation to the Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament we previously agreed to..." Lin Xinyuan asked in a low voice.

"You go, representing our manor," Lin Xin said casually.

"Me?" Lin Xinyuan exclaimed in surprise.

"Ou Yinghong will go with you, take a few youngsters to gain some experience, and broaden their horizons," Lin Xin said with a smile. "The Hundred Cities Martial Arts Tournament is a talent selection competition organized by the Four Sects, targeting civilian experts below the Qi Cultivation level. If they feel unsatisfied, they can also step up and participate."

"But..."

"That’s decided."

Lin Xin waved his hand and began to discuss other matters with the rest of the senior members.

Watching her older brother, Lin Xinyuan felt a sense of indescribable emotions. After retreating, she lowered her head and said no more.

After arranging the affairs of the Manor, Lin Xin changed into ordinary Jianghu attire, carried a sword box and a bundle, and rode his horse into the night at high speed.

*****************

Radiant Sun Sect’s Underground Palace

"We greet the Sect Master!"

A group of Radiant Sun Sect experts knelt on one knee, paying respects to Lin Xin who slowly took his seat above.

The aura of these individuals was obscure, each equipped with a Concealment Array Plate refined by Lin Xin. As a master of talisman formations, Lin Xin’s prowess was close to that of a master level, nearly capable of creating his own formations, a fact that also contributed to why other sects had not interfered with his manor.

The ability to miniaturize array plates was his hidden trump card; outwardly, he claimed only the Luminous Formation could be miniaturized, whereas others could not.

Sitting on the high seat, Lin Xin signaled everyone to stand.

"Each of you report your progress according to your code," he said.

With time and covert support from the Manor, the Radiant Sun Sect had truly changed its gear.

The Yang Polarity Pill cultivation technique practiced by these Radiant Sun Sect experts, also known as the Extreme Yang Scroll, was notably potent in its yang-searing properties.

Lin Xin then inscribed a modified version of Solar Yang Formation on their magic artifacts and magic swords. The power was less than that of Solar Yang Formation but stronger than the Minor Solar Yang Formation; he named it Yang Sear Formation.

Unexpectedly, their inner Qi combined with the Yang Sear Formation had drastically increased their power, even making them more formidable than Lin Xin himself with his Solar Yang Talisman Sword.

Most impressively was Liu Yang, the strongest Innate Ninth Layer expert, who, aided by the Yang Sear Formation and his Heart Blood Sacrificially Refined magic sword, suddenly reached the power of the Qi Refinement Realm.

Even Lin Xin found himself impressed.

Merely a Yang Sear Formation had considerably accelerated the cultivation progress of these Radiant Sun Sect experts, almost resembling the effect of a Spirit Gathering Array, a huge improvement on their previously arduous days. This made them even more devoted to Lin Xin.

Lin Xin also learned from them that a Heart Blood Sacrificially Refined magic artifact, if matched with a formation that suited one’s cultivation technique’s attributes, could significantly benefit one’s cultivation advancement.

Inside the Underground Palace, Liu Yang stepped forward, his face showing a hint of suppressed joy.

"Sect Master, I’ve had some insights recently and might need to go into seclusion for some time," he said.

Lin Xin’s eyes brightened. Liu Yang was already at the Great Perfection of the Ninth Layer; if he broke through, he would truly be a Qi Cultivator. Lin Xin had merely improved their living and medical conditions and provided them with better cultivation techniques, things that other sects also had, so such a dramatic effect must stem from his miniaturized formation inscriptions.

He had inscribed real, at least fifty sets of Yang Sear Formations on the magic swords of a few talented experts, covering them densely, while others received only a standard set. The effects, as now seen, were indeed astonishing.

"Go ahead with your seclusion, and you can requisition various resources in advance from me." Although giving Sword Sect eighty percent of the income, supporting a few people in the manor was not a problem.

"That won’t be necessary," Liu Yang hesitated briefly before continuing, "Sect Master, I once acquired a peculiar sword art called the Slaughter Yin Sword Art, presumably around Second Grade. I wonder if I could exchange it...?"

"A Second Grade sword technique?" Lin Xin knew these Radiant Sun Sect experts, being long-term assassins and mercenaries, had accumulated much wealth, so having a Second Grade sword technique was fairly normal. First Grade corresponded to Innate; Second Grade to Qi Cultivation; Third Grade to Foundation Establishment, and so on.

Second Grade was the level of sword techniques used in Qi Cultivation practice.

However, in the Underworld, a name such as Slaughter Yin Sword Art was quite commonplace.

"If it really is Second Grade, I could offset it with a hundred-year-old Yang Fire Herb. However, I plan to establish an exchange pavilion. I suggest that you put the sword technique into it and allow other disciples to learn from it for a fee. This way, you can gain more long-term benefits,"

Lin Xin said with a smile.

"Although the name isn’t very impressive, the sword technique is genuine," Liu Yang replied calmly. "Exchange pavilion, does the Sect Master mean something like those of the large sects?"

"More or less," Lin Xin nodded. "I plan to use our Inner Hall as the foundation to establish an expanded Outer Hall."

