Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Xilun composed himself and turned to walk towards the entrance of the workshop.

Without the golden spear, his waist suddenly felt empty.

This feeling was not something he was used to.

The burned man had already had a standard-issue iron gun brought to him.

The spear was seven feet long, entirely black, and weighed approximately 320 pounds.

It was heavy enough for an ordinary third-tier cultivator, but it seemed too light in Xilun's hands.

He casually twirled the gun.

The tip of the gun traced an arc in the air without making a sound.

"Use this first."

The burned man said:

"Personal disciples can borrow it for free for one month."

Thank you.

Xilun took the registration plaque and slung the iron spear behind his back.

Several disciples from the weapon workshop voluntarily made way for them.

The young apprentice who had been in charge of the appraisal couldn't help but glance at him.

"Senior Brother Xilun."

"Weapons forged by the elders themselves will be at least at the third-tier extreme level upon completion."

"If the power of the Thunder Spirit Stone is preserved intact, it may even reach the level of a fourth-tier weapon."

Xilun paused.

"The grade of a weapon does not represent the strength of its user."

"Without sufficient strength, even the best weapons cannot be protected."

After he finished speaking, he left the workshop directly.

The young apprentice watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

The morning mist in the mountains has dissipated.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the white buildings of the monastery. In the distance, the bells of the Chaoyin Lecture Hall rang out, and a gentle breeze rippled across the surface of East Lake.

Xilun walked up the stone steps toward his dwelling.

Becoming Swain's student was an unexpected delight.

But he did not let his guard down because of this.

Identity, teacher, weapon—these are all just parts of power.

Tinos, also a disciple of the elders, was still easily defeated by Allah.

What truly determines life and death is always the strength in one's own hands.

Xiren mentally reviewed the escort plan for tomorrow.

Standard iron spears cannot withstand too much lightning force, so the Azure Thunder Spear Technique can only be used at a maximum of 70%.

The Crimson Star Spear should not be used lightly, otherwise this ordinary iron spear may explode on the spot.

However, the marine mammals in Shenwan Lake have not yet been confirmed to have appeared.

The caravan mainly traveled along the White Stone River on the first day; the truly dangerous areas would not be entered until the second day.

If the new guns are completed in seven days at the earliest, this escort mission will obviously be too late.

Xilun planned to select a spare weapon from his storage space after returning.

Just as he passed through the north corridor of the inner courtyard, a familiar figure hurriedly approached from the front.

The man was dressed in dark blue inner court robes, his left hand was wrapped in bandages, and he was followed by two indifferent young disciples.

Tinos.

West Ham's progress has not stopped.

The distance between the two sides quickly closed.

Tinos was whispering instructions to the two people behind him when he caught sight of Xiren out of the corner of his eye and his voice stopped abruptly.

His gaze first fell on Xiren.

He then looked at the standard iron gun behind Xilun.

A moment later, Tinos's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Where's your golden spear?"

Xilun did not answer.

He walked past the other person.

Tinos whirled around, a flash of blue fire disappearing from his fingertips.

"I'm asking you a question."

Xilun stopped in his tracks.

"It's none of your business."

Tinos stared at his empty waist, then looked towards the inner courtyard workshop, which was still emitting steam in the distance.

An idea quickly came to mind.

His expression immediately darkened.

"You went to the instrument shop?"

"Where is Hogger's Blue Tide Sword?"

Siron remained calm.

"It's already melted."

As soon as those four words were uttered, Tinos's pupils suddenly contracted.

He had originally planned to seize the Sea Demon Blood Cotton Robe and the Blue Tide Sword once Xilun lost the protection of Allah and Elena.

But he never expected that Xilun would send the Blue Tide Sword to the weapon workshop for forging so quickly.

A high-grade, third-tier weapon worth nearly a thousand pounds was gone just like that.

Undisguised anger flashed in Tinos's eyes.

It was as if what was melted down was not Xilun's spoils of war, but something that already belonged to him.

"Who gave you permission to melt it?"

He gritted his teeth and asked, word by word.

The surrounding air gradually warmed up.

A few wisps of translucent blue flame slowly rose from between Tinos's fingers.

Xilun turned around.

He looked at Tinos's angry and contorted face, his gaze gradually turning cold.

"My weapon."

"Who needs to give permission?"

The atmosphere in the corridor suddenly froze.

Several inner court disciples who happened to be passing by sensed the aura of the Azure Ember Flame and slowed their pace.

