Raise a sword!

The reforging of the Xuanyuan Sword did not go smoothly.

Just like the chasm between second-tier and first-tier alchemy, advancing in weapon crafting is equally difficult.

Although Jiang Peng had the experience of refining weapons from the Heavenly Crippled Daoist, he only realized that it was far more complicated than he had thought when he actually began to study the second-tier weapon refining techniques.

"It's not just about matching the materials used for refining the weapon; after the magic weapon is upgraded, the engraved patterns on the blade also need to be changed... but unfortunately, I'm not familiar with second-tier patterns."

Jiang Peng realized that her previous ideas were too naive. She thought that since the Xuanyuan Sword was made of Tianchen Steel, it could freely fuse materials and only needed to focus on the properties of the materials themselves.

If Jiang Peng only wanted an ordinary second-tier magic sword, then doing this would be fine.

However, he also cultivated the ancient path of sword cultivation, and the importance of the magic sword to ancient sword cultivators was almost equivalent to another true self.

Therefore, every advancement of the magic sword must strive for perfection.

Jiang Peng sat cross-legged in the alchemy room.

At this moment, it has been three months since he went into seclusion.

During those three months, he spent two months refining his weapon-forging skills.

However, when he decided to officially begin advancing his magic sword skills, he found himself stuck in a stalemate.

It has been a full month, and he has made no progress whatsoever.

Jiang Peng carefully examined the Xuanyuan Sword in her hand.

After years of rigorous training and nurturing, the once jet-black Xuanyuan Sword now has a faint, glossy purple sheen visible on its blade.

In addition, whenever Jiang Peng grasps the sword, he can sense that the Xuanyuan Sword seems to resonate with him in some kind of harmony.

"We understand each other perfectly," Jiang Peng murmured to herself.

This was originally a good thing, proving that Jiang Peng's approach to sword cultivation was not wrong.

However, precisely because of her connection with the Xuanyuan Sword, Jiang Peng could feel its resistance whenever she wanted to begin refining the weapon.

It craves advancement, but refuses imperfect advancement.

After a full month of wasting time, Jiang Peng finally decided to give up for the time being.

"This upgrade of the magic sword is not just a simple matter of incorporating materials into the sword; it is a complete reforging."

Thinking of this, Jiang Peng looked helpless.

Since it's a reforging, the earth fire on Azure Mist Peak can't handle it.

"We still have to go to the Jade Pavilion Sword Pavilion. In the entire northern foothills, only the Sword Pavilion's weapon-refining room can truly refine second-tier magic weapons."

Three months of seclusion yielded nothing, leaving Jiang Peng, who had been enjoying a smooth and successful journey, feeling a rare sense of frustration.

After leaving the seclusion, he first went to the main peak and met the sect leader, Chu Chun'an.

"I wish to go to the Jade Pavilion Sword Pavilion to borrow their weapon-refining furnace to upgrade my magic sword," Jiang Peng briefly explained his purpose.

His original intention was simply to say hello to the sect leader, since he also had affairs to attend to at the Pill Hall, and it wouldn't be right for him to just leave without a care in the world.

Even before he went into seclusion, he made special arrangements for the trivial matters of the Pill Hall so that he could focus on his seclusion.

After hearing Jiang Peng's purpose, Chu Chun'an smiled slightly and led Jiang Peng out of the main hall.

Then, he raised his hand and pointed, and a stream of spiritual energy flew into the air and exploded on an invisible barrier.

Jiang Peng was taken aback.

"That doesn't seem to be the mountain-protecting formation."

"If Longshe Temple says it will be closed for ten years, then it will be closed for ten years. During these ten years, all cultivators of the Cangshan Sect are allowed to enter but not leave."

Chu Chun'an's expression was calm, but a hint of helplessness could still be heard in his tone.

"If it's just a matter of reducing Cangshan's fortune by 30% for ten years, the cultivators in the sect can simply leave the sect temporarily. In that case, the True Lord's punishment would become a joke."

Chu Chun'an looked at Jiang Peng.

"The sect has already schemed against the True Monarch once."