"But my Radiant Sun Sect has always operated in the shadows, let alone finding people..." Liu Zong couldn’t help but interject. "And with more people, both loyalty and expenses would greatly increase."

"No worries, didn’t Radiant Sun Sect originally split off from several small sects? You can gather them one by one. The numbers would be just enough, and for loyalty and expenses, it’s not necessary," Lin Xin said with a smile. "I’ll offer rewards and issue missions, then guarantee the rewards for these missions to be fair and generous, without any embezzlement. Spread this through you, and at first, take mundane tasks from the mortal world, primarily simple assassination missions."

"I understand the Sect Master’s intention. Later, we will establish a more complete and reputable intermediary organization, linking the employers and the employed. We don’t need loyalty; we just need to ensure the organization’s accuracy, fairness, and truthfulness to protect the interests of both parties," said Liu Zong, who was instantly enlightened. He was still young and quick to accept this area. Among them, he had the highest level of education, having attended a private school, while the others were mostly from impoverished backgrounds, where many couldn’t even read, let alone comprehend such complex institutions.

Lin Xin nodded approvingly. In his previous life, this was called a guild, but such a system had not yet appeared here. For now, he was only introducing the idea; such a thing required time to build a reputable guarantee. It was not something that could be established overnight.

"As for the organization’s mediation mechanism, we can discuss that later. Continue then, how are the others progressing with their cultivation?"

The group immediately began reporting their status of cultivation advancements. Having similar cultivation levels didn’t necessarily equal the same strength or combat abilities, but it could indicate someone’s potential in the future. And in actual combat, the power would be somewhat greater and more enduring.

After hearing the reports from the more than ten high-ranking individuals, Lin Xin was pleasantly surprised to find that three of them had increased their cultivation by one layer.

To be able to increase by one layer in such a short time, among them, Liu Yuan was even close to breaking through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation. Given time, he would become a master of the Qi Refinement Realm, capable of standing on his own! The other two, one at the Seventh Layer and another at the Sixth Layer of Innate, also had great potential.

"Not bad. And about the materials..." he suppressed the joy in his heart and continued to ask.

"The materials have been bought from the black market, three types, but we only got half of the necessary amount of Earth Fire Gold Plum; the other two types have been fully acquired," Liu Yang said solemnly.

"Earth Fire Gold Plum...." Lin Xin frowned, "There’s none left in the black market?"

"Yes, this item isn’t expensive, but it’s so rarely used that the market isn’t good. The seller said if we can wait, we could do another trade when he comes back in three years."

"Three years... That’s too long," Lin Xin shook his head. If his cultivation didn’t improve in three years, he might not even know where he’d end up dead. Given the perverse level of the Underworld, those who went in without corresponding cultivation enhancements to withstand illusions faced a dire outcome.

"Then we’ll have to find it ourselves," Liu Yang said earnestly, anticipating Lin Xin’s response, "There’s a source of Earth Fire Gold Plum deep in Yue Lin Mountain, I can take people there to harvest it."

"Yue Lin Mountain... how coincidental." Lin Xin was slightly startled. "Both Red Mansion and Star Calamity Hall have branches there..."

Red Mansion and Star Calamity Hall had both troubled him twice, attempting assassinations without success. He hadn’t yet settled those scores. This would be a good opportunity to address past grievances.

As for how to settle them. With his current combat strength, should he even fear anyone in the Qi Refinement Realm?

"There’s also a Demon Talisman Seed, which we have also gathered one of, found in an antique market. It’s said that many of these are in the hands of masters, supposedly for collection," Liu Yang explained.

"You managed to collect one?" Lin Xin’s eyes brightened, "Bring it here."

Liu Yang had someone present the Demon Talisman Seed, personally delivering it.

Lin Xin received it and saw that it was indeed a genuine Demon Talisman Seed. His thoughts broadened at once; if he could find some people who didn’t know how to use this item and exchange with them, he might be able to rapidly enhance his own attributes.

"Offer a hefty sum to purchase Demon Talisman Seeds, ten thousand Jade Money per piece," he pocketed the Demon Talisman Seed and declared gravely. "As for the Earth Fire Gold Plum, Liu Zong, gather a few people and accompany me."

"Yes." Liu Zong, a grim man at the Eighth Layer of Innate, whose magic artifact was a Magic Sword chosen due to poverty, had significantly increased his strength after Lin Xin inscribed the Yang Charm Sword on it. Recently, he had completed several difficult tasks and killed a former arch-enemy. He seemed less gloomy than before.

******************

Sword Sect of the Pines

"Still haven’t found it?"

In the depths of the mountain forest, inside a white Taoist hall, a white-robed Taoist sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, with a colossal character for ’sword’ hanging on each wall around him. The calligraphy was vigorous and robust, accompanied by a slowly rising wisp of incense in the room, creating a serene and profound atmosphere.

"No... Both of Elder Yu’s grandsons have vanished; they likely have been hidden away," a Taoist with bowed head and lowered eyes reported from the doorway in a soft voice. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please give it your recommendation ticket and monthly vote on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)