They dared not get too close, but they did not leave immediately either.

The conflict between Tinos and Celeste had already spread throughout the inner court.

Last time, Tinos tried to forcibly take the Sea Demon's Blood Cotton Robe and Hogger's Right Ear, but was ultimately stopped by his senior brother Allah and defeated in front of everyone.

Many people thought that Tinos would at least restrain himself for a while.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the two sides met again near the workshop.

"Your weapon?"

Tinos was so angry that he laughed instead.

He turned and walked up to Xilun, his dark blue robes fluttering even without wind.

"The Blue Tide Sword is Hogg's signature weapon, and it is quite rare among third-tier artifacts."

"Falling into the hands of a rogue cultivator from the outer seas is like a pearl being covered in dust."

"I was originally going to give you a chance to buy it for five hundred pounds."

Xilun looked at him calmly.

"The market price is at least eight hundred pounds."

"So what?"

Tinos raised his chin.

"I'm willing to pay because we're from the same school."

"If you were sensible, you would have brought it over long ago."

Xiren finally understood why the other party was so angry.

In Tinos's eyes, the Blue Tide Sword and the Sea Demon Blood Cotton Coat seemed to be his for the taking.

Xilun is keeping it temporarily because he hasn't had time to retrieve it yet.

Now that the Blue Tide Sword has been sent to the furnace, Tinos has lost a treasure he believed belonged to him, and naturally feels offended.

This logic is absurd.

But for someone who has relied on his strength and background to run rampant in the inner courtyard for many years, it is quite natural.

The thin-faced disciple behind Tinos spoke in a cold voice:

"Siren, it's your luck that Senior Brother Tinos has taken a liking to your stuff."

"It's one thing that you're ungrateful, but you actually melted down the Blue Tide Sword without permission."

"Apologize right now?"

Xilun glanced at him.

"I killed Hogger and took back the spoils."

"What I do is none of your business."

"Just assisting in the kill."

Another disciple sneered:

"Who knows how much effort you put into it?"

"I heard that Blue Sword Hogg's real fatal injury came from the dual swords, most likely from Senior Sister Elena, and you just got lucky on the sidelines."

Xilun offered no explanation.

It's impossible to delve too deeply into who exactly killed Hogg.

Many of those who participated in the Black Abyss Forest mission have died, and the survivors only know that Siren and Elena brought back corpses.

What Tinos and others want to speculate about is not important.

"Are you done talking?"

"Sirlen asked."

"After saying that, step aside."

He turned to leave.

Tinos's face turned completely grim.

"stop."

Xilun did not stop.

"I told you to stop right there!"

boom!

Blue flames suddenly exploded from beneath Tinos's feet.

The moisture on both sides of the corridor evaporated instantly, and a few fallen leaves that had drifted from the courtyard were burned to ashes before they even hit the ground.

The skin on Xilun's back tightened slightly.

The moment the sense of danger arose, he stomped his right foot on the ground and suddenly shifted his body to the side.

A hand formed from blue flames brushed past his shoulder and slammed heavily onto the stone pillar in front of him.

There was no violent explosion.

The blue flames clung to the surface of the stone pillar as if they were alive, and quickly corroded it inward.

The hard stone turned black and cracked at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving a palm print half a foot deep in the blink of an eye.

The surrounding disciples' expressions changed slightly.

This is no longer a simple obstruction.

If Xilun had reacted even slightly slower, the Azure Flame Palm would have landed on his back.

Even with the Sea Demon Blood Cotton Clothes for protection, they would not emerge unscathed.

Xilun stopped and slowly turned around.

"You want to take action?"

"I gave you a chance."

Tinos spread his five fingers, and blue embers flowed between his palms.

"Since the Blue Tide Sword has been destroyed, we will compensate with something else."

His gaze fell on the bottom of Xilun's long black coat.

A layer of dark red cotton lining can be faintly seen at the edge of the collar.

Sea Demon Blood Cotton Coat

The most precious defensive artifact on Hogger's body.

"Take off the blood-stained cotton coat."

Tinos's expression was icy.

"I can spare you this time."

A soft gasp was heard around them.

Some had already guessed that Tinos wouldn't let it go, but no one expected him to dare to rob the workshop directly.

This area still belongs to the inner courtyard.

Private sparring is not uncommon, but openly stealing items from fellow disciples is a completely different matter.

An older inner court disciple hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

"Senior Brother Tinos."

"Dangerous techniques are prohibited near the equipment workshop."