"Never again must we disobey the True Lord... This mountain-sealing formation was obtained by Master Lü from the Dragon and Snake Temple. He did not see the True Lord in person, but received the instruction, 'This is the last time.'"

"With this statement, after the ten-year closure of the mountain, there will be no further developments in this matter."

...

Late at night, on Biwu Peak.

Jiang Peng and Lan Yingying set up a table and chairs on a giant rock in the back mountain where they enjoyed the moon, and drank and chatted.

Both of them were filled with sorrow.

"The art of sword nurturing is the foundation of my cultivation. If my magic sword doesn't advance a level for a day, it may seem like it won't have much of an impact, but in reality, it constantly hinders my cultivation progress... I thought that ten years of seclusion in the mountains wouldn't be a big deal, but now that the knife has really fallen, I realize that it really hurts."

Jiang Peng was originally recounting his own troubles, but as he spoke, he noticed that Lan Yingying's face was full of bitter smiles.

Without her having to say anything, Jiang Peng understood the reason after a moment's thought.

He sighed and pulled Lan Yingying into his arms.

"Yingying, you must be fifty this year?"

"I can't quite remember, but it should be around fifty-three or fifty-four."

Lan Yingying curled up in Jiang Peng's arms, wriggling to find a more comfortable position to lean against, and looked up at the deep starry sky.

"I was hoping to take a gamble and do my best to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining before I turned sixty. Even if the ninth level wasn't perfect, at least I would have a chance to try to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"I was hoping to take a gamble and do my best to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining before I turned sixty. Even if the ninth level wasn't perfect, at least I would have a chance to try to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"But now..." Lan Yingying's words ended there.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng wanted to offer some words of comfort, but after opening her mouth, she realized that she didn't know how to comfort him.

He knew best about Lan Yingying's desire for enlightenment.

This talisman master, who had spent over a decade navigating the marketplace and building a considerable reputation, despite her limited natural talent, always set her sights on Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Peng was unwilling for Lan Yingying's path to end there.

He and Lan Yingying met when they were both struggling. Although the way they got together was a bit strange, it was a true testament to their friendship in times of trouble.

After many years of companionship, this woman has become the most trusted and closest person to Jiang Peng within the Cangshan Sect since Qin Yuan's departure.

And Lan Yingying has lived up to this trust.

Over the years, she has learned many of Jiang Peng's secrets, but she has always kept them to herself.

Even in private, she rarely mentioned her relationship with Jiang Peng, for fear that it might cause Jiang Peng some trouble.

This is why none of the disciples on Fu Peak knew that Lan Yingying had a Daoist partner.

She deliberately concealed this matter.

"Jiang Lang, after this meeting, I will be going into seclusion." Lan Yingying gently pinched the hem of Jiang Peng's clothes at the waist with one hand.

Her voice held a hint of reluctance, but more than anything, it was restraint.

"After a lifetime of struggle, I've finally reached the late stage of Qi Refining, and I'm unwilling to give up."

"Hmm." Jiang Peng responded softly, "Sixty years old is not the final hurdle to Foundation Establishment. You still have a chance."

The two exchanged a smile, both understanding each other's thoughts.

Foundation Establishment is always better the earlier it is done. For someone who is at the peak of Qi Refining at the age of sixty, the chances of successfully establishing a Foundation Establishment are already quite slim.

Jiang Peng knew about this, and Lan Yingying knew about it too, but neither of them said it out loud.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Jiang Peng took out a jade box containing spiritual materials from her storage bag.

"What is this?" Lan Yingying asked curiously.

"The spiritual root of heaven and earth, the Azure Blood Fruit." Jiang Peng stuffed the jade box into Lan Yingying's arms. "A good thing for cleansing the marrow and rejuvenating the body."

Lan Yingying's expression changed.

"Spiritual roots? Even Golden Core cultivators covet this. Young Master Jiang can consume it himself; why waste it on me..."

A large hand opened the jade box and stuffed the perfectly preserved Jade Blood Fruit into Lan Yingying's mouth, silencing her.

Jiang Peng's voice followed immediately.

"Focus on refining the medicinal power; I will protect you."