"If there are any conflicts, you can report them to the Enforcement Hall..."

Tinos turned his head to look.

A flash of blue light passed through his eyes.

"roll."

The disciple's face turned pale, and he instinctively stepped back.

He was only a regular Tier 3, and couldn't withstand Tinos's wrath at all.

Moreover, an inner elder stood behind Tinos.

Even if the matter escalates to the court of law enforcement, as long as no one actually dies, the punishment is usually just symbolic.

It's not worth offending Tinos for the sake of Silen, whom you've only known for a short time.

Xilun took in everyone's reactions.

He wasn't surprised.

Monasteries have rules, but those rules don't mean they can erase the gap between strength and background.

Outer disciples may also be subject to stricter controls.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, everyone possessed at least the third-tier strength, with many being direct disciples of elders, family heirs, or important retainers of the merchant guild.

As long as the real bottom line isn't crossed, many conflicts will be seen as friction between young disciples.

This is why Tinos is so unscrupulous.

"The blood-stained cotton coat is my trophy."

"That's what Xilun said."

"Allah already made it very clear last time."

Tinos's eye twitched.

The name Allah was like a thorn, instantly piercing his still-healing wound.

In their last encounter, he was defeated head-on by Allah using purple mines.

That battle not only injured him, but also caused him to lose face in front of many inner court disciples.

After that, wherever Tinos went, he could feel the strange looks from others.

He even began to suspect that those people were laughing at him behind his back.

They mocked him for constantly claiming he would replace the top spot in the inner court, yet he couldn't even withstand a casual blow from Allah.

And Xilun was the source of that conflict.

"Allah?"

Tinos sneered.

"Do you think he can protect you forever?"

"He is the chief of the inner court. He will participate in the Star Ring Ranking Battle in a little over two months. After the ranking battle ends, he may leave the monastery at any time."

Elena has also taken up a new post.

"Who will stand up for you now?"

Xilun's expression remained unchanged.

"So you think that because I'm helpless and alone, I can be bullied at will?"

"It's not bullying."

Tinos strode forward.

As the soles of the shoes stepped over the stone slabs, the blue flames slowly spread to both sides.

"It's to teach you manners."

"A rogue cultivator from the outer sea, who had the good fortune to achieve some merit, thought he could be on equal footing with the real inner court disciples."

"If you don't understand your place, someone will naturally have to teach you."

Tinos is now close to the third-tier extreme realm.

He also possesses the bloodline of the Deep Sea Azure Ember Beast, whose Azure Ember Fire can burn energy and erode the physical body.

Ordinary third-tier extraordinary individuals would struggle to withstand even ten moves from him.

Although Siren defeated Roel and helped kill Hogg, he still had not truly completed the third level of the Overturning Sea Technique.

In Tinos's view, the two sides were not even on the same level.

The last time Siron was able to keep his blood-soaked coat was only because Allah suddenly appeared.

Now that Allah is gone, Sri Lanka has no right to resist.

"The last time."

Tinos reached out his hand.

"Take off the blood-stained cotton coat."

"Go to the equipment workshop and retrieve the materials from the smelting of the Blue Tide Sword."

"I can spare your life."

Xiren looked down at Tinos's outstretched hand.

The skin on the palms is fair, and the fingers are long and slender.

The blue flames flowed slowly along his five fingers, sometimes condensing into tiny beast heads, sometimes transforming into dancing water droplets.

That hand is indeed very strong.

At least for now, Xiren has a very low chance of winning against Tinos in a direct confrontation.

In particular, the golden spear has been handed over to Swain for forging.

The standard iron spear on his back could not withstand the Crimson Star Spear, and it was also difficult to fully unleash the power of the Azure Thunder Spear Technique.

But not having a chance of winning doesn't mean you have to hand over the stuff.

The blood-stained cotton coat has saved Xilun's life in numerous battles.

When he faced the innocent prince's punch, if his blood-stained cotton coat hadn't weakened most of the impact, his sternum and internal organs would have been shattered on the spot.

This defensive treasure is worth far more than money.

Xilun would not hand it over simply because of a threat from someone.

Once you give in to something the first time, you'll do it a second and a third time.

If Tinos takes the blood-stained cotton coat today, he might demand that Tinos hand over his marksmanship tomorrow, or even offer up the materials from the sea monsters he hunted in Shenwan Lake.

"We are all disciples of the inner court."

Xilun spoke calmly.

"Are you really going to make a move here?"

"What's wrong, are you scared?"

Tinos's lips curled up in a smile.

"Unfortunately, it's too late."

"If you had knelt down and admitted your mistake immediately, I might have only taken the blood-stained cotton coat."

"Now, besides the blood-stained cotton coat, you will also have to pay the price for your rudeness."

Xilun's gaze swept around.

More than twenty disciples had already gathered on both sides of the corridor.

Further away, people in the workshop also noticed the commotion and looked over.

However, the underground furnace chamber where Swain was located had been completely sealed off.

Once the furnace is started, it cannot be easily stopped midway.

When refining weapons, it is also necessary to isolate external sounds and energy fluctuations to avoid affecting the fusion of materials.

Tinos was clearly aware of this as well.

Only then did he dare to make a move near the equipment workshop.

"As long as I don't kill you."

Tinos slowly clenched his fist.

"Even if I lose these mere external possessions, the monastery will not truly punish me for the sake of a newly admitted inner disciple."

"Moreover, I am a direct disciple of the elder."

"And you?"

His face revealed undisguised contempt.

"A wandering cultivator from the outer sea, with no one to rely on."

"Without Elena and Allah, you are nothing."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Xilun's expression became even calmer.

"I see."

"It's good that you understand."

Tinos thought he had finally come to terms with reality, and a hint of smugness appeared in his eyes.

"Take off your clothes."

"Then kneel down and apologize."

"I can consider letting you stay in the inner courtyard."

Xilun raised his hand and gripped the standard iron gun on his back.

"I mean, so you only dare to target people without any powerful backers."

The smile on Tinos's face vanished instantly.

The expressions of the surrounding disciples also became strange.

This statement hit Tinus right where he was least willing to admit it.

He made loud and clamorous pronouncements when facing Allah, but when he was truly defeated, he could only leave in a sorry state.

Now that Allah is gone, he has returned to Siron, hoping to regain his dignity from this wandering monk from the outer sea.

"court death."

Tinos suddenly clenched his five fingers together.

The Azure Flame suddenly surged.

The translucent flames coalesced into a ferocious beast's head, opening its mouth full of sharp teeth and letting out a silent roar towards Xilun.

The temperature in the corridor rose sharply.

All the moisture on the walls and floor evaporated.

The surrounding disciples retreated one after another, fearing that they would be tainted by the Azure Flame.

Xilun removed his iron spear.

He spun the black gun barrel halfway in his hand, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground.

The power of the Overturning Sea Technique flowed slowly.

The skin, muscles, and tendons tighten in sequence.

After being repaired by the Boundless Ocean Elixir, his major tendon injuries had basically healed. Although the third level of the Overturning Sea Technique was not yet complete, he had already begun to establish his own energy channel.

The chilling, dark energy seeped into the skin.

The Great Thunder Breathing Technique generates a deep vibration between the chest and abdomen.

The bluish-white lightning was enveloped in a layer of almost transparent water vapor, which slowly seeped into the iron spear along the arm.

hum!

Ordinary standard iron spears could not withstand several forces and emitted a groan of being overwhelmed.

Xilun immediately reduced the intensity of the thunder.

This weapon is too weak.

If one were to unleash the full power of the Thunderous Spear Technique, the spear would shatter before it even struck Tinos.

Tinos noticed the unusual appearance of the iron spear, and his contempt deepened.

"They don't even have their own weapons."

"What do you have to fight me with?"

"You don't necessarily need a good weapon to kill someone."

"That's what Xilun said."

The voice was so calm that it didn't have a single inflection.

The two disciples behind Tinos changed color at the same time.

They sensed an extremely cold killing intent emanating from Xilun.

It wasn't the fighting spirit one would feel when sparring in the ring.

It wasn't an impulsive act by a young disciple who was provoked.

That was an aura honed from corpses and blood, truly ready to kill.

Xilun is not bluffing.

If Tinos continues his attack, he will treat this conflict as a life-or-death struggle.

Even if they are weaker than their opponent, they will use every means at their disposal.

Breath of the Styx.

Lei Ling.

The severed limbs of an evil god.

Even the Crimson Star Spear, which could tear apart the Great Vein once again.

Tinos is powerful, but that doesn't mean he's without weaknesses.

As long as he continues to harbor the intention of teaching Xilun a lesson and forcibly seizing the Blood Robe, and Xilun has been aiming to kill from the beginning, the gap between the two will not be as huge as it appears on the surface.